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20 best independent restaurants near The Villages, Florida: highly rated local favorites worth the drive

THE VILLAGES, FL (352Today.com) – The 352 is about to see its first frosty November temperatures this week. Locals are bracing for lows in the 40s, chilly by Florida standards, while our snowbird friends are already in place. For them, winter is an event, and they come here for it.

The Villages, FL · 1d
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Gary Smith

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Citrus County, Florida, Restaurants With The Most Violations in October 2026

State records showed that the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation conducted restaurant inspections at 49 Citrus County eateries in the last 30 days, and the results give local diners plenty to chew on. Thirty-nine restaurants passed on their first visit, while 10 failed to meet standards initially. Some of those spots needed follow-up inspections before they could keep serving food.

Citrus County, FL · 19h
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Daily Commercial

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10 Lake County restaurants cited for high-priority violations

You can use the database to search by county or by restaurant name . Florida's restaurant owners are not required to post restaurant inspection results where guests can see them. So every week, we provide that information for you. For a complete list of local restaurant inspections, including violations not requiring warnings or administrative action, visit our Lake County restaurant inspections site . Here's the breakdown for recent health inspections in Lake County, Florida, for the week of Oct. 26-Nov. 1, 2026. Please note that some more recent, follow-up inspections may not be included here. Disclaimer: The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation describes an inspection report as a 'snapshot' of conditions present at the time of the inspection. On any given day, an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in their most recent inspection. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term conditions at the establishment. For full restaurant inspection details, visit our Lake County restaurant inspection site . Which Lake County restaurants got perfect scores on their health inspections? These restaurants met all standards during their Oct. 26-Nov. 1 inspections and no violations were found. Casa Daza

Lake County, FL · 8d

click orlando

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ROACHES, RODENTS & MORE: Six Central Florida eateries shut down over health problems

ORLANDO, Fla. – Last week, six more Central Florida eateries were forced to shut down (at least temporarily) after a visit from a health inspector, according to state records. These records show the reported eateries experienced violations like rodent droppings, roaches, and storage issues, among others. Nearly all of...

Orlando, FL · 21h
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Daily Commercial

partner publisher · 10.0K followers

Lake County restaurant first to fetch Michelin Guide recognition

Did you know that 1921 Mount Dora, beloved for its "modern Florida cuisine," is an official Michelin Guide-recommended and selected restaurant ? It's a first for Lake County cuisine. The downtown Mount Dora hub for contemporary cuisine has been recognized for quality cooking and a farm-to-table focus. Celebrity Chef Norman Van Aken helped launch 1921 Mount Dora — named after the year the historic home housing the restaurant was built — about a decade ago and set a high bar for the future success before his 2018 departure. The restaurant's staff and culinary team played major roles in its recent recognition. Longtime manager Adam Crane's career in hospitality started early and has taken him to some of Central Florida’s most acclaimed dining rooms before joining 1921 Mount Dora — including The Ravenous Pig, Prato and Luma on Park. He's a UCF Rosen College alumnus and Certified Sommelier. Trained at Le Cordon Bleu Orlando, Executive Chef Brenton Hillman , builds menus around the freshest local ingredients — working hand-in-hand with regional farmers such as Sugar Top Farms in Clermont and Far Reach Ranch in Tavares and many others to curate what he deems the best seafood, produce and meats and proteins

Lake County, FL · 13d

familydestinationsguide.com

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You’ll Fall In Love With The Down-Home Breakfast At This Hidden Florida Diner

Some mornings, the universe decides to do you a favor, and on those mornings, it points you toward a little red building in Ocklawaha, Florida, called Duck’s Dam Diner. If you’ve never heard of it, that’s about to change, and your breakfast routine will never quite recover.

Ocklawaha, FL · 4d

ocala-news.com

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Dog the Bounty Hunter has made Ocala his new home

Duane Chapman, who is best known as “Dog the Bounty Hunter,” has officially relocated to Ocala, becoming the city’s newest celebrity resident. Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano confirmed Chapman’s residency on Monday, Nov. 9, after hosting the television personality and his wife, Francie Chapman, at his office.

Ocala, FL · 1d

Gary Smith

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Pasco County, Florida, Restaurants With the Most Health Violations in October 2026

Green Tea in Port Richey topped the October 2026 restaurant inspection list with 29 violations, while Joeys Pizza in New Port Richey and Golden Corral in Zephyrhills temporarily closed before receiving clearance to reopen.

