When I visit a destination I want to go to all the local dining gems in the area.
The Daytona Beach area has a lot of great restaurant options for every meal and taste bud.
I’m sharing more about the best places to eat and drink in the Daytona Beach area during your next vacation.
These options also include dining options in nearby cities, that are a close proximity to Daytona Beach.
Thanks again to the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau for hosting my visit. All opinions are my own. This article contains affiliate links.
Waterfront Dining at Caribbean Jack’s
721 Ballough Rd, Daytona Beach, FL
Caribbean Jack’s offers wonderful waterfront dining with views of the Halifax River.
The restaurant is named in honor of the original owner John “Jack” Gilbert.
“Jack” had a legendary life that included “rum running” from the Bahamas to Florida’s east coast during prohibition and later entertaining moonshiners at his restaurant before tragically dying in a car accident on his 38th birthday in 1941.
They don’t take reservations or call ahead but there’s a lot of seating for guests dining inside or out.
The outdoor deck overlooking the river has several covered dining areas. On colder days. they can enclose the sides so you can enjoy the outdoors without the chill.
I really enjoy sitting at their covered glider tables. Don’t worry, you don’t rock too far if you’re concerned about motion sickness while eating.
There is an onsite marina where you can park your boat if traveling by water.
Shrimp tacos are always one of my go-to menu items, anytime I’m near the ocean and theirs are wonderful.
Jack’s Caribbean Tacos are served with volcano sauce over calypso rice, mango pineapple salsa, Caribbean slaw, and flour tortilla shells.
You can choose Mahi-Mahi, shrimp, all-natural chicken, gator or salmon served blackened, grilled, or island jerk.
Be on the lookout for their daily drink specials, Happy Hour every day from 3-6 PM, and their daily lineup of live music.
Oysters and More at Oyster Pub Sports Bar and Grill
555 Seabreeze Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL
Sports fans will love the 70+ TVs while eating incredible oysters at “Daytona’s largest oyster bar.”
There is plenty of family-friendly seating, an arcade room, and an outdoor patio for guests.
If you’ve previously been turned off by raw oysters like me, their chargrilled oysters are a totally different experience.
It’s what they’re known for, after tasting them you’ll understand why. I credit this restaurant for changing my mind about oysters.
Their Chargrilled Oysters are 1 dozen oysters grilled on an open flame, smothered with The Oyster Pub’s secret sauce.
Their oysters are super fresh, and they’ve got the papers for the oysters to prove it!
Sit at the bar and you can watch the oyster shucking in action.
Guests will find plenty of options on the menu for seafood lovers along with options for guests who prefer non-seafood options.
Their burgers are also very popular and there are kids’ menus for younger guests.
Dine Over the Ocean at Crabby Joe’s Deck and Grill
3701 S Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach Shores, FL
Crabby Joe’s is a local favorite on Sunglow Pier, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The restaurant had a lot of damage from Hurricane Ian but I’m happy to report that it’s reopened.
You can dine inside or on the covered deck that has window enclosures that can be opened on warm days or closed on chillier ones.
If you visit during breakfast you might see a few surfers trying to catch a few waves.
Our table ordered the following:
Their breakfast tacos are made with bacon or veggies, scrambled eggs with cheese, and pico.
Their Crab Cake Benedict is served with home fries or grits. I highly recommend this one!
Their Shrimp and grits are made with shrimp, andouille, mushrooms, peppers, and onions
in cajun gravy served over grits.
You can make the shrimp Royal Reds for the dish for an additional fee.
The menu items for lunch and dinner are mostly seafood dishes, but salads, chicken, burgers, and vegetarian options are available too.
Breakfast at The Cracked Egg Diner
3280 S Atlantic Ave D, Daytona Beach Shores, FL
The Cracked Egg Diner serves breakfast all day.
You’ll find all the breakfast staples including omelets, eggs benedict, grits, biscuits, gravy, and more.
You definitely want to start with their homemade apple fritters.
They’re made with fresh chopped Granny Smith apples and mixed in a homemade batter topped with cinnamon and sugar.
You may even be tempted to order a few more warm ones to-go…and you’re not wrong if you do.
I tried their shrimp and grits breakfast special and it was fantastic! It was made with shrimp, and kielbasa served over pepper jack grit cake and topped with their savory sauce.
Another great option is their Irish Benedict.
It’s made with homemade corn beef hash on top of an English muffin with two poached eggs and hollandaise sauce drizzled with a side of hashbrowns, homefries, or grits.
BBQ Heaven at 4 Rivers Smokehouse
1866 Victory Cir Suite J-100, Daytona Beach, FL
4 Rivers Smokehouse originally started as a ministry fundraiser to help a young girl battling cancer and has continued to help other families over the years.
