Tallahassee restaurants we wish made USA Today Restaurant of the Year
Every year USA Today releases its best restaurants list, here is a few Tallahassee restaurants we think should be added to it.
- Tallahassee offers a vibrant cocktail culture with various bars featuring unique and classic drinks.
- Featured bars include Bar 1903, Flamingos, Hayward House, Madison Social, and The Monroe.
- Each bar offers a distinct atmosphere and specialized cocktail menus, from historic settings to Miami-inspired vibes.
We are continuing our exploration of quintessential Tallahassee summer food traditions for the next three weeks. Last week, we scooped into five spots in honor of National Ice Cream Day.
This week its only feels right to toast the city nestled between two major universities — a place where our cocktail culture is alive and well. Beer lovers don’t worry, these spots have a nice selection of brews too.
From refreshing cocktails to cozy restaurant bars in all their historic richness, here are a few local favorites to help you sip into the summer mood.
Cafe de Martin
Details: 2743 Capital Circle NE; 850-900-5969; cafedemartin.com
The tropical seating area with blooming flowers outdoors and the brightly colored Peruvian decor inside will transport you to an exotic locale right off Capital Circle at Cafe de Martin, which opened in 2021 and added El Bar in 2023. The cocktails will seal the deal. Mango Picchu, anyone?
The cafe, co-owned by chef Martín Araujo Bohorquez and Tallahassee financial advisor Gary Parsons, has been enhancing its menu and setting ever since it opened. Menu items include ceviche, causas and spring rolls. Celebrate summer with pisco sours, sangria and authentic Peruvian fare. El Bar’s other cocktails include the Passion Fruit Chilcano, Negroni, caprina, the old fashioned, Manhattans and Moscow Mule, among others, plus beer and wine, including Ology Brewing Company’s Sensory Overload IPA.
Flamingoz A Taste of Miami
Details: 620-1 Railroad Sq.; 1600 W. Call St.; flamingoztallahassee.com
If you’re looking to escape to South Florida, you’re bound to get a taste of Miami at Flamingoz. The “Magic City” aspect translates to their decadent cocktails whether through a flower garnish or its dry ice smoky effects these drinks are far from supernatural. In honor of football season and their nightlife events the bar releases new drinks frequently.
Signature cocktails include “On Miami Time” made with Hennessey, grand marnier, and a strawberry, guava and passion fruit puree. Another drink includes the “Miami Melon Margarita” made with watermelon pucker, tequila, orange liqueur, sour mix and if a sugar rim isn’t convincing enough the watermelon popsicle garnish should do the trick.
Hayward House
Details: 228 S. Adams St.; 850-825-7081; haywardhousetlh.com
If you’re taking a stroll downtown and looking for a spot to stop, the American bistro Hayward House on the coveted corner of Adams and Jefferson streets offers the perfect ambiance. As soon as one enters, the full-service bar centered in the heart of the bistro and the tall golden shelf of alcoholic beverages draws guests in.
The drink menu features specialty cocktails including their most popular, “Tupelo Old Fashioned,” prepared with whiskey, locally sourced Tupelo Honey, bitters, cherry and orange. Their signature cocktails includes the “Rascal Yard,” a name derived from a former site where people would gather, talk and sell things. It is now the site of the City Hall and just like the history of Tallahassee this drink is “a little bit sweet” and “a little spicy.” This drink honoring the capital city in all its glory is made with tequila, mango, firewater and citrus. Other drinks include their white and red wines by the glass or bottle, and tap beers from local breweries including Ology and Proof Brewing Company.
Madison Social
705 S. Woodward Ave.; 850-894-6276; madisonsocial.com
The name of the game this week is cocktails and Madison Social scores every time or should we say every month. As Eric Pounders, marketing director of For the Tables Hospitality says, “there’s unlimited kind of cocktails that you can create on a variety of menus.” This casual restaurant located in the heart of College Town offers all the right vibes for game day but the night wouldn’t be complete without a sip of one of their crafted cocktails. Each month Madison Social debuts seven mixers relating to a theme. This month’s theme was red, white and blue or United States. Outside of the drinks being the nation’s signature, bold colors, the mixed drinks also used ingredients or products from the states.
Drinks included the “Born to Run,” made with Smirnoff Blueberry, lemon, sour, lemon lime soda, grenadine and blue curacao. The “Lady Liberty” is made with Tito’s, Triple Sec, lime and cranberry juice. Next month’s theme hits close to home, and the pavements of Tallahassee with “If These Roads Could Talk.”
The Monroe
1327 S. Monroe St.; 448-231-2965; themonroetlh.com
Fresh off of landing a spot in Taste of the South magazine, it’s always Happy Hour at the southside Tallahassee restaurant, The Monroe. In tandem with its “sister company, Walls Distilling Co., and their new line of Florida Standard Spirits,” the fine dining restaurant is constantly stirring up new beverages to sip on.
Their approach to their beverage menu? Creativity, seasonality and its deep commitment to quality. “Our team focuses on crafting elegant, refreshing cocktails that evolve with the seasons, balancing approachability with a distinct point of view,” director of branding, Tyler Sheridan said.
The spirits menu includes “The Monroe Martini” made with Walls Vodka, basil, olive brine and olives. On the “Summer Spritz” menu you’ll find the “Limoncello Spritz” made with Walls Vodka Limoncello, sparkling wine, soda and blueberries. They also offer a specialty cocktail of the week, but you’ll have to dine in to find out.
This article includes previously reported information. Kyla A Sanford covers dining and entertainment for the Tallahassee Democrat. New restaurant opening up, special deals, or events coming up? Let me know at ksanford@tallahassee.com. You can also email your suggestions for a future TLH Eats restaurant profile.