Located at 5150 Buckingham Road and the Orange River, just east of I-75, The Rumbucket and Peace Tropical Gardens have a long tradition of southern hospitality, innovative cuisine, and exciting entertainment. The gardens were originally established in the 1930s by settler Edwin Peace, a wandering soldier of fortune, to please his bride Ramira Stephagee, a Tahitian princess. The beautiful botanical gardens attracted visitors from far and wide, including Thomas Edison, and in the 1970s the restaurant was built to serve the frequent guests. For much of the past four decades, it was a favorite place for locals to gather for special occasions, weddings, receptions, and family events. Winter visitors considered it a “must” for dining, dancing, and live entertainment.

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The new owner, Tommy Lee Cook, has completed a year-long, multi-million dollar restoration involving a major remodeling of the building itself, a new state-of-the-art kitchen, covered boardwalks, bridges over the pond, and pathways around the waterfall.

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Local artist Erma Jean Woodis used Tommy’s photos to create the Floridian ambiance. It is eloquently expressed in the 2,315 sq. foot original hand-painted murals of the Everglades scenery throughout the main dining room, lounge, and even the restrooms, taking over 400 hours.