The Sunshine State is made up of wildly different regions, from quiet, historic towns like Fernandina Beach in the north, all the way to tropical, anything-goes Key West, and everything in between. All of this diversity makes for a rich food culture that goes beyond the classics like Key lime pie and Cuban sandwiches.
One lesser-known but beloved Florida dish is smoked fish dip. (Wait — don’t close this tab.) If you’ve never had this delicacy, it’s more delicious than it looks. Fish dip is not going to win any beauty contests—it resembles creamy tuna salad—but after one bite you’ll understand why it’s a go-to snack up and down Florida’s coasts, particularly along the Gulf coast.
What’s in fish dip?
What goes into fish dip depends on the cook, but the essential ingredients are smoked fish (typically mullet, amberjack or cobia), mayonnaise, dairy (either cream cheese, sour cream or a combination of both), lemon juice, Dijon mustard and shaved or finely chopped raw onion. From there, you can eat it as-is or dress it up with fresh herbs, celery, hot sauce, horseradish or whatever sounds good to you.
Fish dip is a beach snack packed in a cooler of ice, an essential item on a cookout menu, an appetizer in a fancy restaurant or a dive bar. However you eat this Florida classic, it’s best served with saltines or Ritz crackers and as close to the ocean as possible. Fish dip always tastes best when your toes are in the sand.
Three standout spots for fish dip:
Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish, St. Petersburg
When “smoked fish” is in the name of a restaurant, you know the dip is going to be something special. Opened in 1947 by Ted Peters, the establishment is now run by the fifth generation of the Peters family, who have changed as few things as possible, including the red oak they use to smoke the fish. Why mess with a classic?
Lynn’s Quality Oysters, Eastpoint
Located right on the water, this seafood market and restaurant is a local favorite. Although the Apalachicola oyster selection is top-notch, don’t pass up the fish dip. It’s made from mahi-mahi and ranch, lemon pepper and Cajun seasonings.
Tropical Smokehouse, West Palm Beach
This neighborhood barbecue spot takes smoking seriously, whether it’s brisket, Cajun gator sausage or wahoo—the main ingredient in their spicy fish dip.