Food & drink in Central Florida.

San Jose's Original Mexican Restaurant

Original Mexican restaurant

El Mezcal Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant in Homosassa on Suncoast Boulevard serving traditional dishes in a family-friendly setting.

Double Take Pizza

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.

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.

No 1 Chinese Food

La Jibarita de Puerto Rico

Puerto Rican cuisine restaurant

The Crazy Gator

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

Don Pepe Mexican Restaurant

Popular family-owned Mexican restaurant in a charming converted house in Dunnellon, serving authentic Tex-Mex cuisine with generous portions and beer and wine.

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.

Brooksville Country Club

Brooksville Country Club is a premier golf destination in Florida, recognized for its beautiful course and exceptional amenities.

O'Shucks Oyster Bar and Grill

Seafood and American restaurant known for oysters on the half shell and fish and chips.

The Station

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.

Market Kitchen & Bar

Puddle Jumpers Lakeside Grill & Bar

Lakeside dining with front-row views of Lake Dora and the seaplane base -- which means you might watch a plane land while you eat your burger. The seafood is fresh, the drinks are strong, and the outdoor patio is where you want to be at sunset.

Mimi's Cafe

Casual chain restaurant serving French & American staples in a rustic-inspired setting.

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.

MrBeast Burger

Las Margaritas Mexican Restaurant & Gallery

Mexican eatery featuring a broad menu in vibrantly colored surrounds decorated with art.

Reveille Cafe The Villages

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

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.

Bori Burger Café and More

Cuban-inspired cafe in Leesburg known for its Cuban sandwiches, steak sandwiches, beef empanadas, and generous portions at affordable prices.

Sipping Grounds

Handcrafted coffee, fresh pastries, and all-day breakfast and lunch in the midtown area of Ocala.

Michael's Ali Coal Fired Pizza Clermont

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.

1890 Tea House

An Everyday Retreat in Downtown Ocala

Taco Norteno

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 Dunnellon Grill

Local grill and casual dining spot in Dunnellon serving American favorites.

ZENSHI Handcrafted Sushi

McCracken’s Irish Pub

Irish pub on Main Street in downtown Leesburg serving Irish-inspired dishes, cocktails, and draft beers including Guinness, with daily happy hour from 2-6 PM.

Luma Mediterranean Kitchen

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

Ski Beach Bar and Grill

Waterfront restaurant on Lake Harris in Leesburg offering American favorites and fresh seafood with stunning lake views, plus a Sunday brunch buffet.

Grateful Bowl

Acai bowls and healthy food cafe

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.

Tiki Bar & Grill

Easygoing hangout on Lake Minneloa featuring American eats, brews & scenic outdoor seating.

Garvino's

Wine bar, cigar lounge, and gift shop at Lake Sumter Landing featuring 24 wines by the glass, a walk-in humidor with 350+ cigar varieties, and live entertainment Wednesday through Saturday.

Luigi's Italian Restaurant

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

Takis Greek-Italian Restaurant

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.

Koto hibachi express - Sushi - Bubble Tea

Cedar River Seafood

Local seafood chain in Inverness dishing out fried fish platters, shrimp baskets, and hushpuppies. Simple, satisfying seafood at honest prices.

St. Johns Tavern

Classic pub fare is served alongside beer & cocktails in this warm, wood-&-brick locale.

Fenney Grill

A Villages neighborhood grill that punches above the typical golf-community restaurant. Good breakfast, solid lunch and dinner, and live music nights that draw a loyal crowd. Unpretentious and consistent.

Havana Country Club Restaurant

Country club restaurant in The Villages with a relaxed atmosphere and a menu of American classics. A neighborhood favorite for lunch after a round of golf.

Candelaria Eatery & Cafe

Authentic Colombian flavors in a cozy cafe setting just outside The Villages. The arepas and empanadas are the real deal, and the coffee is strong enough to remind you why Colombia is famous for it.

Portillo's Clermont

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