These Restaurants Across Florida Are Open For Memorial Day 2026
Most people assume restaurants will be closed on Memorial Day.
In Florida, that is where things get interesting.
While some places go quiet, others come alive. Kitchens stay open.
Tables fill up. And the kind of meals people remember all summer start showing up on plates across the state.
But not every spot is worth the stop.
Some are just open. Others are the reason you will be glad you went out in the first place.
From fresh seafood to slow-smoked BBQ and dishes you did not expect to find, there are places all across Florida quietly doing it right.
You just need to know where to go.
This list breaks down exactly which restaurants are open for Memorial Day 2026, and which ones are actually worth your time once you get there.
1. The Floridian, St. Augustine
Some restaurants feel like a warm hug from a place you have always called home, and The Floridian at 72 Spanish St, St. Augustine, FL 32084 is exactly that kind of spot. Known for its farm-to-table approach, this beloved eatery sources ingredients from local Florida farms, which means your plate is practically bursting with freshness.
Memorial Day is a big deal here, and the kitchen does not hold back on the seasonal specials.
The menu reads like a love letter to Southern comfort food with a creative twist. Think crispy fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits that will make you question every other version you have ever tried, and sweet potato pancakes that belong in a hall of fame.
The historic downtown St. Augustine setting adds serious charm to your holiday meal.
Families, couples, and solo adventurers all find something to love here. Make a reservation early because this spot fills up faster than a Florida parking lot on a holiday weekend.
2. Joe’s Stone Crab, Miami Beach
If Florida had a culinary Mount Rushmore, Joe’s Stone Crab at 11 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 would absolutely be carved into it. Open since 1913, this legendary institution has been serving up some of the most celebrated stone crab claws in the entire world.
Memorial Day weekend is one of the most exciting times to visit because the energy in Miami Beach is absolutely electric.
The claws arrive chilled with Joe’s famous mustard sauce, and honestly, that combination alone is worth the drive from wherever you are in Florida. Beyond the signature stone crab, the menu features incredible sides like creamed spinach, hash browns, and key lime pie that could make a grown adult weep with joy.
The service is polished, the atmosphere is buzzing, and the history practically seeps through the walls.
Reservations are strongly recommended because Joe’s has been a hot ticket for over a century. Showing up without one on Memorial Day is a gamble even the boldest Floridian should avoid.
3. Columbia Restaurant, Tampa
Florida’s oldest restaurant is throwing a party for Memorial Day 2026, and you are officially invited. Columbia Restaurant at 2117 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605 has been feeding happy crowds since 1905, making it older than most of the buildings in its neighborhood by a significant stretch.
The Ybor City location drips with history, culture, and the kind of atmosphere you simply cannot manufacture.
Spanish and Cuban cuisine take center stage here, and the 1905 Salad, prepared tableside with theatrical flair, is one of the most entertaining dining experiences in the entire state. The Cuban sandwich is also widely considered one of the definitive versions in Tampa, a city that takes that particular culinary debate very seriously.
Flamenco shows run regularly and add a layer of entertainment that makes dinner feel like a full evening out.
The restaurant spans an entire city block and seats over 1,700 guests, so your whole squad can come along. Memorial Day here is genuinely unforgettable.
4. Rusty Bellies Waterfront Grill, Tarpon Springs
Right on the water in the charming sponge-diving capital of Florida, Rusty Bellies Waterfront Grill at 937 Dodecanese Blvd, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 offers the kind of Memorial Day experience that feels like a proper Florida adventure. The views of the bayou are stunning, and watching boats drift by while you eat is basically free entertainment with every meal.
Fresh seafood is the star of the show here, and it shows.
The grouper dishes are particularly noteworthy, with preparations ranging from blackened to Greek-style, a nod to the rich Greek heritage that defines Tarpon Springs. The Greek influence on the menu also means you will find incredible dishes like spanakopita and fresh-baked pita bread that pair beautifully with the gulf seafood.
It is a cultural mash-up that somehow works perfectly.
The outdoor waterfront seating is the place to be on a warm Memorial Day, so grab a table early and soak up that salty Florida air. This spot is casual, fun, and wildly satisfying in the best possible way.
5. The Garlic, New Smyrna Beach
Garlic lovers, your Memorial Day 2026 destination has been decided. The Garlic at 556 E 3rd Ave, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169 is a wonderfully creative restaurant that takes its namesake ingredient and runs with it in the most delicious directions imaginable.
New Smyrna Beach is already one of Florida’s most charming coastal towns, and this restaurant fits right into that artistic, laid-back vibe.
The menu changes regularly to reflect seasonal ingredients, and the culinary team approaches each dish with genuine creativity and passion. Standouts include the garlic-infused seafood dishes, imaginative pasta preparations, and appetizers that turn the humble clove into something almost magical.
The presentation is beautiful, making every plate look like it belongs on a food magazine cover.
