Five Florida restaurants rank among top ‘hidden gems’ in US. Why fans love them
Florida is home to five fan-favorite restaurants — if you know where to look.
That’s because the restaurants all rank among the nation’s best “hidden gems,” according to results published Tuesday, Sept. 23. Here are the destinations that earned top 10 spots on a list from the travel website Tripadvisor:
- Urban Prime in Melbourne at No. 2
- Cabbage Key in Pineland at No. 5
- Bungalow By The Sea in Miami Beach at No. 6
- Portugal Wine Bar & Grill in Palm Coast at No. 7
- Golden Lyon Vintage Pub in Fort Lauderdale at No. 8
To determine the lesser-known restaurants people love the most, Tripadvisor said it studied the “quality and quantity of reviews and ratings” that customers left for dining destinations across the country. It focused on feedback that people shared online in the year leading up to July 31.
“The Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best title celebrates the highest level of excellence in travel,” the website wrote in its report. “It’s awarded to those who receive a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from the Tripadvisor community over a 12-month period. Out of our 8 million listings, fewer than 1% achieve this milestone.”
Why fans love the Florida restaurants
The Sunshine State made its mark in the rankings, boasting half of the top 10 U.S. restaurants. Tripadvisor said the list features “under-the-radar” restaurants that help visitors eat like locals.
“You have to get a bit off the beaten path to find these spots, but they certainly earn their winner status in both taste and local charm,” the website wrote in its report.
Of the Florida restaurants on the list, Urban Prime in Melbourne ranked the highest. Several Tripadvisor users called the restaurant, a roughly 70-mile drive southeast from Orlando, an ideal place to celebrate special occasions.
“Urban Prime mixes a contemporary vibe with a lively crowd — think families, friends, and the bar scene all in one spot,” Tripadvisor wrote. “You’ve got plenty to choose from: sushi made to order, a strong charcuterie lineup, and solid wines. The sunset views from the outdoor tables are worth timing your reservation for.”
Also receiving praise for their views were Cabbage Key in Pineland — roughly 135 miles south from Tampa — and Bungalow By The Sea in Miami Beach. On Tripadvisor, some customers said they enjoyed eating burgers, seafood and other dishes while taking in waterfront scenery.
Rounding out the list of best “hidden gems” in Florida were two restaurants near the state’s Atlantic Coast. Portugal Wine Bar & Grill in Palm Coast got nods for offering top-notch customer service and crave-worthy seafood. Meanwhile, fans loved the drinks and welcoming atmosphere at Golden Lyon Vintage Pub in Fort Lauderdale, according to Tripadvisor reviews.
Nationwide, the best “under-the-radar” restaurant was 1 Kitchen in Nashville, Tennessee. Restaurants in Florida made their marks in the top 10 on other lists from the travel website, including the best date-night restaurants and most-loved places for casual dining.
This story was originally published September 26, 2025 at 11:24 AM with the headline "Five Florida restaurants rank among top ‘hidden gems’ in US. Why fans love them."
