643 Best Restaurants in Florida, USA

Upstairs from the legendary Boston's on the Beach, you'll find its fancier annex, 50 Ocean. In contrast to the no-frills sports bar on the ground floor, 50 Ocean is a more refined restaurant featuring dishes with a large percentage of locally sourced ingredients. The views from above are spectacular, and the setting is casually elegant, with an outdoor veranda and notable quartz bar. If it feels too fancy upstairs, just head back downstairs for some decent bar fare that includes New England clam chowder, several lobster dishes, and fresh fish.

If you grew up in Middle America in the 1950s—or you're just a fan of classic TV series like I Love Lucy and The Donna Reed Show—you'll appreciate the vintage atmosphere and diner-classic menu here. At tables with Formica tops, you can feast on meat loaf, pot roast, or fried chicken accompanied by a malted milk shake, a root-beer float, or a bottle of wine or a cocktail from the Tune-In Lounge next door. The place also offers lighter dishes like a grilled salmon salad. If you're not feeling totally wholesome, go for Dad's Electric Lemonade (vodka, blue curaçao, sweet-and-sour mix, and Sprite). Just like Mother, the menu admonishes, "Keep your elbows off the table."  If you're a party of two looking for a way to eat here without a reservation, grab a seat at the bar in the attached Tune-In Lounge. The entire menu is offered here, and the bartenders are some of the best on Disney property.

A new José Andrés restaurant opened in Mid-Beach and it doesn't disappoint. Nestled in the bottom of the Andaz hotel, Aguasal is dishing out pan-Mediterranean and coastal flavors that complement the Miami beach area perfectly. Common dishes like fried calamari are found here, but are elevated with a spicy raw garlic toum and harissa chili crisp at the base of the plate. Make sure to try the farm chicken tagine that is visually appealing and tastes like a home-cooked meal on a special occasion, and leave room for deconstructed deserts like the Atlantic Beach Pie, with fresh lemon curd, Chantilly cream, Ritz cracker crumble, and sliced blueberries.

When you first walk into the restaurant, you'll immediately smell the smoky flavors coming from the wood-fired grill in the open kitchen. AHU|MAR is decorated in a clean, modern, and natural style, with a large olive tree as the focal point. The cocktails stay consistent with the smoky flavors of the meal. The Torch is a must-try, with 400 Conejos Mezcal, Chinola passion fruit liquor, orgeat lime, pineapple, and ginger; even a mescal-hater would love this drink. The wood-fired watermelon salad and buñuelos de bacalao with truffle honey creme fraiche are just a few highlights on the menu, but you genuinely can't go wrong with anything you choose.

This restaurant has character buffets at all three meals, with an array of Disney princesses, including Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Snow White, Aurora, Mary Poppins, and even an occasional cameo appearance by Cinderella. The breakfast menu is American, but lunch and dinner feature an ever-changing assortment of Norwegian specialties. Appetizers usually include herring, goat-milk cheese, lefse bread, and gravlax (cured salmon served with mustard sauce), or fiskepudding (a seafood mousse with herb dressing). For a main course, you might try traditional ground pork and beef kjottkake (dumplings), fillet of salmon, or seared pork tenderloin with apricot glaze. Children will be happy choosing among mac 'n' cheese, corn dog nuggets, or Norwegian meatballs. Aquavit, wine, and specialty drinks are offered. All meals are prix-fixe.

Although the five area locations fit the criteria of a neighborhood pizza joint—cheap, casual, and frequented by locals—this funky-chic pizzeria looks more like a hangout for hipsters than Jacksonvillians low on dough (pardon the pun). The main draw is the pizza, particularly Al's gourmet white pie, but eggplant parmigiana, stuffed shells, and lasagna are also good.

Calories be damned—the conch fritters here are heaven on a plate. Come early for dinner (Jack's closes by 6:30, when the mosquitos start biting), and come hungry; the free-form fritters are large and loaded with flavor. The crab cakes, made from local blue crabs, earn hallelujahs, too. The conch salad is as good as any you'll find in the Bahamas. This weathered, circa-1950 restaurant floats on two roadside barges in an old fishing community. Regulars include motorcyclists, families, boaters, and the upscale crowd from nearby Ocean Reef Club, including Kathie Lee Gifford, who all come not only for the food but to admire tropical birds in the nearby mangroves and the occasional crocodile and to jam with the bands playing each weekend afternoon.  It's about a half-hour drive from Key Largo, so you may want to plan a visit for your drive in or out.

