Food & drink in Central Florida.

The Barrel Bar & Grille

Neighborhood bar and grille in Homosassa serving pub fare and cold drinks.

Sweeties' Cafe & Tea House

Charming cafe in historic Dunnellon serving fresh wraps, homemade soups, and high tea with tiered service and themed tea parties, housed in the annex of the historic Grumble House.

Fiesta Grande Brownwood

Family-owned Mexican grill at Brownwood serving authentic, made-from-scratch Mexican cuisine since 2006, with a full bar, daily luncheon specials, and a festive atmosphere.

Golden Krust Caribbean Restaurant

Green Mountain Pizza

CAVA

Mediterranean restaurant for thoughtful food with customizable greens & grains bowls, pitas & salad.

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.

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.

No 1 Chinese Food

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.

Ocala's Chocolates & Confections

Beans and Greens Coffee House

Cozy coffee house in Crystal River serving craft coffee drinks, smoothies, and light bites. A local favorite for a chill morning cup or an afternoon pick-me-up.

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.

C & D Coliseum

Neighborhood sports bar and nightclub in Ocala with eight TVs for watching sports, pool, darts, Jenga, karaoke three nights a week, and an attached liquor store.

LIXX Ice Cream Works

Night Owl Caribbean Cuisine

Wildwood Vineyard and Events (Winery)

Wildwood Vineyard is a beautiful event space where you can host weddings and special events, offering a lovely atmosphere and delicious wine.

Keke's Breakfast Cafe

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

Barons Creek Vineyards Tasting Room Ocala

The Crazy Gator

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

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.

Awwal Curry House 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.

Cracker's Bar, Grill and Tiki

Familiar seafood choices served in a casual setting with a spacious waterfront bar & deck.

La Casa Di Norma

Italian restaurant in Crystal River crafting unforgettable dining experiences with homemade pasta, fresh seafood, and classic Italian flavors using the freshest local ingredients.

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.

Grandpa Joe's Candy Shop

Nostalgic candy shop on Main Street

Dahlers Southern Treats

Cedar River Seafood

Local seafood chain in Inverness dishing out fried fish platters, shrimp baskets, and hushpuppies. Simple, satisfying seafood at honest prices.

Flippers Pizza - Clermont

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

Catrina Cocina Mexicana

Old Mill Tavern

Rustic, lodge-style place with string lights & sports decor, offering beer, American grub & karaoke.

The Mystic Cup

Odd Cuples Cafe

A Bushnell hidden gem that feels like eating at a friend's house -- board games available, small-town warmth, and the kind of scratch-made food that chains will never replicate. Support this small business while you still can.

Big Hammock Brewery & Bites

A downtown Ocala brewery with a twist -- literally. Twelve taps featuring their own brews alongside guest craft beers, paired with an Asian-fusion menu of ramen bowls, bao buns, and hot pretzels. The combination shouldn't work this well, but it does.

Harry and The Natives

An over-water tiki hut serving American fare with a seafood slant. No reservations, first come first served -- which somehow makes snagging a table feel like a small victory. The waterfront setting alone is worth the trip.

Florida Cracker Tap Room and Bourbon Bar

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

Ritter's Frozen Custard

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

Peachwave

Self-serve chain offering an array of frozen yogurt & gelato flavors & toppings.

Harvest Restaurant & Bar

HARVEST in The Villages, FL offers a fresh menu inspired by culinary traditions, blending classic and modern techniques for a creative dining experience.

Fenney Grill

A Villages neighborhood grill that punches above the typical golf-community restaurant. Good breakfast, solid lunch and dinner, and live music nights that draw a loyal crowd. Unpretentious and consistent.

Castaways Bar & Grill

Casual waterfront bar and grill in Crystal River with cold drinks, pub food, and a laid-back outdoor vibe. A popular post-dive or post-kayak hangout.

Vintage on 5th

Upscale dining in a historic Crystal River building. Refined atmosphere and a menu that rewards a leisurely evening.

Market Kitchen & Bar

The Coffee Corral

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

It's Just Wings

Abound

Coffee shop and cafe in Crystal River serving specialty coffee drinks and fresh bites in a welcoming space. A new go-to for the Crystal River coffee crowd.

18 South Coffee