Five Pensacola restaurants make Yelp's 'Top 100 Florida Restaurants' 2023 list
Popular review site Yelp just released a list of the Top 100 Florida Restaurants for 2023 and five Pensacola restaurants made the cut — up four from the previous year’s inaugural list.
Yelp notes that they ranked the restaurants "using a number of factors, including the total volume and ratings of reviews between Jan. 1, 2022 and Jan. 1, 2023. When available, all businesses on this list have a passing health score as of Jan. 9, 2023.”
What Pensacola restaurants made the Yelp 100 list?
Five Pensacola area restaurants are sprinkled throughout the list, taking as high as the No. 14 spot. Here’s the list:
George Bistro + Bar (No. 14) — George Bistro + Bar is passionate about food and offers a full dining experience, starting the moment you open the website to check out the menu and you’re met with a great design and quality photos of the food. George’s calls its fusion of flavors “South-meets-South,” drawing inspiration from both South France and good ole’ Southern cooking many of us grew up eating.
Mr. Pollo (No. 16) — Staying true to those Yelp trends, Mr. Pollo serves up some of the most delicious chicken dishes you’ve ever had. What you’re served after you order is the culmination of a flavorful journey starting with a multi-day soak in a rosemary-garlic brine, followed by slow-roasting with charcoal.
Aunt Katie’s - Welcome to Breakfast (No. 44) — Aunt Katie’s takes brunch seriously and doles out portions generously. Open for breakfast and lunch, with both menus available all day, Aunt Katie’s has a pretty straightforward menu that focuses on seafood, steak and Southern cooking.
Best Pensacola brunch spots: You can't go wrong with any of these 12 spots
El Asador (No. 73) — A list of best places to eat in Florida isn’t complete without the taco juggernaut, El Asador. El Asador made a name for itself in 2017 when it was named the No. 4 best taco place in America. Since then, it’s been named one of the best restaurants and taco places on national and regional lists. So, what’s the appeal? The tacos are just exceptional.
Pearl & Horn (No. 96) — What do George Bistro and Pearl & Horn have in common? They’re owned by the same people. Pearl & Horn is a small eatery located at The Garden in Downtown Pensacola. The gourmet fast-casual concept highlights flavors inspired by the best of both the land and sea. Despite still being a new restaurant, it’s already exploded in popularity, and an expansion is set to move the restaurant into the former Alice’s Restaurant location on Intendencia Street.
Pearl & Horn expansion: George Bistro owners to open new restaurant in former Alice's Restaurant space
Florida food trends in 2023, according to Yelp
Yelp says Floridian “Yelpers” craved more than steak, fish and an occasional chicken tender. Thai street food, empanadas, spicy shashuka, chicken sandwiches (ok, maybe chicken tenders are still in), vegan barbecue and more were all hits throughout the state.
The top three restaurants on the list are perfect examples of Florida’s diverse tastebuds, featuring small plates of Thai street food, authentic North and South Indian dishes and new takes on authentic Italian cuisine.
Restaurants in Panama City, Fort Walton and others make list of Top 100 Florida Restaurants
In addition to the restaurants in Venice and West Palm Beach, many other local favorites from our USA TODAY Florida Network made the Top 100. Just among the Top 50, you will find restaurants such as George Bistro + Bar (No. 14) and Mr. Pollo (No. 16) in Pensacola, Fork & Hen (No. 22) in Sarasota, Wicked Bao (No. 26) in Fernandina Beach, Crackings (No. 27) in Destin, Berry Fresh Cafe (No. 29) in Stuart, The Red Bud Cafe (No. 32) in Daytona Beach, Mesa (No. 38) in Jacksonville, Château 13 (No. 40) in Bradenton, Stewby’s Seafood Shanty (No. 43) in Fort Walton Beach, Aunt Katie’s – Welcome to Breakfast (No. 44) in Pensacola, Masala Mantra Indian Bistro (No. 46) in Jacksonville and The Pour (No. 58) in Panama City Beach.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Yelp Top 100 Florida Restaurants: Five Pensacola restaurants make list
