Ocala Area – Dining Out

Eating out rather than cooking at home is quite a trend, and in Ocala, you will find many options for doing just that.  Offering American dishes, BBQ, buffet-style, Asian cuisine, Italian fare, fine dining, coffee, dessert and so much more, from national chains to locally owned establishments, Ocala has what you’re looking for. 

Some of Your Favorites
Ocala has some of your favorite national chain restaurants where you can enjoy a meal with family and friends:  Chili’s, Bob Evans, Bonefish, IHOP, Carrabba’s, Panera Bread, Five Guys Burgers & Fries, Starbucks, Golden Corral, Sonny’s BBQ, Outback Steakhouse, Quiznos, Applebee’s, Hooters, Boston Market, Ruby Tuesday, El Toreo Mexican Restaurant, Cracker Barrel, Zaxby’s, Coldstone Creamery, Olive Garden and many more.  And, as Ocala continues to grow you can expect to see new establishments coming to the area soon.

Locally Owned Restaurants with a Lot to Offer
Ocala has many locally owned restaurants as well.  It could take you months to sample them all, but what a fun and “tasty” way to get to know the area.  

Pi on Broadway
This quaint yet upscale establishment serves tapas and wood-burning oven-cooked pizzas.  On the second level you will find an outdoor overlook of downtown Ocala where you can enjoy music on weekends and the ambience of tiki torches.  www.pionbroadway.com

Stumpknockers on the River
Located on the Withlacoochee River, this restaurant offers seafood lovers a little bit of heaven:  fried catfish, stuffed flounder, frog legs, sea scallops, Florida gator, steaks and much more.  www.stumpknockers.net

Ipanema
This Brazilian Steakhouse presents a unique dining experience where servers parade a variety of freshly grilled meat through the restaurant and slice a piece (or more) for you tableside in a style of service called rodizio.  www.ipanemaocala.com

SKY Asian Fusion Cuisine
Located on the top floor of the Holiday Inn, SKY, and the hotel, are anything but typical.  Surrounding you with Asian-inspired decor, SKY serves up exotic Pacific cuisine including vegetarian lettuce wraps, curry shrimp, steamed lobster dumplings, Mongolian beef, crispy calamari salad, pad thai, and much more.  www.ocalasky.com

The Mason Jar
Hop in your golf cart and take a short drive to The Mason Jar where you can find the real southern flavor of a home-style meal.  Each day a different dish is featured, like meatloaf, lump crab cakes or pork spare ribs, but every day the food is excellent.  Scrumptious homemade desserts will have your mouth watering.  Southern hospitality is served up as well.  Sit back, relax and enjoy. www.themasonjarocala.com
 
Little Joey’s Pizza
All the Italian you could want can be found at Little Joey’s Italian diner, just one mile from On Top of the World.  Little Joey’s offers hot and cold subs, calzones, salads, pasta, soups, and of course, pizzas.  The four cheese pizza with sliced tomatoes comes highly recommended.  Finish your meal with some homemade zeppolis or tiramisu.

Eating Out at Home
Doing Dinner
Want restaurant quality meals without actually going out or spending hours in the kitchen?  Doing Dinner has the solution.  By preparing and freezing meals that you pre-order, Doing Dinner does the work for you.  All you do is thaw, cook and enjoy.  Regular entrees are designed to feed three average adults and single serve meals which you can mix and match to please everyone at the table.  Each month new items are featured in addition to the over 20 regular items.  www.doingdinner.com