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The ocean, St. Johns River, and numerous lakes and smaller rivers teem with fish, and so, naturally, seafood dominates local menus. Northeast Florida also has fine-dining restaurants, and its ethnic eateries include some excellent Middle Eastern places. And then there are the barbecue joints—more of them than you can shake a hickory chip at.
The local artwork on the redbrick walls is a mild distraction from the crowds jockeying for tables here at brunch, lunch, and dinner. The menu's wide-ranging, locally sourced dishes include such unexpected delights as the popular ancho chili–rubbed pork chop. There are always gluten-free options, and the lengthy dessert menu features cakes and pies.
This tiny, fine-dining restaurant may have single-handedly changed the perception of Gainesville from a college town fueled by pizza, chicken wings, and pitchers of beer to an up-and-coming culinary destination with imaginative dishes created using fresh Florida produce. The ever-changing menu might include such items as an organic beet salad, grilled salmon over sweet potato and Cotija cheese enchiladas, or pan-roasted Angus fillet over chive-mashed Yukon Golds.
Don't be surprised if your server introduces herself as your cousin, though you've never seen her before in your life. The silly Southern hospitality is only one of the draws at this wildly popular waterfront restaurant specializing in mouthwatering plates of fresh seafood and other Southern favorites. Hot cinnamon rolls, hush puppies, baked beans, cheese grits, and slaw come with every entrée and can be a meal in themselves. Bring your appetite and your patience—a wait is practically guaranteed. Sunday brunch lures empty stomachs with made-to-order eggs and French toast, and a chocolate fountain.
Sleek yet cozy, this hip bistro is popular with all types. The concrete floors and a stainless-steel wine bar provide an interesting backdrop for comfort-food-inspired entrées, but they also create a dining room that is uncommonly loud, especially on weekends. The daily specials are your only real main-course options, but the pizzas, sandwiches, and salads—especially the warm goat-cheese salad—are favorites. Don't miss the display of diet-destroying desserts. Reservations are accepted.
Mexico City natives chef Nora De La Vega and her brother, Mano, run this casual-elegant downtown restaurant serving Latin-fusion tapas. The menu emphasizes healthy, fresh ingredients, with numerous vegan and vegetarian options, and some of chef Nora's creations—such as the banderillas (chicken or cheese skewers with zucchini, roasted peppers, and mango vinaigrette)—look almost too good to eat. During weekend brunch, unlimited tapas and sangria accompany creative egg dishes such as the huevos con nopal (freshly grilled cactus, fried egg, refried black beans, and pepper sauce), which is served with tropical granola and the best avocado toast you've ever had. Outside, there are two rows of tables on the sidewalk; inside, you'll find a serene ambience, with dark-wood tables and dramatic art on the walls.
Relaxed, affordable Ellen's, an area institution for more than 50 years, serves breakfast and lunch daily to families and other beachgoers. Come hungry, and be sure to try the Hippie featuring two poached eggs served on an English muffin with toppings.
Robonaut Red Ale and Pleasure Chest IPA are just two of the beers created inside this sprawling, renovated former lumberyard. The beers are complemented by not-so-diet-friendly pub fare including corned-beef poutine, flatbreads, and what some have labeled the best burgers in town. Sunday brunch features mimosa flights and a breakfast flatbread, and dogs are welcome in the outdoor beer garden. The brewery has a smaller location serving the same delicious beer and a less expansive food menu in a former hardware store in downtown Titusville.
Award-winning chef Tom Gray's menu of contemporary Italian dishes changes with the seasons at this local foodie hot spot. Share a Roman-style pizza at the chef's table or at the outdoor seating area beside the lake, or head upstairs to the bar for artisanal cocktails.
A New Orleans theme prevails at this lively venue, a longtime favorite with locals and visitors alike. The crowd ranges in age from twentysomething to midlife-crisis, and everyone comes to sample the craft beer and eat the seafood-based fare, including Ragtime shrimp po'boy sandwiches, grilled fish, and shrimp and grits.
Tucked away in a strip mall across the street from the beach, this bistro and bakery draws tourists and locals alike for eclectic, European-influenced meals. Smoked salmon latkes and warm goat cheese tart are popular brunch items; for dinner, start with escargot or local oysters and then try the schnitzel or fresh catch with white bean cassoulet. The bakery offers monthly flavors of homemade doughnuts, such as pumpkin, peach, or Limoncello Ricotta.
Award-winning chef Tom Gray uses seasonal ingredients from local farms and other small purveyors to create dishes such as seared octopus, cauliflower steak, and homemade pastas. Set in the historic San Marco neighborhood, Town Hall also has a thriving happy hour, with patrons enjoying creative cocktails or a selection from the large roster of wines and local brews in one of three distinct areas: the comfy lounge, the bar, or the intimate dining room.
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