Best Barbecue / BBQ

4 Rivers Smokehouse
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4 Rivers Smokehouse offers the kind of perfectly Southern, down-home, local BBQ that is hard to find anywhere anymore. From fall-off-the-bone ribs to Angus beef brisket to slow-cooked pulled pork and BBQ chicken, 4 Rivers Smokehouse is sure to please even the pickiest BBQ connoisseur. And since the owner of 4 Rivers Smokehouse knows, like anyone from the South, that no BBQ is complete without a variety of "prepared with care" side dishes, 4 Rivers Smokehouse offers delicious sides such as fried okra, BBQ beans, cole slaw, and sweet potato casserole, all proudly from scratch the way Grandma used to cook. 4 Rivers Smokehouse offers a casual but friendly dining atmosphere, with service that is reminiscent of days gone by.

Best French Mediterranean

A La Provence
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Provence is a unique local Tallahassee restaurant tucked away in Market Square. The menu consists of classic French and Mediterranean cuisine, expertly prepared and beautifully presented. A La Provence accommodates those who wish to share an intimate meal, as well as those who are dining with friends, family, or associates. The full bar boasts a variety of wines, Champagne, and spirits to satisfy every palate and complement any entree. The lobster bisque is a must at A La Provence! It has a little Caribbean spice to it to liven it up. The olive tapenade is a must as well. The dinner variety is great and they switch up the Menu a bit so it's fun to try new things.

Best Fine Dining

Avenue Eat and Drink
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Avenue Eat & Drink offers Southern fusion cuisine in a contemporary, inviting atmosphere. The menu combines the flavors of the South, from the Florida coast to the Louisiana bayou to the Carolina mountains, with culinary expertise and innovation, resulting in presentations and flavors that will enchant the palate. Whether dining for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch, guests will find that the high-quality, handcrafted fare at Avenue Eat & Drink is as delicious as it is creative.

Best Pizza

Village Pizza & Pasta
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Welcome to Village Pizza & Pasta Italian Restaurant & Catering in Tallahassee, FL. We are a family owned and operated restaurant. Village Pizza & Pasta Italian Restaurant is home to our authentic New York style pizza, where it is freshly baked in real brick ovens. Our delicious menu includes New York style pizza, calzones, pasta, seafood, homemade garlic rolls, salads, soups, strombolis, subs, wings, and desserts. To accompany your meal at our Italian restaurant, we offer an assortment of fine wines by the glass along with specialty beers, as well. Daily lunch and dinner specials are also available.

Best Oyster Bar

Bird's Aphrodisiac Oyster Shack
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Given a rating of 4 hand-claps by Tallahassee Democrat's food critics, Bird's Aphrodisiac Oyster Shack is proud to be home of some of the finest, freshest oysters around, brought straight from Apalachicola Bay. Customers have been enjoying “Tallahassee's Classiest Oyster Shack” for many years, and with its fun atmosphere, full bar, nightly entertainment such as Comedy or Trivia Night, and a menu that not only has oysters but items such as grouper sandwiches and fantastic burgers, it's not hard to see why. Bird's has something for everyone, and will make locals and out-of-towners alike feel right at home. Be it for lunch, dinner, or late-night fun, Bird's is the place to go.

Best Island Cuisine

Cabo's Island Grill
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Cabo's Island Grill and Bar is proud to serve the freshest possible seafood, handmade Mexican dishes, and quality sandwiches, salads, and burgers. One look at their menu and diners will see that Cabo's has something everyone will love, from tacos to tofu. The chips and salsa are house made, the fries are hand-cut, and the guacamole is made fresh daily. Cabo's bar makes some of the best drinks around, including the best margarita in town, Cabo's own Shipwreck Margarita.. The Sunday brunch menu offers mouth-watering Cabo's originals such as 3-egg Tequitas and Eggs Atlantis, as well as drink specials for those who enjoy mimosas or Bloody Marys. Cabo's invites those who have yet to "experience dining the Cabo's way" to come by and see why Cabo's has been a Tallahassee favorite since 1989.

