From biscuits to brioche, from grouper to gumbo, it feels like we may never have enough time to try all of the best dishes in Tallahassee. Luckily, we have a bit of guidance here from local VIPs who are spilling on the meals they think you should try before you kick the proverbial Tallahassee bucket. 

I asked these gourmands across town just two questions: What’s your favorite dish in Tallahassee? And what makes it special for you?

GREG TISH

Host, The Greg Tish Show

This may be one of the toughest questions that I’ve ever been asked. Sometimes, you just want a good burger and some hot french fries. My go-to place for that in town would be Bird’s Aphrodisiac Oyster Shack. It’s the perfect casual place for family, friends, and some wonderful comfort food.  It’s become legendary for a reason.

I was there one of the first days they opened, if not the first day, and I remember taking the first bite of that burger and thinking that this is the best burger that I’ve ever had. Many years and many burgers later, I still feel the same way. I know there are other things on the menu that folks love, but it’s the burger with no cheese and fries for me.

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Photo by The Workmans

NICK WALKER

Partner, Ology Brewing

[To choose one dish] is really hard. There are a ton of great choices and rotating menus. I think one of the easiest choices is the Zucchini Fries from The Huntsman. Lacto-fermented, gluten-free, and delicious served with aioli. Dinner or happy hour, they are always ordered. 

My wife and I went for an anniversary dinner and ordered these. The meals were amazing—shout out to the Lamb Belly General Tso—but we came back next time specifically to get more of those fries.

THE WEAVERS

Tanya Weaver and Dr. Tony Weaver, co-owner, Eye Associates of Tallahassee 

The Shrimp Zeke at Z. Bardhi’s Italian Cuisine may be our favorite dish around town. The fresh ingredients and perfectly cooked angel hair pasta never disappoint. We love their house-made marinara and always ask for a side of it to pour over the dish. The owners, Zeke and Carla, have become friends over the years, as we have visited their restaurant so many times. We first ate there in the late 1990s, when our boys were young, and Zeke let them watch the cooks make pizza. 

TIM JANSEN

Founding Senior Partner of Jansen & Davis, PA, @courtroomchef on Instagram

Margaret’s Chocolate Cake at Coosh’s on Thomasville Road. It’s their large, extra-tall chocolate cake. It’s so moist that it melts in your mouth. The icing is just sinful.
I got my first slice around 15 years ago on my 50th birthday. My birthday is December 28, so now I usually eat the entire cake while watching football over the holidays. It’s the best dessert in Tallahassee. 

AMANDA KARIOTH THOMPSON 

Independent Arts Consultant and Advocate; Founder, AKT Artful; Contributor, Tallahassee Magazine

My go-to is #44, the Mexican Shrimp, at San Miguel Mexican Restaurant. I’m not one of those masochistic chili-heads, but I do enjoy a kick, and the fat coral curls of shrimp in #44 are accompanied by hefty chunks of jalapeños, tomatoes, and onions. You can actually tell how spicy it’s going to be from the complimentary salsa. It’s made fresh daily, so if the salsa bites, #44 probably will, too. Don’t worry though; the jalapeños are easy to pluck out if you want to dial down the heat, customizing your own pleasure/pain ratio. 

The first time I tried #44, I hadn’t yet figured out the salsa clue, and what followed was a fever dream. I’ve never done psychedelic drugs, but I’d imagine my first experience with #44 comes pretty close. The heat snuck up slowly, built to a crescendo, and by the time a friend came over to say hello, I was practically hallucinating and could no longer understand or produce words. My husband still laughs about it. Somehow, I survived and have gone back for #44 many times since. Pro tip: Get corn tortillas, not flour, and a margarita to help you survive and enjoy the ride.

P.S.: Their (not-spicy) queso deserves its own fan club. Tallahassee friends who’ve relocated across the country head straight for it the moment they’re back in town.

