My family is vacationing some 350 miles northwest of Miami in a teeny tiny town on the historic Suwanee River of Branford.  Some 30 miles from here is a quaint town called High Springs, with an old Main Street full of antique shops and cafes. A favorite dining spot here is The Great Outdoors, a casual, yet well-known place with delicious food and live music. It is situated in the 1895 High Springs Old Opera House and is a 2010 Golden Spoon Award Winner. You can dine or sit at a bar either inside or out.

The restaurant is housed in the town's Old Opera House building

My family ate lunch one day here an dinner a couple of nights later. The staff is ultra friendly and a bit sassy – in a good way. The food is fresh and delicious and there are specials daily. The burgers are among the best we’ve ever tasted. And I can’t seem to get enough of the Caesar Salad. I’d pay to find out exactly how that yummy salad dressing is made! Save room for dessert, and then plan to work out for 10 hours straight to burn off the calories. There's  a nice wine list, private label beers and a whole bunch of unique martinis.

Caesar Salad - Simple but extra delicious!

Burger, cooked just the way you like it - moist and incredibly good with an exceptional quality bun
 

Mahi Mahi Cajun style
 

Peanut Brittle Ice Cream Pie - Sinful!

I highly recommend that you make a dinner reservation. Check out what musical acts will be playing and consider sitting outside where the band plays.

Check out what musical acts will be playing and consider sitting outside where the band plays. If you don’t make a reservation, you can only sit at one of the high top bars – that is if there is a barstool available to sit on.

If you go when the weather is cool, there’s an incredible fireplace outside as well.

Live music and dining on the outside patio

I'd love to come back when the weather is cooler so I can enjoy this fireplace on the back patio

If you go – You can reach High Springs off of I75, Exit 399

The Great Outdoors

65 North Main Street
High springs, FL 32643
386-454-1288
greatoutdoorsdining.com

Debbie Glade is the Geography Awareness Editor for Wandering Educators.