Food & drink in Central Florida.

Bamboo Bistro

Comfortable Pan-Asian joint with roomy booth seating supplying fusion fare, like sushi & pho.

My Quate

Leo's Grill & Barbecue

American and Brazilian barbecue restaurant at The Citrus Tower in Clermont specializing in slow-cooked meats smoked over hickory and oak wood, including brisket, picanha, and homemade beef pastrami.

Breakfast Station

No-frills breakfast spot in Leesburg serving classic morning staples — eggs, pancakes, bacon, and biscuits and gravy. The kind of place where the coffee is always flowing and the portions are honest.

Pepe's Cantina Clermont

Emma's Patisserie at The Equestrian Manor

La Dolce Vita Gelato & Pastry

Authentic Italian gelato and pastry shop rated 4.9 stars. Homemade gelato, pastries, and espresso drinks.

Pinesmoke Bee Co.

Barrels and Boards, LLC

Charcuterie and craft dining experience

District Bar & Kitchen

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

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.

Silver Moon Tavern

Long-running live music venue and tavern on US-41 in Dunnellon, in business for over 25 years. Features live bands on Friday and Saturday nights, karaoke on Thursdays, daily specials, and happy hour from 3-7pm.

Just Love Coffee Cafe - Clermont

Community-focused coffee shop and restaurant in Clermont serving hand-roasted specialty coffee and creative waffle-based dishes, named Best Coffee of South Lake 2025.

Sweet Alps Ice Cream Inverness

Swiss-owned ice cream shop in downtown Inverness crafting homemade flavors inspired by the Swiss Alps, including vegan and dairy-free options, plus ice-cream-stuffed donuts, smoothies, and acai bowls.

Prime + Ember

Upscale signature steakhouse at Eastport Town Center featuring prime cuts, fresh seafood, and hand-crafted cocktails, with a rooftop bar overlooking Central Lake and live music.

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.

Peachwave

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

Coastal Del Mar

Seafood with flair at Spanish Springs. A popular spot for dinner right on the square with live music steps away.

Oxford Downs

Entertainment complex near The Villages featuring a poker room, off-track betting, and Central Florida's largest tiki bar with live music Friday-Sunday, karaoke, and a full American food menu.

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.

Bori Burger Café and More

Cuban-inspired cafe in Leesburg known for its Cuban sandwiches, steak sandwiches, beef empanadas, and generous portions at affordable prices.

Oliver´s Crepes

Oakwood Smokehouse & Grill

Local BBQ chain serving ribs, steakburgers, seafood & Southern sides in a relaxed atmosphere.

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.

Gator's Dockside Brownwood

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

Beans and Greens Coffee House

Cozy coffee house in Crystal River serving craft coffee drinks, smoothies, and light bites. A local favorite for a chill morning cup or an afternoon pick-me-up.

Las Margaritas Mexican Restaurant & Gallery

Mexican eatery featuring a broad menu in vibrantly colored surrounds decorated with art.

Grannie's Country Cookin’ Restaurant

Long-standing American eatery supplying family-style breakfast & lunch standards in old-school digs.

Bank Street

Outdoor seating, craft cocktails, and live music on select nights. One of downtown Ocala's best spots for a night out.

Keke's Breakfast Cafe

Popular breakfast and brunch chain serving oversized pancakes, Belgian waffles, omelets, and fresh-squeezed juices. The wait on weekends is real, but the food makes it worth it.

The Gathering Cafe Downtown Ocala

Beloved downtown Ocala coffee house and breakfast cafe with a cozy atmosphere, killer espresso drinks, and fresh-made cinnamon rolls and quiche. Open weekday mornings and worth the visit.

Fridas Tacos and Tequila

Soleil Bakery at Shady Oaks

Cookie Queen Factory

Lollygaggers Sports Pub & Grill - Wildwood

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.

Mamma Rita's Pizzeria

Christmas Cafe

Coffee house in Inverness serving coffee, acai bowls, crepes, soups, energy drinks, and soft-serve ice cream in a cozy atmosphere.

Wolf Branch Brewing - Eustis

Night Owl Caribbean Cuisine

Gator's Dockside Eustis

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

The Crazy Apron, LLC

Mimi's Cafe

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

Flippers Pizza - Clermont

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

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.

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.

Mutiny Bar 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.