15 Nov Delicious Stops Before Your Next Florida Cuise
In Florida to embark on a cruise? You’re not alone! This area is the perfect launching point for your nautical getaway. But before you set sail for your ocean voyage, you might want to stop by some of the amazing Black-owned restaurants to savor the excellent flavors cooking up in the local kitchens. Whether you’re looking to load up on your favorite comfort food for the journey or seek a full-service dining experience, there’s plenty to taste in the Sunshine State’s kitchens.
Miami is known as the Cruise Capital of the World, with five ports. Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale is another major hub, with a foodie scene surrounding it. Passengers who depart from Port Canaveral will be aware of its proximity to Florida’s top theme parks, but here, too, Black-owned cuisine is a short bite away. Jacksonville’s JAXPORT terminal is similarly situated to fill the bellies of soon-to-be-at-sea eaters. And folks jumping into a Gulf excursion will find that the Port of Tampa is within striking distance of an excellent gastronomic experience.
Whatever journey you are about to embark upon, don’t forget to jumpstart the experience in Florida’s incredible Black-owned restaurants. Sink your teeth into some of our favorites near Florida’s key ports.
Port Miami
World Famous House of Mac – Overtown
1951 NW 7th Ave, Suite 190, Miami, FL 33136
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Website | Instagram | Facebook | (305)903-2534
Nothing quite says “comfort food” like mac and cheese. And one of the best spots for the beloved dish is right here at the World Famous House of Mac. Enjoy huge plates at great prices, with all manner of mac and cheese coming in at $15. Think jerk chicken, smokey BBQ, Philly cheesesteak, or just plain ol’ five-cheese varieties. There are also salads, burgers, and pizza. While you’re in the area, you can also check out the local art museum and performing arts center after you fuel up! Located about a 10-minute ride away from the port (4.5 miles from the port).
Italian Vice
1019 NW 3rd Ave, Miami, FL 33136
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Website | Instagram | Facebook | (305)850-0788
Lovers of frozen treats are urged to seek out Italian Vice. As you may have guessed, this is the best place to get gourmet Italian ices, courtesy of this Black-owned establishment. Made with real fruit by the “Drip Squad,” prepare to blast past the usual lemon and cherry (although they got that too). We’re talking sour apple, passion fruit, cotton candy, piña colada, and much more. Take one in hand and stroll around Downtown Miami, just a few blocks away. Located about an 8-minute ride away from the port (2.9 miles from the port)
Chick’ N Jones
1601 Drexel Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Website | Instagram | Facebook | (305)335-0538
Welcome to Chick N Jones, Miami Beach’s top spot for your favorite bird. Sourced from local farms, the full flavor of the secret spices cooked to crispy perfection will make your taste buds happy. The Jones N Hot chicken sandwich is the mainstay here, but you can also get a bucket of drumsticks or even chicken and waffles. Situated not too far from the enigmatic Museum of Illusions, take your well-fed self out for some fun exhibits or just hit the beach a couple of blocks down the way. Trust us, this poultry-focused eatery is something to really cluck about! Located about a 20-minute ride away from the port (5.6 miles from the port).
Port Everglades
Willie T’s Seafood Shack
1824 Cordova Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Website | Instagram | Facebook | (754)206-4648
With a catchphrase like “Shrimpin’ Ain’t Easy,” you can pretty much bet the fleet these seafood slingers aren’t kidding around about everybody’s favorite crustacean! A labor of love from a Black-owned family legacy of fishermen, the chefs at Willie T’s Seafood Shack have one goal: to serve up the tastiest bounty of the sea possible. Go-tos here include the rolls — both lobster and jumbo lump crab — heaped on New England split buns from $7–$36, depending on whether you go regular or large. But the best deals come with the platters. Jumbo shrimp with fries and slaw is the house special at $25. Kids’ plates come in at $10. And leave room for the hush puppies! Once you’re done eating, take a 15-minute walk north and work off your meal at the Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, where nature walks, vendors, and cocktail purveyors abound. Located about a 10-minute ride away from the port (2.8 miles from the port).
Matchbox Las Olas
221 SW 1st Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Website | Instagram | Facebook | (954)751-5959
If you’re looking for the best happy hour spot, this Riverwalk eatery is probably the destination for you. Matchbox Las Olas is a high-energy establishment where a festive atmosphere always reigns. The cocktails here are simply amazing, and the chef-crafted dishes take gastropub stalwarts like pizza and mini-burgers to the next level. Menu items run the gambit from Caesar Salad ($14) to pan-seared salmon ($26). “Social Hour” snacks are even more reasonable, which you can enjoy Monday through Friday from 4-7. There’s also an awesome brunch scene with bottomless mimosas and the full range of meals you’d expect, from avocado toast ($16) to Maryland crabcake benedict ($28). There’s live music on Friday and Saturday nights. And you’re literally right around the corner from the NSU Art Museum if you feel like taking in some paintings after your meal. Located about a 14-minute ride away from the port (4.1 miles from the port).
