![\"Sunburst](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/01\/Sunburst-Cafe-scaled.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nStepping into Sunburst Cafe<\/a> suits the name: it’s like a burst of sunshine radiating from the colorful pillows, 18-foot mural of Costa Rica, bright chatter, and happy faces. Diners have every reason to smile. Whether your plate is piled with chocolate chip pancakes or you choose their lighter Sunburst Trio of three scoops of chicken, tuna, egg, or shrimp salad with fruit and crackers, it’s fresh and satisfying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They serve breakfast, brunch, and lunch daily, from 7 a.m. till 2 p.m., and the menu ranges from avocado toast to power bowls to gyros. As part of the Blue Zones project, they have a special focus on healthy fare, which is a refreshing change of pace when you’re traveling. They also offer vegan options, a kid\u2019s menu, and a pup-friendly patio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n f you’re a coffee drinker, try the cappuccino or one of the flavored variations \u2014 I recommend the butter beer. Either is best when accompanied by a pastry. Their offerings change regularly, but you can’t go wrong with the orange cranberry muffin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Right off pedestrian-only Saint George Street in the heart of historic downtown St. Augustine, MiMi\u2019s Famous Crepes<\/a> crafts the most delicious crepes you could dream of, both savory and sweet. They’re filling and fresh, perfect for an afternoon snack if you\u2019re splitting with a friend but substantial enough for lunch on their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And the flavor combinations run the gamut. Here\u2019s a peek: <\/p>\n\n\n\n I opted for the French Feast (shown above), their heartiest crepe, filled with roasted beef short rib and pulled chicken breast in a not-too-rich mushroom cream sauce and topped off with a fried egg and arugula. It\u2019s the best savory crepe I\u2019ve ever had \u2014 and I\u2019ve lived in France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want their amazing short ribs in a slightly<\/em> lighter crepe, I recommend Napoleon’s Short Rib. It\u2019s still plenty big for a solid lunch, and the red wine sauce on top is an especially nice complement to the slow-roasted meat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The dessert, as expected for a creperie, stole the show. The Nutella & Strawberry is deservedly one of their most popular. If you’re a fruit-lover like me, then the Lemon De La Cream, stuffed with berries and lemon glaze, will delight you. In short, these crepes live up to their name: famous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a perk, this cafe has a secret garden oasis away from the crowds. It reminds me of a cross between tropical Florida and Old World Europe. In summer, the place is blooming, and the shady nooks are a welcome respite from the sun. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Local tip:<\/strong> Kids will love these crepes, but if someone in your party prefers, they can grab a pretzel dog or other entree from Ben’s Soft Pretzels next door. Both counter-service restaurants share the same garden so you can eat together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While most of the places on this list serve coffee as the hot beverage of choice, there\u2019s nothing like a steaming pot of tea to start your day, especially when the ambiance is as charming as that of Lavender ‘n Lace Tearoom<\/a> in Lake Alfred, a quiet city about 30 minutes north of the Legoland theme park. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Housed in a lilac-hued 1920s home surrounded by live oaks dripping Spanish moss, the tearoom is elegantly decorated with lace curtains, teacups, porcelain, and paintings. Ornaments hang from the ceiling, and flowers arch over doorways. Outside is a shaded porch with more seating and antiques, leading you gently to a gift shop where you can browse the cookbooks, lavender products, and other souvenirs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But as Instagrammable as it all is, it\u2019s not the decor that draws folks from across the state and beyond. People come for a memorable \u201ccuppa\u201d and lunch. Founded over 35 years ago, the family-run tearoom was inspired by the world travels of merchant marine captain Hafeez Bajwa. The menu, a fusion of Creole, Southern, and British cuisine, reflects recipes passed down through generations. You might try the hearty and warm cottage pie, dolloped with mashed potatoes, or the chicken salad plate, surrounded by wonderfully sweet fresh fruit. (It’s some of the best chicken salad I\u2019ve had in more than 20 years of living in the South, and that’s saying something!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, a cup of premium loose leaf tea, accompanied by freshly made scones, is obligatory. The teas here are so much more than the Earl Grey you might know. I enjoyed the snow monkey plum with its hint of safflower, but there’s also blackcurrant, ginger peach, Tibetan raspberry, and mango mist, among others. Finish with a tangy-sweet lemon blueberry cheesecake or one of their many other housemade desserts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s somehow magical. The owner of the tearoom, Tabina Bajwa, sums it up well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe seat of power in food \u2014 its soul and expertise \u2014 has always begun at home \u2026 where the trading and sharing of food knowledge and recipes tells a story of creativity, grace, and care,\u201d Bajwa said. \u201cWe want to create an inimitable experience and space where guests can enjoy and take time to admire the serene atmosphere and rich mix of life that pulses throughout Lavender ‘n Lace. In seeing the world as it is, we hope to still live beyond it.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s a fun take on a Florida cafe \u2014 a food truck that serves some of the best Caribbean fare around while working to make an impact in their community and overseas. That\u2019s Impact Island Cafe<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This Ocala cafe on wheels has well over a hundred reviews praising its island cuisine, and they’re not wrong. If you like a little heat, get the jerk chicken. But the beef oxtail is also excellent, falling off the bone into a bed of beans and rice. Intersperse each beefy bite with a mouthful of sweet plantains and stir-fry veggies and you’ll understand how the sides, rice, and main together create an unforgettable medley of flavors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Much of the menu is vegan, great for those avoiding meat, but this is food omnivores will love too. Try the Caribbean bowl with lentil loaf or (did I say or<\/em>? I meant and<\/em>) the barbecue cauliflower nuggets. Then grab a seat at one of the brightly colored picnic tables and dig in. They even have cute photo spots and lawn games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Sunburst](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/01\/Sunburst-Cafe-1-scaled.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n2. MiMi\u2019s Famous Crepes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/05\/Savory-beef-crepe-in-the-garden-at-MiMis-creperie-in-St.-Augustine-1024x768.jpg\")
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/05\/Lemon-cream-crepe-at-MiMis-Famous-Crepes-in-St.-Augustine-1024x681.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/05\/MiMis-creperie-cafe-garden-in-historic-St.-Augustine-1024x682.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n3. Lavender ‘n Lace Tearoom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/03\/PXL_20230218_171326533-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/03\/PXL_20230218_180005851-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/03\/PXL_20230218_165018031-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n4. Impact Island Cafe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/05\/Impact-Island-Cafe-food-truck-drinks-1024x670.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"jerk](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/04\/Carribean-platter-at-Ocala-cafe-food-truck-1024x768.jpg\")
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