Fried green tomatoes are one of those Southern classics that turn a simple side into the star of the plate. Florida has plenty of kitchens that get the crispy coating and tangy bite just right, from busy blues cafes to easygoing waterfront diners.
This list rounds up eight spots across the state where the fried green tomatoes are worth ordering before anything else. Whether you are road tripping through the Panhandle or grabbing brunch near the coast, these kitchens are the kind of places you will want to remember.
1. Five Sisters Blues Cafe, Pensacola, FL
Live music and Creole-style Southern cooking share the spotlight at this energetic spot on West Belmont Street in Pensacola. The room carries a historic, casual feel, and the menu leans into comfort food done well.
The fried green tomatoes here are a standout starter, and they land alongside heavy hitters like award-winning fried chicken, chicken and waffles, oxtails, and a seafood platter. A sampler appetizer plate pairs the tomatoes with andouille-crusted shrimp and crab cakes if you want to try a bit of everything.
Most plates fall in the ten to twenty dollar range, which keeps things approachable. It is open Monday through Thursday from 11 AM to 9 PM, later on Friday and Saturday, and Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Sunday afternoons and weekend evenings tend to fill up, so brunch reservations are a smart move. There is usually plenty of parking, with free lots and street options nearby.
2. Earley’s Kitchen, Tallahassee, FL
Breakfast lovers have a real friend on South Monroe Street, where this casual Tallahassee kitchen serves Southern fare that leans homemade in the best way. Grits, collards, cornbread, and mac and cheese round out the sides.
The fried green tomatoes taste like they came out of a family kitchen, and there is even a fried tomato sandwich on the menu that keeps prices friendly. Other favorites include fried catfish with two sides, oxtail osso buco, and a meat, egg, and cheese plate.
Portions run generous, and most meals stay in the ten to twenty dollar range. The atmosphere is quiet and homey, with free wi-fi if you need to linger over coffee and tea.
Hours skew toward breakfast and lunch, opening at 6:30 AM on weekdays and running until 2 PM, with slightly later starts on the weekend. Parking is easy, and reservations are accepted.
3. Uptown Kitchen & Bar, Jacksonville, FL
Modern twists on diner food are the calling card at this Springfield-area spot on North Main Street in Jacksonville. The space is stylish and light-filled, with an open kitchen and a patio for easygoing meals.
Fried green tomatoes come out crunchy and flavorful, and they make a great start to a table full of Louisiana-inspired plates. Think oxtail over gouda grits, fried chicken and waffles, and appetizer voodoo balls.
Meals here run a little higher, in the twenty to thirty dollar range, and the menu covers full vegan and vegetarian options too. Weekend mornings draw the biggest crowds, so plan around Saturday and Sunday brunch.
Hours cover breakfast through mid-afternoon daily, with dinner service added Thursday through Saturday. Parking can be a bit tricky to find, so give yourself a few extra minutes.
4. The Floridian Restaurant, St. Augustine, FL
Locally sourced Southern grub gets a modern, kitschy spin at this St. Augustine favorite on Old Beach Road. The setting mixes upscale touches with a cozy, historic charm.
Fried green tomatoes here are often called the best some folks have had, and they are plated with real care. Round out the meal with a cornbread stack, biscuits and belly, shrimp and grits, or steak frites.
Vegan and vegetarian eaters get plenty of room to roam, with pimento cheese, a cheese board, and chips and dips on offer. Prices sit in the twenty to thirty dollar range.
The kitchen is closed on Tuesdays but open the rest of the week, running later on Friday and Saturday nights. Dinner reservations are recommended, and there is on-site parking plus free street spots.
5. Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’, Lake Buena Vista, FL
Farm-to-table comfort food with a celebrity chef pedigree waits at this spacious spot in Lake Buena Vista. Chef Art Smith built the menu around local Florida ingredients and grandma-style recipes.
The fried green tomatoes arrive with a light, crispy batter and earn top marks as an appetizer. They share the lineup with Church Lady deviled eggs, Thigh High chicken biscuits, Art’s famous fried chicken, and fried chicken and doughnuts.
Expect twenty to thirty dollars per person and a menu that stays vegetarian-friendly throughout. Because it sits in a busy dining district, there is usually a wait, so reservations across brunch, lunch, and dinner are the way to go.
Hours run long, from 11 AM to 11 PM on weekdays and starting at 9 AM on weekends. Free parking is plentiful, including a garage.
6. Fred’s Market Restaurant, Riverview, FL
Big appetites find a happy home at this family-friendly stop on US-301 in Riverview, where homestyle Southern food is the whole point. The buffet-style spread makes it easy to build a plate exactly how you want it.
The fried green tomatoes get called exceptionally excellent, and they sit next to fried chicken, cornbread, green beans, mashed potatoes with gravy, mac and cheese, and pecan pie. There is also a salad buffet and blue plate specials for solid value.
Most meals land in the ten to twenty dollar range, which is why families keep coming back. Weekends stay busy from morning through evening, while Tuesday mornings are the calmest.
Hours run early to late, 7 AM to 9 PM most days and 8 AM on Sundays. Reservations are not accepted, but parking is easy to find.
7. Stella’s, Gulfport, FL
Coastal brunch fans have a go-to in Gulfport, where this homey daytime diner on Beach Boulevard South turns Southern comfort into a morning event. The vibe is casual and fun, with a beachy neighborhood feel.
Fried green tomatoes here come crispy on the outside and pair beautifully with creamy grits. You will also find a Fried Green Tomato Benedict, Gulfport-style French toast, banana nut French toast, and a big cheese omelette.
Prices stay in the ten to twenty dollar range, and the menu keeps full vegan and vegetarian options in the mix. Dogs are welcome inside and out, which makes it an easy stop while exploring the waterfront town.
It opens at 7 AM daily, running until 7 PM most days and 3 PM on Sundays. Reservations are accepted, and parking is usually simple.
8. The Mason Jar Cafe, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Down-home cooking with a little coastal flair rounds out the list at this easygoing cafe on North Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. The menu reads like homestyle American classics, from meatloaf to chicken pot pie.
The fried green tomatoes come dressed up with fresh lump crabmeat, giving them a nice twist beyond the standard version. Pair them with lobster bisque, country fried chicken, short rib sandwich, or pork chops.
Portions run generous, and prices stretch from ten to forty dollars depending on what you order. The setting is quiet and cozy, and service tends to move quickly.
Hours split into lunch and dinner windows, 11:30 AM to 3 PM and 5:30 to 8 PM Monday through Saturday, with Sundays closed. Dinner reservations are recommended, and parking is usually plentiful.
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