Food & drink in Central Florida.

Bella Vita Italian Steakhouse

Rustic Italian charm meets modern piano bar atmosphere. Hand-cut steaks, housemade pastas, and craft cocktails make this the go-to date night spot at Spanish Springs.

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.

Waterfront Grille

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.

Cody's Original Roadhouse - Sumter

Casual steakhouse chain known for hand-cut steaks, baby back ribs, and free peanuts at every table. The vibe is laid-back and family-friendly with generous portions and a full bar.

Luigi's Pizza of Brooksville

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

Todd and Shelly's Farm Fresh Restaurant

Suncreek Cafe

Takis Greek-Italian Restaurant

Roma Pizza

Italian chain serving classic & creative pizzas, plus subs, wings & pasta, in a casual space.

Coastal Del Mar

Seafood with flair at Spanish Springs. A popular spot for dinner right on the square with live music steps away.

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.

No 1 Chinese Food

Huarike Peruvian Cuisine

Tony's Sushi

Popular mainstay featuring classic sushi rolls, Japanese dishes & hibachi meals in a casual setting.

The Meltdown

Central Cafe & Bakery

Charming cafe and bakery serving fresh-baked goods, breakfast, and lunch in Inverness.

The Forge Ocala

Ocala's newest culinary destination featuring six distinct concept restaurants under one roof, including Asian fusion, Mediterranean tapas, a speakeasy, a brewery, and a dessert bar.

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.

Brothers Pizza

Family-friendly pizza restaurant with hand-tossed pies, pasta, and Italian favorites.

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.

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.

Icy King

Smoothies, wraps, ice cream and shaved ice

The Equestrian Manor

The newest dining venue at World Equestrian Center in Ocala, offering upscale buffet-style brunch and special event dining in an elegant equestrian setting.

Cousin Vinnie's Family Sports Restaurant

Buffalo-style sports pub known for many wing flavors & fried appetizers plus TVs, trivia & karaoke.

Teamont Boba

Bubble tea and boba drinks cafe

Prima Italian Steakhouse

A modern Italian Steakhouse, featuring hand-cut steaks, Italian classics, & fresh seafood.

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.

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.

The Crazy Gator

Relaxed lakeside tavern with patio seating dishing up signature wings, steaks & housemade desserts.

Oakwood Express Smokehouse

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

Rutabagas Natural Food Market & Café

Family-owned natural food store and cafe in Inverness offering organic produce, vitamins, supplements, and a cafe menu of smoothies, acai bowls, wraps, and soups for special diets.

Steak 'n Shake

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

The Crooked Fork

Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza - Southern Trace

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

City Fire

Upscale-casual American grill at Lake Sumter Landing featuring wood-fired pizzas, craft cocktails, and a vibrant patio overlooking the square.

Big Lee's BBQ

Featured on the Food Network and praised by Guy Fieri, Big Lee's delivers pitmaster-level barbecue that has put Ocala on the national food map. The brisket is the star.

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.

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.

Reveille Cafe The Villages

Comfortable daytime diner serving coffee & brunch favorites, including pancakes & omelets.

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.

Los Magueyes Mexican Restaurant - Wildwood

Informal strip-mall setting for traditional Mexican comfort foods with margaritas & piña coladas.

Beirut Bites

Quick-service Lebanese and Mediterranean eatery on 4th Avenue in Mount Dora. Hummus, falafel, shawarma, and kebabs — fresh, flavorful, and a welcome change of pace from the usual downtown options.

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.

The Freezer Tiki Bar

Started as a literal bait freezer attached to a seafood market, now it's one of the most beloved dive bars on the Nature Coast. Cash only, peel-and-eat shrimp, and the kind of Old Florida atmosphere you can't manufacture. Bring cash.

ZENSHI Handcrafted Sushi

Napolinos

Casual stop serving pizza, pasta & seafood, meat & chicken entrees in a relaxed space.

Rosa Mezcal Cocina Mexicana