Restaurants

Earlier this summer, the new Mexican restaurant Maria Maria opened in Midtown at 1304 North Monroe St. After only a short time, it is well on its way to becoming every local’s favorite authentic Mexican restaurant.

The French inspired bistro Mimi’s Table has become a Tallahassee favorite since it opened Memorial Day weekend last year.

On a recent trip to California, my family and I fell in love with poke bowls. We ate them every chance we could while in the Golden State. Thinking we left our poke bowl adventures on the West Coast, we were pleasantly surprised when we found a great poke option right here in Tallahassee.

The Fat Cat Café off Park Avenue has some friends you can meet. A small café and boutique greet you upon entering, but the real fun begins when you head to the back, where you are greeted by cats of all sizes and ages. Each cat is a rescue being cared for in the hope of being adopted.

Chi Chi’s Cafe, lovingly nicknamed after co-owner Rick Diaz’s wife Donna, is located near Florida State University on Tennessee Street and offers the authentic Cuban flavors that many of south Florida’s transplanted students miss.

With Cinco de Mayo just a few days away, be sure to venture out and try some of the best authentic Mexican eats in the Capital City:

Far removed from the bought-in-bulk version you may have lived off in college, the ramen noodles served at Tallahassee’s new Downtown Ramen Bar are all grown-up. Located in the old Jasmine Cafe & Lounge on College Avenue, Downtown Ramen Bar offers casual dining with an Asian twist.

I headed to Il Lusso with high expectations and it far surpassed those expectations. Tallahassee’s new Italian steakhouse, which features prime steaks and northern Italian cuisine, was by far one of the best meals I’ve had.

Chop House on the Bricks in Thomasville, Georgia, is now open for lunch, which finally gave me an opportunity to try this farm-to-table restaurant.

Little Paris is bringing culinary delights from the City of Light to Tallahassee. The new French restaurant, set in a casual bistro atmosphere, opened last month on Market Street.

Downtown is fast becoming a culinary hot spot in Tallahassee, with these new offerings.

Gordos’ new northside location is officially open. Just up the road from its previous spot, Gordos Northside is now on Market Street next to Don’s Shoe And Leather Repair and Chico’s.

Those of us who love to “Eat Mor Chikin” were disappointed to learn Chick-fil-A is retiring its famous Cow Calendars. The annual calendars cost $8 and contained special coupons and giveaways.

Veteran Tallahassee restaurateurs David and Elizabeth Gwynn have done it again with new their new breakfast and lunch concept restaurant on the northeast side of town: Grove Market Cafe.

Tally Cat Café is open for business. The Tallahassee “purr-mier” cat lounge and coffee bar opened just last month and features Lucky Goat Coffee and adoptable felines from the Leon County Humane Society.

Their website proclaims, “Good things happen in the kitchen,” and there are a lot of good things happening at Park’s Pizza Kitchen. New York-style pizza and other menu items are made using locally sourced, fresh, organic ingredients.

There’s a new place to indulge your sweet tooth in Tallahassee. Opened by For The Table Hospitality, the team behind Madison Social, Magda’s Tallahassee is an ice cream-meets-coffee shop tucked beside Centrale Italian Parlour.

The Tallahassee 100 keeps its readers up to date on many restaurant grand openings, relocations and expansions. The capital city is home to unique dining options, from college “dives” to fine cuisine. Here’s a new family friendly sports bar, which reportedly got its name after “Grandpa and his pipe fitting union.”

Beloved Tallahassee dining staple, Mom and Dad’s Italian Restaurant, recently celebrated the grand opening of its new location in Bannerman Crossings, the up-and-coming collection of boutiques, restaurants and entertainment on the Capital City’s north side. The move marks the end of Mom and Dad’s historic location on Apalachee Parkway.

If you, like so many others, started the year with the resolution to be more health-conscious, then the recently opened 3 Natives is a must-visit.

You can tell a lot about a restaurant by its bread. With my first bite of Lucilla’s warm, crusty baguette, I knew this new eatery would become a Tallahassee staple.

Tin Lizzy’s, a “flex-Mex” Atlanta-based restaurant started by three FSU college buddies, has opened its first Florida location in the heart of College Town.

Two friends and former employees of the legendary A.J.’s sports bar in college town came together to open the Florida Wing Factory (FWF), which is quickly becoming a legend of its own.

Going to college in New Orleans meant a lot of things: Mardi Gras, drive-thru daiquiris, St. Charles streetcars, crawfish boils, and of course, beignets at Café du Monde. Uptown Tallahassee residents have been enjoying these French pastries (and often losing the battle between powdered sugar and little black dresses) during brunch for years at Coosh’s Bayou Rouge.

A short and peaceful drive just east of Tallahassee will bring you to quaint, historic downtown Monticello and new restaurant, Rev Café. The café has a modern yet cozy atmosphere and features a wrap-around outdoor eating area that provides spectacular views of the canopy oaks draped in Spanish moss that surround town square.

Newly opened Willie Jewell’s Old School Bar-B-Q is heaven served on a platter. On Thomasville Road just south of Kerry Forest Parkway, you can find all your barbecue favorites smoked for hours and served in minutes, as the motto promises.

One of the most recent health food trends is the acai bowl – the featured and most popular menu item at Midtown’s newest spot, The Good Berry.

There’s no doubt Tallahassee’s newest sub shop, OG Subs, fulfills its mission to be “Outrageously Good.” Located a few blocks from FSU, guests here are greeted by the smell of fresh-baked bread and a menu with every sandwich, wrap or salad one desires.

Tucked inside the Killearn Lakes Plantation neighborhood is a Tallahassee culinary jewel that has stood the test of time. Serving delicious Italian cuisine amid old-world ambiance for more than 20 years is Z. Bardhi’s.

Arepana Latin Grill is one of Tallahassee’s newest restaurants. It’s similar in set up to Chipotle, but as its owner describes, is everything but “Tex-Mex.”