Look, it’s easy to fall into a restaurant rut, which is why expanding your horizons is so important. With that in mind, these nearby small town restaurants are more than worth the short jog to get there. Here are a few Central Florida small town eateries packing big flavors.
Norwood’s Eatery & Treehouse Bar
400 E 2nd Ave, New Smyrna Beach, 386-428-4621
A place with humble beginnings as a gas station and general store this place now has an amazing view from a tree house, not to mention killer seafood and rad bar with great wine selection.
Photo via Norwood’s Eatery & Treehouse Bar/ Facebook1921 by Norman Van Aken
142 E 4th Ave, Mt. Dora, 352-385-1921
Norman Van Aken, James Beard Award winner, does it again with his 1921 restaurant in Mount Dora. The menu is a take on modern Florida cuisine which features a 1921 burger, Florida Rudderfish sandwich and rice-crusted Florida Bluenose Bass, just to name a few. The restaurant also offers an extensive wine menu that pairs well with meals.
Photo via natcoch/InstagramThe Garlic & Blu Bar
556 E 3rd Ave, New Smyrna Beach, 386-424-6660
This authentic tuscan restaurant has massive portions as well as great atmosphere. The also bring in live music of local performers on a regular basis.
Photo via The Garlic/ FacebookIce Plant Bar
110 Riberia Street, Saint Augustine, 904-829-6553
Ice Plant Bar and Restaurant pays homage to St. Augustine’s long-standing history as the oldest town in America through serving locally grown ingredients in their delectable pressed juices, cocktails and entrees. Open for lunch and dinner and offering only grass-fed beef, burgers and local seafood, Ice Plant sets itself apart from most beachside restaurants. The building itself dates back to 1927 when it was originally utilized as an ice plant factory. This “Roaring Twenties” feel is complete with bridge cranes above the bar and three different options of ice cubes, a salute to the building’s history.
Photo via Ice Plant Bar/FacebookThe Black Hammock
2316 Black Hammock Fish Camp Rd, Oviedo, 407-365-2201
They say there’s nothing like fresh caught fish (or gator) and we agree after sampling this down-to-earth, backwoods Florida eatery. The humble wooden structure sits on the shores of Lake Jessup where we suggest you make a day out of it with an airboat ride — a sure-fire guarantee you’ll see countless alligators in Florida’s pure environment. When in Rome, do as the Romans, right? Well, to quench your appetite, we say, “When at Black Hammock, eat gator tacos.” If you can’t stomach the gator, go for the buffalo shrimp, which has a perfect wing-type spice that will go right to your toes.
Photo via banana_fanna_fofaime/InstagramHollerbach’s Willow Tree Café
205 E. First St., Sanford, 407-321-2204
Come for the German food and beer, stay for the gemütlichkeit atmosphere, complete with oompah music.
Photo via Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe/FacebookLa Fonda Mexican Kitchen
1155 W. State Road 434, Longwood, 407-951-8514
Head off the beaten path to Longwood’s La Fonda for some delicious Mexican cuisine. The Burrito La Fonda, a 12-inch flour tortilla with your choice of meat, topped with typical garnishes, sour cream and cheese sauce, is served with Mexican fries. All the makings for a food coma.
Photo via wittlewong18/InstagramLA Tacos
1404 E. Silver Star Road, Ocoee, 407- 715-9496
If you’re looking for California-style tacos that lives up to the west coast flavor, LA Tacos might be just what you need. Each taco is served on handmade tortilla with lots of lime wedges for extra flavor.
Photo via Taqueria La Tacos Estilo Califas/FacebookLos Portales Supermarket & Mexican Restaurant
12962 W. Colonial Dr., Winter Garden, 407-654-1279
Out in Winter Garden Los Portales serves up some variety with its hamburgers and bacon-wrapped shrimp along with its traditional tacos and fajitas.
Photo via Los Portales Supermarket & Mexican Restaurant/ FacebookMi Mexico Carneceria Y Taqueria
387 E. Main St., Apopka, 407- 884-7062
This Mexican grocer is a modest spot to satisfy your taco cravings. Complementary thick chips and salsa are served with generous tacos topped with onions, cilantro and limes.
Photo via mimexicoapopka/InstagramPlant Street Market
426 W. Plant St., Winter Garden, 786-671-1748
Literally, there’s a butcher, a baker and a candlestick maker all in one spot. Among the 20 vendors, you’ll find wood-fired pizzas from Michael’s Ali, farm-to-table cuisine at Five Thymes Five, expertly rolled sushi at Jodo, artisan chocolates from David Ramirez Chocolates, and craft coffee at Axum Coffee – all within steps of each other, so you can get all your shopping done and have lunch at the same time. The market is open seven days a week, and gets five-deep on weekends.
