Mount Dora is not just a quaint town nestled in between Orlando and The Villages, it is growing into a restaurant hub. From breakfast served all day to renowned award winning cuisine, here are some Mount Dora hidden treasures you should definitely save in your internet favorites. The next time you are visiting your grandparents in The Villages take a detour to Mount Dora to grub on some food to leave you full and saying "yes ma'am" when your grandmother asks if you have already eaten.
20 essential Mount Dora restaurants that are worth a road trip
By Orlando Weekly Staff on Fri, Jan 19, 2018 at 4:55 pm
Tags:
Scroll down to view images
1921 by Norman Van Aken
142 E 4th Ave, Mt. Dora, 352-385-1921, http://1921nva.comNorman Van Aken, James Beard Award winner, does it again with his 1921 restaurant in Mount Dora. The menu is a take on modern Florida cuisine which features a 1921 burger, Florida Rudderfish sandwich and rice-crusted Florida Bluenose Bass, just to name a few. The restaurant also offers an extensive wine menu that pairs well with meals.
Photo via natcoch/Instagram
The Bavarian Haus
433 N Alexander St, Mt. Dora, 352-735-8387, http://www.eatatthebavarianhaus.com/This German inspired restaurant gives you a choice of German beer or wine and lunch specials featuring the traditional Schnitzel topped in various ways. To finish off the meal ask about their pastry of the day to pair off nicely with German coffee to give you a nice jolt before heading out to explore Mount Dora.
Photo via lisaspeer1965/Instagram
1884 Restaurant and Bar
12 E Magnolia Ave, Eustis, 1-800-856-1884, http://www.1884restaurantandbar.comA little drive uptown located by Lake Eustis sits 1884 Restaurant and Bar. Satisfy all your cravings for sushi and pasta to baked goods from their in-house bakery. 1884 also offers a full bar where they can mix any liquor you can imagine.
Photo via katieking0711/Instagram
Copacabana Cuban Cafe
320 Dora Drawdy Way, Mt. Dora, 352-385-9000, http://www.copacabanacubanrestaurant.comCopacabana offers authentic cuban food such as a Cubano, a cuban sandwich with ham, chorizo, pressed between two hot plates to create melted swiss cheese goodness. Finish off the meal with some vanilla flan to wrap up the Copacabana experience.
Photo via djoseph97/Instagram
Cody’s on 4th
111 E 4th Ave, Mt. Dora, 352-735-8426, http://www.codyson4th.comCody’s on 4th, located near Mount Dora’s Historic Inn, offers pastries, salads, sandwiches and a variety of cocktails, beer and wine. They even have a “build your own sandwich” where you decide what cheese, bread, meat, spreads and toppings you want.
Photo via my_slinki/Instagram
Fiesta Grande Mexican Grill
421 N Baker St, Mt. Dora, 352-385-3540, http://www.fiestagrandemexicangrill.comFiesta Grande Mexican Grill, “grande” is not just a word in their restaurant name but also their portion sizes. Their combination platters offer an array of food on one plate and their choriqueso with Mexican sausage and melted cheese is a customer favorite.
Photo via metaldon/Instagram
Lampu Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar
18862 US-441 #2, Mt. Dora, 352-383-6119, http://www.lampujapanesesteakhouse.comLampu puts on a show when chefs prepare and cook hibachi dinners right in front of you. The dinners include five courses of soup, salad, vegetables, noodles and fried rice. If you want to ride the wave they offer a sushi menu as well.
Photo via jodydare/Instagram
Highland Street Cafe
185 S Highland St, Mt. Dora, 352-729-6734, http://www.highlandstreetcafe.comLocated in uptown Mount Dora, Highland Street Cafe is the place to go to for breakfast comfort food, which is served all day. The cafe offers a plethora of options that include combos of french toast, waffle, biscuits and gravy and eggs. They also feature a build your own burger if you aren’t in the mood for breakfast in the middle of the day.
Photo via copperandchestnuts/Instagram
Pisces Rising
239 W 4th Ave, Mt. Dora, 352-385-2669, http://www.piscesrisingdining.comThe restaurant is on the edge of downtown Mount Dora where the views are overlooking Lake Dora. Accompanied by water the menu follows the same theme with their surf n’ turf cuisine featuring fresh seafood from todays catch.
Photo via Pisces Rising/Facebook
Lake House Bar & Grill
315 N Highland St, Mt. Dora, 352-735-7433, https://www.facebook.com/LakehouseMtDoraFeatured on Bar Rescue in August 2017, Lake House Bar & Grill is a family run restaurant offering a variety of food from traditional burgers and wings to fish and chips. With TVs in the restaurant you can enjoy some sports while seated at the bar or at a table with family.
