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 (811)

$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

Sheryl

Dined on Feb 26, 2025

Katya’s has made our anniversary special for the last five years. The food is second to none, absolutely outstanding! The chef makes a point to greet you and make sure your food is to your liking. The wait staff is attentive and personable. The ambiance in Katya’s is beautiful— just right for a night out. Highly recommend!

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 2 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 (1662)

$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

JayVIP

Dined 1 day ago

One of the consistently best for food quality and service of anywhere I go. Yes it’s expensive, but I never leave disappointed.

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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 5 days ago

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

Mojo Hogtown Bar-b-que

4.7

4.7 (10)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Gainesville

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

Bobh

Dined on Feb 28, 2025

Had a ribs and brisket combo. The ribs melted in you mouth and the brisket was tender and juicy. It was really nive having brisket thst wasn't over-cooked. The atmosphere was what you would expect at a college hangout, but eas not overly loud and could easily carry on a conversion. Would highly recommend.

Black Prong Bar & Grill

4.8

4.8 (234)

$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

Adam

Dined on Mar 2, 2025

Excellent overall experience...great food, great service, and great atmosphere.

La Cuisine French Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (2220)

$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

Matthew

Dined 2 days ago

Food and drinks were great and service was excellent!

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4.6

4.6 (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 2 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

OpenTable Diner

Dined 3 days ago

We had a great experience! Ian was our waiter. He was very courteous and accommodating. We ordered two fillets came out amazing with the mashed potatoes. We didn’t like so much and he returned them and got us the cream of spinach and that was phenomenal overall 10 out of 10. Love the great experience just wasn’t crazy about the mashed potatoes

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