Food & drink in Central Florida.

C & D Coliseum

Neighborhood sports bar and nightclub in Ocala with eight TVs for watching sports, pool, darts, Jenga, karaoke three nights a week, and an attached liquor store.

Energy Lab Cafe

Dominiks Pizza and Grill

Local pizza and grill spot in Bushnell serving hand-tossed pizzas, calzones, and Italian-American favorites. A neighborhood staple for a casual family dinner.

Foxtail Coffee - Downtown Eustis

Pups Pub Clermont

Bella Nonna Pizzeria & More

New York-style pizza and Italian favorites in Tavares with late-night hours that make it the go-to after everything else closes. The pies are legit, the garlic knots are addictive, and the casual vibe keeps the neighborhood coming back.

Mullets Sports Bar Clermont

Redsauce

Classic Italian favorites in the heart of Lake Sumter Landing with award-winning wines and a lively atmosphere. The housemade pastas and red sauce recipes are the kind of comfort food that keeps this place packed year-round.

Fox Crossing Tavern

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

Dan's Clam Stand

Heaping baskets of fried seafood are found at this easygoing clam shack with picnic tables.

Candelaria Eatery & Cafe

Authentic Colombian flavors in a cozy cafe setting just outside The Villages. The arepas and empanadas are the real deal, and the coffee is strong enough to remind you why Colombia is famous for it.

Flippers Pizza - Wildwood

Casual pizza chain serving brick-oven pies & other Italian eats, plus beer & wine.

Swampy's Bar & Grille

Nestled right on the Rainbow River, Swampy's has been a Dunnellon favorite for over a decade. The Cajun-inspired menu pairs perfectly with the riverfront setting, and it's the kind of place where you linger longer than you planned.

Sipping Grounds

Handcrafted coffee, fresh pastries, and all-day breakfast and lunch in the midtown area of Ocala.

Roughstocks grill

Grill restaurant attached to Two Rivers Local Bar on Pennsylvania Avenue in Dunnellon, serving food to bar patrons and dine-in guests.

Luna Azul Authentic Mexican Restaurant

Family-owned authentic Mexican restaurant in Leesburg serving traditional dishes including tacos, burritos, and enchiladas made with fresh ingredients, plus a full bar with specialty margaritas and tequilas.

Chop House at Lake Sumter

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

Pinsa Fire

Franco's Italian Restaurant

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.

Symmetry Coffee Company

City Fire

Upscale-casual American grill at Lake Sumter Landing featuring wood-fired pizzas, craft cocktails, and a vibrant patio overlooking the square.

The Argonaut Bar and Lounge

The Argonaut is a submarine inspired bar and lounge serving wine, craft beer, tiki drinks, specialty cocktails, and tapas style food offerings.

Emma's Patisserie at The Equestrian Manor

Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza - Southern Trace

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

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.

Terry's Place

Laid-back hangout offering huge portions of American grill fare plus a bar with sports on TV.

Foxtail Coffee Co - Downtown Mount Dora

Specialty coffee in a beautifully restored 1923 brick building across from Donnelly Park. Original brick walls and tin ceiling meet modern espresso craft — a downtown must-stop for coffee lovers.

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.

BTW's Crafted Concoctions

Creative cocktail bar, new American kitchen, and coffee shop in downtown Tavares known for seasonal pop-up transformations and inventive craft concoctions.

Evans Prairie - Country Club Restaurant

Country club dining at Evans Prairie in The Villages, offering a relaxed meal with golf course views. Open to residents and their guests for lunch and dinner.

ROYAL ORCHID THAI Cuisine

Various Thai favorites, plus beer & wine, are served in a traditional, wood-paneled setting.

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.

Doragiry's Sweet Cakes

Fifth Avenue Streatery

Full-service restaurant in Mount Dora serving Southern fusion and down-home cooking made from scratch, featuring open-air dining, a pet-friendly atmosphere, and a dedicated dog menu.

Betty Cakes Cafe

Quaint bakery whipping up a wide range of sweet treats & custom desserts, plus light cafe fare.

Terrace on the Square

Rooftop bar atop the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Ocala. Creative cocktails, appetizer specials, and panoramic views of the Square. Open Sun-Thu 4-11pm, Fri-Sat 4pm-midnight.

Ironworks Steaks and Fine Cocktails

Downtown Tavares finally got the upscale steakhouse it deserved. Ironworks brings aged steaks and craft cocktails to Ruby Street with a vibe that's polished but not stuffy. Limited hours mean you plan your visit -- and that's part of the appeal.

Luma Mediterranean Kitchen

LUMA is a fast-casual Mediterranean kitchen serving bold, bright flavors inspired by the sun-soaked coasts of the Mediterranean.

VKI Japanese Steakhouse

Tableside hibachi, sushi & Japanese kitchen entrees served in a sophisticated, warm-colored space.

Wolf Branch Brewing - Mount Dora

A Lake County craft brewery with locations in Mount Dora, Leesburg, and Eustis. The Mount Dora taproom sits right downtown and pours some of the best craft beers in the region alongside comfort food that pairs perfectly.

Pisces Rising

Fresh seafood with a view of Lake Dora. Creative preparations and a lakefront setting that's hard to beat in this part of Florida.

No 1 Chinese Food

BJ's Bakery

Wolf Branch Brewing - Eustis

Twistee Treat

WAVE - Asian Bistro & Sushi

Fusion fare such as sushi burritos & donuts, create-your-own bento boxes & poke bowls plus beer.

Coney Island Bushnell

Hot dog stand and casual eatery in Bushnell serving Coney Island-style dogs, burgers, and quick bites. Simple, classic, and satisfying.