Local Directory — The Villages, Ocala & Central Florida
Restaurants, bars, venues, and more across the region
Big Bass Grill
BushnellFamily-owned restaurant offering catfish, grouper, and gator tail. Live music Friday through Sunday.
Calypso
The VillagesCaribbean-inspired restaurant at The Waterfront Inn on Lake Sumter Landing, serving island-flavored dishes and rum-infused cocktails with indoor-outdoor dining, live music, and lakeside breezes.
Coastal Del Mar
The VillagesSeafood with flair at Spanish Springs. A popular spot for dinner right on the square with live music steps away.
Copacabana Cuban Cafe
Mount DoraAuthentic 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.
Eden Abbey Brewing Community
Mount DoraFamily-owned Mount Dora brewpub with 14 taps of Belgian-inspired house-brewed beers, scratch-made empanadas, Wagyu burgers, and a backyard where kids can run free. Sunday brunch comes with live music — the whole package.
Fenney Grill
The VillagesA 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.
Great Chicago Fire Brewery & Tap Room
LeesburgChicago and firefighter-themed craft brewery in historic downtown Leesburg brewing 10 beers on premise, serving authentic Chicago-style eats including Italian beef, hot dogs, and thin crust pizza, with a live music beer garden.
Legends Bar And Grill
LeesburgNeighborhood bar and grill in Fruitland Park known for hand-tossed New York and Chicago-style pizza, oversized chicken wings with homemade sauces, pool tables, karaoke, and live music.
Lighthouse Point Bar & Grill
The VillagesWaterfront dining at Lake Sumter Landing with solid food, gorgeous views, and live music. The kind of place where lunch turns into an afternoon.
Nickel and the Hat
Mount DoraKitschy, British-inspired pub for comfort eats & pints in casual digs, with live music & a patio.
Prime + Ember
The VillagesUpscale 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.
Salt Shack on the Lake
ClermontWaterfront restaurant on Lake Minneola offering island vibes, wild-caught seafood, and a sandy beach area perfect for families, with live music Thursday through Sunday.
Sauced Hogs BBQ Bar & Grill
Crystal RiverBarbecue restaurant and bar in Hernando near Crystal River serving smoked meats and classic BBQ sides. Features weekly karaoke on Thursdays, live music on weekends, and trivia nights in a casual, family-friendly setting.
Shed
Crystal RiverLively waterfront tiki bar and grill on the Homosassa River serving seafood baskets, gator bites, and shrimp tacos, with a 'cook your catch' option for anglers and live music on weekends.
The Brick & Barrel Public House
LeesburgNew American restaurant and bar on Main Street in Leesburg with a rustic-modern vibe, craft beer on tap, handmade cocktails, and live music Friday and Saturday evenings.
The View at Clermont National
ClermontRestaurant 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.
The Yardery
Mount DoraOpen-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.
Tipsy Tarpon
Crystal RiverCasual waterfront seafood spot on the Crystal River with open-air covered seating, a tin-roof tiki bar, live music, and menu favorites like redfish tacos and steamed shrimp.