The place is gorgeous inside and out. The service was excellent and the food was also. We split the crab cakes and deviled eggs with bacon. Both were delicious and enough for two people. Will go back. read more

Don't walk...run to this gem. Hands down the best restaurant in The Villages, Florida. Amazing service (Shauna - bar), food and views. I had two apps - the tuna and the fish dip. Both delicious. My only (minor) suggestion is for the tuna, use thicker chips, as the topping are all wet. The chips were saturated- but still delish! Such a great spot. A+++ read more

My parents love coming to Harry's for the specials which are different daily and advertised on their Facebook which is so helpful for guests! My mom was out of town so my dad and I went for an early Father's Day celebration. Unfortunately, it was one of the kitchen's off nights as the calamari which is normally cooked perfectly came out rubbery and overdone. Wait staff offered to have the kitchen remake it but my dad wasn't sure it would come out any better the second time, depending on how the kitchen was timing or judging the cook. He opted to get the voodoo pasta which I had ordered as well. The chicken in the voodoo pasta was also overdone and on the chewy side due. Pasta sauce was definitely bland in comparison to the sauce from a special the week prior that our same waiter had said was actually the voodoo sauce. Sad that nothing came out how we'd hoped, especially on a celebration day. One last note for readers: the dining room to the back right of the restaurant is extremely loud and hard to hear even those you are dining with, regardless of the number of tables filled. read more

The Natives at Lake Okahumpka - Calamari - sent back - American Near Me - The Villages, Florida

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Great food and excellent service. The restaurant has wonderful ambiance. Will definitely eat there again. read more

Meet family for lunch and came to the Natives. It's nestled on water. Residents can rent kayaks and go out on the lake. It's pretty scenery. I will say I think the outside seating area had more going for it than the inside does. The inside seating area, I saw, was small and seemed cramped. Felt like a cafeteria or like an assisted living dining hall. But the outside was what you would expect for outside dining. Our server was nice, brought us water. We asked for glasses of ice. While I like the water jug on the table, ice is needed in the Florida heat. I felt like our server over sold the food and I'll get to that. We started with the onion rings as an appetizer. They were large and good, a bit greasy, but good. We'd order them again. Then we placed our orders. It took a bit for the food to come, not a big deal as we had the onion rings and were able to get up and walk around a bit. Guest 1 ordered the fried kale and spinach salad and opted to add chicken. She very much enjoyed this salad. Guest 2 ordered the fish and chips, this was just one big piece of cod. It was good. It used the same batter that is used for onion rings, and chicken tenders. The fries were good. Guest 3 ordered the fish sandwich. It was the same fish patty as the fish n chips, except cut in half and put on a bun. It was good, flaky, nice flavor. I ordered the chicken tenders with a side of Brussel sprouts. Our server said they were amazing and really sold them as she did about every other menu item. My tenders were in the same batter as the onion rings and fish. They were decent size and tender and juicy. I had higher hopes for the brussel sprouts, it's like they were boiled in water and then maybe roasted. I wanted crispy with more flavor. There are two places I've found that make FABULOUS brussel sprouts (Chroma in Lake Nona and Polite Pig at Disney Springs). My overall thoughts: it was good, nothing I'm gonna go rave about. It's like many other places in the Villages. The prices seemed a little high to us. Note: I did want to get the crab cakes, but $40 seemed like a lot for what I saw on the plate. Would we go back?? Maybe. read more

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My sister and I were looking for. Place to meet halfway between Gainesville and Wimauma and settled on Harry and the Natives - just about an hour and a half for each of us. We tried the whipped Feta appetizer - great! I had the Parmesan chicken (not breaded) and it was fabulous! The rest of the party had the fish special and loved it too. I can't say enough about the service either. Our waitress was spunky, knew the menu well and was attentive at all the right times! read more

The Natives at Lake Okahumpka - Chicken Parmesan - American Near Me - The Villages, Florida

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My husband and I love hanging out here. It's great not to have to find a parking place in one of the squares then walk to a restaurant. The food and drinks are good and also not as expensive as in the squares. But the best part? The view of the lake for sure. read more

Ambience, food and staff were fantastic! Highly recommend eating on the deck, even on a hot July evening it was so comfortable!

