Food & Wine Unveils Best Classic Restaurants in Florida Featuring Local Favorites like the Cuban

In Florida, the iconic Columbia Restaurant in Tampa stands out as the oldest restaurant in the state, established in 1905.Photo byEaters CollectiveonUnsplash

Food & Wine has identified close to 250 classic restaurants across the United States, highlighting the unique culinary fingerprints of each state. This extensive exploration draws from years of travel, the publication's annual Best New Chefs and Best New Restaurants franchises, and countless feature articles.

In Florida, the iconic Columbia Restaurant in Tampa stands out as the oldest restaurant in the state, established in 1905. Famous for its devil crab croquetas and house Cuban sandwich, the bustling eatery can seat around 1,700 guests across 15 distinct spaces, each with its own character and history. Another Tampa favorite, Bern's Steak House, boasts the world's longest wine list and offers a unique dessert experience in wine barrel-shaped booths, featuring signature treats like the Framboise Macadamia Decadence.

At Walt Disney World's Grand Floridian Resort, Victoria & Albert's presents an extravagant homage to classic French dining, serving delicacies like New Zealand langoustines and the finest caviar in an intimate setting of just 14 tables. Meanwhile, Joe's Stone Crab in Miami Beach, with its century-old history, remains a popular destination for stone crab lovers, while O'Steen's Restaurant in St. Augustine has garnered a loyal following for its fried shrimp and famous Minorcan chowder.