Crystal River Florida Restaurants  (2024)

Printable .pdf :Crystal River 2024 Restaurants

 

Crystal River has an abundance of chain restaurants: Wawa, Chilis, Arby’s, Applebee’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Mc Donalds, Hardees, Taco Bell, Dunkin’ Donuts, Sonic…

I will start with my favorite CR restaurants: 

Vintage on 5th (has atmosphere, service and good food plus the prices are good including the wine choices…MUST Make a reservation! 114 NE 5th St; (352) 794-0004, https://www.facebook.com/Vintage-on-5th-114962088570282/)

Seafood Seller and Café (for Maryland style crab cake, gumbo, clam chowder and fresh fish.  The owner is delightful as he chats with all and does table-side magic tricks.  There are no reservations except for the big table for 10-12. Shop in their store and enjoy the fresh seafood!   Expect a wait for dinner! 300 SE US HWY 19;  352) 228-4936; https://www.seafoodsellerandcafe.net/

Amy’s on the Avenue: Café, Bakery and Gift Shop is a great place for lunch and to browse the gift shop.  The quiche is delicious and so are the cookies and candy you can buy. A nice day, eat outside on the patio.  Historic downtown Crystal River 539 N Citrus Ave, (352) 563-2697 , https://www.facebook.com/Amysontheavenue;

I still love to take out-of-town guests out to eat “on the water:” Crackers, Bar, Grill and Tiki (has an outside tiki bar and  a dining room with a menu of fried foods although they do offer other choices you wouldn’t find in your local pub. If it’s a nice day or night, eat outside! (352) 795-3999,  http://www.crackersbarandgrill.com/, https://www.facebook.com/CrackersBarandGrill, 502 NW 6 th Street (off Hwy 19) 

Cedar River Seafood: Second CC location: They are located in a former Mexican restaurant. 1935 U.S. Hwy 19 (just down from Fort Island Trail) 352-794-3379. cedarriverseafood.com.  Good food, good prices, great service.

SWEET-TOOTHS—not many bakeries in CC!

Crystal River’s Queen of Cakes: Enjoyed: cupcakes: carrot cake, white chocolate raspberry, snickers, banana, double chocolate.  They have at least 16 flavors daily.  430 NE 3rd St, Ste 5;  352 228 4284   https://www.facebook.com/queenofcakes77/; https://www.queen-of-cakes.com/

Dockside Ice Creak Shoppe: 300 US HWY 19; 352-563-0559

Restaurants to try:

Waterviews: 

Plantation Inn West 82 Bar and Grill  In this resort there have been many chefs come and go.  Nice setting.  Take a chance on the food.(9301 W Fort Island Trail) off Hwy 19, (352) 795-4211, http://www.plantationoncrystalriver.com/restaurant-and-bars.htm, https://www.facebook.com/Plantation-West-82-Bar-Grill-473080829378509/

Crab Plant  has been in business for quite some time, and food is good but a bit pricey for plastic dishes and a lack luster atmosphere, except for the water view. Drinks are cheap.  It is also a seafood market. 201 N W 5 th St; 352-795-4700. www.crabplant.com

St. John’s Tavern: 572 N Citrus Ave; 352-794-6367;  live music most nights. Loved the Tavern chips; serve bar food; https://www.facebook.com/StJohnsTavernCR/

Bayside Kraft Kitchen: offers a dining experience on the water.  New owner and name. Good  food.  224 NW Hwy 19, (352) 795-3949, https://baysidecr.com/

Bubbaques: Cute country theme decor, the barbecue is good. 631 N Citrus Ave.,  352-795-7227; www.bubbaquesbbq.com

Waterfront Social: On the water dining. 1610 SE Paradise Cir; (352) 795-3113; waterfrontsocialcr.com

a bit of drive: 

Pecks Old Port Cove (If you are looking for stone crab, Peck’s is your place. It is a little out of the way so be prepared to drive a little while to get there.  139 Ozello Trail, 352-795-2886, https://www.facebook.com/Pecks-Old-Port-Cove-117475071600867/): 

Swampy’s Bar & Grill (Dunnellon, FL) – Nice river setting. Food is good. Described as “Laid-back riverside bar and grill with scenic deck serving Cajun fare, burgers & fish tacos. 19773 E Pennsylvania Ave., 352-547-4777. http://swampys.restaurant/

Blackwater Grill and Pub Yankeetown; Fish place on the Withlachocee River; 6301 Riverside Dr. Historic site-Old Isaac Walton Lodge;  A Favorite!
https://www.blackwateryankeetownfl.com/