Photo via plantstreetmarket/InstagramNeighbors Artisan Taqueria
112 W. Georgia Ave., DeLand, 386-279-0394
Snuggled into an elbow of the Café DaVinci courtyard, Neighbors serves up tacos from tame to adventurous plus house-made guac, queso and salsa.
Photo via morginn_ashley/InstagramNineteen 61
1212 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, 863-688-1961
Chef Marcos Fernandez’s upscaled Latin cuisine (Spanish charcuterie, a “poutine” of braised short rib, seco gravy and goat cheese over papas fritas, scallops and linguiça over boniato mash) proves he’s serious about starting a food revolution in Lakeland.
Photo via laurenparkes/ InstagramShantell’s Cafe
501 S. Sanford Ave., Sanford, 845-214-4589,ordershantells.com
With tasty, comforting soul food options including mac and cheese and crispy fried chicken and waffles, at this spot, you’ll feel like part of the family.
Photo via celebritychef4u/InstagramOcoee Taco Company
40 Taylor St., Ocoee, 407- 614-2990
This food truck turned brick-and-mortar location in downtown Ocoee has hearty offerings from tacos to tortas. Be sure to try out the huaraches, a fried masa dish topped with protein, potato, salsa, cilantro and queso fresco.
Photo via djrincon1/InstagramThe Smiling Bison
107 S. Magnolia Ave., Sanford, 407-915-6086
Chef Josh Oakley’s gastropub gets raves for good reason, with beer-friendly but upscale dishes like the duck-lover’s pizza and the shaved-beef sandwich on a smoked salt-caraway roll. Ask for mushroom ketchup on your fries.
Photo via jeffrey2.brown/ InstagramThe Tennessee Truffle
125 W. First St., Sanford, 407-942-3977
This breakfast-and-lunch restaurant gives Southern staples a new twist and introduces Sanford to the delicious secrets of pickled ramps.
Photo via thetennesseetruffle/InstagramThird Wave Cafe & Wine Bar
204 Flagler Ave., New Smyrna Beach, 386-402-7864
Flagler Avenue’s offerings are growing by leaps and bounds, but this spot stands out. Though a hot pour-over might not sound like ideal après-beach fare, maybe a scoop of ice-cold gelato or a craft brew from the tap would do the trick? Stick around for dinner under the bistro lights on the patio and order kielbasa-spiced hanger steak with sweet mustard, fresh-crunchy kale salad or a charcuterie board to share. Maybe after dinner, with the drive home ahead of you, ordering that coffee will seem like the thing to do.
Photo via Orlando Weekly/InstagramWondermade Café
214 E. First St., Sanford, 407-205-9569
Marshmallow lovers, meet your match. This unique café puts the dessert on a stick, in a s’more or in a cup of hot Lineage coffee.
Photo via sibilaman/ InstagramJB’s Fish Camp Seafood Restaurant
859 Pompano Ave., New Smyrna Beach, 386-427-5747
JB’s Fish Camp’s location on the Canaveral National Seashore allows you the option of visiting by car or boat. Kayaks, paddleboards, and even fishing equipment are available for rental (though you have to present your own fishing license). The family restaurant offers a full bar and a full menu, but you can even bring in your own catch of the day to be cooked the way you want it.
Photo via JB’s Fish Camp/InstagramNineteen 61
1212 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, 863-688-1961
Chef Marcos Fernandez’s upscaled Latin cuisine (Spanish charcuterie, a “poutine” of braised short rib, seco gravy and goat cheese over papas fritas, scallops and linguiça over boniato mash) proves he’s serious about starting a food revolution in Lakeland.
Photo via thebalanceculture/ InstagramThe Crooked Spoon
200 Citrus Tower Blvd., Clermont, 352-404-7808
Formerly a food truck famous for the “420 Burger” and helmed by the well-loved chef Steve Saelg, who passed away last year, devotees of that gut-buster now have to travel to the outer edges of Clermont to get one at this gastropub in the Citrus Tower’s shadow. Sample innovative dishes like duck consommé ramen, coconut-crusted chicken over cardamom-spiced waffles with garam masala maple syrup, and probably the best homemade potato chips we’ve ever had. The customer service is as friendly and unctuous as the lobster grilled-cheese sandwich.
Photo via chef_acl / InstagramTaqueria El Gordo
830 Laura St., Casselberry, 321-295-7351
This family-run establishment serves up tasty elote, authentic mole and fresh tacos. Balance out the savory bites with arroz con dulce or lime custard for dessert.
Photo via orlandoeats/InstagramPorkie’s Original BBQ
256 E. Main St., Apopka, 407-880-3351
A restaurant can’t go wrong with the tagline, “You can smell our butts a mile away.” This award-winning barbecue spot stands out not only for its delectable meat but also for its wide variety of sauces.
Photo via ohrawkey/Instagram
