24 Florida-based restaurant chains that are actually good

SoFresh

Locations: Downtown Tampa, South Tampa, North Tampa
Happiness does come in a bowl. This fast-casual Tampa-based chain is quickly becoming a local's fav for fresh healthy options.

Photo via SoFresh/Facebook

Metro Diner

Locations: All over Florida, and the South
Metro Diner is quickly becoming one of Florida's biggest exports. The chicken and waffle purveyors got their start in Tampa and now they're pretty much everywhere.

Photo via Kahwa/Facebook

Kahwa Coffee

Locations: Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Sarasota
UPDATED:05/21/20 5:45 p.m.
Arguably one of Tampa Bay's most celebrated coffee shops, Kahwa is one of those chains that locals actually like, and for good reason. Don't come asking for a caramel machiato though (Kahwa's version of a caramel latte is a a traditional Italian espresso, which you can add caramel to). Do grab a few of those ham and cheese croissants, however, and order a "salted caramel latte" if you must.

Photo via Kahwa/Facebook

Hawkers Asian Street Fare

Locations: Orlando, St. Petersburg, Jacksonville, Neptune Beach, Windermere
Since opening its first location in Orlando in 2011, this Asian street food establishment has expanded across Florida and will soon be opening two out-of-state locations. Inspired by Asian “hawkers,” or street food vendors who depend on local ingredients, the restaurant owners hand-picked the most authentic Asian street foods to offer to customers.

Photo via Hawkers Asian Street Fare/Facebook

Twistee Treat

Locations: 2 Orlando, 7 Kissimmee, Clermont, Davenport, New Smyrna Beach, Cape Canaveral, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, Ocala, Tampa Metro Area, Sebring, Homosassa
Twistee Treats’ giant ice cream cone buildings have been popping up around Central Florida and serving homemade soft-serve ice cream ever since 1987. This place offers ice cream in all forms, such as twirls, sundaes, shakes/malts, waffle taco, cookiewich, brownie boat, banana split and more.

Photo via Twistee Treat USA (UCF)/Facebook

Jeremiah’s Italian Ice

Locations: 4 Orlando, Longwood, Maitland, Casselberry, Oviedo, Lake Nona, Winter Park, Lake Mary, Winter Springs, Windermere, Tampa, Brandon, Jacksonville, Coral Springs, Miami, Daytona Beach
Known for its sweet mix of gelato, Italian ice and soft serve, this frozen treat chain has become a Florida classic. With over 40 flavors to choose from, anyone can find a treat to cool them off on a hot Florida day.

Photo via Jeremiah’s Italian Ice/Facebook

Buddy Brew

Locations: Multiple in Tampa and Sarasota
Launched by Tampa Bay couple Susan and David Ward, Buddy Brew is a passion project that grew into a local obsession.

Photo via Buddy Brew/Facebook

Noble Crust

Locations: Tampa, St. Petersburg, Wesley Chapel
Executive Chef Rob Reinsmith is a Pinellas County native, and his Italian fare changes with the seasons.

Photo via Noble Crust/Facebook

Tijuana Flats

Locations: 10 Orlando, Winter Park, Casselberry, Altamonte Springs, Oviedo, Apopka, Longwood, Winter Garden, Winter Springs, Windermere, Jacksonville Metro Area, Tampa Metro Area, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Metro Area, Daytona Beach, Gainesville, multiple out-of-state
First opened in Winter Park, this Tex-Mex chain provides a casual setting to enjoy burritos, chimichangas, tostadas, flautas, enchiladas, tacos and more.

Photo via Tijuana Flats/Facebook

Blind Tiger

Locations: Ybor City, Seminole Heights, SoHo
Started in Cigar City, Blind Tiger's speakeasy style has caught on in Tampa Bay, and so have their cold brews.

Photo via Blind Tiger/Facebook

Yard House

Locations: Orlando, Miami Beach, Naples, Boca Raton, Coral Gables, Hallandale Beach, Palm Beach, Sunrise, multiple out-of-state
This California-founded, Orlando-based sports bar chain boasts the world’s largest selection of draft beer. Here you can enjoy all the American food classics, like steak, seafood, burgers and sandwiches.

