Food & drink in Central Florida.

El Patio Bushnell

Authentic Mexican restaurant in Bushnell known for scratch-made fajitas, burritos, street tacos, and barbacoa using fresh ingredients, with a 4.7-star rating.

Sipping Grounds

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

Beans and Greens Coffee House

Cozy coffee house in Crystal River serving craft coffee drinks, smoothies, and light bites. A local favorite for a chill morning cup or an afternoon pick-me-up.

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.

Flag Coffee

Foxtail Coffee Co .

BOARD GAME CAFE

The Train Station

Family-friendly game room, bar, and cafe in a restored historic Atlantic Coast Line train depot in downtown Inverness, featuring duckpin bowling, shuffleboard, craft beer, and soft serve.

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.

Dulce G Bella Sweets

Amrit Palace

The best Indian food within 50 miles, and it's not close. The lunch buffet is a steal, the naan comes out of the tandoor perfectly blistered, and the menu is deep enough that regulars are still discovering new favorites after years of visits.

Peachwave

Self-serve chain offering an array of frozen yogurt & gelato flavors & toppings.

Marguerita Grill

Mexican & American fare in a relaxed setting with sports TV, fishbowl Margaritas & patio seating.

Darrell's Diner

Mustangs & Mulligans

Bar at Golden Oaks Country Club, Ocala.

Magical Meat Boutique British Pub

British pub in Mount Dora serving elevated pub fare with a meat-forward menu — think bangers and mash, meat pies, and hearty burgers alongside proper pints. A quirky, fun addition to the Mount Dora dining scene.

ZENSHI Handcrafted Sushi

Florida Cracker Tap Room and Bourbon Bar

Small, easygoing taproom with a broad selection of Florida-brewed craft beers, plus an outdoor area.

Rookies Family Grille & Bar

Lively, family-run sports bar & American grill offering lots of TVs, a kids' menu, patio & karaoke.

Gator's Dockside Ocala

Family-friendly sports-bar chain offering American fare, including signature grilled chicken wings.

Pisces Rising

Fresh seafood with a view of Lake Dora. Creative preparations and a lakefront setting that's hard to beat in this part of Florida.

Copacabana Cuban Cafe

Authentic Cuban restaurant tucked in a downtown Mount Dora alley serving ropa vieja, Cuban sandwiches, and what the Orlando Sentinel voted the best mojito in Central Florida. Live music and generous portions.

Flippers Pizza - Clermont

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

CAVA

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

Magnolia's Oyster Bar

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

Dip-A-Dee-Donuts

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

Ednas' On The Green

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.

Cheeser's Palace Cafe and Catering

Specialty cheese cafe and catering in downtown Clermont

Prime + Ember

Upscale signature steakhouse at Eastport Town Center featuring prime cuts, fresh seafood, and hand-crafted cocktails, with a rooftop bar overlooking Central Lake and live music.

Cody's Original Roadhouse - Brownwood

Informal local chain serving hand-cut steaks, seafood & Southern BBQ in a roadhouse-themed setting.

1890 tea room

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.

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.

Oakwood Express Smokehouse

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

Guru Indian Restaurant

Repeatedly voted Best Indian Restaurant in Central Florida by the South Lake Chamber of Commerce. Family-owned, award-winning, and the kind of place where the flavors are authentic enough to make you forget you're on Highway 27.

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.

Mac’d Out

Boot Scootin' Boozy

Country bar in Brooksville housed in a converted 1994 horse trailer, operating as a mobile bar service for weddings, parties, and events with custom cocktail menus.

Lickity Split Ice Cream

Barons Creek Vineyards Tasting Room Ocala

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.

My Quate

PizzAmore

Family-friendly parlor serving specialty pizzas, hot entrees, plus beer & wine in a casual space.

Darrel's Dinner # 23

Jeremiah's

Casual American fare served in a warm, relaxed setting with a bar & bustling patio.

La Michoacana Factory

County Line Smokehouse & Spirits

Weirsdale's go-to for slow-smoked BBQ, born from a 50-year-old bar and a rediscovered brick smokehouse out back. Ribs are the signature, and there's live music, pool tables, and a full bar to round out the night.