- Attraction: The Garlic
- Location: 556 E. 3rd Ave, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169
- Industry: Italian Restaurant
- Website: https://thegarlic.net/
Twenty years ago, a culinary dream took root in New Smyrna Beach that would grow into something extraordinary.
The Garlic opened in 2003, transforming a simple vision into one of Florida’s most unique dining experiences.
What started as Executive Chef Michael Perri’s passion project has evolved into a restaurant that feels more like stepping into an enchanted Italian storybook than your typical dinner out.
The moment you arrive, you feel like you’re stepping into a garden. Walking down a vine-covered arbor surrounded by lush, flowering gardens with beautifully lit trees and an enchanting Old World fireplace creates a charming ambiance that is both inviting and cozy.
The restaurant has gained national recognition on the Travel Channel, and once you experience it yourself, you’ll understand why visitors describe it as something out of a fairy tale.
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Keep Exploring →Signature Dishes & Menu Highlights
The Famous Roasted Garlic Appetizer: The signature garlic clove appetizer is made using an imported Italian oven known as the “Il Forno” that serves as the centerpiece of the restaurant.
You’ll receive their signature roasted garlic that they smash and add a little balsamic vinegar to, and you dip the crusty bread into it. This complimentary starter sets the tone for the entire meal with its rich, mellow garlic flavor that’s surprisingly addictive.
Il Forno Specialties: The Il Forno oven gets as hot as 800-degrees, and its expert operators use it to cook every item with precision.
The Il Forno-cooked New York Strip Steak is fire-grilled to your liking with a delicious garlic crust, while the char-grilled 8 ounce filet is served over a house made au jus, topped with caramelized onions and roasted garlic cloves served with garlic mashed potatoes.
Il forno entrees are accompanied with a phenomenally tasty parmesan topped roasted tomato and roasted one-half potato.
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Discover MoreSeafood Specialties: The Chilean sea bass is pan-seared and finished with a lemon sauce and served with addicting garlic-infused mashed potatoes. Chef Perri’s signature dish, Cioppino, is a hearty seafood stew showcasing the ocean’s best: shrimp, scallops, lobster, clams, mussels, calamari, and fish sautéed in a tomato saffron broth with fresh herbs and seasonings.
The Seafood Cannelloni is housemade and prepared with an array of fresh seafood including scallops, shrimp, crab meat, and mahi mahi blended with four cheeses then wrapped in fresh pasta baked with a newburg sauce.
Pasta Perfection: The Prosciutto and Pea Tortellini features tricolor cheese filled tortellini tossed with prosciutto and fresh peas in a garlic pecorino cream sauce. The pasta pomodoro features perfect, delicious sauce, while the house specialty puttanesca sauce is spicy and chunky with tomatoes, imported olives and capers, served over linguini.
Vegetarian Options: Vegetarians can’t go wrong with the Eggplant Tower, and the Eggplant Parmigiano is lightly breaded eggplant stuffed with ricotta cheese topped with mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce served with a side of linguini.
Atmosphere & Décor
Whimsical Indoor-Outdoor Design: The layout gives off a Tuscan countryside tree house vibe with twinkle lights and garlic braids lining the walls and ceilings along with various signage and eccentric decor.
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Keep Exploring →The mixed indoor/outdoor feel impresses with trees in the dining area and strings of lights throughout. It’s open air in some places but has coverings over some of the tables.
Live Entertainment: The taste-tempting, robust aroma of garlic fills the restaurant while live music plays in the background. The entertainment adds to the overall sensory experience without overwhelming conversation, creating the perfect backdrop for your Italian feast.
The Blu Bar: The Blu Bar offers its own abbreviated version of The Garlic’s menu, several tapas, and also a variety of specialty martinis with its own entertainment as well. There’s a waiting area and bar available with outdoor seating where you can enjoy drinks while you wait.
Other Considerations
Pricing & Value: The restaurant falls into the higher-end pricing category, but they offer an early bird special that provides better value. The early bird special includes your drink, salad, and bread, making it more accessible for special occasions and date nights. The generous portions and unique experience justify the premium pricing for most visitors.
Wait Times & Seating: Every day when The Garlic opens they have around 40 people lined up at the door. Since 2020 they started seating complete parties first come first served and it dramatically improved their overall wait time.
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Discover MoreGet there around 3 PM if they open at 4, as they were already seating when early arrivals came. Arriving at 8pm resulted in an hour and a half wait.
Parking Information: Street parking is courtesy of the city of New Smyrna Beach and is okay for compact cars only. Sidewalks must be open for wheelchair accessibility, and you cannot block any part of the sidewalk or park too close to stop signs or you will be ticketed by the city. Their website provides a parking guide for first-time visitors.
Hours & Reservations: Open 364 days a year at 4pm, closed Christmas Day. Sunday through Thursday 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Friday and Saturday 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm. They do not take reservations and seat complete parties on a first-come, first-served basis.
Family-Friendly Appeal: This popular New Smyrna Beach restaurant is sure to deliver a memorable meal that the whole family can enjoy. They offer a children’s menu and the magical atmosphere captivates visitors of all ages.
The Garlic
📍 556 E. 3rd Ave, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169
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