Pasco County, FL · 3d

familydestinationsguide.com

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You’ll Happily Drive Across Florida For The Incredible Steaks At This Remote Restaurant

Somewhere in Lake County, Florida, there’s a restaurant with a cow-print sign, a wooden cowboy standing in the dining room, and a parking lot full of pickup trucks that belong to people who drove a significant distance and would do it again without being asked. That restaurant is the...

Florida · 9d

villages-news.com

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Inspector busts Cody’s for serving ‘Gulf’ shrimp from India and ‘Maryland’ crab from China

An inspector found something fishy on the menu at Cody’s Original Roadhouse in The Villages after discovering the restaurant’s regional seafood specialties were actually being shipped in from across the globe. The restaurant located in Brownwood was hit with an administrative complaint following an inspection this week prompted...

The Villages, FL · 13d

fastfoodclub.com

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Along The Withlacoochee, Stumpknockers Has Been Frying Catfish The Same Way Since The 1960s

Some Florida restaurants chase trends. Others stay put beside a river and let the trends drive right past them on the highway. In Dunnellon, a small town known for clear springs and slow water, there is a riverside spot where the catfish plate has been a steady habit for generations of local families. People drive an hour or more to get there, and some come back the very next day for dessert.

Dunnellon, FL · 1d

Gary Smith

user · 33.5K followers

Marion County, FL, Restaurants with the Most Violations in October 2026

If you ate out in Marion County, Florida, this past October, you will want to know which kitchens had the most trouble during their recent restaurant inspection. State records showed that the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation conducted inspections at 105 restaurants in Marion County in the last 30 days. The good news is that 64 establishments passed on their first visit. The bad news is that 41 restaurants failed to meet standards initially, with some requiring follow-up inspections before meeting food-serving standards.

Marion County, FL · 10d

villages-news.com

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Large gator struts across golf course next to The Villages

Several local golfers were treated to a surprise visitor during their round last week after a 12-foot alligator strutted its way across a golf course fairway next to The Villages. Villages-News.com obtained exclusive photos of the large alligator, as well as a half dozen other smaller alligators, that were spotted...

Leesburg, FL · 16h

villages-news.com

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New Walmart in The Villages nearly complete

Construction is nearing completion on the newest Walmart Neighborhood Market in The Villages, which will be the third local store addition by the big-box retailer this year. The new Walmart is situated on a 9.26-acre parcel at 16625 SE 91st Phillips Court, behind the Mulberry Grove Plaza and in front of the Phillips Villas.

The Villages, FL · 6d

leesburg-news.com

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Inspector finds live insects at seafood restaurant at Lake Harris Square

An inspector found numerous live insects during a visit to a seafood restaurant in Leesburg. Four to five small bugs flew by a three-compartment sink during an inspection at the Seafood Shack, located at 27405 U.S. Hwy. 27 Ste. 121, Leesburg, on Thursday, Oct. 15, according to a report on file with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Leesburg, FL · 13d

West Orlando News

partner publisher · 5.5K followers

Central Florida Woman Won $5 Million Prize from Scratch-Off Game

A Central Florida woman won a $5 million prize from a scratch-off game. The post Central Florida Woman Won $5 Million Prize from Scratch-Off Game appeared first on West Orlando News .

Florida · 3d

villages-news.com

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Philly Pretzel Factory coming to shopping plaza in The Villages

Here’s big news for those who hail from the City of Brotherly Love: A Philly Pretzel Factory is coming to a shopping plaza in The Villages. The new eatery will be located at Rolling Acres Plaza in the Lady Lake portion of The Villages. The Lady Lake Building Department...

The Villages, FL · 5d

Cultivated Comfort

partner publisher · 80.9K followers

Couple Waits Through Long Lines At Salt Shack In Clermont On Earlier Visits, Then Finally Eats There And Finds The Key Lime Pie Outshines The Sides

A restaurant with a line out the door is either a great sign or a great...

Clermont, FL · 1d

352today.com

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Lake County Shelter launches Pets for Vets adoption promotion

LAKE COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – The Lake County Animal Shelter will honor veterans this Veterans Day with its Pets for Vets promotion, waiving adoption fees for veterans from Nov. 12-30, 2026. The promotion encourages veterans to visit the shelter, meet adoptable pets, and find a new best friend to share life’s adventures.

Lake County, FL · 2d

The Coconut Mama

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Chicken wing chain permanently closes Florida restaurant after failed health inspections

A Florida sports bar and restaurant has permanently shut its doors after a series of health inspections raised concerns about its operations. The closure ends the restaurant’s run in Ocala…

Ocala, FL · 4d