5 Best Foodie Travel Spots in Florida With a View

Last Updated on July 10, 2025 by Tracy

Discover 5 must-visit Florida travel spots for foodies who love amazing views. From oceanfront dining to vibrant city eats, explore where scenic backdrops meet unforgettable flavors.

Are you a hodophile? No, it’s not an insult—it’s a term for someone who loves to travel!

If you love to travel, chances are you love soaking up stunning views while savoring everything about the local cultures, including their food. And if you’re a foodie, you might plan your itinerary around the food.

If you’re nodding your head because you’re a hodophilic foodie, this is the guide for you. It’s a snapshot of the food culture in Florida, with a heads-up on some places to visit. Join us on a short virtual tour as we visit five travel spots for foodies who love a great view. And don’t forget your camera!

1. Key West, Florida – Louie’s Backyard

Louie’s Backyard is a historic Victorian home turned upscale Caribbean-American restaurant located right on the Atlantic. It offers uninterrupted ocean views, especially beautiful at sunset or during a full moon.

The menu reflects Key West’s tropical setting. Popular dishes include the root beer-glazed Berkshire pork chops, tuna with ginger hoisin sauce, and Bahamian conch chowder. The wine list is extensive, and the “Afterdeck Bar” offers lighter bites and cocktails just steps from the sea.

Fun Fact: Louie’s was featured on The Food Network and has been a Key West institution since the 1980s.

2. St. Augustine, Florida – The Reef

Located just north of St. Augustine’s historic district, The Reef is right on the beach, offering oceanfront dining with sweeping Atlantic views. Originally built as a family home, it’s been transformed into a well-loved seafood restaurant known for its panoramic ocean views and relaxed coastal vibe.

Seafood is the star here, with all kinds of delicious offerings, from shrimp and grits to jumbo scallops and more. But if seafood isn’t your thing, beef, chicken, and pasta are also available, making it a perfect place for all palates. Their popular Sunday brunch includes waffles, local fish, and made-to-order omelettes, all with ocean views through tall windows or from the outdoor deck.

Wildlife Watch: Dolphins and shorebirds are frequent visitors, so keep your camera ready during brunch or dinner.

3. Miami, Florida – Little Havana

In 2024, WalletHub compared 182 American cities to discover the ultimate place to eat, and Miami was crowned the top foodie destination in the USA. What’s so great about Miami? It has fourteen restaurants with Michelin stars, the most affordable places to dine, and a melting pot of culinary delights from various cultures, largely due to generations of immigrants from Latin America, the Caribbean, and beyond. And this includes Cuban fare.

While street art might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of a traditional “view,” Miami’s Little Havana is something to behold. The city is well-known for its Cuban cuisine, and, along with its bold street art and architecture, it makes a perfect travel spot for foodies who love a great view.

You can’t pass through Little Havana without trying a Cubana, a gourmet Cuban sandwich consisting of sweet bread, lovingly embracing ham, pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and yellow mustard. Cuban street food is the overarching flavor of this part of Miami and is well worth the trip for the art and the food.

Travel Tip: Take a guided food and art walking tour in Little Havana. You’ll sample authentic Cuban food and learn the stories behind the neighborhood.

4. Naples, Florida – The Turtle Club

Naples is known for its high-end resorts, golf courses, and powdery beaches, but it also has some hidden culinary gems. The Turtle Club offers an unusual combo: upscale food and toes-in-the-sand dining, should that be your choice. It’s part of the Vanderbilt Beach Resort and offers beachfront seating that blends luxury with a laid-back Florida vibe.

Standout dishes include the Grouper topped with lump crab and béarnaise sauce, lobster escargot, and their signature key lime pie. The Turtle Club has a well-curated wine list, and the sunset views across the Gulf are a major drawcard, especially during winter when the skies turn brilliant orange and pink. You’ll find endless inspiration here if you’re an aspiring landscape photographer perfecting your craft. The dramatic lighting, reflective waters, and silhouetted palms create a natural canvas that begs to be captured frame by frame.

Hot Hint: Arrive early. It’s one of the most in-demand dining spots in Naples, especially in the high season. You can reserve a table for dinner, although not for lunch.

5. Destin, Florida – Boshamps Seafood & Oyster House

Located in the heart of Destin Harbor, Boshamps offers casual dockside dining with elevated Southern-style seafood. The back patio includes tiered decks, beach chairs, and a play area that opens right onto the harbor.

The food is far from basic. You can indulge in popular items, including Apalachicola oysters on the half shell, fried Gulf snapper, and their legendary shrimp and grits with Tasso ham cream sauces. There’s also live music most weekends and a fantastic selection of local craft beers and cocktails.

Insider Info: Plan to get there before sunset for the best views and be ready for a bit of a wait in peak season (spring through fall).

Bonus Nearby Destination: Seaside, Florida – Bud & Alley’s

A short drive from Destin, Seaside is a master-planned town known for pastel cottages, white sand beaches, and walkable charm. Bud and Alley’s has been a go-to dining spot since 1987, with rooftop seating that overlooks the Gulf of Mexico. The restaurant was founded by a couple of surfers, who named it after their cat and the town founder’s dog.

The restaurant serves locally sourced seafood and Southern comfort dishes—think crab cakes, grilled Grouper, and oysters Rockefeller. Grab a drink upstairs and enjoy one of Florida’s most picturesque small-town beach scenes.

Local Tradition: Every evening, just as the sun dips below the horizon over the Gulf of Mexico, a staff member rings a brass ship’s bell from the rooftop bar to celebrate the day’s end.

Indulge In Fabulous Food While Soaking Up Sublime Views

From the tropical breezes of Key West to the Cuban vibe in Miami, Florida, offers more than great beaches. It’s also a paradise for foodies. These five travel spots (plus one bonus) pair incredible views with fresh, flavorful food.

So, whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a family trip, or a solo escape with your camera and appetite, these places are worth the drive (or the flight). Just be sure to come hungry.

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