You've probably heard the saying that the best things come in small packages, and we believe that the same is true for small towns. You don't have to go to a big city to find the best food in Florida. Just check out one of our favorite little towns in the list below. These are the 8 best food towns in Florida you need to explore before they get too popular.

1. Mount Dora

This charming Central Florida town is one of our favorites. It is beloved for its antiques and frequent festivals. As for restaurants, we recommend the gorgeous Goblin Market, the British pub Magical Meat Boutique, and

The Windsor Rose Tea Room. Read more about this adorable town here.

2. Dade City

Dade City is a little town known for its Southern charm and obsession with kumquats. This town is chock-full of incredible restaurants. Check out the unbelievable desserts at Lunch on Limoges, the unique Kafe Kokopelli that occupies a 100-year-old Ford building, and the incredible comfort food at Steph's Southern Soul Restaurant. Read more about this charming town here.

3. Apalachicola

This authentic fishing village in Northwest Florida is famous for its oysters, but even if you don't like oysters, you can easily find a delicious meal here. A few great restaurants in town are

The Owl Cafe, Tamara's Cafe (pictured), and Up The Creek Raw Bar.

Read more about this awesome small town here.

4. Gulfport

Gulfport is a small city near St. Petersburg with the motto "Keep Gulfport Weird." The shops and restaurants are often housed in brightly painted beach cottages, and the vibe is very laid-back and friendly. Pia's Trattoria is the perfect spot for Italian cuisine with beautiful atmosphere, and dining at O'Maddy's Bar & Grille is always a good time.

5. Tarpon Springs

This town of 23,000 residents located in Pinellas County has the highest percentage of Greek-Americans in the United States, making it the perfect place to get authentic Greek cuisine without leaving Florida. Our restaurant recommendations include Hellas Bakery and Restaurant, Rusty Bellies Waterfront Grill, and Tarpon Tavern. Read more about this special town here.

6. Fernandina Beach

Fernandina Beach is a historic town in Northeast Florida with lots of cute boutiques and restaurants, including the oldest bar in Florida, The Palace Saloon. We love T-Ray's Burger Station (a converted gas station with great burgers), Espana Restaurant & Tapas for Spanish cuisine, and

Timoti's Seafood Shack, but there are many, many more to choose from. Read more about this beautiful town here.

7. Winter Garden

Although it's larger than the others on this list, Winter Garden has retained its small town charm and history, despite being near the hustle and bustle of Orlando. Check out the Plant Street Market, a large indoor artisan market full of fresh organic foods and handmade goods, including some amazing restaurants. Read more about this delightful town here.

8. High Springs

High Springs, located in Alachua County near Gainesville, has lots of beautiful natural attractions, excellent restaurants, and some wonderful antique stores. Check out The Secret Garden Bakery,

The Great Outdoors Restaurant,

The Talented Cookie Company. Read more about High Springs here.

Have you been to any of the best food towns in Florida? Which one is your favorite? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below! And if you know another incredible eatery in the Sunshine State, nominate it for a chance to be featured.

For more excellent eats, visit the 10 most beautiful restaurants in Florida.