Big Buns D#*! Good Burgers
221 SW 1st Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Website | Instagram | Facebook | (954)686-8181
Who out there doesn’t love a good burger? The folks at Big Buns D#*! Good Burgers certainly aren’t being shy about their particular passion. The whole project started with chef Craig Carey embarking on a quest to find the “best burger” traveling around the country. His answer? Every region has its own take, so he set up a restaurant where diners could find them all under one roof. The burger menu will take you from the “Classic” ($7.50) to the “SoFlo” that’s loaded with local favorites like caramelized jalapenos and pepper jack cheese ($8.50). Pair these with good old-fashioned Cajun fries, or chow down on a Riverwalk chili dog ($9). There are beers on tap, frozen cocktails, and totally insane milkshakes — the Unicorn being the real showpiece. Walk west down the river after eating and check out the History Fort Lauderdale, an awesome restored antique hotel that’s a cool little museum. Located about a 14-minute ride away from the port (4.1 miles from the port).
Port Canaveral
Q’s Crackin’ Crab Seafood Kitchen
5240 N Atlantic Ave. Apt 100, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Website | Instagram | Facebook | (321)613-4044
Bright and positive, you can always expect a warm welcome the moment you step into Q’s Crackin’ Crab & Seafood Kitchen. Catch a nice ocean spray from the nearby Atlantic and slip into this friendly “Space Coast” spot. Shrimp bowls here are brimming with garlic sauce and come in $6 or $12 sizes. The $15 fish & grits will fill you to the gills. And, of course, how can you not order a Q’s Crackin’ Crab Platter for the gang to share while you’re here? It is the house specialty, after all. They do an awesome brunch here as well, with tasty selections such as shrimp and grits with smoked sausage ($20). Weekend nights are super fun here, with DJs spinning everything from Old School hip hop to straight R&B. If you’re in the mood for some campy goodness after lunch, check out the nearby Wizard of Oz Museum. Located about an 8-minute ride away from the port (3.4 miles from the port).
Taste Budz (Food Truck)
698 N Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island, FL 32953
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Instagram | Facebook | (321) 987-5972
If you are looking for some OBNOXIOUS COMFORT FOOD, before you set sail on your cruise, Taste Budz food truck is the best place to stop. They are more than just tacos, they are serving some of the most creatively delicious dishes near Port Canaveral. Stop by to try one of their fan favorites like the Birria Quesotacos or Birria Ramen. Want something to share with your travel partner? Then you need to try one of the Pizzadillas. Be sure to top everything off with Chef Moe’s award winning Garlic Jalapeño Salsa. Located about an 18 min drive away from the port ( 9 miles from the port)
Port Jacksonville
Mr. Potato Spread
7159 Phillips Hwy, Ste. 2, Jacksonville, FL 32256
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Website | Instagram | Facebook | (904)902-0175
Starting out with humble food truck ambitions, the husband and wife team of Aaron and Lakita used a combo of business consulting expertise and restaurant experience to build a dream while getting to spend more time together and with their kids. The result is Mr. Potato Spread, a restaurant that transformed boring spuds into slammin’ victuals! The main attraction is the build-your-own-adventure sitch, where you choose potatoes, fries, tots, or even broccoli and hit up the add-ons from spices to veggies and proteins. You’ll end up with your favorite starchy combo! Or choose from the “classics” menu, with selections such as the Crab Pot ($13), Hog Heaven ($12), and the Buffalo Chicken ($11.50). Who knew potatoes could be so exciting? These folks are also huge on catering in case you want to group up with friends and picnic at the beach before hitting your cruise. And you’re just a couple of miles away from the Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, the perfect place to walk off your meal! Located about a 19-minute ride away from the port (11 miles miles from the port).