Photo via tasteoforlando/Instagram
Mount Dora Streat Corner
846 E 5th Ave, Mt. Dora, 352-735-3663, http://www.mountdora-streatcorner.comOn the corner of 5th and Highland, Mount Dora Streat Corner is redefining what street-food is. This casual dining features some street tacos inspired by Mexican and Korean influences. Streat Corner grabs inspiration from dishes all around the world with their jersey style burgers and beef street tacos with grilled peppers and onions that is like a philly cheesesteak in a tortilla.
Photo via Mount Dora Streat Corner/Facebook
Magical Meat Boutique
112 W 3rd Ave, Mt. Dora, 352-729-6911, https://www.facebook.com/MagicalMeatBoutiqueMagical Meat Boutique serves breakfast for early risers and gourmet burgers that’ll satisfy any meat craving. Their menu also features dishes for your dog with a special burger made just for them called the Pup Patty.
Photo via davidoliverwillismusic/Instagram
Olive Branch Mediterranean-Italian Grill & Bar
115 W 3rd Ave, Mt. Dora, 352-729-6734, https://www.olivebranchgrille.comOlive Branch is a family owned restaurant that is bringing authentic Mediterranean and Italian food to the Mount Dora area. Offering traditional meals such as pastas and Mediterranean lamb chops, they also feature veal on their menu accompanied by portobello mushrooms in a demi-glaze over risotto.
Photo via isabel112506/Instagram
PizzAmoré
722 E 5th Ave, Mt. Dora, 352-383-0092, http://www.youlovepizza.comOrder it by the slice or by the pie, PizzAmoré is the spot for your pizza and Italian cuisine in Mount Dora. This family-style restaurant is great for adults and children of all ages. Who doesn’t enjoy a slice of pie?
Photo via PizzAmoré/Instagram
The Windsor Rose Tea Room and Restaurant
142 W 4th Ave, Mt. Dora, 352-735-2551, http://www.windsorrose-tearoom.comIn downtown Mount Dora, the Windsor Rose Tea Room transport you to Britain with their various teas and dishes, from pastries to meals they name after towns in England. The High Tea menu even takes you back to childhood memories with their The Mad Hatter, tea for one with PB&J finger sandwiches.
Photo via elisabethwriter/Instagram
Shiva Indian Restaurant
140A W 5th Ave, Mt. Dora, 352-735-8387, http://www.shivamountdora.comFamily-owned, Shiva’s chef specialties features Butter Chicken made with a tomato based sauce with yogurt and smokey Kasuri Methi added. They offer a lunch buffet for those taking a break from downtown Mount Dora, offering over 10 signature items and plenty of vegetarian options.
Photo via fetchranch/Instagram
Mount Dora Brewery
405 S Highland St, Mt. Dora, 352-978-0752, http://www.mountdorabrewing.comThe building offers the Rocking Rabbit Tap Room space where you can sit at the bar or tables and listen to live music. Their menu features beers brewed on site and house wines. They have a section on their menu dedicated to wings where you can get them tossed in your preferred choice of sauce.
Photo via brittanyraehoward/Instagram
Tiki West Raw Bar and Grill
118 W Ruby St, Tavares, 352-508-5783, https://www.facebook.com/tikiwestrawbarandgrillHammock swings hang from the ceiling in this bar and grill creating a relaxing feel where you can peel some shrimp or slurp down some oysters. This tiki-hut located a few blocks from Mount Dora is filled with surf n’ turf.
Photo via elektrobop/Instagram
Goblin Market Restaurant
330 Dora Drawdy Way, Mt. Dora, 352-735-0059, https://goblinmarketrestaurant.comLocated in downtown Mount Dora, the Goblin Market menu features a select amount of dishes for any dinner reservation. They serve anything from New York Strip to their variety of soups and starters. Small plates are also an option for those looking for an evening snack.
Photo via Goblin Market/Facebook
Wave Asian Bistro & Sushi
301 N Baker St, Mt. Dora, 352-383-9283, https://www.waveasianbistro.comThe bistro is nestled in downtown Mount Dora where asian ingredients are fused into American classics. The menu puts a spin on classics like their sushi donut, sushi burrito and their sushi hamburger.
Photo via Wave Asian Bistro & Sushi/Instagram
Chava Communications
Read our sister publications
Orlando Weekly
PO Box 953127.
Lake Mary, FL 32795
© 2024 Orlando Weekly
