Food & drink in Central Florida.

Bully Brewing

A family-owned microbrewery in Leesburg with a laid-back taproom where the focus is entirely on the beer. Small-batch brews, a rotating tap list, and the kind of atmosphere where you end up chatting with the people at the next table.

The Thirsty Cobbler

Ocala's first speakeasy. Password-required entry, handcrafted cocktails around $12, vintage Prohibition-era decor, and intimate seating for about 20. No food served. Opens at 6pm nightly.

KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot

All-you-can-eat interactive dining where you cook your own Korean BBQ and hot pot right at the table. A fun, social experience with endless proteins, veggies, and broths — great for groups and adventurous eaters.

Square 1 Burgers & Bar

Craft burger joint in The Villages building smash burgers with creative toppings and a solid craft beer selection. The kind of place where the burgers are messy in the best way.

Back 40 Wine Co

Lake Eustis Waterfront Grille

Snowbirds Billiards

The Deli Llama, Cafe.- Espresso & Sandwiches

Creative cafe in downtown Mount Dora serving crafted pressed sandwiches with house-made meats and espresso by day, transforming into The Llama Lounge evenings with small bites, beer, wine, and sake cocktails.

Gator's Dockside Spring Hill

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

The Flying Biscuit Cafe

Southern-inspired breakfast and brunch cafe famous for fluffy biscuits with cranberry apple butter. Popular dishes include the Flying Biscuit Breakfast and the Hangover Hash.

Taco Maniaa

Orochi Ramen

Authentic Japanese ramen restaurant

Ruby Street Grille

Tavares' go-to for lakeside live entertainment and cold drinks. Ruby Street Grille keeps the patio packed with regular live music, a solid pub menu, and views of Lake Dora. It's more bar-with-great-food than restaurant-with-a-bar.

DULCE JESUS MIO BAKERY

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.

Fat Boys BBQ

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

Salt Shack on the Lake

Waterfront restaurant on Lake Minneola offering island vibes, wild-caught seafood, and a sandy beach area perfect for families, with live music Thursday through Sunday.

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.

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.

The Salted Fry

100% gluten-free European-style frite shop in downtown Mount Dora serving Belgian-style fries, fresh-made dipping sauces, panini sandwiches, and their own bourbon-cooked ketchup.

La Casa Di Norma

Italian restaurant in Crystal River crafting unforgettable dining experiences with homemade pasta, fresh seafood, and classic Italian flavors using the freshest local ingredients.

Gator's Dockside Brownwood

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

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.

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.

El Mezcal Mexican restaurant

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

The Office at the Crossroads

Bar and social gathering spot in the Spring Hill area.

Lalys Cakery

Hiatus Brewing Company

A full-service brewpub on Ocala's west side with delicious on-site crafted beer and a restaurant menu to match. Regular live music and community events make this more than just a place to drink -- it's a neighborhood gathering spot.

Historic Downtown Clermont

This charming downtown area features historic houses & buildings, retail shops & restaurants.

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.

Ocala Downtown Diner

Burgers, steaks & shakes served in a relaxed eatery that has classic diner decor.

La Palma Mexican Grill

Casual, informal spot serving Mexican standards from tacos to burritos plus beers & tequila drinks.

SideBar Tavern

Friendly neighborhood restaurant and bar on Courthouse Square in downtown Inverness offering local craft beer, wine, and a casual dining menu.

Drafts Sports Bar & Grill

Classic sports bar at Lake Sumter Landing with dozens of TVs, pub grub, and cold draft beer. A top spot for watching games.

Calypso

Caribbean-inspired restaurant at The Waterfront Inn on Lake Sumter Landing, serving island-flavored dishes and rum-infused cocktails with indoor-outdoor dining, live music, and lakeside breezes.

Ivy on the Square

Southern-inspired cuisine is the specialty of this elegant restaurant in a circa-1890 building.

Mustangs & Mulligans

Bar at Golden Oaks Country Club, Ocala.

4120 Bombay Cafe

Thai Ruby

Authentic Thai cuisine at Lake Sumter Landing that goes well beyond the usual pad thai. The curries are properly spiced, the Tom Kha is aromatic and rich, and the location makes it easy to combine dinner with a stroll around the square.

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.

Coney Island Drive Inn Eustis

Midtown Station Food Hub

Multi-vendor food hall in downtown Ocala overlooking Tuscawilla Park, with six independent businesses sharing one roof. Tenants include Infinite Ale Works (brewery), Sipping Grounds Coffee, Shake Shack, La Pin Sausages, plus rotating counter-service and a full bar program. Hours vary by vendor, but the hub itself stays lively from morning coffee through late dinner — built for the gather-and-graze pattern more than a sit-down meal.

Mont Royal Bagel

Bayside Seafood Grille

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

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.

Kalua Beach Bar

A lakefront bar with Hawaiian-inspired food, Lake Dora views, and live music on weekends. The vibe is Jimmy Buffett meets lake town Florida -- laid back, sandy-footed, and exactly where you want to be on a Friday night.

The Black Rabbit Bookbar

Spooky, fantasy-inspired cafe and bookshop in downtown Clermont offering specialty handmade coffee and tea drinks alongside a curated collection of dark literature, horror, and mystery books.

Wallace's at the Greenhouse

A chef-owned scratch kitchen in Homosassa where the love of fresh, local ingredients shows in every dish. The setting inside a converted greenhouse is unique, and the menu changes with what's available. Worth planning around their limited schedule.