643 Best Restaurants in Florida, USA

The city's hottest upscale restaurant draws a crowd of connoisseurs to a modern, coral-stone dining room that spills out onto the sidewalk. The menu changes nightly, and the Venetian-born chef puts a New World spin on traditional Italian favorites, which are seasoned with different types of sea salt from around the globe. The finest quality meats and seafood, much of it sourced from local farmers and fisherman, are used in all the dishes.

Named a Recommended Restaurant in the Florida 2023 Michelin Guide, Sear + Sea has a wood-fired grill and features an elegant steak and seafood menu, a unique cocktail list, and a 1,200-bottle wine cellar. Dine indoors at a white marble table amid a relaxing natural color scheme, or head outdoors to enjoy your meal while overlooking the  resort’s pool and greenery.

The epitome of modern Japanese cuisine, Seito offers crowd-pleasing traditional and contemporary ramen bowls as well as unique, handcrafted sushi combinations and Japanese "kitchen food." The sophisticated and fun bar specializes in Japanese cask whiskey and multiple exclusive sake brands.

Fresh, coastal-inspired dishes are enjoyed alfresco at this dockside restaurant, where each of the three bar areas and massive lounge get gorgeous Intracoastal views. Munch on the expected seaside starters like coconut shrimp, crispy calamari, and smoked fish dip before moving onto flatbreads, sushi, or one of the many entrées served at both lunch and dinner. The daily happy hour features half-price drinks and bites under $10. Arrive by boat or take advantage of the complimentary valet.

The signature restaurant of the trendy Luminary Hotel & Co. truly shines, offering fine dining in an inviting, sophisticated atmosphere. The menu is brimming with modern takes on seafood favorites, including flavorful deconstructed stone crab. Outdoor seating is available.

A local favorite for a quick bite while hanging out on The Key, Sir Pizza keeps it simple with square-cut thin-crust pizzas, sandwiches, and hefty deli salads. Using fresh ingredients, special marinara sauce, and tiny cubes of pepperoni, these pies are ones you'll likely think about for awhile. Grab an extra side of ranch for pizza dipping---it's a must at Sir Pizza.

Texas-inspired barbecue is all the rage at Society BBQ, where meats reign supreme and everything is smoked. The carved-to-order smoked meats and made-from-scratch sides are finger-licking good. The meat market menu includes burnt ends, pulled chicken and pork, sliced brisket, and giant beef ribs. For sides, expect your run-of-the-mill barbecue favorites like mac and cheese, loaded potatoes, and pit-smoked beans.

This is the spot you might imagine when you think of dining by the water in the Keys. The Caribbean-influenced menu includes things like lobster and shrimp cakes, fried whole fish (the presentation is a photo op), and catch of the day served with fried plantains and rice and beans. You can't go wrong with the fish sandwich, grilled, blackened, or fried, and key lime anything for dessert.

In an unassuming warehouse-like building on U.S. 1, chef-owner Lynn Bell is creating seafood magic. For starters, try the flash-fried conch with wasabi drizzle or homemade smoked-fish dip. While the restaurant earns rave reviews, its name still earns snickers—"square grouper" is slang for the bales of marijuana that were dropped into the ocean during the drug-running 1970s.

Billed as a "hotel lounge," Strong Water breaks all the rules for hotel dining: the surroundings are comfortable, and the food is some of the most memorable in Orlando. Specializing in the cuisines of "the rum latitudes," the menu features dishes from Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Colombia, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Mexico. Every item is a hit, from familiar and unusual ceviches to remarkable chicken tenders in buttermilk batter to the Jamaican curry goat. The list of rums from around the world is longer than the food menu; the deceptively potent milk punch made with Nicaraguan rum and black tea is a must.

This retro-themed, Japanese bar–suburban rec room serves memorable charcoal-grilled skewers, ramen, chicken karaage (deep-fried in oil), tempura, and tofu bowls. Bar bites, craft beer, and cocktails add flair to the very casual atmosphere.

Tabla's reputation for great Indian food has lasted since 2008. Start with a selection from the enormous range of house-made breads before choosing from the menu of biryanis, curries, tandoor-fired meats, or vegetarian dishes like bhindi masala and sautéed paneer.

Hidden in the back of the Japan Pavilion, the impressive and intimate Takumi-Tei is split into five theme rooms inspired by water, wood, earth, stone, and washi paper. Though hours are limited, the dining experiences are of the highest caliber, with two omakase, multicourse options—an omnivorous meal ($250 per person) or a plant-based meal ($150 per person). Seasonal items include Japanese A5 Wagyu steak, lobster tempura, sashimi, vegetable tempura, and soba noodles. Children must be over the age of eight to participate, and there is no kids' menu.