Best Breakfast

Canopy Road Cafe
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If you are looking for a family owned and operated breakfast spot with a predictably enjoyable breakfast, look no further than Canopy Road Cafe. A great place to get a delicious meal without a long wait, Canopy Road Cafe offers a comfortable, family-friendly ambiance and is open at convenient hours. They use top-quality ingredients and cook their orders from scratch. Over the past 10 years they have became widely known for their fresh hot breakfast, featuring traditional egg dishes, fluffy omelettes, sizzling skillet breakfasts, and griddle items such as French toast, giant pancakes and their signature Sweet Potato Pancakes. With generous portions, friendly staff, and reasonable prices, you won't find a better breakfast served locally than Canopy Road Cafe.

Best Doughnuts

Doughnut Kingdom
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Their doughnuts taste as good as they look, and they look great. They have the traditional, old fashioned doughnuts everyone loves,as well as doughnut flavors and fillings that might surprise even Willy Wonka himself. A sample of Donut Kingdom's specialty doughnuts include Snickers, Twix, Boston cream, apple pie, french toast, key lime pie, red velvet with cream cheese frosting, fritters, as well as real Bavarian cream doughnuts. Paired with cold milk or a cup of freshly brewed coffee, any of these make for a delicious experience.

Best Authentic Mexican

El Jalisco
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The El Jalisco family of restaurants offers a fiesta of food and fun for Tallahassee! El Jalisco prides itself on preparing fresh authentic Mexican food with original recipes and great taste at an affordable price. Choose from our wide selection of authentic, Mexican dishes, from burritos, enchiladas and quesadillas to chimichangas, flautas and chiles rellenos. Our combination plates will satisfy even the muy grande appetite. Our salsa is made fresh and our food is made with pride and tradition. El Jalisco is famous for our delicious margaritas and 2-for-1 drink specials, which gets you twice the margaritas, twice the tequila shots, and twice the cervezas! We wish to provide our guests with a fun atmosphere. We want your experience to be enjoyable and memorable each time you dine with them. They are known for their Birthday Celebrations and their friendly staff will serenade your table with singing and tambourine.

Best All American

Flying Bear Great American Grill
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The Flying Bear is a family-owned and operated restaurant located in Tallahassee's north side of town. In-flight dining will range from bear-sized burgers to stacked sandwiches to creamy pastas to crunchy salads. Along with farm-to-table dishes from local growers, there is plenty of paw-some variety to gnaw on. Brothers and hospitality aces Brian and Aaron have long planned to go full throttle with their passion for food and customer service, and now their dream has taken off. You're invited to come along with them on this journey – no boarding pass required!

Best Stir Fry

Ghenghis Grill
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Genghis Grill is the home of the unique and delicious concept of truly custom stir fry: the build-your-own bowl. Diners have an array of choices for their personal stir fry bowl, ranging from select meats and seafood to tofu and fresh vegetables, spices, sauces and starches. Each of Genghis Grill's stir fry meals is prepared exhibition style by their stir fry chefs, making every experience fun and interactive. The menu includes appetizers to enjoy before the finished stir fry bowls are brought to the table, as well as deserts for those who want a sweet ending to their stir fry experience. Genghis Grill also offers a drink menu with lively and delicious adult beverages that can't be found anywhere else. The tradition of Genghis Grill is to offer a little something for everyone: quality food, healthy options, great variety, and a fun atmosphere. With an idea that is as fresh as the food they provide, Genghis Grill is sure to bring a satisfied smile to every face.

Best Authentic Cuban

Gordos Cuban Food
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Gordos brings the flavor and flair of Cuban food to Tallahassee. The extensive menu has traditional fare such as croquetas, yuca, empanadas, maduros, and Cuban sandwiches, as well as delicious burgers, salads, and sandwiches that have a Cuban twist. The casual atmosphere provides a welcoming dining experience for groups of all ages. Gordos happy hour and beer specials are sure to please, as Gordos knows that there's nothing better than washing down a hot pressed Cuban sandwich and a basket of seasoned Gordos fries with your favorite ice cold brew, especially after a hard day's work. Gordos is proud to have been serving the Tallahassee area since 1986 (Over 30 Years). Besides its original location on Pensacola Street, Gordos has expanded with a second location in Market Square, bringing the same great taste of Cuban culture to the Northeast side of Tallahassee.