Photo by The Workmans

HEATHER MITCHELL

Vice President for Institutional Advancement andExecutive Director of the TSC Foundation,Tallahassee State College

It’s impossible to choose one favorite dish; I’ll have to design a whole meal. For an appetizer, try the New Orleans BBQ Shrimp from Savour. As a main course, Il Lusso’s Lobster Mezzaluna or Butternut Squash Ravioli. The Monroe’s Wonderball is an amazing dessert. And for a cocktail? The French 75 at Bar 1903, for sure. 

What makes these dishes special is how they frame a perfect Tallahassee evening. I love experiencing the city like a progressive dinner—starting with Savour’s buttery, peppery New Orleans BBQ Shrimp, settling into Il Lusso’s handcrafted pasta, finishing with The Monroe’s whimsical Wonderball before a crisp French 75 at Bar 1903. I’ve sampled widely at each spot, and these are the plates that stayed with me. I still remember my first Wonderball—cracking open that chocolate sphere revealed a little spectacle I didn’t expect that was fun, creative, and very Tallahassee. That feeling of surprise and celebration is why these dishes have become my go‑tos; they make an ordinary night feel special.

DAVID KIRBY 

Poet, Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor,Florida State University

Before the padre comes to my cell to hear my confession, I’d like my last meal to be the Bangers “N” Mash from Food Glorious Food (FGF). If the warden’s feeling generous, I’d like to start with FGF’s light, crisp calamari strips and end with their mile-high Key Lime Tart. But if it’s just one course, I’ll go with the Bangers.

TALETHIA EDWARDS 

Community Organizer, Tallahassee City Commission Candidate, Mother of Eight

Tallahassee has so many great local spots, but if I must choose, my favorite is the cocktail called My Prerogative at JoEllen’s. It’s tequila-based, margarita-style, and topped with Grand Marnier. It’s bold, balanced, and memorable, just like the space itself. I love supporting local, and JoEllen’s always feels like home to me. That cocktail is my go-to when I want something familiar yet elevated, a drink that feels intentional, well-crafted, and rooted in the local dining scene.

When I first took a sip, my immediate thought was, “Oh, this is interesting.” It was sweet and sour at the same time, layered, and unexpected. The tequila gives it strength, the Grand Marnier adds warmth, and together it just works with whatever I am having to eat. It honestly reminded me a little of my own personality—soft but bold, grounded yet vibrant. It’s the kind of cocktail that makes you pause, smile, and lean into the moment.

BETSY COUCH 

Executive Director of Knight Creative Communities Institute, Former Junior League of Tallahassee President, Philanthropist

I would recommend ending your day with dinner at Sage Restaurant. If the weather is nice, I would ask to sit outside on the patio, which is perfectly lovely. I would have you order the fish of the day or any seasonal fish dish. Right now, they’re doing a redfish, which not only represents Tallahassee but our region as a whole. The redfish is paired with local ingredients, which represent our Southern vibe and culture of Tallahassee. It’s a very sophisticated dish—and I think Tallahassee is sophisticated—but paired with fried green tomatoes, collards, and sweet potatoes. It’s a sophisticated dish with an infusion of Southern culture. 

If you need an appetizer, the deviled eggs at Sage are miniature works of art. Their deviled egg creations constantly change. They’re incredible, and there’s always something on them that you never would have imagined. 

[I’ve been going to Sage] as long as I can remember. I love going to Sage for lunch. I love going to Sage for dinner. I love how if they’re crowded and packed and you walk in at the last minute, you’ll be tucked away in a little bar seat or table. That’s fun, too. I think Sage really has something for everyone.

Lauren Zirgibel, PA-C

Host, Fill & Tell Podcast

My favorite cocktail is the dirty martini at Sage Restaurant. Sage is the “It” place. It’s my favorite place to catch up with a friend after work, a quick date night, and our fave spot after filming Fill & Tell podcast.

Megan Wilson, PA-C

Host, Fill & Tell Podcast

I love the bread pudding from Sage. Lauren and I order this dish after almost every Fill & Tell podcast session. Sage is our go-to for cocktails, good food, and yummy dessert after recording all afternoon.