French and American influences are clear in the Swiss chef's dishes, from rack of lamb with Dijon mustard to grilled filet mignon stuffed with Roquefort and fresh spinach. The formal dining room has subtle, elegant touches, such as votive candlelight and white tablecloths. A more casual menu is available at the bar.

The historic Sundy House, a 1902-built Victorian home with meandering gardens, ponds, and charming gazebo seating, is home to chef James Strine's “New Florida cuisine,” which essentially comprises Caribbean-, Cuban-, and Latin-inspired dishes. The cocktails are refreshing, the lush outdoor setting is downright magical, and the gourmet comfort food has a creative streak. Dishes include fish tacos, poutine, popcorn shrimp, and baked cannelloni stuffed with spinach and Brie. The legendary Sunday brunch, served from 10 am to 5 pm, is a seated buffet of brunch classics that pair with bottomless mimosas or sangria.

Picture this: flip-flop-wearing anglers and beach-towel-clad bathers lolling on picnic benches, sipping a beer, and devouring oak-smoked salmon, mullet, mahimahi, and mackerel. Dinner comes to the table with heaping helpings of potato salad and coleslaw. If you're industrious enough to have hooked your own fish, the crew will smoke it for about $1.50 per pound. If not, there's always what many consider to be the best burger in the region. The popular smoked fish spread and Manhattan clam chowder are available to go. There's also indoor seating at Ted's, which has been a south-side fixture for more than six decades. Closing time is 7:30 pm, so dinner is only for early diners.

A charming cottage restaurant west of Ocean Drive prepares some of the best food around—not just in Vero Beach, but all of South Florida. The chefs, classically trained, give a nod to international fare with disparate dishes such as tuna tataki, Asian-inspired carpaccio with satay, penne quattro formaggi, and classic lobster bisque. The setting is effortlessly elegant (think pale-blue, coral-printed fabrics and a brick fireplace) and the service top-notch. An appetizer's two jumbo crab cakes have scarcely anything but sweet, fresh flesh; a Southern-inspired corn-and-pepper sauce naps them. Floridian fish are a focus, testament to the chef's commitment to local sourcing. Adventurous eaters may want to book the chef's table, where the chef's choice menu is paired with wines from an impressive list.

Inspired by the worldwide journeys of Disney Imagineers, this wildly popular, upscale restaurant is possibly the best theme-park eatery—period. The menu is international, the inventive space has enough unique Disney decor to fill a museum, and the attached Nomad Lounge (the park's only air-conditioned bar) serves small bites and handcrafted cocktails. Meat-free offerings are every bit as good as their carnivorous alternatives.

Featuring fantastic views of the resort and EPCOT, this pricey restaurant on the 10th floor of the Riviera Resort is one the best on Disney property. In the evening, try handcrafted pastas such as rigatoni or the traditional bouillabaisse; at breakfast, enjoy a family-style character meal. While you indulge in sour cream waffles, wild mushroom scramble, or wood-fired butcher's steak, Mickey and friends come right to your table. 

In the midst of a warehouse-size store, this comfortable bistro, accented with stunning Florida photography from Alan Maltz, is a local favorite. The marvelous sesame-seared tuna lunch salad with Asian slaw and wasabi vinaigrette exemplifies the creative fare; for dinner, try the barbecued baby back ribs, macadamia-crusted grouper, or any of the day's finely crafted specials. The bar serves light nibbles and happy-hour twofers. While waiting for your food, visit the attached shop filled with everything from affordable trinkets to pricey island wear.

This good-value restaurant offers all-buffet dining three meals a day, and a Donald's safari-theme character crew complements the African-esque decor and menu. In addition to standard kids fare, the menu has healthful dishes like curry chicken, marinated salmon, strip loin rubbed with berbere (an African spice mix), and saffron-infused root vegetables. Kids will be happy to see corn dog nuggets and mashed potatoes on the buffet, but this is a great chance to add something unusual to their palet. This restaurant has a large vegetarian selection.

Austin transplant and James Beard Award–winning chef Tyson Cole creates fresh takes on classic sushi at Uchi. Indulge in rolls of thinly sliced flounder atop candied quinoa or bigeye tuna topped with aji amarillo, tangerine, and pumpkin seed granola, or have all the decisions made for you by opting for the omakase menu featuring a selection of dishes by the chef. Daily happy hour from 5 to 6:30 pm features half-price bubbles, $9 cocktails, and heavily discounted bites.

