Fresh bread and world flavors make this Titusville restaurant one of the best in the US

Born as a fresh bread and pasta home delivery service during the pandemic in 2020, The Daley Trade has grown into a sought-after restaurant and marketplace with a menu inspired by flavors of the world and created with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Located in downtown Titusville, Florida, the stylish eatery with a mid-century modern vibe also is enjoying national buzz. It's among 47 restaurants included on the 2024 USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year list.

"This is such an incredible honor," said Laura Daley, who owns the market and restaurant with husband and chef Terrence Daley. "Still in shock! We will be on cloud nine for awhile with this."

How many have you been to?Check out USA TODAY's 2024 Restaurants of the Year.

Our criteria forUSA TODAY's Restaurants of the Year for 2024: How the list of best restaurants was decided

What makes The Daley Trade stand out

Terrence Daley is a Culinary Institute of America-trained chef who has worked in high-end kitchens across the country. He dreamed of opening a funky sandwich shop and record store. Instead, Laura put her career as an artist on hold to help him run The Daley Trade.

The front room of the establishment serves as a market, showcasing Daley's European-style sourdough bread and fresh pastas as well as natural wines and locally made products.

Step into the glass-enclosed dining room, and discover a groovy space where Apollo-era astronauts would have felt right at home.

The Back Bar is a tropical oasis, with lush plants, a wine bar and plenty of shade. Enjoying your visit? Write a note on a Post-it in the restroom and stick it on the wall.

What to order at The Daley Trade

The menu changes regularly, so you never know what might be coming out of Daley's kitchen. Dishes are meant for sharing, so go with friends and order several things.

Pizza. Wednesdays are Pizza Night at the Daley Trade. Crusts are made in-house, then topped with whatever suits the chef's whim. Recent creations include roasted Romanesco and Bolognese with fresh fresh mozzarella, house-made sourdough breadcrumbs, Pecorino Romano and fresh basil; Meatball Pie with house-made spicy heritage pork meatballs, crushed tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, Pecorino Romano and fresh basil; and Mac and Cheese Pie with five-cheese blend fancy-boi cheese sauce and crispy cheese crumble.

The pasta. Whatever pasta is on the menu, order it. How could anyone resist buttermilk ricotta and local veggie tortellini with housemate egg pasta, buttermilk ricotta, zucchini and roasted tomato with Pecorino Romano cream and edible flowers?

Dessert. Daley may have a fancy culinary degree, but that doesn't stop him and his team from playing with their food. The menu recently included croissants aux baies, berry croissants topped with Fruity Pebbles. Blueberry Panna Cotta takes a spicy twist with marinated blueberries, goat cheese, black pepper, fennel pollen sugar and Spanish olive oil.

The hummus. Roasted garlic hummus features crispy chickpeas and Home Spice spicy za'atar and is served with crazy-good sourdough bread.

Follow The Daley Trade on social media to see weekly menus posted in Instagram Reels or in Facebook Stories.

Good to know before visiting The Daley Trade

The restaurant accepts a limited number of reservations, but via email, not phone. Email thedaleytrade@gmail.com several days before you'd like to visit. Otherwise, seating is first come, first served.

Also, each ingredient is thoughtfully chosen as Daley builds a dish. For this reason dishes come out of the kitchen as described. According to the menu: "Substitutions politely declined. While modifications & substitutions may seem easy to accommodate, these requests compromise the unique characteristics of our food & the efficiency of our service."

The Daley Trade market often offers take-home meal kits for holidays.

If you're a space buff, check the launch schedule for nearby Kennedy Space Center. When a launch goes, step out front and look up.

Details: The Daley Trade, 330 S. Washington Ave., Titusville, Fla.; thedaleytrade@gmail.com, thedaleytrade.com.

Suzy Fleming Leonard is a features journalist with more than three decades of experience. Reach her at sleonard@floridatoday.com. Find her on Facebook: @SuzyFlemingLeonard or on Instagram: @SuzyLeonard.