This family-owned restaurant has continued to grow in popularity and prides itself on locally made food and a community-focused passion.
Guests order their meals cafeteria-style and carry their food to their table of choice. You can get your own refills too.
They serve an 18-hour smoked Angus brisket, classic homestyle sides, and fresh-baked desserts.
If you’re with a group I’d recommend the Happy Herd. It feeds a family of 4 and has 4 different meats, 2 classic sides, and 4 of your choice of bread.
This is perfect if you like to sample a little bit of everything.
We ordered the Happy Herd, in addition to a few more sides and a sandwich for even more variety.
You can easily create your own family-style meal at your table with a range of menu items if you’re joined by fellow food sharers.
If you want a sandwich recommendation, try the “Messy Pig.”
It’s made with pulled pork between 2 layers of coleslaw, topped with pickles and jalapeños, served on a brioche bun, and smothered in 4R Signature Sauce.
We ordered a few desserts to share because it was too hard to narrow down the options. (Classic Brownie, Caramel Dolly Bar, Bayou Bar, and Salted Carmel Bar)
It was perfect to cut and try a few bites of each bar.
Try Venezuelan Cuisine at Arepita Beach
174 N Beach St, Daytona Beach, FL
This fast-casual restaurant is located on historic Beach Street in downtown Daytona Beach.
Arepita Beach serves up Venezuelan food menu items for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests order at the counter and then choose where they want to sit.
If you’re unsure what to order I recommend asking the staff for the most popular menu items.
I would recommend trying an Arepa. It’s a type of flatbread, made of ground maize dough and stuffed with a filling.
The Arepita Pabellon is a popular specialty Arepa filled with shredded beef, sweet plantain, refried black beans, and shredded white cheese.
The restaurant has a rooftop with a nice dining area with views of the Riverfront Esplanade.
There is also a bar upstairs on the second level with additional seating.
The restaurant was also featured by Guy Fieri on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives on The Food Network where the owner shows how he makes their Patacon Beef Sandwich.
Play, Drink, and Dine at PopStroke Daytona Beach
1283 Cornerstone Boulevard, Daytona Beach, FL
You probably wouldn’t think of a unique miniature golf course for a great meal or cocktail but I’m here to change your mind.
PopStroke Daytona Beach has something for all ages and skill levels appealing to locals and tourists!
In addition to mini-golf at PopStroke the 11,166 complex has a full-service restaurant with TVs, three bars, and an ice cream parlor serving traditional and boozy milkshakes.
Be on the lookout for their fantastic Happy Hour from 3-6 PM Monday-Thursday.
The large garage doors can be opened on nice days allowing guests to enjoy elements of dining outside while enjoying the shade indoors.
A few of my recommendations are the Pickle Margarita (don’t knock it til you try it), Ahi Tuna Nachos, and Sweet Heat Wings.
We were there for mini-golf, drinks, and appetizers but I have no doubt you’ll be happy with whatever you order from their scratch-made kitchen.
You can even order drinks to be delivered on the course through their mobile app.
The best value for locals or super fans is the monthly pass.
It’s $25 per month, for unlimited visits for mini golf, and requires a 3-month commitment. It pays for itself if you visit 3 times in 1 month.
And locals know the additional perk of the pass is 25% off food and drinks, including during happy hour!
*You don’t need a pass to dine at the restaurant/bar.
Kids can be added to an adult’s monthly pass for an extra fee. There are also outdoor games and a playground on site if they need to burn off some extra energy.
Dine By the Atlantic Ocean at Ocean Deck Restaurant & Beach Bar
127 S Ocean Ave, Daytona Beach, FL
This popular oceanside restaurant/ bar dates back to 1940.
Ocean Deck has daily live music, with acoustic musicians from 4-7PM and bands starting at 9 PM.
Happy hour is every weekday from 4 to 6 PM, and the menu features an assortment of seafood dishes, sandwiches, and burgers.
Their Rasta Fish Dip is a chilled, creamy combination of Smoked Fresh-Caught Fish spiced with their famous Rasta Sauce, served with carrots, celery, and fresh tortilla chips.
The Caribbean Coconut Shrimp is served with an orange marmalade sauce.
The “Trophy” pictured above is an 8oz filet of wild-caught Mahi-Mahi. It’s marinated with their special seasonings and topped with fresh mango salsa, served with fresh vegetables and island rice.
Take a Self-Guided Tour and Try Samples at Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory
154 S Beach St, Daytona Beach, FL
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a treat at this gem located in historic downtown Daytona.
Angell & Phelps Chocolate Factory isn’t technically a restaurant but it’s still a local gem.
Since 1925, Angell & Phelps has been crafting artisan chocolates and candies.
The woman-owned business by Riddell Angell and Cora Phelps was originally on Mackinac Island in Northern Michigan. Their business moved to Daytona Beach at the beginning of World War II.
