Food & drink in Central Florida.

The Lodge Ocala Pub & Eatery

Prima Italian Steakhouse

A modern Italian Steakhouse, featuring hand-cut steaks, Italian classics, & fresh seafood.

San Jose's Original Mexican Restaurant

Original Mexican restaurant

Blushin' Bubbles

Las Margaritas Mexican Restaurant & Gallery

Mexican eatery featuring a broad menu in vibrantly colored surrounds decorated with art.

Big Cypress Lakefront Pizzeria

Experience handmade Italian perfection by the water, where rustic charm meets vibrant style at BIG CYPRESS LAKEFRONT PIZZERIA.

Dragon Flower Winery

Family-owned winery near Lake Weir producing handcrafted wines. Sample flights, by-the-glass, or by-the-bottle. Open Thursdays through Sundays.

Whiskey Kitchen Mount Dora

Scratch-made American cuisine restaurant in downtown Mount Dora open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, with a pet-friendly outdoor patio featuring live music every Friday and Saturday.

Dockside Ice Cream Shoppe

Ice cream shop near the Crystal River waterfront serving scoops, sundaes, and frozen treats.

Root & Branch Bistro + Bar

A labor of love from proprietors Jason and Casey Baruch, Root & Branch has won multiple Taste of South Lake awards for good reason. The fried green tomatoes are legendary, and the upscale-but-casual vibe hits that sweet spot for a special night out.

Grateful Bowl

Acai bowls and healthy food cafe

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.

Bayside Kraft Kitchen

Creative casual restaurant in Crystal River with a from-scratch kitchen turning out inventive dishes alongside craft cocktails and local beers. A fresh addition to the Crystal River dining scene.

Twysted Vyne

Casual fine dining wine bar in downtown Inverness pairing a curated selection of quality wines and craft beers with an upscale bistro menu and live music from local musicians.

O'Malley's Alley

A longtime Ocala favorite for live music in a classic pub setting. Reliable lineup of local and regional acts.

1921 Mount Dora

Housed in what was once the town doctor's home, 1921 is owned by the Modernism Museum and features rotating art alongside locally sourced, contemporary American cuisine. The setting is as memorable as the food.

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Cajun Jimmy's Seafood Seller & Cafe

Cajun-style seafood restaurant and fish market in Crystal River. Buy fresh seafood to take home or sit down for boiled crawfish, fried shrimp, and po'boys with a Louisiana kick.

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.

MrBeast Burger

Infinite Ale Works

Ocala's oldest craft brewery, founded in 2014 and specializing in Belgian-inspired beers. Dozens of taps, a full restaurant menu, and a loyal following of locals and travelers who appreciate a well-crafted ale. The taproom atmosphere is warm and unpretentious.

Deep South Family BBQ

Deep South Family BBQ is a family-owned restaurant in Hernando County, known for their smoked meats and homemade side recipes, providing an authentic Southern BBQ experience since 1998.

Darrell's Diner

Peach Valley Café

Breakfast and brunch spot on US-441 serving homemade eats with fresh ingredients — from classic eggs and pancakes to sandwiches and soups. Pet-friendly patio and open until 2:30pm daily.

Luigi's Italian Restaurant

Casual Italian eatery serving a traditional menu in an airy simple space with booths & tables.

Wanda Mofongo House

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Rutabagas Natural Food Market & Café

Family-owned natural food store and cafe in Inverness offering organic produce, vitamins, supplements, and a cafe menu of smoothies, acai bowls, wraps, and soups for special diets.

Spill the Beans Co.

Local cafe and coffee roaster in Leesburg offering house-roasted lattes, mochas, frappes, Lotus energy drinks, and fresh cooked-to-order food, where regulars are known by name.

District Bar & Kitchen

Ocala's 2025 Restaurant of the Year. Elevated bar classics, handcrafted cocktails, and live music in a high-energy downtown atmosphere.

Marmaduke's Lodge

Multi-concept venue in downtown Leesburg featuring Americana food, craft beer, Burns Drugstore Speakeasy, and SLICE pizza by the slice, with live entertainment and outdoor seating.

My Quate

Miz Kathi's Cotillion Cafe & Sweetery

Southern comfort food and jaw-dropping cakes in downtown Wildwood. Miz Kathi's serves it up right -- hearty portions, scratch-made everything, and the kind of homestyle cooking that makes you wish you'd worn stretchy pants.

The Whistle Stop

Odd Cuples Cafe

A Bushnell hidden gem that feels like eating at a friend's house -- board games available, small-town warmth, and the kind of scratch-made food that chains will never replicate. Support this small business while you still can.

The View at Clermont National

Restaurant and bar at Clermont National Golf Club offering panoramic views stretching to Disney, with New York-style pizza, fresh bowls, a driving range, and weekend live music.

Taco 'N Madre

This petite Mexican eatery whips up tacos, burritos & other traditional fare in a casual setting.

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.

Fujiyama Japanese Steak House

Family-owned Japanese steakhouse in Bushnell offering hibachi dinners, sushi rolls, and traditional entrees, with reservations, takeout, and delivery available.

Mimi's Cafe

Casual chain restaurant serving French & American staples in a rustic-inspired setting.

Back 40 Wine Co

Harry's Seafood,Bar & Grille

Cajun and Creole-inspired seafood in the heart of downtown Ocala, housed in the historic 1885 Marion Block building. The fried green tomatoes and crab cakes are standouts, and the courtyard patio feels like a little slice of the French Quarter.

BubbaQue's BBQ - Crystal River

Fast-casual BBQ joint serving smoked brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and all the classic sides. The meat is smoked low and slow, and the sweet tea flows freely.

Yum Yum Wings and Things

Sud's Bottleshop & Saloon

Craft beer bottle shop and saloon in downtown Clermont

Cookie Queen Factory

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.

Chop Block Grill

Urban casual dining restaurant in downtown Brooksville featuring prime aged steaks, fresh seafood, pasta, and a full liquor bar in an inviting atmosphere.