The intimate atmosphere and warm lighting make it a fantastic choice for a Memorial Day dinner with someone special, or really anyone who appreciates food that actually makes you stop mid-bite and say something enthusiastic. Reservations fill up quickly, so plan ahead.
6. Beachcomber Restaurant, St. Augustine
Waking up on Memorial Day and heading straight to a beachside restaurant for breakfast or brunch is one of life’s great pleasures, and Beachcomber Restaurant at 2 A St, St. Augustine, FL 32080 makes that fantasy a tasty reality. Sitting right near the beach with views that remind you exactly why people move to Florida in the first place, this spot is equal parts scenery and substance.
The food is hearty, satisfying, and exactly what a holiday morning deserves.
Breakfast classics are executed with care, from fluffy omelets stuffed with fresh ingredients to pancakes that hit just the right level of golden perfection. The lunch and dinner menus bring in fresh local seafood and crowd-pleasing American favorites that keep everyone at the table happy.
It is the kind of place where you order more food than you planned because everything sounds too good to pass up.
St. Augustine Beach has a relaxed, welcoming energy that Beachcomber captures brilliantly. Memorial Day here means good food, good views, and zero regrets.
7. Ulele, Tampa
Housed inside a beautifully restored historic water pumping station along the Hillsborough River, Ulele at 1810 N Highland Ave, Tampa, FL 33602 is one of those restaurants where the building itself earns a standing ovation before you even glance at the menu. The story of this place is genuinely fascinating.
It celebrates the indigenous history of Tampa while delivering a modern American menu with serious Florida soul.
The menu features ingredients rooted in Florida’s native culinary history, including alligator, wild boar, and fresh Gulf seafood prepared in ways that feel both adventurous and approachable. The craft brews made on-site are a bonus for those who enjoy a cold, refreshing sip alongside their meal.
The riverside patio is arguably one of the most scenic dining spots in all of Tampa Bay.
Memorial Day here feels festive and meaningful, with the stunning setting adding extra atmosphere to an already exceptional experience. Book your table in advance because Ulele is always a popular destination for holiday dining throughout the year.
8. Blue Heaven, Key West
There is no place on Earth quite like Blue Heaven, and that is not an exaggeration. Located at 729 Thomas St, Key West, FL 33040, this iconic outdoor restaurant has a personality so distinct and joyful that it basically has its own fan club.
Free-roaming roosters, giant banyan trees, mismatched chairs, and some of the best food in the Florida Keys create a dining experience that is genuinely one of a kind.
The menu shines brightest at brunch, where dishes like banana pancakes, shrimp and grits, and lobster Benedict have earned devoted followers who plan entire Key West trips around a single meal here. The casual, barefoot atmosphere is pure Key West magic and makes Memorial Day feel like a tropical celebration rather than just another holiday.
Live music often floats through the courtyard, adding another layer of sensory delight.
Waits can be long because the secret has been well and truly out for years, but the experience is absolutely worth every minute spent in that shady, rooster-patrolled line.
9. Louie’s Backyard, Key West
Perched right on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, Louie’s Backyard at 700 Waddell Ave, Key West, FL 33040 is the kind of restaurant that makes you feel like the world was designed specifically for your enjoyment on that particular evening. The views from the terrace are breathtaking in the most literal sense, with the turquoise water stretching endlessly toward the horizon as you work through a spectacular meal.
Memorial Day sunsets here are the stuff of postcards.
The menu is elegantly crafted with Caribbean and American influences, featuring dishes that highlight fresh local seafood with refined, imaginative preparations. Grilled fish, creative ceviches, and indulgent desserts round out a dining experience that feels special without being stuffy.
The service is warm, attentive, and genuinely friendly in that quintessential Key West way.
This restaurant has been a landmark since the 1970s, and its enduring popularity speaks volumes about the consistency of its quality. Memorial Day dinner at Louie’s Backyard is the kind of experience people describe for years afterward.
10. Cafe Tu Tu Tango, Orlando
Imagine eating tapas inside a working artist’s studio while live painters create masterpieces a few feet from your table. That is the everyday reality at Cafe Tu Tu Tango, located at 8625 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, and it makes Memorial Day dining feel like a full creative adventure.
The concept is as bold as the flavors, and both deliver in spectacular fashion for guests of every age.
The menu is a global tapas tour featuring everything from flatbreads and empanadas to calamari, crab cakes, and creative wood-fired dishes that keep the table buzzing with excitement. Because the portions are small and shareable, the whole group gets to try a little bit of everything, which is honestly the most fun way to eat.
The rotating art on display is also available for purchase, making dinner a potential shopping trip as well.
International Drive is buzzing with Memorial Day energy, and Cafe Tu Tu Tango absorbs all of that excitement beautifully. It is festive, creative, and completely unlike any other dining experience in Central Florida.