Hey folks - welcome to FSU week! I've been living in Tallahassee for about 8 years now - resharing this list of recommendations for your visit to the area.
Swanky Bars:
Charlie Park - Best service and mixology in town, at the top of the AC Hotel. Overlooks Cascades Park.
Eve on Adams - Rooftop bar in heart of downtown - great view of the city from the center.
Level 8 Lounge - The OG rooftop bar in Tallahassee. A city staple.
Bar 1903 - 1920s Speakeasy/library feel. Interesting selection of libations.
Fine Dining:
The Huntsman - By far my top recommendation for an outstanding dinner. Thoughtful menu that presents unique entrees (e.g. elk, antelope, bison, etc.)
Backwoods Crossing - Hidden gem of Tallahassee, off the beaten path. Thoughtful farm-to-table meals.
Il Lusso - best steaks in town. Really outstanding food, although service in my experience has been spotty.
Cluster & Hops - Another overlooked gem of Tallahassee. Wine shop and European-style restaurant - very quaint, old-town feel. (This is currently closed for relocation, but deserves recognition.)
Other Good Eats:
Sage - great French-inspired food, good service - on the northside of town, a little further away from campus.
Lucilla - Spanish tapas-style restaurant, well-thought combinations.
The Edison - Very cool ambiance, solid American menu. Overlooks Cascades Park.
Savour - French-inspired restaurant in downtown. Old-fashioned ambiance, very service-oriented.
Kool Beanz Cafe - NOLA-themed with big entrees and casual, funky atmosphere.
The Monroe - Relatively new restaurant to Tallahassee. Some fun items on their menu, like a parmesan funnel cake.
Mexican/Tacos:
Maria Maria - Cleanest, most genuine Mexican food you'll find in Tallahassee. Cheese dip and salsa carry their own twists. "Street-style" prep is my preference.
El Concinero - Great if you want some well-crafted cocktails with some tasty tacos.
Pizza:
Gaines Street Pies - Superhero-themed pizza place near campus. Some unique topping combos to expand your pizza experience.
Momo's - Tallahassee Staple, well-known for the massive size of their extra large pizzas.
Asian:
Masa - great Japanese and sushi. Haven't had anything here I didn't like.
Azu Lucy Ho's - diverse selection of Asian dishes from a variety of cultures.
Dao - On the north end of town, away from campus. Szechuan Beef is outstanding.
Dessert:
Au Peche Mignon - French patisserie. Really nicely crafted desserts of all sorts.
Lofty Pursuits - Great ice cream shop well-known for its old-fashioned candy making. Grab a scoop and you might get to see them making candy while you eat.
Tasty Pastry - Another pastry shop on the northside of town. Great cookies for gameday if you want to pick up some fresh treats for your tailgate.
Bar on Betton - Nice little bar with a wide selection of cakes for a great nightcap and dessert.
Breweries:
Oyster City - Best beer of the local breweries. Brewery is actually based in Apalachicola, but has a Tallahassee satellite. Walkable to stadium.
Ology - TLH's most ambitious brewery - their bread and butter is IPAs, sours, and goses. They also have leapt into the distilling market.
Proof - Probably TLH's most accomplished brewery. Their space is pretty cool, and they have a solid menu of food to accompany your suds.
Bars:
The Lounge - Small bar on the northside. Best selection of bourbons/whiskeys
Madison Social - Probably Tallahassee's equivalent to Tiger Town Tavern, but a little more upscale.
Liberty Bar - Great eats, smart cocktail menu.
Fermentation Lounge - Great watering hole - nice beer selection.
Growler Country - on the northside - excellent beer selection.
Other Recommendations:
BURGERS - Midtown Caboose - wide array of clever burger creations.
INDIAN - Mayuri - great, authentic Indian eats. The Fire Naan is, well, fire.
OYSTERS - Bird's Aphrodisiac Oyster Shack - Interesting oyster menu, and worth going just to get the shirt.
WINGS - Island Wing Company - Solid menu with unique approach - everything is baked, not fried.
BAR EATS - Bumpas Local 349 - Great eats, nice little bar/restaurant.
There are lots of brunch options all throughout Tallahassee - Sage, The Edison, Sweet Pea Cafe, The Egg, Jeri's Midtown Cafe, Canopy Road Cafe, Maple Street Biscuit Company, Lofty Pursuits (treat your kids to ice cream AND pancakes) - tons of options in this department.
OTHER THINGS TO DO:
Parks - Tallahassee has an extremely good parks and recreation system, and lots of great hiking trails. If you can make time, you should check them out.
Wakulla Springs - HIGHLY RECOMMEND you take the family on the boat tour if you can make time for it - guaranteed to see 10-20 alligators, lots of waterfowl, and a good chance you'll see some snakes and potentially even some manatees, although the best time for manatees is March-Sept. Very cool and relatively inexpensive experience to see North Florida at its best.
