Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Ocala / Gainesville

OpenTable

Updated March 05, 2025

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

Katya Vineyards

4.8

4.8 (812)

$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

JeanetteB

Dined 3 days ago

I love Katya. I am never disappointed when dining in this beautiful restaurant. The owners are always present and interact with their guests. I’m happy to have this restaurant for special occasions or just to stop in!

Mildreds Big City Food

4.7

4.7 (657)

$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

Eric

Dined on Feb 25, 2025

Lovely, upscale atmosphere with a retro vibe. Outstanding service, attentive and friendly but unobtrusive. The food was excellent. We chose the prix fixe menu and the starters and mains were our favorites (snapper and quail). Cocktails were also excellent. We've found our new special dinner place in Gainesville!

Sensei Asian Bistro

4.8

4.8 (236)

$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

Melissa

Dined 5 days ago

Fabulous meal. It was our first time there and we will for sure be back. If you can, request Liam as your server. He’s funny, super knowledgeable, and we were never without drinks. He was the perfect mix of - there when we needed him but not overbearing. 10/10 experience!

Stirrups at World Equestrian Center

4.8

4.8 (1665)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Ocala

About the restaurant

Prime steaks and chops, sustainable Florida seafood and seasonal specialties are served in a refined dining room with elevated service. Stirrups offers an extensive wine cellar to complement your menu selections.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 1 day ago

No wait; table was ready as reserved. Greeted professionally and politely by everyone we saw. Server Laura was prompt and knew her stuff! Offered opinion on various dishes and suggested pairings. Bread service was an event all by itself. Laura kept bringing us “little surprises” from the kitchen to try. Appetizers, mains, sides, and desserts all generously portioned. Truly memorable and highly recommended for any occasion.

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Blue Gill Quality Foods

4.7

4.7 (24)

$30 and under

Seafood

Gainesville

About the restaurant

One of three successful businesses owned by the Gills, our mission is the same as our sister restaurants: to serve fresh, delicious food made from the best local ingredients. Our gorgeous copper-top bar and spacious dining area make Blue Gill a great place for friends, family, and large parties to enjoy food inspired by southern-style cooking.

So come sample our great tasting combinations of food and spirits in a casual, fun atmosphere.

Top review

Geoffrey

Dined on Mar 6, 2025

Great food, service and atmosphere. It’s one of our favorite places to go.

Mojo Hogtown Bar-b-que

4.7

4.7 (11)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Gainesville

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

LissaGVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Tasty but some meat items were served cold. Sides were plentiful and a good variety.

Black Prong Bar & Grill

4.8

4.8 (235)

$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

Shari

Dined 1 day ago

The menu options were varied and excellent. I enjoyed the lobster ravioli and my spouse had short ribs. We shared a Cesar salad. It was my birthday so I had a choice of any dessert so we shared the large brownie w ice cream that had a broken up chocolate chip cookie sprinkled on it. Yum!! Tables are spaced apart for privacy. There was an excellent jazz and blues singer performing. Excellent ambiance. It was very relaxing. The staff was well trained so a 5 star rating for service.

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Experience

Live Music at the Bar & Grill- Stephen Lopez

Experience

Live Music at the Bar & Grill- KennaDee

Experience

Live Music at the Bar & Grill- Charity Cox

La Cuisine French Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (2222)

$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

Kathleen

Dined 3 days ago

Great choice for a special occasion. Pricey, but worth it. Exceptional service. Our server Kyle was friendly, attentive but didn’t hover! Highly recommend.

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4.7

4.7 (919)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Gainesville

About the restaurant

* Gift cards received or purchased before November 2022 through Aloha are no longer valid *
Prime & Pearl is a sublime, delightfully original chophouse in Gainesville, Florida that believes unexpected, flavorful pairings lead to something magical. From steaks, dry-aged for 35 days to uniquely crafted cocktails, dining at Prime & Pearl is an experience. One you won’t soon forget.

Our focus is on bringing things together—often unexpected things—to make something creative and authentic. We believe a sense of wonder is an integral part of every memorable dining experience in our space.

Enjoy a local, hand-selected 25-ounce Porterhouse ribeye perfectly dry-aged on-site. Taste an array of oysters from our own gulf waters up to the shores of New England and Canada. Choose a unique steak knife that reflects your personality. Quench your thirst for originality with a personalized Prime & Pearl Bourbon or Whiskey. Whatever you do, don’t eat ordinary.

Top review

Dined 5 days ago

I chose Prime & Pearl to take clients as a way to show my appreciation for their business and it was the icing on the cake! We all agreed the food, service and ambience were top notch. Highly recommend.

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Mark's Prime Steak House - Ocala

4.7

4.7 (2797)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Ocala

About the restaurant

Marks Prime Steakhouse has a goal to create a unique dining experience that will please the palate and soothe the soul. We serve the finest beef, freshest seafood, premium wines and naturally fresh vegetables. We hope to see you soon.

Top review

RandyS

Dined 2 days ago

Wonderful experience, our first time at the restaurant, will definitely return

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