Best Sushi and Japanese

Kitcho Japanese Restaurant
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Kitcho Japanese Restaurant provides the finest authentic Japanese cuisine to the Tallahassee area. Offering diners a unique choice in ambiance, Kitcho has, on one side, a full dining room complete with a sushi bar, and the Velvet Lounge on the other side, which boasts not only a full bar, but has an array of luxurious velvet couches and other seating, beckoning guests to relax and enjoy their drinks and menu selection. Whether for lunch or dinner, stir-fry, salad or sushi, Kitcho has something on the menu for everyone. Kitcho takes pride in serving the finest sushi and fusion dishes in the area, using only the highest grade and freshest seafood. The quality, presentation and atmosphere, combined with excellent service, is why Kitcho stands out among the rest.

Best Hand-cut Steaks

Marie Livingston's Steakhouse
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For over 25 years, Marie Livingston's Steakhouse has been serving the finest steaks Tallahassee has to offer. Marie Livingston's own family's recipes for the menu, which includes their famous steak sauce and perfectly delicious dinner rolls, have been used since the doors first opened. Livingston's strong belief that all customers are important and welcome still stands as it did back in the early 1990's when she was new to the restaurant business. It's also clear that Marie Livingston's Steakhouse knows a good steak; each cut is carefully selected and hand-cut daily. Only Midwestern corn-fed, beautifully aged beef is allowed to grace the tables in this steakhouse. In addition to the perfectly prepared, mouth-watering steaks that they're known for, Marie Livingston's menu offers a variety to appease every palate, from shrimp and chicken to pork chops and burgers. And be sure to save some room for one of their homemade desserts.

Best Sports Bar

Miller's Ale House
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Miller's Ale House is identified within the local community as the best all around sports bar for people to come relax, have an enjoyable lunch or dinner, socialize with friends, game watch on one of the largest collections of HD TV's to be found. Miller's Ale House contains a full-service bar featuring wine, liquor and over 75 varieties of beer. Two featured proprietary menu items include the "World Famous Zingers®" (signature boneless chicken wings coated in a choice of sauces) and a layered homemade ice cream cake dessert known as "Captain Jack's Buried Treasure®." Miller's Ale House menu focuses on Food Quality, Freshness and Value. The menu offers delicious Steaks, fresh Seafood, original Pasta dishes, healthy Salads, robust Sandwiches and homemade Desserts, all served within the comfortable and social atmosphere of a neighborhood family restaurant.

Best Japanese Hibachi

Osaka Japanese Steak House
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Osaka Japanese Hibachi Steakhouse, a family owned and operated business for over 20 years, is a real gem in Tallahassee and a local favorite spot for both hibachi and sushi. Osaka's hibachi is always a guaranteed fun dining experience. This is truly a dinner show as diners get to watch their food be prepared right at their table while Osaka chefs do their magic. The Chou family takes pride in serving organic local produce, Gulf-fresh seafood, and the highest quality beef and chicken. Open daily for lunch and dinner, Osaka offers guests hibachi, a full service bar, as well as sushi and sashimi from their expansive sushi bar. With multiple large private rooms, Osaka is very accommodating to large birthday parties, anniversaries, and other family or group celebrations.

Best Fresh Florida Seafood

The Fisherman's Wife
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The Fisherman's Wife restaurant is a Tallahassee gem of a seafood restaurant. It's the real deal and not one of those chain "seafood" franchises with frozen prepackaged entrees. The locally caught seafood at The Fisherman's Wife is always fresh, and the owners even own and operate two shrimp boats where they catch their own shrimp. The shrimp, grouper, red snapper, flounder, and other seafood choices are always cooked to perfection. Add your choice of cheese grits, hush puppies, French fries, hush puppies and coleslaw to complete your meal. The staff is friendly and very accommodating, and you won't leave disappointed.

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