TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Floridian Foods
Key lime pie is a glass-green sweet and sour dessert originating from the Florida Keys. It consists of intensely aromatic Key lime juice, condensed milk, and eggs that are mixed together into a custard. The custard is poured into a buttery crust made from graham crackers and topped with sweet whipped cream.
The spicy and acidic flavors of the limes provide a great contrast to sugar and sweet cream. Key lime, also known as citrus aurantifolia, Mexican lime, and West Indian lime is a fruit indigenous to Malaysia, and it has been connected to Florida since the 1830s when a botanist named Henry Perrine started planting them on Florida's Indian Key.
MOST ICONIC Key Lime Pie
View moreA Cuban or a Cubano is a grilled, pressed sandwich made with Cuban bread that is filled with ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard. It was originally invented by Cuban immigrants in Florida, who wanted to make their own variation on a classic grilled ham and cheese sandwich.
Today, there are numerous variations on the Cubano, so some use different bread or add ingredients such as lettuce, tomatoes, and mayonnaise.
MOST ICONIC Cuban Sandwich
View moreCuban bread is a long, white bread characterized by its (ideally) rectangular shape, hard and thin crust, and soft, flaky interior filled with numerous air pockets. It is still unclear whether it was first created in Tampa or Miami, but everyone agrees that the best Cuban bread is made in Florida.
The bread is a key ingredient of the popular Cuban sandwich, and it is recommended to pair it with a hot cup of coffee.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Stone crab claws are a popular seafood dish, particularly in areas where stone crabs are native, such as Florida in the United States. Stone crabs are unique in that they are often harvested for their claws alone, while the rest of the crab is returned to the ocean alive.
Since stone crabs can regenerate their claws, this practice is more sustainable. The claws are large and contain a good amount of meat, which is sweet, tender, and considered a delicacy. Once the claws are harvested, they're usually cooked right away to preserve their freshness.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Sour orange pie is a traditional dessert originating from Florida. This sweet pie consists of a pie crust, filling, and meringue topping. The crust is made with a combination of graham crackers, sugar, and butter; the meringue topping is made with egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar; and the filling is usually made with a combination of condensed milk, sugar, egg yolks, orange juice and zest, and lemon juice and zest.
Originally, Floridians used sour Seville oranges that came to Florida via the Spanish who arrived in the state in the 16th century. If properly prepared, sour orange pie should have a cleaner and brighter flavor than its cousin, the famous key lime pie.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Minorcan clam chowder is a Floridian dish hailing from St. Augustine. This Manhattan-style, tomato-based chowder is made with a combination of onions, bacon, green bell peppers, clams with their juice, crushed tomatoes, celery, thyme, bay leaves, potatoes, and datil chili pepper, which is grown in the St. Augustine area.
The chowder is cooked until the potatoes are fully cooked. If the broth is too thick, it's recommended to dilute it with water or tomato juice. However, the consistency should remain on the thick and chunky side. Some claim that Minorcan clam chowder is even better if reheated the next day.
MOST ICONIC Minorcan Clam Chowder
View moreMAIN INGREDIENTS
Pan con minuta is a Cuban-style sandwich originating from Miami. It's made with a combination of Cuban bread rolls, onions, tomatoes, a tangy tartar sauce, and fish such as snapper that's fried in batter. The unique thing about this sandwich is the minuta part, which refers to the butterfly cut.
Once breaded and deep-fried, the fish is placed into the sandwich with its tail intact, so that it sticks out, and it's then topped with chopped tomatoes, onions, and sauce.
Red conch chowder is a Caribbean dish that's especially popular in The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, and the Florida Keys. The conch is pounded with a hammer in order to make it tender, and it's then chopped and combined with onions, celery, green onions, hot peppers, tomatoes and tomato paste, potatoes, beans, and herbs and spices.
The combination is boiled for a few hours until all the flavors blend together. This red-colored chowder is light and brothy when first prepared, but if it's left overnight and eaten the next day, its consistency slightly thickens due to the starches coming from the potatoes.
MOST ICONIC Red Conch Chowder
View moreMAIN INGREDIENTS
Old sour is a unique American sauce that is especially popular in Key West and the Bahamas, where it is a staple found in almost every kitchen. It used to be made with bird peppers, key lime juice (or sour oranges) and salt, but today it is typically made with a fermented combination of lime juice and salt.
Old sour pairs especially well with cooked or raw seafood or conch chowders, although it can also be used instead of vinegar or citrus juices as a salad dressing.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Floridian Food Producers
Castronovo Chocolate is a renowned American bean-to-bar chocolate maker known for crafting exceptional chocolate from rare heirloom cacao varieties. Each bar is thoughtfully produced, from direct cacao sourcing to meticulous small-batch processing, preserving the authenticity and natural flavor of each origin.
The company works closely with small farmers and indigenous communities, supporting sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation. Their chocolates are celebrated for their rich, layered flavor profiles and have received numerous prestigious international awards.
AWARDS

