Food and Recipes Chefs Florida's 17 Most Legendary Restaurants Including dimly lit historic dives, beachfront seafood spots, old-school Cuban joints, and beyond. By Kelsey Glennon Kelsey Glennon Kelsey Glennon is a travel writer & photographer with experience traveling to over 50 countries. She’s a Floridian and solo female traveler covering luxury hospitality, interior design, sustainability, and lifestyle. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on June 7, 2024 Close Photo: Courtesy The Turtle Club It's no secret that Florida restaurants are good at keeping their doors open. The Sunshine State has seen countless hurricanes, watched rockets soar into space from its shores, and served coffee through the Cuban missile crisis. Through it all, Florida restaurants continue to survive and thrive, keeping residents and visitors satiated and coming back for more. These legendary restaurants aren’t passing fads or trendy Instagram eateries, they’re cultural icons, so interwoven in Florida’s history and spirit they’re forever emblazoned into the state’s canon of hospitality. Their counters have heard countless stories, their dining room floors have seen thousands of visitors, and their locations have been carefully selected to tell a story of place. From the Panhandle down to the Keys, Florida is home to many legendary restaurants, more than can be listed here, each with a unique story to tell—just ask the loyal patrons who return again and again. With a culinary landscape as diverse and vibrant as its population, these 17 iconic eateries serve as living landmarks of culture, history, and cuisine. Dine here for a taste of timeless Florida flavor. The South's Most Legendary Dive Bars 01 of 17 Capt. Anderson’s Restaurant & Waterfront Market Courtesy Capt. Andersonâs Restaurant & Waterfront Market Panama City Beach Capt. Anderson’s has been a Gulf Coast institution for over 50 years, known for serving more fresh local seafood than any other dining room in Florida. The restaurant and waterfront market has become a local tradition for its front-row seats to Panama City fishing fleets unload their catch. Still today, the family-run establishment works directly with seafarers who make their living harvesting the Gulf and Bay waters. The symbiotic relationship aims to maintain the fragile Florida coastal ecology. Try the Bay shrimp or whatever fish is freshly written on the market board. captandersons.com, 5551 N Lagoon Dr, Panama City Beach, FL 32408 02 of 17 Dockside Seafood Restaurant Courtesy Dockside Seafood Restaurant Jacksonville Beach A riverside staple, Dockside serves up the freshest seafood from their Jacksonville Beach boat ramp perch. Located on the Trout River, this casual eatery offers stunning sunset views over the marsh and a menu rooted in southern staples. Enjoy the day’s fresh catch as a Po ‘Boy, fried basket, wrapped in a taco, or on a roll. docksideseafoodrestaurant.com, 2510 2nd Ave N, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 03 of 17 Joe’s Stone Crab Courtesy Joeâs Stone Crab Miami Beach Located at the south tip of Miami Beach, Joe’s Stone Crab pulled the crustaceans from the water during their season, October through May. This 100-plus-year-old establishment started as a lunch counter and has since blossomed into a family-run restaurant that welcomes Miami society and a long list of celebrities as regular patrons. Known for its namesake stone crab claws and key lime pie, the bustling and warm atmosphere makes Joe’s a must-visit. joesstonecrab.com, 11 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 04 of 17 El Siboney Restaurant Courtesy El Siboney Key West A local favorite for Cuban cuisine, El Siboney has been delighting diners at the southernmost point since 1984. Away from the bustling crowds of Duval Street, this restaurant is tucked away on a residential street. It serves up dishes like Siboney steak, Paella Valenciana (call ahead to enjoy this long-simmered Spanish dish) and slow roasted pork, all served in an unpretentious atmosphere. elsiboneyrestaurant.com, 900 Catherine St, Key West, FL 33040 05 of 17 Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish Courtesy Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish St. Petersburg This rustic cash-only spot has been a legend since 1947. It is known for its smoked mullet and hearty German potato salad. Fresh fish like mackerel and mullet are smoked for 4 to 6 hours over native Florida Red Oak. The open-air setting and simple picnic tables epitomize a