The 10 Best Restaurants in Ocala, Florida
Ocala may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of dining, but this central Florida city has an impressive range of restaurants. From barbecue and Mexican food to Thai, Japanese and French cuisine, Ocala’s array of restaurants offers something for every palate. And don’t worry if you’re on a budget; there are plenty of affordable options in Ocala. Here are the 10 best restaurants in Ocala, listed alphabetically by type of cuisine.
| Restaurants | Score | Review |
| La Cuisine Restaurant | 4.7 | 648 |
| Ivy on the Square | 4.5 | 1443 |
| Brick City Southern Kitchen | 4.5 | 1663 |
| Bonefish Grill | 4.4 | 1693 |
| Mesa de Notte | 4.7 | 730 |
| Gator’s Dockside Ocala | 4.3 | 2346 |
| Braised Onion | 4.4 | 1094 |
| First Watch | 4.5 | 1523 |
| Latinos y Mas Restaurant | 4.6 | 2203 |
| Ayuttaya Thai Cuisine | 4.6 | 566 |
La Cuisine Restaurant
La Cuisine Restaurant is located at 48 SW 1st Ave, Ocala, FL 34474. Their cuisine consists of French, Mediterranean and American dishes with prices ranging between $8-$25 per dish. They are open from 11AM to 9PM Monday through Saturday, and closed on Sundays. Their phone number is 352-433-2570.
Ivy on the Square
If you’re looking for a great place to eat in Ocala, Florida, look no further than Ivy on the Square. This restaurant is popular with locals and tourists alike, and it offers something for everyone. Whether you’re in town with family or friends, or just looking to spend some time alone while you’re traveling through town, Ivy on the Square has a table waiting for you.
They offer breakfast options all day long (including pancakes), as well as lunch and dinner menus that include everything from burgers to seafood platters. They have plenty of space inside the restaurant itself—as well as outside seating—so even if you’re planning on bringing your whole clan with you when you visit this eatery, there’s room enough for everyone!
Brick City Southern Kitchen
Located in the heart of downtown Ocala, Brick City Southern Kitchen is a family-friendly restaurant that serves up Southern classics like fried green tomatoes, blackened Gulf fish, and chicken and dumplings.
The menu has something for everyone: from burgers to salads to sandwiches. The restaurant also offers gluten-free options for those with dietary restrictions.
Reviews on Yelp praise the service as well as its food: “My husband and I have been here twice now – once for lunch and once for dinner…Both times our meals were fantastic!” says reviewer Amanda T. Another reviewer wrote: “This place was awesome! We had never been before but I’m so glad we went! It was busy but they were still able to provide fast service while keeping up with all of their tables…Everything we ordered was delicious too!! Our waitress was very nice too 🙂 We will definitely be back again soon!!! :)”
Bonefish Grill
- Location: 4701 SW College Rd, Ocala, FL 34474
- Phone: (352) 873-3846
- Hours of operation: Monday through Thursday, 11AM – 10PM; Friday through Saturday, 11AM – 11PM; Sunday, 11AM – 9PM
- Menu: Bonefish Grill offers a variety of seafood options including shrimp scampi and cedar plank salmon. They also offer steaks and chicken entrees. Their signature dish is blackened grouper. You can choose from an array of side dishes such as fries or coleslaw for your meal.
Mesa de Notte
Mesa de Notte is located on 2436 E Silver Springs Blvd. The restaurant is open from 3pm-9pm, Tuesday – Saturday, and is closed on Sunday and Monday.
Mesa de Notte’s menu features Italian cuisine including pizzas, calzones, pastas, seafood dishes and more! The full menu can be viewed here: www.mesaocala.com
Mesa de Notte also accepts reservations so if you want some quiet time with loved ones or need somewhere to entertain clients then call ahead or book online via OpenTable – there’s no better way to relax than over delicious food with people who matter most!
Gator’s Dockside Ocala
Gator’s Dockside Ocala is located on the corner of 3920 SW 42nd St #101, making it a perfect stop for anyone who wants to grab lunch or dinner on their way home from work. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, this restaurant serves up classic American dishes like burgers, sandwiches, pizza and more. The menu also includes an assortment of beers and wine—perfect for pairing with your meal!
If you’re looking for something sweet after dinner or even just a pick-me-up in the afternoon, check out their dessert menu featuring ice cream sundaes topped with chocolate syrup and whipped cream.
Braised Onion
- Location: 754 NE 25th Ave, Ocala FL 34474. Phone number: (352) 620-9255
- Hours: Tuesday – Thursday 11:30am-9pm, Friday & Saturday 11:30am-10pm, and Sunday 11:30am-8pm.
- Parking: Street parking only or valet for $5 at the restaurant entrance.
Price range is $8-$20 per person with many entrees under $10 and most appetizers in the $5-$6 range. Specials change daily but usually include some type of fish special, chicken dish and beef entree – all for around $15 per person including drinks/sides/dessert if you order them separately from your main course(s). Food quality is excellent, so make sure to book a reservation beforehand! This place gets busy during lunchtime, especially on weekdays when local businesses are nearby, as well as weekends when tourists flock here looking for good food on their vacation!
First Watch
First Watch is a breakfast-lunch chain restaurant that prides itself on its healthy options, using locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible. As such, they have some really great vegetarian options on their menu. Additionally, First Watch also serves up delicious sandwiches and salads for lunch. For those looking for something sweet after their meal there are plenty of options too: try the cinnamon roll pancakes or waffles if you’re feeling indulgent! Those who want to stick with the healthy theme can always opt for a fruit bowl or oatmeal instead!
Latinos y Mas Restaurant
While Latinos y Mas is a favorite among locals, this family-owned restaurant is also a great place to take visitors. The menu has something for everyone and includes Mexican-style entrees, such as fajitas, burritos and tamales. If you’re looking for some good Tex-Mex that won’t break the bank – this place is perfect!
The prices are very reasonable at Latinos y Mas Restaurant. Breakfast items range from $2.99 to $8.99; lunch items range from $4.99 to $10; dinner items range from $6-$17; and weekend specials are available every Friday & Saturday night after 5 pm until close (9 pm).
Here are some favorites: Huevos Rancheros – scrambled eggs with chili sauce served over tortillas topped with onions & cheddar cheese; Tacos de Carne Asada (Grilled Steak) – two flour tortilla tacos filled with grilled steak strips topped with salsa ranchera & queso fresco; Molcajetes Mexicanos – shrimp sauteed in garlic butter sauce served over rice or red beans topped w/ avocado slices; Arroz con Pollo – seasoned chicken breast sauteed with onions bell peppers mushrooms tomatoes served over white rice
Ayuttaya Thai Cuisine
Thais have been cooking their trademark cuisine in the country for centuries, but it’s only recently that restaurants like Ayuttaya Thai Cuisine have opened in Ocala. The restaurant has garnered praise from local diners thanks to its excellent service, large portions and reasonable prices. The menu features classic dishes such as pad thai noodles alongside more unusual creations like green curry duck, which makes use of duck breast instead of chicken or tofu as is typically done in Thai cuisine.
The atmosphere at Ayuttaya Thai Cuisine is welcoming and relaxed with plenty of seating available inside. There’s also ample parking available behind the building so you won’t have any trouble finding a spot when you visit this popular eatery!
Best Restaurants in Ocala, Florida
That’s ten great restaurants in Ocala to visit! But of course, there are many more than just these. If you find yourself in the city with an appetite, we encourage you to explore and find a place that fits your palate.