Food & drink in Central Florida.

Don Pepe Mexican Restaurant

Popular family-owned Mexican restaurant in a charming converted house in Dunnellon, serving authentic Tex-Mex cuisine with generous portions and beer and wine.

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.

Dragon Flower Winery

Family-owned winery near Lake Weir producing handcrafted wines. Sample flights, by-the-glass, or by-the-bottle. Open Thursdays through Sundays.

The Legacy Restaurant at Nancy Lopez Country Club

Country club restaurant at Nancy Lopez in The Villages serving American classics with golf course views. A relaxed dining experience for residents and their guests.

Dan's Clam Stand

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

Vanderbrew Coffee Shop

A craft coffee shop and tea house in downtown Leesburg with sweet treats, a warm atmosphere, and the kind of careful attention to drinks that makes you want to linger. A welcome addition to the growing Leesburg downtown scene.

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.

Florida Cracker Tap Room and Bourbon Bar

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

Super Tacos Truck

Mexican food truck serving tacos and more

Fat Boys BBQ

BBQ restaurant and bar in Ocala, FL, serving wood-smoked ribs, brisket, and chicken with online ordering available.

El Mezcal Mexican Restaurant Mount Dora

Family-run Mexican restaurant on US-441 in Mount Dora dishing out generous portions of enchiladas, tacos, fajitas, and margaritas. Reliable Tex-Mex in a festive, colorful setting.

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.

Pisces Rising

Fresh seafood with a view of Lake Dora. Creative preparations and a lakefront setting that's hard to beat in this part of Florida.

MrBeast Burger

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.

Cravella

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.

The Mystic Cup

GAME CRAZY LLC

Entertainment venue in Leesburg featuring arcade games, gaming stations, and interactive experiences for all ages.

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.

Foxtail Coffee Co. & Kelly's Ice Cream - Magnolia Plaza

Honor Grounds Cafe - Coffee Shop

Mission-driven coffee shop in Wildwood serving Arabica coffee blends, with a portion of every purchase supporting veteran non-profits and suicide prevention programs.

Vintage on 5th

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

Samurai Hibachi & Ramen

Graffiti Seafood & More

BAMBUU Asian Eatery Clermont

SmallCakes Clermont

Cupcakery and creamery

Root & Branch Bistro + Bar

A labor of love from proprietors Jason and Casey Baruch, Root & Branch has won multiple Taste of South Lake awards for good reason. The fried green tomatoes are legendary, and the upscale-but-casual vibe hits that sweet spot for a special night out.

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.

Southern Axe House

Southern Axe House offers a unique and thrilling experience with axe throwing, escape rooms, and a welcoming atmosphere filled with Southern hospitality.

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.

Emma's Patisserie

Soleil Bakery at Shady Oaks

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.

The Salty Scallop Pub

Neighborhood pub on US-19 in Crystal River serving bar bites, burgers, and adult beverages with all-day happy hour, plus live entertainment Friday-Saturday and karaoke nights.

Depot on Magnolia

Desperados Saloon

Desperados Saloon is a lively bar and entertainment venue offering competition-level billiards, drinks, and a welcoming atmosphere for all visitors.

Ice Cream Shed

Gator's Dockside Brownwood

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

787 House Of Sugar

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PizzAmore

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

HandleBar Mount Dora

Mount Dora's craft cocktail destination on the top floor of the Mount Dora Marketplace. Open-air atmosphere, stunning downtown views, seasonal cocktail specials, and live music. Speakeasy vibes with fresh-made drinks.

Billy's Cafe

The Thirsty Cobbler

Ocala's first speakeasy. Password-required entry, handcrafted cocktails around $12, vintage Prohibition-era decor, and intimate seating for about 20. No food served. Opens at 6pm nightly.

Back Porch Pizza Bar

Scratch-made Neapolitan-style pizza and craft cocktails served in a converted 1919 carriage house in downtown Mount Dora. The poke bowls are a surprising hit, and the intimate space is full of character.

Icy King

Smoothies, wraps, ice cream and shaved ice

Cakes By Carie