Formerly Ciao Bella of nearby Destin, this Italian bistro changed its name to match that of its matriarch when it moved down the coast. Expect traditional Italian dishes served in a casual, but elegant atmosphere. 

Under the glow of a green neon light in a hip industrial space, this locally loved, independent coffee shop offers quick service and a curated list of rotating coffee blends, pastries, and sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. Coffee connoisseurs will delight in the several preparations of nitro cold brew, pour over, and carefully crafted lattes. Most popular of the bites is the Runny & Everything sandwich, an aptly named sunny-side up egg sandwich with bacon, cheddar, lettuce, and tomato on an Everything brioche bun, but you'll also find local staples like croquetas and fresh-squeezed Florida orange juice.

In the sports bar desert of South Florida, it's nice to know you can eat well while watching your team. American Social flaunts a seafood-mac-and-cheese skillet, shrimp-pesto flatbread, and a full spectrum of gourmet burgers with sides of Parmesan truffle fries or sweet-potato fries. The walls inside this space are adorned with magazine covers and library books, creating a setting that feels more like Boston than Fort Lauderdale.

Arrive early on weekends, as the restaurant quickly reaches capacity.

Assorted produce, tiny packs of oranges, and churros make this a great spot for an afternoon, pick-me-up snack. Featured craft beers, such as Kona's Longboard Island Lager or Schofferhofer Pink Grapefruit Hefeweizen can help calm you down after riding the Tower of Terror.

It's hard to miss this funky truck serving vanilla and chocolate ice cream in floats and sundaes.

Food Network star James Briscione and his wife, Brooke Parkhurst, returned to Pensacola to create Angelena's, named for the wife of a Sicilian immigrant who found success as a Pensacola produce merchant in the early 1880s. Today, the pair carries on the legacy of fresh, sustainable ingredients in this trendy Downtown hot spot.

This casual Weston outpost is one of chef Angelo Elia's popular Tuscan-inspired restaurants in Broward County. Affordable small plates, salads, ceviches, and pizzas are neighborhood favorites. Kids of all ages love the rotating selection of homemade gelatos.

Unless you sit in the water, you can't dine any closer to the Gulf than at this casual beachside bar and grill next to the Gulfarium and at the entrance to the Okaloosa Island Pier. Inside are tons of TVs broadcasting sports events (even in the elevators and bathrooms); outside, a volleyball net tempts diners onto the sands. Snack on nachos and quesadillas, sample fresh-catch dishes such as king crab and prawns, or try the smoked tuna dip, a lightly smoked yellowfin tuna dip served with warm, crisp tortilla strips. Saturday is an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. 

Follow the line to this local-favorite breakfast-and-lunch retreat, one of six locations in Northwest Florida. Morning starts with platters of pancakes, waffles, and French toast with special twists like blackberry grits. More than a dozen styles of omelet include the "Hey Lucy" a Spanish omelet with chorizo, green chilis, onions and avocado. It's crowded for a reason.

The massive and very noisy Antojitos brings the specialties of Mexican cantinas and food carts to CityWalk. The outside looks like it's been spray-painted with shocking pastels, but inside, the grand two-story space is chic yet rustic, sparse but dotted with Mexican folk art. Neon sculptures on the ceiling depict hip versions of Day of the Dead figures. Start with guacamole, made table-side, and follow up with beer-and-chile-braised pork tacos topped with pineapple and guajillo salsa or the Mixiote stew made with beer-braised goat. End with a coffee crème brûlée with churros or the molten dulce cake. The restaurant stocks 200 tequilas and a range of handcrafted tequilas.

At the only traffic light in downtown Apalachicola you'll find a place serving a fish sandwich so massive that it's way too big for its bun. Established in 1903, this restaurant is where locals come for lunches and dinners of blue-crab cakes, seafood gumbo, grouper, or shrimp. The service is ultra casual (think Styrofoam box), and the decor is iconic diner with hints of seaside kitsch.

Eclectic preparation of seafood is what Aqua Grill does best. The constantly changing menu might include Vidalia-crusted grouper, oysters Rockefeller, and locally caught snapper cooked as you like it. The restaurant has a charming lakeside patio dining area surrounded by waterfalls. There's a lively bar scene, with sports showing on HDTVs.

High atop the 16th floor of Downtown Miami's Kimpton EPIC Hotel, memorable and sustainable ocean-to-table cuisine is prepared in the bustling, beautiful open kitchen. Look forward to a seafood-centric menu with innovative flavors and a hefty portion of ethos—all fruits of the sea here are certified by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch.

