Palm Coast Restaurants Everybody Loves (Fancy Places to Eat Near Me)
Palm Coast is a small city in Flagler County, Florida, just north of Daytona Beach. Because of its oceanfront golf courses and pristine beaches, this town has become a popular tourist and retiree destination. If you’ve been asking, “What are the best fancy places to eat near me?”, then this article is for you.
The Best Restaurants on Palm Coast
To assist with that last bit, I went out and tested these restaurants to see which ones truly are the best restaurants on Palm Coast.
From New York-style pizzerias to fresh seafood restaurants and fine-dining bistros, this guide has it all. You’ll never have to worry about where to eat in Palm Coast again!
1. La Piazza Cafe
The first stop is at La Piazza Cafe. This traditional Italian restaurant is located inside the European Village shopping center off Palm Harbor Parkway. You can go shopping and eat out all in the same place!
I really like the menu here. A 2- to 5-pound live Maine lobster, which must be ordered 3 days in advance, is one of the best things to order from La Piazza.
Of course, they also serve delectable Italian favorites like chicken parmesan and veal Milanese.
2. Metro Diner
If you like the casual American diner vibe, Metro Diner is another great place to eat near Palm Coast. Metro Diner serves breakfast, brunch, and dinner, so you can get pretty much every meal of the day here!
I’m a big fan of Metro Diner’s pressed breakfast burritos, so that’s usually what I order. Other dishes to try here include fried chicken Benedict for brunch and Charleston shrimp and grits for dinner.
Metro Diner is located inside the Island Walk Shopping Center off Palm Coast Parkway, near the James F. Holland Memorial Park.
3. Captain’s BBQ
Captain’s BBQ is the only place I recommend to anyone who asks where the best place to get a barbecue is. They specialize in succulent, slow-cooked meats cooked over a wood-fired pit, which can be enjoyed from their waterfront patio.
Captain’s BBQ’s beef brisket plate is my favorite item to order. Another excellent option on their menu is an order of burnt ends with a side of classic mac and cheese.
Captain’s BBQ is located off North Ocean Shores Boulevard, next to Bing’s Landing park on the Matanzas River’s bank.
4. Mezzaluna Pizzeria
Mezzaluna Pizzeria is located off Palm Harbor Parkway in the European Village shopping mall, just south of the Legacy Vacation Resort Palm Coast hotel.
When visiting Mezzaluna Pizzeria, I recommend checking out their daily specials first. On Tuesdays, they offer a large cheese pizza for only $10.99, and on Thursdays, they offer a half hero with a side of fries for only $7.95.
Mezzaluna Pizzeria is a family-owned and operated establishment with a warm atmosphere and comforting cuisine that will make you feel right at home.
5. 386 A Fusion of Fine Eating
386, A Fusion of Fine Eating is a one-of-a-kind New American restaurant near Hammock Beach, just a few miles south of the beautiful Washington Oaks Gardens State Park.
What I like about this restaurant is that they’ve reinvented a few of my favorite dishes with their own creative spin. One of my favorites is their San Francisco cioppino, which is filled with fish and shellfish and served on a bed of parmesan risotto.
Keep an eye out for 386, which is tucked away off North Ocean Shores Boulevard. It’s an easy place to overlook, but you don’t want to!
6. Focaccia
Focaccia, located just off Cypress Point Parkway near the Pine Lakes Golf Club, is another excellent Italian restaurant. This restaurant specializes in panini, pizza, and charcuterie boards. What more could you want?
Because they serve their pizza in small square slices, I usually order three different varieties, such as Margherita, Diavolo, and zucchini. My favorite dishes, by far, are the panini. The Milano panini flavorfully combines fresh salami and provolone.
If you still have room after eating, try their gelato affogato, which is delicious vanilla ice cream topped with an espresso shot.
7. Atlantic Grille
Following that, we’ll visit the Atlantic Grille Oceanfront Restaurant, which is part of the opulent Hammock Beach Golf Resort and Spa. This is without a doubt my favorite waterfront restaurant on the Palm Coast.
You’re practically touching the ocean, so the Atlantic Grille would serve some of the freshest seafood available.
My favorite dishes here are the bang bang shrimp and the incredible ahi tuna steak with tomato lentil salad, preserved lemon, and datil chimichurri.
8. High Jackers Restaurant
If you’ve ever wanted to eat at a restaurant right next to an active airplane runway, High Jackers Restaurant is the place to go! This is a great Palm Coast restaurant where you can watch planes land and take off.
When I’m looking for some excitement and good food, I go to High Jackers for lunch, dinner, and even a bottomless mimosa brunch on Sundays.
If you go for brunch, I highly recommend the quiche of the day, but if you go for dinner, don’t miss out on the filet mignon steak tip kabobs.
