The Daley Trade - Titusville

If you live in the Greater Orlando area, Titusville may not be on your radar for many things. It's a solid hour's drive to the Space Coast, and unless you are there to visit Kennedy Space Center or perhaps enjoy a Bioluminescence Clear Kayak or Paddleboard Tour, you may not find yourself visiting too frequently.

I, however, love to travel to different cities in the Central Florida area from Coast to Coast, usually looking for local shops, antique malls, and eateries that deserve love and attention beyond their local fan base. That is exactly how I found The Daley Trade.

Titusville has a somewhat defunct mall that is home to a local antique mall that I love to frequent, not to mention the Dusty Rose Antique Mall. Those two spots, along with many thrift stores, have kept Titusville in our regular rotation of day trips, but the question often arises of where we eat to fuel these day trips.  

Thanks to some local friends, I've always been given some recommendations: Sunrise Bread Co., the tacos at P&K Food Mart (you have to go), Vine and Olive, and maybe, for nostalgia's sake, a trip to the Moonlight Drive In. One recommendation that I had yet to hear of was The Daley Trade. After some research, I was immediately hooked by their menu and rotating seasonal dishes. So, I had my first visit to The Daley Trade in March of this year. It was so good that I needed to go again to make sure this wasn't a random fluke of culinary delight but the norm for this adorable spot in downtown Titusville.

The Vibe

Stepping into The Daley Trade feels less like entering a typical restaurant and more like wandering into a charming market—a deliberate choice that beautifully aligns with their concept and how they got started during the pandemic by delivering fresh bread and pasta to local homes. The front area greets you with freshly baked bread and pastries alongside shelves lined with natural wines and cases filled with ready-made dishes to take home. It’s a feast for the senses before you’ve even sat down. Behind the counter, you catch a glimpse of a small, unassuming kitchen where a handful of chefs work with quiet precision. At first glance, it appears to be a modest operation, but you’ll soon see the dishes coming out of the kitchen speak volumes with each presentation.

After doing a little digging into Chef Terrence’s background, I found that he started his journey in D.C., attended culinary school and worked in New York, with more stints in Miami and Charleston (one of my favorite southern food cities). You can taste the experience and diversity.

If you're dining in, you'll be escorted to either the open Florida room or the charming breezy back bar patio. The space is airy and inviting, with a minimalist design that's punctuated by vibrant pops of green and an abundance of plants. The ambiance is simple yet bright and feels comfortable. It shouldn't go unsaid that Laura (Chef’s wife) is the other creative and business force behind the restaurant.

THE FOOD

If you’re someone who values seasonality and fresh, local ingredients when dining out, then you’ll likely be completely satisfied by a visit to The Daley Trade, where the menu is as dynamic as the seasons. By partnering with local farmers and purveyors, they bring the freshest Florida ingredients to the table, offering diners a unique opportunity to savor the kitchen’s creative prowess. Each visit is a new culinary adventure, with dishes that reflect what’s available and in season, rather than relying on a set menu.

On my first visit, I was treated to a Pork Chop from Lake Meadows Naturals Farm, accompanied by Pear Mostarda and charred Belgian Endive. It was, without a doubt, the best pork chop I’ve ever had. Another dish that left a lasting impression was a Coconut Lime Panna Cotta, bursting with Florida flavors topped with local candied starfruit, toasted coconut, and pink peppercorn. The combination of ingredients left me spiraling in excitement questioning why I have never had these elements together on a dish before —months later, I still find myself reminiscing about that dish. Ask my husband, I wouldn’t shut up about it on the long drive home.

Fast forward to my latest visit we enjoyed:

  • Shaved Golden Beet Salad with House Made Stracciatella, Pickled Mostarda, Fennel, and Fresh Herbs

  • Summer Vegetable Tortellini with Buttermilk Ricotta, Sauteed Zucchini, Summer Squash, Tomato, Vidalia Onion with Pecorino Cream Sauce, Herb Oil, Fresh Herbs

  • French Onion Steak Tartine Caramelized Onion Compote, Shaved Grass Fed Roasted Flank Steak, Brulee Gruyere Mornay, Au Poivre Sauce, Fresh Horseradish, on Fried Rosemary Sourdough Focaccia

  • Chilled Cedar Key Middle Neck Clams with Chamoy Lime Vinaigrette, Local Mango Granita, Shaved Red Onion, Cilantro, Tajin Spiced Puffed Rice

  • Fire Roasted Shrimp Skewers with Canaveral Brown Shrimp, Fire Roasted Pepper Relish, Saffron Aioli, Herb Salad, Aleppo Pepper, Lemon

  • Pan Con Tomate

Scrolling through their Instagram feed is like peering into the heart of an artist’s culinary dream, where each dish is a fleeting masterpiece, never to be replicated. Consider a visit to The Daley Trade as getting a front row seat to constantly taste a new rotating weekly work of art and savor the creations of Chef Terrence and his talented team.

The true magic lies in surrendering to their expertise, especially if you’re free of dietary restrictions. They'll guide you through dishes that might not typically catch your eye, transforming ingredients you thought you didn’t care for into new favorites. Take the clams and shrimp, for instance—neither are my usual go-tos, yet the blend of flavors, the clever use of items like tajin, completely altered my perspective and deepened my appreciation for these once-overlooked ingredients. My husband who is not quite as open to giving away full rights to the kitchen told me to go ahead and order the Golden Beet Salad but he wasn’t interested since he is not a fan of any of the ingredients listed. After one small taste, he ended up eating his fair share of the dish and another mind was changed.

And then there’s the Pan Con Tomate, a seemingly simple dish that we couldn’t resist ordering both times. It’s a perfect example of balance of seasonings and comforting textures, offering a level of satisfaction that’s hard to forget.

With two visits now under my belt—both of which included some irresistible take-home bread and pastries—I can confidently say that The Daley Trade is a must-visit for any Orlando foodie. This spot has quickly earned a place on my list of go-to restaurants, whether for a special occasion or just a casual but elevated dinner. The level of care and creativity in every dish makes the drive more than worth it. And while I've thoroughly enjoyed what I’ve tried so far, I'm still eager to swing by during the week to experience their pizzas, which I’ve heard are not to be missed.

What to know before you go:

  • The restaurant itself is not huge, so if you plan on going on a weekend evening I would recommend reservations.

  • It is located in downtown Titusville, and there is a free parking lot just a block away for parking.

  • If you get there early, Playalinda Brewing is across the street.

  • The menu of specials that run Thursday - Saturday are limited, so if you are more of a picky eater it’s best to follow them on Instagram and see what the specials are before you make the trek.

  • They have a drink menu of select beers and natural wines, but no cocktails.

I hope you get to enjoy The Daley Trade very soon.

Address: 330 S Washington Ave, Titusville, FL 32796

FoodieLindsey Thompsonfarm to table, the daley trade, titusville