If you are looking for a place to enjoy casual lakeside dining with a stunning view of Lake Dora and the Tavares Seaplane Base, look no further than Puddle Jumpers Lakeside Restaurant in Tavares, FL. Puddle Jumpers offers a variety of dishes, from fresh seafood and salads to burgers and vegetarian dishes, as well as a fully stocked bar with craft beers and cocktails. Whether you want to have a romantic dinner, a family outing, or a fun night out with friends, Puddle Jumpers has something for everyone.
A Bit of History
Puddle Jumpers is located in the historic downtown of Tavares, the county seat of Lake County. Tavares was founded in 1880 by Alexander St. Clair-Abrams, a newspaper and railroad man from a Creole family in New Orleans. He named the town after one of his Portuguese ancestors1
Tavares was once a fishing and hunting ground for Native Americans and early Floridians. It grew into a thriving community with a hotel, three stores, a sawmill, and eight cottages by 1884. St. Clair-Abrams had a vision of making Tavares the state capital of Florida, but his dream was not realized. However, he did manage to charter a railroad from Tavares to Orlando in 18872
Today, Tavares is known as “America’s Seaplane City” because of its seaplane base and marina on Lake Dora. The city hosts several events throughout the year, such as the Planes, Trains, and BBQ Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, and the Christmas Boat Parade3
What to Expect at Puddle Jumpers
Puddle Jumpers opened its doors in 2015 and has since become one of the most popular restaurants in Tavares. The restaurant has a cozy and inviting atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating options. You can enjoy the breeze and the view from the patio or the deck, or relax in the air-conditioned dining room or bar area.
The menu at Puddle Jumpers features a wide range of dishes that cater to different tastes and preferences. You can start with some appetizers, such as macho nachos or peel-n-eat shrimp, crab cakes, or our own pitadillas. Then, you can choose from their salads, sandwiches, burgers, or seafood. Some of their signature dishes include the "crash landing seafood platter", the shrimp tacos, fish-n-chips, and the "pilots platter". They also have vegetarian options available.
To complement your meal, you can order from their extensive drink menu that includes beers, wines, spirits, and cocktails. They have local craft beers on tap, such as Yuengling Lager and Blue Moon or try our own PJ Lakeside Larger. They also have specialty cocktails, such as the Jumper Juice, Lake Dora Iced Tea or our Mermaid Water.
Puddle Jumpers also offers live entertainment on weekends and special occasions. You can listen to some local bands and singers while you dine or dance. They also have Karaoke Bingo on Thursday night as as well as Wine Down Wednesday for some extra fun.
How to Visit Puddle Jumpers
Puddle Jumpers is open seven days a week from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM (11:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays). You can make a reservation online or by calling 352-508-5862. You can also order online for pick-up or delivery.
Puddle Jumpers is located at 111 W Ruby St., Tavares, FL 32778. You can get there by car, boat, or seaplane. There is plenty of parking space available near the restaurant. You can also dock your boat at the marina or land your seaplane at the seaplane base.
Conclusion
Puddle Jumpers Lakeside Restaurant is more than just a restaurant; it is an experience. It combines delicious food and drinks with a beautiful scenery and a friendly service. It is a place where you can enjoy the best of Tavares and create lasting memories with your loved ones.
So what are you waiting for? Come visit Puddle Jumpers today and see for yourself why it is one of the best restaurants in Tavares!
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