Food & drink in Central Florida.

Pardon My Cheesesteak

Salty Dogs Steamer and Bar

Family-owned seafood restaurant on Courthouse Square in Inverness serving hand-cut steaks, shrimp, crab, and lobster alongside Cuban-pressed sandwiches.

Lupitas

Gator Cove

Waterfront bar and grill on the canal in Homosassa serving American fare including burgers, steaks, fish and chips, and gator tail, with outdoor seating and live entertainment.

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.

The Meltdown

Rosa Mezcal Cocina Mexicana

The Angler's Club

Private members-only fine dining restaurant at Lake Sumter Landing with a lodge atmosphere, stone fireplace, and a seasonal menu featuring seared venison and coffee-crusted bison.

La Perla Tapatía Mexican Restaurant

Go For Donuts

Local donut shop in Dunnellon baking fresh donuts, fritters, and pastries every morning. Get there early for the best selection — they sell out for a reason.

Flippers Pizza - Clermont

Casual pizza chain serving brick-oven pies & other Italian eats, plus beer & wine.

Peach Valley Café

Breakfast and brunch spot on US-441 serving homemade eats with fresh ingredients — from classic eggs and pancakes to sandwiches and soups. Pet-friendly patio and open until 2:30pm daily.

Lake Harris Hideaway

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

Yamas

Mediterranean shared plates with a waterfront setting at Hotel Eastport. Aromatic spices, locally sourced seasonal ingredients, and a casual but elevated atmosphere.

Takis Greek-Italian Restaurant

Koto hibachi express - Sushi - Bubble Tea

VKI Japanese Steakhouse

Tableside hibachi, sushi & Japanese kitchen entrees served in a sophisticated, warm-colored space.

Guavate Puerto Rican Eatery & Bistro

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.

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.

Waterfront Social

Indoor/outdoor gathering spot on Kings Bay in Crystal River serving southern coastal dishes from scratch, with a tiki bar offering 180-degree bay views and sunset cocktails.

Oakwood Smokehouse & Grill

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

Cody's Original Roadhouse - Crystal River

Folksy chain serving American comfort food in a roadhouse-themed space decorated with Americana.

Hong Kong Restaurants

Chinese restaurant in Bushnell offering Cantonese dishes, dim sum, noodle soups, and American-Chinese favorites including General Tso's chicken, with dine-in and takeout.

NE Seafood Shack

Real New England seafood in Leesburg -- lobster rolls, clam chowder, and fried clams done by people who actually know the difference. The chef comes out to greet customers, and the prices are reasonable for the quality.

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.

ROYAL ORCHID THAI Cuisine

Various Thai favorites, plus beer & wine, are served in a traditional, wood-paneled setting.

The Flying Biscuit Cafe

Southern-inspired breakfast and brunch cafe famous for fluffy biscuits with cranberry apple butter. Popular dishes include the Flying Biscuit Breakfast and the Hangover Hash.

Daniel's Cheesesteak Express

Philly cheesesteak restaurant in downtown Clermont

Peck's Old Port Cove

Old Florida at its finest — waterfront deck, outdoor bar, and a menu loaded with fresh local seafood. The crab cakes are outstanding and the setting feels like a place that time forgot.

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.

Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza - Clermont

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

Zuru Ramen & Boba

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.

Kim's Cafe II

Neighborhood cafe in Homosassa serving breakfast, lunch, and comfort food.

Lollygaggers Sports Pub & Grill - Wildwood

My Quate

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.

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.

Cracker's Bar, Grill and Tiki

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

Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza - Southern Trace

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

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.

Todd and Shelly's Farm Fresh Restaurant

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.

Portillo's Clermont

Chicago-born chain for hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches & more, plus beer & wine, in retro digs.

Moschello's Pizza

Signature & straightforward NY-style pizza, plus pasta, ribs & subs in a casual strip-mall setting.

Taste Of Lebanon

1921 Mount Dora

Housed in what was once the town doctor's home, 1921 is owned by the Modernism Museum and features rotating art alongside locally sourced, contemporary American cuisine. The setting is as memorable as the food.