Academy of Chocolate - Gold
2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2016

International Chocolate Awards - Gold
2020, 2019, 2016

Academy of Chocolate - Golden Bean
2019
BEST Castronovo Chocolate Chocolates
Gamblers Bay Distillery, established in 2019, is a family-owned craft distillery located in Tampa, Florida. Drawing from over 120 years of family distilling traditions that originated in Romania and journeyed through Canada, they produce a range of spirits including rum, gin, and vodka.
Their products are crafted using locally sourced ingredients, such as Florida molasses and citrus, reflecting a commitment to supporting local agriculture.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023

NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
BEST Gamblers Bay Distillery Spirits
AWARDS

NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
BEST J. F. HAden’s Craft Liqueur Liqueurs
AWARDS

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2007
BEST Andes Foods US Cheeses
AWARDS

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2006
BEST Fraga Farm Goat Cheese Cheeses
AWARDS

U.S. Open Beer Championship - Gold
2023

Great American Beer Festival - Gold
2022

World Beer Cup - Gold
2022
BEST Fort Myers Brewing Beers
AWARDS

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold
2023

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Gold trophy
2023
BEST Paradise Spirits Inc Spirits
AWARDS

The Scotch Whisky Masters - Gold
2024, 2023

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2024, 2023

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Gold
2024
BEST Coles Liquor Spirits
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Floridian Food Products
The Lost City, Honduras Dark Milk 60% with Sea Salt is a chocolate product produced by Castronovo Chocolate. This particular bar features a unique combination of 60% dark milk chocolate and a hint of sea salt, offering a balanced flavor profile that blends the richness of dark chocolate with the creaminess of milk chocolate.
The cacao beans used are sourced from Honduras, specifically selected for their high quality and flavor characteristics. Castronovo Chocolate is known for its commitment to ethical sourcing and fine craftsmanship in their chocolate-making process, ensuring a superior product that tantalizes the taste buds with nuanced flavors.
AWARDS

Academy of Chocolate - Gold
2021
Castronovo – Sierra Nevada Colombia 63% Dark Milk is a refined dark milk chocolate bar crafted from cacao grown in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta region of Colombia. This area is renowned for its unique biodiversity and rich cultural heritage. The chocolate offers a creamy texture with flavor notes of crème fraîche, caramel, and almond, providing a harmonious balance between the richness of dark chocolate and the smoothness of milk chocolate.
Made with organic cocoa beans, organic cane sugar, and organic cocoa butter, it is free from soy and nuts, making it suitable for various dietary preferences. The cacao used in this bar is cultivated on small agroforestry farms, supporting sustainable agriculture and preserving the region's ecological diversity.
AWARDS

Academy of Chocolate - Gold
2021, 2020, 2019, 2016

Academy of Chocolate - Golden Bean
2019

International Chocolate Awards - Gold
2016
The product Maya Mountain, Belize 70% is a chocolate bar made by Castronovo Chocolate. It features beans sourced from the Maya Mountain region of Belize, known for its fine cacao. This region is celebrated for producing cacao beans with distinct fruity and floral notes.
Castronovo Chocolate is known to focus on small-batch, bean-to-bar craftsmanship to ensure quality and flavor preservation.
AWARDS

Academy of Chocolate - Gold
2020

Academy of Chocolate - Silver
2022

Academy of Chocolate - Bronze
2018
Castronovo Chocolate's Tumaco Mocha Milk 58% is a premium chocolate product that boasts a distinctive flavor profile. This chocolate is crafted from cacao beans sourced from the Tumaco region, which is located on the Pacific coast of Colombia. With a milk chocolate base containing 58% cacao, the product uniquely blends the robust taste of mocha with creamy milk chocolate.
Known for its fine texture and rich, nuanced taste, Tumaco Mocha Milk 58% offers a delightful mix of coffee and chocolate notes, creating a luxurious and satisfying experience for connoisseurs.
AWARDS

Academy of Chocolate - Gold
2017

Academy of Chocolate - Silver
2019
Gamblers Bay Distillery's Florida Farm Vodka is a premium spirit crafted from 100% Florida corn sourced directly from local farmers. This meticulous selection yields a clean, crisp vodka with a slightly sweet finish. Distilled 22 times, it achieves exceptional purity and smoothness.
The vodka has been recognized with a Double Gold award at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, underscoring its superior quality. With an ABV of 40%, it is gluten-free and embodies the essence of Florida's agricultural heritage.
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023

NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
AWARDS

SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
AWARDS

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Gold
2024
AWARDS

ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold
2023
AWARDS

World Beer Cup - Gold
2023


























TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.