Apart from its gorgeous beaches, exceptional nightlife, and themed entertainment resorts, Florida is also famous for its incredible culinary offerings. The Sunshine State is known for its unique mixture of cultures which includes Southern hospitality, Caribbean exuberance, and coastal cuisines. Get ready to have your taste buds tantalized as we take you through some of the iconic dishes that answer the question: what food is Florida known for.
1. Key Lime Pie
Key Lime Pie, Florida’s official state dessert, is undoubtedly an explosion of sweet and tangy. Hailing from Key West, this dessert features a smooth filling consisting of key lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, and egg yolks all blended. On top of the graham cracker crust, the delicious cake is finished off with a generous whop of whipped cream. You can taste authentic pie in Miami and Key West.
2. Cuban Sandwich
Thinking of the most famous food Florida has to offer? The Cuban Sandwich is unmissable. Coming out of the Cuban community in Tampa and Miami, this sandwich features a combination of roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, and Cuban bread all pressed into a crunchy sandwich. Each bite is flavorful and rich in history.
3. Florida Stone Crab Claws
Every year, stone crab claws are a seasonal delicacy that gets people in Florida excited. The claws are harvested sustainably, steamed, and served cold with a spicy mustard sauce. Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami Beach is world famous for this delicacy, bringing food enthusiasts from all over.
4. Grouper Sandwich
The grouper sandwich is a coast side classic, especially loved in South beach towns like Clearwater and Destin. Fresh grouper fillets, only lightly seasoned, are grilled, fried, or blackened, served on soft buns with tartar sauce, lettuce, and tomato. It’s more than just food; it’s a reflection of the easy-going Floridian life.
5. Conch Fritters
Conch fritters are dough balls with Caribbean influence that are deep-fried and stuffed with tender chopped conch meat, spices, and peppers. The fritters are served hot with zesty dipping sauces, bursting with flavor in every bite. They’re popular in Miami and the Keys, an authentic taste of the tropics.
6. Florida Orange Juice
The state of Florida is synonymous with its freshly squeezed orange juice. It represents the sunshine state, sweet, refreshing, and packed with so much flavor. You can enjoy it at breakfast spots or roadside stands across the state, and you’ll see why Florida is famous for its citrus.
7. Gator Tail
The menu includes alligator meat! Gator tail, usually deep-fried into crispy nugget-sized pieces, has a distinctive taste—or rather, texture—that is chicken-like, though slightly more tender. Gatorland in Orlando and many joints around the Everglades serve this dish, along with other fried delicacies seasoned with local gator spices.
8. Apalachicola Oysters
Florida is famous for the culinary excellence of the Gulf Coast and the Apalachicola Bay is no exception, boasting oysters with rich salty brine. The oyster can be served raw, steamed, or grilled with garlic butter, showcasing Florida’s mouthwatering sea-food splendor. Specialized restaurants in Apalachicola and other towns along the Gulf are renowned for their unique oyster dishes.
9. Shrimp and Grits
A signature dish that embodies a perfect blend of Southern comfort food and coastal cuisine, shrimp and grits is served widely in the state of Florida. Creamy grits topped with sautéed shrimp, crispy bacon, and savory sauces make the dish tantalizing. This dish captures the essence of Florida’s Southern hospitality and can be found in almost every brunch menu across Jacksonville, Pensacola and the rest of the Panhandle.
10. Florida Strawberry Shortcake
Florida Strawberry Shortcake is a Floridian staple and one of the most loved dishes in the state, especially during the strawberry season. The dish contains Juicy strawberries served on top of either light biscuits or soft sponge cake, finished with whipped cream, garnishing this dish that all Floridians love. It is celebrated at the annual Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City, which pays tribute to this delicious dish.
Whether dining at the many restaurants located all over the coast or employing a private chef Oakland style to recreate these dishes, Florida has an endless variety of food gems. Florida’s iconic dishes each tell a tale of rich history and local innovation, transforming the state into a food haven.