Best Chef in Florida: Clay Conley
Chef Clay Conley has a tremendous gift for taking simple, fresh ingredients and bringing them together to create a memorable culinary experience. He opened Buccan in 2011, and the restaurant helped pave the way for a more culturally diverse dining scene in Palm Beach, Florida. Since then, Conley has launched Imoto, a Japanese/Asian concept; Grato, a neighborhood restaurant featuring seasonal dishes; and Buccan Sandwich Shop, a fast-casual sandwich concept. In addition to his expanding culinary influences, Conley continues to support both community and national efforts to combat hunger and food insecurity. It’s not surprising he has received accolades from local and national media as well as seven James Beard nominations.
Clay Conley’s Florida Recommendations
Hogfish Bar & Grill, Key West/Stock Island
This is always our first and last stop while visiting Key West. Love the chill vibe and the namesake sandwich.
I love the high-quality ingredients and such attention to detail in a cookie.
In a city with a lot of very good Asian offerings, Tori Tori still stands out, with its charcoal grilled meats and casual vibes.
Mon Delice French Bakery, New Smyrna Beach
The sandwiches are very simple, but it’s all about the homemade bread and a heavy dousing of an addictive French vinaigrette.
I love the bright bold flavors of the Peruvian Japanese-inspired food here.
Best Mixologist in Florida: Ashley Demonte-Howard
Grape & Grain Exchange, Jacksonville
Ashley Demonte-Howard started in the hospitality industry while bartending through culinary school. She quickly realized making craft cocktails was the perfect outlet to channel her passion for pairing ingredients to create unique flavor profiles. Her innovative approach to mixology is evident in her roles as beverage director at reservation-only Mayport Garden Club and as an operating partner with her husband, Miles, at Grape & Grain Exchange in Jacksonville. She’s always happy to share her knowledge via classes, consulting, special events, and fundraisers to help other professionals succeed and to build a strong community in the hospitality industry.
Ashley Demonte-Howard’s Florida Recommendations
Neighborhood rum bar with the BEST rum drinks and the BEST Cuban food.
Their menu is always rotating but the pasta is always fresh. Get anything with mushrooms.
Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Co., Miami Beach
They have one of the largest spirits collections in the country. The staff is very knowledgeable and absolute machines to watch sling at such a high volume.
Restaurant Doro, Neptune Beach
My go-to celebratory dining spot, with a simple and intimate ambiance. Sitting at the bar and watching the chefs work is my favorite.
Amazing staff, pool, darts, karaoke, outdoor seating, not to mention a very eclectic crowd that makes for good people watching.
The Best of Florida
Best New Restaurant: Coro Restaurant, Orlando
Coro’s inviting ambiance with floor-to-ceiling windows, light wood, and green accents sets the stage for a luxurious dining experience. Chef Tim Lovero puts the spotlight on seasonal and local ingredients in a show of culinary artistry. An ever-evolving menu features American-style small plates with big flavor and a selection of natural wines.
Best Tried and True Restaurant: Kool Beanz Café, Tallahassee
Open since 1996, Kool Beanz Café has built a loyal following by consistently serving innovative dishes for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch (don’t sleep on the chicken and waffles). The eclectic menu changes daily and desserts are a must-try. Sit at the bar for a view of the culinary action in the open kitchen.
Hottest Cocktail: Lamp & Shade Craft Kitchen and Cocktails, Orlando
Tiki-inspired craft cocktails offer plenty of unique options and pair perfectly with the menu items. Grab a spot at the bar or get comfortable on sofa seating. Try signature cocktails Miso Pretty (shochu, rum, miso orgeat, lime) or Meet Me at the Mobil (Novo Fogo cachaça, aloe, calamansi, lime).
Best Bakery: Born & Bread Bakehouse, Lakeland
Launched in 2015 at the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market, Born & Bread Bakehouse is now a brick-and-mortar bakery open Wednesday to Saturday. It’s best to preorder from a wide array of pastries, breads, and sandwiches, including croissants, muffins, cookies, and their signature item, the cruffin (filled croissants in a muffin shape).
Best Airport Dining: Hangar One Bistro, St. Augustine
No boarding pass is needed to dine at Hangar One Bistro, located in the Northeast Florida Regional Airport in St. Augustine. Linger over a gourmet meal with fine wines and seasonal cocktails while enjoying the view through large picture windows.
Best Brewery for Furbabies: Unrefined Brewing, Tarpon Springs
With a public dog park less than a mile away, the covered patio in front of Unrefined Brewing is the perfect spot to unwind with your dog while sipping one of their 20 selections on tap. Stout, porter, IPA, sour, and other styles are produced in their small-batch system.
Best Barbecue: Shiver’s Bar-B-Q, Homestead
Family-owned and operated since 1950, Shiver’s specializes in hickory-smoked barbecue. Long picnic tables add a homey feeling to the casual and rustic setting. Meals come with your choice of standard sides along with cheesy hashbrown casserole, cornbread soufflé, jalapeño cheese grits, and seasonal favorite pumpkin soufflé.
Best Waterfront Dining: Seaside Café at the Mansion on the Sea, Key West
Located right on the water next to the southernmost point in the US, the views and food at Seaside Café are spectacular. Known for their lobster pizza and honey-butter lobster biscuits, the restaurant’s other standout dishes include Duval Street corn pizza, garlic aïoli fries, and piña colada key lime pie.
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Lauren Titus
Officially known as the Boss of Food in her family, Lauren is a long-time Northeast Florida foodie, who brings over thirty years experience in our area's local food movement to the magazine, along with a passion and expertise in baking and front yard farming. After a career in digital production and enterprise content management, Lauren is excited to be focused on her first loves: writing and talking about food and the vital role it plays in our community. Lauren lives with her husband in St. Augustine, and while her children have flown from the nest, they continue to support the local food scenes in Austin and Los Angeles.