Food & drink in Central Florida.

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.

Night Owl Caribbean Cuisine

Samurai Hibachi & Ramen

Golden Spoon Diner

Mallie Kylas Cafe

Charming cafe in a historic Brooksville home serving comfort food lunches, fresh salads, and renowned homemade desserts for over 25 years, connected to a gift shop and florist.

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.

Green Mountain Pizza

Vintage on 5th

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

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.

Breakfast Station

No-frills breakfast spot in Leesburg serving classic morning staples — eggs, pancakes, bacon, and biscuits and gravy. The kind of place where the coffee is always flowing and the portions are honest.

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.

Oakwood Smokehouse & Grill

Local BBQ chain serving ribs, steakburgers, seafood & Southern sides in a relaxed atmosphere.

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.

Amerikanos Grille

Mediterranean and American cuisine at Spanish Springs with both indoor and outdoor seating plus an outdoor bar. The gyros and lamb dishes stand out, and the location right on the square means you're steps from the nightly entertainment.

The Brave Burger

The Florida Porch Cafe

Charming tea-room-style cafe on Main Street in Leesburg serving quiche, salads, sandwiches, and wraps made from quality ingredients, with a quaint antique gift shop in the back.

Big Bass Grill

Indulge in delicious seafood dishes and more with a tiki-style lakefront view at Big Bass Grill in Lake Panasoffkee.

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.

Mark's Prime Steakhouse & Seafood

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

WingHouse Bar & Grill

Sports bar known for chicken wings, games on TV & scantily clad servers, plus event nights.

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.

Old Mill Tavern

Rustic, lodge-style place with string lights & sports decor, offering beer, American grub & karaoke.

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.

Miz Kathi's Cotillion Cafe & Sweetery

Southern comfort food and jaw-dropping cakes in downtown Wildwood. Miz Kathi's serves it up right -- hearty portions, scratch-made everything, and the kind of homestyle cooking that makes you wish you'd worn stretchy pants.

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.

Lighthouse Point Bar & Grill

Waterfront dining at Lake Sumter Landing with solid food, gorgeous views, and live music. The kind of place where lunch turns into an afternoon.

Cody's Original Roadhouse - Brownwood

Informal local chain serving hand-cut steaks, seafood & Southern BBQ in a roadhouse-themed setting.

Copacabana Cuban Cafe

Authentic Cuban restaurant tucked in a downtown Mount Dora alley serving ropa vieja, Cuban sandwiches, and what the Orlando Sentinel voted the best mojito in Central Florida. Live music and generous portions.

Luma Mediterranean Kitchen

LUMA is a fast-casual Mediterranean kitchen serving bold, bright flavors inspired by the sun-soaked coasts of the Mediterranean.

Florida Cracker Cook Shack - BBQ Joint

Southern soul food restaurant in downtown Brooksville smoking BBQ and hot chicken, with signature items including brisket, chipped pork, gator sausage, and Brooksvagas Hot Chicken.

Ramshackle Cafe

Burgers, fish 'n' chips & other American comfort food in a cozy, kitsch-filled setting with a patio.

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.

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.

Coney Island Drive Inn Eustis

American With A Latin Twist

Cafe in Bushnell blending American and Latin flavors, serving coffee, breakfast items, and lunch in a casual setting.

Oakwood Smokehouse & Grill

Local BBQ chain serving ribs, steakburgers, seafood & Southern sides in a relaxed atmosphere.

Angelotti's Pizza

Local pizza joint in Inverness serving hand-tossed pies, calzones, subs, and pasta. A dependable neighborhood spot for a quick slice or a family pizza night.

No 1 Chinese Food

Island Fin Poke

Hawaiian-style poke restaurant at Brownwood serving fresh, sustainably sourced sushi and cooked proteins in customizable bowls with over 25 toppings, plus beer, wine, and Dole Whip.

Suncreek Cafe

J & T Smokehouse

Smokehouse restaurant in Leesburg, FL.

Ipanema Brazilian Steak House

Churrascaria with a salad bar & all-you-can-eat roasted meats served tableside by gaucho waiters.

Todd and Shelly's Farm Fresh Restaurant

The Friar Tuck

Rated the number one restaurant in Clermont on TripAdvisor, this cozy English cafe serves authentic British plates -- full English breakfasts, bangers and mash, and proper fish and chips. A genuinely unique find in Central Florida.

Luigi's Pizza of Brooksville

Pizzas, pasta dishes & other comfort eats are menu staples at this simple eatery with a casual vibe.

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.

Red Crab - Juicy Seafood (Eustis)

Red Crab Juicy Seafood Restaurant in Eustis, FL, offers mouthwatering seafood served fresh and bursting with flavor, featuring Cajun-inspired dishes and customizable seafood boils.

Taco Norteno