Last updated: January 2026
OnlyVillages’ Best Restaurants in The Villages guide highlights local favorites, standout dining experiences, and must-try spots across Brownwood, Lake Sumter Landing, Spanish Springs, Middleton, and Eastport. This guide is written from firsthand visits, local conversations, and repeat experiences — not sponsored rankings or scraped lists.
Rather than listing every restaurant, this page focuses on places that consistently deliver great food, solid service, and a dining experience Villagers actually recommend.
These picks highlight restaurants that stand out for different reasons — not a definitive ranking. Tastes vary, and many excellent spots could fit each category.
Best Restaurants in The Villages — Top Picks at a Glance
Not every great restaurant serves the same purpose. Some places are best when you want to impress, while others shine when the goal is a relaxed, enjoyable upscale meal. These picks reflect how Villagers actually choose where to dine.
- Best Overall Dining Experience: Bella Vita Italian Steakhouse — a consistently enjoyable upscale dining experience that balances food quality, polished service, and a comfortable atmosphere ideal for both special occasions and repeat visits.
- Best for an Enjoyable Upscale Night Out: Prima Italian Steakhouse — refined but approachable, offering strong execution and an elevated menu without feeling overly formal or stiff.
- Best Classic Steakhouse for a Special Occasion: Chop House — a long-standing Villages favorite chosen when the goal is to impress with a traditional steakhouse experience and familiar upscale dining.
- Best Modern Steakhouse Experience: Prime & Ember — a newer Eastport destination offering a contemporary, high-impact steakhouse experience designed to make an impression, particularly for milestone dinners or out-of-town guests.
- Best Casual Favorite: Cody’s Original Roadhouse — a full-menu, fairly priced go-to that consistently delivers, making it a dependable choice for casual dinners, group outings, and repeat visits.
- Best Lunch Value: Bonefish Grill (The Villages) — popular for fair pricing, solid portions, and consistent service, especially during lunch and early dining hours.
Best Restaurants by Area
Best Restaurants in Brownwood Paddock Square
Brownwood Paddock Square is one of the most active dining and entertainment areas in The Villages, known for its energy, variety, and restaurants that work well for group outings, casual dinners, and nights out near live music and events.
- Best Overall Dining Experience: Prima Italian Steakhouse — a polished option offering an elevated menu, consistent execution, and an atmosphere that works well for special occasions without feeling overly formal.
- Reliable Casual Go-To: Cody’s Original Roadhouse — a familiar, full-menu option that works well for groups, casual dinners, and repeat visits in Brownwood without surprises.
- Best for Live-Music Nights: Bluefin Grill & Bar — a popular choice for dinner before or after entertainment, known for its seafood-forward menu and energetic evening atmosphere.
- Best Brunch & Comfort Dining: Harvest Restaurant — well-liked for brunch, approachable comfort food, and an easygoing dining experience.
- Reliable Casual Options: World of Beer, Gator’s Dockside, Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, TooJay’s, and McAlister’s Deli — familiar, no-stress choices that work well for groups and repeat visits.
Best Restaurants in Lake Sumter Landing
Lake Sumter Landing offers classic Villages dining with a mix of long-standing local favorites, lake-adjacent restaurants, and dependable casual options that work well for relaxed dinners, early evenings, and repeat visits.
- Best Overall Dining Experience: Chop House — a long-established favorite known for traditional steakhouse dining, consistent service, and an atmosphere that appeals to Villagers looking for a familiar upscale experience.
- Best Italian & Lunch Value: Red Sauce — popular for approachable Italian dishes, generous portions, and strong lunch specials that keep locals coming back.
- Best for Lake Views & Atmosphere: Lighthouse Point Bar & Grill — a go-to spot for casual dining with lake views, especially popular for early dinners and relaxed evenings.
- Dependable Casual Dining: Cody’s Original Roadhouse — a consistently solid choice in Lake Sumter for a relaxed meal, fair pricing, and a menu that satisfies a wide range of tastes.
- Best Breakfast & Brunch: Flying Biscuit Café — well-liked for breakfast classics, brunch favorites, and a laid-back daytime dining experience.
- Reliable Casual Options: City Fire, Gator’s Dockside, Panera Bread, Bravo Pizza, Calypso Caribbean Grill, and TooJay’s — dependable choices offering familiar menus and easy dining for groups and everyday meals.
Best Restaurants in Spanish Springs Town Square
Spanish Springs Town Square offers a more intimate and traditional Villages dining experience, with a mix of elevated restaurants, longtime casual staples, and convenient dining options clustered around live music and evening entertainment.
