Food & drink in Central Florida.

Metro Diner

Comfort-food chain known for massive portions of fried chicken and waffles, pot roast, and meatloaf. Breakfast is served all day, and the vibe is pure Southern diner warmth.

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.

Great Chicago Fire Brewery & Tap Room

Chicago and firefighter-themed craft brewery in historic downtown Leesburg brewing 10 beers on premise, serving authentic Chicago-style eats including Italian beef, hot dogs, and thin crust pizza, with a live music beer garden.

Sauced Hogs BBQ Bar & Grill

Barbecue restaurant and bar in Hernando near Crystal River serving smoked meats and classic BBQ sides. Features weekly karaoke on Thursdays, live music on weekends, and trivia nights in a casual, family-friendly setting.

J & T Smokehouse

Smokehouse restaurant in Leesburg, FL.

Lighthouse Point Bar & Grill

Waterfront dining at Lake Sumter Landing with solid food, gorgeous views, and live music. The kind of place where lunch turns into an afternoon.

The Fire Japanese Steak House

Japanese steakhouse in Leesburg featuring hibachi grills with teppanyaki chefs cooking tableside, plus sushi and traditional Japanese cuisine, family-owned and operated.

Florida Cracker Cook Shack - BBQ Joint

Southern soul food restaurant in downtown Brooksville smoking BBQ and hot chicken, with signature items including brisket, chipped pork, gator sausage, and Brooksvagas Hot Chicken.

Los Magueyes Mexican Restaurant - Wildwood

Informal strip-mall setting for traditional Mexican comfort foods with margaritas & piña coladas.

The Meltdown

Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza - Southern Trace

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

The Lazy Maid Crêperie

Highly rated French creperie in downtown Brooksville serving both sweet and savory crepes in a charming setting with indoor and outdoor seating, open for breakfast and lunch.

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.

Bubba's Crab & Seafood

Casual seafood restaurant in Leesburg serving crab legs, shrimp, fish and chips, and other ocean favorites. A straightforward spot for a seafood fix without the fuss.

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.

Luma Mediterranean Kitchen

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

Prime 3

Upscale steak and wine restaurant in downtown Leesburg

Catfish Johnny's

A local institution for fried catfish, hush puppies, and Southern-style seafood. No-frills atmosphere with big portions.

Flippers Pizza - Lady Lake

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

Chop House at Lake Sumter

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

Moschello's Pizza

Signature & straightforward NY-style pizza, plus pasta, ribs & subs in a casual strip-mall setting.

Big Man's Cafe

Ay Jalisco

Homey Mexican eatery offering a menu of familiar favorites, plus a full liquor bar.

Gator's Dockside Spring Hill

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

Ivy on the Square

Southern-inspired cuisine is the specialty of this elegant restaurant in a circa-1890 building.

ROYAL ORCHID THAI Cuisine

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

Fat Chef Authentic Jamaican Cuisine

Authentic Jamaican food

Darrell's Diner

Braised Onion

Family-owned and full of personality, Braised Onion serves comfort food done right — legendary crispy onion fritters, meatloaf, and chicken pot pie in a vibrant, art-filled space.

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.

Claire's Creperie

Small crepe shop in the Mount Dora Marketplace serving sweet, savory, and breakfast crepes made from scratch, with gluten-free and keto options available.

The Dunnellon Grill

Local grill and casual dining spot in Dunnellon serving American favorites.

Seagrass Waterfront

Riverfront property offering casual condos with kitchens, plus a restaurant, tiki bar & boat ramp.

The Lodge Ocala Pub & Eatery

Taco 'N Madre

This petite Mexican eatery whips up tacos, burritos & other traditional fare in a casual setting.

Roma Pizza

Italian chain serving classic & creative pizzas, plus subs, wings & pasta, in a casual space.

Rutabagas Natural Food Market & Café

Family-owned natural food store and cafe in Inverness offering organic produce, vitamins, supplements, and a cafe menu of smoothies, acai bowls, wraps, and soups for special diets.

Tap House Social

Sports-forward restaurant and bar in The Villages with scratch-made smash burgers, fish and chips, and a deep craft beer list. Plenty of TVs for game day and a lively vibe on weekends.

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.

City Fire

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

Las Margaritas Mexican Restaurant & Gallery

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

Cajun Jimmy's Seafood Seller & Cafe

Cajun-style seafood restaurant and fish market in Crystal River. Buy fresh seafood to take home or sit down for boiled crawfish, fried shrimp, and po'boys with a Louisiana kick.

Dan's Clam Stand

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

Bayside Kraft Kitchen

Creative casual restaurant in Crystal River with a from-scratch kitchen turning out inventive dishes alongside craft cocktails and local beers. A fresh addition to the Crystal River dining scene.

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.

Kelly's Half Shell Pub

Irish pub and seafood spot known for oysters, fresh catches, and a lively atmosphere. A Crystal River favorite for casual waterfront dining.

Lugo's Grill

Authentic Cuban restaurant in Dunnellon known for fresh plantains, Cuban sandwiches, and hearty rice and beans in a cozy, old-school atmosphere. Cash only.

KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot

All-you-can-eat interactive dining where you cook your own Korean BBQ and hot pot right at the table. A fun, social experience with endless proteins, veggies, and broths — great for groups and adventurous eaters.