Nobody outside of Tallahassee wants to hear about our great cocktail bars. We’re supposed to be all football tailgates and political rallies. How could we possibly know what a perfectly balanced negroni tastes like? Well, we do.
Chow Won Korean Steakhouse
$$ | (850) 727-0384 | WEBSITE
This bustling Korean steakhouse in Tallahassee offers its all-you-can-eat concept with high-quality meats like Galbi and Bulgogi grilled hibachi-style right at your table. But the reason most people are here is for Chow Won’s memorable experience with its cute robot waiters zipping around the dining room. The all-you-can-eat is only $32 per person, and includes those delicious kitchen appetizers along with your choice of meats and vegetables to cook with friends.
It’s the most unique dining spot near the clubs, which means you should try to get there before 8pm if you want a table without waiting.
The Lounge At Market Square
$$ | WEBSITE
Since opening its doors, this cozy and relaxed cocktail bar has been serving up fantastic drinks to the Tallahassee crowd. It’s hard to go wrong with anything here, but if you don’t get the Black Martini at some point, your opinion of the place is void. Made with top-shelf liquors and hard-to-find favorites like Pappy, we aren’t overstating when we say this thing is a masterpiece.
The outside area is perfect for those who smoke, and the bartenders provide top-notch service whether you’re going solo, with friends, or on a date. Lines can get long on weekends so just arrive early to secure a spot in this great atmosphere.
The Edison – Restaurant Tallahassee
$$ | (850) 765-9771 | WEBSITE
Open since 2021, The Edison – Restaurant Tallahassee is a downtown destination where you can stop by for expertly crafted cocktails, Southern-inspired dishes, and other elevated bar fare. But if you arrive at this welcoming spot hungry, go for the phenomenal fried green tomatoes. Served with a creamy remoulade and crispy breading, this appetizer will easily keep you satisfied until your main course arrives—even if you just get the $12 starter portion.
Whatever you do, don’t leave without trying one of their delicious margaritas, perfectly balanced with fresh lime and quality tequila.
Casa Grande Margaritas & cocina
$ | (850) 727-5911 | WEBSITE
Casa Grande Margaritas & Cocina is a family-friendly Mexican spot in one of Tallahassee’s most pleasant dining corridors. The odds of seeing someone enjoying a meal on the outdoor porch are approximately 99.99%. Birria dishes are listed in five variations on the menu, and all have a following. We like the classic birria tacos with extra consommé, and the sleeper-hit Burrito Verde, which is packed with fresh ingredients and somehow sings.
If you’re debating between the burgers and the birria, know that trying both in one visit is a badge of honor here. Grab a margarita, some chips and salsa, a side of guacamole, and a seat on the porch on your way to your table.
The Getaway Grille and Bar
$ | (448) 209-9075 | WEBSITE
Open since 2020, The Getaway Grille and Bar is a classic, family-run spot near I-10 that’s one of our favorite quick dinner destinations in Tallahassee. You can’t go wrong with their Classic Burger (a juicy patty with all the fixings) or the blackened chicken sandwich with fries. What sets The Getaway apart most are their appetizers: tater tot logs, onion rings, and the best buffalo dip you’ll find in Florida.
If you aren’t walking out of The Getaway with at least two boxes full of leftovers under your arm, reconsider.
The Oasis Club and Lounge (formerly the Shriners Club)
$$ | (850) 575-1341 | WEBSITE
Tallahassee has worked long and hard at maintaining its reputation as a sleepy college town with limited nightlife. It’s why The Oasis Club and Lounge is such an enigma. Open since its days as the Shriners Club, this classic cocktail bar is one of the few lively-feeling places in the area. It’s also a great spot to post up and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere. Their drinks will forever have our heart, but the music selection is equally consistent.
Come weekends, the scene here is alive, but what’s a Friday in Tallahassee without spotting a crowd enjoying dancing and socializing in a cramped and tiny space.
