4 Florida Restaurants Make List Of Best Hidden Gems In America

When it comes to being recognized on a national level, you know it's good, and 4 restaurants in Florida have made Tripadvisor's Top 10 list of the best hidden gems in America.

Thinking about hidden gems, I have a few in Fort Myers in mind. But then again, I think of some little spots in Cape Coral, Naples and Bonita Springs and my list becomes quite long. They're the places with a great menu but that just aren't as popular as others. I don't like to gatekeep because I want to spread the love, but I also like the idea of always being able to get a table. When I travel, I like to find these little spots too. A friend of mine was in Tokyo last week and found a place, on advice of the locals, that doesn't have a website and isn't even on a map. It's THAT hidden. And he said some of the best food he's had in his entire life

Tripadvisor is always my go-to, especially when I'm traveling, but even locally, if I'm looking for something new to do or place to go. And they have reviews on just about everything from restaurants to hotels to tours to hotels, you name it. For this list, they looked at the best hidden gem restaurants across the U.S. and 4 restaurants on Florida have landed in the top 10.

Coming in at #3 is Kaya Island Eats in Key West. Tripadvisor says the vibe is laid-back tropical and is a fusion of Polynesian, Jamaican and Hawaiian cuisine. At #4 on the list of best hidden gems is Rendezvous Bar & Grill in Fort Lauderdale. The restaurant offers waterfront dining with an emphasis on seafood, serving up tuna, shrimp, scallops, salmon, lobster and more. At #5 is Happy Fish Peruvian Fusion Restaurant in Tampa. Some dishes to try include paella, octopus, mussels, ceviche, tostones and calamari. Finally, coming in the #8 spot is Express Cafe in Kissimmee. Here you'll find a variety of Caribbean and South American menu items including Cuban sandwiches and grilled chicken arepas.

You can read more and check out their full list here

Related: A Tampa-Area Bakery Has Been Named The Best In Florida

Florida is a dream destination for a lot of people and 3 cities here in the Sunshine State land on a list of the best places to live in America.

Growing up in Chicago, it was always my dream to one day live here. It's been almost 6 years since I arrived, first in Sarasota. I've been in Fort Myers now for almost 5 and my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. You really can't beat the fact that the weather is always nice (even on these days of 50 degrees in the morning..brrr), there's SO much to do year-round and the beauty of palm trees and our beaches is something you can never get tired of. For some, it's a retirement dream and for others it's a state where you want to put down roots and blossom. I really can't imagine, now, living anywhere else.

The list surprises me, considering my love for living here, with only 3 cities in Florida included. Money put their list together looking at factors including economic opportunities, quality of live and diversity, among others. Atlanta landed in the #1 spot. 3 cities in Florida made the list coming in at #'s 9, 33 and 43. You can see the full list here.

Money said Tampa is "a rare combination of action-packed and affordable". Home sales average just over $380,000. The publication said the downsides of the city include traffic and climate. (If you don't like the heat- stay out of the kitchen!)

Altamonte Springs isn't a city I've visited, though it's only about 30 mins from Disney and about an hour to the beach, so it's close to a lot of fun. Definitely worth bragging about, if getting a good education is important, the area has a 93% graduation rate.

Sarasota was the city I first landed in upon moving to Florida, and I absolutely love it. Money says Sarasota is a "paradise for beach, culture and wildlife lovers". But be ready to pay. The average home price last year was over $565,000.