Food & drink in Central Florida.

ZENSHI Handcrafted Sushi

Jr's Smashburgers

Smashburger restaurant in Homosassa serving fresh, made-to-order burgers and American fare.

Crump's Landing

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

Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza - Southern Trace

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

Prima Italian Steakhouse

A modern Italian Steakhouse, featuring hand-cut steaks, Italian classics, & fresh seafood.

The Florida Porch Cafe

Charming tea-room-style cafe on Main Street in Leesburg serving quiche, salads, sandwiches, and wraps made from quality ingredients, with a quaint antique gift shop in the back.

The Lodge Ocala Pub & Eatery

1921 Mount Dora

Housed in what was once the town doctor's home, 1921 is owned by the Modernism Museum and features rotating art alongside locally sourced, contemporary American cuisine. The setting is as memorable as the food.

St. Johns Tavern

Classic pub fare is served alongside beer & cocktails in this warm, wood-&-brick locale.

Peck's Old Port Cove

Old Florida at its finest — waterfront deck, outdoor bar, and a menu loaded with fresh local seafood. The crab cakes are outstanding and the setting feels like a place that time forgot.

Mallie Kylas Cafe

Charming cafe in a historic Brooksville home serving comfort food lunches, fresh salads, and renowned homemade desserts for over 25 years, connected to a gift shop and florist.

BubbaQue's BBQ - Crystal River

Fast-casual BBQ joint serving smoked brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and all the classic sides. The meat is smoked low and slow, and the sweet tea flows freely.

Dan's Clam Stand

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

The Grille & Tiki Bar at Citrus Hills

Restaurant and tiki bar at Citrus Hills Golf & Country Club.

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.

Big Lee's BBQ

Featured on the Food Network and praised by Guy Fieri, Big Lee's delivers pitmaster-level barbecue that has put Ocala on the national food map. The brisket is the star.

Gio's Deli

Italian deli and market near The Villages in Oxford serving homemade pizza, fresh sandwiches, and scratch-made Italian specialties, with imported goods available for purchase.

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.

Copp Brewery & Winery

Crystal River brewery, winery, and full-service restaurant producing handcrafted beer and wine on-site since 2006, featuring a wood-fire oven and The Prohibition Grill.

Steak 'n Shake

Chain known for steakburgers & milkshakes offering a dinerlike space with retro flair.

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.

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.

El Patio Bushnell

Authentic Mexican restaurant in Bushnell known for scratch-made fajitas, burritos, street tacos, and barbacoa using fresh ingredients, with a 4.7-star rating.

Waterfront Social

Indoor/outdoor gathering spot on Kings Bay in Crystal River serving southern coastal dishes from scratch, with a tiki bar offering 180-degree bay views and sunset cocktails.

Johnny Rockets

Burgers, shakes & fries arrive in a retro setting at this outpost of the international chain.

La Cuisine Academy Restaurant

Restaurant in Ocala.

Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza - Clermont

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

Cody's Original Roadhouse - Brownwood

Informal local chain serving hand-cut steaks, seafood & Southern BBQ in a roadhouse-themed setting.

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.

Portillo's Clermont

Chicago-born chain for hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches & more, plus beer & wine, in retro digs.

Live Fire Chefs

Florida Cracker Tap Room and Bourbon Bar

Small, easygoing taproom with a broad selection of Florida-brewed craft beers, plus an outdoor area.

The Crazy Gator

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

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.

Casa Agave Mexican Grill

Flippers Pizza - Clermont

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

Fifth Avenue Streatery

Full-service restaurant in Mount Dora serving Southern fusion and down-home cooking made from scratch, featuring open-air dining, a pet-friendly atmosphere, and a dedicated dog menu.

Tiki Bar & Grill

Easygoing hangout on Lake Minneloa featuring American eats, brews & scenic outdoor seating.

Hen House Cafe

Family-friendly breakfast and lunch cafe in downtown Inverness open seven days a week, known for locally sourced vegetables, house-baked bread, and fresh daily soups.

Eden Abbey Brewing Community

Family-owned Mount Dora brewpub with 14 taps of Belgian-inspired house-brewed beers, scratch-made empanadas, Wagyu burgers, and a backyard where kids can run free. Sunday brunch comes with live music — the whole package.

Franco's Italian Restaurant

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.

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.

Candelaria Eatery & Cafe

Authentic Colombian flavors in a cozy cafe setting just outside The Villages. The arepas and empanadas are the real deal, and the coffee is strong enough to remind you why Colombia is famous for it.

Coney Island Drive Inn Eustis

Darrell's Diner

The Crooked Spoon Gastropub

A chef-driven gastropub offering traditional and modern dishes with a craft beer selection that takes the pub concept seriously. Happy hour daily from 4-7pm is one of the better deals in South Lake County.

Keke's Breakfast Cafe

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