You’ve probably heard the saying that the best things come in small packages, and we believe that the same is true for small towns. You don’t have to go to a big city to find the best food in Florida. Just check out one of our favorite little towns in the list below. These are the 8 best food towns in Florida you need to explore before they get too popular.
- Mount Dora
Flickr/Steven Martin This charming Central Florida town is one of our favorites. It is beloved for its antiques and frequent festivals. As for restaurants, we recommend the gorgeous Goblin Market, the British pub Magical Meat Boutique, and The Windsor Rose Tea Room. Read more about this adorable town here.
- Dade City
Flickr/Walter Dade City is a little town known for its Southern charm and obsession with kumquats. This town is chock-full of incredible restaurants. Check out the unbelievable desserts at Lunch on Limoges, the unique Kafe Kokopelli that occupies a 100-year-old Ford building, and the incredible comfort food at Steph’s Southern Soul Restaurant. Read more about this charming town here.
- Apalachicola
Flickr/patchattack This authentic fishing village in Northwest Florida is famous for its oysters, but even if you don’t like oysters, you can easily find a delicious meal here. A few great restaurants in town are The Owl Cafe, Tamara’s Cafe (pictured), and Up The Creek Raw Bar. Read more about this awesome small town here.
- Gulfport
Flickr/Kathy Sturr Gulfport is a small city near St. Petersburg with the motto “Keep Gulfport Weird.” The shops and restaurants are often housed in brightly painted beach cottages, and the vibe is very laid-back and friendly. Pia’s Trattoria is the perfect spot for Italian cuisine with beautiful atmosphere, and dining at O’Maddy’s Bar & Grille is always a good time.
- Tarpon Springs
Flickr/Walter This town of 23,000 residents located in Pinellas County has the highest percentage of Greek-Americans in the United States, making it the perfect place to get authentic Greek cuisine without leaving Florida. Our restaurant recommendations include Hellas Bakery and Restaurant, Rusty Bellies Waterfront Grill, and Tarpon Tavern. Read more about this special town here.
- Fernandina Beach
Flickr/Robot Brainz Fernandina Beach is a historic town in Northeast Florida with lots of cute boutiques and restaurants, including the oldest bar in Florida, The Palace Saloon. We love T-Ray’s Burger Station (a converted gas station with great burgers), Espana Restaurant & Tapas for Spanish cuisine, and Timoti’s Seafood Shack, but there are many, many more to choose from. Read more about this beautiful town here.
- Winter Garden
Wikimedia Commons Although it’s larger than the others on this list, Winter Garden has retained its small town charm and history, despite being near the hustle and bustle of Orlando. Check out the Plant Street Market, a large indoor artisan market full of fresh organic foods and handmade goods, including some amazing restaurants. Read more about this delightful town here.
- High Springs
Flickr/CANDID1PHOTO High Springs, located in Alachua County near Gainesville, has lots of beautiful natural attractions, excellent restaurants, and some wonderful antique stores. Check out The Secret Garden Bakery, The Great Outdoors Restaurant, The Talented Cookie Company. Read more about High Springs here.
Have you been to any of the best food towns in Florida? Which one is your favorite? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below! And if you know another incredible eatery in the Sunshine State, nominate it for a chance to be featured.
Flickr/Steven Martin
This charming Central Florida town is one of our favorites. It is beloved for its antiques and frequent festivals. As for restaurants, we recommend the gorgeous Goblin Market, the British pub Magical Meat Boutique, and The Windsor Rose Tea Room. Read more about this adorable town here.
Flickr/Walter
Dade City is a little town known for its Southern charm and obsession with kumquats. This town is chock-full of incredible restaurants. Check out the unbelievable desserts at Lunch on Limoges, the unique Kafe Kokopelli that occupies a 100-year-old Ford building, and the incredible comfort food at Steph’s Southern Soul Restaurant. Read more about this charming town here.
Flickr/patchattack
This authentic fishing village in Northwest Florida is famous for its oysters, but even if you don’t like oysters, you can easily find a delicious meal here. A few great restaurants in town are The Owl Cafe, Tamara’s Cafe (pictured), and Up The Creek Raw Bar. Read more about this awesome small town here.
Flickr/Kathy Sturr
Gulfport is a small city near St. Petersburg with the motto “Keep Gulfport Weird.” The shops and restaurants are often housed in brightly painted beach cottages, and the vibe is very laid-back and friendly. Pia’s Trattoria is the perfect spot for Italian cuisine with beautiful atmosphere, and dining at O’Maddy’s Bar & Grille is always a good time.
This town of 23,000 residents located in Pinellas County has the highest percentage of Greek-Americans in the United States, making it the perfect place to get authentic Greek cuisine without leaving Florida. Our restaurant recommendations include Hellas Bakery and Restaurant, Rusty Bellies Waterfront Grill, and Tarpon Tavern. Read more about this special town here.
Flickr/Robot Brainz
Fernandina Beach is a historic town in Northeast Florida with lots of cute boutiques and restaurants, including the oldest bar in Florida, The Palace Saloon. We love T-Ray’s Burger Station (a converted gas station with great burgers), Espana Restaurant & Tapas for Spanish cuisine, and Timoti’s Seafood Shack, but there are many, many more to choose from. Read more about this beautiful town here.
