Food & drink in Central Florida.

Horse & Hounds Restaurant

A dog-friendly American and British pub fare restaurant with over 15 outdoor tables. Known for generous portions of fish and chips, burgers, and steaks in a welcoming atmosphere.

BTW's Crafted Concoctions

Creative cocktail bar, new American kitchen, and coffee shop in downtown Tavares known for seasonal pop-up transformations and inventive craft concoctions.

Botanico Tacos & Tequila

Modern Mexican restaurant with roots in the vibrant flavors of Vera Cruz, offering creative tapas, tequila pairings, and an outdoor dining area with swings for kids and adults.

Crossroads 44 Music & Sports Bar

Claire's Creperie

Small crepe shop in the Mount Dora Marketplace serving sweet, savory, and breakfast crepes made from scratch, with gluten-free and keto options available.

Oxford Downs

Entertainment complex near The Villages featuring a poker room, off-track betting, and Central Florida's largest tiki bar with live music Friday-Sunday, karaoke, and a full American food menu.

Amore Italian Ristorante

Pueblo Viejo Mexican Restaurant

Mexican restaurant on Cortez Boulevard in Brooksville serving traditional Mexican cuisine.

Guavate Puerto Rican Eatery & Bistro

Sweet Joy Creations

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.

Emma's Patisserie at The Equestrian Manor

Seagrass Waterfront

Riverfront property offering casual condos with kitchens, plus a restaurant, tiki bar & boat ramp.

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.

Lakis Restaurant

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

Friendly Grounds Cafe

Wallace's at the Greenhouse

A chef-owned scratch kitchen in Homosassa where the love of fresh, local ingredients shows in every dish. The setting inside a converted greenhouse is unique, and the menu changes with what's available. Worth planning around their limited schedule.

The Standard CLCL -- Coffee Shop

Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza - Trinity

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

Back 40 Wine Co

EDO Sushi

Modern Japanese steakhouse offering sushi, noodle dishes & entertaining hibachi chefs.

Boot Scootin' Boozy

Country bar in Brooksville housed in a converted 1994 horse trailer, operating as a mobile bar service for weddings, parties, and events with custom cocktail menus.

Citrus Coffee

Lucky Goat Coffee

Tallahassee-based coffee roastery and cafe coming to Eastport Town Center in The Villages, founded by Villages Charter School graduates and roasting quality beans since 2010.

Dan's Clam Stand

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

Foxtail Coffee Co - Downtown Mount Dora

Specialty coffee in a beautifully restored 1923 brick building across from Donnelly Park. Original brick walls and tin ceiling meet modern espresso craft — a downtown must-stop for coffee lovers.

Green Valley Country Club

Public 18-hole championship golf course in the rolling hills of Clermont designed by Lloyd Clifton in 1966, featuring scenic elevation changes and lake views, with a driving range, pro shop, and full-service bar and grill.

Miss Tilly's Lollipops

Terrace on the Square

Rooftop bar atop the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Ocala. Creative cocktails, appetizer specials, and panoramic views of the Square. Open Sun-Thu 4-11pm, Fri-Sat 4pm-midnight.

One Thirteen Coffeehouse

Locally owned coffeehouse in downtown Eustis serving handcrafted coffee drinks alongside homemade pastries, sandwiches, and desserts in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Infinite Ale Works

Ocala's oldest craft brewery, founded in 2014 and specializing in Belgian-inspired beers. Dozens of taps, a full restaurant menu, and a loyal following of locals and travelers who appreciate a well-crafted ale. The taproom atmosphere is warm and unpretentious.

Pine Street Pub

Downtown Inverness Irish-style pub established in 2013 with 21 craft beers on tap including Guinness, daily specials like shepherd's pie, and live music on the outdoor deck most Fridays.

Amor & Agave Mexican Cuisine

Mexican restaurant in Bushnell serving tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and margaritas in a colorful, festive setting. A reliable spot for Tex-Mex cravings.

NY Chinese Restaurant

Chinese take-out spot in a shopping plaza offering fast service & basics like General Tso's chicken.

Storming Crab

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.

Lady lake pizza & pasta

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.

Cracker's Bar, Grill and Tiki

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

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.

The Crooked Spoon Gastropub

A chef-driven gastropub offering traditional and modern dishes with a craft beer selection that takes the pub concept seriously. Happy hour daily from 4-7pm is one of the better deals in South Lake County.

Fujiyama Japanese Steak House

Family-owned Japanese steakhouse in Bushnell offering hibachi dinners, sushi rolls, and traditional entrees, with reservations, takeout, and delivery available.

The Whistle Stop

Faith's Charcuterie Co

The Crazy Apron, LLC

Steak 'n Shake

Chain known for steakburgers & milkshakes offering a dinerlike space with retro flair.

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.