After two decades the women retired and the business has since changed hands a few times but remains a family business.
On a self-guided tour, you can learn more about the founders’ history and observe the candy-making process through the large viewing windows.
You’ll crave a candy sample even more after watching all the candy-making in front of you.
Thankfully the self-guided tour takes you back to the gift shop where you can sample candy before you buy.
You’ll find creative candy souvenirs that may… or may not make it home to their intended recipient.
There are also special Dog treats made with dog-friendly white chocolate.
Racing History and a View at Racing’s North Turn
4511 S Atlantic Ave, Ponce Inlet, FL
Nearby you’ll want to make sure that you take a moment to check out the historical markers before you walk inside the restaurant.
This was THE location where beach racing began!
The inside of the restaurant is filled with racing memorabilia that took place on Ponce Inlet.
I loved looking at the old photographs that gave me into racing during that historic time.
From 1948-1958 the Grand National Race took place at this location near the side Racing’s North Turn each year.
Be on the lookout for the photo overlay on the window that helps you visualize where the race previously took place.
There is a covered bar with live music and a large deck with ocean views.
You’ll find plenty of great seafood options on the menu, sandwiches, salads, burgers, and more.
I ordered the Super Charged Shrimp tacos with sweet potato fries. Their shrimp had a great kick and I LOVE spicy foods.
Happy Hour is Monday-Friday from 11AM – 7 PM.
Learn about more racing-themed adventures around Daytona here.
A 360-degree View at the Top of Daytona Restaurant and Lounge
2625 S. Atlantic Ave. Daytona Beach, FL
You can dine or enjoy a drink from the 29th floor atop the tallest building along the Atlantic Ocean with a 360-degree view.
The restaurant floor doesn’t rotate if you’ve previously dined at rotating restaurants with a similar shape in another state.
Keep that in mind, if you’re planning for a sunset dinner. Remember that the sun goes down on the opposite side of the ocean.
We enjoyed cocktail drinks at the bar around sunset for stunning views at every turn.
For an even greater value take advantage of their Early Bird Menu.
From Sunday to Thursday, from 4-5PM, the all-inclusive menu includes 1 appetizer and 1 main course for $32.
A Memorable Meal at Millie’s Restaurant & Catering
3218 S Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach Shores, FL
I’m not going to gatekeep on this one, although it could be tempting to keep this dining gem to myself but their food is too great not to share!
This tide-to-table scratch kitchen is unassuming on the outside, which makes it an even better discovery after you dine there… and why I would feel guilty if I didn’t tell you about it.
If you didn’t know about someone’s previous first-hand experience with their food you’d probably drive past the strip mall without a second glance.
Millie’s prides itself on being a community restaurant which is why the locals are superfans and tourists can’t wait to return after their love at first bite.
Millie’s is open daily for lunch and dinner and has even been featured by Guy Fieri on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on the Food Network.
The restaurant is cozy with several dining nooks for guests to choose from.
I’ve tried gator bites at multiple restaurants in the South but BBQ smoked alligator ribs were a first.
Be open-minded and you’ll be in for a treat. I liked their alligator ribs more than my previous experience with gator bites at other restaurants.
The Florida gator ribs are prepared with a house-made Florida sweet rum BBQ sauce and served on Texas toast
Their Smoked Fish Dip is made with house-smoked local fish and served with a crostini.
If you prefer a lighter dish, try the Winter Salad made with fresh spinach, roasted beets, pickled red onions, maple pecan brittle, goat cheese crumbles, and white balsamic dressing.
Normally, my go-to soup would be a seafood chowder or gumbo in the South but their Steak and Mushroom Cream Soup is worth going rogue for.
The Filet and shrimp fondue is the chef’s kiss. The 7oz grass-fed filet rests on rustic mash, and green beans, and is topped with local white shrimp and pepper jack fondue.
Just looking back at the picture makes me want to go back and savor every bite.
Another great option is the Local Fish or Shrimp Francaise with the fresh fish of the day, Angel Hair pasta, and Lemon Caper Beurre Blanc.
Make sure to save room for dessert. Their Lemon Bar has a shortbread crust, berry coulis, and house-made whipped cream.
The Tropical Bread Pudding is a unique twist on a classic made with butter cake, pineapple, coconut, macadamia nuts, white chocolate, and guava glaze.
Dine By the Lighthouse at Hidden Treasure Rum Bar & Grill
4940 South Peninsula Drive, Ponce Inlet, FL
If you worked up a thirst or an appetite after visiting the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, Hidden Treasure Rum Bar & Grill is a great spot on the waterfront with scenic views of Ponce Inlet.
You may notice the sign upon approach that states it’s the last remaining “Old Florida” Fish Camp Restaurant on Florida’s East Coast.
