30 small town Central Florida restaurants worth a drive from Orlando

The Crooked Spoon

200 Citrus Tower Blvd., Clermont
Crooked Spoon started with a food truck, growing to a brick-and-mortar spot with fans throughout Central Florida. Try the craft beers, the 420 burgers, mac & cheese, and meatloaf.

1921 Mount Dora 142 E. Fourth Ave., Mount Dora The restaurant started in a converted home built in 1921. The spot is known for celebrating traditional Florida cuisine with a modern twist. The eatery works closely with local farmers and purveyors to offer the best ingredients and maintain a connection with local producers.

1921 Mount Dora

142 E. Fourth Ave., Mount Dora
The restaurant started in a converted home built in 1921. The spot is known for celebrating traditional Florida cuisine with a modern twist. The eatery works closely with local farmers and purveyors to offer the best ingredients and maintain a connection with local producers.

Ocoee Taco Company 40 Taylor St., Ocoee Don't let the name fool you, this spot is much more than just tacos (although you definitely shouldn't pass up these). The menu boasts huaraches, tortas, quesadillas and soups.

40 Taylor St., Ocoee
Don’t let the name fool you, this spot is much more than just tacos (although you definitely shouldn’t pass up these). The menu boasts huaraches, tortas, quesadillas and soups.

The Catfish Place 2324 13th St., St. Cloud Catfish Place has been serving seafood for more than 35 years at this homey Central Florida location full of antiques, collectibles and Southern vibes.

The Catfish Place

2324 13th St., St. Cloud
Catfish Place has been serving seafood for more than 35 years at this homey Central Florida location full of antiques, collectibles, and Southern vibes.

The Garlic 556 E. Third Ave., New Smyrna Beach This beloved New Smyrna Beach restaurant is best known for its ambient atmosphere complete with tons of outdoor, indoor and covered seating, colorful lights and vibrant, antique decor. The Garlic offers authentic Italian cuisine and a full bar.

The Garlic

556 E. Third Ave., New Smyrna Beach
This beloved New Smyrna Beach restaurant is best known for its ambient atmosphere complete with tons of outdoor, indoor, and covered seating, colorful lights, and vibrant, antique decor. The Garlic offers authentic Italian cuisine and a full bar.

Shantell’s Just Until Restaurant & Lounge 503 Sanford Ave., Sanford Shantell’s offers comforting food in the historic downtown Sanford. Whether you are craving chicken-fried steak, meatloaf or their signature wings, you are going to feel at home.

Photo via Google Maps

Shantell’s Just Until Restaurant & Lounge

503 Sanford Ave., Sanford
Shantell’s offers comforting food in the historic downtown Sanford. You will feel at home whether you are craving chicken-fried steak, meatloaf, or their signature wings.

Third Wave Cafe & Wine Bar 204 Flagler Ave., New Smyrna Beach Third Wave Cafe & Wine Bar's expansive menu boasts everything from charcuterie boards to filet mignon burgers. The cozy spot also has gourmet coffee, sandwiches, pizzas, global wines and craft beers, plus a garden patio to sit back and dine in.

Image via Google Maps

Third Wave Cafe & Wine Bar

204 Flagler Ave., New Smyrna Beach
Third Wave Cafe & Wine Bar’s expansive menu boasts everything from charcuterie boards to filet mignon burgers. The cozy spot also has gourmet coffee, sandwiches, pizzas, global wines and craft beers, plus a garden patio to sit back and dine in.

Black Hammock 2316 Black Hammock Fish Camp Road, Oviedo The Black Hammock is a classic Central Florida eatery that offers laidback lakeside dining, a casual bar and plenty of gator-filled dishes.

Photo via Black Hammock Restaurant/Yelp

Black Hammock

2316 Black Hammock Fish Camp Road, Oviedo
The Black Hammock is a classic Central Florida eatery that offers laidback lakeside dining, a casual bar and plenty of gator-filled dishes.

The Tennessee Truffle 125 W. First St., Sanford The Tennesse Truffle is a true Southern restaurant that serves creative entrees and desserts like swordfish, apple butter ice cream, homemade soup and biscuits.

Image via Google Maps

The Tennessee Truffle

125 W. First St., Sanford
The Tennesse Truffle is a true Southern restaurant that serves creative entrees and desserts like swordfish, apple butter ice cream, homemade soup, and biscuits.

Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe 201-205 E. First St., Sanford Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe offers German classics like schnitzel and wurst, plus plenty of beer and regular live music – all making for a friendly, fun atmosphere.

Photo via Hollerbach’s/Facebook

Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe

201-205 E. First St., Sanford
Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe offers German classics like schnitzel and wurst, plus plenty of beer and regular live music – all making for a friendly, fun atmosphere.

