Is there anything more comforting than a bowl of macaroni and cheese? Nothing takes me back faster than a bite of extra-cheesy mac and cheese, baked to perfection with a golden crust. Because of the whole nostalgia factor, there aren’t many places out there that can top your mom or grandma’s recipe. But the delicious macs you’ll find at these restaurants are almost as good:
1. Yardbird Southern Table & Bar, Miami Beach
Sometimes when you're in South Florida you might forget you're in the South, but a trip to this incredible Southern restaurant will change that. You'll find this luxurious mac and cheese on the starter menu, made with five artisanal cheeses and topped with a crispy herb crust.
2. Urban Brew & BBQ, St. Petersburg
This place takes mac and cheese seriously. This delicious three-cheese mac is cooked to order and served in the skillet. The addition of smoked gouda and parmesan to the traditional cheddar, plus a topping of prosciutto and bread crumbs, take this dish over the top. If that's not enough, diners can add pulled pork and choice of sauce to make a "Baton Rouge."
3. Deuce's Off The Hook Grill, Key West
If you're in Key West, you'll want to try this gnocchi lobster mac and cheese. This dish features succulent chunks of lobster and gnocchi in gourmet cheese sauce, topped with a crust of shaved parmesan.
4. Food Shack (Little Moir's), Jupiter
Who says mac and cheese is just for kids? Food Shack has created its own grown-up version, with chicken with toasted garlic and red onion in a smoky Sriracha-cheese sauce. If you love a little heat, this will probably be your favorite dish on the list.
5. Cafe Tu Tu Tango, Orlando
Head over to this funky restaurant in Orlando for a creative (and spicy) twist on classic mac and cheese. They start with penne pasta, drench it in a creamy jalapeno horseradish sauce, add a few crispy charred tomatoes, pancetta, and caramelized onions.
6. Royal Pig Pub, Fort Lauderdale
The RPP Bacon Mac & Cheese is an experience you won't soon forget, packed with cheddar, parmesan, Tasso ham, Mexican Chihuahua cheese, and topped with Andouille Bread Crumbs. Meat-lovers have the option to add pork or brisket.
7. The Flaming Buoy Filet Co., Key West
You'll love the food and the atmosphere at this cozy little neighborhood restaurant. You can order this heavenly lobster mac n cheese either as an entree or as an appetizer.
8. MADE Restaurant, Sarasota
MADE stands for modern American delicious eats, and that perfectly sums up these twists on our favorite comfort food. MADE offers four kinds of mac, with additions like baby tomatoes, corn, chorizo, pork shoulder, bacon and even roasted brussels sprouts. We recommend you start with the original: a blend of parmesan and gruyere in a creamy sauce, with plenty of charred jalapeño pesto and smoked chicken for lots of flavor.
9. Blue Collar, Miami
This popular restaurant in Miami puts a unique Floridian twist on their house mac and cheese. They start with elegant cavatappi pasta, smothered in cheddar, fontina and parmesan, with gild-the-lily options of bacon and rock shrimp.
10. Charlie Mac's, Key West
This funky spot is known for its BBQ, but any good BBQ joint should make a mean mac and cheese. They have a solid plain mac and cheese, but their other inventive mac and cheese starter is why they made this list. Guests rave about the spicy pork mac 'n' cheese balls (a twist on fried mac and cheese with pulled pork and jalapenos).
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