Everglades National Park Restaurant Tips by grandmaR Top 5 Page for this destination

Flamingo Lodge Restaurant: No Services Since the Hurricanes

This was the only real restaurant in the park. It has been closed since the disastrous hurricane season of 2005 (Wilma and Katrina). There was no overnight lodging, houseboat rentals or dining services available in 2007—08 winter season.

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The restaurant overlooked Florida Bay, and one night we sat by the window and watched some trawlers come in to the marina and also the sunset cruises coming back. The menu had seafood, steak, chicken, vegetarian dishes, and local specialties (see below for what we ate).

I have no experience with the bar but I understand that it offers a Flamingo Sunset, a Rum Runner, and a Coco Loco whatever they are.

From November 1 to April 30, breakfast is served from 7 to 10 A.M., lunch from 11:30 A.M. to 3 P.M., and dinner from 5 to 9 P.M. We ate early, but by the time we were finished, people were waiting, so reservations might be a good idea.

From May to October, the restaurant and lounge are open for lunch and dinner from 11:30 A.M. to 8 P.M

Favorite Dish: The first night we had a waiter with an accent named Ivan. Bob got an appetizer and the soup of the day (beef noodle), and I got a cup of conch chowder and the beef stroganoff which was $9.95. The whole bill was $24.59 including the tip.

We had dinner in the restaurant again the second night, and this time we were going to try Max and Lucette's trick. I had a half roasted chicken dinner, and Bob had the coconut shrimp appetizer. He gave me two of the 6 shrimp, and I gave him the split pea soup-of-the-day (which I don't like but he loves), and half the chicken and half of the huge baked potato, and half of the asparagus with hollandaise (which is the vegetable of the day), and then we shared a piece of carrot cake. This came to $34.36 including tip.

The third night at dinner, I had caeser salad, and Bob had mahi mahi with sweet potato (which he shared) and various vegetables which he ate. The soup of the day was mulligatawny which was a cream soup and I ate that. We shared a chocolate fudge cake for dessert and the bill with tip came to $43.71

We obviously didn't save money, but it was fun.

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Second floor on the west end of the Visitor's Center in Flamingo

Other Contact: (941) 695-3101

Phone: (800) 600-3813

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: American

Website: http://www.ohranger.com/everglades/flamingo-lodge

Buttonwood Patio: Casual Dining

Buttonwood Lounge and Cafe serves pizza, salads, and sandwiches. It is open from December to April. I have not eaten there. It was open from about 2 in the afternoon until evening when we were there.

Due to Hurricane Wilma in October 2005, the restaurant/Buttonwood Cage and Lounges: Closed indefinitely. No date for resumption of services.

Comparison: about average

Rating: 0

Theme: Pizza