Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Ocala / Gainesville

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Ocala / Gainesville? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Katya Vineyards

4.9

4.9 (789)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Ocala

About the restaurant

At Katya Vineyards we believe in the power of food to bring people together, create lasting memories, and celebrate the joy of shared moments. Every dish from Executive Chef Tony Deras is a labor of love and paired with our exquisite wine list and hand crafted cocktails.

Come experience the warmth of Katya Vineyards – where fine dining meets familial embrace.

Top review

Bill

Dined 4 days ago

Applaud what they are doing here, it’s very special. Their attention to customers is excellent. The food was nice, good flavors, and everything plated looked amazing. The ambiance was spectacular! This is a great special occasion place. Truly joyful and will return.

Remington's Prime Steakhouse

4.8

4.8 (274)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Ocala

About the restaurant

Prime Steak, Fresh seafoods , Bison Burgers and so much more. Fine dining with a Montana feel.

Top review

Dion

Dined 2 days ago

Food was perfectly prepared and the service was really good. Also had a nice wine list. Excellent restaurant, nice to see a good place on this side of Ocala. We both did seafood dishes and they were amazing.

La Cuisine French Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (2171)

$31 to $50

French

Ocala

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of beautiful downtown Ocala, La Cuisine offers an authentic selection of bistro dishes drawn from the various regions of France.
Our award-winning menu focuses on unprocessed ingredients. We use local, grass-fed, antibiotic free meat and poultry when available.
Everything you taste at La Cuisine is homemade and well portioned as if you were invited to our grandmother's table.

Top review

Connie

Dined 4 days ago

Our food was absolutely delicious and the service sublime. We wished we hadn't eaten so much because we had no room for dessert. We will go back to La Cuisine at our next "special" dinner opportunity.

Discover more

Mildreds Big City Food

4.7

4.7 (648)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Gainesville

About the restaurant

We are North Central Florida's farm-to-table, local, sustainable foods restaurant. Operated by Bert and Tara Gill, Mildred's offers a seasonally changing menu highlighting what is available locally.

Offering quality and freshness with no shortcuts, our team prepares each dish from scratch.

We serve local produce and fresh Florida seafood every day. We also feature a full bar, an award winning wine list and homemade cakes and cheesecakes.

Mildred's is proud to say we serve Gainesville's best food! We are also in the Golden Spoon Hall of Fame for our dedication to great food and service year after year.

Reservations for lunch are not necessary.

Top review

Sharon

Dined 5 days ago

Awesome as always - great service & wonderful dishes.

Sensei Asian Bistro

4.7

4.7 (220)

$50 and over

Contemporary Asian

Gainesville

About the restaurant

Sensei Asian Bistro unites classic along with modern Asian elements in a sophisticated, contemporary setting.

Right across street from Regal Cinemas in Celebration Pointe!
Indoor and outdoor patio (covered) seating available.

Give us any detail you are comfortable with for your special occasion! (Names, # of yrs for anniversary, Birthday, etc.) We love to make your day personal and memorable.

Top review

Olivia

Dined on 6 Dec 2024

Very beautiful setting. Did chef tasting menu and everything was high quality and varied. The cost is high. It is great food but it is still a high cost. Good service and feels intimate. All drinks are expensive too but similarly very good. Good for a special occasion.

Black Prong Bar & Grill

4.7

4.7 (201)

$31 to $50

American

Gainesville

About the restaurant

Featuring a full bar, lite bites, and select entrees, the Black Prong Bar & Grill welcomes you to grab a cocktail, settle into our lounge area, and catch up with friends.

Top review

BrianVIP

Dined on 28 Nov 2024

Thanksgiving Dinner was really fantastic! The food was prepared well and presented really nicely. I thought all the staff was super friendly and made the evening enjoyable and for sure memorable. I would love to do this again. The bar service was great as well.

Elevation89

4.6

4.6 (22)

$30 and under

American

Ocala

About the restaurant

If you’re looking for a dining experience offering both excellent food and gorgeous table-side views, consider Elevation 89 At The Ocala Airport. Elevation 89 features American Cuisine in a unique atmosphere overlooking the runway and featuring nightly views of spectacular sunsets. The name of the 150-seat restaurant, established in 2021, references the pilot call signal for the Ocala airfield—which is itself based on the airport’s elevation at 89 feet above sea level.

Top review

robert

Dined on 30 Nov 2024

shrimp and grits was amazing. short ribs melt in your mouth.

Wolfgang Puck Kitchen + Bar, The Brownwood Hotel & Spa

4.4

4.4 (1512)

$30 and under

American

Ocala

About the restaurant

The Brownwood Hotel & Spa offers one of the most recognized names in the culinary world, Chef Wolfgang Puck. Enjoy his unique twist on an American bar and grill with global-inspired cuisine and a lively atmosphere just around the corner from Brownwood Paddock Square. Pop in for a casual lunch, take items to-go, join us for a delectable brunch* experience, or linger for dinner. At Wolfgang Puck Kitchen + Bar, you can choose indoor or outdoor patio seating. Plus, we accommodate larger parties with two private event spaces.

Happy hour offered daily at the bar only from 3 to 5pm
*Brunch is offered on Saturday & Sundays only

Top review

Kathryn

Dined 2 days ago

We had an amazing time at Wolfgang’s on Friday night. Michelle was our server and was very professional and friendly. Not to mention extremely knowledgeable about their menu. The food was incredible as was the atmosphere.

Discover more

Popular dish

Pork Schnitzel

Experience

Up Close & Personal Tasting @ the Chef's Table

Bahama Breeze - Gainesville

4.3

4.3 (251)

$30 and under

Caribbean

Gainesville

About the restaurant

When you're at Bahama Breeze Island Grille, life's one big party. It's an escape from the ordinary and a much-needed excuse for you to let loose. Famous since 1996 for tropical cocktails, live music, and more, the vibe here is always as amazing as that Caribbean-inspired food we're known for. Bahama Breeze offers your favorites: seafood, salads, chicken-all with island flair. From Jerk Chicken Pasta to Seafood Paella, you can enjoy the islands one taste at a time, discovering new flavors along the way. Naturally, we're the perfect spot for all the sunniest moments in life: happy hours with friends, anniversaries, birthdays, date nights and unique culinary experiences. So, when you're ready to raise your glass and move your feet, the party's in full swing and the islands are waiting for you or if you'd rather bring the Island party home, online ordering is a Breeze too!

Top review

Charles

Dined on 23 Nov 2024

Great service, friendly staff, courteous managers. The food was tasty!

18 South

4.2

4.2 (32)

$50 and over

Oyster Bar

Ocala

About the restaurant

18 South is a dining experience with menu items from all over the world. Taste oysters from cold Atlantic/Pacific regions, caviar from Russia, king crab from Norway, and A5 Waygu from Japan's finest cattle. Our spirits and wine list is A+. Our dining atmosphere is a modern look from an 1895 restored building that looks over Ocala's town square. Sit and relax while our player Steinway piano plays for you; and enjoy.

Top review

Carol

Dined on 8 Dec 2024

Everyone was very nice, intimate atmosphere, food was very good. We will be back.

Explore Diners' Choice best of Ocala / Gainesville

Explore more Diners' Choice lists