Food & drink in Central Florida.

Black Prong Whiskey Bar & Grill

Whiskey bar and grill in Ocala.

Fridas Tacos and Tequila

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.

Brown Dog Coffeehouse

Dip-A-Dee-Donuts

Donut shop in Leesburg serving fresh-made donuts, pastries, and coffee for a quick morning treat.

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.

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.

Los Magueyes Inverness

Regional Mexican restaurant chain location on Highway 41 near Inverness, serving fresh-made dishes including carne asada tacos, birria tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, and molcajete.

SevenMade

La Jibarita de Puerto Rico

Puerto Rican cuisine restaurant

Square 1 Burgers & Bar

Craft burger joint in The Villages building smash burgers with creative toppings and a solid craft beer selection. The kind of place where the burgers are messy in the best way.

Rookies Family Grille & Bar

Lively, family-run sports bar & American grill offering lots of TVs, a kids' menu, patio & karaoke.

Daniel's Cheesesteak Express

Philly cheesesteak restaurant in downtown Clermont

MrBeast Burger

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8087

VFW Post 8087 in Mt Dora, FL, offers a community space for veterans and their families.

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.

Little Something Different

Small-plates restaurant in the heart of Mount Dora offering globally inspired shareable dishes crafted with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients, with 80% of the menu gluten-free friendly.

Crump's Landing

Laid-back waterfront restaurant offering familiar seafood dishes, plus burgers & fried chicken.

The Juniper General Store

Cane Garden Country Club

Casual option with golf-course views providing seafood & other light fare along with American mains.

Foxtail Coffee Co. & Kelly’s Ice Cream - Clermont

Orlando-based specialty coffee chain location in Clermont offering craft coffee drinks, gluten-free treats, and Kelly's Ice Cream in a comfortable cafe setting.

Bully Brewing

A family-owned microbrewery in Leesburg with a laid-back taproom where the focus is entirely on the beer. Small-batch brews, a rotating tap list, and the kind of atmosphere where you end up chatting with the people at the next table.

The Crazy Gator

Relaxed lakeside tavern with patio seating dishing up signature wings, steaks & housemade desserts.

Sweet Cups Chef Cheesecake & Cookies

Tierra Del Sol Bar & Grill

Good Time

A place offering natural wine, Florida beer, specialty coffee, mocktails, and ice cream located in Brooksville, FL.

New York Desserts

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.

Pinsa Fire

Teamont Boba

Bubble tea and boba drinks cafe

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.

Tiki West Raw Bar and Grill

A family-owned seafood spot and oyster bar that puts a Caribbean twist on Southern classics. The raw bar is the main event, but the whole menu delivers. Casual enough for a Tuesday lunch, fun enough for a Saturday night out.

Wolf Branch Brewing - Leesburg

Family-owned, veteran-operated brewpub on Main Street in Leesburg offering house-brewed craft beers and a menu of sandwiches including their signature Cuban.

Prime 3

Upscale steak and wine restaurant in downtown Leesburg

Guru Indian Restaurant

Repeatedly voted Best Indian Restaurant in Central Florida by the South Lake Chamber of Commerce. Family-owned, award-winning, and the kind of place where the flavors are authentic enough to make you forget you're on Highway 27.

Southern Palate

Soul food and Southern cuisine restaurant serving hearty plates of comfort food and catering services.

Cravella

The Healthy Nut Cafe

Bank Street

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

Maramay

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.

Grannie's Country Cookin’ Restaurant

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

Golden Spoon Diner

The Tipsy Skipper

A boutique 1950s tiki-themed lounge in downtown Ocala featuring rotating handcrafted cocktails, fresh juices, and fine rums. Next to the Marion Theatre. Open daily from 4pm.

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.

Grumpy Gators Bar & Grill

Casual bar and grill in Homosassa serving home-cooked food including pizza, burgers, fried chicken, and fresh seafood, with live entertainment and outdoor seating.

Cody's on 4th

Casual cafe on 4th Avenue in Mount Dora serving coffee, sandwiches, and light bites in a friendly neighborhood atmosphere. A solid stop for a quick lunch while exploring downtown.

Dan's Clam Stand

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