Named after a 16th-century Tocobagan princess, this hot spot was created by the family behind the historic Columbia restaurant in Ybor City. Although diverse, the menu focuses on local ingredients and has an easy-to-detect Southern accent, with appetizers such as alligator hush puppies and okra fries and entrées like pan-seared Florida pompano served with sun-dried-tomato shallot cream and fried carrot ribbons. Set in the refurbished old Tampa Waterworks building, high on the bank of the Hillsborough River, its water views are particularly spectacular at dusk; Downtown is an easy walk away. Beer is brewed on-site, and the creative cocktail menu (go for the Ring of Fire, a spicy creation of vodka, gin, and lychee liqueur) is supplemented with wines from domestic, family-owned vineyards like Silver Oak Winery.

Don't be fooled by the cheesy glowing sign visible from the highway—most locals swear this is the place for fresh seafood, which is why you need a reservation even in the heat of summer. The setting is whimsical (portholes, antique bronze diving gear, colorful fish sculptures), and the dishes are eclectic, often featuring Asian-inspired preparations. The signature miso-broiled sea bass with citrus-ginger butter strikes the right balance between sweet and savory; the ginger-steamed halibut with soy-lime dressing and the herb-grilled tuna with warm goat cheese and seared diver scallops are also winners.

Miami visitors looking for that "Cuban food on Calle Ocho" experience, look no further: this storied eatery, where old émigrés opine daily about all things Cuban, is a stop on every political candidate's campaign trail, and it should be a stop for you as well. Order a heaping platter of lechón asado (roasted pork loin), ropa vieja (shredded beef), or picadillo (spicy ground beef), all served with rice, beans, and fried plantains.

A well-polished service team anticipates your every need, providing a truly sophisticated dining experience, one in which children under 10 aren't on the guest list. There's nothing quick about sitting down for a 7- to 10-course dinner in the main dining room, a 10-course dinner in the intimate Queen Victoria's Room, or the over-the-top Chef's Table dinner in the restaurant's kitchen. Ingredients are sourced daily from local and international purveyors and may include Australian Kobe-style beef, white truffles, Alaskan sablefish, or Galilee Osetra caviar from northern Israel. This is Orlando's only restaurant with a AAA 5-Diamond award and the only U.S. theme park–owned restaurant with a Michelin star; it's also one of the few Disney restaurants with a dress code, so pack accordingly!  The meal will easily run three hours or more, and the Chef's Table can cost more than $500 per person.

Village Tavern is truly a neighborhood hub for those who love good food, good wine and cocktails, and great company. The bar scene is always fun, especially on Wine Wednesday, when all the wines (even the premium labels) are half-price by the glass. As the bar fills up, the patio is a great option for drinking and dining; however, it's really hard to find a seat outside in the summer. Dogs are more than welcome to join on the terrace, and the servers are extra hospitable. The eclectic and well-rounded menu is rooted in fresh ingredients, and everything is made from scratch.

A restaurant, a bar, and an entertainment venue with live DJs wrapped into one space, this hip, 10,000-square-foot Asian food hall has seven restaurants and a full bar to choose from. Take a trip through Asia's many cuisines with everything from dumplings and pho to poke to sushi, and even Peking duck. Save room for dessert where photo-worthy red-bean ice cream cones are on the menu.

This cozy spot is as good as it gets on the Treasure Coast. Soft music and a friendly staff set the mood in the antiques-filled dining room of this old house, which holds only 21 tables. An extensive list of small plates can be ordered as starters or mains and includes tasty treats like Arbol chili roasted chicken thighs and Wagyu hanger steak with onion rings and salsa verde. Many of the vegetables are grown by the chef. The limited but superb selection of entrées includes wood-grilled elk with roasted faro and Wagyu rib eye with port wine. All desserts are made from scratch and are also seductive, including white-chocolate custard with blackberry sauce.

Considering NASCAR fans' affinity for barbecue, it was only natural that this wildly popular Florida chain, which originated about an hour away in Orlando, would set up shop across the street from Daytona International Speedway. First-timers might want to try the Smokehouse 2X2, which lets you mix and match mouthwatering smoked meats, such as the 18-hour smoked brisket, pulled pork, and burnt ends. The Six-Shooter starts with a layer of baked cheese grits that's topped with pulled pork, coleslaw, jalapeños, and the signature sauce. For an outside-the-box side, consider trying the bacon-wrapped, cheese-stuffed jalapeños.