JB's Fish Camp 859 Pompano Ave, New Smyrna Beach With a beachside location, this fish camp offers a variety of activities such as fishing pole, kayak and paddleboard rentals in addition to their spicy Cajun-style food. Enjoy fried or blackened fish, sandwiches, shellfish, award-winning soups and more.

Photo via JB’s Fish Camp/Facebook

JB’s Fish Camp

859 Pompano Ave, New Smyrna Beach

With a beachside location, this fish camp offers a variety of activities such as fishing pole, kayak and paddleboard rentals in addition to their spicy Cajun-style food. Enjoy fried or blackened fish, sandwiches, shellfish, award-winning soups and more.

Norwood's Restaurant & Treehouse Bar 400 E. Second Ave., New Smyrna Beach Once upon a time, Norwood's was a gas station and general store. It was bought in 1946 and transformed into the cozy restaurant and treetop bar it is today. The menu boasts seafood creations, drinks and plenty of live music.

Photo via Norwood’s Restaurant & Treehouse Bar

Norwood’s Restaurant & Treehouse Bar

400 E. Second Ave., New Smyrna Beach
Once upon a time, Norwood’s was a gas station and general store. It was bought in 1946 and transformed into the cozy restaurant and treetop bar it is today. The menu boasts seafood creations, drinks and plenty of live music.

Nineteen61 215 E. Main St., Lakeland If you are looking for Latin American food in Lakeland, this place is a hidden gem. They have churrasco, empanadas, and Peruvian ceviche.

Image via Google Maps

Nineteen61

215 E. Main St., Lakeland
If you are looking for Latin American food in Lakeland, this place is a hidden gem. They have churrasco, empanadas, and Peruvian ceviche.

Crabby's 203 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach With a waterside location and a menu bursting with seafood-focused dishes, Crabby's offers everything you need to enjoy some truly beachside dining in New Smyrna Beach.

Image via Google Maps

Crabby’s

203 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach
With a waterside location and a menu bursting with seafood-focused dishes, Crabby’s offers everything you need to enjoy some truly beachside dining in New Smyrna Beach.

Verona Cafe 220 Edgewood Drive, Apopka This Apopka spot's offers simple pizzas, calzones, wings, subs and pasta. The spot markets itself as "unpretentious" and definitely delivers.

Photo via Google Maps

Verona Cafe

220 Edgewood Drive, Apopka
This Apopka spot offers simple pizzas, calzones, wings, subs, and pasta. The spot markets itself as “unpretentious” and delivers.

Cuban Sandwiches on the Run 2956 S. U.S. Highway 17-92, Casselberry Cuban Sandwiches on the Run is a much-beloved grab-and-go Casselberry spot serving up classic Cuban fare, like ropa vieja, pan con timba, bistec con chimichurri and way more.

Photo via Google Maps

Cuban Sandwiches on the Run

2956 S. U.S. Highway 17-92, Casselberry
Cuban Sandwiches on the Run is a much-beloved grab-and-go Casselberry spot serving up classic Cuban fare, like ropa vieja, pan con timba, bistec con chimichurri and way more.

PizzAmore 722 E. Fifth Ave., Mount Dora PizzAmore is a family-friendly eatery serving up speciality pies, Italian entrees, beer and wine in a casual, intimate Mount Dora outpost.

Photo via PizzAmore

PizzAmore

722 E. Fifth Ave., Mount Dora
PizzAmore is a family-friendly eatery serving up specialty pies, Italian entrees, beer, and wine in a casual, intimate Mount Dora outpost.

Neighbors Artisan Taqueria 112 W. Georgia Ave., DeLand Neighbors is known for its tacos, vegan options and house-made chips. The location is actual neighbors with Persimmon Hollow brewery, so guests can grab some food and then wash it down with a brew or two.

Photo via Neighbors Artisan Taqueria/Facebook

Neighbors Artisan Taqueria

112 W. Georgia Ave., DeLand
Neighbors is known for its tacos, vegan options, and house-made chips. The location is actually neighbors with Persimmon Hollow Brewery, so guests can grab some food and then wash it down with a brew or two.

La Fonda Mexican Kitchen 1155 W. State Road 434, Longwood La Fonda Mexican Kitchen serves up tons of authentic Mexican food like enchiladas, flautas, chile relleno and burritos at this Longwood location.

Image via Google Maps

La Fonda Mexican Kitchen

1155 W. State Road 434, Longwood
La Fonda Mexican Kitchen serves up tons of authentic Mexican food like enchiladas, flautas, chile relleno and burritos at this Longwood location.

Spanish River Grill 1518 S. Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach New Smyrna Beach's Spanish River Grill recently reopened, offering contemporary Latin cuisine and creative cocktails, all wrapped up in a vibrant setting.

