Flavorful Florida: A Culinary Travel Guide
Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable culinary journey through the beautiful Sunshine State of Florida? Strap in, because we’re about to explore the diverse array of delicious delights Florida has to offer, from fresh seafood to authentic Cuban cuisine, to mouth-watering comfort foods, and vibrant farm-to-table offerings.
Fresh Seafood: Treasures of the Ocean
The extensive coastline of Florida is a treasure trove of fresh seafood. You haven’t truly experienced Florida if you haven’t sampled its rich, oceanic offerings. Let’s explore some must-try dishes and places where you can relish them.
Stone Crabs
Florida’s stone crabs are a local delicacy, specifically those from the southernmost part of the state. Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami Beach has been serving up these sweet and succulent crustaceans for over a century. The claws, served chilled with mustard sauce, are a fan favorite. Make sure to plan your visit between mid-October and mid-May, as this is the only time when fresh stone crabs are available.
Key West Pink Shrimp
Key West Pink Shrimp are renowned for their sweet flavor and tender texture. You can find them on menus all across the Florida Keys. For a classic shrimp experience, visit the Half Shell Raw Bar in Key West, where they serve these pinks cooked in various mouthwatering styles, including fried, grilled, and sautéed.
Cuban Cuisine: Havana Aromas in Little Havana
Florida’s close proximity to Cuba has heavily influenced its culinary landscape. Miami, particularly the Little Havana neighborhood, is a vibrant hub of authentic Cuban cuisine. Here are some highlights you shouldn’t miss.
Cuban Sandwich
The Cuban Sandwich is an iconic Florida dish, combining ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard between slices of crusty Cuban bread. For a truly authentic experience, visit Versailles Restaurant in Miami. Open since 1971, Versailles is considered the “world’s most famous Cuban restaurant”.
Ropa Vieja
Ropa Vieja, a delightful shredded beef stew, is another Cuban classic you should try. Visit La Carreta, another Cuban culinary staple in Miami, for a hearty serving of this rich and flavorful dish.
Southern Comfort: Soul-Warming Dishes
Florida’s northern regions offer a taste of Southern comfort food. From succulent barbecues to creamy grits, there’s a cozy dish for everyone.
Smoked Barbecue
In Florida’s panhandle, smoked meats reign supreme. If you’re a barbecue lover, head to The Red Shed in Tallahassee. They serve an array of smoked meats, but their melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork and fall-off-the-bone ribs are the stars of the show.
Southern Grits
You cannot leave the South without trying grits, a classic Southern dish made from cornmeal. Maple Street Biscuit Company, with locations across Florida, serves a wonderful rendition known as “The Five,” combining grits with shiitake mushroom gravy, fried chicken, and a fluffy biscuit.
Farm-to-Table: Fresh from Florida
Florida is not just about seafood and Cuban fare.
Farm-to-Table Delights
State’s warm climate and fertile lands offer an abundance of fresh produce, with many local chefs taking advantage of this in their culinary creations.
Avocado
Florida avocados are larger and creamier than their more famous Californian counterpart, the Hass. A unique Florida specialty is avocado ice cream. For this treat, visit L’Artisan des Glaces in Orlando. Their avocado and coconut ice cream is a creamy, tropical delight not to be missed.
Citrus Fruits
Florida is synonymous with citrus, particularly oranges. Head to the Showcase of Citrus in Clermont, a 2,500-acre family-owned estate, where you can pick your own oranges, sample homemade orange slushies, and try the estate’s wide range of homemade marmalades.
Farm-to-Table Restaurants
Many Florida restaurants champion a farm-to-table approach, sourcing their ingredients from local growers. One such place is The Floridian in St. Augustine, offering a menu that changes with the seasons and showcases the state’s freshest produce in creative and delicious ways.
Food Festivals: A Celebratory Feast
Florida is home to a myriad of food festivals throughout the year, each celebrating a different aspect of the state’s diverse culinary heritage. These events provide an excellent opportunity to sample a wide variety of foods in one place.
Key West Seafood Festival
Every January, the Key West Seafood Festival offers a weekend of fun and seafood. Here you’ll find all your favorite oceanic offerings, including stone crabs, Key West Pink Shrimp, and more, cooked in a myriad of ways. It’s an unmissable event for seafood lovers.
Calle Ocho Festival
Held annually in March in Miami’s Little Havana, the Calle Ocho Festival is the largest Hispanic street festival in the United States. The food section of the festival is a paradise for foodies, offering a wide array of Latin American cuisines, including numerous Cuban delights.
Pensacola Seafood Festival
If you find yourself in Florida in September, the Pensacola Seafood Festival in Florida’s panhandle is a must. It’s not just about seafood – the festival also celebrates Southern cooking, with plenty of barbecue, cornbread, and Southern pies.
Final Thoughts
Florida’s culinary landscape is as diverse and vibrant as its populace, with each region offering its own unique flavors and experiences. From fresh seafood, authentic Cuban dishes, comforting Southern food, fresh farm-to-table offerings, to diverse food festivals, there’s something for every palate. So, fellow food enthusiasts, are you ready to take your tastebuds on a gastronomical adventure through Florida?