Food & drink in Central Florida.

The Pub

The Black Sheep on Broadway

Locally owned, woman-led restaurant and bar in downtown Ocala, open since 2019. Features live music on weekends, weekday happy hours, and a full menu of American pub fare in the heart of the historic district.

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.

1890 tea room

Darrell's Diner

Florida Cracker Shamrock's

Florida Cracker restaurant serving wings, burgers, and American fare in a casual setting in Floral City.

Gruff's Tap & Grille

Local pub and grille in Dunnellon with craft beers on tap, burgers, wings, and a relaxed vibe. A solid neighborhood hangout for a casual meal and a cold one.

O'Keefe's Irish Pub & Restaurant

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

Pinesmoke Bee Co.

District Bar & Kitchen

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

Peachwave

Self-serve chain offering an array of frozen yogurt & gelato flavors & toppings.

The Brick & Barrel Public House

New American restaurant and bar on Main Street in Leesburg with a rustic-modern vibe, craft beer on tap, handmade cocktails, and live music Friday and Saturday evenings.

Botanico Tacos & Tequila

Modern Mexican restaurant with roots in the vibrant flavors of Vera Cruz, offering creative tapas, tequila pairings, and an outdoor dining area with swings for kids and adults.

Hurricane Dockside Grill-Tavares

Tropical-themed chain offering spiced-to-order wings with an array of sauces, pub grub & a full bar.

J & T Smokehouse

Smokehouse restaurant in Leesburg, FL.

El Mezcal Mexican Restaurant Mount Dora

Family-run Mexican restaurant on US-441 in Mount Dora dishing out generous portions of enchiladas, tacos, fajitas, and margaritas. Reliable Tex-Mex in a festive, colorful setting.

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.

Dark & Light Cafe

Specialty coffee shop on Donnelly Street in Mount Dora with carefully crafted espresso drinks, pour-overs, and a rotating selection of single-origin beans. Cozy and inviting for a caffeine-fueled afternoon.

Campo Azul Mexican Kitchen

Scoops on 5th

Old-fashioned ice cream shop in downtown Mount Dora serving 36 flavors of Hershey's ice cream, chocolate-dipped cones, fresh-baked cookies, specialty coffees, and their famous one-pound eclair.

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Nina's Sweet Treats

Mimi's Cafe

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

Vincent's Italian Restaurant

Simple Italian eatery serving a classic menu including garlic rolls & a range of pasta dishes.

The Crab Plant

The freshest seafood straight off the boats in Crystal River. As close to the source as you can get.

The Troff

Old-school eatery specializing in oysters, seafood & other American fare, plus pitchers of beer.

Nature Coast Bar and Grill

Casual bar and grill on Yulee Drive in Homosassa serving American pub fare and drinks.

Wiki-licious Northwest Orlando - Eustis

Luigi's Italian Restaurant

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

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.

Dockside Ice Cream Shoppe

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

The Blue Gator Tiki Bar & Restaurant

Southern-style seafood with stunning river views and a non-pretentious tiki atmosphere. The extensive outdoor seating area overlooks the Withlacoochee River, and the menu leans into fresh prawns, fish, and local specialties at fair prices.

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.

Jose Pacheco, Squash Frescas y Smoothies

Ivy on the Square

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

Moschello's Pizza

Signature & straightforward NY-style pizza, plus pasta, ribs & subs in a casual strip-mall setting.

Fox Crossing Tavern

Regular live acts in a friendly neighborhood-bar setting near The Villages.

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.

Moody's Brewing

Central Cafe & Bakery

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

Steak 'n Shake

Chain known for steakburgers & milkshakes offering a dinerlike space with retro flair.

Gator's Dockside Brownwood

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

Whale's Tale Fish House

A Mount Dora locals' favorite that specializes in seafood done simply and well. The Maryland crab soup is a standout, and the no-fuss atmosphere keeps people coming back week after week.

C's Paninis & Spirits

Family-owned bar and grill in Spring Hill serving signature paninis, wings, and loaded tater tots with cocktails, karaoke nights, and pool tables in a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere.

Anti-Monopoly Drug Store

Cedar River Seafood

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

Twisted Biscuit Diner

Popular Tavares diner serving traditional Southern comfort food with a twist, built around flavored, made-from-scratch biscuits, open daily from 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM for breakfast and lunch.

Great Chicago Fire Brewery & Tap Room

Chicago and firefighter-themed craft brewery in historic downtown Leesburg brewing 10 beers on premise, serving authentic Chicago-style eats including Italian beef, hot dogs, and thin crust pizza, with a live music beer garden.