8 Florida Food Spots Locals Skip & 8 Local Eateries You Have To Try
Florida’s food scene is full of surprises, but not every spot lives up to the hype.
While some places draw crowds for all the wrong reasons, hidden gems quietly serve up unforgettable flavors loved by locals.
If you’re craving authentic bites that truly capture the Sunshine State’s taste, it’s time to uncover which eateries deserve your attention and which ones are better left off your foodie map.
Get ready for a delicious adventure with unexpected twists.
1. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. – Destin
Tourists flock here like seagulls to dropped french fries, but locals know better.
The movie-themed restaurant serves decent seafood, sure, but at prices that would make Forrest himself start running in the opposite direction.
Destin natives skip the long waits and overpriced shrimp baskets, heading instead to family-owned spots where the catch arrived that morning. Save this one for your Forrest Gump-loving out-of-town relatives.
2. Rainforest Café – Orlando
Mechanical elephants trumpeting every 30 minutes might entertain the kids, but Orlando locals unanimously avoid this jungle-themed tourist trap.
The mediocre burgers and pasta dishes command premium prices simply for the privilege of dining beneath fake thunderstorms.
Parents exhausted from theme park hopping might cave to their children’s pleas, but Floridians know the real magic happens at authentic eateries beyond International Drive’s neon glow.
3. The Cheesecake Factory – Miami
Novel-length menus and portion sizes that could feed a small village don’t impress Miami locals. While tourists line up outside this chain’s Dadeland Mall location, residents roll their eyes at the thought of generic pasta dishes when authentic Cuban cuisine awaits just blocks away.
The cheesecake might be tasty, but Miamians know their city offers far more exciting culinary adventures than this predictable standby with its beige-on-beige aesthetic.
4. Hard Rock Café – Tampa
Rock memorabilia doesn’t make mediocre burgers taste better, as any Tampa native will tell you.
Tourists snap selfies with guitar displays while locals wonder why anyone would pay $20 for a basic cheeseburger just because it’s served near Bon Jovi’s leather pants.
Tampa’s food scene has exploded in recent years with creative chef-driven restaurants.
Savvy residents save Hard Rock visits for showing around music-loving out-of-town guests who insist on collecting the branded t-shirts.
5. Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville – Key West
Parrotheads and cruise ship passengers keep this place packed, but Key West locals steer clear of the overpriced frozen concoctions. The tropical-themed chain serves up mediocre bar food alongside $15 margaritas that would make a real Conch cringe.
Key West residents know their island paradise offers authentic seafood joints where the catch was swimming that morning. They leave Margaritaville to sunburned tourists looking for that obligatory vacation selfie.
6. Planet Hollywood – Disney Springs
Movie memorabilia can’t disguise uninspired food, as Orlando locals well know.
This globe-shaped restaurant attracts film buffs eager to dine near costumes from blockbuster movies while consuming overpriced burgers and pasta dishes.
Central Florida residents visit Disney Springs for its impressive culinary offerings at chef-driven restaurants, leaving Planet Hollywood to star-struck tourists.
The themed atmosphere might be Instagram-worthy, but locals prefer substance over Hollywood-style flash.
7. TGI Friday’s – Jacksonville
Red-and-white striped mediocrity flourishes at this chain outpost that Jacksonville locals actively avoid.
Freezer-to-fryer appetizers and microwaved entrées might satisfy hungry mall shoppers, but Jax residents know their city offers far better dining options.
The riverside city has developed a vibrant food scene with local chefs creating innovative Southern cuisine.
Smart locals leave Friday’s to road-tripping families who crave the comfort of familiar menu items over culinary adventure.
8. Olive Garden – Fort Lauderdale
Unlimited breadsticks can’t compensate for pasta swimming in salt-laden sauces, according to Fort Lauderdale locals.
This Italian-ish chain persists as a tourist favorite despite the city’s abundance of authentic Mediterranean restaurants run by actual Italian families.
Broward County residents reserve Olive Garden visits for entertaining elderly relatives from out of town.
