Local Directory — The Villages, Ocala & Central Florida

Brick City Southern Kitchen

Downtown Ocala's award-winning Southern kitchen and whiskey bar from the Mojo BBQ family. Low-and-slow smoked meats, scratch-made sides, and one of America's Top 100 Bourbon Bars with 300+ whiskeys. The pitmasters fire up at 3 AM.

Catfish Johnny's

A local institution for fried catfish, hush puppies, and Southern-style seafood. No-frills atmosphere with big portions.

Cody's Original Roadhouse - Brownwood

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

Dahlers Southern Treats

Deep South Family BBQ

Deep South Family BBQ is a family-owned restaurant in Hernando County, known for their smoked meats and homemade side recipes, providing an authentic Southern BBQ experience since 1998.

Eaton's Beach Sandbar & Grill

Waterfront dining on Lake Weir featuring Chef Dave Del Rio's Florisiana cuisine — a fusion of Southern, Cajun, and Creole flavors. The views are stunning, the seafood is fresh, and the vibe has been drawing folks out here since 1924.

End Of South Lake Trail

Southern trailhead of the South Lake Trail (Lake Apopka Trail) in the Clermont area, connecting to the regional trail system for biking and walking.

Fifth Avenue Streatery

Full-service restaurant in Mount Dora serving Southern fusion and down-home cooking made from scratch, featuring open-air dining, a pet-friendly atmosphere, and a dedicated dog menu.

Florida Cracker Cook Shack - BBQ Joint

Southern soul food restaurant in downtown Brooksville smoking BBQ and hot chicken, with signature items including brisket, chipped pork, gator sausage, and Brooksvagas Hot Chicken.

Florida Cracker Kitchen

Southern grub & local draft beer served in rustic, down-home digs with a small bar & gift shop.

Florida Cracker Trading Company

Lifestyle retail store offering Florida Cracker-branded clothing, gifts, and Southern-style merchandise in downtown Brooksville.

House of Blues Orlando

Rock- & blues-themed restaurant & bar serving Southern-inspired dishes, plus live music.

Howie's Family Restaurant

Home-style family restaurant in Bushnell serving Southern comfort food, fresh seafood, and all-you-can-eat fish, open for breakfast and lunch with Friday fish fry dinners.

Ivy on the Square

Southern-inspired cuisine is the specialty of this elegant restaurant in a circa-1890 building.

Metro Diner

Comfort-food chain known for massive portions of fried chicken and waffles, pot roast, and meatloaf. Breakfast is served all day, and the vibe is pure Southern diner warmth.

Miz Kathi's Cotillion Cafe & Sweetery

Southern comfort food and jaw-dropping cakes in downtown Wildwood. Miz Kathi's serves it up right -- hearty portions, scratch-made everything, and the kind of homestyle cooking that makes you wish you'd worn stretchy pants.

Miz Kathi's Southern Sweetery

Mojo's-Food. Music. Soul. (Ocala Location)

Live music venue and restaurant serving BBQ, burgers, and Southern comfort food with a side of blues and rock. The stage hosts local and touring acts, and the vibe is pure Ocala soul.

Oakwood Express Smokehouse

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

Oakwood Smokehouse & Grill

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

Oakwood Smokehouse & Grill

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

Ocala National Forest

Nearly 400,000 acres of sand pine scrub, prairies, and springs make this the southernmost national forest in the continental U.S. Home to world-class swimming holes at Alexander, Juniper, and Salt Springs.

Papa J's Diner

One of the longest-running breakfast and lunch diners in Inverness since 1986, serving all-day breakfast with Southern-style cooking, generous portions, and competitive prices.

Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza - Southern Trace

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