🍽️ Flavor of the Horse Capital: 14 Iconic Ocala Dishes Every Local Should Try at Least Once
From legendary BBQ to French classics and Mediterranean comfort, these are the flavors that define Ocala’s local food culture.
🐴 Ocala’s Culinary Identity, One Plate at a Time
When locals talk about Ocala’s food scene, they don’t talk about trends — they talk about dishes.
The meals you crave on Friday nights.
The plates you recommend to friends.
The recipes that feel like home.
This guide celebrates the 14 most iconic dishes in Ocala — meals that locals line up for, rave about, and keep coming back to. From slow-smoked BBQ to European fine dining, from Mediterranean feasts to Cajun comfort, these are the flavors that shape Ocala’s identity.
Let’s eat.
🔥 1. Big Lee’s – Serious About BBQ
Iconic Dish: Brisket Plate (or Ribs)
ODB: https://ocalabusinessdirectory.com/business/big-lees-serious-about-bbq/
Website: https://www.mybigleesbbq.com/
If Ocala had a BBQ king, Big Lee’s would wear the crown.
Nationally recognized by Food Network and praised by Guy Fieri, Big Lee’s brisket is legendary — smoky, tender, perfectly barked, and cooked low and slow until it practically melts.
“Big Lee’s brisket isn’t just good — it’s a rite of passage for Ocala locals.”
🌶️ 2. Latinos Y Más
Iconic Dish: Cilantro Cream Sauce + Latino Steak
ODB: https://ocalabusinessdirectory.com/business/latinos-y-mas/
Website: https://www.latinosymas.com/
Ask any longtime Ocala resident and they will tell you: the cilantro cream sauce at Latinos Y Más is unforgettable.
Smooth, bright, herby, and silky, it pairs beautifully with the famous Latino Steak — a tender, flavor-packed favorite that keeps locals coming back year after year.
🍤 3. Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille
Iconic Dish: New Orleans–Style Shrimp & Grits
ODB: https://ocalabusinessdirectory.com/business/harrys-seafoodbar-grille/
Website: https://hookedonharrys.com/
Harry’s shrimp & grits may be the most famous Southern dish in downtown Ocala.
Creamy stone-ground grits, tender blackened shrimp, rich Tasso ham cream sauce — every bite tastes like it came straight from the French Quarter.
Add the romantic courtyard atmosphere and you’ve got a local classic.
4. La Cuisine French Restaurant
Iconic Dish: Duck Confit (or French Onion Soup)
ODB: https://ocalabusinessdirectory.com/business/la-cuisine-restaurant/
Website: https://lacuisineocala.com/
La Cuisine doesn’t just serve French cuisine — it honors it.
The Duck Confit is the star: slow-cooked, perfectly crisped, rich, tender, and plated with artistry. But many locals will swear the French Onion Soup is equally iconic.
Both dishes bring a touch of Paris right into downtown Ocala.
🥩 5. The Fiery Chef Steakhouse
Iconic Dish: Tomahawk Ribeye
ODB: https://ocalabusinessdirectory.com/business/the-fiery-chef/
Website: https://www.thefierychef.com/
A feast for both the eyes and the appetite, the Fiery Chef’s Tomahawk Ribeye is an experience.
Charred to perfection, seasoned with house blends, and served on a dramatic presentation board, it’s the kind of dish couples order to celebrate something special.
Discover More Local Gems
Take your exploration of Ocala’s thriving small‑business scene to the next level. Dive into our directory to uncover more hidden treasures and neighborhood favorites across every industry—from home services and entertainment to health, beauty and dining.
For business owners: Your potential customers are looking for you right now. Listing your business on Ocala Business Directory is free and easy, and it puts your brand in front of thousands of locals searching for trusted providers just like you.
🍝 6. Mesa de Notte
Iconic Dish: Homemade Lasagna or Seafood Risotto
ODB: https://ocalabusinessdirectory.com/business/mesa-de-notte/
Website: https://www.mesaocala.com/
If Ocala ever crowned a pasta champion, Mesa de Notte would take the title.
The Homemade Lasagna is deep, decadent, layered with love, and cooked from scratch. The Seafood Risotto, creamy and filled with fresh seafood, is equally adored.
“Mesa de Notte is where Ocala goes for true Italian comfort.”
🍕 7. Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza
Iconic Dish: Stone-Fired Margherita Pizza
ODB: https://ocalabusinessdirectory.com/business/piesanos-stone-fired-pizza/
Website: https://piesanospizza.com/
Ocala has plenty of pizza spots — but Piesanos’ stone-fired Margherita stands above the rest.
