16 Coolest Restaurants In Florida That Belong On Your Foodie Bucket List
Florida has flavors as bold and varied as its landscapes.
Beyond the beach shacks and tourist traps, you’ll find spots serving just-caught seafood by the water, historic restaurants where tradition is the main ingredient, and inventive kitchens pushing the boundaries of what Southern dining can be.
From the Panhandle to the Keys, the Sunshine State delivers meals worth the journey.
1. Bern’s Steak House: Tampa’s Legendary Meat Palace
Walking into Bern’s feels like entering a carnivore’s paradise from another era. The burgundy walls and attentive tuxedoed servers transport you to a time when dining was an event.
I still remember my first visit, jaw-dropping at the menu thicker than a phone book. Don’t miss their perfectly aged steaks, but save room for the Harry Waugh Dessert Room upstairs, where private booths create the perfect finale.
2. Columbia Restaurant: A Century of Cuban Flavors
Florida’s oldest restaurant sprawls across an entire city block in Tampa’s historic Ybor City. Founded in 1905, Columbia blends Spanish and Cuban cuisines in a setting adorned with hand-painted tiles and magnificent chandeliers.
Order their famous “1905” Salad prepared tableside and stay for the flamenco shows that bring the room to life with passionate dancing.
The Cuban sandwich here isn’t just food but a taste of Florida history served between perfectly pressed bread.
3. Ulele: Native-Inspired Riverside Dining
Housed in a former water pumping station along Tampa’s Riverwalk, Ulele celebrates Florida’s indigenous and pioneer heritage through its menu. The restaurant’s waterfront setting creates a magical backdrop for dinner.
Try their alligator hush puppies with honey butter or the charbroiled oysters that arrive sizzling at your table. Last summer, I spent an entire evening on their patio, watching the sunset paint the Hillsborough River golden.
4. Versailles: Miami’s Cuban Heart
More than just a restaurant, Versailles serves as the unofficial town square of Little Havana. The mirrored walls and chandeliers might suggest formality, but the atmosphere buzzes with conversation and Cuban coffee.
Lines form at the ventanita (little window) where locals grab cafecito and catch up on neighborhood gossip. Inside, families gather over heaping plates of ropa vieja and crispy croquetas.
For the full experience, finish your meal with a slice of their silky tres leches cake.
5. Stubborn Seed: South Beach Culinary Artistry
Chef Jeremy Ford’s intimate South Beach restaurant elevates dining to an art form. The industrial-chic space provides the perfect canvas for his imaginative plates that combine technical precision with Florida’s bounty.
The celery root dish – humble vegetables transformed into something extraordinary – reveals the kitchen’s magic. Servers move through the space with choreographed precision, explaining each component without pretension.
The chocolate dessert finale creates such a sensory experience that nearby tables will watch with envy.
6. Boia De: Little Haiti’s Hidden Gem
Follow the pink neon exclamation point to this tiny strip mall treasure. With just 24 seats, scoring a reservation feels like winning the lottery, and tastes even better.
My birthday dinner here last year remains unforgettable – the crispy polenta cubes topped with mushroom and truffle practically melted on contact. Their handmade pasta dishes honor Italian traditions while playfully incorporating Florida ingredients.
The intimate setting encourages conversation with neighboring tables, often about what everyone’s eating.
7. COTE Miami: Korean Steakhouse Sophistication
America’s first Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse brought its sizzle to Miami’s Design District. The sleek, dimly lit space centers around tabletop grills where servers expertly cook premium cuts before your eyes.
The Butcher’s Feast offers a parade of meats accompanied by banchan (traditional Korean side dishes). Watch as marbled beef transforms on the grill, then wrap it in lettuce with housemade ssamjang sauce.
The contrast between the smokiness of the meat and the brightness of the sides creates perfect harmony.
8. The Mai-Kai: Polynesian Time Capsule
Stepping into The Mai-Kai feels like traveling to both 1956 and the South Pacific simultaneously. Recently reopened after extensive renovations, this Fort Lauderdale institution preserves the golden age of tiki culture.
Carved totems and thatched roofs set the scene for dinner and the famous Islander Revue show. Garden pathways lead between dining areas named after Polynesian islands.
The coconut shrimp arrives perfectly crisp, while their legendary drinks come in vessels so elaborate you’ll be tempted to sneak one home.
