Seafood Restaurants in Ocala, Florida
- Shrimp scampi is served at several Ocala seafood restaurants.scampi shrimp in pan image by Nicky Jacobs from Fotolia.com
Ocala is in central Florida, about 75 miles north of Orlando and within an hour's drive to the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It sits amid horse farms and is bordered by the lush foliage of the Ocala National Forest and Goethe State Forest. Ocala is known for Silver Springs, a theme park that offers river cruises in glass-bottom boats, botanical gardens and a large waterpark. The city is also home to several restaurants that specialize in seafood prepared in a variety of delicious ways. - Harry's Seafood Bar & Grill is a Florida chain that specializes in fresh Cajun seafood dishes. Near Central Florida Community College, Harry's is a casual, mid-priced restaurant with a bright, jazzy interior that evokes New Orleans. The Creole-inspired menu offers fried green tomatoes, voodoo shrimp and crab cakes. Dinner entrees include Pecan-Encrusted Catfish, Jambalaya, Crawfish Etoufee and Low-Country Shrimp & Grits. The lunch menu features Oyster Po'Boy sandwiches, She-Crab soup and other Cajun dishes. The restaurant also has a full bar with an extensive beer and wine list, as well as signature cocktails such as the Ragin' Cajun, a Bloody Mary spiked with peppered vodka and the Rhythm & Bleu Martini, made with blue-cheese stuffed olives.
Harry's Seafood Bar & Grill
24 SE First Ave.
Ocala, FL 34471-2152
352-840-0900
hookedonharrys.com - Sam's St John's Seafood is northwest of Silver River State Park. It features a casual, laid-back atmosphere (the menu cover features a cartoon shark holding a sign that reads "Killer Seafood"). Diners will find serious seafood served in large portions. Sam's offers an array of fish and seafood that can be fried, grilled, broiled or blackened to order. The options include shrimp, crab claws, oysters, pollock, catfish, salmon, mahi mahi and soft-shell crabs. Galley Specialties include surf and turf platters, prepared seafood dishes, such as stuffed flounder and shrimp scampi, as well as more exotic fare, such as gator tail and frog legs.
Sam's St John's Seafood
7119 U.S. 441
Ocala, FL 34475-1215
352-622-2927
lovethatseafood.com - Just south of Ocala International Airport, the Bonefish Grill is a national chain that is very popular with Ocala residents. The upscale restaurant specializes in market-fresh seafood prepared over a wood-burning grill. It features a casually chic interior, with glistening hardwood floors, subdued cream colors and candlelit tables. The menu offers starters such as bacon-wrapped sea scallops, coconut-crusted shrimp and the popular Saucy Shrimp. Entrees include grilled ahi tuna, Norwegian salmon, Gulf grouper and cold water lobster tails topped with sauces, such as lemon butter, warm mango or Pan-Asian concoctions. The menu also offers non-seafood entrees such as steaks, salads and chicken breast. Bonefish has a full bar with extensive wine and beer lists, as well as a cocktail menu.
Bonefish Grill-Ocala
4701 SW College Road
Ocala, FL 34474
352-873-3846
bonefishgrill.com
