Food & drink in Central Florida.

Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza - Trinity

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

Depot on Magnolia

Backwater Fins

Waterfront restaurant at the end of Ozello Trail serving fresh seafood and cold drinks with stunning Gulf views.

M&M Old Hickory Smokehouse BBQ

A hole-in-the-wall in the best possible way. Smoked low and slow with old hickory wood, the brisket and ribs here are legit competition-quality barbecue. Limited hours mean you need to plan around their schedule, but that's what good BBQ demands.

Ice Cream Shed

Puddle Jumpers Lakeside Grill & Bar

Lakeside dining with front-row views of Lake Dora and the seaplane base -- which means you might watch a plane land while you eat your burger. The seafood is fresh, the drinks are strong, and the outdoor patio is where you want to be at sunset.

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.

Ocean Buffet

Asian buffet restaurant in Ocala with a wide spread of Chinese, Japanese, and seafood options including sushi, crab legs, and hibachi. All-you-can-eat at a fair price.

100 Proof Saloon

Mark's Prime Steakhouse & Seafood

Upscale steakhouse in downtown Ocala offering prime steaks and seafood with an extensive wine list. Private dining available.

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.

The Museum Cafe

Cuban cafe and printing museum on Yulee Drive near the Sugar Mill Ruins, serving hand-crafted Cuban sandwiches on authentic Ybor City bread, black beans and rice, and cafe con leche.

Tipsy Tarpon

Casual waterfront seafood spot on the Crystal River with open-air covered seating, a tin-roof tiki bar, live music, and menu favorites like redfish tacos and steamed shrimp.

Samurai Hibachi & Ramen

Design Sushi

Tiki West Raw Bar and Grill

A family-owned seafood spot and oyster bar that puts a Caribbean twist on Southern classics. The raw bar is the main event, but the whole menu delivers. Casual enough for a Tuesday lunch, fun enough for a Saturday night out.

Havana Country Club Restaurant

Country club restaurant in The Villages with a relaxed atmosphere and a menu of American classics. A neighborhood favorite for lunch after a round of golf.

The Crazy Cucumber 352 Eatery and Bar

Colorful, modern tavern offering inventive American grub, a full bar & outdoor seating.

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.

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.

Lou & Flo's Cajun Creations

Cajun and Creole food spot bringing Louisiana-style cooking to Dunnellon.

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.

Turners Kitchen + Bar

A chef-owned restaurant in the heart of downtown Leesburg, occupying a building that once housed Turner's Bakery in the 1940s. The menu is creative without being fussy, and the quality is a pleasant surprise for a small-town spot.

Mr. Wang's Chinese Restaurant

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

Yamas

Mediterranean shared plates with a waterfront setting at Hotel Eastport. Aromatic spices, locally sourced seasonal ingredients, and a casual but elevated atmosphere.

Florida Cracker Shamrock's

Florida Cracker restaurant serving wings, burgers, and American fare in a casual setting in Floral City.

Peach Valley Café

Breakfast and brunch spot on US-441 serving homemade eats with fresh ingredients — from classic eggs and pancakes to sandwiches and soups. Pet-friendly patio and open until 2:30pm daily.

Coastal Del Mar

Seafood with flair at Spanish Springs. A popular spot for dinner right on the square with live music steps away.

Flippers Pizza - Clermont

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

Whale's Tale Fish House

A Mount Dora locals' favorite that specializes in seafood done simply and well. The Maryland crab soup is a standout, and the no-fuss atmosphere keeps people coming back week after week.

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.

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.

Cedar River Seafood Crystal River

Local seafood chain serving fried fish platters, shrimp baskets, and hushpuppies in a casual, no-frills setting. Solid portions at fair prices — a dependable seafood spot.

PizzAmore

Family-friendly parlor serving specialty pizzas, hot entrees, plus beer & wine in a casual space.

Michael Anthony's Pizza

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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.

Southern Hills Plantation Club

Southern Hills Plantation Club is a private golf and country club nestled in the rolling terrain of Brooksville, Florida, offering a premier membership experience with a championship golf course and top-notch amenities.

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.

Keke's Breakfast Cafe

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

Amore Italian Ristorante

Moschello's Pizza

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

Chop House at Lake Sumter

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

Pardon My Cheesesteak

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.

Bamboo Bistro

Comfortable Pan-Asian joint with roomy booth seating supplying fusion fare, like sushi & pho.

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.

Spill the Beans Co.

Local cafe and coffee roaster in Leesburg offering house-roasted lattes, mochas, frappes, Lotus energy drinks, and fresh cooked-to-order food, where regulars are known by name.

Paige's Root Beer

Nostalgic diner on Pennsylvania Avenue known for award-winning burgers, homemade root beer floats, and classic American comfort food, recognized as Best Burger in the County.