Wikimedia Commons
Although it’s larger than the others on this list, Winter Garden has retained its small town charm and history, despite being near the hustle and bustle of Orlando. Check out the Plant Street Market, a large indoor artisan market full of fresh organic foods and handmade goods, including some amazing restaurants. Read more about this delightful town here.
Flickr/CANDID1PHOTO
High Springs, located in Alachua County near Gainesville, has lots of beautiful natural attractions, excellent restaurants, and some wonderful antique stores. Check out The Secret Garden Bakery, The Great Outdoors Restaurant, The Talented Cookie Company. Read more about High Springs here.
For more excellent eats, visit the 10 most beautiful restaurants in Florida.
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Address: Mount Dora, Mt Dora, FL 32757, USAAddress: Dade City, FL, USAAddress: Apalachicola, FL 32320, USAAddress: Gulfport, FL, USAAddress: Tarpon Springs, FL, USAAddress: Fernandina Beach, FL 32034, USAAddress: Winter Garden, FL 34787, USAAddress: High Springs, FL, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
best food towns in Florida July 11, 2020 Elisa Regulski What are the best small town restaurants in Florida? We love a good hidden gem eatery, and there are so many to choose from. If you need more dining inspiration, check out our list of the best small town restaurants in Florida. This article highlights some of the state’s most charming destinations. Be sure to stop by Momma’s Dixie Kitchen in Old Town. This welcoming restaurant serves some of the best home cooking around. These meals will make you feel like you’re dining inside grandma’s kitchen. What are the best underrated restaurants in Florida? Sure, Florida’s famous restaurants are always a treat. But what about those little-known gems hiding in plain sight? Shake up your routine and visit one of the best hole in the wall restaurants in Florida. One of our favorites is, hands down, Pudgees’ Hot Dog Stand in Floral City. Eating here is like taking a step back in time. These tasty coney dogs will make you feel like you’re a kid on summer vacation. Stop by and soak up the joy! What are the best steakhouses in Florida? Craving a hearty steak dinner? Then head to Bern’s Steakhouse in Tampa. After one meal here, you’ll see why folks think it’s one of the best steakhouses in Florida. Not only do they serve scrumptious dinners, but their desserts are to-die-for. In fact, they have a whole room dedicated to sweet treats! Everyone should eat here at least once. Tropical Acres Steakhouse, located in Fort Lauderdale, is another fantastic place to enjoy a meal. And as South Florida’s oldest steakhouse, it’s a must-visit. Come see why they’ve been a Sunshine State staple since 1949!
The OIYS Visitor Center
best food towns in Florida
July 11, 2020
Elisa Regulski
What are the best small town restaurants in Florida? We love a good hidden gem eatery, and there are so many to choose from. If you need more dining inspiration, check out our list of the best small town restaurants in Florida. This article highlights some of the state’s most charming destinations. Be sure to stop by Momma’s Dixie Kitchen in Old Town. This welcoming restaurant serves some of the best home cooking around. These meals will make you feel like you’re dining inside grandma’s kitchen. What are the best underrated restaurants in Florida? Sure, Florida’s famous restaurants are always a treat. But what about those little-known gems hiding in plain sight? Shake up your routine and visit one of the best hole in the wall restaurants in Florida. One of our favorites is, hands down, Pudgees’ Hot Dog Stand in Floral City. Eating here is like taking a step back in time. These tasty coney dogs will make you feel like you’re a kid on summer vacation. Stop by and soak up the joy! What are the best steakhouses in Florida? Craving a hearty steak dinner? Then head to Bern’s Steakhouse in Tampa. After one meal here, you’ll see why folks think it’s one of the best steakhouses in Florida. Not only do they serve scrumptious dinners, but their desserts are to-die-for. In fact, they have a whole room dedicated to sweet treats! Everyone should eat here at least once. Tropical Acres Steakhouse, located in Fort Lauderdale, is another fantastic place to enjoy a meal. And as South Florida’s oldest steakhouse, it’s a must-visit. Come see why they’ve been a Sunshine State staple since 1949!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
We love a good hidden gem eatery, and there are so many to choose from. If you need more dining inspiration, check out our list of the best small town restaurants in Florida. This article highlights some of the state’s most charming destinations. Be sure to stop by Momma’s Dixie Kitchen in Old Town. This welcoming restaurant serves some of the best home cooking around. These meals will make you feel like you’re dining inside grandma’s kitchen.
What are the best underrated restaurants in Florida?
Sure, Florida’s famous restaurants are always a treat. But what about those little-known gems hiding in plain sight? Shake up your routine and visit one of the best hole in the wall restaurants in Florida. One of our favorites is, hands down, Pudgees’ Hot Dog Stand in Floral City. Eating here is like taking a step back in time. These tasty coney dogs will make you feel like you’re a kid on summer vacation. Stop by and soak up the joy!
What are the best steakhouses in Florida?
Craving a hearty steak dinner? Then head to Bern’s Steakhouse in Tampa. After one meal here, you’ll see why folks think it’s one of the best steakhouses in Florida. Not only do they serve scrumptious dinners, but their desserts are to-die-for. In fact, they have a whole room dedicated to sweet treats! Everyone should eat here at least once. Tropical Acres Steakhouse, located in Fort Lauderdale, is another fantastic place to enjoy a meal. And as South Florida’s oldest steakhouse, it’s a must-visit. Come see why they’ve been a Sunshine State staple since 1949!
