Best Places To Eat Near Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is made up of 1.5 million acres of wetland, forest and marine habitats, making it the largest wilderness east of the Mississippi River. This vast swath of slow-moving shallow waters, dubbed the River of Grass by Miami pioneer Marjory Stoneman Douglas in 1947, also has more than a handful of unique eateries and waterfront dining worthy of their own exploration. 

Here’s our guide to the best places to eat in and around the Florida Everglades, featuring unique outdoor dining and waterfront options, country-style cooking, a tropical fruit stand, Cuban classics, spicy vegan food and more.

Coopertown Everglades Airboat Tour & Restaurant

Coopertown Restaurant is not only a classic dining establishment near the national park, but also home to the original Everglades airboat tours since 1945. Naturally, it’s ideal for grabbing a bite to eat before or after your airboat ride. The country-style restaurant is adjacent to the gift shop, and it offers menu items that are authentic to the Everglades, such as frog legs, gator tail and catfish.

Everglades Gator Grill

Everglades Gator Grill is located off the tourist path in Homestead, about 6 miles from the entrance of Everglades National Park. However, this casual counter-service restaurant with outdoor picnic tables is worth the scenic drive for its unique menu items.

You’ll enjoy a variety of Southern-style food, like shrimp po’ boys, burgers, fried chicken and fried clams. You’ll also find frog legs in garlic butter and wine sauce, and one of the largest selections of gator options around.

Aside from its famous grilled gator sandwich, this establishment offers grilled gator tail marinated in Cajun spices and homemade cilantro cream on the side, as well as gator tacos, kabobs and stir-fry.  

Robert Is Here Fruit Stand and Farm

Head to Robert Is Here Fruit Stand and Farm if you're more in the mood for natural, healthy food. It got its name back in 1959, when Robert Moehling was 6 years old. He opened a fruit stand to help his father sell produce from their family farm. His dad put up signs saying, “Robert is Here” to get the attention of shoppers. Since then, Robert still works the stand and has gained a loyal following.

You’ll not only find a wide selection of tropical fruit to purchase, such as jackfruit, tamarind and guanabana, but there’s also a free petting zoo, and picnic tables to enjoy your snack. Stop by with the family for milkshakes or smoothies, and don’t forget to stock up on the homemade sauces and jams for home.

La Brisa

This Latin fusion restaurant located inside the Miccosukee Casino & Resort is conveniently situated on the way to the Shark Valley Visitor Center entrance. La Brisa's menu features locally sourced ingredients from the Everglades area, as in the Pescado Limón (wild-caught swordfish) and Shrimp & Shells “a lo macho”.

Take advantage of the daily breakfast buffet where kids under 10 eat free, as well as a 2-course lunch special, all of which can be enjoyed from the indoor dining room or outdoor patio. Time your visit with the live music, every Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.

Yardie Spice

Yardie Spice in Homestead is a favorite Everglades-area restaurant known for its authentic Jamaican and Haitian cuisine, as well as for its warm hospitality. Haitian-born chef Jean-Paul Cadotte and his Jamaican-born wife Rochelle cook everything from oxtail and jerk chicken to whole snapper and conch fritters (with scotch bonnet peppers to give them an extra kick). The extensive vegan menu includes more spicy delights, such as curry lentils, jerked tofu and chana masala.

Shiver’s Bar-B-Q

Shiver’s Bar-B-Q has been the spot for hickory smoked barbecue in Homestead for over 75 years, making it a legendary dining destination whether you’re visiting the Everglades or not. Start with the fried green tomatoes or a basket of hush puppies, and then try the fall-off-the-bone ribs or pulled pork that’s been smoked for over 12 hours. Seating is at communal picnic tables – so you might even make friends with locals in the area. Just keep in mind, it's very popular on weekends.

Camelia Street Grill

Located in Everglades City, Camelia Street Grill offers beautiful waterfront dining off the riverbank. It's a family-run business that prides itself on making everything from scratch. The salads are spiked with herbs from their garden, and the seafood is local. Open daily until 9 p.m. Camelia makes a great stop for lunch or dinner near the Everglades. Try some of the popular menu items, including fresh stone crab, shrimp ‘n grits and black bean salsa.

HavAnnA Cafe

HavAnnA Cafe is the place to go if you want a little extra adventure. It’s located on Chokoloskee Island, the largest of the Ten Thousand Islands, located at the edge of Everglades National Park and connected by a short causeway. This restaurant, which offers seating in its spacious tropical garden, has been serving a variety of American and Cuban delicacies for more than 2 decades.

You can start your day with strong Cuban coffee and a classic egg and cheese sandwich for breakfast, and end your day by cooking up your own catch with a slice of Key lime pie to finish.

Triad Seafood Market & Cafe

The waterfront Triad Seafood Market & Cafe is situated on the Barron River and has been a staple for fresh, local seafood in Everglades City since 1984. It’s known for its “all you can eat” stone crabs, seafood baskets, fried gator nuggets and special BBQ ribs on Friday. While dining on the screened deck, you can watch herons, pelicans and Everglades boats sailing by.