The Garlic

Jay Waller

5 out of 5 stars★★★★★

If you’re in New Smyrna, “The Garlic” is an absolute must-try. What an amazing experience from start to finish. We started with the Mozzarella Meltdown and the artichoke dip — both were outstanding and packed with flavor. For my entrée, I had the lamb chops, which were perfectly seared, well-seasoned, and absolutely excellent. My wife ordered the lasagna and claims it was the best she’s ever had! A huge shoutout to our waitress, Taylor. She was clearly a foodie herself, gave great recommendations, and had such a funny, upbeat personality that made the experience even better. The environment is unlike anywhere else — unique, cozy, and full of character. One thing to note: even at 5:45 PM, parking was already a challenge, which tells you just how popular this place is. Overall, an incredible dining experience. Great food, great atmosphere, and great service. We’ll definitely be back!

Jason Clarke

5 out of 5 stars★★★★★

Absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish! The food was outstanding, the atmosphere was incredible, and the service was top-notch. A group of us came in after a day at the beach and grabbed seats at the bar. Darren, Cooper, and the rest of the bartending team were amazing — friendly, attentive, and made the whole experience even better. We’ll definitely be back soon! Now… the food! If you’re visiting on a Saturday or Sunday (until they run out), the Lasagna is an absolute must. It’s only available those days, and it did not disappoint. The bruschetta was also fantastic and a perfect way to start the meal. The photos honestly don’t do the food justice — the lighting inside is low, but that’s part of what makes The Garlic such a unique experience. The ambiance is incredible, and the atmosphere is warm, inviting, and memorable. One of my favorite places in New Smyrna Beach to enjoy a great meal, especially when you’re craving something hearty and delicious. Can’t wait to come back!

Paul St Germain

5 out of 5 stars★★★★★

The Garlic is a truly outstanding restaurant. Between the incredible atmosphere and exceptional food, it’s easily one of the best dining experiences in New Smyrna Beach. If you’re planning to eat here, arrive early. The restaurant opens at 4:00 p.m., and by 4:20 p.m. it’s already standing room only. By 4:45 p.m., the wait for a table is usually over an hour. They don’t accept reservations, so getting there before they open is your best bet. It was a hot day, but you simply can’t visit The Garlic without ordering a glass of their house Pinot Noir. Every meal begins with their famous homemade bread, served alongside two whole garlic cloves that have been slow-roasted for four hours and finished in their signature balsamic vinegar. It’s absolutely phenomenal and the perfect way to start your meal. I ordered the lamb chops, and without question, they are the best lamb chops I’ve ever eaten. I had them on a previous visit and have never found another restaurant that comes close, so I couldn’t wait to order them again. They were just as amazing as I remembered. My wife chose one of the shrimp pasta dishes, and it was equally delicious. She said she’d order it again in a heartbeat. I can’t say enough good things about The Garlic. From the unique ambiance and outstanding service to some of the best food you’ll find anywhere, this restaurant is an experience every visitor to New Smyrna Beach should have. If you’re in town, put The Garlic at the top of your list—you won’t be disappointed.

Shannon Rupert

5 out of 5 stars★★★★★

Stopped here while staying in Daytona on our way back from Kennedy Space Center. Amazing food and great service. Gio’s recommendations were on point. The Bocce Ball was over the top. Portions are huge. Come hungry. Get and share dessert. It’s all amazing!

Deive Mota

5 out of 5 stars★★★★★

Our first visit was today; we had just left the beach and decided to have dinner at The Garlic. When we arrived, seeing the crowd, we thought we’d be stuck waiting for about two hours. We went to the front, where a very polite hostess took down our names and phone number, telling us the wait would be 40 minutes. We sat nearby, but just 20 minutes later, she called us I was pleasantly surprised! From that point on, every staff member treated us with the utmost respect and greeted us warmly. The atmosphere was incredible, super lively with great live music. We ate exceptionally well! We had their amazing bread with the 3 hour slow-roasted garlic (an absolute delight), the filet mignon meatball (polpettone), and the artichoke. Everything was delicious and didn't take long to arrive. Our server, Zack (if I recall his name correctly), provided us with some of the best service we’ve ever experienced. All in all, go check it out it’s guaranteed that you’ll have a wonderful experience, just like my wife and I did. The Garlic gets a perfect score 1000 points and so does its team! 👏🏼👏🏼