Food & drink in Central Florida.

Shadrach's Fiery Furnace

Family-owned wood-fired pizza restaurant in downtown Mount Dora, started as a mobile pizza oven touring art shows and festivals since 2011, now serving Neapolitan-style pies from an authentic oven.

Gator's Dockside Spring Hill

Family-friendly sports-bar chain offering American fare, including signature grilled chicken wings.

Roasted Spirit

Elevated cocktail bar and scratch kitchen in downtown Clermont's ArtWalk district, featuring coffee-infused craft cocktails, small bites like bourbon-braised pork belly sliders, and live entertainment.

The Office at the Crossroads

Bar and social gathering spot in the Spring Hill area.

El patrón Grill & Bar

Lakis Restaurant

Popular Greek & Italian dishes served in a casual space with murals of quaint Aegean scenes.

Cedar River Seafood

Local seafood chain in Inverness dishing out fried fish platters, shrimp baskets, and hushpuppies. Simple, satisfying seafood at honest prices.

Grandpa Joe's Candy Shop

Nostalgic candy shop on Main Street

Whispering Oaks Winery

Local winery near The Villages featuring live music events and wine tastings.

Little Fin

Fast-casual seafood spot inside The Market at Sawgrass Grove specializing in sauteed (not fried) dishes including walleye, fish and chips, oyster po'boys, and bang bang shrimp.

Fujiyama Japanese Steakhouse

Family-friendly Japanese place for sushi & hibachi fare with chefs cooking on tabletop grills.

Front Porch Restaurant

Home-style restaurant in Dunnellon serving comfort food classics — think fried chicken, meatloaf, and biscuits. The kind of place where the food tastes like somebody's grandma made it.

The Goblin Market

A local institution since 1996, The Goblin Market features intimate, book-lined dining rooms and a gorgeous courtyard patio. Creative seasonal New American cuisine in one of the prettiest settings in Central Florida.

The Warehouse Social Club operated by the Military Fire Police Support Association

Community social club in downtown Leesburg operated by the Military Fire Police Support Association, hosting events, gatherings, and entertainment for members and guests.

Christmas Cafe

Coffee house in Inverness serving coffee, acai bowls, crepes, soups, energy drinks, and soft-serve ice cream in a cozy atmosphere.

THE FLAME

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.

Calabria Ristorante & NY Style Pizza

Italian restaurant with New York-style pizza

One Utopia - Coffee Shop

Artman Country Smokehouse

Barbecue smokehouse in Summerfield, FL, serving Southern smoked meats.

Say Taco Tequila Bar & Grill

Homestyle eatery with a terrace whipping up hearty nachos & tacos alongside margaritas & beer.

Sauced Hogs BBQ Bar & Grill

Barbecue restaurant and bar in Hernando near Crystal River serving smoked meats and classic BBQ sides. Features weekly karaoke on Thursdays, live music on weekends, and trivia nights in a casual, family-friendly setting.

Highland Street Cafe

A Mount Dora local favorite for breakfast and lunch. Nothing fancy, just really good food.

Amrit Palace

The best Indian food within 50 miles, and it's not close. The lunch buffet is a steal, the naan comes out of the tandoor perfectly blistered, and the menu is deep enough that regulars are still discovering new favorites after years of visits.

El Mezcal Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant in Homosassa on Suncoast Boulevard serving traditional dishes in a family-friendly setting.

Tas-t-o's Donuts

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.

Howie's Family Restaurant

Home-style family restaurant in Bushnell serving Southern comfort food, fresh seafood, and all-you-can-eat fish, open for breakfast and lunch with Friday fish fry dinners.

Coach's Pub & Eatery

The hub of downtown Inverness since 1991. Custom burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and downtown's largest selection of craft and domestic beer. Over thirty years of consistent pub food and genuine community gathering -- a rare combination.

Papa J's Diner

One of the longest-running breakfast and lunch diners in Inverness since 1986, serving all-day breakfast with Southern-style cooking, generous portions, and competitive prices.

The Station

Daniel's Cheesesteak Express

Philly cheesesteak restaurant in downtown Clermont

Bayside Seafood Grille

Seafood restaurant in downtown Crystal River featuring fresh local catches and a cozy dining atmosphere.

Prime 3

Upscale steak and wine restaurant in downtown Leesburg

The Friar Tuck

Rated the number one restaurant in Clermont on TripAdvisor, this cozy English cafe serves authentic British plates -- full English breakfasts, bangers and mash, and proper fish and chips. A genuinely unique find in Central Florida.

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.

Fat Boys BBQ

BBQ restaurant and bar in Ocala, FL, serving wood-smoked ribs, brisket, and chicken with online ordering available.

The Crazy Apron, LLC

Legends Bar And Grill

Neighborhood bar and grill in Fruitland Park known for hand-tossed New York and Chicago-style pizza, oversized chicken wings with homemade sauces, pool tables, karaoke, and live music.

O'Keefe's Irish Pub & Restaurant

Classic pub with traditional food & pints, polished wood decor, beer signage & live music.

Dip-A-Dee-Donuts

Donut shop in Leesburg serving fresh-made donuts, pastries, and coffee for a quick morning treat.

Castaways Bar & Grill

Casual waterfront bar and grill in Crystal River with cold drinks, pub food, and a laid-back outdoor vibe. A popular post-dive or post-kayak hangout.

The Crooked Fork

Frank's Place

Neighborhood bar in downtown Leesburg with a large pool hall, full liquor bar, karaoke on Wednesdays and Fridays, an outdoor live music pavilion, and pub-style food.

Beef 'O' Brady's

Family-friendly sports bar chain serving wings, burgers, and pub fare with plenty of TVs for game day. The kind of place where you can bring the kids and still catch the game.

The Sipping Garden and Bistro

A wine bar and bistro in downtown Leesburg with a garden atmosphere and a curated wine list paired with bistro fare. It's the kind of spot this area has been missing -- relaxed, a little sophisticated, and perfect for a long afternoon.

Prime + Ember

Upscale signature steakhouse at Eastport Town Center featuring prime cuts, fresh seafood, and hand-crafted cocktails, with a rooftop bar overlooking Central Lake and live music.

St. Johns Tavern

Classic pub fare is served alongside beer & cocktails in this warm, wood-&-brick locale.