In Okeechobee, you’ll find two constants: hearty portions that satisfy even the hungriest angler, and flavors that linger like the morning mist over the lake. The exceptional spots, however, will make you rediscover Southern comfort classics as if tasting them anew. With so many diners, BBQ joints, and seafood shacks dotting this lakeside town, knowing where to pull up a chair is key. That’s precisely why we’ve crafted this list.
Slim Chickens
$ | (863) 275-2456 | WEBSITE
Pull up to this chicken joint in Okeechobee around dinner time and you might discover the rest of the town has already claimed all the crispy tenders from the warming rack. Don’t let this happen. If it does, have no worry—Slim Chickens also serves great, crunchy Chicken Club meals as well as satisfying Slim’s Wraps with French fries. Stop by when you want wings for lunch, or on a weekend for the popular 6 Wing Dinner with the option to upgrade to fried okra.
Landing Strip Cafe
$ | (863) 467-6828 | WEBSITE
One bite into the country ham at Landing Strip Cafe has us feeling better than a smooth landing on a sunny morning. The ham comes in a generous portion and has a savory, smoky flavor highlighted by a sweet glaze. And it isn’t the only satisfying thing on the airport spot’s menu. The Okeechobee restaurant has cheeseburgers and breakfast plates that can be enjoyed while watching planes, and they even have a lively atmosphere for when everyone wants brunch on Sunday.
Little Caesars Pizza
$ | (863) 467-0344 | WEBSITE
Sometimes you start planning your day around your next slice of pepperoni pizza, or catch yourself thinking about biting into a cheesy breadstick at a red light. Little Caesars Pizza, an Okeechobee pizza spot, has us daydreaming about both of these items, as well as a custom pizza loaded with toppings and then baked to crispy perfection. This is also a great place to grab a quick meal since they have fast service with minimal wait times.
Essie Mae’s Old South BBQ
$ | (561) 707-0487 | WEBSITE
The line outside of Okeechobee’s Essie Mae’s Old South BBQ is longer than the one at the county fair’s funnel cake stand. When you finally reach the counter, though, make sure you grab a 2 meat combo platter with ribs and sausage, paired with mac n cheese and cole slaw. The ribs have a bit of sweetness from the dry rub and a touch of smokiness from the hickory wood they’re slow-cooked over.
As for the mac n cheese, it’s bubbling with three mystery cheeses—we’re making it our mission to uncover the blend. Until then, we can tell you that this creamy, comforting dish has us driving a few backroads anytime we want some.
Okeechobee Fish Co
$ | (863) 357-7500 | WEBSITE
If you want to eat Southern fish that’s as fresh as it is delicious, head to Okeechobee’s Fish Co. Open for lunch and dinner daily, start your meal with the gator tail, caught fresh from the lake, or the fried shrimp that comes crisp and golden. On days when you want something truly local, go for the catfish. It’s a town favorite that’s fried to perfection, and feels like a complete, satisfying meal on one plate.
The covered seating area is a nice touch, offering a relaxed spot to enjoy your food with quick service and reasonable prices around $15-$25 per entree. The shrimp tacos and coconut shrimp are popular choices too, served by friendly staff in a kid-friendly atmosphere that makes it a great spot for families. A true Okeechobee landmark, worth the visit to dine here.
Okeechobee Livestock Market
$ | (863) 763-3127 | WEBSITE
Okeechobee Livestock Market is one of our go-to spots in town for fresh beef dishes. The hamburgers here are extremely outstanding, cooked to juicy perfection, with the perfect amount of savory seasoning. Each meal is made-to-order and comes with your choice of two sides. Our favorites are the sweet potato fries and crispy onion rings that will have you considering getting a tattoo of a cattle brand.
Pueblo Viejo
$ | (863) 357-9641 | WEBSITE
With colorful papel picado banners strung across the ceiling, rustic wooden tables, and vibrant murals depicting Mexican village scenes, you would think Pueblo Viejo is putting on a fiesta you might find across the border. Luckily, you won’t have to wait for a special occasion to get your hands on a burrito stuffed with tender meat, delicious beans, and rice—the Okeechobee spot is pretty open when it comes to walk-ins. When you stop by, go for the tacos with fresh guacamole and pico.
The generous dish wraps warm tortillas around flavorful fillings, with sides that make perfect leftovers for tomorrow.
Jersey Mike’s Subs
$ | (863) 467-8100 | WEBSITE
This Okeechobee sandwich shop is where you go for classics like the Italian sub and the Club Supreme, as well as the Chipotle Cheesesteak. It’s the best sub spot in town. The casual counter-service setup has lots of simple tables, so it’s an easy place to walk in solo or with a friend on a quick lunch break, grab a soda, and eat a hefty sandwich. While there are lots of options on the menu, they have our favorite turkey and provolone in the area.
