Food & drink in Central Florida.

The Meltdown

Thai Ruby

Authentic Thai cuisine at Lake Sumter Landing that goes well beyond the usual pad thai. The curries are properly spiced, the Tom Kha is aromatic and rich, and the location makes it easy to combine dinner with a stroll around the square.

D J & Gina's Lounge

Local neighborhood bar in Summerfield with a laid-back atmosphere, cold drinks, and a jukebox. The kind of place where everybody knows your name.

The Coffee Corral

Coffee shop in Floral City serving specialty coffees and light bites in a relaxed setting.

My Quate

Best of British Pub

Informal spot offering all-day breakfast, toasties & pies, plus traditional afternoon tea.

Buddys Tavern

Neighborhood tavern on US-301 in Bushnell offering drinks and a casual local bar atmosphere.

Shamrock Lounge & Package

Neighborhood dive bar and package store in Leesburg open daily till 2 AM with pool tables, darts, jukebox, live music, karaoke nights, and happy hour from 10 AM to 7 PM.

Depot on Magnolia

Dip-A-Dee-Donuts

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

Kurosumi Kitchen

Japanese kitchen restaurant

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.

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.

The Biscuit Barn

Highly rated Crystal River breakfast and lunch spot known for huge Southern-style biscuits with iron-skillet sausage gravy, steak and eggs, and classic lunch fare like reubens and burgers.

Ritter's Frozen Custard

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

Island Fin Poke

Hawaiian-style poke restaurant at Brownwood serving fresh, sustainably sourced sushi and cooked proteins in customizable bowls with over 25 toppings, plus beer, wine, and Dole Whip.

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.

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.

Tequila Cantina Mexican Kitchen

American With A Latin Twist

Cafe in Bushnell blending American and Latin flavors, serving coffee, breakfast items, and lunch in a casual setting.

El Rinconcito Mexican Grill & Cantina

The Flying Biscuit Cafe

Southern-inspired breakfast and brunch cafe famous for fluffy biscuits with cranberry apple butter. Popular dishes include the Flying Biscuit Breakfast and the Hangover Hash.

The Angler's Club

Private members-only fine dining restaurant at Lake Sumter Landing with a lodge atmosphere, stone fireplace, and a seasonal menu featuring seared venison and coffee-crusted bison.

Darrell's Diner

Eaton's Beach Sandbar & Grill

Waterfront dining on Lake Weir featuring Chef Dave Del Rio's Florisiana cuisine — a fusion of Southern, Cajun, and Creole flavors. The views are stunning, the seafood is fresh, and the vibe has been drawing folks out here since 1924.

Uncorked

Serendipity Brews

Artisan coffee shop and craft beer bar in downtown Mount Dora with 14 draft beers, 150+ packaged options, retro decor, and regular live music adding to the town's nightlife.

Ramshackle Cafe

Burgers, fish 'n' chips & other American comfort food in a cozy, kitsch-filled setting with a patio.

CEDAR GRILL CLERMONT

Mediterranean grill restaurant

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.

Luigi's Italian Restaurant

Casual Italian eatery serving a traditional menu in an airy simple space with booths & tables.

Mojo's-Food. Music. Soul. (Ocala Location)

Live music venue and restaurant serving BBQ, burgers, and Southern comfort food with a side of blues and rock. The stage hosts local and touring acts, and the vibe is pure Ocala soul.

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.

Christmas Cafe

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

The Crooked Fork

Kungfu Chef Asian Restaurant

Norton's Riverside Sports Bar and Grill

Straightforward hangout for sports, American grill fare & bar games, with tables on a spacious deck.

Whistle Stop Baker

Crown Restaurant & Lounge

18 South Restaurant and Saloon

Ocala's Chocolates & Confections

Red Crab - Juicy Seafood (Eustis)

Red Crab Juicy Seafood Restaurant in Eustis, FL, offers mouthwatering seafood served fresh and bursting with flavor, featuring Cajun-inspired dishes and customizable seafood boils.

Todd and Shelly's Farm Fresh Restaurant

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.

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.

Ice Cream Shed

La Palma Mexican Grill

Casual, informal spot serving Mexican standards from tacos to burritos plus beers & tequila drinks.

Baseline Bar & Billiards

No-frills neighborhood bar with pool tables, cold beer, and a jukebox. The kind of dive bar where you can shoot pool in peace and nobody rushes you.