Flamingoz A Taste of Miami
$$ | (850) 329-6490 | WEBSITE
A weekend night at Flamingoz A Taste of Miami is like stepping into the most vibrant tropical party in the city. There are laughing college students, families celebrating birthdays, and at least five groups who came straight from the art galleries nearby. Each one will tell you a different dish is their favorite. That’s par for the course at this lively Miami-inspired spot in the Railroad Square Art District, considering the menu bursts with delicious options.
For us, it’s all about the classics: crispy, juicy wings (especially during lunch specials), perfectly seasoned churrasco, and the best, most flavorful empanadas in town.
Backwoods Crossing
$$ | (850) 765-3753 | WEBSITE
Tallahassee has a handful of farm-to-table spots that each respective neighborhood swears by. The best among them is Backwoods Crossing. This hidden treasure has been impressing locals and visitors for years, and features a delicious variety of dishes (please standby, we’re still savoring the flavors) that’s filled with every fresh ingredient in the garden.
We highly endorse a weekend meal there—the crab cake balls and bacon-wrapped scallops are masterpieces—but your focus should be on the atmosphere. Charming gardens, friendly animals, and abundant lime and persimmon trees—if you see us leaving Backwoods Crossing with a contented smile, know that our evening is about to be way better than yours.
Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza
$ | (850) 270-3636 | WEBSITE
You could maybe argue this isn’t a true cocktail bar, but we don’t have time for that. We’re already seated for some of the best Italian food in the city. At first glance, Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza seems like a family-friendly pizza joint, but if you settle into the warm, inviting atmosphere, you’ll discover a place where culinary magic happens. The dishes coming out of the kitchen only have simple, quality ingredients—a testament to their excellent preparation. Just get here hungry.
When the generous portions arrive, you’ll understand why everyone keeps coming back.
The Power Plant Cafe
$ | (850) 536-6821 | WEBSITE
There’s nothing more refreshing than seeing the look on a coffee snob’s face when someone says Tallahassee has the best açaí bowls. So we’ll go ahead and say it again: Tallahassee has the best açaí bowls. And you’ll find proof at The Power Plant Cafe, a downtown Tallahassee gem that has been making the best açaí bowls in the city with top-notch organic ingredients.
The pièce de résistance is the signature açaí bowl with fresh fruit, granola, and honey drizzled over a perfect blend of organic açaí.
Savour
$$$ | (850) 765-6966 | WEBSITE
In case you haven’t been keeping up with Tallahassee’s dining scene, the capital city has quietly become a destination for upscale Southern cuisine. And that means we have some truly special restaurants worth celebrating. One of our favorite spots is Savour, a sophisticated establishment that’s been drawing crowds for its memorable dining experiences. They claim to offer the perfect setting for anniversaries and special occasions, and in the spirit of generosity, we’ll give it to them.
Because either way, everything from the sticky orange beef tips to the bronzed grouper is delicious.
Liberty Bar and Restaurant
$$ | (850) 354-8277 | WEBSITE
We love Liberty Bar and Restaurant because even in a city full of cocktail spots, this place on the edge of downtown still somehow maintains that perfect local hangout feel. The food coming out of here is the classic, unpretentious comfort variety that’s surprisingly hard to find in Tallahassee these days. The classic burger is probably our favorite, but if you’re feeling ambitious, their steak and seafood options are your one-way ticket to a truly satisfying meal.
The cocktails are exactly what you want—well-made without being fussy—and the smash burger is just perfection on a bun. The atmosphere is exactly right: casual, funky, and welcoming without trying too hard. Sure, the menu changes sometimes, which can throw you off if you had your heart set on something from last visit, and the cheesecake might occasionally come out a bit overdone.
But that’s part of the charm—this isn’t some polished chain, it’s a real neighborhood spot where the servers actually seem to like working together. It’s the kind of place where you can show up for brunch and end up staying for drinks, or plan a special occasion and not feel like you’re in some stuffy restaurant. For around $15-25 per entree, you get exactly what you came for: good food, good drinks, and that relaxed vibe that makes you want to come back.