Feel free to let me know if you have any questions about Tallahassee, and safe travels to everyone!
Swanky Bars:
Charlie Park - Best service and mixology in town, at the top of the AC Hotel. Overlooks Cascades Park.
Eve on Adams - Rooftop bar in heart of downtown - great view of the city from the center.
Level 8 Lounge - The OG rooftop bar in Tallahassee. A city staple.
Bar 1903 - 1920s Speakeasy/library feel. Interesting selection of libations.
Fine Dining:
The Huntsman - By far my top recommendation for an outstanding dinner. Thoughtful menu that presents unique entrees (e.g. elk, antelope, bison, etc.)
Backwoods Crossing - Hidden gem of Tallahassee, off the beaten path. Thoughtful farm-to-table meals.
Il Lusso - best steaks in town. Really outstanding food, although service in my experience has been spotty.
Cluster & Hops - Another overlooked gem of Tallahassee. Wine shop and European-style restaurant - very quaint, old-town feel. (This is currently closed for relocation, but deserves recognition.)
Other Good Eats:
Sage - great French-inspired food, good service - on the northside of town, a little further away from campus.
Lucilla - Spanish tapas-style restaurant, well-thought combinations.
The Edison - Very cool ambiance, solid American menu. Overlooks Cascades Park.
Savour - French-inspired restaurant in downtown. Old-fashioned ambiance, very service-oriented.
Kool Beanz Cafe - NOLA-themed with big entrees and casual, funky atmosphere.
The Monroe - Relatively new restaurant to Tallahassee. Some fun items on their menu, like a parmesan funnel cake.
Mexican/Tacos:
Maria Maria - Cleanest, most genuine Mexican food you'll find in Tallahassee. Cheese dip and salsa carry their own twists. "Street-style" prep is my preference.
El Concinero - Great if you want some well-crafted cocktails with some tasty tacos.
Pizza:
Gaines Street Pies - Superhero-themed pizza place near campus. Some unique topping combos to expand your pizza experience.
Momo's - Tallahassee Staple, well-known for the massive size of their extra large pizzas.
Asian:
Masa - great Japanese and sushi. Haven't had anything here I didn't like.
Azu Lucy Ho's - diverse selection of Asian dishes from a variety of cultures.
Dao - On the north end of town, away from campus. Szechuan Beef is outstanding.
Dessert:
Au Peche Mignon - French patisserie. Really nicely crafted desserts of all sorts.
Lofty Pursuits - Great ice cream shop well-known for its old-fashioned candy making. Grab a scoop and you might get to see them making candy while you eat.
Tasty Pastry - Another pastry shop on the northside of town. Great cookies for gameday if you want to pick up some fresh treats for your tailgate.
Bar on Betton - Nice little bar with a wide selection of cakes for a great nightcap and dessert.
Breweries:
Oyster City - Best beer of the local breweries. Brewery is actually based in Apalachicola, but has a Tallahassee satellite. Walkable to stadium.
Ology - TLH's most ambitious brewery - their bread and butter is IPAs, sours, and goses. They also have leapt into the distilling market.
Proof - Probably TLH's most accomplished brewery. Their space is pretty cool, and they have a solid menu of food to accompany your suds.
Bars:
The Lounge - Small bar on the northside. Best selection of bourbons/whiskeys
Madison Social - Probably Tallahassee's equivalent to Tiger Town Tavern, but a little more upscale.
Liberty Bar - Great eats, smart cocktail menu.
Fermentation Lounge - Great watering hole - nice beer selection.
Growler Country - on the northside - excellent beer selection.
Other Recommendations:
BURGERS - Midtown Caboose - wide array of clever burger creations.
INDIAN - Mayuri - great, authentic Indian eats. The Fire Naan is, well, fire.
OYSTERS - Bird's Aphrodisiac Oyster Shack - Interesting oyster menu, and worth going just to get the shirt.
WINGS - Island Wing Company - Solid menu with unique approach - everything is baked, not fried.
BAR EATS - Bumpas Local 349 - Great eats, nice little bar/restaurant.
There are lots of brunch options all throughout Tallahassee - Sage, The Edison, Sweet Pea Cafe, The Egg, Jeri's Midtown Cafe, Canopy Road Cafe, Maple Street Biscuit Company, Lofty Pursuits (treat your kids to ice cream AND pancakes) - tons of options in this department.
OTHER THINGS TO DO:
Parks - Tallahassee has an extremely good parks and recreation system, and lots of great hiking trails. If you can make time, you should check them out.
Wakulla Springs - HIGHLY RECOMMEND you take the family on the boat tour if you can make time for it - guaranteed to see 10-20 alligators, lots of waterfowl, and a good chance you'll see some snakes and potentially even some manatees, although the best time for manatees is March-Sept. Very cool and relatively inexpensive experience to see North Florida at its best.
Feel free to let me know if you have any questions about Tallahassee, and safe travels to everyone!
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