Food & drink in Central Florida.

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.

Sud's Saloon

COSA NOSTRA ITALIAN DELI

Italian deli in downtown Clermont

The Anchor on Sunset Harbor

Laid-back waterfront bar and grill on Sunset Harbor with burgers, wings, and crawfish boils. Live music, karaoke, and trivia nights — plus a back patio that's hard to beat on a warm evening.

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.

The Legacy Restaurant at Nancy Lopez Country Club

Country club restaurant at Nancy Lopez in The Villages serving American classics with golf course views. A relaxed dining experience for residents and their guests.

Tequila Cantina Mexican Kitchen

Mark's Prime Steakhouse & Seafood

Upscale steakhouse in downtown Ocala offering prime steaks and seafood with an extensive wine list. Private dining available.

Amore Italian Ristorante

Cheeser's Palace Cafe and Catering

Specialty cheese cafe and catering in downtown Clermont

Wildwood Vineyard and Events (Winery)

Wildwood Vineyard is a beautiful event space where you can host weddings and special events, offering a lovely atmosphere and delicious wine.

Bagel Bros Cafe

The Juniper General Store

Chop House at Lake Sumter

Elegant place with a terrace serving steaks, meat dishes & cocktails, plus weekend brunch.

Rutabagas Cafe

Cafe inside Rutabagas Natural Food Market in Inverness serving organic smoothies, acai bowls, wraps, soups, and salads catering to gluten-free, vegan, keto, and paleo diets.

Samurai Hibachi & Ramen

King Cookie Ocala

This mall-based chain selling cookies & brownies offers some specialty flavors, plus cookie cakes.

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.

Twistee Treat

Latinos Y Mas

Outstanding Latin cuisine in Ocala. A local favorite for authentic flavors and generous portions.

HandleBar Mount Dora

Mount Dora's craft cocktail destination on the top floor of the Mount Dora Marketplace. Open-air atmosphere, stunning downtown views, seasonal cocktail specials, and live music. Speakeasy vibes with fresh-made drinks.

Santiagos Restaurant

Restaurant at Cagan Crossing

La Jibarita de Puerto Rico

Puerto Rican cuisine restaurant

Caffe Connection

At Caffe Connections, we make the connection with our customers through food and fresh coffees.

O'Malley's Alley

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

Johnny Rockets

Burgers, shakes & fries arrive in a retro setting at this outpost of the international chain.

Mustangs & Mulligans

Bar at Golden Oaks Country Club, Ocala.

Roma Pizza

Italian chain serving classic & creative pizzas, plus subs, wings & pasta, in a casual space.

Desperados Saloon

Desperados Saloon is a lively bar and entertainment venue offering competition-level billiards, drinks, and a welcoming atmosphere for all visitors.

Beirut Bites

Quick-service Lebanese and Mediterranean eatery on 4th Avenue in Mount Dora. Hummus, falafel, shawarma, and kebabs — fresh, flavorful, and a welcome change of pace from the usual downtown options.

PizzAmore

Family-friendly parlor serving specialty pizzas, hot entrees, plus beer & wine in a casual space.

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.

Keke's Breakfast Cafe

Local chain serving American breakfasts & comfort-food lunches in a modern diner with booth seating.

Brick City Southern Kitchen

Downtown Ocala's award-winning Southern kitchen and whiskey bar from the Mojo BBQ family. Low-and-slow smoked meats, scratch-made sides, and one of America's Top 100 Bourbon Bars with 300+ whiskeys. The pitmasters fire up at 3 AM.

Old Mill Tavern

Rustic, lodge-style place with string lights & sports decor, offering beer, American grub & karaoke.

The Freezer Tiki Bar

Started as a literal bait freezer attached to a seafood market, now it's one of the most beloved dive bars on the Nature Coast. Cash only, peel-and-eat shrimp, and the kind of Old Florida atmosphere you can't manufacture. Bring cash.

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.

On the Green Cafe

La Perla Tapatía Mexican Restaurant

Design Sushi

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.

Lighthouse Point Bar & Grill

Waterfront dining at Lake Sumter Landing with solid food, gorgeous views, and live music. The kind of place where lunch turns into an afternoon.

Sweet Cups Chef Cheesecake & Cookies

Portillo's Clermont

Chicago-born chain for hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches & more, plus beer & wine, in retro digs.

Copacabana Cuban Cafe

Authentic Cuban restaurant tucked in a downtown Mount Dora alley serving ropa vieja, Cuban sandwiches, and what the Orlando Sentinel voted the best mojito in Central Florida. Live music and generous portions.

Wolf Branch Brewing - Eustis

Darrell's Diner

Havana Country Club Restaurant

Country club restaurant in The Villages with a relaxed atmosphere and a menu of American classics. A neighborhood favorite for lunch after a round of golf.