A look at some of the places that make us grateful for our chefs, restaurateurs and farmers
What are your feelings about dining out in Tallahassee?
People are often critical of Tallahassee’s dining scene, and I understand that. Diners can encounter a bad meal or service. I admit there could be improvements, probably in any community, but there are also a lot of reasons to be grateful for our culinary world.
Leon C. Brunson in the kitchen of his restaurant, Leon’s at Lake Ella. Photo credit / Leon Brunson.
Take this weekend. We went with friends to Leon’s at Lake Ella. They had never been there and they loved it. We savored Leon’s signature She-Crab soup at outside tables, amid the live oaks and palms by the lake. The don’t-miss soup is fantastic, velvety and rich, with a hint of sherry.
Leon C. Brunson’s signature She-Crab Soup. Photo / Tallahassee Table
Leon’s menu has so much variety, with dishes ranging from pork belly bao buns to a shrimp and grit sandwich. We also love their seasoned fries and Japanese curry. My friend, Dan, said the grilled cheese was the best he’s ever had. Enjoying this lovely view and the delicious food, we agreed: This is pretty grand.
Our next stop was part of a fun pop-up event, dubbed Damas, presented at Goodwood Museum & Gardens., which continues through April 16, 2025. This was the retail element. We sat outside the Camelia Cottage or “Rough House Cottage,” sipping from splits of champagne from Amanda Morrison (Poco Vino) while we devoured a heavenly piece of coconut cake made by pastry chef Sylvia Gould. Friends gobbled caviar atop Tater Tots, from chef Katie Spetman. Yep, we agreed. This, too, was pretty grand.
Damas was launched by Amanda, a sommelier, with chefs Sylvia and Katie. Highlighting National Women’s Month, these three talented women have been offering dining and spirited experiences at Goodwood Museum & Gardens.
Getting ready for fine dining and drinking at the Damas pop-up event in a Goodwood cottage. Photo / Tallahassee Table
For a few Saturdays, from noon to 4 p.m., you can find some chef-made sweet and savory treats plus find small-production wines from women winemakers or producers for sale. We took home smoked mahi dip made by Katie and baklava by Sylvia. A friend bought some wine. Read more about these women and this event at https://www.tallahasseetable.com/3-female-culinary-stars…/
The band, Double Play, performs in the colorful patio at Cafe de Martin. Photo / Tallahassee Table
Then on Friday night, the local band Double Play, entertained diners on the patio at Cafe de Martin (in the Esposito Lawn & Garden Center plaza).
The Peruvian restaurant now has three dining areas – the patio, dining room and El Bar. Take a minute to look at the Peruvian folk art, masks and decorations that chef and co-owner Martín Araujo Bohorquez brings back from his homeland.
Aji de gallina, front, and seafood paella are two of the dishes we enjoyed at the Peruvian restaurant, Cafe de Martin. Photo / Tallahassee Table
Our party of four devoured aromatic dishes such as the comforting chicken stew; aji de gallina; paella; shrimp causa; spring rolls; oysters in a ceviche marinade; the sauteed beef dish, lomo saltado; and stir-fried rice. All delicious. Yep, it was pretty grand.
Clusters and Hops can still tout an intimate setting at its new location on Thomasville Road. Photo / Tallahassee Table
Tallahassee can boast restaurants with sophisticated wine dinners – among them, Lucilla, Mimi’s Table Tallahassee, Clusters & Hops, The Huntsman – Tallahassee, Il Lusso and Sage: A Restaurant.
The chili relleno is my husband’s favorite dish at Maria Maria but there are plenty of terrific tastes on this menu. Photo / Tallahassee Table
My son, who lives in New York City, and appreciates great food, recently visited us in Tallahassee and raved about Maria Maria Homemade Mexican Cuisine & Bakery on Monroe Street. He liked the homey restaurant so much that he wanted to dine there twice in one weekend.