Back Water Fins: Ozello; Nice river setting specialize in seafood.  The blue crab soup is excellent.  The clam chowder is the best I have had in years.  13982 Ozello Trail, 352-794-6000; http://backwater-fins.com

Other restaurants:

Newer: KC’s Koffee and Wine Bar  It’s a small, cozy restaurant with six tables inside,  a large bar  and outside seating for nine and a bench around the fire pit. Our fish dinners were delicious!  The dessert of the night:  rum cake with whipped cream was yummy. (beer and wine only)   Live music at night.  They take reservations: 352-450-0008;  564 N. Citrus Ave.    https://kcwinecoffeebar.com/

Prohibition Grille (Copp Winery and Brewery)  Change in ownership and management .  Previous restaurant was ok that being said, we have not gone back.  Check the menu out.  They are not open every day.  7855 Gulf to Lake Highway https://coppbrewery.com/  (352) 228-8103 

 Sadie’s Corner Kitchen where we had a delicious lunch… we could not even finish the half Cuban. (as good as Havana House’s Cuban was.)   We took home for dinner two of the daily entrées featured for that day: Chicken Parmesan and Lasagna. They were both very good and again large portions. For dessert we had tiramisu and it was excellent.   We brought home a little cherry pie and it was delicious. 353 N E Second Ave; 352-794-3857; https://www.facebook.com/SadiesCornerKitchen/?paipv=0&eav=AfbdeE2Oadid1OWRNUeAA-jrHrrniTjopfMs4ezLWIt-7Xq2d9XctT4MnLlabpWrKPg&_rd

Kanes Cattle Company:  Beef specials. Good meal, but pricey. 508 N Citrus Ave  (352) 794-6721; https://www.facebook.com/kanescattleco/

Cattledog Roasters: Coffee place but Menu changes monthly.  Good pecan chicken salad.   has three locations in CC … in Crystal River: 638 N Citrus; 352-228-8818. https://www.cattledogcoffeeroasters.com/   (also in Inverness) 

Biscuit Barn: great breakfast place; good lunches too. 1960 US Hwy 19; 352-794-3385; https://www.biscuitbarn.net/ 

Coney Island Drive Inn ; branch of famous Brooksville restaurant. close to what Detroit serves. Cute decor. Several types of dogs and I like the chopped pork sandwich. (352) 228-8125; www.famousfootlongs.com/ ;   44 SE 7th St (off Hwy 44)

Cody’s Original Roadhouse) is a local favorite-call ahead seating usually a must. It has early bird specials, a large item menu and a nice salad and happy hour. Daily specials include the popular Wednesday 2 for 1 Fajita. Cody’s has good ribs, steak and salmon. Like wings or burgers?  305 S E Hwy 19, (352) 795-7223, http://codysoriginalroadhouse.com/,  

Dan’s Clam Stand; New owners:  The grouper fingers basket (when available) best fried shrimp and great hamburgers.  (2 locations: Hwy 19-Crystal River and Grover Cleveland, Homosassa (352) 795-9081, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dans-Clam-Stand/116140618410737 

Tangerine Tree Luncheonette  Crystal River.  If you like to eat healthy try this place for brunch or lunch.352-794-3331;  https://tangerinetreefl.com/; https://www.facebook.com/61552653609955/posts/pfbid027UjqpQ3ySPKzmtM8bJxxwvk9mbBXFT4pdHyHyQKxefUZdi7GwXrzmFnXNSUwCtEol/

 Crystal River Smokehouse & Grill:  Specialize in BBQ. Recommended to me. Spicy ribs and chunky cole slaw.  Lots of pulled pork options.  2581 U.S. Hwy 19,  https://www.crystalriverbbq.com/ (352) 228-4159 https://www.crystalriverbbq.com/

Olive Tree has Greek and American dishes. They have been in business for a number of years now and won an award for the Taste of Citrus for casual dining; (352) 563-0075, http://www.olivetreedining.com/ (Hwy 19, (352) 795-2633, 

Oysters: Yes, we like this restaurant for fried chicken and shrimp!  Nothing fancy but good food, https://www.facebook.com/OystersOfCrystalRiver/)  

Nortons Riverside Sports Bar and Grill: Bar food, Great fish dip…A popular spot for live music, it has a nice setting for a sports bar. 16 N E 5ht St; 352-794-6105;  https://www.nortonsriverside.com/

Lollygaggers Sports Pub & Grill  Had some good lunches there. (744 S E US Hwy 19; 352- 794-6105,  https://www.facebook.com/LollygaggersSportsPub/?ref=bookmarks&paipv=0&eav=AfZTmqLZ8duESnA2PA727kD8kZ0osmUs8iAHEHXETxwTfzz3VkD54Y7w3O7MdXIxvEM&_rdr    Another location in Floral City.