9. JT’s Seafood Shack
JT’s Seafood Shack is a little hole in the wall off State Road A1A that serves tasty fish and has both indoor and outdoor seating. You can sit at the bar and watch a game on one of the many TVs.
My favorite aspect of JT’s Seafood Shack is the abundance of low-cost seafood. JT’s ultimate steam pot with crab legs, shrimp, clams, and mussels is always a favorite of mine.
JT’s Seafood Shack is a great place to go both day and night for good music and good times in an unpretentious, relaxed setting.
10. Joe’s New York Pizza & Pasta
Although Palm Coast, Florida isn’t the first place that comes to mind when I think of pizza, Joe’s New York Pizza & Pasta is one of the best pizzerias I’ve ever visited.
The Bennici brothers, who have been family-owned and operated since 1995, have been serving authentic New York pizza to Flagler County for a long time, so they know what they’re doing.
Joe’s New York Pizza & Pasta offers a variety of specialty pies. My favorite pies are the buffalo chicken pizza or the chicken parm pie.
11. Mamaling Asian Street Food
Mamaling Asian Street Food is a delightful Asian restaurant on Cypress Point Parkway, directly across from the City Marketplace shopping mall and the Walmart Supercenter.
This is an ideal location for immersing yourself in Southeast Asian culture and sampling authentic Southeast Asia street food recipes.
Are you a fan of Sake? Then Mamaling has what you’re looking for! There are several types of sake to choose from, as well as two types of sangria and a variety of beers and wines.
12. VESSEL Sandwich Co.
VESSEL Sandwich Co. is a fantastic little counter-serve sandwich shop on beautiful Flagler Beach near Palm Coast. This is my favorite place to get a delicious sandwich before heading out to the Flagler Beach Fishing Pier for the day.
Some of my favorite VESSEL dishes include the shrimp po’boy sandwich, pork belly banh mi, and Minorcan clam chowder. Don’t forget about the drinks!
VESSEL serves a variety of craft beers, imported wines, and refreshing shandies, so there’s something for everyone.
13. Funky Pelican
The Funky Pelican on Flagler Beach is nestled right into the sand and is the closest you can get to the water. Because they connect Funky Pelican to the Flagler Beach Fishing Pier, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the water while eating.
I prefer to eat here in the morning because nothing beats a delicious breakfast while watching the sun rise over the big blue Atlantic Ocean.
Their omelets, made with farm-fresh eggs, are my favorite thing to order from their breakfast menu.
14. Sonny’s BBQ
Sonny’s BBQ is a well-known barbecue restaurant throughout the state of Florida and throughout the South.
I like Sonny’s because you can taste the smokiness in all of their meats, and you can tell they have a true pit master working back there.
Sonny’s BBQ is located off Cypress Edge Drive in the heart of all the shopping centers. When you visit, order their St. Louis ribs with sides of beans and coleslaw. That is the ultimate barbecue meal, suitable for any time of day!
15. The Golden Lion Cafe
A little further north up Flagler Beach is The Golden Lion Cafe, which is close to other fun treats like the Flagler Beachfront Winery and Sally’s Ice Cream.
I like The Golden Lion because of its open-air layout and rooftop patio that overlooks the beautiful beach, but the food and drinks are also delicious.
For the past 28 years, the Golden Lion has claimed to have the best fish and chips in town, and I can see why! You can have it done with either Alaskan pollock or mahi-mahi, which I highly recommend.
15. Adette’s Bistro & Bakery
A little further north up Flagler Beach is The Golden Lion Cafe, which is close to other fun treats like the Flagler Beachfront Winery and Sally’s Ice Cream.
I like The Golden Lion because of its open-air layout and rooftop patio that overlooks the beautiful beach, but the food and drinks are also delicious.
For the past 28 years, the Golden Lion has claimed to have the best fish and chips in town, and I can see why! You can have it done with either Alaskan pollock or mahi-mahi, which I highly recommend.
16. Portugal Wine Bar & Grill
This restaurant is called Portugal Wine Bar & Grill, and I believe it is one of the best in Palm Coast, FL. What makes this restaurant unique is that it serves dishes from various cultures.
Of course, amazing Portuguese delicacies like seafood mariscada are available, but they also serve Italian classics like chicken parm and veal osso buco. At Portugal Wine Bar & Grill, you can get a little of everything.
Bring the entire family with you! To make the experience even more enjoyable, Portugal Wine Bar & Grill offers family-style and group-dining options.
Final Verdict
As you can see, Palm Coast, Florida is a little slice of heaven for anyone looking for a quiet city with beautiful golf courses and plenty of restaurants.
Simply follow this fantastic guide the next time you want to have an unforgettable dining experience in this gem of a city.
