10 Extraordinary Florida Restaurants Everyone Should Experience Once

Florida isn’t just about beaches and theme parks, it’s a food lover’s paradise hiding some of the most incredible restaurants in the country.

From century-old establishments serving legendary seafood to cutting-edge kitchens pushing culinary boundaries, the Sunshine State offers dining experiences you won’t find anywhere else.

Whether you’re craving authentic Cuban flavors, world-class sushi, or pizza baked in a quirky garden setting, these ten restaurants deliver unforgettable meals worth planning your entire trip around.

1. Joe’s Stone Crab

Since 1913, this Miami Beach institution has been cracking claws and serving up legendary seafood that makes locals and tourists alike wait hours for a table. Joe’s doesn’t take reservations, so you’ll join the crowd outside, but trust us—those buttery stone crabs are worth every minute.

The restaurant only serves stone crabs during their October-to-May season, following sustainable practices that let these crustaceans regenerate their claws. Pair them with Joe’s famous mustard sauce, crispy hash browns, and creamy coleslaw for the ultimate Miami feast.

Waiters in bow ties hustle through the bustling dining room, delivering platters piled high with the freshest catches. The energy here is electric, the history palpable, and the food absolutely unforgettable.

2. Columbia Restaurant

Step into Florida’s oldest restaurant, founded in 1905, and you’re transported straight to old Havana with flamenco dancers, hand-painted tiles, and the intoxicating aroma of garlic and saffron. Columbia Restaurant in Tampa’s Ybor City neighborhood spans an entire city block, featuring fifteen dining rooms filled with Spanish elegance.

Their signature 1905 Salad gets tossed tableside with theatrical flair, while the Cuban sandwich and paella Valenciana have earned legendary status among food critics nationwide. Flamenco performances still take place, though not nightly—check the current schedule before visiting.

Four generations of the Gonzmart family have kept traditions alive while maintaining impeccable standards. History practically drips from the walls here.

3. Ariete

Chef Michael Beltran brings serious creativity to Coconut Grove with dishes that blend his Cuban heritage with modern techniques that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance. Ariete earned a Michelin star in the 2022 and 2023 Florida Guides, and as of 2025, it remains one of Miami’s top-rated fine-dining restaurants.

The menu changes seasonally, but expect mind-blowing combinations like bone marrow with guava or oxtail marmalade that sounds weird but tastes like pure genius. Beltran isn’t afraid to experiment, and his passion shines through every meticulously crafted plate.

The intimate space feels like dining at a friend’s house—if that friend happened to be one of Florida’s most talented chefs.

4. Kadence

Orlando might be famous for mouse ears, but Kadence serves up some of the finest omakase sushi outside Japan, earning and maintaining a Michelin star since 2022. Chef-owners Henry Moso and Dallas Choi source impeccable fish flown in directly from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market, ensuring every bite melts on your tongue like butter.

Only nine seats surround the intimate hinoki cypress counter, where you’ll watch the chefs craft each piece with samurai-level precision. The tasting menu flows through approximately twenty courses, each one more exquisite than the last, building flavors that tell a delicious story.

Reservations disappear faster than free pizza at a college dorm, so plan ahead for this transcendent experience.

5. Kōsen

Hidden in Tampa Heights, Kōsendelivers a refined kaiseki and omakase experience under Chef Ryo Kato, earning a Michelin star in 2024. Chef Ryo Kato transforms seasonal ingredients into poetry, honoring centuries-old Japanese traditions while incorporating Florida’s freshest offerings.

The multi-course tasting menu unfolds like a graceful story, with each dish arriving at precisely the right moment to showcase peak flavors and temperatures. Delicate presentations feature ingredients you’ve probably never heard of, prepared with techniques that take years to master.

This isn’t just dinner—it’s a meditation on flavor, texture, and beauty that’ll change how you think about food forever. Book weeks ahead.

6. Knife & Spoon

Celebrity chef John Tesar brings his meat mastery to Orlando’s Ritz-Carlton with a steakhouse that rivals anything you’d find in New York or Chicago. Knife & Spoon dry-ages its beef in-house for up to 240 days, creating flavors so intense and complex, they’ll ruin regular steaks for you forever.

Beyond the beef, the menu features unexpected delights like bone marrow poppers and wagyu beef cheek that practically dissolve on your tongue.

Dress sharp, bring your appetite, and prepare for carnivorous bliss in surroundings so elegant, you’ll feel like royalty with every perfectly cooked bite.

7. Kaya

In Orlando, Kaya celebrates Filipino heritage through fine dining that feels both innovative and deeply personal. Chefs Lordfer Llanes and Ria Ramirez earned a Michelin star in 2025 for their heartfelt approach to modern Filipino cuisine, crafting multi-course menus that transform comfort food into art.

Each dish tells a story, from rich pork belly adobo glazed to perfection, to vibrant calamansi-kissed ceviche, to ube desserts that end the night in a purple haze of sweetness. The service is intimate, the energy warm, and every course feels like a conversation between culture and creativity.

Kaya isn’t just another tasting menu spot; it’s a celebration of family, memory, and the flavors that make Florida’s dining scene one of the most exciting in the country.

8. Satchel’s Pizza

Forget everything you know about traditional pizzerias—Satchel’s in Gainesville serves incredible pies in a wonderfully weird garden setting crammed with salvaged treasures, vintage oddities, and enough personality to fill ten restaurants. Owner Satchel Raye built this funky paradise from recycled materials, creating an atmosphere that’s part museum, part jungle, and totally unforgettable.

The wood-fired pizzas emerge from the oven with perfectly charred crusts and creative toppings that range from classic margherita to adventurous combinations dreamed up by the kitchen.

Satchel’s now accepts credit and debit cards (it was formerly cash-only), so no ATM stop needed.

9. Old Spanish Sugar Mill

At this De Leon Springs landmark, you don’t just order pancakes—you cook them yourself on griddles built right into your table, flipping flapjacks while surrounded by the historic walls of an actual 1830s sugar mill. The restaurant sits inside De Leon Springs State Park, where you can swim in the crystal-clear 72-degree spring before working up an appetite.

They bring you pitchers of batter made with their signature stone-ground flour, plus toppings like blueberries, pecans, and chocolate chips to customize your breakfast masterpiece. Kids absolutely love the hands-on experience, and honestly, so do adults.

The rustic charm and interactive dining make this place feel like stepping back in time to simpler, more delicious days.

10. The Columbia Café at Tampa Bay History Center

When you need a break from exploring Tampa’s fascinating history, head downstairs to this casual offshoot of the legendary Columbia Restaurant, where you’ll find the same beloved recipes in a relaxed waterfront setting. The café serves up Cuban sandwiches, black bean soup, and other Columbia classics without the formal atmosphere or long waits of the flagship location.

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the Tampa Riverwalk and Garrison Channel, making this the perfect spot to refuel while watching boats glide past. Prices stay reasonable, portions remain generous, and the flavors pack that same authentic punch that’s made Columbia famous for over a century.

History and delicious food in one convenient stop? That’s what we call a winning combination worth experiencing.