Discover Florida's family foodie getaways

Adventure awaits

Seafood experiences

After a day in the sunshine and watersports at the beach, sit back and relax over seafood platters and fresh-fish grills at Florida’s finest waterfront dining spots. Try local snapper and crab cakes at laid-back South Walton restaurant Bud & Alley’s, then after dinner, discover some wildlife on a relaxing nature trail, or walk along the sandy beach and dip your toes into the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Another day could see you spot alligators, turtles and peacocks on an airboat tour of the Everglades, before tucking into fresh stone crabs, baskets of prawns and frogs’ legs on riverside picnic tables outside City Seafood in Everglades City, or downstream at Triad Seafood Market & Café. Down in The Florida Keys, you can taste local delicacies such as conch fritters and key lime pie, while soaking up live music on the beach at Alabama Jack’s in Key Largo.

Wild activities

During the summer months, you can cycle around and dip into the natural springs of the Crystal River, as well as kayak and even snorkel to find scallops in the stunning shallow waters (where you can also swim with manatees in the winter), then enjoy your catch grilled on the campfire or at a local restaurant. Alternatively, take a fishing trip or boat tour on one of the Harris Chain of Lakes, northwest of Orlando, or drive around the area’s open farms to make the most of the abundant fresh produce that thrives in the Florida sun.

In spring, you can pick your own blueberries on Atwood Family Farm in Eustis, which also hosts fun farm activities and street food trucks most weekends. Or make your way down to Scott’s Country Market in Mount Dora to pick up fresh produce – in autumn, the kids can also run around in the adjoining corn maze.

Fun food festivals

Floridians know how to make the most of the weather with a multitude of outdoor festivals – many dedicated to individual ingredients, including crawfish, stone crab, peanuts, and winter strawberries. You can reap the rewards of Florida’s strawberry-growing region at the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City, for example, or take part in the Florida Seafood Festival at the mouth of the Apalachicola River. It’s the longest-running festival in the state, where thousands congregate to enjoy blue crab races, oyster-shucking contests and southern-style seafood dishes. And you won’t want to miss Tampa’s International Cuban Sandwich Festival to see which offering the judges crown the winner.

Light up your holiday

In Universal Orlando Resort, you can watch an impressive firework display from the rooftop of the Aventura Hotel. Adults can enjoy a drink at the Sapphire Falls rum bar next door, and kids will love the monster shakes at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium at Universal CityWalk.

Close by in Kissimmee, you can rent a holiday villa to get the full American experience and shop for and cook your own food, or hire private chefs for s’mores parties and dinners showcasing Florida ingredients. Head downtown, where you’ll find a wide variety of independent restaurants that serve everything from New York-style pizza, Jamaican dishes, and Puerto Rican fare.

Michelin-starred moments

You can enjoy plenty of fine dining while on your family holiday. Moments away from Walt Disney World, Capa at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando has won a Michelin star for its steaks with a Spanish twist, as has The Surf Club at the Four Seasons Hotel down in Miami. In the latter, you can tuck into reimagined Maine lobster thermidor before a stroll along the peaceful Surfside Beach. Head further inland to Miami’s lively districts to taste what the Michelin judges have deemed worthy of a Bib Gourmand, including perfect pastries at Wynwood’s Zak the Baker and Cuban-style sandwiches at Sanguich de Miami in Little Havana.

Signature dishes

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