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A Culinary Bike Tour Through St. Cloud, Florida
Explore St. Cloud, FL: a haven for foodies & cyclists with scenic routes & diverse cuisine. Gear up for a unique bike-friendly culinary journey!
Discover Downtown St. Cloud, Florida’s food scene in a new way, on your bike! St. Cloud offers the perfect blend of beautiful historic buildings and dining options for all kinds of eaters, making it an ideal destination for a bike-friendly tour (with food along the way)!
Ensure your bike is ready for the day with a comfortable seat, a reliable navigation system, and a spacious basket for any culinary treasures (or any shopping finds!). With bike-friendly routes and a list of must-visit eateries, you're all set for an unforgettable experience your family will thank you for.
Stop 1: The Breakfast Nook
Kickstart your day at one of the many brunch stops you can find in Downtown St. Cloud. If you’re looking for a local diner, residents love The Cup Diner! Dive into giant, fluffy pancakes that melt in your mouth, savor the rich, cheesy goodness of their loaded omelets topped with an array of ingredients, and embrace the ultimate Southern American classic – biscuits smothered in creamy, hearty white peppered gravy (trust us, you have to try it!).
Stop 2: Pick Me Up
Save room for donuts! Sip n Dip in St. Cloud, Florida is a beloved local establishment that offers a delightful array of treats and drinks, making it a popular destination for both residents and visitors. If you walk in with that iconic Sip n Dip box of donuts - you’ll be the favorite of the day (especially if there is a Maple Bacon donut inside)! While donuts are their main dish, they also have Taro Smoothies, a unique and refreshing experience with its distinctively sweet and nutty flavor derived from the taro root, blended into a creamy and smooth beverage that's both satisfying and exotic.
Stop 3: Lakeside Lunch
After your donut stop, find a nearby crosswalk, take Florida Avenue from US 192 down to Lakeshore, and find yourself in Crabby Bill's in Downtown St. Cloud, Florida. Crabby’s, as the locals call it, is a delightful seafood restaurant known for its scenic location and delicious menu. Situated on the beautiful East Lake Toho in the Lakefront Park Marina, the restaurant offers panoramic views of the marina and lake from both its indoor and outdoor dining areas. Hop off your bike and into the bar or patio to try tempting items such as the "Amazing Shrimp & Feta Toast" featuring royal red shrimp, feta cheese, white wine, and garlic butter baked with garlic bread. Gear up for an enchanting evening ride and aim to pedal your way to the perfect happy hour hotspot, where the city's most breathtaking sunset awaits you, according to folks who live “in the Cloud!” It's the ultimate way to toast the day's adventures.
Pro Tip: If you have kiddos in tow, you can get your grub to go and walk to the playground and splash pad next door at Lakefront Park. Plus, don't miss the chance to play on St. Cloud Beach — a magical sandbar oasis along East Lake Toho that may just whisk you away to coastal bliss (lake-style) without ever leaving the city. It's a slice of beachy paradise right in St. Cloud and a local favorite.
Stop 4: Afternoon treat
Step into Savvy Sweets Bakery in St. Cloud, FL, a must-stop for anyone with a sweet tooth! Far from your average bake shop, this place is where traditional baking rules get thrown out the window. Imagine sinking your teeth into the rebellious blend of cookies & cream cupcakes or letting your taste buds dance with their innovative pie cookies - a culinary plot twist that combines the comfort of pies with the convenience of cookies. And for the coffee aficionados, the red velvet lattes are nothing short of liquid velvet.
But the magic doesn't stop there. Savvy Sweets delights with a constantly evolving menu, ensuring each visit is a fresh adventure into the unknown. And for those moments that call for a personalized touch, their customizable decorated cookies are like edible canvases, waiting to be transformed into your own masterpiece for any special occasion.
Stop 5: Hidden Libations
The Black Squirrel Bookstore in Downtown St. Cloud, Florida, is a unique nesting doll of a venue inside a Coop building with a hidden bar inside of it! The bookstore is known for hosting various themed events, such as their Roaring 20’s New Year's Eve Party. To gain access to the hidden bar, guests must find clues within the bookstore that can lead them to sip on a Pink Squirrel, their specialty drink made of Prosecco, Boba Pearls, and Pink Cotton Candy. They also offer beer and wine alongside a grand piano that guests are welcome to play. Occasionally, it becomes the stage for a local artist's performance.
While these are certainly not ALL the restaurants you can find in the St. Cloud area, these are a few spots that will help you see the city and taste some local eats too. Each stop offers a unique taste of local cuisine, and the bike paths provide a scenic, eco-friendly way to explore this delightfully historic Florida city. Happy cycling and bon appétit!
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