Beautiful setting, completely unacceptable service. We sat at the bar while the bartender finished with the guests next to us. I asked for menus and was told, "I'll be right with you." Instead, those guests handed us theirs. When she came back, I asked about the specials. Her answer: "I don't know, I didn't write them down... some kind of fish with risotto." I said I was interested in the soup. She left to find out, came back with "chicken noodle and Thai soup,." When I asked what was in the Thai soup, she said, "I don't know, but there's fish in it." That's not just bad service, it's careless. People have allergies and dietary restrictions. Not knowing what's in the food is inexcusable. I went inside and spoke with the manager, who apologized and agreed that the staff should know the menu and the specials. My husband ordered the pulled pork sandwich with fries for $16.95. It came out with barely any pork and limp, lifeless fries. It's unfortunate, because the setting is beautiful. But between the service and the food, it's simply not worth it. I didn't eat. The service was so poor I lost my appetite. We definitely won't be back. read more

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Cleverly themed restaurant with a fantastic view of Lake Okahumpka. Decor consists of tiki wallpaper and mini surfboards with a vibe of Hawaii. We were greeted promptly and offered a choice of inside or outside dining. We chose inside so we could be seated right away. Friendly service with a smile. Just a side note, piped in music is pop, not what I would have preferred considering the theme of the restaurant (and the older crowd). Don Ho, instrumental Hawaiian or surf music would better suit the theme. Out of draft IPA, slightly disappointed but not a big deal. I ordered the Burr-Beurre Chicken with creamed spinach as a side. Very good. My partner enjoyed the Mesquite Chicken Sandwich with veggies as a side. Will return to sit outside next time and try something else on the menu. read more

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Cute spot with bamboo wallpaper and decorations. Like the lighting in the main room. Outdoor area is covered with heaters. Staff was friendly. It is all first come first serve though, no reservations or calling to get on the waiting list. We went about 530 on a Friday and waited 20 minutes for a group of 5. Had the fish tacos- they were delicious. Mushrooms were also delicious. And the chocolate cake was pretty good too, more of a Bundt cake with chocolate sauce and the boozy creamy chocolate sauce on the side. read more

The Natives at Lake Okahumpka - Fish tacos, mushrooms, Pinot noir - American Near Me - The Villages, Florida

First trip there with a party of six. There are no reservations ... we arrived fairly early and were seated immediately. The service was excellent with drink orders taken immediately. A nice touch is that bottles with water are brought to the table. I had the chicken salad sandwich which was very tasty but a little small. I asked for fries well done. They were nice and hot but limp well done should be crispy. Everyone enjoyed their meals. I always ask my companions if their food was hot ... all said not really hot but acceptable. Just a mention my water glass had a chip that was very sharp. I told the server that it should be removed from service. Fortunately it didn't cause a problem. Great location with ample parking and nice views. Not far from getting that last star. Would I go back ... YES ... a little more attention to detail and you get that fifth star. Bonus ... amazing sunset on the way home. read more

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I have nothing but awesome things to say about this place. This was our first time here and when we walked in we loved the view and the outdoor bar area. We were celebrating a birthday and ended up with a ridiculously large table. The staff could NOT have been better!! Their service was top notch! Big shout out to our servers Josh and Luciano. They were so on top of things with this table! We moved around like feral cats during the many hours we were there, and they kept us fed, full of beverages and happy. As someone who also does some bartending/serving I understand what a NIGHTMARE this would be!! Food was EXCELLENT as well. We had fish dip, calamari and crab cakes. I'd have to say this is the best place in TV! Kudos to everyone that helped us have an awesome birthday celebration! read more

The Natives at Lake Okahumpka - Only picture I took was of this frog drink!! - American Near Me - The Villages, Florida