The fresh-sliced meats and cheeses have a straightforward flavor, giving it a nice blend of savory and satisfying. Since they’re open through the afternoon, it’s a good solution post-errands or after finishing work and realizing you have nothing prepared for dinner at 6pm.
Lightsey’s Seafood Restaurant & Fish Co.
$$ | (863) 763-4276 | WEBSITE
Right in the heart of Okeechobee, Lightsey’s is a welcoming seafood spot that usually has a line of trucks and boats in the parking lot on a busy afternoon. You’ll find a spread of gator bites and blackened scallops for starters, catfish, and an incredible sweet potato encrusted grouper that we’d put on the “Welcome To Florida” sign if we could.
There’s a spacious dining area with low tables and outside seating where you can take your blackened shrimp with peach glaze and heaping portions of two sides (go for the hush puppies and collards) and watch the boats go by. The platters come in regular and large. For a heartier meal, go for the large and you’ll have enough food to take home for tomorrow.
Ding A Ling Deli
$ | (863) 357-3354 | WEBSITE
Ding A Ling Deli is a hidden gem in Okeechobee County where they serve hometown cooking like the Okeechobee chicken sandwich, chicken and waffle sandwich, and the Cattleman’s smash burger. All of their meals are made fresh and come with generous portions that are perfect for sharing. And they’ll all come in handy when you’re craving comfort food without breaking the bank. The $12 fried mushrooms, crispy and full of flavor, are the best thing to get here.
The batter they coat them in is so light and not greasy we keep ordering more just to get the last bite.
Taqueria La Unica
$ | (863) 623-7400 | WEBSITE
There’s plenty of solid Mexican food in Okeechobee, and Taqueria La Unica stands out as one of the top spots. The family-run restaurant is compact, but it’s perfect for grabbing some quick take-out or barbacoa tacos on the go. Our go-to dishes here are the barbacoa and enchiladas verde, but you can mix and match different items and get them all served with generous portions of fresh chips, salsas, pico de gallo, and cheese dip.
The service is consistently quick and friendly, making it a reliable choice for both travelers passing through and locals looking for a satisfying meal.
Taqueria Yanez llc
$ | (863) 484-3675 | WEBSITE
Despite the name, Taqueria Yanez llc in Okeechobee isn’t all about the tacos. Everything the Mexican spot makes is pretty great. From the excellent specialties like Ramen Birria to the various quesadillas (go for the cheese asada) and loaded Birria tacos with crisp tortillas seasoned with meat oil, it’s all going to make you feel like you’ve been doing this lunch thing all wrong.
Of course, all of the tacos are fantastic, but it’s the super clean surroundings and friendly, professional service that has us lining up. They’re often found at local events and a flower shop on 441 N, so plan ahead to leave with something you’ll be talking about tomorrow.
Santa Fe
$ | (863) 467-6006 | WEBSITE
Although it’s one of the best Mexican spots in Okeechobee, there’s never a wait at Santa Fe. This means you’ll feel like you snagged the number one ticket at the cantina when you come in for an order of street tacos or a full platter. You can always count on this place for excellent service that’s attentive—which is even better with a friendly chat from Hector—so it has a warm, home-cooked feel to each visit.
You’ll encounter families who’ve been here three times this week and friends pulling out beers (it’s BYOB) while they wait for a shared meal.
Joey’s Pizza
$ | (863) 763-8383 | WEBSITE
Solid, well-tossed pizza, and what’s definitely the friendliest service in Okeechobee—that’s Joey’s Pizza, the local spot that’s been satisfying regulars for years. There’s plenty of space inside to enjoy classic American fare like wings, mozzarella sticks, and Supreme pizzas. And while you’re waiting, you’ll likely hear laughter from the kitchen and watch the staff expertly toss dough and assemble pies.
Order your pizza well done—that way, it’ll come out perfectly crisp with toppings like quality cheese or decent mushrooms.
Speckled Perch Steakhouse
$$ | (863) 763-9983 | WEBSITE
For consistently excellent steaks, you’re in good hands at Speckled Perch Steakhouse. And even though the small, unassuming exterior of this Okeechobee spot might not catch your eye, a perfectly cooked ribeye or sirloin is worth stepping inside to enjoy. Plus, once you’re seated in the cozy dining room, the service is good, so you don’t have to wait too long before cutting into a steak that’s seasoned just right. And to complete your meal, get the hand-cut fries.
They’re crispy, and after your first golden batch, you’ll want to order them every time.
