12 Best Southern Restaurants near Sanford

Pook Bear Country Cooking Southern • $
1926 West 13th Street, Sanford

Customers` Favorites

Fried Catfish Collard Greens Cabbage with Bacon Rice
Biscuit and Sausage Gravy
Grill Pork Chop Sandwich
Fried Pork Chop Sandwich
Vegetable Cheese Omelets
Cheese Burger Sandwich
Smothered Pork Chop
Ham Cheese Omelets
Meat Loaf Sandwich
Corn Beef Hash

“I stopped by Pook Bear Country Cooking on a road trip after seeing a few locals recommend it, and I'm glad I gave it a try. I ordered the daily special, and it tasted like a home-cooked meal rather than typical restaurant food. The portions were generous, and everything arrived hot and fresh. What stood out most was how welcoming the staff were—they made me feel like a regular even though it was my first visit. If you're looking for a casual place with comforting food and a friendly atmosphere, this is definitely worth a stop.“

4.2 Good88 Reviews
The Tennessee Truffle Fine Dining • $$
125 West 1st Street, Sanford

Customers` Favorites

Mimi's Macaroni and Tomato Salad
Pecan Crusted Catfish and Grits
Pan Seared 60° South Salmon
Chocolate Gravy Biscuit
Brown Butter Ice Cream
Becon Egg and Cheese
Breakfast Sandwich
Tomato Capri Salad
Watermelon Salad
Shrimp and Grits

“If you love 5-star food in a wonderful atmosphere, this is THE place to go in Sanford! We visited for the first time on 3/13/26 and were surprised to find this level of cuisine at such an affordable price. Don’t think twice… drop in to see if a table is available or call to reserve a table in advance because you don’t want to miss out. We’ll definitely be back frequently and will let everyone know that this is the quality and style we want in Sanford. P.S. The staff was fabulous in every way too!“

4.6 Superb258 Reviews
The Bayou Kitchen & Lounge Cajun • $$
115 E 1st St, Sanford

Customers` Favorites

Fried Dough with Powdered Sugar
Bourbon Street Fried Rice
Crispy Shrimp Jambalaya
Red Beans \u0026 Rice
Jammin on the Bayou
Bayou Lobster Mac
Shrimp and Grits
Shrimp PO Boy
Sloppy Nola
Corn Bread

“The Cajun fried rice was excellent. The beignets and banana foster were superb!

It was my hubby's birthday and the server brought out beignets and sang happy birthday! That was nice.

Big complaint...the overall service dampened the whole dining experience. No silverware on the table, so the food came and we had to wait to dig in. Had to get up to request a knife and then ask a couple of times for sauce. The server was not friendly and attitude lackluster.

Service is a huge part of the dining experience, if the food wasn't excellent I would have taken off 4 stars. I'll pass on future dine in but will potentially order to go. The food was some of the best Cajun I've had in years!“

4.5 Superb118 Reviews
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store American • $
200 Hickman Dr, Sanford

Customers` Favorites

Lemon Pepper Grilled Rainbow Trout with Country Green Beans and Ashbrown Casserole
Chicken N' Dumplins with Hashbrown Casserole and Carrots
The Cracker Barrel's Country Boy Breakfast
U S Farm-Raised Fried Catfish - 2 Pieces
Steak Eggs Biscuits and Sausage Gravy
Grandpa's Country Fried Breakfast
Hash Browns and Scrambled Eggs
Egg Sandwich with Fried Apples
Homestyle Fried Chicken Salad
Wild Maine Blueberry Pancakes

“I like the nostalgia of the restaurant and store. I actually like the store better than the food!“

4.4 Superb784 Reviews
Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen Comfort Food • $
1650 Rinehart Rd, Sanford

Customers` Favorites

Cheddar's Legendary Monster Cookie
Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich
Homemade Chicken Pot Pie
Honey Butter Croissants
Grilled Chicken Alfredo
Cheddar's Cheese Fries
Wisconsin Cheese Bites
Cheddar's Trio Sampler
Cheddar's Queso Fries
Country Fried Chicken

“This is one of my favorite places to go, I have been here twice this location, the service is always perfect, this time I ordered a buffalo chicken wrap, always so much food it was literally two big raps cut in half. I think the chicken was cooked perfect the buffalo sauce was absolutely delicious it was the exact amount of heat for me allow you to taste all the flavors without overpowering. Now the ranch that deserves its own award, I honestly was taken back to when I had first started liking ranch. Picture of my leftovers excuse the bite taken out of it I had to taste it one more time.“