laid-back, timeless Floridian charm that is best enjoyed with a cold draft beer served in a frozen mug (just $3.50). Don’t leave without a slice of their Key Lime Pie. tedpetersfish.com, 1350 Pasadena Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33707 Explore St. Petersburg 06 of 17 The Columbia Restaurant Courtesy The Columbia Restaurant Tampa Established by Spanish-Cuban immigrant, Casimiro Hernandez, Sr. the Columbia Restaurant started out as a saloon serving strong Cuban coffee and sandwiches to the cigar workers of Ybor City at the turn of the 20th century. During prohibition, it transitioned into a restaurant. Today, The Columbia Restaurant is Florida’s oldest restaurant and a cornerstone of Spanish and Cuban cuisine. It is known for beautifully tiled interiors, open-air patios, and signature dishes like the "1905 Salad," with its proprietary garlic dressing and tableside tossing. Over 120 years later, the original restaurant takes up an entire city block in Ybor City, and claims to be “the largest Spanish restaurant in the world.” Now with seven locations throughout the state, Columbia Restaurant is synonymous with Florida, and still managed by family. columbiarestaurant.com, 2117 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605 07 of 17 Joe Patti’s Seafood Courtesy Joe Pattiâs Seafood Pensacola More than just a restaurant, Joe Patti’s is a seafood market institution. Since 1931, this family-owned spot has drawn locals and visitors to the panhandle for fresh seafood out of Pensacola Bay. The eponymous proprietor, Captain Joe himself, had a reputation for having the highest standards for fresh seafood. As a result, his name has become associated with top-tier quality. One of most desired wholesale fish markets for fine seafood, the business has expanded to include its own Italian-style gourmet delicatessen, sushi bar, and wine shop. Come here for sashimi straight from the sea. joepattis.com, 524 S B St, Pensacola, FL 32502 08 of 17 Lee & Rick’s Oyster Bar Courtesy Lee & Rickâs Oyster Bar Orlando A beloved dive since 1950, Lee & Rick’s is the mom-and-pop joint that Central Florida locals are reluctant to tell you about for fear the restaurant’s long, concrete oyster bar will get too crowded. But visitors and locals alike are welcome to gather at the 80-foot bar to have oyster experts shuck and hand you the briny bivalves with a cold beer. Still in the family, the restaurant is now run by Lee & Rick’s eldest son. leeandricksoysterbar.com, 5621 Old Winter Garden Rd, Orlando, FL 32811 Explore Orlando 09 of 17 The Turtle Club Courtesy The Turtle Club Naples Struck by Category 4 Hurricane Ian in 2022, Naples has been making a slow and careful comeback, and that includes the iconic restaurants that call it home. Located on the powder-soft sands of Vanderbilt Beach, the family-owned Turtle Club is a community hub where you can dine with your toes in sugar-like sand while enjoying upscale dining. While many seafront seafood joints keep things casual, this venue is a fusion of “Olde Florida and New Florida,” combining relaxed beachy vibes with sophisticated modern cuisine featuring fresh catch straight from the Gulf. turtleclubnaples.com, 9225 Gulf Shore Dr, Naples, FL 34108 Explore Naples 10 of 17 Bern’s Steak House Courtesy Bernâs Steak House Tampa They swore they’d never go into the restaurant business, but life had other plans for Bern and Gert Laxer. When dining at this indulgent steakhouse, it’s hard to believe it had beginnings as a humble sandwich shop. Today, Bern’s is still overseen by Bern and Gert’s son, David Laxer, and is famous for the James Beard Awarded private wine collection, over 500,000 bottles. Don’t leave without lingering in the Harry Waugh Dessert Room, where guests indulge in decadent cheeses, aged whiskeys, and house desserts. bernssteakhouse.com, 1208 S Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33606 11 of 17 Versailles Restaurant Cuban Cuisine Courtesy Versailles Restaurant Cuban Cuisine Miami Opened in 1971, Versailles is the meeting place of Miami’s Cuban community. Located in Little Havana, this iconic spot serves up authentic Cuban treats like ropa vieja, Cuban sandwiches, and house-made Cuban pastries. Many decades worth of politicians have sipped Cafecito at the famous coffee counter window, La Ventanita, meeting there to converse with Miami’s Hispanic community. Why the name Versailles? The dining room is covered in mirrors, much like the French chateau’s Hall of Mirrors. Bustling with locals for more than a