The Daytona Beach area is no stranger to exceptional cuisine, offering new and unique flavors around every corner. With so many options at our disposal, the lingering question remains, what separates the good from the great?
Go-to restaurants — the greats — are those we trust to make an impression when loved ones are in town; those that deliver on all fronts, from atmosphere and presentation to service, flavor and variety; those that keeps us continually craving more.
From Asian-inspired cuisine and gourmet sandwiches to classic American fare, here are five of my no-brainer favorites for lunch and dinner in the Daytona Beach area.
Restaurant news:Critically acclaimed DeLand restaurant announces new chef de cuisine
63 Sovereign in Ormond Beach
63 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach; 386-238-9032, 63sovereign.com
63 Sovereign, a place I return to time and again with both family and friends, seems to improve with every visit. Located in a two-story Granada Boulevard home, the Ormond Beach eatery consistently delivers on ambiance, service and exceptionally crafted cuisine. Its undeniable charm and quaint yet cozy atmosphere keeps me, like many, returning for dinners, date nights and drinks.
The local gem features a diverse menu of seasonal and staple offerings — as well as vegetarian and gluten-free options — that range from the four-hour-roasted short rib lasagna, white truffle flatbread, and tempura shrimp and cream cheese-layered Sovereign’s roll, to my recent favorites, the cornflake chicken bao buns — fried chicken, maple siracha, cucumber and micro celery; and garlic burrata bread — a garlic-and-herb-buttered roll bursting with a burrata-stuffed center and topped with chili crunch and creamy ricotta mornay sauce.
Not only does 63 Sovereign’s presentation continually wow, but its fresh, savory and spiced servings keep me hooked.
Third Wave Café and Wine Bar in NSB
204 Flagler Ave., New Smyrna Beach; 386-402-7864, thirdwavensb.com
This Guy Fieri-approved café and wine bar continues to impress with its rotating menu of “globally influenced,” flawlessly prepared cuisine. Built around softly glowing, light-strung trees and a bamboo wall enclosure, the Flagler Avenue eatery captivates visitors time and time again with its twinkling, garden-like ambiance, elevated flavors and impeccable service.
The romantic eatery boasts a varied, rotating menu of fresh seafood, gourmet pizzas, steak, house-made dips and more, with previous favorites including the cabernet-braised Wagyu short rib; Berkshire Chop hand-cut, wood-fired heritage pork chop; and local, pasture-raised, bone-in oak-roasted half chicken with veggies and Yukon mash.
As its name suggests, Third Wave offers an extensive list of “special occasion” and casual wines that cater to a variety of tastes. The eatery’s limited patio space fills up rather quickly, and reservations are not accepted, so be sure to arrive early to secure a table for you and your party.
BakeChop in DeLand
110 Artisan Alley, DeLand; 386-873-6524, bakechop.com
Tucked away in DeLand’s Artisan Alley, this beloved scratch-kitchen eatery’s exceptionally fresh, locally sourced ingredients and uniquely-crafted menu has certainly earned it its “local gem” title. The restaurant’s rustic charm and bold flavor combinations always leave a lasting impression on both me and my guests.
The eatery’s menu features a variety of juicy burgers, gluten-free bowls, layered sandwiches and more — not to mention several vegan plates, ranging from the apple burrata beef burger — house-made apple butter, burrata cheese, pickled radish, spinach and watercress; and the Cocky Joe — shaved ribeye, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, provolone and house garlic aioli on a hoagie roll; to my recent favorites, the Farm Bowl — pulled pork, BBQ sauce, jalapeno cheddar polenta, red cabbage slaw, scallions and bacon collards; the Boulevard sandwich — grilled chicken breast layered with herbed goat cheese, balsamic glaze, red onion, fresh tomato and lemon mixed greens on ciabatta; and the Magic Mushrooms — a small but flavorful layering of grilled Portobello mushrooms, jalapeno cheese, mixed greens, fresh cherry tomatoes, pickled red onion and herbed bread crumb.
The Baker’s Table in New Smyrna Beach
4154 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach; 386-423-6656, thebakerstablensb.com
Widely known as one of New Smyrna Beach’s best, The Baker’s Table is a dining treat to say the least. The local eatery offers an elegant, yet home-like atmosphere, with undeniably exceptional quality shining through its service, presentation and flavors. While the intimate eatery is certainly famous for its decadent desserts and delicious baked goods, its dinner offerings continually keep me craving more.
The Baker’s Table’s unique menu features an array of globally inspired dishes, including a touch of French, German and Italian-inspired cuisine, and ranges from escargot — garlic, butter, parsley and toasted brioche — and Jägerschnitzel — German potatoes, braised red cabbage and mushroom gravy — to the king salmon, cauliflower and chickpea curry, and, recent favorites, the basil ricotta gnocchi — Key West pink shrimp, pesto cream and pine nuts — and the light, creamy goat cheese tart — caramelized onions, walnuts, truffle honey and apple relish.
Whether celebrating an anniversary, enjoying a friendly dinner or casual brunch, The Baker’s Table is a NSB go-to for good reason.
Manzano’s Beachside Deli in NSB
311 Flagler Ave., New Smyrna Beach; 386-402-4981, manzanonsb.com
Manzano’s Beachside Deli is a must-try sandwich shop staple that offers a plethora of made-to-order, hot and cold sandwiches and paninis using Boar’s Head meats, and bread and bagels flown in from New York. The casual Flagler Avenue shop recently opened a new location in Port Orange and is known for its massive, layered handhelds that, whether smoky, savory, meat-filled or meatless, will simply never go out of style.
The eatery offers a variety of half or whole sandwich selections, with my personal favorites, those that never get old, ranging from the tangy, rich Maverick — turkey, chipotle ranch, smoked gouda, bacon, jalapenos, banana peppers, tomato and lettuce; and the meat-layered Goodfella — ham, salami, prosciutto, provolone, lettuce, tomato and parmesan peppercorn dressing; to the juicy Italian Stallion — salami, pepperoni, ham, prosciutto, provolone, lettuce, tomato, red onion, black olives, mayo, oil and vinegar.
Sometimes, we all crave a good sandwich, and Manzano’s never lets me down.
Helena Perray is the restaurant and dining writer for The Daytona Beach News-Journal. A New Jersey native and passionate storyteller, she can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow her on Instagram and Facebook. Support local journalism by subscribing