Food & drink in Central Florida.

Franco's Italian Restaurant

Blue Deep Sea Coffee

Lugo's Grill

Authentic Cuban restaurant in Dunnellon known for fresh plantains, Cuban sandwiches, and hearty rice and beans in a cozy, old-school atmosphere. Cash only.

Coney Island Bushnell

Hot dog stand and casual eatery in Bushnell serving Coney Island-style dogs, burgers, and quick bites. Simple, classic, and satisfying.

Haggard Coffee & Oddities

Unique coffee shop, museum, and art space in downtown Brooksville filled with oddities, curios, and conversation starters, with a welcoming atmosphere and outdoor seating.

Glenview Country Club

Country club restaurant in The Villages offering dining with views of the manicured greens. A comfortable spot for a post-round meal or casual dinner.

Waffles & Cream

Creative dessert shop in downtown Mount Dora serving fresh Liege waffle bites, mini donuts, scoop and soft-serve ice cream including dairy-free Dole options.

Abound

Coffee shop and cafe in Crystal River serving specialty coffee drinks and fresh bites in a welcoming space. A new go-to for the Crystal River coffee crowd.

Central Cafe & Bakery

Charming cafe and bakery serving fresh-baked goods, breakfast, and lunch in Inverness.

SevenMade

Bagel Bros Cafe

O'Shucks Oyster Bar and Grill

Seafood and American restaurant known for oysters on the half shell and fish and chips.

M&M Old Hickory Smokehouse BBQ

A hole-in-the-wall in the best possible way. Smoked low and slow with old hickory wood, the brisket and ribs here are legit competition-quality barbecue. Limited hours mean you need to plan around their schedule, but that's what good BBQ demands.

Just Love Coffee Cafe - Clermont

Community-focused coffee shop and restaurant in Clermont serving hand-roasted specialty coffee and creative waffle-based dishes, named Best Coffee of South Lake 2025.

Corelli’s Pantry Italian Market & Pizza

100 Proof Saloon

The Equestrian Manor

The newest dining venue at World Equestrian Center in Ocala, offering upscale buffet-style brunch and special event dining in an elegant equestrian setting.

Bank Street

Outdoor seating, craft cocktails, and live music on select nights. One of downtown Ocala's best spots for a night out.

Lake Eustis Waterfront Grille

Grandpa Joe's Candy Shop

Nostalgic candy shop on Main Street

The Cove Pub & Grub

Lakeside pub and grill on the Tsala Apopka chain of lakes with outdoor seating, wings, burgers, and cold drinks.

Gio's Deli

Italian deli and market near The Villages in Oxford serving homemade pizza, fresh sandwiches, and scratch-made Italian specialties, with imported goods available for purchase.

Grandpa Joe's Candy Shop - Ocala, FL

Mac’d Out

Calabria Ristorante & NY Style Pizza

Italian restaurant with New York-style pizza

Storming Crab

La Perla Tapatía Mexican Restaurant

Two Old Hags Wine Shoppe

Leesburg's original wine bar since 2007 on Main Street, offering an eclectic selection of wines you won't find elsewhere, with a bring-your-own-food policy welcoming takeout from nearby downtown restaurants.

Terrace on the Square

Rooftop bar atop the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Ocala. Creative cocktails, appetizer specials, and panoramic views of the Square. Open Sun-Thu 4-11pm, Fri-Sat 4pm-midnight.

Frenchy's

Wood-fired pizza spot inside The Market at Sawgrass Grove serving authentic sourdough crust pizzas cooked in a specialty oven for grab-and-go dining.

cosmo and sprout bakery

Tabla Indian Restaurant Clermont

Ay Jalisco

Homey Mexican eatery offering a menu of familiar favorites, plus a full liquor bar.

Antojitos 352

Sail Inn

Bar on Broad Street in the Brooksville area.

Turners Kitchen + Bar

A chef-owned restaurant in the heart of downtown Leesburg, occupying a building that once housed Turner's Bakery in the 1940s. The menu is creative without being fussy, and the quality is a pleasant surprise for a small-town spot.

Tipsy Tarpon

Casual waterfront seafood spot on the Crystal River with open-air covered seating, a tin-roof tiki bar, live music, and menu favorites like redfish tacos and steamed shrimp.

El Rinconcito Mexican Grill & Cantina

TwinkleBerry

El Azteca Mexican Cocina

If you haven't found El Azteca Mexican Cocina yet, you're missing out on one of Bushnell's best-kept secrets — though with a 4.7-star Google rating and a loyal following, the secret is getting out fast. Tucked into Bushnell Plaza off SR 48, this family-run spot serves authentic Mexican cuisine that goes well beyond the typical Tex-Mex playbook. The enchiladas are rich and saucy, the fajitas come out sizzling, and the tamales taste like someone's abuela made them that morning. Don't skip the sangria — regulars call it spectacular, and they're not exaggerating. What sets El Azteca apart isn't just the food, though. It's the warmth. Reviewers consistently rave about the staff — attentive, genuine, the kind of service that makes you feel like family from the first visit. The dining room is clean and inviting, the kind of place you'd bring your parents or take the kids on a Tuesday night just as easily as a Friday date night. Portions are generous, prices are fair, and the fresh, thin tortillas alone are worth the trip. Whether you're stopping in for a quick lunch combo, ordering takeout through Toast or DoorDash, or settling in for a full dinner with margaritas, El Azteca delivers every time. It's the kind of neighborhood restaurant that makes you glad you live here — and if you're visiting the area, it's reason enough to get off the interstate.

Big Hammock Brewery & Bites

A downtown Ocala brewery with a twist -- literally. Twelve taps featuring their own brews alongside guest craft beers, paired with an Asian-fusion menu of ramen bowls, bao buns, and hot pretzels. The combination shouldn't work this well, but it does.

Smallcakes

The Crooked Spoon Gastropub

A chef-driven gastropub offering traditional and modern dishes with a craft beer selection that takes the pub concept seriously. Happy hour daily from 4-7pm is one of the better deals in South Lake County.

Cali Coffee

Red Crab Juicy Seafood

Leo's Grill & Barbecue

American and Brazilian barbecue restaurant at The Citrus Tower in Clermont specializing in slow-cooked meats smoked over hickory and oak wood, including brisket, picanha, and homemade beef pastrami.

Kurosumi Kitchen

Japanese kitchen restaurant

Fiesta Grande Mexican Grill

Casual Mexican restaurant in The Villages serving tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, and margaritas. A solid spot for a quick Tex-Mex fix with friendly service.