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Sometimes life gets a little crazy, so it would be nice to be able to escape from it all and one SWFL town has been named the best to escape the rat race.
Living in Florida offers a pretty nice way of life. Even when working, I feel like, with living in Fort Myers, that I'm always on vacation. But the daily grind at times can be a lot to handle. Add in season and the influx of people to deal with between slow movers in the grocery store and those on the road. Maybe you play the lottery hoping to win big so you never have to work again. Maybe like me, you dream of what you'd do and where you'd go, but rarely buy a ticket. Or maybe you're at a time when retirement isn't too far ahead in the future. If you're thinking of where you'll head next, you won't have to go too far.
SWFL Town Named Best To Escape The Rat Race
There was a study conducted by Joy Organics which named the 150 best places in the country to escape the rat race. 3 Florida towns made the list, including one right here in SWFL. Coming in at #58 on the list is Mount Dora. This town is Northwest of Orlando and known for its antique shops and annual festivals like the Scottish Highland Festival, Arts Festival, Sail Boat Regatta and more. At #63 is a town I've spent a lot of time in, Dunedin. It's one of the oldest towns on the Gulf Coast and features a great, walkable downtown with plenty of shops, restaurants and breweries. Finally, coming in at#64, Sanibel Island. I, too, have to agree that just driving over the bridge to the island can take all your cares away. It's a way to feel like you're on vacation without leaving the county.
Joy Organics says that the towns on the list are the “most sought-after towns and cities” for “those waiting to distance themselves from the relentless pace of the rat race”. You can check out the full list here
The Best Florida Restaurants of 2024
Florida has multiple listings on the newly released Top 100 list from Yelp. Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, and the whole Miami area have restaurants that made the cut. But one notable omission was Southwest Florida. Of all the outstanding places to eat in Naples, Fort Myers, and Cape Coral - not one of ours made the list. However, on the Florida only list, Fort Myers, Naples, and Fort Myers Beach all made the top 100.
Another observation, the Florida Keys, with some of the best seafood in the world, were also omitted from the country's top 100. So this list is what's known as 'rarified air'. The best of the best. So where are the best Florida restaurants of 2024?
The best Florida restaurant is at number 5, So where are the top 4 located?
Before we get to the best Florida restaurants, let's see where the top 4 are located, and what makes them so special. What I noticed off the bat, these are not super expensive places. Just great food.
Ok, let's stick close to home and focus on the Florida restaurants on the list.
Strangely enough, despite our extensive coastlines, most of the best Florida restaurants don't specialize in seafood. Here's the list of places, and their national ranking on Yelp.
5. Fratellino
Fratellino is number 5 overall, and this Coral Gables spot is the highest rated Florida restaurant on the list. Known as "the best Italian food in Miami."
12. Mio’s Grill & Cafe
Mio's in St. Petersburgh does Turkish and Greek food. I love a good falafel wrap, and Mio's is reported to have one of the best. Awesome location, too - down by the Yacht Basin.
34. Amy’s French Bakery & Bistro
From Pompano Beach, the third best in Florida goes to Amy's French Bakery. Amy's is a small cafe located in an industrial area. Get the fresh squeezed Florida orange juice with your brunch.
44 EDOBOY
The top sushi spot in Orlando. If you're looking for something entirely new to try - this is a standing restaurant. I've never done that!
56. Bunbury
Bunbury is an Argentine Steakhouse in Miami. Great food and great ambiance. And a perfect location just north of downtown.
70. How Ya Dough’n
How Ya Dough’n is a quirky little pizza place in Boca Raton off Hwy 1. The owner started making pizzas for his neighbors during the pandemic, then grew that passion into a business.
71. Abstrakt Filipino Essence
Filipino restaurant in Jacksonville. Their food truck was so popular they graduated to a store. Based on the reviews, you need to try the Tap-Silog.
73. Bulegreen Cafe Yard
In Oakland Park, just north of Fort Lauderdale for breakfast or lunch. Their hook is that nothing is fried and they don't use oils. And that your food is 'instagrammable'.
75. Bayshore Mediterranean Grill
An entry from Tampa, the Bayshore Mediterranean Grill. They do Mediterranean and Turkish food. The chicken shish gets mentioned a lot.
80. Shaker & Peel
Another Tampa spot, this one specializes in tacos, empanadas, and their salads. Taco Tuesday specials on street tacos. And the bar - have Kate make you something special.
84. The Tiny Turtle
Caribbean food on Cocoa Beach. And it's right there at the beach. The food can get a little spicy, too!
86. Twice Removed
A cocktail bar in Fort Lauderdale with some great food. Show up early for the happy hour.
97. KUBO Asian Fusion & Bar-Fort Lauderdale
Sushi bar with Asian fusion in Fort Lauderdale. Close to the airport and the reviewers love the crispy tuna bites, sashimi appetizer, & the tuna lover roll.
