The best restaurants in Florida: a culinary overview
Florida is a paradise for foodies. From freshly caught fish on the Gulf of Mexico to Caribbean specialties in Miami and creative street food cuisine, the Sunshine State offers a variety that is as colorful as its landscapes. Whether you’re looking for a romantic dinner by the water, a quick snack from a food truck or a family-friendly beach café – you’ll find it in Florida.
Seafood highlights
With over 2000 kilometers of coastline, Florida is an Eldorado for seafood lovers. Grouper, snapper, mahi-mahi and, of course, stone crab are on the menu in many restaurants.
The spectrum ranges from upscale fine dining restaurants with elaborately plated dishes to casual beach restaurants where you sit barefoot in the sand. The common denominator: freshness. Many establishments focus on “dock-to-dish” – the catch of the day comes straight from the boat to the table. And sometimes you can even have your own catch prepared.
Highly recommended: Papa Joe’s Oyster Bar in Apalachicola
The Rum Runners in Cape Coral is located directly on the water.
The best addresses for Stone Crab in Florida
The season for stone crab runs from mid-October to mid-May. During this time, the sweet, meaty claws are a delicacy that you should definitely try. Legendary is Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami Beach, which has been serving them for over 100 years. On the Atlantic coast, Billy’s Stone Crab in Hollywood or Frenchy’s Original Café in Clearwater Beach on the Gulf Coast are popular addresses.
Top oyster spots on the Gulf Coast
Apalachicola Bay in northwest Florida is famous for its oysters with a full-bodied, salty flavor. Although harvesting has been restricted to conserve stocks, you can still find excellent oysters, for example at Boss Oyster in Apalachicola or at Oystercatchers in Tampa – raw, grilled or gratinated.
Shrimps from the Gulf
Fresh shrimps, which are available in many different preparations, are particularly delicious. They are traditionally served in a basket with chips. Or as an addition to linguine Alfredo. The small shellfish can also be peeled and served with garlic bread and cole slaw. Delicious! At Salty Papa’s Shrimp House in Fort Myers, almost everything revolves around the sea creatures.
Family-friendly restaurants
The new food truck park in Cape Coral has everything you need.
Restaurants galore in Orlando
The only restaurant on Cabbage Key
German brewery in Panama City Beach
Come back Dollar on Cabbage Key
Florida is one of the most family-friendly destinations in the USA, and this is also reflected in its restaurants. Many restaurants offer special children’s menus, a relaxed atmosphere and areas where children can enjoy themselves. Children are often given a little pastime such as small coloring materials or puzzles. They can then take the crayons home with them. In some restaurants, such as Pinchers, children eat for free. Look out for “Kids eat free” signs.
Food trucks – mobile variety on wheels
Food trucks have become an integral part of Florida’s gastronomy scene. They bring culinary variety directly to the people – whether at street festivals, weekly markets, beach events or in special food truck parks.
The menu ranges from juicy BBQ ribs, tacos and Caribbean bowls to creative desserts. Particularly popular with families: you can try out different cuisines without being tied to a single restaurant. Children quickly find something they like, while adults can discover something new.
Popular venues include the Orlando Food Truck Bazaar, the Tampa Bay Food Truck Rally and the Fort Lauderdale Food Truck Festival. Many operators work with local products, which ensures fresh and authentic dishes – and the relaxed atmosphere makes a visit an experience for the whole family.
Beach cafés with children’s menu
On the Atlantic coast, Coconuts on the Beach in Cocoa Beach serves fresh seafood, burgers and a children’s menu – just a few meters from the sea. On the Gulf Coast, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille offers family-friendly dishes in a relaxed atmosphere with water views on Sanibel Island and in Fort Myers Beach.
Tips for theme park restaurants in Orlando
Dining at Florida’s theme parks is part of the experience. At Walt Disney World, the Be Our Guest restaurant in the Magic Kingdom invites you to dine in the Beast’s castle. At Universal Studios Orlando, Harry Potter fans can enjoy British-inspired cuisine at Three Broomsticks. Those looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of the park will find numerous casual restaurants and entertainment in one place at ICON Park in Orlando.
Fine dining & special occasions
Fine cuisine at Pierre’s Restaurant Islamorada
Beautiful: The Beach Cafe Bar Islamorada
Ocean Drive is lined with many restaurants.
Delicious: Duffy’s Steakhouse Key West
Away from the fast food chains, Florida’s upscale gastronomy is versatile and accessible – from top international chefs to creative newcomers with first-class service. A reservation makes perfect sense here.
Romantic waterfront restaurants
A dinner with the sound of waves in the background under Florida’s setting sun is hard to beat. In the Florida Keys, Latitudes on Sunset Key scores with its exclusive island ambience (only accessible by boat). On the Gulf Coast, The Beach House Restaurant on Anna Maria Island offers fresh fish at sunset. In Miami, Smith & Wollensky combines first-class steaks with a view of Government Cut.
Award-winning chefs in Florida
Well-known names such as Norman Van Aken, who is considered the “father of New World Cuisine”, characterize the culinary scene. Restaurants such as Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort carry AAA Five Diamond awards. Mandolin Aegean Bistro in Miami is also regularly praised in the national media for its authentic cuisine.
Traditional steaks & steakhouses
What would a vacation in the Sunshine State be without steak? If you only think of fish and seafood when you think of Florida, you are missing out on another culinary strength of the Sunshine State: first-class steaks. Cattle farming has a long history here – Spanish settlers brought the first cattle to the state as early as the 16th century. Today, many cuts in Florida’s steakhouses come directly from regional farms, especially from Central Florida around Ocala and Kissimmee.
Whether it’s a juicy ribeye, tender filet mignon or a perfectly grilled New York strip – Florida offers an impressive selection. Classic addresses such as Bern’s Steak House in Tampa are known nationwide and offer not only excellent meat quality, but also legendary wine cellars. In Miami, Prime 112 attracts celebrities and foodies alike, while Cattleman’s Steakhouse in Kissimmee combines a rustic Western ambience with authentic preparation.
Tip: Many steakhouses in Florida offer “Surf & Turf” dishes, which combine high-quality beef with fresh lobster or prawns – the perfect combination of land and sea.
Regional specialties
Key lime pie – Florida’s sweet icon
The Key Lime Pie comes from the Florida Keys and is a must for every visitor: crispy cookie base, creamy lime filling and cream or meringue on top. Try it at Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe or at the colorful Blue Heaven in Key West. But of course you can get it almost anywhere if you’re not there.
Cuban Sandwich – a piece of Miami
Brought to Florida by Cuban immigrants, the Cuban Sandwich is a pressed masterpiece of roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard. It is famous in the Versailles Restaurant in Little Havana, but Tampa and many other places also claim the title of fast food invention.
Gator Bites – Florida’s wild side
For the brave, there are alligator bites – usually breaded and deep-fried, with a taste slightly reminiscent of chicken. They can be found on many menus, especially in the Everglades region.