4.3 Superb600 Reviews
The Old Jailhouse Kitchen & Spirits American • $$
113 S Palmetto Ave, Sanford

Customers` Favorites

Brussels Sprouts and Bacon
Espresso Creme Brulee
Fire Grilled Steak
Mushroom Gnocchi
Big House Burger
Jailhouse Burger
Chicken Sandwich
Raise the Steaks
Jailhouse Fries
Salmon and Rice

“1/3/25…in town for one night, never been here, never heard of this place, just decided to try it. Stopped in around 5:00. The host asked if we had a reservation, we did not. She said “I’ll work you in” and seated us immediately at the bar. The bruschetta was the bomb! The fried chicken was totally out of this world! The service was outstanding! A must go to place!“

4.2 Good678 Reviews
The Town House Restaurant American • $
139 N Central Ave, Oviedo - 9.73 miles

Customers` Favorites

Patty Melt Dine in: Yes Outdoor seating: Yes
Biscuits \u0026 Gravy Platter
A Heckuva Pancake Platter
Choc Chip Pancake Platter
Biscuits & Gravy Platter
Chocolate Chip Pancakes
K French Toast Platter
Classic Eggs Benedict
2 Eggs and Home Fries
Chicken Fried Chicken

“once again food was great and Taylor took care of us like family. Thank you again and keep up the outstanding customer service and reason why I will continue to cone back whenever I'm in Florida“

4.5 Superb275 Reviews
Red Crab - Juicy Seafood Seafood • $$
852 Saxon Boulevard Ste 31-33, Orange City - 7.51 miles

Customers` Favorites

Seafood Boil Tuesday Special
Make Your Own Seafood Combo
New England Clam Chowder
Fried Catfish Basket
Fried Shrimp Basket
Fried Oyster Basket
Dungeness Cluster
Low Country Boil
Tilapia Sandwich
Corn on the Cob

“went for 1st time for my 6oth birthday and I was very impressed! just wish I had tried it earlier! was absolutely delicious!“

4.3 Superb170 Reviews
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store American • $
285 Douglas Ave, Altamonte Springs - 11.94 miles

Customers` Favorites

Scrambled Eggs and Chicken Sausage Patties
The Cracker Barrel's Country Boy Breakfast
Lemon Pepper Grilled Rainbow Trout
Grandpa's Country Fried Breakfast
Steak Brócoli Macarrones Quesos
Momma's French Toast Breakfast
Homestyle Fried Chicken Salad
Cracker Barrel Freshly Brewed
Egg and Hashbrown Casserole
Country Sides Steak Fries

“we had great service, the food was so good, and love all the seasonal items in the store.“

4.2 Good494 Reviews
Black Hammock Restaurant American • $$
2316 Black Hammock Fish Camp Road, Oviedo - 7.79 miles

Customers` Favorites

Florida Style Gator Bites
Chicken Fingers & Fries
Gator Burger and Fries
Shrimp and Grits
Fish and Chips
Corn Fritters
Shrimp PO'Boy
Mahi Sandwich
Chicken Tacos
Hush Puppies

“Highly recommend for family gatherings! We just had our Baby Shower in their event space & we had an amazing time. All the staff was super friendly, very accommodating and easy to work with & book. The food and drinks were delicious and fast. Our host/waitress was so sweet and fun and great about interacting with everyone at the shower. The kids present were very happy to feed the gators, visit the parrots, and pretty much wander around in between the games. I cannot recommend their services enough and I am beyond happy we chose here for our baby shower.“

4.2 Good165 Reviews
Huey Magoo's Chicken Tenders - Altamonte Springs Chicken • $
895 E Altamonte Dr #1000, Altamonte Springs - 11.1 miles

Customers` Favorites

Chicken Tenders with Fries
Chicken Tenders and Fries
Chicken Fingers and Fries
Buffalo Wrap - Ala Carte
Magoo's Favorite Salad
Tenders French Fries
Magoo's Sandwich
Original Tenders
Chicken Fingers
Tenders for One

“Food is great! But please tell me how do you expect patrons to throw their trash away? This is such a huge flaw in your dinning room.“

3.9 Good194 Reviews
Chicken Salad Chick Chicken • $
1101 International Parkway Suite 1511, Lake Mary - 5.52 miles

Customers` Favorites

Chicken Salad Sandwich
Broccoli Cheese Soup
Chicken Salad Chick
Loaded Potato Soup
blt on Croissant
Cranberry Kelli
Broccoli Salad
Pimento Cheese
Side Crackers
Pasta Salad

“Bella at Chicken Salad Chick was absolutely amazing! She was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and genuinely went above and beyond to help me. You can tell she really cares about making sure customers have a great experience, and her positive attitude made my visit that much better.

Great customer service can be hard to come by, and Bella deserves recognition for providing it. Chicken Salad Chick is lucky to have her on the team. Thank you, Bella!“

3.8 Good124 Reviews