Madison

Madison, FL · Food & Drink
Tallahassee Democrat
Southern Philosophy brewery opens swanky new restaurant next door
Bainbridge, Georgia, just a short ride from Tallahassee up Highway 27, is really growing up, y'all. Already home to a gorgeous walkable downtown with bustling businesses — including an award-winning craft brewery — Bainbridge just added a new spot that has locals and visitors alike swooning: The Vault — a new upscale restaurant and bar with a chef-inspired menu that sits right next door to Southern Philosophy Brewing. Heck, saying "next door" is really not even accurate — The Vault is actually connected to Southern Philosophy by a heavy metal door in the middle of the brewery that looks like you're walking into a bank vault. And, well … that's because you technically are. Dining: Tallahassee neighborhood bistro Sage Restaurant marks 20 years Soft opening, grand opening The Vault is the brainchild of SPB owner and founder Gallagher Dempsey, who opened his craft brewery in 2019 and just celebrated 7 years in business over the summer with a beer-pairing dinner that debuted The Vault to the public to the first time. The Tallahassee Beer Society attended that dinner and got a sneak peek of the new space in July — and we were highly impressed. Amazing, cozy atmosphere. Beautiful bar.
WCTV
Cherry Rankin makes loaded sweet potato & white potato tailgate bites
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - It’s football season and whether it’s for high school or college, tailgating is part of the fun. It only makes sense Cherry Rankin visited WCTV Studios to share her recipe for loaded sweet potato & white potato tailgate bites. Ingredients:. 2 large sweet potatoes...
uncoveringflorida.com
Fresh Oysters Steal the Show at This Rustic Florida Seafood Restaurant
Deal’s Famous Oyster House in Perry is the kind of old-school Florida seafood restaurant where fresh oysters, generous plates, and an unfussy atmosphere matter more than fancy presentation. Its rustic character fits naturally with the hearty seafood coming out of the kitchen, making it an appealing stop for anyone traveling through Florida’s Big Bend region. Oysters are the obvious attraction.
hoodline.com
Donut Kingdom Finally Opens Third Tallahassee Shop After 18-Month Delay
Donut Kingdom has opened its newest storefront at 413 N. Magnolia Drive in Tallahassee's Mahan Square shopping center, wrapping up a launch process that dragged on for about a year and a half. The locally owned dessert shop announced its soft opening on Facebook on September 10, telling fans, “The wait is finally over, and we can’t wait to welcome you through our doors! Come celebrate with us and grab your favorite donuts.”
Tallahassee Democrat
Popular Donut Kingdom opens new Tallahassee shop on Magnolia Drive
The day just got a little sweeter. After a year of waiting, the locally owned dessert shop Donut Kingdom has finally opened its new storefront on 413 N. Magnolia Drive. The family business, known for its handmade, daily assortment of fluffy pastries, closed its North Monroe Street location at the Lake Jackson Trading Post in June 2025. The newest location, housed in the Mahan Square Shopping Center, was originally anticipated to open in July 2025. The company announced its soft opening on Facebook Sept. 10. "The wait is finally over, and we can’t wait to welcome you through our doors! Come celebrate with us and grab your favorite donuts," the post said. In a conversation with the Tallahassee Democrat, Hiba Khalil of Donut Kingdom attributed the delay to permitting and contracting issues. "There were just so many moving pieces that kept pushing everything back, and as a small business it was definitely frustrating because we were ready to open what felt like forever ago," she said. "We even had customers asking us if we had given up on the location, and people were making jokes about it on Facebook because it had been so long — and honestly we were
unearththevoyage.com
This North Florida Bakery Has Spent More Than 70 Years Perfecting a Single Glazed Donut
Somewhere along a quiet stretch of the Florida Panhandle, there is a little bakery that folks drive hours to reach just for a warm donut. It does not shout for attention, and the sign out front is smaller than the reputation would suggest. Yet people who taste what comes out...
WCTV
‘Everything happens for a reason’: Tallahassee woman reopens cafe after lease woes forced her to find new location
HAVANA, Fla. (WCTV) - A comeback story for one local Tallahassee woman. What started as a hobby turned into a lifelong dream for Latasha “Tootie” Reed-Hopkins. Then, she says, that dream was pulled out from under her. Now, she’s back and better than ever. More news out...