Armando Martorelli has opened many local restaurants in his career since coming from Italy to Florida, but his namesake eatery is the epitome of his craft. It has a relaxed neighborhood vibe and serves what is perhaps the area's best Neapolitan-style pizza. Other menu highlights include daily fresh-seafood specials, veal saltimbocca, and a signature pollo di Tatiana with vodka cream sauce.

This casual beachfront eatery is arguably Lauderdale-by-the-Sea's most famous restaurant. Aruba Beach serves Caribbean-American cuisine, with standouts like conch chowder and conch fritters. Fresh tropical salads, sandwiches, and seafood are also available, but the café is famous for its Bimini bread with Aruba glaze (think challah with doughnut glaze). There's always live music, and the Sunday breakfast buffet starts at 9 am.

At first glance, Aubi & Ramsa may seem like a sleek bar, but it's actually a 21-plus ice cream shop featuring small-batch pints infused with a bevy of spirits and wines. Imagine flavors like The Highland Truffle, made with Belgian chocolate, Macallan 12-Year scotch, and chocolate chunks; or Strawberries Rosé, a strawberry sorbet with Veuve Cliquot Rosé and St. Germain. There are even vegan flavors to cater to those with such dietary needs. Ice cream is sold by the scoop or the pint.

Don't be surprised if your server introduces herself as your cousin, though you've never seen her before in your life. The silly Southern hospitality is only one of the draws at this wildly popular waterfront restaurant specializing in mouthwatering plates of fresh seafood and other Southern favorites. Hot cinnamon rolls, hush puppies, baked beans, cheese grits, and slaw come with every entrée and can be a meal in themselves. Bring your appetite and your patience—a wait is practically guaranteed. Sunday brunch lures empty stomachs with made-to-order eggs and French toast, and a chocolate fountain.

Looking for a snack on the go? Auntie Gravity's Galactic Goodies offers milk shakes, smoothies, and floats that are easy to eat while walking.

In downtown West Palm Beach's waterfront district, this hot spot is an alternative to the bar food, tacos, and burgers more common in the area. "Green" cuisine---seasonal salads, vegetarian dishes, and sustainably produced meats and seafood---is making waves at the avocado-theme restaurant. Small plates of stuffed zucchini blossoms, octopus with chorizo and fingerling potatoes, or a mushroom fricassee with grits and truffle oil are examples of plates designed for sharing. A raw bar, specialty sushi, a vegetarian list, and inspired sandwiches are included among the pastas, salads, meats, and fish also listed. A brunch here with an extensive menu is popular. Craft cocktails, a nice wine selection, and beers are served at the long bar in the bistrolike eatery with casual-chic decor. Dine inside or out.

In a contemporary setting with indoor and outdoor seating, welcoming staff serve original, eclectic dishes that stand out from those at the hordes of Key West restaurants. Key lime–stuffed French toast and yellowtail snapper Benedict make breakfast a pleasant wake-up call; the crab cake BLT commands notice on the lunch menu. Two varieties of homemade gnocchi are a dinnertime specialty along with daily fish specials and steak. Brunch is served daily 9–3.

Open from early breakfast to dinner and desserts in the Hyatt Regency, this slick modern diner is not exactly cheap, but the salads, sandwiches, and griddle foods are tops. The classic B Line Burger is done beautifully. And there are lots of selections you'd never expect to find here, like a stuffed avocado salad and a portobello quesadilla entrée.

The aroma of rich, roasting coffee beans arrests you at the door of "the Southernmost Coffee Roaster in America." Buy beans by the pound or coffee by the cup, along with sandwiches and sweets. Locals swear it's the best coffee in the Keys and beyond. But there's a whole lot more than just damn good coffee: check out the gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian specialty foods, as well as the assortment of wine and craft beers.

A stone's throw from Persimmon Hollow brewery in Artisan Alley, Bake Chop specializes in pub fare and does so exceptionally well, using locally sourced ingredients. Brewery patrons often saunter over after a few pints for bratwursts, burgers, meatball sandwiches, and other inventive and flavorful hand-helds like the Billy Madison, consisting of sloppy Joe meat, spicy collared greens, and Manchego cheese on a homemade croissant. The menu offers gluten-free and vegan items as well, and the Daily Dally salad is an always-tempting blend of seasonal greens and veggies. Saving room for dessert is a challenge, but worth it. All baking is done in-house, where rotating offerings include chocolate chip cookie cheesecake and an assortment of cupcakes. There's also an espresso bar and strong selection of local craft beers. The dining area is small, so a wait is possible, especially at lunchtime.