- Best Overall Dining Experience: Bella Vita Italian Steakhouse — widely regarded as one of the premier dining destinations in Spanish Springs, known for high-quality steaks, Italian classics, attentive service, and a refined, date-night-friendly atmosphere.
- Best Elevated Seafood & Contemporary Dining: Coastal del Mar — an upscale option offering a refined menu, polished presentation, and a dining experience that feels distinctly elevated for Spanish Springs.
- Best Brunch & Daytime Dining: First Watch — a popular choice for brunch classics, fresh daytime fare, and a relaxed weekend vibe close to the square.
- Best Coffee & Light Bites: CFS Coffee Shop — a newer addition popular for coffee, pastries, and casual daytime stops near the square.
- Reliable Casual Options: Amerikano’s Grille, Ruby Tuesday, Flippers Pizzeria, Koyame Asian Express, Panera Bread, and Chili’s — familiar, approachable choices offering convenience and consistency for everyday dining.
Best Restaurants in Middleton
Middleton is one of the fastest-growing areas in The Villages, with a dining scene that is still taking shape. The area currently features a mix of popular casual spots alongside several highly anticipated restaurants scheduled to open soon.
- Best Overall Dining Experience (So Far): Victory Sports Grill — a standout early favorite offering strong service, a lively atmosphere, and a menu that works well for casual dinners, game days, and group outings.
- Best BBQ Option: 4 Rivers Smokehouse — a well-known barbecue spot delivering familiar smoked meats, generous portions, and dependable consistency.
- Reliable Casual Options: Boosters Bar & Grill and 24 Middleton — approachable choices for casual meals, drinks, and relaxed dining without pretense.
Coming Soon to Middleton
Openings and timelines are subject to change.
- Zunzibar — a new dining concept expected to add variety and interest to the growing Middleton area.
- CFS Coffee Shop — bringing coffee and light bites to Middleton once open.
- Fiesta Grande — a familiar Mexican dining option scheduled to open in the area.
- Haru Japanese Restaurant — an upcoming Japanese dining spot expected to expand cuisine options in Middleton.
Best Restaurants in Eastport
Eastport is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about dining destinations in The Villages, anchored by destination restaurants, hotel-based dining, and several highly anticipated openings that will continue to shape the area’s food scene.
- Best Destination Dining Experience: Prime & Ember — a destination restaurant known for elevated steaks, seafood, and cocktails, offering a polished atmosphere that has quickly positioned it as a standout in Eastport.
- Best Rooftop & Cocktail Experience: The Terrace at Prime & Ember — a rooftop setting focused on drinks, small plates, and atmosphere, making it a popular stop before or after dinner.
- Notable New Addition: Yamas — now open inside Hotel Eastport, bringing Mediterranean-inspired dining and expanding Eastport’s appeal as a hotel-centered dining destination.
Coming Soon to Eastport
Openings and timelines are subject to change.
- Maseritas Tacos & Tequila Cantina — expected to add a lively Mexican-inspired option with tequila-focused cocktails.
- Oak & Stone — a craft-focused restaurant and beer-forward concept anticipated to draw both locals and visitors.
- Peach Valley Café — a breakfast and brunch favorite scheduled to bring daytime dining to Eastport.
How OnlyVillages Chooses the “Best” Restaurants
- Firsthand visits and repeat dining experiences
- Consistency over time, not opening-week hype
- Food quality, service, and overall experience
- Local popularity and word-of-mouth feedback
- Value relative to price and portion size
How This Guide Fits With Our Other Dining Resources
This page highlights standout recommendations and quick answers. For deeper exploration — including happy hours, cuisine types, and full listings — see our complete dining resource:
👉 Ultimate Dining Guide to The Villages
Recently Opened & Worth Watching
New restaurants continue to open across The Villages. These are a few spots gaining attention from locals and worth keeping an eye on as the dining scene continues to evolve.
- Yamas (Eastport) — recently opened inside Hotel Eastport, bringing Mediterranean-inspired dining to the area.
- The Terrace at Prime & Ember (Eastport) — a newer rooftop cocktail experience drawing interest for its atmosphere and views.
- Victory Sports Grill (Middleton) — an early anchor in Middleton that continues to attract attention as the area develops.
For official town square locations and layouts, you can also reference The Villages official website.
Final Thoughts
The Villages dining scene continues to evolve, and this guide is updated regularly as new restaurants open and local favorites change. If you’re exploring a specific area or planning a night out, check back often for updates and new recommendations.