Fresh basil, San Marzano-style tomato sauce, molten mozzarella, and a perfectly blistered crust baked in a granite stone oven. Simple, elegant, irresistible.
🍛 8. Amrit Palace Indian Restaurant
Iconic Dish: Butter Chicken
ODB: https://ocalabusinessdirectory.com/business/amrit-palace/
Website: http://amritpalace.com/
For decades, Amrit Palace has been synonymous with Indian cuisine in Ocala.
Their Butter Chicken — velvety, aromatic, rich with spices and tomato cream — is one of the most beloved international dishes in the city. Paired with fresh naan, it’s perfection.
🥙 9. Feta Mediterranean Cuisine
Iconic Dish: Lamb Kebab Plate
ODB: None
Website: https://www.facebook.com/FetaCuisine/
A local hidden gem serving vibrant Mediterranean plates, Feta is best known for its Lamb Kebabs — tender, seasoned, grilled beautifully, and served with warm pita and fresh sides.
This small, cozy restaurant has earned major local loyalty.
🥯 10. Bagelicious Deli & Bakery
Iconic Dish: Bacon, Egg & Cheese on an Everything Bagel
ODB: https://ocalabusinessdirectory.com/business/bagelicious-deli-bakery/
Website: https://www.facebook.com/p/Bagelicious-Deli-Bakery-100063736895472/
New York–style bagels in Ocala? Yes — and Bagelicious nails it.
Their bacon, egg & cheese on an everything bagel is a local breakfast icon: hearty, comforting, and made with fresh, hand-rolled, boiled, and baked bagels.
Stay Connected to Ocala’s Local Scene
Want to discover even more hidden gems, local businesses, and unique experiences around Ocala?
The Ocala Business Directory is your trusted guide to the places that make our city special.
If you’re a business owner or host local events, get listed and reach thousands of Ocala residents and visitors.
🍳 11. The Brunch House
Iconic Dish: Banana Nut French Toast
ODB: https://ocalabusinessdirectory.com/business/the-brunch-house-restaurant/
Website: None
Comfort-food royalty.
The Banana Nut French Toast is a brunch masterpiece — thick slices, caramelized edges, warm banana, toasted pecans, and powdered sugar. Locals swear by it.
🍤 12. Ivy on the Square
Iconic Dish: Southern Shrimp & Grits
ODB: https://ocalabusinessdirectory.com/business/ivy-on-the-square/
Website: https://www.ivyhousefl.com/
Classic Southern comfort with upscale flair.
Ivy’s Shrimp & Grits is creamy, soulful, and beautifully seasoned — a dish that has earned a permanent place in Ocala’s culinary identity.
🍔 13. Mojo’s Grill
Iconic Dish: The Mojo Burger
ODB: https://ocalabusinessdirectory.com/business/mojos-food-music-soul/
Website: https://mojosgrill.com/
Mojo’s is known for fun vibes and bold flavors — and nothing defines that better than the Mojo Burger.
Huge, juicy, stacked, and packed with personality, it’s a bucket-list burger for anyone exploring Ocala’s local food scene.
🥐 14. Stella’s Modern Pantry
Iconic Dish: European Pastry Board
ODB: https://ocalabusinessdirectory.com/business/stellas-modern-pantry/
Website: https://www.facebook.com/stellasmodernpantry/
A downtown favorite, Stella’s European pastry board feels like a charming corner of Paris or Barcelona.
Croissants, European butter, fruit spreads, artisan cheeses, tarts, fresh bread — it’s delicate, beautiful, and wildly delicious.
⭐ The Dishes That Tell Ocala’s Story
Every dish on this list carries a piece of Ocala’s character — the smoky depth of local BBQ, the elegance of French classics, the comfort of Southern cooking, the vibrancy of Latin flavors, and the warmth of Mediterranean hospitality.
These are the meals shared at birthdays, anniversaries, Sunday lunches, and long-awaited nights out. They’re the foods we crave, the ones we tell visiting friends about, and the ones that keep us connected to the city we call home. In every bite, there’s a story — and together, they create the flavor of the Horse Capital.
❤️ Discover More of Ocala’s Most Loved Places
Hungry for more Ocala favorites?From hidden gems to long-loved local icons, the Ocala Business Directory helps you explore the restaurants, cafés, bakeries, and eateries that shape our community. Whether you’re planning your next date night, brunch outing, or weekend food adventure, your next delicious find is already waiting.
👉 Explore more Ocala restaurants:
https://ocalabusinessdirectory.com
✍️ Written by Scott Baxter — local writer and founder of Ocala Business Directory, dedicated to spotlighting the people, places, and passion that make Ocala thrive.