This place is very nice, overlooking Lake Okahumpka at the Villages. I had the shrimp and Grits and it was taste and delicious. My wife had the black bean burger and it was also good, but she said it was a little dry. The service was prompt and the waitress knew her menu very well. She provided great service and was very nice. read more

The Natives at Lake Okahumpka - Shrimp and Grits with andouille sausage. - American Near Me - The Villages, Florida

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Meh- we ordered a burger with cheese and a chicken salad melt. I assumed that the melt would be a warm sandwich. It was pretty much tasteless and not warm at all. The fries were limp. The burger was over cooked. Service was average. The restaurant was extremely loud! It was very difficult to talk to each other. Been there, done that - nothing there will bring me back. read more

This restaurant is a hidden gem, our server was Courtney and she was a 10 of 10, we ordered a chicken salad melt, my wife said it was very good, l ordered the Pulled pork sandwich, it was not a very big sandwich. Also, there fries were not that good. Recommendation: You need to advertise your menu on a website to let people know your location. Cutos to Mel she said 20-minutes and she was right on, she also walked by our table to make sure everything was good. read more

We went to Harry & The Natives with some friends who live in the villages. I ordered the Voodoo Past & my wife ordered the shrimp & grits. Both our meals were excellent. Our waitress Jordan was very attentive to our needs. The ambiance was superb with an excellent view from our table looking out towards the pond. I highly recommend eating at this establishment!! read more

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Drinks on the water with a tiki bar and music!!!! It doesn't get much better than this!!!! Food is great and everyone is so nice! read more

The Natives at Lake Okahumpka - American Near Me - The Villages, Florida

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This place is great! We've gone several times in the last few months. The food and service were amazing!

After a few dinners here, hands down my favorite place in The Villages. Often times when visiting The Villages I have to temper my expectations as to food quality and flavor. But when I first visited Harry and the Natives about 6 months ago I realized this place was different. Now, I can honestly say it's a place 'I look forward to' vs. a lot of The Villages food options which are 'places i settle for'. Pricing is fair for the quality you get. The drinks are Tiki inspired and delicious (I highly recommend the Village Dodo) and you can tell they pride themselves of freshness and quality. They have some of the best crab cakes I've ever had, a bit pricey but they are almost 100% crab (almost not binder/filler) and if you know the price of crab these days you'd understand the pricing. For me, a Village Dodo drink, Filet Mignon medium rare 'surf and turf' style with a crab cake, and creamed spinach side served outside with the tiki torches blaring is near perfection in a meal. read more

Called here to place an order and was told cannot do it and I have to order on line. Oh so I tried to order on line at 8:11pm and guess what, can't order online past 8pm even though the restaurant is open until 9pm. Worst part is I liked this place. Went there a lot and brought friends and family but this is how they treat a customer ordering online!? Well I may have to rethink my like for them now! ‍ read more

The crab cakes were highly recommended by other reviewers and I have to say I wasn't impressed especially for $38!! For two smallish cakes, some ok not good fries and literally a shot glass sized amount of coleslaw. It came in one of those little metal containers you would get ketchup in at an upper scale restaurant. My first bite of the crab cake was fishy and slightly dry. They needed a sauce to accompany it or more butter or something. Subsequent bites were better but it was very one note. Loaded it up with squeezes of lemon (I asked for not provided, salt and pepper.) Husband got shrimp and grits and he wasn't impressed either. As usual throughout the Villages, the service was very good. The restaurant was full but we got a table pretty quickly. Unfortunately not at all close to the water. I wouldn't try this place again. read more

