25 Tasty 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives' in Florida

From South Beach and the Keys to the college towns in between, Florida has delivered no shortage of killer local eats throughout the many seasons of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Along the way, the Mayor of Flavortown has dug into everything from over-the-top burgers and killer fried chicken to seafood straight from the Gulf and Latin flavors that satisfy on every bite. We’ve rounded up 25 of the most “off-the-chain” dishes (and restaurants) Guy has featured while rolling through the Sunshine State. First up: Se7enBites.

Right in the heart of Orlando’s Milk District, you’ll find a righteous restaurant-bakery known for putting its decadent spin on childhood classics. Don't miss out on their "gangster" graham crackers or the Drunk N’ Sloppy Jo pictured — a beefy, tomato-y, sweet sloppy joe smothered in beer cheese that you won’t find anywhere else.

The Orlando staple has also made its way back into the Guy Fieri universe, as chef Trina Gregory recently competed on Guy’s Grocery Games’ Triple D Legends Tournament.

Hop aboard a Carnival cruise ship setting sail from Miami, Orlando or Tampa and enjoy a poolside burger from the man, the myth, the Mayor of Flavortown himself, Guy Fieri. Paired with fresh-cut fries, the Fieri-curated burgers at Guy’s Burger Joint, including the Pig Patty — a Straight Up burger topped with S.M.C. and another patty made straight out of bacon — make this a popular spot any time of day.

When you think of a pizzeria, you’re usually thinking rich tomato sauce, gooey cheese and freshly made dough. And while the team at Humble Wood Fire serves up a mean slice, their claim to fame may actually be their Florida-style bagels. Topped with perfectly cured fish over a fresh lemon-dill cream cheese and piled high with capers, cucumbers and onions, the Beet-Cured Nova Lox on an everything bagel is unique, well-crafted and the bomb-dot-com.

The Miami food scene is a melting pot of bold Latin flavors, and Milly's Empanada Factory delivers some of the best Venezuelan dishes you’ll find in the Magic City. Serving South Florida for more than two decades, Milly Martinez is what Guy called an “empanada goddess,” and her daughter, Maria and son, Jose, couldn’t agree more. Crunchy on the outside, a little sweet and savory on the inside and always piping hot, Milly's Famous Pabe-Yoyo brings it all together with battered and flash-fried sweet plantains layered with pabellón criollo, shredded beef, ham, queso blanco, creamy black beans and Milly's signature cilantro sauce.

If you’re in San Francisco, you’ve got to check out Pier 23. In New Orleans, it’s Casamento’s. In New York City, you’re heading to John’s on 12th. And down in the Keys in Islamorada, the spot is The Green Turtle Inn. A Florida Keys institution since 1947, The Green Turtle serves up its own brand of comfort that locals swear by. Nothing on the menu is more beloved than Bacon-Wrapped Love, the chef’s signature meatloaf stuffed with mushrooms, wrapped in thick-cut applewood bacon, topped with a rich glaze and served with mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy.

Ready for a true African adventure deep in the heart of … Florida?! You heard that right. A tucked-away, diamond-in-the-rough joint in Tallahassee, Halisi Africa brings big flavor to a small pocket in Leon County. Speaking of small, we’re not sure Triple D has ever been to a restaurant with a kitchen this tiny. Said to be the size of a closet, the chef works with just induction burners and air fryers. And while the kitchen may be small, the flavors are massive. That’s especially true for this local favorite: the Kenyan Curry Goat, slow-cooked until tender in an East African coconut curry sauce and served with pilau rice and plantains.

Breweries are supposed to make great beer. While they’re not necessarily known for their food, 3 Sons Brewing Co. in Dania Beach, Florida, doesn’t miss the mark on either. After building a reputation on their beer, they’re now earning just as much buzz for their wood-fired wings and pizzas, including the local favorite Wild Gulf Shrimp, a garlic confit shrimp pizza topped with escarole, Manchego cheese, white balsamic capers, oregano, fresh mozzarella, spicy red pepper flakes, sherry-lemon vinaigrette and Maldon sea salt.

In Orlando, Florida, you’ve got great weather and an eclectic mix of people, which can lead to some seriously stellar food. The Pastrami Project proves just that, serving up classic deli favorites out of an old tool truck with New York-style pastrami taking center stage. The Braised Beef Brisket Sandwich is something to behold, with its tender, juicy meat that makes it a standout and brings big flavor to this one-of-a-kind spot.

Not satisfied with a food truck? Taco Bus is a 35-foot-long converted school bus slinging seafood burritos, bowls and, of course, tacos. If you’re after something smoky, spicy and packed with shredded pork, though, look no further than their Cochinita Pibil Tacos. The pork is smoked in banana leaves with bitter orange, ramping up the tangy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness.

Just 10 minutes outside downtown Tallahassee, brothers Tyler and Jesse Rice are serving up classic dishes with a Southern spin on fine dining at Backwoods Crossing, a farm-to-table concept rooted in North Florida flavors. With a menu that highlights the best the region has to offer, the Crab Cake Stack is a local favorite and a can’t-miss. As Guy put it, “It's a thriller, not a bunch of filler.”

Oysters are having a big moment, and if you’re in Deerfield Beach, Florida, head over to the Whale’s Rib. Their take on Oysters Rockefeller is super stuffed with spinach and topped with what Guy lovingly calls a “slab” of tomato and crispy, melty provolone, creating a big beach bite that won’t bog you down.

You’re going to dig this one. Tucked into a strip mall in Atlantic Beach, Florida, just outside Jacksonville, locals say this spot serves up the real deal when it comes to authentic Irish fare. Welcome to Culhane’s Irish Pub, the culmination of a dream shared by the four Culhane sisters. Kick off your meal with one of Culhane’s classic starters, the Reuben egg rolls. Crispy wontons packed with corned beef, sauerkraut and Swiss rolled tight, fried until golden and finished with a side of hot mustard for dipping.

