Food & drink in Central Florida.

O'Shucks Oyster Bar and Grill

Seafood and American restaurant known for oysters on the half shell and fish and chips.

Moschello's Pizza

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

Buffet City

Asian buffet including sushi, hibachi & some American items, plus colorful lighting & modest decor.

Franco's Italian Restaurant

Ocala's Chocolates & Confections

Gator's Dockside Clermont

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

Foxtail Coffee Co. & Kelly's Ice Cream - Magnolia Plaza

Fortune Tea House

Tea house near Mount Dora offering a variety of specialty teas in a relaxed setting.

Mallie Kylas Cafe

Charming cafe in a historic Brooksville home serving comfort food lunches, fresh salads, and renowned homemade desserts for over 25 years, connected to a gift shop and florist.

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.

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.

Darrell's Diner

Twistee Treat Homosassa

Dessert chain serving soft serve ice cream, malts & more from a stand shaped like an ice cream cone.

Double Take Pizza

Back Porch Pizza Bar

Scratch-made Neapolitan-style pizza and craft cocktails served in a converted 1919 carriage house in downtown Mount Dora. The poke bowls are a surprising hit, and the intimate space is full of character.

The Brave Burger

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.

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.

Bella Vita Italian Steakhouse

Rustic Italian charm meets modern piano bar atmosphere. Hand-cut steaks, housemade pastas, and craft cocktails make this the go-to date night spot at Spanish Springs.

The Lazy Maid Crêperie

Highly rated French creperie in downtown Brooksville serving both sweet and savory crepes in a charming setting with indoor and outdoor seating, open for breakfast and lunch.

Antojitos 352

Amerikanos Grille

Mediterranean and American cuisine at Spanish Springs with both indoor and outdoor seating plus an outdoor bar. The gyros and lamb dishes stand out, and the location right on the square means you're steps from the nightly entertainment.

Pardon My Cheesesteak

Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza - Southern Trace

Local Italian chain serving stone-fired pizzas, plus pasta, entrees & subs, in a relaxed atmosphere.

THAT Place

Florida Cracker Tap Room and Bourbon Bar

Small, easygoing taproom with a broad selection of Florida-brewed craft beers, plus an outdoor area.

Two Old Hags Wine Shoppe

Leesburg's original wine bar since 2007 on Main Street, offering an eclectic selection of wines you won't find elsewhere, with a bring-your-own-food policy welcoming takeout from nearby downtown restaurants.

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.

Lake Harris Hideaway

Biker-owned, kid-friendly hangout featuring American eats plus a full bar & lakeside setting.

Dockside Ice Cream Shoppe

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

The Dam Pub

Quirky local pub with a cozy atmosphere on Lake Panasoffkee.

Sushi Feast AYCE

Sweet Joy Creations

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.

Metro Diner

Comfort-food chain known for massive portions of fried chicken and waffles, pot roast, and meatloaf. Breakfast is served all day, and the vibe is pure Southern diner warmth.

Hurricane Dockside Grill-Tavares

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

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.

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.

A Taste of New Orleans

Cajun and Creole restaurant in Brooksville bringing the flavors of the Big Easy to Florida's Adventure Coast. Gumbo, jambalaya, po'boys, and all the Louisiana staples.

El patrón Grill & Bar

The Yardery

Open-air restaurant and bar on Baker Street featuring Mount Dora's only rooftop bar, backyard classics with a twist, lawn games, and live music weekends in a family and dog-friendly setting.

Florida Cracker Cook Shack - BBQ Joint

Southern soul food restaurant in downtown Brooksville smoking BBQ and hot chicken, with signature items including brisket, chipped pork, gator sausage, and Brooksvagas Hot Chicken.

Fiesta Grande Brownwood

Family-owned Mexican grill at Brownwood serving authentic, made-from-scratch Mexican cuisine since 2006, with a full bar, daily luncheon specials, and a festive atmosphere.

Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar

Family-friendly hub for steamed & raw shellfish, wings & beers served in a no-frills setting.

Golden Spoon Diner

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.

New Moon Cookie Co.

The Barrel Bar & Grille

Neighborhood bar and grille in Homosassa serving pub fare and cold drinks.