Photo via Spanish River Grill/Facebook

Spanish River Grill

1518 S. Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach
New Smyrna Beach’s Spanish River Grill recently reopened, offering contemporary Latin cuisine and creative cocktails wrapped up in a vibrant setting.

Goblin Market Restaurant 330 Dora Drawdy Way, Mount Dora The Goblin Market has been serving the Mount Dora community since 1996, right in the heart of the town's historic downtown. The spot serves retro dishes like chicken avocado, a cashew chicken sandwich and a blackened pork plate.

Photo via Goblin Market/Facebook

Goblin Market Restaurant

Photo via Goblin Market/Facebook

Goblin Market Restaurant

330 Dora Drawdy Way, Mount Dora
The Goblin Market has been serving the Mount Dora community since 1996, right in the heart of the town’s historic downtown. The spot serves retro dishes like chicken avocado, a cashew chicken sandwich, and a blackened pork plate. an indoor artisan market featuring dozens of vendors and local fare plus organic, homemade goods all under one roof.

Magical Meat Boutique 322 Alexander St., Mount Dora Mount Dora's British-inspired pub mainstay, Magical Meat Boutique is a kitschy casual spot perfect for grabbing a pint, afternoon tea or some meaty eats. The spot also regularly offers live music on its outdoor patio.

Image via Google Maps

Magical Meat Boutique

322 Alexander St., Mount Dora
Mount Dora’s British-inspired pub mainstay, Magical Meat Boutique is a kitschy casual spot perfect for grabbing a pint, afternoon tea, or some meaty eats. The spot also regularly offers live music on its outdoor patio.

Shiraz Market 188 S. U.S. Highway 17-92, Longwood This Middle Eastern market has a selection of grocery items as well as traditional Mediterranean treats. Yelp reviewers and our own dining critic, Faiyaz Kara, have raved about Shiraz’s falafel, Turkish delight and baklava among many, many other eats.

Image via Google Maps

Shiraz Market

188 S. U.S. Highway 17-92, Longwood
This Middle Eastern market has a selection of grocery items as well as traditional Mediterranean treats. Yelp reviewers and our dining critic, Faiyaz Kara, have raved about Shiraz’s falafel, Turkish delight, and baklava among many, many other eats.

Mediterranean Street Food By Shishco 118 Lake Ave., Maitland This casual, quick-serve Mediterranean destination offers shish kebabs, gyros, falafel and more, plus a small patio for on-site dining.

Image via Google Maps

Mediterranean Street Food By Shishco

118 Lake Ave., Maitland
This casual, quick-serve Mediterranean destination offers shish kebabs, gyros, falafel and more, plus a small patio for on-site dining.

Aunt Gingibread's Bakery 409 S. Park Ave., Apopka Family-owned and hidden off the main drag of Park Avenue, Aunt Gingibread's sells homemade tarts, cupcakes and other sweets; treat yourself to some sugar.

Photo via Aunt Gingibread’s Bakery/Facebook

Aunt Gingibread’s Bakery

409 S. Park Ave., Apopka
Family-owned and hidden off the main drag of Park Avenue, Aunt Gingibread’s sells homemade tarts, cupcakes, and other sweets; treat yourself to some sugar.

Wondermade 214 E. First St., Sanford This dessert cafe might be known for their marshmallows, but the ice cream is nothing to scoff at. Wondermade serves up handcrafted ice cream, with all the classic flavors you love plus some wilder ones like avocado, maple bacon and cornbread, as well.

Photo via Wondermade

Wondermade

214 E. First St., Sanford
This dessert cafe might be known for its marshmallows, but the ice cream is nothing to scoff at. Wondermade serves up handcrafted ice cream, with all the classic flavors you love plus some wilder ones like avocado, maple bacon, and cornbread, as well.

Yellow Dog Eats 1236 Hempel Ave., Windermere Yellow Dog puts a little bit of a twist on Southern BBQ. Sure, you can go there to get ribs, but you would be missing out on their more original sandwiches and other off-script dishes.Try to make room for dessert (even though portions are huge) because their bakery is next-level.

Photo via Yellowdog Eats/Facebook

Yellow Dog Eats

1236 Hempel Ave., Windermere
Yellow Dog puts a little bit of a twist on Southern BBQ. Sure, you can go there to get ribs, but you would be missing out on their more original sandwiches and other off-script dishes. Try to make room for dessert (even though portions are huge) because their bakery is next-level.

Allyn Maycumber ERA Grizzard Realty Mount Dora Florida 32757 407-467-3862

Amaycumber@eragrizzard.com

https://weknowmountdora.com/

30 small town Central Florida restaurants worth a drive from Orlando

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