Head to the beach, catch a quick swim and then recharge with some fresh, handcrafted tacos the locals love. That’s right, located seconds from the beach on Collins Avenue in Miami, you’ll find Taquiza, a “food truck on steroids.” The people-watching is next level, but the tacos take it a step further. While they craft all their tacos with scratch-made, organic blue corn tortillas, their carne asada tacos, made with spicy hanger steak and topped with jalapeño hot sauce, are an absolute can’t-miss if you’re in South Beach.

Located in St. Petersburg, Florida, Buya Ramen is known for its layers of flavor with Japanese influence, served up by the Abbott and Costello of the local culinary scene, Brian “Brunch” Watois and chef Mike Spinagle. Pushing the envelope and bringing an offbeat attitude to Asian cuisine, Buya Ramen is a traditional izakaya, also known as a Japanese gastropub, serving up some of the best ramen you’ll ever taste. High on that list is a local favorite, the Crispy Duck Ramen in a rich tonkotsu pork broth. Guy was certainly impressed, saying, “It’s a really great dish. You guys are taking the time to do it right and giving people a true experience.”

At Cracklin’ Jacks in Naples, Florida, everything on the menu is delicious, according to the locals, especially their Famous Fried Chicken. Half a bird, marinated for 24 hours and then fried, Guy’s praise was effusive, calling it “dynamite fried chicken that is tender, juicy and moist.” It’s everything you’re hoping for in a killer fried chicken dish, and the perfect taste of the Everglades to bring a little backcountry Florida flavor to your table.

Leon’s at Lake Ella in Tallahassee, Florida, is serving up some seriously awesome eats right along the water. Their pork belly sandwich isn’t just a bite, it’s a full-on experience, served on a deep-fried bao bun and topped with kimchi and cilantro microgreens for a flavor locals say “melts in your mouth” and “makes you want to dance.”

If it comes from the sea, you’ll find it at La Camaronera in Miami, Florida. But what you won’t find anywhere else is a fried lobster like this. Spiny warm-water lobster tails are diced, tossed in ketchup (yes, ketchup!) and dredged before being fried into a sweet, savory bite that might ruin all other lobster dishes for you.

When you think of fresh, warm-water seafood in the US, Florida immediately comes to mind, and at Pirate Republic, the fish is always fresh and the flavors are always on point. With Caribbean-inspired flair, the Seafood Moqueca, a Brazilian-style seafood stew made with golden corvina, clams, calamari, mussels and shrimp in a spicy pepper sauce, is one of the local favorites that Guy referred to as “simply fantastic.”

Down in South Florida’s Palm Beach Gardens, there’s a lot more going on than just golf and big, beautiful homes. A serious food scene is brewing here, and Alaina’s Cafe and Bake Shoppe is right at the center. From homemade pies and sandwiches to rigatoni Bolognese, there’s something for everyone at every time of day. Fine dining meets casual comfort at Alaina’s, and nothing captures that better than their righteous roast beef sandwich, featuring top round of beef marinated and slow-cooked for two and a half hours, layered on scratch-made caramelized onion focaccia, with horseradish and house-made frizzled onions piled on the beef and toasted to perfection.

Located on Sunset Drive in the Kendale area of Miami, Florida, Mr. & Mrs. Bun, a husband-and-wife duo, take Peruvian sandwiches to a whole new level. It’s old-fashioned cooking with new flavors, all built on a bun like no other, light and fluffy with just the right crust. Their Asado Con Palta uses only the best ingredients, including a prime eye of round that even impressed Guy at a small mom-and-pop spot. Pile that tender beef onto their homemade buns, top it with fresh avocado and super crispy french-fried onions and you’ve got a sandwich Guy calls “one of the best he’s had in a long time.”

Blackbrick in Tampa is elevating Chinese food across the US under the leadership of two-time Tournament of Champions finalist and Guy’s Grocery Games Triple D Legends Tournament competitor Richard Hales. Touted as one of the best Chinese restaurants in Florida for consecutive years, this spot delivers on every level. Sure, classic Dan Dan noodles and char siu pork belly made with heritage pork from a local farm are impressive (pictured above), but the General Tso’s-sauced Florida alligator is on a whole other level.

A good sandwich can be eaten at any point in the day, breakfast, lunch or dinner. And just down the road from the University of Florida in Gainesville, you’ll find The Paper Bag, an old-school deli serving up unique twists on classic favorites. Known by many locals as “the best sandwich spot in town,” these are essentially curated, cooked dishes slammed between two slices of bread and served with a side of love. The Man in the Black Hat is no exception, stacking two halves into one sandwich, one with oven-roasted turkey, peppers and onions, and Swiss, the other with slow-roasted brisket, banana peppers and Havarti, finished with melted provolone and served with au jus.

Just under 20 minutes down the road from Fort Lauderdale sits Dania Beach, Florida, home of Grampa's Restaurant. Started by Ronnie Grampa in the early ’70s, it was originally a bakery that transformed into a full-blown restaurant serving up righteous comfort food. That’s especially true when it comes to one of Grampa’s Classics, fluffy, scratch-made biscuits smothered in a creamy, peppery sausage gravy that’s built for comfort.

In Miami’s historic Art Deco District, just 10 minutes from South Beach, you’ll find Blue Collar, an off-the-hook spot tucked inside a renovated hotel. And here, you may want to beat the Florida heat by ducking into the restaurant, but things are just as hot, if not hotter, inside, thanks to Blue Collar’s Buffalo wings, smothered in Frank’s RedHot and served with blue cheese.