Traveling Florida is like opening a history book. No state has more historical relevance than Florida. At various times the Spanish, British and French inhabited and claimed parts of Florida in the 16th century.
Our ten historic restaurants show the influences of many cultures.
Many of the restaurants below are part of the state’s history for the last dozen decades. All can be visited today.
Ten Old Florida Restaurants Still Open in 2025
The Colombia Restaurant – Ybor City (Tampa) Florida.
We couldn’t have a list of Historic Florida Restaurants without the Columbia Restaurant. While we don’t dispute their origins back to 1905, their growth and evolution doesn’t exactly leave a picture of history in your mind. They are a modern large restaurant chain serving Spanish-themed food.
With seven locations in west central Florida, they are a destination for many people looking for an upscale experience. Our experiences at Columbia have always been pleasant, but we wouldn’t consider them today a picture of history.
Not only is the Columbia one of the oldest restaurants in Florida, but it is also one of the most famous.
Other things to do in Ybor City & Tampa
Kelly’s Fish House– Naples, Florida
This Southwest Florida iconic restaurant has been around for almost 70 years. Kelly’s Fish House, located on the Gordon River, just a couple blocks from Naples’s ritzy shopping district, you can eat some of the freshest seafood you can find. Having dinner or lunch there can be entertaining watching local fishermen unload their catch on Kelly’s dock. During stone crab season, the crab claws are literally from boat, to dock to plate.
Kelly’s Fish House Dining Room is just across the river from Tin City, another shopping and dining experience. Kelly’s is an easy day trip from Fort Myers or Miami. It’s easy to find on the Tamiami Trail (Rt. 41) as you enter Naples.
Other Things To Do in Naples Florida
The Yearling – Cross Creek (Hawthorn), Florida
No list of historic restaurants in the country should be without The Yearling. Cross Creek was the home of author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings who wrote the book The Yearling. Rawlings settled in the area in the 1880s and wrote many of her books here. The Yearling serves Southern cuisine with a flair. Plenty to see and do in the area, including the old home of Rawlings.
The Yearling is just a few miles from Gainesville and Ocala, Florida. Great Florida day trip from Orlando, Jacksonville and even Tallahassee. Located on SR 325 just southeast of Gainesville, Florida, The Yearling is surrounded by state parks and historic landmarks.
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This article originally appeared here and was republished with permission.
