Downtown Sanford City Guide
What is there to do in downtown Sanford? Eat and drink. Then eat and drink again. Maybe listen to some live music, antique, and then eat some more. Downtown Sanford continues to grow and entice visitors to come and spend a day “Sanfording”, but to try all the different restaurants and bars they have, you’ll need multiple trips.
I’ve comprised a guide based on my last few trips, (sorry I couldn’t eat at every restaurant) and I’m sharing the details with you. As always, go explore for yourself and find your favorite spots.
Tuffy’s Bottle Shop
In downtown Sanford, you have your pick of local craft beer spots, but Tuffy’s is known for brewing local cider which interested me since I don’t like beer. While other local brews are on tap along with a small but mighty cocktail list, cider rules the house. While no food is available here, you will still want to stay awhile as they have a game room with a wall of flat screens and comfy chairs, and group games like darts and table shuffleboard. The back patio is spacious and offers fun and quirky seating areas, including inside an open vintage trailer and a reconstructed pontoon boat.
200 Myrtle Ave, Sanford, FL 32771 https://www.facebook.com/tuffyscider/
Celery Craft
At Celery City Craft there are 50 beer taps (and 2 wine taps) featuring mostly Florida brews. The outside courtyard has plenty of seating and is even known to host local events. If you aren’t a beer or wine fan they do have a small craft cocktail menu as well. One of my favorite collaborations they take part in has been inviting the delicious food of Sushi and Seoul into their kitchen, making this a great spot for local beers and local eats. Check their event schedule for live musical acts Thursday through Sunday each week.
114 S. Palmetto Ave. Sanford, FL 32771 celerycitycraft.com
The Sullivan
This Irish Pub is dark and moody, and a perfect place to hide from the Florida sun for a spell. If whiskey is your drink of choice, come here and try an old favorite or imbibe in something new. The food menu is classic pub fare. The Sullivan also has a stage for live music and feels like a true hideaway from the rest of the city.
116 E 1st St, Sanford, FL 32771 www.facebook.com
Loggerhead Distillery
Did you know Sanford has a distillery? Right this moment they are working on aging a single malt whiskey, rum, and bourbon, but you can visit now and try (and purchase) their Apple Pie Moonshine and Vodkas (regular and sweet tea). And yes, they let 21+ up sample the goods.
124 W. 2nd Street Sanford, FL loggerheaddistillery.com
Throwbacks Sanford
Throwbacks is yet another bar, but its niche is having retro games to play. The bar isn’t huge, but there are about half a dozen arcade-style games, skee ball machines, and tabletop games to play. The day I visited there were tons of kids in the bar, so I wasn’t sure if that’s the normal vibe there, but just putting that out there that it seemed to be kid-friendly.
418 Sanford Ave, Sanford, FL www.facebook.com
Other bars and breweries:
EATS
Hollerbach's Willow Tree Café German Restaurant
It quite possibly might be Sanford’s most iconic and popular eatery, and if you don’t know much about Sanford, chances are you at least know Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe. In addition to the restaurant space, the new Erdinger bar next door is now open. This gorgeous space has an expansive bar that has been entirely constructed from two 300-year-old trees, shipped into Sanford in pieces, and reassembled. You can wait for a table or take a seat and get full service.
Fuel BBQ
Sanford’s BBQ spot is a la cart style, letting you sample as many goods on the menu as you wish. I was personally a fan of their brisket. Depending on when you visit you can try out the BBQ and enjoy a live show next door at the Alley. The owners of Fuel also own this bar with live blues music to round out your night.
120 S Park Ave, Sanford, FL 32771 www.thealleyblues.com
Buster’s Bistro
Buster’s isn’t on the main drag, so if you aren’t exploring you might miss it, but I’m a fan of this spot. It’s a Belgian beer bar that felt very relaxed and homey. The service was great, including the resident bar dog that kept us company. The food was good and I especially loved my classic, twice-fried Belgian fries that came with an amazing curry sauce.
300 Sanford Ave, Sanford, FL 32771 www.bustersbistro.com
Henry’s Depot
Henry’s Depot is an old train depot that has been converted into a collective food space. I visited Henry’s Depot on a Saturday afternoon, but it didn’t appear fully finished inside, so we didn’t try any food, so I can’t speak to what awaits you as far as a meal is concerned. Dixie Dharma, Grain & Ember, and a few others are in the space along with a large bar called the Basin which was open. I’d keep tabs on their social media for a fully open date.
212 W 1st St Sanford Fl 32771 www.henrysdepot.com
Other eateries to try:
Colonial Room
Taste of Tyme Cafe
The Original Cristos
Best Fish + Chicken Wings
TREATS + COFFEE/TEAS
The Rosie Lee Co.
Whether you want craft coffee or tea, Rosie Lee offers both in a serene and slightly British inspired setting. You can try a London Fog, Matcha, or one of their monthly seasonal drinks, while purchasing tea and accessories to take home. If coffee is your cup of choice, it’s a local brew you’ll get from Wavelength Coffee.
108 S. Park Ave. Sanford, FL. www.rosieleeco.com
Palate Coffee and Palate
Bubs + Ice Cream
Palate Coffee Brewing has been in Sanford for a few years now, but they recently opened a new space across the street from their cafe for a sweeter purpose. Their small shop has ice cream and the popular Bubble Waffles. You can create your own, or choose from their signature creations.
For coffee with a cause (they have volunteers workers and focus on ending human-trafficking) just walk across the street to the cafe.
114 W. 2nd St, Sanford, Fl www.facebook.com/PalateBubsIceCream/
Wondermade
Famously known for their marshmallows, Wondermade renovated their space in historic Downtown Sanford to be a full dessert cafe. Try a toasted popsicle or "smores popsicle", or a “Krispwich", a Rice Krispies ice cream sandwich. No matter what you try, it’s going to be good. I've always been a fan of their more non-traditional flavors like avocado, cornbread, and horchata.
214 E 1st St, Sanford, FL www.wondermade.com
PLACES TO GO
Magpies Modern General
Outside of antique shops, there isn’t a lot of retail in downtown Sanford. Thankfully I found Magpies Modern General which was a cute boutique filled with all types of merchandise with an emphasis on supporting other local makers. From soaps apothecary items, housewares, gifts and clothes, there is a lot of to find here so check out every nook and cranny.
215 East 1st Street Sanford, FL www.magpiesmoderngeneral.com
Maya’s Books
In all my years visiting Sanford I’ve seen local spots come and go, but a constant has been Maya’s Books. If you are someone that loves bookstores, this is a great local shop to explore and support. The upstairs space is home to records, so indulge your love of reading or music in this shop.
204 E 1st St Sanford, FL www.facebook.com
Other places to visit/ things to do:
Park + 2nd Antiques
Hollerbach's Outfitters
Triple Goddess Treasures
Sanford Zoo
All meals, drinks, etc. were paid for personally. No business or entity asked for this guide to be created, and no sponsored content is in this post. All images are my own.