Meanwhile, they enjoy the genuine Italian cuisine found in the city’s charming Las Olas district, where fresh ingredients and traditional recipes prevail.
9. Romeu’s Cuban Restaurant – Southwest Ranches
Hidden in a nondescript strip mall, Romeu’s serves the most authentic Cuban food this side of Havana. Family-run since 1978, this local gem roasts pork so tender it practically dissolves on your tongue.
Their Cuban sandwich presses the perfect ratio of ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard between crispy Cuban bread.
Locals crowd in for breakfast too, dunking toasted Cuban bread into café con leche while catching up on neighborhood gossip.
10. Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish – South Pasadena
Smoke billows from outdoor smokers at this no-frills Florida institution, operating since 1951.
Their smoked mullet spreads its intoxicating aroma through the parking lot, drawing in locals who’ve been coming for generations.
The smoked fish spread paired with saltines remains the ultimate Florida appetizer.
Nothing fancy here – just picnic tables, cold beer, and the best smoked fish you’ll ever taste, served by staff who remember your name and how you like your smoked mackerel.
11. La Segunda Central Bakery – Tampa
Tampa’s historic Ybor City hides this century-old Cuban bakery where locals line up for guava turnovers that crackle with buttery perfection.
Arriving at dawn rewards you with Cuban bread still warm from the oven, each loaf adorned with its signature palmetto leaf.
The bakery produces 18,000 loaves daily, supplying restaurants throughout Tampa Bay.
Three generations of the same family still use recipes brought from Cuba in 1915, preserving authentic flavors that define Tampa’s unique culinary heritage.
12. Cap’s Place – Lighthouse Point
Florida’s oldest restaurant requires a boat ride to reach its island location – the first sign you’ve discovered something special.
This former 1920s rum-running speakeasy now serves fresh-caught seafood in a ramshackle building that’s hosted presidents and celebrities.
The wooden floors creak with history as servers deliver hearts of palm salad harvested from the restaurant’s own trees.
Locals celebrate special occasions here, arriving by the restaurant’s ferry to enjoy grouper prepared the same way for nearly a century.
13. Mai-Kai Restaurant – Oakland Park
Step through the doors of this 1956 Polynesian palace and time freezes. Recently saved from demolition by passionate locals, this tiki temple serves potent rum drinks in ceramic vessels that would make your grandmother blush.
The fire-knife dancers perform nightly in Florida’s longest-running Polynesian show.
Regulars know to order the secret off-menu Barrel O’ Rum while dining in thatched huts surrounded by tropical gardens, waterfalls, and tikis carved by actual Polynesian artisans.
14. Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen – Key Largo
License plates cover every inch of wall space in this Florida Keys institution where locals arrive by boat for the legendary key lime pie.
The recipe remains unchanged since 1976 – tart, sweet, and topped with real whipped cream, never meringue. Fishermen fresh from the flats order conch fritters and ice-cold beer while sharing tales of the day’s catch.
The no-frills dining room buzzes with conversations between locals and lucky tourists who ventured beyond the highway chains.
15. Twisted Shrimp – Islamorada
Fishing guides reveal this hidden gem to their favorite clients after a day on the water.
Housed in an unassuming strip mall, this family-run spot serves the Keys’ freshest peel-and-eat shrimp, delivered daily from boats you can see from the dining room.
Their signature twisted shrimp comes bathed in garlic butter with a secret spice blend guarded for generations.
Locals arrive early for the blackboard specials featuring whatever fish swam too close to local boats that morning.
16. Habanos Oceanfront – Islamorada
Sunsets provide the backdrop at this waterfront treasure where Florida Keys locals gather for Cuban-inspired seafood dishes. Fourth-generation fishermen deliver their catch directly to the kitchen door each afternoon.
The mango-glazed mahi-mahi has converted countless seafood skeptics. Regulars know to request a table on the western deck for unobstructed sunset views while sipping house-made sangria.
No reservations taken – another reason locals love it while tourists often miss out.