| Dining Overview | Top  |
The Daytona Beach area is home to a variety of dining options that range from traditional Florida food to classic Greek cuisine. Beach Street, the main road in Daytona Beach's historic downtown district, features a concentrated mix of restaurants that serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. The area is small enough that word-of-mouth quickly gets out: The best places fill quickly, and competition is so fierce that inferior restaurants don't last long.
Expect to pay within these general guidelines, based on the cost of a dinner for one, excluding drinks, tax and tip: $ = less than US$15; $$ = US$15-$25; $$$ = US$26-$50; $$$$ = more than US$50.
| Local & Regional | Top |
The food is tasty, but diners are drawn by the circa 1920s English-pub atmosphere. This has long been a favorite hangout for locals. Serves comfort foods such as meat loaf. Daily for lunch and dinner. $$. Most major credit cards. 58 E. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach. Phone 386-672-1910. http://www.billys-tap.com.
Decorated with novelty items and photographs of the characters from
Forrest Gump. Play the Bubba Gump Trivia Game—the waitstaff shouts out questions about the film, and diners shout the answers. For a real treat, order the Bucket of Boat Trash. Open daily for lunch and dinner. $$. Ocean Walk Village, Daytona Beach. Phone 386-947-8433. http://www.bubbagump.com.
This place has been around since 1940 and is popular with locals, NASCAR fans, families and beachgoers. Near the Daytona Beach Pier, it opens to the sand and surf. The upstairs dining room serves seafood, chicken, sandwiches and the best burgers on the beach. Try the broiled, then grilled, mahimahi. Downstairs, the reggae bar is noisy, sweaty and crowded. Daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Live local bands perform nightly at 9:30. $$. Most major credit cards. 127 S. Ocean Ave., Daytona Beach. Phone 386-253-5224. http://www.oceandeck.com.
The first Stonewood opened in Ormond Beach. The restaurant was so popular, owners branched out across Florida and North Carolina, including a second outlet in Port Orange. Stonewood's popularity rests mainly on its oak-grilled steaks and seafood. It also has an extensive wine list. Daily for dinner. $$. Most major credit cards. 100 S. Atlantic Ave., Ormond Beach. Phone 386-671-1200. http://www.stonewoodgrill.com.
This casual diner is decorated with 1950s-style Americana novelties. Located next door to Daytona Harley-Davidson, so you can watch the motorcycles drive by while you eat. Open daily for breakfast and lunch. 290-½ N. Beach St., Daytona Beach. Phone 386-258-8488.
Hang out in the bar by the unique wine rack or relax at the handcrafted metal fire pit in the Zen garden and enjoy this funky nightspot's martinis or delicious desserts. Open for dinner Tuesday-Thurday 5-10 pm, Friday and Saturday 5-11 pm. 1815 S. Ridgewood Ave., Daytona Beach. Phone 386-763-1090. http://www.martinischophouse.com.
It's worth the drive north to Ormond Beach to dine at Bobby and Meryl Frappier's sophisticated establishment. Their menu is market-inspired—they make a point to use the freshest ingredients, and it shows. Herbs and vegetables are grown on the premises. The filet mignon topped with Gorgonzola cheese and caramelized onions, served with mashed potatoes and grilled seasonal vegetables, is irresistible. Try the seafood, too. Open Monday-Friday for lunch and dinner, Saturday for dinner only. $$. Most major credit cards. 123 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach. Phone 386-615-4888. http://www.frappesnorth.com.
The pasta is consistently good, but the star attraction is the risotto alla Anna, which is really an Italian version of Spanish paella. Originally from Sicily, the Triani family serves hearty main courses, with soup or salad, and a side dish of angel-hair pasta or a vegetable. Sorbets cleanse the palate. Daily for dinner only. $$. Most major credit cards. 304 Seabreeze Blvd., Daytona Beach. Phone 386-239-9624.
| Cafes & Tearooms | Top |
Try the chicken Tuscan and you'll be smitten with this casual gourmet cafe. There's also an extensive wine list and live jazz on the weekends. Chocolate lovers should order the chocolate corruption cake—the chocolate fudge icing is topped with white- and dark-chocolate buttons. If you still haven't had enough chocolate, venture next door and visit the Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory. Open Tuesday-Saturday for lunch and dinner, Monday for lunch only. $$. Most major credit cards. 156 S. Beach St., Daytona Beach. Phone 386-257-2677.
This romantic restaurant serves Continental gourmet cuisine and proudly boasts several awards for its food. The crab cakes are sumptuous and the classic creme brulee is sinfully good. An extensive wine selection is available along with a full bar. Open Thursday and Friday for lunch and dinner, Tuesday-Sunday for dinner. Reservations recommended. $$$-$$$$. Most major credit cards. 142 E. Granada Ave., Ormond Beach. Phone 386-673-1999.
This local favorite for down-home Florida-style seafood overlooks a scenic riverfront setting. Enjoy one of the specialty chowders. Daily for lunch and dinner, Sunday for brunch. $. Most major credit cards. 4009 Halifax Drive, Port Orange. Phone 386-767-4768. http://auntcatfishontheriver.com/index.htm.
Island-inspired waterfront dining is the lure there, with seafood and hand-cut steaks among the most popular dinner items. There's also a gift shop that sells Caribbean Jack clothing. Live music is offered nightly, and there's a Sunday jazz brunch. Daily for lunch and dinner, Sunday for brunch. $$. Most major credit cards. 721 Ballough Road, Daytona Beach. Phone 386-523-3000. Toll-free 888-564-4372. http://www.loggerheaddaytonabeach.com/caribbeanjacks.htm.
Dine on daily seafood specialties, mouthwatering steaks and tempting desserts, with a view of the waterfront. Open daily for dinner. 1100 Marina Point Drive, Daytona Beach. Phone 386-255-9022. http://www.chart-house.com.
You can watch the fisherfolk work as you eat in a friendly pub atmosphere. Daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. $$. Most major credit cards. Sunglow Fishing Pier, 3701 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach. Phone 386-788-3364. http://www.sunglowpier.com.
Located next to the lighthouse, this famous seafood hot spot features crab legs, lobster, peel-and-eat shrimp (a popular favorite) and much more. You can eat inside or out; we recommend outside at the tiki tables adorned with umbrellas. Don't leave without sampling the homemade key lime pie. Live music and dancing nightly on the torch-lit deck. Daily for lunch and dinner. $$. Most major credit cards. 133 Inlet Harbor Road, Ponce Inlet. Phone 386-767-5590. http://www.inletharbor.com.
Expect casual oceanfront dining and fine seafood at this historic beach-racing landmark. Daily for lunch and dinner. $$$. 4511 S. Atlantic Ave., Ponce Inlet. Phone 386-322-3258. http://www.racingsnorthturn.com.
Serves seafood in a casual, fun setting, with outdoor seating. Learn the history of the Timucuan Indians while you're there. Open daily for lunch and dinner. $$. 950 N. US 1, Ormond Beach. Phone 386-615-2004. http://www.rivergrille.net.
