The 7 Best Restaurants in Downtown Ocala, Florida

I am not much of a city girl, but historic downtown Ocala piqued my interest. As I wandered around Brick City (Ocala’s nickname), I discovered an atmosphere filled with history, art, music, boutiques, and a variety of eateries.

It wasn’t always this way. Initially, the Civil War decreased the population and business. The town was destroyed by a fire on Thanksgiving Day in 1883. Thankfully, the town center came back strong brick by brick. It was rebuilt using fire-resistant materials instead of lumber and (you guessed it) bricks. Brick City is alive and thriving today.

Put on your walking shoes and take a stroll with me as I introduce you to my favorite eateries.

The 7 Best Restaurants in Downtown Ocala, Florida

Mellow Mushroom

2 W Fort King St, Ocala, FL 34471 // 352-421-5098

It all started with three college students who envisioned serving the best stone-baked pizza, which has mushroomed into a psychedelic-inspired design and culture.

Premium pizza is served here. The dough and unique flavors are sure to satisfy your taste buds. Mellow Mushroom in downtown Ocala was created based on an essential ingredient: history. Not only do they deliver a customized pizza, but you also get a distinctive experience.

There are a variety of stone-baked pizzas made with a Classic Mellow crust basted with garlic butter and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. You can build your own, or here are a couple of suggestions.

The House Special pizza is popular with red sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, Italian sausage, ground beef, honey ham, applewood-smoked bacon, black olives, sliced mushrooms, Roma tomatoes, green peppers, sweet onions, and more mozzarella.

Or, Holy Shiitake is another favorite pizza choice. This one has olive oil and a garlic base with roasted shiitake, button and portobello mushrooms, mozzarella, caramelized onions, Wisconsin Aged White Cheddar cheese, fresh chives, shaved Parmesan, garlic aioli swirl, and a spritz of black truffle oil.

Is your head swirling yet?

Land on Cloud9 when you add wings to your order. You’ll be flying high when you taste these crispy, saucy Cloud9 wings coated in a rich garlic Parmesan sauce.

They offer vegan and gluten-free options, burgers, hoagies, and sweet treats to complete your meal.

District Bar & Kitchen

110 SW Broadway St, Ocala, FL 34471 // 352-579-2222

A 100-year-old building once stood here, housing the popular rooftop Pi bar and restaurant. A new building stands in its place where you can enjoy the spectacular sunset from the second-floor terrace at the District Bar & Kitchen, which is accessible by stairs or elevator. Here are more reasons why it’s one of the best restaurants in Downtown Ocala.

I enjoyed the view, especially of the mural on the Brick City Center for the Arts building, which houses the work of local artists. The downtown atmosphere sets the mood and provides food and drinks curated by their well-renowned chef.

Awe, snap. The menu has a Ginger Snap cocktail made with No. 3 gin, spiced pear liqueur, apple cider, and ginger beer. Ginger always spices things up. There are plenty of beer and wine to choose from as well.

Start with an appetizer or make it a meal. If you are a fan of corned beef, order the Reuben Egg Rolls with smoked corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing. Maybe Grouper Tacos is your jam. This selection combines blackened grouper, street corn, Cotija cheese, pickled red onion, wasabi avocado crème, lime, and cilantro served in a flour tortilla.

The dessert will get your toes tapping along with the live music. It was a toss-up between the Southern Pecan Pie with whole halved pecans and Karo syrup filling or the Cappuccino Mousse Pie. I better get up and dance to work off all that fabulous food.

Big Hammock Brewery & Bites

103 SE 1st Ave, Ocala, FL 34471 // 352-877-8176

Here is a fun fact: this brewery won a Beatification Award from the Historic Ocala Preservation Society for the revitalization of their building.

An Asian-inspired menu includes dishes such as Ramen bowls, Pot Stickers, and Bao Buns. When I go to a pub, I like to share an order of hot pretzels with beer cheese.

I sipped a satisfying sample of the pineapple cider. For beer lovers, they have twelve taps of their own brews and guest craft beers.

Another party raved about the Bao buns with tender chicken, the rice bowl, and the ramen with pork belly. I am not a ramen noodle fan, but pass me some pork belly, please. I recommend the Philly cheese steak or pressed pork sandwich if you prefer American pub food.

Experience a worldly taste in one of the best restaurants in Downtown Ocala.

Brick City Southern Kitchen & Whiskey Bar

10 S Magnolia Avenue, Ocala, FL, United States, 34471 // 352-512-9458

This barbeque heaven is a family-friendly and pet-friendly place that offers outdoor seating and live music.