9. Blue Heaven: Key West’s Rooster Paradise
Roosters freely roam between tables at this outdoor Key West institution, where island life slows to its proper pace. The former bordello and boxing ring now serves some of the Keys’ most beloved breakfasts under a canopy of tropical trees.
Their Lobster Benedict has achieved legendary status – fresh-caught Florida lobster atop English muffins with perfect hollandaise.
When visiting with my family, we always save room for their mile-high meringue Key lime pie, which captures the perfect balance between sweet and tart.
10. Latitudes: Dinner on a Private Island
The journey begins before the first bite – a private ferry carries diners across Key West Harbor to Sunset Key. Tables perched on white sand face the horizon, where the sun performs its nightly spectacular.
Fresh seafood dominates the menu, prepared with island flair and seasonal Florida ingredients. Reserve well in advance for sunset slots when the sky’s palette shifts from blue to orange and pink.
The gentle lapping of waves provides nature’s soundtrack as you dine with your toes practically in the sand.
11. Knife & Spoon: Orlando’s Michelin Star
Beyond the theme parks, Orlando’s culinary scene shines bright at this Ritz-Carlton gem. Chef John Tesar’s steakhouse earned its Michelin star through perfect execution and creative vision.
Dry-aged steaks develop intense flavor profiles through careful aging. The unexpected star, however, might be their ube cacio e pepe – purple yam transforms the Italian classic into something uniquely memorable.
The restaurant balances luxury with approachability, making special occasions feel genuinely special without stuffiness.
12. Soseki Modern Omakase: Winter Park’s Intimate Sushi Theater
With just ten seats surrounding the chef’s counter, Soseki creates an intimate dining performance where each guest has a front-row view. Chef Mike Collantes crafts a multi-course journey that changes with Florida’s seasons.
The Michelin-starred experience blends Japanese tradition with local ingredients – think Gulf seafood alongside citrus from nearby groves. Each piece of nigiri becomes a perfect bite-sized composition.
Conversations flow between strangers as everyone shares the same culinary adventure, making dinner feel like an exclusive gathering rather than a restaurant visit.
13. The Ravenous Pig: Florida’s Gastropub Pioneer
Before farm-to-table became ubiquitous, The Ravenous Pig was championing Florida producers and crafting exceptional comfort food. The Winter Park institution has evolved over the years, but the commitment to quality remains unwavering.
Their charcuterie board showcases house-cured meats alongside local cheeses and preserves. The signature Pub Burger, topped with blue cheese and caramelized onion, has inspired countless imitators, and it comes with truffle fries.
I’ve celebrated three birthdays here, each time discovering something new while revisiting old favorites.
14. Old Sugar Mill Pancake House: DIY Breakfast in a Historic Mill
Housed in a 100-year-old section of the original 1830s sugar mill inside De Leon Springs State Park, this unique restaurant lets you become the chef. Each table features a built-in griddle where families mix and flip their own pancakes using pitchers of homemade batter.
Add blueberries, bananas, or chocolate chips from the selection of mix-ins. While pancakes cook, look through large windows into the clear spring to spot fish and turtles.
The combination of history, natural beauty, and interactive dining creates memories that last far longer than the meal itself.
15. The Grand Marlin: Pensacola Beach’s Seafood Showcase
Perched above Pensacola Beach, The Grand Marlin offers panoramic views of Santa Rosa Sound through walls of windows. The menu changes daily based on what local fishermen bring to their docks.
Gulf grouper arrives at the table with skin perfectly crisped, while their lobster-shrimp grits elevate Southern comfort food to new heights. The restaurant’s relaxed elegance captures the Panhandle’s spirit, sophisticated without pretension.
Watch dolphins play in the distance while savoring oysters harvested just miles away.
16. Llama Restaurant: Peruvian Passion in St. Augustine
Chef Marcel Vizcarra brings his native Peru to America’s oldest city through vibrant flavors and artistic presentations. The tiny dining room – just ten tables – creates an atmosphere where each guest feels personally hosted.
Ceviches sing with citrus and aji peppers, while traditional dishes receive modern interpretations. The chef’s tasting menu offers the fullest experience, moving from sea to mountains like a journey through Peru itself.
Despite its small size, Llama has earned big accolades, including recognition from the James Beard Foundation.