13 Florida Restaurants That Are Just As Wild As Their Menus
Florida’s dining scene is as wild and colorful as its famous wildlife, serving up meals that surprise and delight with every bite.
From funky fusion flavors to daring dishes that push the limits, these restaurants know how to keep taste buds on their toes.
Whether you crave bold spices or unexpected ingredients, prepare for a culinary adventure where the menus are as untamed as the sunshine state itself.
Get ready for flavors that roar louder than a gator!
1. Hog Wild Country Café – Interlachen
Tucked away in rural Putnam County, this roadside gem takes country cooking to delicious extremes.
Local farmers gather here at dawn, swapping stories over steaming plates of homemade biscuits smothered in wild boar gravy.
The décor features genuine hunting trophies and vintage farm equipment, creating an authentic backwoods atmosphere.
Regulars swear by their signature dish: “The Whole Hog Breakfast” that’ll keep you fueled through a full day of gator-wrestling.
2. Wild Florida’s Chomp House Grill – St. Cloud
Airboat rides and alligator encounters aren’t the only attractions at this wildlife park eatery.
After meeting the resident gators, visitors refuel at this swamp-themed restaurant where servers occasionally carry in baby alligators for tableside educational moments.
Adventurous eaters can sample gator bites, frog legs, and other Florida exotics.
The outdoor seating area overlooks natural wetlands where native birds wade just feet from your table, sometimes eyeing your french fries with obvious interest.
3. Wild Sea Oyster Bar & Grille – Fort Lauderdale
Luxury meets sustainable seafood at this oceanfront hotspot where the raw bar changes daily based on what local fishermen haul in.
Glass walls retract completely during perfect weather, erasing the boundary between restaurant and beach.
Celebrity sightings happen regularly, though staff remain tight-lipped about their A-list clientele.
The restaurant’s centerpiece—a massive ice display showcasing the day’s catch—gets dramatically replenished throughout evening service, often accompanied by a blast of theatrical fog and a ringing ship’s bell.
4. Wild Rabbit Bistro – Ormond Beach
Carnivores beware—this whimsical plant-based eatery has converted even the most dedicated meat-lovers.
Housed in a Victorian cottage with mismatched furniture and teacups hanging from the ceiling, dining here feels like tumbling down Alice’s rabbit hole.
Gardens surrounding the property supply many ingredients, with staff often darting out mid-service to snip fresh herbs.
Their famous “carrot bacon” required two years of recipe development and has been featured in national vegan magazines as a game-changing creation.
5. Wild Thyme Oceanside Eatery – Indian Harbour Beach
Salt-crusted windows frame spectacular Atlantic views at this beachfront haven where barefoot dining isn’t just allowed—it’s encouraged.
The kitchen, visible through a glass wall, operates with theatrical flair as chefs toss flames high into the air while preparing their signature flambéed dishes.
Tables are crafted from salvaged shipwreck timber, complete with authentic barnacles and weathering.
Their famous full moon dinners feature special menus that change monthly, served only when the moon rises over the ocean—reservations book months in advance.
6. Wild Iris Café – Dunedin
Grandma’s kitchen meets bohemian art studio in this converted 1920s bungalow.
Paintings by local artists cover every inch of wall space, all available for purchase while you dine on comfort food with unexpected twists.
The owner’s pet parrot, Captain, often perches near the register, occasionally commenting on customers’ orders.
Their legendary brunch draws three-hour waits, largely due to their French toast—made from bread that ferments for three days before being soaked in a secret custard recipe guarded by just two family members.
7. Wild Turkey Tavern – Avon Park
Bikers, bankers, and everyone between rub shoulders at this legendary roadhouse where wild turkeys sometimes wander through the sprawling outdoor patio.
The owner, “Turkey” Tom, a former rodeo champion, occasionally entertains patrons with rope tricks between serving rounds.
Dollar bills signed by visitors wallpaper the ceiling, creating a constantly growing collage.
Their smoked turkey legs—brined for days in moonshine made by Tom’s 93-year-old grandfather—have developed such a following that they’re now shipped nationwide to homesick Florida expats.
8. Wild Child – St. Petersburg
Nostalgia hits hard at this 80s-themed restaurant where servers on roller skates deliver boozy milkshakes and gourmet versions of cafeteria classics.
Vintage arcade games line the walls, all set to free-play mode that keeps kids (and kid-like adults) entertained while waiting for their food.
Monthly “detention dinners” feature special menus where everything comes with an unexpected twist—like spaghetti served in ice cream cones.
The bathroom hallway functions as a “yearbook” where customers can pin polaroid photos of their visit, creating an ever-growing mosaic of happy diners.
9. Wild Olive – St. Augustine
History whispers through this 300-year-old stone building where candlelit tables sit beneath exposed wooden beams that once supported a Spanish garrison.
The centerpiece olive tree grows through the middle of the dining room, its branches spreading across the ceiling strung with tiny lights.
Ghost tours pause outside nightly, guides pointing out the restaurant’s second-floor windows where apparitions allegedly appear.
Their olive oil—pressed on-site from fruit harvested from their own grove—flows freely from copper fountains at each table, replacing traditional bread service.
10. Wild Goose Tavern – Miami
Speakeasy vibes dominate this hidden gem tucked behind a working laundromat in Miami’s arts district.
Guests must know the daily password (posted on their cryptic Instagram) to enter through the vintage washing machine that serves as the secret door.
Cocktails arrive in vessels that defy convention—smoking teapots, hollowed-out books, and miniature bathtubs complete with rubber duckies.
The menu changes based on the chef’s dreams from the previous night, with each dish’s description including a snippet of the dream that inspired it.
11. Wild Goose Saloon – Sarasota
Taxidermy meets tiki culture in this bizarre beachfront establishment where mounted game animals wear sunglasses and Hawaiian shirts.
The owner, a former circus performer, occasionally swings from ceiling trapeze equipment to deliver shots to particularly rowdy tables.
During full moons, the entire staff dresses as mythological creatures for no explained reason.
Their infamous “Goose Loose” challenge dares diners to finish a five-pound sandwich in 30 minutes—winners get their photo added to the “Flock of Fame” wall and never have to pay for drinks again.
12. LongHorn Steakhouse’s – Fort Myers
Saddle up, partners! Hidden within select Florida LongHorn Steakhouse locations is the legendary Rodeo Room, where mechanical bull riding competitions happen between courses.
The restaurant’s waitstaff, all former rodeo champions, deliver sizzling steaks while performing lasso tricks above diners’ heads.
Monthly ‘Stampede Nights’ feature live longhorn cattle parading through the dining area while guests attempt to eat their Famous Outlaw Ribeye in under 10 minutes.
Winners earn their photo on the ‘Most Wanted’ wall and a commemorative cowboy hat filled with onion rings.
13. Cowboy Up Saloon – Fort Myers
Saddle up for a dining adventure where mechanical bull rides come with your buffalo wings!
This rustic honky-tonk serves up hearty portions of Southern comfort food while patrons test their rodeo skills on the notorious bucking bull in the center of the restaurant.
The walls are adorned with authentic cowboy gear, and don’t be surprised if your server breaks into line dancing between taking orders.
Local bands crank out country tunes nightly, and the bartenders flip bottles with Wild West flair.