Local Directory — The Villages, Ocala & Central Florida
Restaurants, bars, venues, and more across the region
8th Ave. Gallery
OcalaArt gallery in Ocala dedicated to curating abstract art in all its varied styles and forms, celebrating the bond between father and son artists with monthly Third Thursday events featuring art shows and studio visits.
A Novel Idea Bookstore
OcalaIndependent new and used bookstore with over 40,000 books in stock. A local treasure for book lovers in Ocala.
Alexander Springs
OcalaA family-friendly spring in the Ocala National Forest with a large, gradually sloping pool of crystal-clear 72-degree turquoise water. Great for swimming and snorkeling.
Amrit Palace
OcalaThe 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.
Appleton Museum of Art
OcalaStunning travertine marble museum housing over 24,000 works spanning European, American, Asian, and African art. The reflecting pool out front is as photogenic as the galleries inside. Affiliated with the College of Central Florida.
Bank Street
OcalaOutdoor seating, craft cocktails, and live music on select nights. One of downtown Ocala's best spots for a night out.
Baseline Bar & Billiards
OcalaNo-frills neighborhood bar with pool tables, cold beer, and a jukebox. The kind of dive bar where you can shoot pool in peace and nobody rushes you.
Baseline Road Trailhead
OcalaTrailhead providing access to the Santos mountain biking and hiking trail system. Parking, restrooms, and trail maps make this a convenient starting point for riders and hikers.
Baseline Trailhead Park
OcalaPark and trailhead along the Cross Florida Greenway with access to paved and unpaved trails for biking, hiking, and horseback riding. A gateway to some of Ocala's best outdoor recreation.
Bearded Browncoat Comics and Games
OcalaFamily-owned comics and games store in Ocala since 2014, offering comics, video games, board games, D&D, and Warhammer supplies. Features dedicated gaming areas and hosts regular Sunday events and tournaments.
Betty Cakes Cafe
OcalaQuaint bakery whipping up a wide range of sweet treats & custom desserts, plus light cafe fare.
Big Hammock Brewery & Bites
OcalaA 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.
Big Lee's BBQ
OcalaFeatured 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.