Modern American restaurants in Florida
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
A
Johnny V's
Despite the vaguely mafioso-sounding name (it's actually named after the chef, Johnny Vinczencz), this perennially popular bistro is Nouvelle American all the way – modern brick-and-slate dining room, menu full of witty takes on regional classics (wild-mushroom 'pancakes' with balsamic 'syrup,' braised short ribs with haute onion rings). The late-afternoon happy hour is a daily event among well-heeled Fort Lauderdale-ites.
reviewed
-
B
Mise en Place
This landmark Tampa restaurant has been a destination for romantic, sophisticated dining for over 25 years. The menu emphasizes contemporary American cuisine with Floribbean accents; the two tasting menus ($30 to $50) are excellent deals. It's an ideal choice for a delicious yet affordable lunch while museum-hopping downtown.
reviewed
-
C
Ta-Boo
If you believe the legend, the Bloody Mary was invented here, mixed to soothe the hangover of Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton. Today, with the most coveted window seats on Worth Ave, competition is as stiff as her drinks from the previous night. But get past the intricate woodwork and jungle murals, and you'll enjoy a well-executed US bistro meal.
reviewed
-
D
eat!
This stylish place in downtown has been wowing them since it opened its doors. The modern take on Southern cuisine includes fried green tomatoes in brown butter and feta, peppercorn-crusted elk, rosemary-lemon lamb chops and carrot cake with goat-cheese crème fraiche.
reviewed
-
Paramount Grill
Very Scandinavian chic, with minimalist wood tables and apple-green walls decorated with vintage sailor photos, this is the top spot for innovative upscale-casual eats in Gainesville. A globally influenced menu spans crab cakes, duck dishes and homemade ravioli.
reviewed
-
Max's Grille
In tony Mizner Park, Max's sleek, slightly corporate slate-and-mahogany dining room is always packed with shoppers, wine-sippers and ladies (and gentlemen) who lunch. The likeable 'New American bistro' menu has everything from Asian duck tacos to Cobb salads to skirt steak, and the lovely outdoor bar is excellent for people-watching.
reviewed
-
Michelle Bernstein's
Miami celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein riffs on Nouvelle Floridian cuisine at this new restaurant in the trendy Omphoy hotel, drawing on her own Jewish and Latin American heritage, and on the rich produce and seafood offerings of South Florida. Start, for example, with foie gras and tangerine compote, move on to shrimp tiradito (a Japanese-Peruvian raw-fish dish), then dig into a main of local cobia fish with shiitakes and Spanish ham. If the homemade donuts are on the dessert menu, we must insist you order them – you'll thank us later. There's the odd grumble about slow service, so come here when you're plenty relaxed.
reviewed
-
Floridian
Though it oozes hipster-locavore earnestness, this new farm-to-table restaurant is so friggin' fabulous you won't even want to roll your eyes. The chef-owners scour every corner of North Florida for produce, meat and fish, which they turn into whimsical neo-Southern creations – fried-green-tomato bruschetta with local goat cheese, Vietnamese bahn mi sandwiches with acorn-fed pork, catch-of-the-day with Florida citrus–sweet potato salsa. The dining room is oh-so-cool, with vintage turquoise Formica tables, mix-matched chandeliers and an old rowboat suspended from the ceiling like modern art.
reviewed