Photo via Yard House/Facebook

4 Rivers Smokehouse

Locations: 2 Orlando, Winter Park, Tampa, Coral Springs, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Kissimmee, Orange Park, Longwood, Winter Garden, Tallahassee, Atlanta
Florida born and bred, this barbeque restaurant is every meat lover’s dream. Here, you can indulge in all the BBQ classics, such as the signature angus brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken and brontosaurus beef rib.

Photo via 4 Rivers Smokehouse/Facebook

Bento Asian Kitchen + Sushi

Locations: 3 Orlando, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, St. Petersburg, Davie
This Florida-based Pan-Asian chain offers everything from sushi to pad Thai to Vietnamese pork chop. Enjoy rice bowls, noodle bowls and bento boxes that are big enough to last for several meals and tasty enough that you’ll want to eat it for several meals in a row.

Photo via BENTO asian kitchen + sushi/Facebook

Boca Kitchen, Bar and Market

Locations: Winter Park, Tampa, Sarasota, Riverview
Boca prides itself on offering fresh, locally sourced ingredients to customers, with a menu that depends on which ingredients are currently in season. Whether serving a spinach and goat cheese salad or smoked meatloaf, they always maintain the “farm-to-table” mentality.

Photo via Boca Winter Park/Facebook

Graffiti Junktion

Locations: 3 Orlando, Clermont, Longwood, Lake Nona, Lake Mary, Jacksonville
Enjoy some great burgers and fries in a colorful establishment. This Central Florida-based American Burger Bar offers a casual atmosphere with walls graffitied by local artists.

Photo via Graffiti Junktion Thornton Park/Facebook

The Melting Pot

Locations: Orlando, Longwood, Miami, Tampa, Pensacola, Sarasota, Fort Myers, St. Petersburg, Tallahassee, Destin, Melbourne, Boca Raton, Cooper City, Coral Springs, Palm Beach Gardens, multiple out-of-state
Enjoy an interactive dining experience at this fondue restaurant chain, which opened its first location in Maitland in 1975 and has since expanded across the world. The restaurant provides an array of different cheese fondues with entrees like steak, shrimp and more for dipping. There are also chocolate fondues to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth.

Photo via The Melting Pot/Facebook

Sonny’s BBQ

Locations: 3 Orlando, Oviedo, Sanford, Winter Park, Apopka, Tampa/St. Petersburg Metro Area, Panhandle, Ocala, Gainesville, Jacksonville Metro Area, multiple out-of-state
Sonny’s BBQ, headquartered in Maitland, is all about southern barbeque goodness. This chain features ribs, pulled pork, smoked wings and all other barbeque favorites.

Photo via Sonny’s BBQ/Facebook

Eddie V’s Prime Seafood

Locations: Orlando, Tampa, multiple out-of-state
Experience fresh seafood and prime steaks at this Orlando-headquartered restaurant. Though pricey, the food is well worth it, as it features everything from caviar to an Iceberg BLT.

Photo via Eddie V’s Prime Seafood/Facebook

Gator’s Dockside

Locations: 5 Orlando, Clermont, Jacksonville, Eustis, Gainesville, Yulee, Winter Springs, Ocoee, Tampa, St. Johns, The Villages, Ocala, Cape Canaveral, Apopka, Highland City, Apopka, Lake Mary, Lake City, Spring Hill, St. Cloud
Gator’s is one of the most quintessentially Floridian restaurants you can go to. It has a family-friendly sports bar feel, serving American comfort food, as well as offering actual gator meat.

Photo via Gators Dockside Ocoee/Facebook

World of Beer

Locations: 3 Orlando, Clermont, Brandon, Tampa, Melbourne, The Villages, Lady Lake, Gainesville, Panhandle, multiple out-of-state
As the name of the Tampa-based restaurant would suggest, this place is all about beer, offering 50 craft beers on tap and “over 500 in the cooler.” They also offer tavern fare, like flatbreads, burgers and bowls, to pair with the beers.

Photo via World of Beer (Plantation, FL)/Facebook