Look, smell, drink, taste, and enjoy the experience. No wonder it’s one of the best restaurants in Downtown Ocala.

You can’t go wrong with the Kansas City Burnt Ends or the Pit-Smoked Chicken Wings for appetizers. When it comes to barbecue, you may as well get The Whole Hawg, which is a feast of pork, beef, turkey, chicken, ribs, sausage, and four sides.

Chicken Wings at Brick City Southern Kitchen & Whiskey Bar

BBQ Pit Beans and Collard Greens are my favorites. Other side choices are mac and cheese, garlic cheddar grits, creamy coleslaw, or sweet potato mash. Decisions, decisions. Whatever you decide will pair well with your meal. What a great deal!

Other non-barbeque options include Grilled Salmon or Shrimp and Grits sauteed with chopped bacon, smoked tomatoes, mushrooms, and caramelized onions over garlic cheddar grits.

If you have room in your belly, indulge in the homemade banana pudding dessert. My grandpa always said a meal isn’t complete without dessert.

Sayulita Taqueria

10 NE 1st St, Ocala, FL 34470 // 352-629-4700

Walk into a welcoming and laid-back atmosphere at Sayulita Taqueria. Quench your thirst with a margarita, tequila, or beer. Get an appetizer for the table. Fresh-made guacamole, signature salsa with homemade chips, or nachos are popular starters.

Surf the menu and find tacos ranging from taco 101, an avocado taco, shrimp, malibu, and cowboy tacos. Each one has unique flavors. If you rather have a burrito or Quesadilla, you’re in luck. Order up.

Serve me some salsa, guac, and a Quesadilla and I’m happy. What’s your favorite Mexican food? When you visit downtown Ocala, they’ll take care of you.

Ocala Downtown Diner

816 South Magnolia Ave, Ocala, FL 34471 // 352-816-0022

Celebrate the revival and renovations of historic downtown Ocala when you walk into this charming retro diner. Enter an atmosphere that stirs sentimental nostalgia and stimulates all the senses. Oh, happy day. Enjoy your stay. They serve breakfast and lunch all day.

The foodie features on this menu are packed with diner-goer favorites. Shake it up with a creamy, cold milkshake, juicy burger, and crispy fries. Before making my final decision, I look at the daily specials to see what appeals to my foodie mood on that day.

This diner expanded and diversified its dishes to cater to a wider range of clientele. A vegan and plant-based menu is now available. Did you know you can order a vegan milkshake? Vegan options to ponder are a jackfruit barbeque sandwich or a tofu scramble.

Whether you choose a familiar, classic item or something more innovative, be assured that fresh, high-quality ingredients are used to create every dish.

It feels like home in this friendly, welcoming environment. It’s definitely one of the best restaurants in Downtown Ocala.

Ocala’s Chocolates & Confections

104 E Fort King Street Ocala, Florida 34471 // 352-789-6882

I don’t know about you, but chocolate can be a meal all by itself. Their handmade chocolates come in many flavors.

My first choice is the dark raspberry truffle. When my mom and I would travel, she enjoyed the chocolate fudge, and we would bring grandpa some maple walnut fudge. Add in some fruit and get some chocolate-covered strawberries. That qualifies for a meal, right?

Dark Raspberry Truffle at Ocala's Chocolates & Confections

They also have over 30 flavors of ice cream. Let me tease you with a few options: Raspberry Truffle, Rainbow Sherbert, Butter Pecan, Pistachio, German Chocolate, Mexican Hot Chocolate, Mint Chip Special, Cookies ‘n Cream, or Strawberry.

I’m with Helen Keller on this one, “Life is short and unpredictable. Eat the dessert first.”

WRAP UP: Restaurants in Downtown Ocala

My adventure around the best restaurants in Downtown Ocala not only filled up my belly but also filled my soul with the sights and sounds all around. The walkable city sidewalks are embedded with bronze plaques honoring the equine heritage. It’s called the Walk of Champions. The plagues I got to see were Silver Charm, Skip Away, Holy Bull, and Affirmed, all Hall of Fame Champion Thoroughbred Racehorses.

Another encounter I was hoping for was seeing John Travolta, Marion County’s beloved celebrity Ocala, Florida resident. The locals say he occasionally roams among them and dines downtown when he’s not flying around in his private jet. I didn’t get to meet him this time. I did enjoy the whole experience of history, food, music, and sunshine in the Horse Capital of the World. Until next time, Marion County, Ocala.

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