Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion.
The ocean, St. Johns River, and numerous lakes and smaller rivers teem with fish, and so, naturally, seafood dominates local menus. Northeast Florida also has fine-dining restaurants, and its ethnic eateries include some excellent Middle Eastern places. And then there are the barbecue joints—more of them than you can shake a hickory chip at.
Eclectic, creative, and international all describe the cuisine and decor at this charming Cocoa Village spot, featured on the Food Network. The menu blends French, Italian, and Asian influences with dishes such as Kobe beef meatballs in garlic sesame sauce, penne and chicken breast in Manchego garlic Madeira cream, or a 16-ounce prime boneless rib eye. An outdoor courtyard with umbrella tables adds to the Continental flair.
Nestled in the Historic District, this 48-seat restaurant highlights local seafood, which, depending on the success of the fishermen, will include several fish entrées each day. The ever-changing menu also often has steak, lamb, or veal selections, all served in an intimate setting that is a tad more upscale than most area restaurants. For an original dessert try the bougainvillea—inspired by the colorful flowering plants that frame the building, it's made of strawberries, ice cream, and Cabernet-vanilla sauce served in a leaf-shaped phyllo cup.
Locals seem to flock to this trendy south Daytona eatery and lounge as much for the scene as for the food. The rotating menu emphasizes organic, locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, which owner–chef Clay Butters uses to create beef, seafood, and poultry dishes as appealing to the eye as the taste buds. Diners especially appreciate the chef's use of homegrown herbs and creative sauces in dishes such as Bahamian lobster sauté and natural grass-fed filet mignon, which can be enjoyed in the sleek dining room or in the garden, complete with a 20-foot lighted waterfall and fire pit.
No one can accuse chef Matthew Medure of resting on his laurels (of which there are many)—widely praised for culinary creativity and dazzling presentation at his signature San Marco restaurant, here he tantalizes diners with French and Mediterranean cuisine on a menu that includes everything from escargot to roasted bone marrow and from caviar to sweets. The experience is made even more upscale by a staff that's trained to suggest wine pairings. If you just can't choose, the Chef's Adventure gives you a six-course tour of the menu.
This tiny, fine-dining restaurant may have single-handedly changed the perception of Gainesville from a college town fueled by pizza, chicken wings, and pitchers of beer to an up-and-coming culinary destination with imaginative dishes created using fresh Florida produce. The ever-changing menu might include such items as an organic beet salad, grilled salmon over sweet potato and Cotija cheese enchiladas, or pan-roasted Angus fillet over chive-mashed Yukon Golds.
Inventive cuisine and seasonal ingredients are the hallmarks of the Ritz-Carlton's oceanfront restaurant, where the signature beef tenderloin is served on a block of Himalayan salt. The wine list has more than 300 bottles (many by the glass), service is nothing short of impeccable, and there's that view of the Atlantic from every table. For a unique dining experience, reserve a seat in the private dining room within the kitchen to Dine With the Chefs, watching them at work while you enjoy a personalized five-course meal. To learn the secrets of Salt's cuisine, consider taking one of its cooking school sessions. They've proven so popular, that the Ritz-Carlton now offers several of them a year. Long pants and collared shirts are recommended (for dining, we mean; cooking students get their own Ritz-Carlton aprons).
Sleek yet cozy, this hip bistro is popular with all types. The concrete floors and a stainless-steel wine bar provide an interesting backdrop for comfort-food-inspired entrées, but they also create a dining room that is uncommonly loud, especially on weekends. The daily specials are your only real main-course options, but the pizzas, sandwiches, and salads—especially the warm goat-cheese salad—are favorites. Don't miss the display of diet-destroying desserts. Reservations are accepted.
This sprawling restaurant is always crowded and festive, but it's not just the rustic setting that draws the throngs—it's the seafood. The specialty is rock shrimp, which are served fried, broiled, or steamed. Diners with a hearty appetite can opt for the Dixie Spectacular, featuring rock shrimp, scallops, crab legs, and lobster, or, if seafood isn't your choice, the menu offers steaks, chicken, and ribs. You might have to wait (up to 90 minutes) for a table, but if you don't have time to wait, you can order takeout or use the call-ahead seating option. A word to the wise: when that basket of corn fritters dusted with powdered sugar appears like magic on your table, try not to fill up on them.
Despite its strip-mall location, Florida's Fresh Grill is a welcome change from the more casual places that dominate the local dining scene. No swimwear or sandy flip-flops here; instead, count on an upscale experience, with a tasteful ambience, prompt service, and perfectly prepared seafood and steaks. Fresh seafood is the star. The colorful avocado crab tower appetizer is so lovely you feel a little guilty (only a little) toppling it. The sea-to-table fish comes with a choice of sauces, such as jalapeño bacon cream, which is lighter than it sounds and goes perfectly with the line-caught swordfish. The steaks, made from special reserve certified angus beef, are a hit as well. Favorite desserts include the carrot cake and Key lime pie, which many claim is the best they've ever had.
A local date-night destination for decades, this restaurant has a menu featuring German favorites—from sauerbraten served with potato dumplings and red cabbage to beef Stroganoff and spaetzle. All the soups and desserts are homemade. Be sure to try the Viennese-style apple strudel and the rum-zapped almond-cream tortes. A pianist serenades patrons at dinner, and the adjacent jazz club features live music Wednesday through Sunday.
This chophouse provides an upscale alternative to Daytona's more prevalent shorts-and-flip-flop joints. Steaks, especially the cuts named after race-car drivers, and mouthwatering sides (don't miss the potatoes Gruyère gratin) are the main attractions. The 22-ounce bone-in rib eye named after Tony Stewart is, appropriately, among the thickest, showing that these guys know their NASCAR. The popular Steak Earnhardt is a filet mignon over bordelaise crowned with lobster, Béarnaise (yes, it has two sauces), asparagus, and sliced mushroom. The lively dining room—done in dark wood with soft lighting and splashes of colorful artwork—is complemented by dramatic ocean views. An expansive wine list includes over 40 options by the glass. And don't let this restaurant chain's Ohio roots fool you—the Key lime pie is absolutely Florida-worthy.
Steaks and coastal Spanish–inspired cuisine are the specialty here, highlighted by dishes such as goat cheese terrine layered with sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and pesto. Large plates include braised short ribs and the chef's daily fresh catch preparation. The rustic, dimly lit dining room can get loud on busy weekend nights, as patrons—often celebrating special occasions—linger over their tapas and Spanish wines. There's a charming, more sedate courtyard for outdoor dining.
Located in a high rise, this hot spot has a vibrant ground-floor dining room that specializes in local seafood and fresh steaks and a rooftop lounge with magnificent views of the Downtown skyline, live music on weekends, and a separate menu of favorites like sushi and chicken wings. Reservations are advised for the restaurant; the lounge is first come, first served.
Although it's in a resort, this family-friendly restaurant is open to non–guests, many of whom drive in from Jacksonville. The dining room has a casual vibe, with plush, roomy booths and tables overlooking the tennis courts; the menu, however, is all business, with a focus on Southern and local food.
Please try a broader search, or expore these popular suggestions:
There are no results for {{ strDestName}} Restaurants in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions:
Sign up for Travel Tips & News
Thank you for your interest!
