Food & Drink
A Taste of the Good Life
Eat, drink and be merry in North Florida, where communities with unique dining options are never far away. The delicious cuisines from restaurants in Gainesville spill over into North Florida cities like Lake Butler and Lake City. Try out Florida’s Oldest Dining Car in Palatka or enjoy fajitas in Lake Butler. Looking for your local watering hole? Several friendly breweries are also in the North Florida region. And don’t forget — major cities like Tallahassee, Jacksonville and Gainesville are typically less than an hour away with their robust restaurant scenes.
- Restaurants
- Breweries & Wineries
- Food & Drink Festivals
The Flavor of Life
In North Florida, cooks forbid settling for anything less than the best, whether it’s Southern BBQ, fresh gulf coast seafood or an international cuisine. Grab a plate of smoked wings and ribs rubbed in seasoning or smothered in sauce from the pitmasters at Sonny’s BBQ in Palatka. Try out one of the most renowned restaurants in North Florida at Deal’s Oyster House in Perry — where entertainment and southern hospitality comingle. Laredo Mexican Restaurant in Lake Butler also offers some of the best tacos, fajitas and margaritas.
Filled to the Brim
No matter your beverage, of choice, there is a place in North Florida where it is celebrated. Woman-owned Azalea City Brewing Co. in Palatka offers a variety of on-tap craft brews and other beverages such as coffee cream ales and sparkling wines in a historic building Coca-Cola bottling plant built in 1937. Halpatter Brewing Company in Lake City boasts high quality beers with live music several times throughout the month. And in Monticello, Monticello Vineyards & Winery USDA organic certified Magnolia wine was named the Best Wine in Florida by Epicurious.
A Time to Celebrate
From signature events like the Cedar Key Seafood Festival — one of the oldest in Florida — to the Gateway City Craft Beer Festival in Lake City, there’s always a reason to celebrate over good drinks and good food in North Florida. Taylor County also hosts Smokin’ in the Pines, one of the largest BBQ festivals in the Southeastern U.S. with several smoked meat competitions, south rock and country music and sampling stations for guests.