Kelly’s Half Shell Pub: We had decent meal there with friends…If you are a sports bar fan and enjoy that type of food and/or oysters, you should try Kelly’s.  . 390 Suncoast Blvd (Hwy 19) https://www.kellyshalfshell.com/, 352-228-8366

Loft Bar & Grill  WON 1st  place (2nd time)  for “King of the Wings”  Chronicle Award.(Sticky Thai Wings).  Never been there.  10131 N Citrus Ave,  (352) 564-4100 ;  https://www.facebook.com/LoftBar352/    

The Boil Yard.  To me, it’s a typical Florida seafood restaurant nothing real fancy, but they have a unique menu with their “boils”.  Art had the grouper, and he said it was pretty good, my fried shrimp was very tasty. I did not like the “dirty rice.” but their french fries are awesome!  601 SE US Hwy 19; 352-564-2529; https://www.boilyard.com/

220 Barbecue: Great carry-out or catering. Excellent ribs, brisket,  cornbread and key lime pie.  Beverly Hills: 4493 N Lecanto Hwy, 352-513-5665;   also in Crystal River  7911 W. Gulf to Lake Hwy, 352-794-6157.https://www.220bbq.com/

Hardwood Smokehouse 

Every area seems to have a large number of Italian restaurants. ]

One of our favs is La Casa di Norma. New Owners.  Art likes the veal marsala, I like the crab ravioli with shrimp.  Friends like the lemon chicken.  Small cozy restaurant.  1609 SE US Highway 19, https://la-casa-di-norma.business.site/; 352-795-4694. Call before going check hours open.

Rocco’s They have great Italian food, antipasto salad and thin crust pizza. (6612 SR 44); (352) 563-0442, http://www.roccosfamouscafe.com/ 

Brothers Pizza) Great lunch and dinner choices and the pizza is good.  Husband likes the spaghetti with meatballs and Italian sausage. They are very busy Saturday nights. They have a large carry-out business.(Crystal Springs Publix Shopping Center SR 44 near Hwy 486, (352) 564-9374, https://www.facebook.com/BroPizza: 

Chinese: Mr. King’s) nice oriental menu and great fried rice, fried wontons and excellent wonton soup… have felt the service and food mediocre now…not been there in years.(off Hwy 19, 471 NE 1st Ter); (352) 564-2488, http://www.mrkingcrystalriver.com/, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mr-King/116198485075888:

El Ranchito Mexican ; It has great chips and salsa-nice selection and good service. I like the fajita chicken salad. Two locations: (Hwy 19, (352) 795-5251 and Inverness, (SR 44 in Beall’s shopping center, https://www.facebook.com/pages/El-Ranchito-Mexican-Grill/117375374948421). 

Thai Phoon has excellent Thai food.  238 SW Hwy 19, (352) 795-1774, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Thai-Phoon-Restaurant/114057718625596):

Taverna Manos  has a Greek influence with gyros, pita bread, etc.  5705 Hwy 44, 352-564-0078, http://tavernamanos.com/ https://www.facebook.com/tavernamanos/photos/a.346709605380852.104615.225372037514610/512631968788614/?type=3&theater:

 MEXICAN RESTAURANT:  LA CASITA; 773 N 5 th Street (Really off  Hwy 44) ; 352-794-3944; 

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=la%20casita%20mexican%20restaurant

Dunnellon is a little drive for me and so not a frequent place I go for food: 

Cheers is located in the lower end of where the original restaurant at Rainbow Springs Golf Course used to be. It’s not much of a setting .Karen had a side salad and it was good. She also ordered the chicken salad, and it was served on a really thick roll.    Karen basically  ate the chicken salad, but she really did like it. LeAnna had a Cobb salad which she enjoyed. Jack had a patty melt with a side  of mashed red potatoes, and he liked it. Mike had a shrimp cocktail. It was OK. His prime rib was just a little chewy. I had the fried shrimp, and it was excellent. Art had a Reuben and it was OK.  Their coleslaw is very good. Our food was OK but it’s not worth a 35 minute drive on a regular basis.  What keeps them going,  I think, are the nights they have live music and dancing.  19330 SW 83rd Place Rd (352) 460-1422.  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088523862468

The Front Porch Restaurant & Pie Shop (has great pies, good Cubans and a nice lunch menu.  Chicken pot pie for dinner was very good. 12039 Hwy 41, 352-489-4798, http://www.frontporchpieshop.com/ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Front-Porch-Restaurant-Pie-Shop/126107277496204?fref=ts)

Pizza Joint Wood Fire ( Have not been there and have heard good and bad reviews.  Pizza lover?.352-564-1300, https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Pizza-Joint-Wood-Fire-Pies/283180241724291). 

