The best places to eat in Okeechobee are a mixture of hidden gems that serve homestyle Southern cooking. Most people know Okeechobee for its famous lake, Florida’s largest freshwater lake and the second-largest freshwater lake in the nation. However, the city is also a place with a lively restaurant scene. Okeechobee is a fantastic place to have lunch, breakfast, or dinner. Below are some of the best places to eat in Okeechobee, Florida.
Sunshine BBQ and Cafe
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Most people think of places like Texas or the Carolinas when it comes to barbecue, but Okeechobee has some unique barbecue options. Sunshine BBQ and Cafe is one of the town’s best-kept secrets. The restaurant is colorful, fun, and a top spot for delicious barbecue.
The fast-casual spot serves slow-smoked barbecue and is known for its unique barbecue egg rolls. Everything on the menu is delicious, and the brisket, ribs, fries, and pulled pork sandwich are all hits with customers. The portions are enormous, and one barbecue sandwich satisfies two people. Customers love the giant portions and the rub and sauces on the meat.
The restaurant is a takeout place, although there is a small patio for outdoor seating. Sunshine BBQ and Cafe is one of the best restaurants in Okeechobee, Florida. It’s at 605 Northeast Park St., Okeechobee, Florida.
Pogey’s Family Restaurant
Pogey’s has been a part of the Okeechobee restaurant scene since 1990. The business is owned by a family with a long history in the restaurant business. Pogey’s is a cute American diner with a family-friendly atmosphere. The place is usually jam-packed with locals who love the food and quick, friendly service.
Highly rated dishes at Pogey’s include biscuits and gravy, Benedict, pork tenderloin sandwich, grits, and chicken fried steak. The food is delicious, and customers who visit the diner are not disappointed. The service is the best, and most people return again and again. The restaurant is at 1759 S Parrott Ave, Okeechobee, Florida.
Lightsey’s Seafood Restaurant & Fish Co.
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Lightsey’s Fish Company & Seafood is a family-owned restaurant in Okeechobee celebrated for its fresh seafood and inclusive atmosphere. The restaurant’s interior offers a blend of rustic and nautical decor, reflecting its long-standing ties to the local fishing culture.
Guests can enjoy a spacious dining area, a bar, and a large screened outdoor patio. The extensive menu emphasizes local catches, with options like catfish and gator tail, as well as a variety of meat dishes. Highly-reviewed sides include hush puppies and coleslaw. Lightsey’s provides a casual dining experience suitable for families and friends. Open daily, the restaurant serves lunch and dinner, making it a popular spot for both locals and visitors seeking authentic Florida cuisine.
Nutmeg’s Cafe
Nutmegs Cafe is a cool sandwich shop specializing in unique sandwiches, paninis, soups, and salads. The cafe is locally owned and opened in Okeechobee in 2012. The café is eclectic and lovingly decorated with beautiful plates and interesting artwork on the walls. It’s an adorable café with an eccentric and elegant charm.
Popular menu items include a tropical turkey wrap, tuna melt, blackened shrimp wrap, and chicken salad croissant. Everything at the café is made from scratch using fresh ingredients. The café also has healthy options for vegetarians searching for delicious Okeechobee restaurants.
The cafe also serves baked goods and even has ice cream. The owners love to bake and make specialty desserts that are handmade in-house. People in the mood for ice cream should try one of their 12 flavors of hand-dipped ice cream.
In addition to delicious food, Nutmeg’s has high ratings for its service. The owner and staff are friendly and accommodating. The cafe is at 515 SW Park St., Okeechobee, Florida.
Parrott Island
Parrott Island is a family-friendly restaurant that serves seafood and American fare. It’s a casual spot with a laid-back ambiance and live music. The atmosphere is very old-school Florida, and the restaurant’s motto is “bringing fun and a taste of the Florida Keys to Okeechobee.”
The Okeechobee restaurant’s most popular dishes are the catfish, Cuban sandwich, conch fritters, mahi tacos, wings, and coconut shrimp. The fried catfish alone is worth the trip. For dessert, the restaurant serves key lime pie.