There are also a few other sassy signs near the entrance that’ll put a smile on your face.
The restaurant has indoor seating and outdoor dining options with plenty of shade.
Guests can be comfortable just about anywhere with the additional outdoor fans and lots of seating at the bar.
The ancient oak tree is also worth mentioning because weaved its way to be part of the outdoor dining experience.
We stopped at Hidden Treasure for appetizers because we weren’t very hungry, but we wanted to check it out while enjoying the waterfront views and I was so impressed.
I have a few recommendations. Their award-winning Cheesy Crab Fritters are a MUST!
The house recipe is made with the perfect blend of cheese and crabmeat, lightly fried and served with HT’s jalapeño bacon ranch.
The Smoked Fish Dip is made from Mahi Mahi and served with fresh house corn tortilla chips.
The Coconut Shrimp are hand-breaded and rolled in coconut, served with sweet Thai chili sauce.
You’ll find something on the menu whether it’s fresh seafood, sandwiches, and more.
A Sweet Treat at Lighthouse Ice Cream & Snacks
4958 South Peninsula Drive, Suite 1, Ponce Inlet, FL
While in the area, treat yourself to a sweet treat at Lighthouse Ice Cream & Snacks.
They serve snacks, Hershey’s Ice Cream, sundaes, shaved ice, and more!
Their extreme shakes are themed, photo-worthy, and over the top. I tried the Sea Turtle Shake with mint flavors and candy pieces.
It was delicious and more than enough for one person!
Fresh Catch From Hull’s Seafood Restaurant & Market
111 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL
Hull’s Seafood Restaurant is another great option for fresh seafood in a casual atmosphere.
The restaurant has a fleet of six fishing vessels and also sources from local fishermen.
For appetizers, we tried their Smoked fish spread and their Shark bites. The smoked fish dip is made with in-house smoked fish, fresh jalapenos, and a blend of herbs and spices.
The Shark Bites are locally caught Atlantic Sharpnose shark, tenderized, fried, and served with remoulade sauce.
I’d tried gator bites before and was curious about their shark bites because it was the first time I’d seen them on the menu.
I tried the Blackened snapper with Bahamian conch chowder and red potatoes.
Their Blackened mackerel with rice and black beans is another great option.
Make sure that you save room for their Key Lime pie.
Caffeine Stop at Gold Leaf Coffee Co.
17 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL
Gold Leaf Coffee Co. is a great place to stop for specialty coffee, tea, or bagels. Their coffee is sourced from Steel Oak Coffee, a local rooster in Ormond Beach.
There are several seating areas for guests inside, perfect for meeting a friend or catching up on work.
On a beautiful day take advantage of the additional seating outside. You’re also within walking distance of downtown shops if you want to take your coffee to go.
Shop With a Mimosa at Rosie’s Cafe
136 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL
Rosie’s Cafe is also home to the $1 mimosa! What’s even better is you can enjoy your mimosa while you shop.
Rosie’s Cafe menu has breakfast and lunch menu items.
The cafe is located within Dunn‘s Attic, a 12,000-square-foot consignment shop with antiques, furniture, decor, jewelry, and more.
Cajun Cuisine at River Grille on the Tomoka
950 US-1, Ormond Beach, FL
Enjoy Florida seafood with Cajun flair at River Grille on the Tomoka.
A cup of clam chowder is a great starter, especially on a cooler day.
I highly recommend their Florida Reuben. It’s made with Cajun, Grilled or Fried fish, provolone cheese, slaw, and remoulade on a toasted marble rye.
I ordered my fish Cajun style and asked for extra remoulade to dip my fries in.
If you sit outside there are nice scenic views of the river.
1930s Vibes at 31 Supper Club
31 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL
If you’re a fan of Art Deco design, the 31 Supper Club is a must!
This restaurant is filled with pieces and designs that nod to the 1930s.
The main bar was salvaged from a speakeasy in Cicero Chicago that during the 1920s was previously controlled by Al Capone.
New York’s famed El Morocco nightclub inspired the zebra print chairs.
There is also rare art from Frederick Dana Marsh, owner, and builder of the “Battleship House” in Ormond Beach which has since been demolished.
Happy Hour is from 4-7 PM Monday- Thursday and there is seating inside and a nice covered patio area outside. The restaurant is open for dinners nightly and Sunday brunch.
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Thanks for sharing – we are headed to Daytona for Spring Break so I’ll be checking some of these out!
Hi Nedra, I would like to visit Daytona Beach what month would be the best where it’s not to hot or to cold. Also, what about the new area called Margarita Ville. I want to move there, do u know anything about this new area?
HI Nedra, this is a very nice list of food places in Daytona Beach, and great photos too! Thank you.