Food & drink in Central Florida.

Fresh jalapeño Mexican Restaurant

Family-run Mexican restaurant in Lady Lake dishing out fresh-made tacos, burritos, and sizzling fajitas. The salsa bar and generous portions keep the regulars happy.

Bru Tap House

Thirty craft taps with a local focus, live music, board games, and the kind of laid-back energy that makes downtown Tavares feel like it's having a moment. If you're looking for the heartbeat of the local craft beer scene, this is it.

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.

Icy King

Smoothies, wraps, ice cream and shaved ice

Tea House 650

Cozy tea room in Heritage Village offering 70+ loose-leaf teas including organic and fair trade varieties, alongside paninis, fresh-baked scones, and a curated gift selection.

Gurch Coffee Co.

Local coffee shop in downtown Clermont

Casa Agave Mexican Grill

Shucker's

BOARD GAME CAFE

FONDA DULCE JESUS MIO OCALA

Authentic Latin American restaurant and nightlife spot in Ocala serving traditional dishes in a festive atmosphere. A vibrant spot for Latin food, music, and dancing.

Twistee Treat Ocala

Dessert chain serving soft serve ice cream, malts & more from a stand shaped like an ice cream cone.

Big Hammock Brewery & Bites

A downtown Ocala brewery with a twist -- literally. Twelve taps featuring their own brews alongside guest craft beers, paired with an Asian-fusion menu of ramen bowls, bao buns, and hot pretzels. The combination shouldn't work this well, but it does.

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.

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.

Whiskey Kitchen Mount Dora

Scratch-made American cuisine restaurant in downtown Mount Dora open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, with a pet-friendly outdoor patio featuring live music every Friday and Saturday.

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.

Stavros and Sons Fruitland Park

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

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.

Darrell’s Diner

Family diner in Bushnell open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch, serving all-day breakfast, comfort food specials, and homemade desserts in a friendly atmosphere.

The Whistle Stop

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.

Coney Island Drive Inn Eustis

Scoops on 5th

Old-fashioned ice cream shop in downtown Mount Dora serving 36 flavors of Hershey's ice cream, chocolate-dipped cones, fresh-baked cookies, specialty coffees, and their famous one-pound eclair.

The Barrel Bar & Grille

Neighborhood bar and grille in Homosassa serving pub fare and cold drinks.

Ice Cream Shed

Bravo Pizza!!

Pizza parlor serving New York-style slices, calzones, pizza, Stromboli, baked ziti and other Italian eats.

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.

Twisted Biscuit Diner

Popular Tavares diner serving traditional Southern comfort food with a twist, built around flavored, made-from-scratch biscuits, open daily from 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM for breakfast and lunch.

Night Owl Caribbean Cuisine

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.

Betty Cakes Cafe

Quaint bakery whipping up a wide range of sweet treats & custom desserts, plus light cafe fare.

Red Rooster Cookie Jar LLC

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.

The Standard CLCL -- Brownwood Coffee Shop

Multi-roaster coffee lounge and Christian library at Brownwood serving premium coffees sourced from small farms worldwide, with outdoor seating and a welcoming atmosphere.

Beef 'O' Brady's

Family-friendly sports bar chain serving wings, burgers, and pub fare with plenty of TVs for game day. The kind of place where you can bring the kids and still catch the game.

Barons Creek Vineyards Tasting Room Ocala

Soleil Bakery at Shady Oaks

Mamma Rita's Pizzeria

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.

The Mystic Cup

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.

Waterfront Grille

Luigi's Italian Restaurant

Casual Italian eatery serving a traditional menu in an airy simple space with booths & tables.

Maw's Mountain Moonshine

Family-owned craft distillery in Mount Dora featuring hand-crafted moonshine made from Appalachian Mountain family recipes passed down through generations, with tastings and a retail shop.

Dip-A-Dee-Donuts

Donut shop in Leesburg serving fresh-made donuts, pastries, and coffee for a quick morning treat.

Latinos Y Mas

Outstanding Latin cuisine in Ocala. A local favorite for authentic flavors and generous portions.

La Casa Di Norma

Italian restaurant in Crystal River crafting unforgettable dining experiences with homemade pasta, fresh seafood, and classic Italian flavors using the freshest local ingredients.