New Smyrna & Daytona Beaches
New Smyrna Beach
Locals pronounce it “New Sa Myrna”, so don’t forget your “sa”. Surfing’s great here as evidenced by the many surf shops you’ll see. A town makeover has produced a string of shops, bakeries, things for the beach, along Flagler Ave. It used to be quieter than its sister city, Daytona, but locals we talked to agree that it’s pretty packed on its 8 mile beach so be forewarned. Don’t miss the wetlands observation deck at Symrna Dunes Park for the beautiful secluded beach there. Bring lots of water because there’s no shade. South of here is “the wall” , so named for the seawall you must jump over, to the locals’ favorite beach. Park free on the shoulder of the beach and check out this stretch of favored sand.
Daytona Beach
Daytona is more than a drag strip on the beach, though if you want to drive (slowly) on the beach, you can! Beach driving is the big deal here giving the area a unique identity. After all, this is where NASCAR was born in 1947.
It used to be that Daytona Beach had a rep as an affordable family beach, with a relaxed attitude. Sadly, Daytona Beach is as commercialized as you can get, but if you’re into racing, motorcycles, and a festival atmosphere, you’re in heaven. There are twenty three hardpacked miles of beach, big, wide and sometimes unruly at college break time. The world’s largest Harley shop is here. Half a million bikers will be in Daytona for its annual Bike Week (first week of March). Wowser.
The local museum has artifacts from 5,000 B.C. including early Indian dwellings, and Spanish explorer Ponce DeLeon, looking for the fountain of youth, who came ashore and named it “land of the flowers”.
Money is moving into the beach area faster than the city planners can say 20 story high rise. The town is in transition and we hope for the best. Meantime, find the nesting sea turtles, find the old downtown area, check the paper for its many cultural attractions, eat at some truly fabulous restaurants, while just being amazed at all that beach. It’s not called” The World’s Most Famous Beach” for nuthin’.
RESTAURANTS:
New Smyrna Beach:
Breakfasts:
Peach Valley Cafe: Great breakfasts real near the beach. Bags of apple fritters in powered sugar, big omelets, and a great Sunday brunch.
185 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, (386) 615-0096
Bagel World: Great local’s hot spot with good bagels, real good breakfasts with fresh orange juice, and good lunch sandwiches. Cash only, but you don’t have to bring much of it!
S. Atlantic btw 4th & 5th, New Smyrna Beach, (386) 427-1600
Beacon Restaurant: Real good basic breakfasts just the way you’d like it. And a deal at that. Big fluffy pancakes!
416 Flagler Ave, New Smyrna Beach, (386) 428-8332
General Goodness:
The Garlic: $$$ Good solid Italian fare with a nice atmosphere, live music, and a good bar scene.
556 3rd Ave, New Smyrna Beach, (386) 424-6660
Touch of Italy Restaurant: $$$ “Sal’s” has been around for decades serving good food and a great pizza near the beach.
4198 S Atlantic Ave, New Smyrna Beach, (386) 423-8956
J B’s Fish Camp & Seafood Restaurant: $$ Rock shrimp, blue crabs, cool deck to roll up your sleeves and get down with some good seafood.
859 Pompano Ave, New Smyrna Beach, (386) 427-5747
New Smyrna Steakhouse: $$$ No way to tell from the outside, but this is a real good, award winning steakhouse. Perfect after that big surf day.
723 E 3rd Ave, New Smyrna Beach, (386) 424-9696
Clancy’s Cantina: $$ Another long time local standard. Good solid Mexican dishes and good prices.
747 E 3rd Ave, New Smyrna Beach, (386) 428-4500
Lil Neal’s BBQ: Fine barbecue in a small time act with the smoker right there and a couple of tables if you’re not getting it to go.
1112 Canal Street, New Smyrna Beach, (386) 428-2864
Banana Split Republic: Cool little tiny place with homemade ice cream at great prices along with chili dogs and the typical fare. The ice cream is the thing though.
1042 N Dixie Fwy, New Smyrna Beach, (386) 427-1994
Daytona Beach:
Pat’s Riverfront Cafe: Good solid breakfasts right there where you want to be to start your day. Cheap.
3300 S Peninsula Dr, Daytona Beach, (386) 756-8070
Crabby Joe’s Deck & Grill: You can get all three meals there and it’s right on the pier. Standard fare in a great location.
3701 S Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach, (386) 788-3364
Zen Bistro: GREAT Thai. It’s all good and a local standard. Go! It’s tiny.
112 Bay St, Daytona Beach, (386) 248-3071
JC’s Oyster Deck and Carry Out: JC’s is long term local. Funky riverfront joint with good oysters and beer.
79 Dunlawton Avenue, Daytona Beach, (386) 767-1881
Ocean Deck Restaurant & Beach Club: Dead center of the beach scene. Everything from drinks to desserts is ok, not fabulous bubbie, but certainly ok. The scene itself carries the rest and does a good job of it.
127 S Ocean Ave, Daytona Beach, (386) 253-5224
Anna’s Trattoria Italian Cuisine: Like you walked into a nice Italian home for dinner. Good food and lots of it.
304 Seabreeze Blvd, Daytona Beach, (386) 239-9624
Daytona Area:
Old Spanish Sugar Mill: Inland a bit to the moss covered cypress forests of De Leon Springs, in an old converted sugar mill, with breakfasts all day long. They serve the batter and you make your own pancakes at the table. Way cheap too!
601 Ponce De Leon Blvd, De Leon Springs, (386) 985-5644
Genovese’s Italian Cafe: $$ Good, basic Italian dishes and pizzas. Take out to sit down dinners in a homey setting. Everything is good and they feed ya plenty.
2 locations:
116 Dunlawton Ave, Port Orange, (386) 767-4151
183 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, (386) 677-3222
Shroomer’s Gourmet Pizzeria: Good pizza and the owner is a hoot.
Ridgewood Ave, Holly Hill, (386) 258-7800
Los Amigos: The real deal. Good solid Mexican food at good prices.
362 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, (386) 615-5430
Seafood:
Hull’s Seafood: Great seafood cooked to perfection with the best cole slaw and hush puppies, all at a deal of a price.
111 W Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, (386) 677-1511
Aunt Catfish’s On the River: Gator, catfish, shrimp and ribs with water all around. Good Sunday Bluejeans Brunch.
4009 Halifax Dr., Port Orange, (386) 761-2744
Markets:
Noah’s Market: GREAT market. You have to stock up here first.
189 E Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, (386) 672-6866
Watercolor by Peter Bailey