Food & drink in Central Florida.

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.

CAVA

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

La Palma Mexican Grill

Casual, informal spot serving Mexican standards from tacos to burritos plus beers & tequila drinks.

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.

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.

Golden Spoon Diner

Mark's Prime Steakhouse & Seafood

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

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.

Glenview Country Club

Country club restaurant in The Villages offering dining with views of the manicured greens. A comfortable spot for a post-round meal or casual dinner.

Prime 3

Upscale steak and wine restaurant in downtown Leesburg

THE FLAME

Michael's Ali Coal Fired Pizza Clermont

Tabla Indian Restaurant Clermont

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.

Awwal Curry House Restaurant

Green Mountain Pizza

4120 Bombay Cafe

Campo Azul Mexican Kitchen

Ironworks Steaks and Fine Cocktails

Downtown Tavares finally got the upscale steakhouse it deserved. Ironworks brings aged steaks and craft cocktails to Ruby Street with a vibe that's polished but not stuffy. Limited hours mean you plan your visit -- and that's part of the appeal.

The Crab Plant

The freshest seafood straight off the boats in Crystal River. As close to the source as you can get.

Red Crab Juicy Seafood

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.

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.

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.

Brick & Iron Cafe

A health-conscious cafe in downtown Ocala specializing in acai bowls, smoothies, and grab-and-go meals. If you're looking for something lighter than the usual comfort food options, this is your spot. Great coffee, too.

Orochi Ramen

Authentic Japanese ramen restaurant

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.

Mamma Rita's Pizzeria

Midtown Station Food Hub

Multi-vendor food hall in downtown Ocala overlooking Tuscawilla Park, with six independent businesses sharing one roof. Tenants include Infinite Ale Works (brewery), Sipping Grounds Coffee, Shake Shack, La Pin Sausages, plus rotating counter-service and a full bar program. Hours vary by vendor, but the hub itself stays lively from morning coffee through late dinner — built for the gather-and-graze pattern more than a sit-down meal.

Cody's on 4th

Casual cafe on 4th Avenue in Mount Dora serving coffee, sandwiches, and light bites in a friendly neighborhood atmosphere. A solid stop for a quick lunch while exploring downtown.

The Crooked Fork

Darrel's Dinner # 23

The Lazy Maid Crêperie

Highly rated French creperie in downtown Brooksville serving both sweet and savory crepes in a charming setting with indoor and outdoor seating, open for breakfast and lunch.

Lou & Flo's Cajun Creations

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

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.

El Mezcal Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant in Homosassa on Suncoast Boulevard serving traditional dishes in a family-friendly setting.

Cane Garden Country Club

Casual option with golf-course views providing seafood & other light fare along with American mains.

Pico Bistro

100 Proof Saloon

Beirut Bites

Quick-service Lebanese and Mediterranean eatery on 4th Avenue in Mount Dora. Hummus, falafel, shawarma, and kebabs — fresh, flavorful, and a welcome change of pace from the usual downtown options.

Mac’d Out

Papa J's Diner

One of the longest-running breakfast and lunch diners in Inverness since 1986, serving all-day breakfast with Southern-style cooking, generous portions, and competitive prices.

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.

St. Johns Tavern

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

The Yardery

Open-air restaurant and bar on Baker Street featuring Mount Dora's only rooftop bar, backyard classics with a twist, lawn games, and live music weekends in a family and dog-friendly setting.

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.

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.

Froggers Grill and Bar

Casual American grill on Lake Park Court in Mount Dora serving burgers, wings, and pub fare with a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. A solid neighborhood spot for a low-key dinner.