Parrott Island is a great place to meet friends or take the family for lunch. Indoor seating is plentiful, and customers have a spacious outdoor patio option. The restaurant is at 1001 S. Parrott Ave., Okeechobee, Florida.
Blue Moon BBQ
Blue Moon BBQ is one of the best places to eat in Okeechobee. The cool, cerulean blue food truck is famous in Okeechobee for its crowd-pleasing mac and cheese, cowboy beans, and brisket in a cup. The food truck serves juicy and tender barbecue and homemade sides.
Most people visit for the pulled pork, brisket, and ribs. Blue Moon has some of the best barbecue and sides in Okeechobee, Florida. The meat is tender and falls off the bone. The sauces are also made in-house and are delicious.
The food truck is one of the highest-rated restaurants in Okeechobee because of the high-quality food and staff. The owner is pleasant, and the hospitality is fantastic. Blue Moon BBQ is perfect for a pulled pork or brisket sandwich. Locals love the food truck and say it’s some of the best barbecue in the county. The food truck is at 1600 FL-70, Okeechobee, Florida.
Lakeside Grill
Lakeside Grill serves hearty comfort food that locals love. The restaurant is casual and offers diners a homey, casual environment. Lakeside Grill is locally owned by Greek immigrants who moved to Florida in the 1980s. The owners fell in love with Okeechobee, calling the city their “secret Hideaway.” They opened the place in 2014 and have served the community since then.
People appreciate the food, service, and prices. Recommended dishes include the omelet, grits, seasonal salad, and breakfast burrito. It’s a great spot for a delicious breakfast or lunch. The restaurant has plenty of parking and indoor seating for an excellent casual, relaxed breakfast or lunch in Okeechobee. The restaurant is located at 1111 S. Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida.
Landing Strip Cafe
Landing Strip Cafe is a casual spot that serves breakfast all day in an airport setting. The restaurant is located at the Okeechobee Airport, giving customers an incredible view of the planes as they dine. The restaurant has a cool atmosphere. It’s a great spot for a budget-friendly lunch or breakfast in Okeechobee, Florida.
People love the food and service. Regulars recommend the biscuits and gravy, the buttery pancakes, which are consistently delicious, the roast beef with mushrooms, the veggie omelet, and the chicken sandwich. The restaurant is open daily from 7AM to 2PM. Landing Strip Cafe is at 2800 NW 20th Trail, Okeechobee, Florida.
Park 112
Park 112 is a lovely Southern restaurant near downtown Okeechobee, Florida. It serves wraps, sandwiches, and burgers in a very casual setting. The restaurant is small, lovely, and highly rated for its excellent burgers. Some locals say that it’s one of the best burgers in Okeechobee. The burgers are well-seasoned and juicy; people love the perfectly crispy fries.
In addition to great cheeseburgers, customers recommend Park 112’s Cuban sandwiches, onion rings, cucumber salad, and Cobb salad. The prices are a big hit. The restaurant provides good value for the money and is one of the best places to eat in Okeechobee, Florida.
Service is quick and friendly even though the restaurant is usually busy. Park 112 is an excellent spot for people wanting a delicious burger and a quaint spot in Okeechobee, Florida. The restaurant is located at 112 SE Park St., Okeechobee, Florida.
Slim Chickens
Slim Chickens is a fast-casual chain specializing in chicken tenders and sides. It opened in Okeechobee in 2024. It’s the Sunshine State’s fifth location, and locals have warmly welcomed the new location.
The chain’s recommended dishes include the eight-wing meal, tender macaroni and cheese bowl, and chicken club sandwich meal. Locals enjoy the chicken and waffles, fried okra, and fried pickles. Customers rave about the restaurant’s signature desserts, which include brownies and sweet treats served in mason jars.
The fast-food chain also has delicious chocolate milkshakes. The food has a “Southern comfort” feel. It’s one of the top chicken restaurants near Okeechobee, Florida. It’s at 3238 US-441, Okeechobee, Florida.
