Florida’s sun-drenched, easy-going capital city has a wealth of appeal, from historic sites and modern galleries to outstanding entertainment and outdoor activities. When it comes to food, nourishment is never far away — and many eateries come with a fascinating story, such as Bar 1903 Library of Cocktails on East Park Avenue, housed within historic Walker Library. When you’re ready to explore, add these exceptional dining venues to your must-try list:

Backwoods Crossing

Brothers Tyler and Jesse Rice formed this farm-to-table eatery with the goal of offering the best in fresh, locally sourced seafood, meats and produce in a menu of Southern classics — often prepared with a delicious twist and crafted from the property’s own eggs and produce. After honing his culinary skills with top chefs in the Southern United States, Jesse teamed up with Tyler, an engineer, and local history was made. Lunch and dinner menus feature stuffed crab rolls, jalapeno catfish bites, farmhouse ribeye steak and Backwoods bread pudding. There’s also a hand-selected wine list and plenty of creative cocktails. Ask for the Floody Mary, made with Reyka vodka, house beet bloody mix and assorted pickled veggies.

© Visit Tallahassee

Amicus Brewing Ventures

A joint quest imagined and brought to tasty fruition by four adventure-loving Tallahassee families, Amicus Brewing Ventures is centrally located next to Cascades Park in the historic Old City Waterworks Building, listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. When converting the structure to its current use, great care was taken to incorporate many of the building’s original features into the design, including brick and wood elements. Open Wednesday–Sunday, the taproom and beer garden are family-friendly. The menu of craft brews also features non-alcoholic choices, including a mouthwatering root beer brewed on site. Beer lovers will have a great time sampling Fuggles’ Brew, Chocolate Providence Porter, Mi Amigo, Waterworks, Hoppin’ In The Rain, Defying Gravity and other craft creations. There’s a menu of tasty accompaniments and, in the evenings, a variety of food trucks are on hand to help fill up any empty corners.

© Visit Tallahassee

Il Lusso

Looking for a full-on gourmet dinner experience? Beautiful food is the theme at Il Lusso, where every dish is handcrafted by a talented kitchen team that also happens to be on view as they cook. You’ll find all your favorites, such as cacio e pepe; osso bucco; and a menu of steaks, pork and veal. There’s also a selection of regional Italian specialties you may not have yet tried, including wild boar cacciatore pappardelle with fennel, onion, whipped gorgonzola and pickled sweet peppers; squid ink mafaldine with Fra Diavolo, crab, uni, calamari and mussels; rabbit salsiccia casarecce with pangrattato, pesto rosso and parmesan; and lobster mezzaluna with lemon, crab, lobster sauce and truffle foam. Dining here is popular, so be sure to make an advance reservation. Il Lusso is open for dinner from 5 p.m. and is closed on Sunday. Have a client to impress? There’s also a private room available.

© Visit Tallahassee

The Edison Restaurant

Named for its singular location, The Edison occupies the city’s Old City Electric Building in Cascades Park, and was once a coal-fired power plant. You’ll enter through a space that includes a lovely mural at the top of a stairway, and dine beneath lofty ceilings surrounded by original brick walls. Specializing in what the restaurant team calls “scratch-prepared, upscale regional cuisine,” the menu features yummy dishes such as Key West lobster guacamole, Gulf Coast shrimp skewers and Jacksonville shrimp steak. Try the Salmon Cortez, an herb- and pecan-crusted wedge of salmon finished with white wine lemon butter. On weekends, there’s a brunch menu. Every morning, breakfast is served at Power Plant Cafe, where you can enjoy an acai bowl powered with fruit, a selection of smoothies including the Amazonia Berry and Choco Muscle, cold and hot brews, croissants and muffins. Somewhere between breakfast, dinner and exploring the city, stop in for a scoop of creamy gelato.