Funnel Cake Queen
5913 Merrill Road, Jacksonville, FL 32277
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Website | Instagram | Facebook | (904)503-0357
You had us at funnel cake; we stayed for everything else going on at this super cool little spot. This dessert nirvana has absolutely everything your sweet tooth could ever crave! The purveyors of the Funnel Cake Queen offer up everything your dentist ever warned you about. Think banana pudding, deep-fried candy bars, cotton candy, and, of course, all manner of funnel cakes. But there are also plenty of savory options, including nachos and chili cheese dogs. It’s all the carnival fare you could ever want without the carnival! We won’t blame you if, after all that sugar, you feel the need for a hike. The Reddie Point Preserve isn’t far away and will let you take in some wildlife spotting as you burn the calories you just loaded up on. Located about a 14-minute ride away from the port (6.9 miles).
Icecapade Frozen Treats
1833 North Pearl Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32206
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Website | Instagram | Facebook | (904)348-0141
Can fun frozen treats be healthy, environmentally conscious, and totally OK to give to your kids? That’s the whole idea behind Icecapade Frozen Treats. All of the ice pops here are hand-crafted from fresh whole fruits, herbs, and even teas. Even the categories of their offerings speak to the ethos here: fruit vegetable collections, detox/wellness varieties, and floral/tea. It might sound like health food store fare — and it really is — but when it comes to flavor, everybody comes out happy. The Immune Berry is based on elderberries. The Coolcumber blends tangy limes with crisp cucumber. The Tangy Ginger adds zest to the typical lemon pop. And adults can even enjoy the Rum Punch Mixer or Spiked Sorrel. Exotic yet universally pleasing, this is a sublime ice experience. If you’re in the mood for some culture, take your pop to go and walk on down to the nearby Museum of Contemporary Art. Located about an 8-minute ride away from the port (2.7 miles from the port).
Port Tampa
7th + Grove
1930 E 7th Ave., Tampa, FL 33605
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Website | Instagram | Facebook | (813)649-8422
“We believe in food excellence.” With that creed, the good folks at 7th+Grove boldly go into their culinary journey, asking diners to join them. The Southern menu mixes the comfort food ethos with next-level attention to ambiance and service. It’s sort of the best of all worlds. They wish to nourish you, body and soul, and you will feel it from the fresh ingredients to the warm vibes you will feel while here. Start off with a full menu of Deviled Eggs, from okra to shrimp stuffed ($18.50). The Southern Fried Cobb Salad ($17) will blend yummy crisp chicken with vitamin-fueled greens. Main entrees like the Choppa Style ($35) will offer up mashers with your collard greens, turkey, and lamb chops. And, of course, you can get black-eyed peas on the side. Craft cocktails, happy hours, brunch — you get the idea; there’s fun to be had here! Once finished filling up, walk a couple of blocks to check out the Ybor City Museum’s exhibits. Located about a 22-minute ride away from the port (11.6 miles from the port)
Rose Bar Tampa
122 S Howard Ave., Tampa, FL 33606
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Website | Instagram | Facebook | (813)442-4434
Ready for a little upscale experience in the Tampa area? Rose Bar Tampa is here to please! This Black-owned establishment leans into an artistic vibe, seeing their creations perfectly complementing the aesthetic environment, pleasing all of the senses. You can start off with sophisticated apps like Brussels sprouts tossed in balsamic and soy reduction ($13) or the fried grouper bites ($19), which offer Caribbean flair. Travel the world whether you seek Asian steamed bao buns ($15) or Jerk chicken sliders ($16). Inventive entrees include the Voodoo Pasta ($28) and Tomahawk Steak (MKT), a perfectly marbled cut. Look out for music nights as well as “Hangover Sunday” brunches with hookahs, cigars, and sports on TV. The Henry B. Plant Museum is nearby in case you want to take in some Asian and European art to pair with your elegant meal. Located about a 20-minute ride away from the port (7.9 miles from the port).
Coasis Restaurant Bar & Suites
7701 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, FL 33604
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Instagram | Facebook | (813) 551-0791
It’s almost time for you to hit the open seas and you want to enjoy something luxurious and delicious, well Coasis is the perfect stop before your cruise leaves Port Tampa. Just minutes away, enjoy their amazing menu and cocktails curated by some of the best mixologist. Diners love their Shrimp & Grits, Hot Honey Wings, Oysters and those magnificent biscuits. They have great happy hour specials as well if you are able to catch it before your cruise trip. Coasis is located about 15 mins from the port (6 miles from the port).
No matter how you fill your belly before your grand oceanic adventure, supporting local Black-owned restaurants is always great. The love and tradition they bring to their kitchens isn’t just about feeding you; it’s also about sharing their own culture with those who literally taste their heritage. In these port-proximity establishments, the journey begins with a little nourishment.
Author: Black Restaurant Week
Content Team
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