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.

Máster Taqueria Y Paleteria

Diner on the Square

Zuru Ramen & Boba

El Ranchito The Villages

Salt Shack on the Lake

Waterfront restaurant on Lake Minneola offering island vibes, wild-caught seafood, and a sandy beach area perfect for families, with live music Thursday through Sunday.

El Rinconcito Mexican Grill & Cantina

Taco Maniaa

Calypso

Caribbean-inspired restaurant at The Waterfront Inn on Lake Sumter Landing, serving island-flavored dishes and rum-infused cocktails with indoor-outdoor dining, live music, and lakeside breezes.

Brooklyn Deli Too

New York-style deli serving authentic deli sandwiches, subs, and classic fare.

Mr. Wang's Chinese Restaurant

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

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.

Bella Vita Italian Steakhouse

Rustic Italian charm meets modern piano bar atmosphere. Hand-cut steaks, housemade pastas, and craft cocktails make this the go-to date night spot at Spanish Springs.

Lakis Restaurant

Popular Greek & Italian dishes served in a casual space with murals of quaint Aegean scenes.

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.

Front Porch Restaurant

Home-style restaurant in Dunnellon serving comfort food classics — think fried chicken, meatloaf, and biscuits. The kind of place where the food tastes like somebody's grandma made it.

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.

Yum Yum Wings and Things

Dark & Light Cafe

Specialty coffee shop on Donnelly Street in Mount Dora with carefully crafted espresso drinks, pour-overs, and a rotating selection of single-origin beans. Cozy and inviting for a caffeine-fueled afternoon.

1890 Tea House

An Everyday Retreat in Downtown Ocala

Design Sushi

Todd and Shelly's Farm Fresh Restaurant

Calabria Ristorante & NY Style Pizza

Italian restaurant with New York-style pizza

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.

Finca Pinar

Restaurant and catering business in Dunnellon offering fresh, farm-inspired cuisine.

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.

Elevation 89

Unique dining experience at the Ocala Airport with gorgeous runway views and spectacular sunsets. Named for the airport's 89-foot elevation. American cuisine in a one-of-a-kind atmosphere.

Soulful Flavor

Soul food restaurant in Leesburg

Stavros and Sons Fruitland Park

Informal Italian eatery serving pizza, pasta, calzones & sandwiches, plus beer & wine.

Live Fire Chefs

Clermont Fish House

Fresh seafood restaurant

Bella Nonna Pizzeria & More

New York-style pizza and Italian favorites in Tavares with late-night hours that make it the go-to after everything else closes. The pies are legit, the garlic knots are addictive, and the casual vibe keeps the neighborhood coming back.

18 South Restaurant and Saloon

The Freezer Tiki Bar

Started as a literal bait freezer attached to a seafood market, now it's one of the most beloved dive bars on the Nature Coast. Cash only, peel-and-eat shrimp, and the kind of Old Florida atmosphere you can't manufacture. Bring cash.

Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza - Trinity

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

Hibachi Express

Lake Harris Hideaway

Biker-owned, kid-friendly hangout featuring American eats plus a full bar & lakeside setting.

Mamma Rita's Pizzeria

Darrell's Diner

Harry's Seafood,Bar & Grille

Cajun and Creole-inspired seafood in the heart of downtown Ocala, housed in the historic 1885 Marion Block building. The fried green tomatoes and crab cakes are standouts, and the courtyard patio feels like a little slice of the French Quarter.

St. Johns Tavern

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

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.

The Station

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.

Bori Burger Café and More

Cuban-inspired cafe in Leesburg known for its Cuban sandwiches, steak sandwiches, beef empanadas, and generous portions at affordable prices.

Jr's Smashburgers

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

Samurai Hibachi & Ramen

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.