Florida

Discover the State One Destination at a Time

In South Florida, there is one of the most diverse selections of culinary experiences in the southeastern United States, including Latin American cuisine, Caribbean cuisine, seafood restaurants, Japanese cuisine, Italian cuisine, and modern American food options. In order to understand the differences between places like Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach, Naples, and other towns further south, it is important to discuss each area separately.

The central regions provide diversity in another way. In addition to theme parks, Orlando has destination restaurants, chef-driven restaurants, international districts, steak houses, casual spots, and family-friendly restaurants. At the same time, Tampa features well-established traditional restaurants and some new culinary experiences, and Clearwater and St. Petersburg add coastal ambiance to the mix.

There is yet another change in the Panhandle region and in the northern parts of the state. Destin and Panama City Beach are strongly identified with Gulf seafood and vacation eating, Pensacola offers a combination of coastal influence and an independent restaurant culture, and Jacksonville offers a range of dining experiences, from classic Southern comfort to modern kitchens. Finally, the Florida Keys provide an island experience, al fresco dining, tropical cuisine, and fresh fish.

What You Can Find in Our Local Food Guides

When people look for somewhere to eat, usually there is not one sole motive in their minds. There might be some days when what is most important is a waterfront setting or a convenient meal at the beach. Other times, what might come to the fore is fine dining, a date night restaurant, a good steakhouse, a kids-friendly place, a budget neighbourhood spot, or Michelin-starred restaurants. The destination guide pages are designed to keep in view these different needs.

The different cuisines which have been covered include seafood, Italian, Mexican, Cuban, Japanese, Mediterranean, Southern, Caribbean, and contemporary American. The guides don’t treat each location as if they were in competition with each other on the same occasion.

Coastal Flavor, International Influence, and Local Character

Sunshine State cuisine does not have a definite identity in Florida. While many dishes are formed based on coastlines, other factors such as immigrants, tourism, history, agriculture, and community have their say too. That is why your journey can encompass everything from eating grilled grouper at the beach to trying Cuban sandwiches in Tampa, going to a chefs’ restaurant in Miami, trying international cuisine in Orlando, and having a more laid-back experience on an island down south. A highly ranked restaurant in a resort area will be helpful in one respect; a smaller restaurant in a community area will prove better suited in another.

Popular Destinations for Culinary Trips

There are certain cities that stand out because they provide restaurants that have something else besides good dining – beachfront, nightlife, shopping, attractions, and/or pedestrian-friendly communities. In this way, Miami is always attractive to travellers looking for great culinary diversity; Orlando is appealing to both tourists and local people due to the diversity of dining places that offer various prices. Tampa offers a great opportunity to study both the history and contemporary cuisine of this city, while Naples provides refined food, seafood, and Gulf Coast locations.

Some cities are associated with beaches and thus attract people interested in dining in a scenic environment. Such cities include Clearwater, Siesta Key, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Marco Island, Vero Beach, and Sarasota. For those travellers looking for food that goes with the coast and relaxed tables, Destin, Pensacola, and Panama City Beach might be good choices.

There are other cities worth visiting, as well, because of different reasons. Such as St Augustine, where you can taste great food in a historical environment, or Gainesville with its college-town vibe. Also, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Melbourne, Jupiter, Delray Beach, and Boca Raton offer great opportunities for dining in an environment that does not need to be metropolitan.

How We Build Useful Restaurant Recommendations

Not only should a good guide contain names mentioned everywhere else. We analyse all aspects of an establishment, from local reputation, consistency, food, value, ambience, location and the right occasions to visit. We also analyse whether the venue has any unique selling propositions compared to others in the neighbourhood, like the cuisine, the ambiance, the chef-driven concept or being long-established in the area.

Food scenes change constantly, and so must the coverage. New venues start getting traction, menus change, ownership is changing hands and certain establishments finally shut down after years of operation. In order to be sure of what you are planning to do, it is always wise to contact the establishment and check opening hours, dress code and the availability of the menu.

Start With the Place You Are Visiting

Begin with the destination postings on this page, and then check the corresponding guide. You may want to have a dining experience on the water along the Gulf, an evening of fun in South Florida, a family dinner in the Orlando area, a romantic evening in St. Augustine, or just an easy seafood meal in the Keys. Choosing the correct page will help eliminate some choices but not take away from the local flavor. The best option is not always the most well-known option. It is the best match based on your location, budget, tastes, schedule, and purpose of dining out.