The dining scene of Tallahassee extends beyond conventional Southern fare. The top-rated restaurants in Tallahassee serve contemporary American dishes, Gulf seafood, locally sourced and produced food, and international delicacies. Most of the dining options here have received recognition from the ‘Michelin Guide’. Anyone looking to try different foods in the city must explore the best options to identify the prominent dining spots based on the location, dining style, and cuisine served. Besides, visitors should also gather the necessary information about each restaurant to choose one that suits their precise budgets, occasions, and tastes the best.
Best Restaurants in Tallahassee: Explore the Location, Timing, Menus, and More
Here are the 10 best places to eat in Tallahassee based on dining style, cuisine variety, and more. Based on precise eating habits and preferences, one can choose from these:
1. Backwoods Crossing
This is a restaurant that is focused on Southern cooking. It also follows the ‘farm-to-table’ approach and sources local ingredients to prepare meals. Backwoods Crossing’s menu and settings make it one of the finest choices for experiencing contemporary cuisines of North Florida.
- Address: 6725 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32308
- Contact: 850-765-3753
- Open Hours: Monday to Thursday and Sunday: 11:00 am to 9:00 pm | Fridays and Saturdays: 11:00 am to 10:00 pm
- Must Try: Seasonal ‘farm-to-table’ dishes with crab cake stack
- Best for: Southern dining with a ‘farm-to-table’ approach
2. The Huntsman – Tallahassee
It offers contemporary American cuisine with a main focus on seafood, seasonal dishes, and wild game. This is one of the ‘Michelin’– recognized restaurants in Tallahassee that should be on a visitor’s list to try lip-smacking dishes.
- Address: 320 E Tennessee Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32301
- Contact: 850-765-1887
- Open Hours: Monday to Thursday: 5:00 am to 11:00 pm | Fridays and Saturdays: 5:00 am to 12:00 am
- Must Try: Vegan menu, fresh seafood, and wild-game dishes
- Best for: Contemporary dining
3. Black Radish Bar and Restaurant
When looking for a prominent Italian restaurant in Tallahassee, FL, Black Radish Bar and Restaurant can be a great choice. This place has a vibe with intimate settings to make every meal even more special. Some specialty of this restaurant includes natural wines and handmade pasta.
- Address: 1304 N Monroe Street, Unit B, Tallahassee, Florida 32303
- Contact: (850) 825-1973
- Open Hours: Tuesday to Thursday: 5:00 am to 10:00 pm |Friday and Saturday: 5:00 am to 11:00 pm
- Must Try: Handmade pastas
- Best for: Seasonal and modern dining
4. BIRD’s
For a casual dining experience, this is the best restaurant near downtown Tallahassee. With a solid focus on seafood-based dishes, it is a practical choice for those who need approachable food instead of formal dining.
- Address: 325 N Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32301
- Contact: (850) 222-1075
- Open Hours: Monday to Saturday: 11:30 am to 10:00 pm
- Must Try: House specialties and fresh seafood
- Best for: Casual dining to try seafood
5. IL Lusso
This is yet another Italian restaurant in downtown Tallahassee. IL Lusso is best known for its polished surroundings. This is why more and more people prefer it to enjoy meals during special occasions.
- Address: 201 E Park Avenue, #100, Tallahassee, Florida 32301
- Contact: (850) 765-8620
- Open Hours: Monday to Thursday: 5:00 am to 9:00 pm | Friday and Saturday: 5:00 am to 10:00 pm
- Must Try: Seasonal Italian entrees and homemade pasta
- Best for: Upscale Italian-style dining
6. Savour
This is a restaurant in Tallahassee, Florida, known for its upscale menu with seasonal dishes and polished dining. Savour is located in a convenient location, making it easier for visitors to access it without any hassle for special dinners.
- Address: 115E Park Avenue, Tallahassee, Florida 32301
- Contact: +1-850-765-6966
- Open Hours: Tuesday to Thursday: 5:00 am to 9:00 pm | Fridays and Saturdays: 5:00 am to 10:00 pm
- Happy Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
- Must Try: Chef-driven and hand-picked dishes with seasonal dinner options
- Best for: Special occasion and date night dinners
7. The Edison
It combines a distinctive American-inspired menu with pleasing settings in a beautifully restored historic building of the Power Plant. The Edison has a wider menu that makes it an ideal choice for families and groups with diverse dining preferences.