Tallahassee Democrat
Paws, pints and play: Dog Haus Tallahassee opening Labor Day
After years of waiting and anticipating, Tallahassee's first off-leash dog park and bar, "built for dogs and their people" is officially opening. Dog Haus located on 495 S. Blair Stone Road is hosting a grand opening event at 8 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 7. With fresh brews, cold beers, off-leash fun and Florida State football on the big screens, grand opening day checks off all the boxes. It sounds like you can expect that same easygoing atmosphere long after the grand-opening festivities are over. What to expect The once vacant 1.25-acre lot at the northeast corner of Blair Stone Road and Governors Square Boulevard sits near commercial and residential areas. The dog park and bar consists of pet friendly turf grass, 6-foot tall fences around the perimeter of the park and bar, designated areas for large and small dogs, cool and shady areas and a bar serving beer, wine, coffee, kombucha and other beverages, including Tallahassee-based beers. Tallahassee now joins larger metropolitan cities with off-leash dog park and bar concepts, including "Fetch" in Atlanta and the Dog Bar in St. Petersburg. Things to know before your visit To enter the park, dogs must be registered with The Dog Haus. Membership
everafterinthewoods.com
This Florida Panhandle Buffet Is Located In The Middle Of Nowhere But Is Always Packed
A crowded parking lot beside a quiet Florida Panhandle highway is usually a clue that something delicious is happening inside. Near Marianna, travelers pull off the road and join locals around a buffet loaded with fried chicken, vegetables, casseroles, and Southern favorites that taste like someone’s grandmother refused to let anyone leave hungry. Plates grow heavier with every step, and good intentions about “just trying a little” disappear quickly.
Tallahassee Democrat
Northside Shoppes permitting discussion gets delayed
A staff discussion on the early permit materials for the Northside Shoppes commercial development under construction at Kerry Forest Parkway and Thomasville Road has been delayed. The latest permit materials show plans for a drive-through restaurant spanning about 1,000 square-foot and a 5,600 square foot tire and oil change auto service station. "This application was continued to the October 1 st Site Plan Review Meeting. The application will be resubmitted to staff for review by September 24th," said John Reddick, director of the city's Growth Management Department. For weeks, the land at the intersection has undergone a drastic transformation from trees and vegetation to cleared land in preparation for the development to come. The change has been both praised and bashed by residents as the area is one of the last Thomasville Road retail frontage sites available in Tallahassee . In addition to the proposed restaurant and auto service station, the Democrat reported a new 100,000 square-foot self-storage facility will be built on the land at the Northside Shoppes that was purchased by Doran Companies. It's one of Minnesota's largest women-owned businesses, for $2.9 million, said Brad Parker, a partner and broker at TLG Real Estate, who partnered with Ghazvini
tallahasseereports.com
Johnston’s Meat Market Bringing Neighborhood Butcher Shop to Killearn Estates
A century-old North Florida meat market is coming to northeast Tallahassee, bringing the traditional neighborhood butcher shop concept to Killearn. Johnston’s Meat Market, which has operated in Monticello since 1926, plans to open a Tallahassee location at 3628 Shamrock Street West in Killearn Village Square. The new store will give Killearn residents a nearby option for fresh meats, custom cuts and smoked products outside the traditional supermarket setting.
hoodline.com
Century-Old Johnston's Meat Market Sets Up Shop in Killearn Village Square
A century-old Jefferson County butcher shop is finally bringing its counter to Tallahassee. Johnston's Meat Market, which has processed meat in Monticello since 1926, is opening a second location at Killearn Village Square in Leon County, with owners hoping to welcome customers by the end of 2026. A Long-Awaited Move...
Tallahassee Democrat
Johnston’s Meat Market expanding to Tallahassee
Tallahassee is about to get a taste of a north Florida institution: Johnston's Meat Market is coming to 3628 Shamrock Street West. The new butcher shop will be at Killearn Village Square, adjacent to Killearn Methodist Church. It's near other shops like The Country Flower Shop and Ming Tree Cafe. The shop, which has served customers from its Monticello location for more than a century, features locally sourced quality meats, hometown customer service and country-cured smoked products. It'll still be there; it's just opening a second store in the state capital. The company made the announcement on Facebook following their game day commercial Aug. 29. "What started as a dream of bringing Johnston’s to Tallahassee is officially becoming a reality!" the post says. "We’re still in the process of remodeling the inside and getting everything ready. We are hoping to open by the end of this year, as long as everything continues to move smoothly and according to plan!" Fans reacted to the news online: "Awesome news! You’ll be just 4 miles from my house. Can’t wait to snag some of your Brown Sugar Sausage (regularly) and other goodies." Another said, "Heck yeah, I’m so excited about this! You’re in
allamericanatlas.com
5 Crazy Themed Restaurants in Tallahassee, Florida that are Worth Going Out of Your Way For
Tallahassee is a city where the sun dapples through live oaks and Spanish moss, where the red-brick heartbeat of the capital pulses alongside the laughter of students and the quiet wisdom of old-timers. Here, the architecture is a patchwork—historic mansions, modern glass, and the ever-present spires of campus life—woven together by the stories of families, dreamers, and those who never quite left after college. The food culture is as layered as the city itself: a crossroads of Southern comfort, international flair, and the kind of culinary creativity that only emerges where tradition meets rebellion.
WCTV
Crews begin reconstruction of beloved Steinhatchee eatery destroyed in Hurricane Helene
STEINHATCHEE, Fla. (WCTV) - A long-time staple in Taylor County’s Steinhatchee community is now on its way to re-opening. Roy’s Restaurant, located on 1st Avenue, was destroyed in 2024 during Hurricane Helene. The popular waterfront eatery had been impacted in the past by several storms, including hurricanes Debby...