The Local’s Guide to the Best Eats and Drinks in Columbia County, Florida
As the gateway to Florida, Columbia County is a welcoming destination for visitors. One of the best ways to experience the area is through its delicious culinary scene. From homemade lasagna to fresh seafood, Columbia County offers the best of it all. With so many restaurants, where do you start? Here are the places locals say are the best restaurants to eat and drink in Florida’s Gateway.
Marion Street Bistro and Brewhouse
Any foodie adventure in Columbia County must include a visit to historic downtown Lake City, and Marion Street Bistro and Brewhouse is a great place to begin. Exposed brick walls and a pressed tin ceiling create a warm and inviting ambiance, and the menu of upscale pub favorites with a Florida twist is sure to satisfy any cravings. You can enjoy sandwiches, burgers and salads for lunch and feast on steaks, flatbreads and seafood entrees at dinner. Locals love the house-smoked wings, which are slowly smoked until they’re crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Marion Street Bistro and Brewhouse uses locally sourced ingredients, including fresh and sustainable seafood, organic chicken and grass-fed beef. It also grows many herbs in-house.
For drinks, check out the blackboard by the main bar for a rotating selection of unique craft beers. For handcrafted cocktails, slide into a seat at its Prohibition-era speakeasy bar. Marion Street Bistro and Brewhouse has happy hour from 4-6 p.m. daily, and enjoy live music Thursday through Saturday, plus an open mic night on Wednesdays.
Shirley’s Restaurant
If you are looking to start the day early, begin at Shirley’s Restaurant. The family-friendly diner opens at 5 a.m. Monday through Saturday; it’s closed on Sunday. Shirley’s specializes in Southern cuisine and was voted as having the best breakfast in Lake City. You’ll find it’s only a few minutes drive from the heart of downtown. When you step inside you will feel like you have discovered a spot only locals know about. Wood paneling, license plates hanging on the walls, fast service and generous portions are all part of the charm. Eggs, bacon, grits, biscuits and beyond, there’s everything you could want for a hearty meal. If you prefer to sleep in, you’ll be glad to know Shirley’s serves breakfast all day long. The lunch and dinner menus have Southern staples, including fried green tomatoes, fried chicken, pork chops, meatloaf and cornbread. Be sure to save room for one of the homemade desserts.
Phish Tales
Since 1999, this “phamily”-owned-and-operated restaurant has served “surph and turph” in a casual bar setting. The name is as memorable as the food–fresh, locally sourced seafood, hand-cut steaks, wings and pretty much anything that goes with beer. Phish Tales offers 60 plus beers including 11 rotating on tap and local craft brews. Don’t let the unassuming location in a strip mall stop you; it’s known to be a top spot for seafood. Try the peel & eat shrimp, conch “phritters” or “phish” tacos. Locals say its phish sandwich is one of the best around—it’s served “phried,” grilled or blackened with lettuce, tomato and homemade chips. There are daily lunch and dinner specials, including all-you-can-eat Wednesdays and happy hour all night on Thursdays. Phish Tales was recently featured on the TV show “Bar Rescue,” where it underwent an interior makeover and name change from Phish Heads.
