People travel to Florida for many different reasons. For some, it is the gorgeous golden beaches and endless sunshine that calls most to them. For others, the stunning natural beauty and incredible biodiversity of places like the Everglades or the natural springs full of manatees are the biggest attractions. Families will likely concentrate on the thrills and spills of Orlando’s world-class theme parks, while couples might choose to pack their bags for the romance and seclusion of a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico.
Essentially, there is something for everyone in Florida. But one aspect of Florida is often overlooked – its food scene. Thanks to its diverse communities, vibrant culture, and long coastline, Florida’s culinary offerings are myriad and exceptional, with an incredible variety of cuisines taking you on an exceptional journey of flavors from the Emerald Coast to the Florida Keys.
So if you are planning to sail from Florida for a weekend in Mexico or the Caribbean, consider indulging your tastebuds with a few food adventures before you go. Here is a short guide to some of the highlights of Florida’s food scene.
1. Trending Food in Miami: Fusion of Flavors
Miami is a hugely diverse city with an incredibly multicultural vibe, which is reflected and intensified in its culinary landscape. With influences from all over the world, from Latin America and the Caribbean to the Far East, eating in Miami is a remarkable fusion of tastes and flavors. You can start your day with a pastelito and a cafe cubano from Little Havana, before heading to Wynwood for curry goat, Argentinian asado, or a fresh bahn mi sandwich. For dinner you might want to explore the city’s incredible healthy seafood offerings, from fresh ceviche to crab claws, overlooking the ocean.
2. Trending Food in Key West: Seafood Galore
If you really want to get into Florida’s seafood treasures, a trip to Key West is an unmissable experience. All the way along the Florida Keys you’ll find amazing fresh fish and seafood, from waterfront cafes to roadside stalls, but Key West is the final destination for all seafood lovers. Its excellent eateries offer a delightful array of dishes, from conch fritters and fish tacos for lunch to shrimp scampi, lobster bisque, and Key West pink shrimp for dinner.
3. Trending Food in Tampa Bay: Cuban Delights and Gulf Coast Cuisine
While Cuban cuisine in Florida is often most closely associated with Miami, Tampa is its true beating heart and the official home of the Cuban Sandwich! Ybor City, Tampa’s historic old town center, is a vibrant, buzzing district crammed with amazing fondas and casual food joints, where you can get the best in Cuban cooking, as well as a host of other delights. Tampa’s Gulf Coast location also guarantees superb seafood, with fresh oysters, Gulf shrimp, and blackened fish appearing on almost every menu. Don’t miss out on devilled crab, the Bay’s regional specialty!
Also read: Top Trending Tourist Places in Switzerland
4. Trending Food in St. Augustine: Historic Eateries and Coastal Charm
As befits the oldest city in the United States, St. Augustine has a wonderful food tradition. Due to its proximity to Georgia and the southern states, its cuisine is heavily influenced by Southern styles, so you are likely to find dishes like biscuits and gravy or shrimp and grits. The city’s cobbled streets play host to a range of kerbside cafes and diners offering seafood sandwiches, crab cakes, and clam chowder, and there are plenty of high-quality fine dining options for a more formal experience in the evening.
Florida’s food scene mirrors its diverse cultures and communities, as well as its proximity to the ocean. Each region of Florida offers something different and unique, making it a wonderful destination for food-loving travelers to explore!
