Must-see restaurants in Northeast Florida

  • Café Karibo & Karibrew

    Northeast Florida

    This funky side-street favorite serves a large and eclectic menu of sandwiches, soups, salads and healthy treats in a sprawling two-story space with a…

  • Ronin Sushi and Sake Bar

    Daytona Beach

    Daytona may be a racing town, but it's also a seaside spot where fresh-from-the-boat seafood is in plentiful supply. So: good sushi. This popular,…

  • Eleven South

    Northeast Florida

    For an updated bit of fine contemporary global dining that's still within spitting distance of the beach, head to Eleven South, where the date-night…

  • Dancing Avocado Kitchen

    Daytona Beach

    Gluten-free and predominantly vegetarian-friendly items feature at this colorful kitchen serving breakfasts, lunches and light meals, although you'll…

  • Zen Bistro

    Daytona Beach

    With alfresco dining, a fire pit and a bar, this is not your everyday Thai restaurant. Add in solid curries, noodle and rice dishes cooked to your…

  • Vessel Sandwich Company

    Northeast Florida

    After a long swim in the ocean, a sandwich is kind of perfect, right? It's even more perfect if it's served at this excellent joint, which slings a good…

  • Cook's

    Northeast Florida

    It's hard not to enjoy a buffet when it is done well, with plenty of selections kept clean, fresh and warm. Cook's does just that: roast meats, veggies,…

  • Maple Street Biscuit Company

    St Augustine

    The name of this place delivers on its promise: they do biscuits (the Southern flaky kind, not British cookies), and they do them right. There's plenty of…

  • Dave's New York Deli

    Northeast Florida

    The NYC-transplant force is strong at Dave's, where the pastrami and corned beef is stacked precariously high on rye, and if you order anything else, you…

  • Don Vito's

    Daytona Beach

    Diners flock to this unpretentious old school mom-and-pop Italian joint for fresh home-baked breads and pizzas, rich pasta sauces and succulent ocean…

  • Paramount Grill

    Northeast Florida

    Very Scandinavian chic, with minimalist wood tables and apple-green walls decorated with vintage sailor photos, this is the top spot for innovative…

  • Great Outdoors Restaurant

    Northeast Florida

    This woodsy, lantern-lit steakhouse and saloon, located in the former downtown Opera House, has an inviting patio area for alfresco dining. The menu is…

  • Back 40 Urban Cafe

    St Augustine

    Flavored with the spices of Mexico and the Southwest, this cozy, unpretentious joint is favored by locals for its cheap and tasty tacos, burgers and…

  • Buttercup Bakery

    Northeast Florida

    Inside this sunny yellow cottage the pastry cases are stacked high with luscious sweets: lemon-curd bars, white chocolate and apricot bars, chocolate-chip…

  • European Street

    Northeast Florida

    Assemble the perfect picnic (or just get a great sandwich) at this excellent combination chocolatier, deli, bar (boasting 150 imported beers) and gourmet…

  • Krishna House

    Northeast Florida

    For tasty vegetarian soul food on a budget during school sessions, head to Krishna House on the UF campus, make a small donation and fill your belly. Who…

  • Beach Hut Café

    Northeast Florida

    Don't let its strip-mall location deceive you: the food here is finger-lickin' good. Famous for its big, all-day Southern breakfasts, it draws huge lines …

  • La Herencia Café

    St Augustine

    On St Aug's oldest street, this brightly painted Cuban cafe serves all-day breakfasts and killer Cuban sandwiches – it's one of the better lunch deals…

  • Spanish Bakery & Cafe

    St Augustine

    This diminutive stucco bakeshop serves empanadas, sausage rolls and other conquistador-era favorites. Don't hesitate; it sells out quick.

  • Clark's Fish Camp

    Northeast Florida

    Sample Florida's Southern 'Cracker' cuisine surrounded by the surreal animal menagerie of America's largest private taxidermy collection, which resembles…

  • Sinatra's Ristorante

    Northeast Florida

    Look, we like old-school, red-sauce Italian cuisine as much as the next traveler, and the chicken stewed in tomato sauce and Tuscan seafood stew here are…

  • T-Ray's Burger Station

    Northeast Florida

    Inside an Exxon gas station, this high-carb, high-fat, low-pretense diner and takeout joint is worth the cholesterol spike. Revered by locals, the big…

  • Gaufres & Goods

    St Augustine

    The flavors of Europe collide in this surprising addition to the St Augustine foodie scene, serving homestyle Polish and Greek favorites in the core of…

  • Emiliano's

    Northeast Florida

    A Gainesville standby, Emiliano's rocks a mid-century Cuban-Floridian vibe, with striped awnings, rattan chairs and salsa in the background. Go for Cuban…

  • Brooklyn's Backyard

    Northeast Florida

    Craft beers and pub grub-y mains – mussels sauteed in hot sauce, brie cheese burgers, full pizzas and shrimp macaroni and cheese – set the tone at this…

  • Sandollar

    Northeast Florida

    This classic waterfront spot does tasty seafood with a view out to the breeze-kissed water. Enjoy a drink and some blackened Mahi or a basket of shrimp,…

  • Metro Diner

    Northeast Florida

    An excellent breakfast/brunch spot in Jacksonville Beach, this tried-and-true diner has been in business since 1938. These days it's usually packed,…

  • Georgie's Diner

    St Augustine

    On the fringe of the historic downtown area, this shiny silver retro-look diner is best for big breakfasts and hearty Greek meals like gyro, souvlaki and…

  • Leanh's Chinese Restaurant

    Daytona Beach

    Chinese American standards – Szechuan beef, walnut shrimp and Shanghai duck – rule the roost at this South Daytona establishment, which has been one of…

  • Doug & Lil's Potato Patch

    Northeast Florida

    Country breakfasts and country vibes are the name of the game here – the menu serves up stick-to-your-ribs fare like biscuits and gravy, country fried…

  • Mango Mango's

    St Augustine

    It's hard not to be charmed by this cheery lime-and-coral-colored beach bistro, with its menu of likable Caribbean-fusion fare – crunchy coconut shrimp,…

  • Daytona Brickyard

    Daytona Beach

    Sit cheek by jowl with bikers and speedway fiends at this beloved grease pit, in a one-of-a-kind A-frame building jammed to the hilt with racing…

  • Gypsy Cab Co

    St Augustine

    Across the bridge from downtown, this arty turquoise-and-purple bistro is a local fave for an eclectic menu spanning Italian pastas, French strip steaks,…

  • River City Brewing Company

    Northeast Florida

    Jax's premier riverfront restaurant is a good place to quaff a microbrew and enjoy some upscale seafood overlooking the water. Prices are reasonable for…

  • Maude's Classic Café

    Northeast Florida

    This locally owned and operated boho hangout serves tea, coffee and cakes as well as themed sandwiches and salads such as 'When Harry Met Salad:' you get…

  • Hola Cuban Cafe

    Northeast Florida

    This may be as far north as you can get good Cuban food in Florida (yes, yes, we realize there's still Cuban food in the rest of the country). Have a hot…