Don Pepe  Excellent Mexican food and good prices. 20744 W Pennsylvania Ave. (205) 408-3880; 

7/2024

courtesy Linda Thomas, Century 21JW Morton  352-464-4881

Time for the monthly restaurant update featuring two newer restaurant venues.

NEW:  Restaurant to try in Dunnellon: Roughstocks Grill: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner;  Local steakhouse and Creole Seasoning;  20199 E Pennsylvania, 352-509-1406 

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=roughstocks%20grill

NEW:Saturday, June 15 at Crystal River Aggregation Distilling, 255 S.E U.S. Highway 19 , Crystal River . This local business has just started having live entertainment and has a food truck on site most nights. BD ’s  own Reese Norris will be performing there this Saturday.   Mediterranean food truck on site for the event.   See them on Facebook.

Nine of us returned to Bayside Kraft Kitchen in Crystal River. Everyone seemed to enjoy their meal although the wait  staff was new and had a hard time straightening our bills out. Pat enjoyed his St. Louis ribs. Pam enjoyed her salad with chicken. I ordered the scallop special  that came with mashed potatoes and too blackened brussel sprouts for my liking. but good dinner and several people had the special: fried red snapper.

My sister and Art and I returned to Oscar Penns for my birthday celebration. I had the delicious she-crab soup and  the AHI tuna  appetizer which was very good.  Art had Caesar salad and red snapper fish and Joanne had  stuffed salmon. Good food.  The breadsticks or bread (?) was a little dry this time.

 

 

If you’ve never had a Crystal River Queen Of Cakes cupcake, they are to die for and pricey.  I purchased these to take to the family for belated birthday celebrations. Pricey but delicious. (will be closed July 1-August 7.)

Four of us returned to Yankee town Blackwater Grille:  They had a special going that night, if you ordered two entrées, you got a free appetizer to split and dessert. So we had the yummy bacon wrapped shrimp and the bacon and the stuffed dates.  My shrimp fixed “Pam’s way” was delicious …so many shrimp and my side was the coleslaw which was huge portion. Needless to say I brought home shrimp and coleslaw. Mike had the ribs and he liked them. Art had tile fish, Karen a pasta fish dish.  Food and service here are excellent!

Art I split the Key Lime pie and it was very good. And Karen and Mike loved the chocolate brownie à la mode.

Several of us  returned to Homosassa Michael Anthony Pizza and enjoyed mussels, Veal Marsala, Chicken Parmesan, Eggplant Parmesan, Veggie Personal Pizza, and tortellini pasta.

 

We returned to Crystal River’s Cedar River Seafood House. I had the half-and-half senior meal which was like $17 and it was more than I could eat shrimp and calamari. They serve a nice salad. Art , Karen and Mike enjoyed fish of the day, salmon and scallops.

Breakfast (Brunch)  at Black Diamond continues to be a great uncrowded venue with special service. The new general manager at Black Diamond is hosting once a month an  appreciation night… Thursday the 13th was the first one. More than 126 people were there!  And the buffet included: London broil, Korean sticky ribs, cod,  jasmine coconut, rice, cabbage, salad bar, seared tuna display, chocolate mousse cake, and tiramisu. Just the London broil was chewy everything else was very good.

Citrus Hills offers a  special dine card in the summer to non-members. Nine of us  went  to Skyview for dinner last Friday. Entrees come with two sides.  What we all ordered was delicious: Airline stuffed chicken, Caprese salad; Coconut shrimp;Shrimp lemon sauce; Snapper special;Salmon with dill sauce; blackened Snapper and Scallops.

While picking up a carry out(wonton soup and spring rolls)  from  Beverly Hills  Bankok Thai, Paula told me that after 13 years, she has sold the business.  New owners will  take over soon and promises the food and service will continue to be good.

My sister chose to go to Lecanto’s  Glory Days for her birthday celebration. Art again had  meatloaf and Caesar salad, which he enjoys. I had my clam chowder. It was OK this time, and the chicken fingers were good. They have a three for one special on Wednesdays and includes a drink,  appetizer/salad  and entrée. My sister had the fish fry. She had to send her coleslaw back because they forgot to put the dressing on it. She didn’t think the french fries were good, but mine were good. The fish fry is still good. Roof was leaking where I sat…but just enough to keep a napkin on the table to catch the drips.

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