Halisi Africa is among the restaurants now in the Railroad Square Art District. Photo / Halisi
More adventurous restaurants are here or opening, such as Halisi Africa in the Railroad Square Art District. In the food hall at Railroad Square, there’s the Caribbean-inspired Pineappetit and there’s a new Haitian venue opening called Choublak. The restaurant, VeneBitestally1 (217 E. Third Ave. is another sweet destination for Venezuelan cuisine with a cozy outdoor deck brightened by an array of plants.
A variety of small plates, classic dishes and cocktails are on the menu at Zaan, at 1019 N. Monroe St. Photo / Tallahassee Table
The new Al Safa, at 2819 Mahan Dr., features Halal, Mediterranean and Indian cuisine. A fairly new Indian restaurant, Zaan Indian Cuisine, at 1019 Monroe St., originally from Thomasville, is our sixth Indian restaurant (unless I’m missing one). Another place called Tiffin Box, serving Indian bowls and wraps, is opening in College Town.
Spinach tortelloni is one of the many homemade dishes fans love at Black Radish. Photo / Tallahassee Table
We have several delightful dining options that work for special occasions or just a night out with friends, such as Black Radish, Savour, Kool Beanz Cafe, Z. Bardhi’s, Bar 1903, Backwoods Crossing, The Monroe and Table 23. For vegan or vegetarian food, The Bark is a cross-generational hit with a Bohemian vibe.
You might not know that Hummingbird Wine Bar also has very good food — I love their pasta and homemade ice cream.
Shell Oyster Bar, Oleans, Georgio’s Fine Food & Spirits, Hopkins Eatery, Food Glorious Food and Uptown Cafe are among the long-standing local restaurants that are still fan favorites in Tallahassee.
Ma’s Diner, known for its comfort breakfast and lunch fare, is now open for dinner, at 6669-9 Thomasville Rd. Photo / Ma’s Diner
Many of us would love to see an old-time deli and a diner here. But we do have the homey Ma’s Diner, a 6668-9 Thomasville Rd., now serving dinner Tuesday to Friday nights.
We can celebrate the efforts of many hard-working entrepreneurs, like Ma’s Diner’s owner, Michael Robinson, who have decided to share their culinary talents. Consider Chris Smith, who retired as a Leon County Sheriff’s detective and former member of the department’s bomb squad. He also loves to bake so he has opened GroundOps Roastery + Bakehouse, with a variety of rolls, pastries and breakfast sandwiches.
Jessica Bright McMullen is celebrating her 11th year as the chef/owner of KitchenAble Cooking School in Tallahassee. Photo credit / KitchenAble
We also have excellent places for cooking classes, such as KitchenAble Cooking School, The Prepared Table and Browns Kitchen.
Katie Harris, co-owner of Full Earth Farm, left, and Louise Divine, co-owner of Turkey Hill Farm, are two of the original founders of the Red Hills Small Farm Alliance. Photo provided
And we can’t forget our wonderful farming community, with access to fresh, local food at our farmer’s markets — and sources such as Ruby’s Bakery, Homemade Canning & Catering, Orchard Pond Organics, Bradley’s Country Store, Jubilee Orchards and of course, the Red Hills Small Farm Alliance.
Rosa Lovett operates a market in a small outpost at 114 Thompson Circle, but she’s also a tremendous cook. My husband and I have savored many items at Rosa’s market, which is called Ruby’s Bakery, Homemade Canning & Catering.
Our choice of breweries keep expanding and we have enviable festivals and events, thanks in large part to the Tallahassee Beer Society (with proceeds benefiting charities).
Like many of you, I hope that Tallahassee’s dining choices continue to grow. I’ve heard many diners say they’d love to see an old-fashioned deli and more options for homespun diners and dim sum. I haven’t mentioned chains but I do like Beignets & Brew in Market Square — with a new second branch at 1801 W. Tennessee St. — and I’m hopeful about the new, upscale Connors Steak & Seafood in the Square by REI.
You can probably guess I’m a glass half-full kind of girl. Regardless, let’s not forget we have a lot of talented, devoted people driving our food, restaurant and spirits scene. And yep, that’s pretty grand.
