Food & drink in Central Florida.

Daniel's Cheesesteak Express

Philly cheesesteak restaurant in downtown Clermont

Old Time Diner

1950s-themed diner in Leesburg serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with live entertainment featuring the village cowboy on Tuesday evenings.

The Office at the Crossroads

Bar and social gathering spot in the Spring Hill area.

Ocala's Chocolates & Confections

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.

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.

The Standard CLCL -- Coffee Shop

King Cookie Ocala

This mall-based chain selling cookies & brownies offers some specialty flavors, plus cookie cakes.

Marguerita Grill

Mexican & American fare in a relaxed setting with sports TV, fishbowl Margaritas & patio seating.

Mezza Luna at the Villages

Italian restaurant in The Villages serving classic pasta dishes, brick-oven pizza, and seafood in a cozy setting. Date-night worthy with a solid wine list.

Infinite Ale Works

Ocala's oldest craft brewery, founded in 2014 and specializing in Belgian-inspired beers. Dozens of taps, a full restaurant menu, and a loyal following of locals and travelers who appreciate a well-crafted ale. The taproom atmosphere is warm and unpretentious.

La Dolce Vita Gelato & Pastry

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

Double Take Pizza

Hiatus Brewing Company

A full-service brewpub on Ocala's west side with delicious on-site crafted beer and a restaurant menu to match. Regular live music and community events make this more than just a place to drink -- it's a neighborhood gathering spot.

Deep South Family BBQ

Deep South Family BBQ is a family-owned restaurant in Hernando County, known for their smoked meats and homemade side recipes, providing an authentic Southern BBQ experience since 1998.

Three Six Bistro

Chef Sean Langan brings modernist, West Coast-inflected cuisine to Ocala in this intimate fine dining bistro. Every dish is scratch-made with high-quality ingredients, and the creativity on the plate is genuinely surprising for a mid-Florida town.

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.

Gator's Dockside Eustis

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

Darrell's Diner

Nautilus Coffee Company

An adventure-themed artisanal coffee shop in downtown Tavares decorated with nautical trinkets and gizmos. The drinks are crafted with care, the atmosphere invites lingering, and it's the kind of local coffee shop that gives a town its personality.

Nine State Brewery

Downtown Inverness craft brewery combining in-house brewed beer with authentic Korean food, named for the owner's journey from Massachusetts to Florida through nine states.

The Whistle Stop

Cousin Vinnie's Family Sports Restaurant

Buffalo-style sports pub known for many wing flavors & fried appetizers plus TVs, trivia & karaoke.

Fox Crossing Tavern

Regular live acts in a friendly neighborhood-bar setting near The Villages.

Brooklyn Water Bagel

Bagel shop with flavors such as pumpernickel & asiago, plus sandwiches, omelets & coffee drinks.

Cookie Queen Factory

Howie's Family Restaurant

Home-style family restaurant in Bushnell serving Southern comfort food, fresh seafood, and all-you-can-eat fish, open for breakfast and lunch with Friday fish fry dinners.

It's Just Wings

Masaryk Winery

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.

The Littlest Bake Shop

NY Chinese Restaurant

Chinese take-out spot in a shopping plaza offering fast service & basics like General Tso's chicken.

Pine Street Pub

Downtown Inverness Irish-style pub established in 2013 with 21 craft beers on tap including Guinness, daily specials like shepherd's pie, and live music on the outdoor deck most Fridays.

Napolinos

Casual stop serving pizza, pasta & seafood, meat & chicken entrees in a relaxed space.

Franco's Italian Restaurant

Coney Island Bushnell

Hot dog stand and casual eatery in Bushnell serving Coney Island-style dogs, burgers, and quick bites. Simple, classic, and satisfying.

Artman Country Smokehouse

Barbecue smokehouse in Summerfield, FL, serving Southern smoked meats.

Miss Tilly's Lollipops

Ironworks Steaks and Fine Cocktails

Downtown Tavares finally got the upscale steakhouse it deserved. Ironworks brings aged steaks and craft cocktails to Ruby Street with a vibe that's polished but not stuffy. Limited hours mean you plan your visit -- and that's part of the appeal.

Yellow Pony Pub & Garden

An upscale pub and garden at the World Equestrian Center featuring craft cocktails, bourbon, and elevated pub fare with an outdoor terrace overlooking the equestrian grounds.

Bagel Bros Cafe

Mystic Ice Cream

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.

Rj dockers

Mr. Wang's Chinese Restaurant

Old-timey fixture dishing up plentiful plates of traditional Chinese food in a casual atmosphere.

Design Sushi

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.

CFS Coffee

Colombian-inspired coffee shop at Spanish Springs Town Square serving authentic coffee from the Cocora Valley alongside empanadas, pancakes, and breakfast bowls in a cozy atmosphere.