- Address: 470 Suwannee Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32301
- Contact: (850) 765-9771
- Open Hours: Sunday and Monday: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm | Tuesday to Thursday: 4:00 am to 9:00 pm | Fridays: 4:00 am to 10:00 pm | Saturdays: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
- Must Try: Seafood, brunch dishes, and American entrees
- Best for: Casual upscale dining and brunch
8. Essence of India
Counted among the best Indian restaurants in Tallahassee, Florida, Essence of India is best known for serving traditional dishes from India. With a serene atmosphere and exciting flavors, this is the best place to send taste buds on a flavorful journey.
- Address: 1105 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, Florida, 32301
- Contact: (850) 656-7200
- Open Hours: Monday to Sunday: 11:30 am to 2:30 pm | 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm
- Must Try: Essence chicken curry, chicken 65, butter chicken, garlic naan, and other Indian dishes
- Best for: It is an ideal stop for those who want to try authentic Indian flavors
9. Sage Restaurant
For an upscale dining experience, this is one of the restaurants in Tallahassee. Sage Restaurant offers a menu that has suitable options for lunch and dinner. It is located in North Tallahassee that makes it convenient for people coming, particularly from the Tallahassee Airport in a rental car.
- Address: 3534 Maclay Boulevard S, Tallahassee, Florida 32312
- Contact: +1 850-270-9396
- Open Hours: Monday to Thursday: 11:00 am to 1:30 pm and 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm | Fridays: 11:00 am to 1:30 pm and 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Saturdays: 11:00 am to 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
- Must Try: Seafood dishes and chef specials
- Best for: Classy lunch and dinner
10. Connors Steak & Seafood
This place combines seafood-focused dishes with a classic steakhouse menu. Connors Steak and Seafood is a strong choice for those who are seeking a more conventional ‘steak-and-seafood’ meal option in Tallahassee.
- Address: 1415 Timberlane Road, #101, Tallahassee, Florida 32312
- Contact: (850) 201-4546
- Open Hours: Sunday to Thursday: 11:00 am to 9:30 pm | Friday and Saturday: 11:00 am to 10:30 pm
- Happy Hours: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm (daily in the restaurant) | 4:00 pm to 6:00 (daily in the bar and lounge)
- Must Try: Fresh seafood and steaks with delicious appetizers and prime chops
- Best for: Wood-fired grills
Top Considerations for Visiting the Best Restaurants in Tallahassee
With a few logical considerations, one can make the overall dining experience in one of the best local restaurants in Tallahassee amazing and memorable. Some of these include:
- Check Open Hours: Every restaurant in the city may have a different schedule. Some open until late at night, while others operate on different hours during weekdays and weekends. Hence, it is good to check the opening hours beforehand.
- Make Booking Early, if Needed: Some high-end restaurants in Tallahassee require early table booking. When planning to visit one, always book a table early to avoid long queues and other issues.
- Plan Parking: Midtown and Downtown restaurants may have parking spots. However, it is quite sensible to inquire about the same before visiting to plan parking better.
- Opt for Rental Cars: When coming from a different city or planning to explore multiple dining options here, rental cars in Tallahassee can give freedom to explore with ease.
- Explore the Menu in Advance: If a person is searching for good Italian restaurants in Tallahassee or they have other preferences, checking the menu beforehand is mandatory.
Closing,
The scene of restaurants in Tallahassee spans Gulf seafood, farm-to-table dining, southern comfort food, chef-driven dishes, and several other international cuisines. From ‘Michelin Guide’ listed restaurants to casual dining options, the city has something for different occasions, taste preferences, and budgets. Thus, consider all critical aspects, including desired dining style, to have a rewarding experience.
FAQs
The cost varies widely. However, the quick bites will cost between USD 6 and USD 10, while fine dining will cost from USD 30 to USD 60+ per person.
Many options are available here, but the Huntsman, IL Lusso, and Savour are highly preferred for special occasion dining.
Reservations are not mandatory, but recommended for special events, weekend diners, football weekends, and holiday seasons.
Yes, many options are available here. Among them, Black Radish is the most popular, as its menu focuses mainly on handmade pastas, vegetable dishes, etc.
Not all restaurants provide parking facilities. Hence, visitors can consider nearby garages, public parking, or street spaces to park their vehicles.