half-century, this restaurant has solidified itself as a Miami legend. versaillesrestaurant.com, 3555 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135 12 of 17 The Yearling Restaurant Courtesy The Yearling Restaurant Cross Creek Nestled in the small town of Cross Creek, The Yearling has been serving rural Southern fare since 1952. Named after Pulitzer Prize Winning Cross Creek resident Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings' famous novel, this rustic eatery offers dishes like frog legs, venison, and alligator, all served with a side of local history and live acoustic music. If you think The Yearling is a bit out of the way, consider making it into an overnight trip by staying onsite at the The Yearling Cabins on the banks of Cross Creek. During the day, visit the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings homestead at the eponymous state park. yearlingrestaurant.net, 14531 E Co Rd 325, Hawthorne, FL 32640 13 of 17 Bud & Alley's Rush Jagoe Seaside Bud & Alley's is an iconic oceanfront eatery along Highway 30A. Founded by a couple of 24-year-old surfing buddies (and named for a cat and dog in a town that only boasted twelve houses at the time), it was the first restaurant and watering hole to open in Seaside. It's still serving up its beloved crab cakes today. Take in the sunset from the rooftop bar with epic views. budandalleys.com; 2236 E County Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 14 of 17 The Floridian Courtesy The Floridian Fort Lauderdale This 24-hour diner has been serving Fort Lauderdale since 1937. With a menu of traditional diner fare and a staggering list of sandwiches, subs, and wraps, Floridian Restaurant isn’t peacocking or pretending to be anything other than a beloved local haunt for hearty comfort food at any hour you need it. thefloridiandiner.com, 1492 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 Explore Fort Lauderdale 15 of 17 Bull & Bear Steakhouse Courtesy Bull & Bear Orlando There are few names more legendary in hospitality than Waldorf Astoria, the storied Gilded Age Park Avenue hotel that touts a list of hospitality superlatives almost as long as the list of famous guests—presidents, world leaders, rock stars. Today, there are 36 Waldorf Astoria hotels around the world, but the first to open outside of Manhattan was in Orlando, Florida—and is home to Bull & Bear Steakhouse. The restaurant is an intimate parlor of hunter-green and coffered ceilings. On the menu are innovative dishes that are unique to the Orlando location, and so fabled they’re known simply by a mononym: “the Lemon,” a dessert that's as delicious as it is deceptive. Tableside theatre using facilities like liquid nitrogen, gold leaf, and smoke infusion make for an evening that will go down as a family legend. bullandbearorlando.com, 14200 Bonnet Creek Resort Ln, Orlando, FL 32821 16 of 17 Adrienne’s Pizzabar & Harry’s Courtesy Harry's West Palm Beach West Palm Beach South Florida is colloquially considered the “sixth borough,” and it’s not hard to see New York’s influence in West Palm Beach. Here, the Wall Street restaurants, Harry’s and Adrienne’s Pizzabar, have established a much-loved residency in the tropical courtyards of City Place—West Palm’s walkable central square. Folks come to Adrienne’s for the slabs of crispy-edged Sicilian sheet pan pizza, and classic NYC-style round pies. Right next door, Harry’s continues to epitomize the definition of a classic New York-style steakhouse. But what truly makes these sister restaurants legendary is the silver-haired proprietor, Harry himself, who still shows up each day donned smartly in a navy blue blazer and an “H” pin on his lapel, walking from table to table and surveying the two South Florida dining rooms that carry he and his wife’s name. adriennespizzabar.com; harrysbarrestaurant.com, 378 & 384 S Rosemary Ave, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Explore West Palm Beach 17 of 17 Rustic Inn Crabhouse Courtesy Rustic Inn Crabhouse Fort Lauderdale Be prepared to don a bib and wield a mallet at this classic Florida crab shack. This waterfront spot has been a crustacean haven since 1955 and draws diners back for its famous garlic crabs. Complete with paper-topped tables, this restaurant is a quintessential Florida experience where you should arrive with an appetite for patience—cracking crab yourself involves a slight learning curve, but ensures a satisfying reward. rusticinn.com, 4331 Anglers Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit