Food & drink in Central Florida.

Root & Branch Bistro + Bar

A labor of love from proprietors Jason and Casey Baruch, Root & Branch has won multiple Taste of South Lake awards for good reason. The fried green tomatoes are legendary, and the upscale-but-casual vibe hits that sweet spot for a special night out.

Uncorked

Oakwood Smokehouse & Grill

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

Inverness Coffee House and Hemptation Station

Cozy coffee house in Inverness serving coffee, acai bowls, crepes, soups, Lotus energy drinks, and soft-serve ice cream in a welcoming atmosphere with chill music.

Cali Coffee

Ritter's Frozen Custard

Frozen custard is made fresh daily at this dessert chain serving up cones, sundaes & shakes.

Wolf Branch Brewing - Leesburg

Family-owned, veteran-operated brewpub on Main Street in Leesburg offering house-brewed craft beers and a menu of sandwiches including their signature Cuban.

Odd Cuples Cafe

A Bushnell hidden gem that feels like eating at a friend's house -- board games available, small-town warmth, and the kind of scratch-made food that chains will never replicate. Support this small business while you still can.

Brooklyn Water Bagel

Bagel shop with flavors such as pumpernickel & asiago, plus sandwiches, omelets & coffee drinks.

Foxtail Coffee Co - Lady Lake

Bella Nonna Pizzeria & More

New York-style pizza and Italian favorites in Tavares with late-night hours that make it the go-to after everything else closes. The pies are legit, the garlic knots are addictive, and the casual vibe keeps the neighborhood coming back.

Foxtail Coffee Co .

Dockside Ice Cream Shoppe

Ice cream shop near the Crystal River waterfront serving scoops, sundaes, and frozen treats.

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.

The Canna Bakery Shop

Cannabis-infused bakery and edibles shop in Inverness offering baked goods and specialty items.

El Ranchito Mexican Cuban Cuisine

Mexican and Cuban cuisine restaurant

Máster Taqueria Y Paleteria

Nena’s Wings & Things

C & D Coliseum

Neighborhood sports bar and nightclub in Ocala with eight TVs for watching sports, pool, darts, Jenga, karaoke three nights a week, and an attached liquor store.

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.

CAVA

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

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.

The Crab Plant

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

Nonnies Freezer

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.

Mustangs & Mulligans

Bar at Golden Oaks Country Club, Ocala.

Yummis Frozen Yogurt and Cafe

BTW - Burgers Tacos Waffles

From the folks behind Bru Tap House comes this food-truck-concept-turned-brick-and-mortar. The name tells you exactly what to expect -- burgers, tacos, and waffles -- and they do all three well. The waffle fries are dangerously good.

Ruby Street Grille

Tavares' go-to for lakeside live entertainment and cold drinks. Ruby Street Grille keeps the patio packed with regular live music, a solid pub menu, and views of Lake Dora. It's more bar-with-great-food than restaurant-with-a-bar.

Kelly's Half Shell Pub

Irish pub and seafood spot known for oysters, fresh catches, and a lively atmosphere. A Crystal River favorite for casual waterfront dining.

The Biscuit Barn

Highly rated Crystal River breakfast and lunch spot known for huge Southern-style biscuits with iron-skillet sausage gravy, steak and eggs, and classic lunch fare like reubens and burgers.

The Grill at Pepper Creek

Casual eatery inside Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park with indoor seating overlooking Pepper Creek, serving pizzas, sandwiches, and salads — no park admission required to dine.

Ivy on the Square

Southern-inspired cuisine is the specialty of this elegant restaurant in a circa-1890 building.

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.

Honor Grounds Cafe - Coffee Shop

Mission-driven coffee shop in Wildwood serving Arabica coffee blends, with a portion of every purchase supporting veteran non-profits and suicide prevention programs.

WAVE - Asian Bistro & Sushi

Fusion fare such as sushi burritos & donuts, create-your-own bento boxes & poke bowls plus beer.

Vanderbrew Coffee Shop

A craft coffee shop and tea house in downtown Leesburg with sweet treats, a warm atmosphere, and the kind of careful attention to drinks that makes you want to linger. A welcome addition to the growing Leesburg downtown scene.

Mr. Wang's Chinese Restaurant

Old-timey fixture dishing up plentiful plates of traditional Chinese food in a casual atmosphere.

Magnolia's Oyster Bar

Compact, unpretentious locale specializing in raw or cooked oysters & other seafood classics.

El Marie Pizzeria and Sub Shoppe

The Friar's Table

Gastropub-style dining at Brownwood Paddock Square with elevated comfort food, craft cocktails, and a warm tavern atmosphere.

CEDAR GRILL CLERMONT

Mediterranean grill restaurant

Allyson A Bake Shop

Small-batch bakery on 4th Avenue in Mount Dora turning out fresh pastries, cakes, and baked goods. A sweet stop while strolling through downtown.

The Meltdown

Elevation 89

Unique dining experience at the Ocala Airport with gorgeous runway views and spectacular sunsets. Named for the airport's 89-foot elevation. American cuisine in a one-of-a-kind atmosphere.

Mary's Kountry Kitchen

The kind of breakfast spot where the portions are enormous, the coffee stays full, and the regulars know the staff by name. Mary's has been feeding Tavares for years with no-frills comfort food that hits exactly right at 7am.

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 View at Clermont National

Restaurant and bar at Clermont National Golf Club offering panoramic views stretching to Disney, with New York-style pizza, fresh bowls, a driving range, and weekend live music.