Food & drink in Central Florida.

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.

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.

Huarike Peruvian Cuisine

Garvino's

Wine bar, cigar lounge, and gift shop at Lake Sumter Landing featuring 24 wines by the glass, a walk-in humidor with 350+ cigar varieties, and live entertainment Wednesday through Saturday.

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.

Tabla Indian Restaurant Clermont

Gator's Dockside Spring Hill

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

2 Rivers Bar and Grill

Local bar and live music venue on the Withlacoochee and Rainbow rivers in Dunnellon, featuring a spacious outdoor patio, karaoke nights, pool, darts, and food from the attached RoughStock Grill.

Dirty South Saloon

Leesburg's honky-tonk and biker bar featuring live bands, karaoke, line dancing, pool, darts, and themed events in a smoke-free indoor space with a spacious outdoor area.

Twysted Vyne

Casual fine dining wine bar in downtown Inverness pairing a curated selection of quality wines and craft beers with an upscale bistro menu and live music from local musicians.

Citrus Grove Cafe

Storm Distillery

Veteran-owned craft distillery in downtown Inverness producing whiskey, rum, gin, absinthe, and moonshine from organic local ingredients, with a speakeasy-vibe cocktail lounge and live music Friday-Saturday.

The Mystic Cup

Wolfgang Puck Kitchen + Bar

Wolfgang Puck Kitchen + Bar offers a unique twist on an American bar and grill with global-inspired cuisine in a lively atmosphere adjacent to Brownwood Paddock Square.

Magnolia Bakery

Todd and Shelly's Farm Fresh Restaurant

Mystic Ice Cream

All-natural ice cream shop in downtown Mount Dora with 30+ rotating flavors including alcohol-infused varieties like Kahlua Fudge Brownie and Bailey's, all made on premises with natural ingredients.

Foxtail Coffee Co .

LIXX Ice Cream Works

TooJay's Deli

Florida-born New York-style deli and bakery with massive sandwiches, soups, and baked goods. A go-to for comfort food and takeout platters.

Papa Joe's Italian Restaurant

Unpretentious, group-friendly destination for classic Italian fare, like pasta, pizza & subs.

Nina's Sweet Treats

18 South Coffee

Keke's Breakfast Cafe

Local chain serving American breakfasts & comfort-food lunches in a modern diner with booth seating.

Paige's Root Beer

Nostalgic diner on Pennsylvania Avenue known for award-winning burgers, homemade root beer floats, and classic American comfort food, recognized as Best Burger in the County.

Coach's Pub & Eatery

The hub of downtown Inverness since 1991. Custom burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and downtown's largest selection of craft and domestic beer. Over thirty years of consistent pub food and genuine community gathering -- a rare combination.

Dunnellon Coffee Co

Local coffee shop in Dunnellon serving craft espresso drinks, fresh pastries, and light bites. A cozy community gathering spot with a warm, welcoming vibe.

Oakwood Express Smokehouse

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

Countryside Diner

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.

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.

Scooples Icecream Parlor and Restaurant

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.

Ritter's Frozen Custard

Frozen custard is made fresh daily at this dessert chain serving up cones, sundaes & shakes.

The Crooked Fork

1890 tea room

Brick & Iron Cafe

A health-conscious cafe in downtown Ocala specializing in acai bowls, smoothies, and grab-and-go meals. If you're looking for something lighter than the usual comfort food options, this is your spot. Great coffee, too.

Native American Tiki Palm Huts of Florida

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.

Allyson A Bake Shop

Small-batch bakery on 4th Avenue in Mount Dora turning out fresh pastries, cakes, and baked goods. A sweet stop while strolling through downtown.

Lalys Cakery

ZENSHI Handcrafted Sushi

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.

KC Wine Bistro

Family-owned wine and coffee bistro in downtown Crystal River serving Mediterranean-inspired dishes, fresh seafood, shawarmas, and gourmet burgers alongside select wines, craft beers, and live music.

Lickity Split Ice Cream

Fat Boys BBQ

BBQ restaurant and bar in Ocala, FL, serving wood-smoked ribs, brisket, and chicken with online ordering available.

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.

Casa Agave Mexican Grill