Visited The Villages for the first time and was excited to try this restaurant. It is situated on the water of Lake Okahumpka and to my delight, there were no flies, mosquitoes or other flying insects at our 7pm reservation. The restaurant is nicely decorated, both inside and outside and the seating operation went smoothly. We were told a 40 - 50 minute wait but turned into maybe a 10 minute wait. The restaurant was quite busy so my friend and I looked forward to our dinner. I ordered a Cosmopolitan and my friend ordered sweet tea. Most places make good Cosmos - this place did not. It was sour and not that cold. My friend's sweet tea was not sweet. He asked for sugar. The BBQ Pork Roll appetizer was tasty. A good follow up from poor drinks. My friend and I are from Maryland so we stayed away from the Maryland style crab cakes. My entree of Mesquite smoked Atlantic Salmon cooked medium with pineapples marinated and cooked in a IDK syrup, was only ok. The salmon was not medium or mesquite flavored. The pineapple side was new for me and I tried several bites. Not a fan. My friend ordered the Voodoo pasta with Mesquite Chicken in their Vodoo cream sauce. Not a difficult meal to make. The Voodoo cream sauce tasted more like a cream sauce with tomato vegetable broth and bell pepper flavor. Where was the mesquite flavor and mix of butter/cream sauce. I love pasta and all kinds of cream sauces. Sorry to say this disappoints. I also love desserts - which we skipped. Not interested in giving anything away try. The restaurant in nice but the drinks and food was disappointing. I won't be back anytime soon. read more

Very cool place with a ambiance of tropical and island vibes. Service was great and the food was excellent. They have a good selection of food and drinks. Love the ambiance. read more

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This place is getting it together. The food seems too slowly getting better. The burgers are good. The drinks are good. The staff is super nice and it's a beautiful location. read more

Perfect experience, highly recommend. Drinks, service, food and atmosphere can't be beat. read more

The Natives at Lake Okahumpka - American Near Me - The Villages, Florida

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Waitress very friendly and nice.. the hostess was not very nice Food was ok, expensive and not a lot of flavor. Very disappointing read more

Big shout out to Scott, an owner, and Kristen M, our server, and of course.... Henry the Chef! Well done! You guys hit it out of the park! HOME RUN. We went out tonight for my wife's birthday, and we made special prior arrangements with Scott and Henry the Chef to get two Maryland style crab cakes. Chef Henry said he would make them for her, and he kept his word! Scott mentioned they may be planning to add the Maryland style crab cakes to the next iteration of their menu, so we are all hoping they will eventually be a regular fixture in the future. The fresh ingredients, paired with the classic inventive recipes really are the core of any good eatery. Add the lake front atmosphere, and the great service (Thanks again to Kristen) and we think Harry's will be a big hit for years to come. We absolutely loved the whole dining experience, and look forward to returning soon. What a refreshing and fun night out in The Villages. read more

The Natives at Lake Okahumpka - Good times - American Near Me - The Villages, Florida

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The lakefront patio provides a casual atmosphere with views of natural FL. The dock extends out into the lake for a stroll after dining. All the guests seemed to be enjoying themselves and the experience. Service is exceptional with plenty of attentive staff. The Voodoo Pasta dish is delicious as was the lemon pie for dessert. The bar area was busy and everyone was having a good time. The building is new with plenty of convenient parking. We are looking forward to returning soon. read more

The Natives at Lake Okahumpka - The lemon pie is a secret recipe. - American Near Me - The Villages, Florida

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Host and hostess friendly. Mitzi always smiling and helpful. Excellent food and service. Love the candied bacon and the French Dipped sandwich was great! Also truly enjoyed the entertainment. Desserts are delicious as well. read more

Food was good but nothing special to brag about. Limited menu for those who are vegetarian. The outdoor atmosphere is what this place is known for. The setting is gorgeous. It's a great place to eat at when the temperature is not steamy hot nor a night when mosquitoes are out. read more

Great meal and courteous people serving you. Decor was great and has a great ambience..

The food is excellent and fresh tasting. The restaurant prides itself on serving only fresh, not frozen, food and it shows. The Native Salad was delicious with mesquite chicken. Since the restaurant is still new we can forgive having to ask for the cheese toast that comes with the Native Salad. We will be back and look forward to trying more items. read more

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Was there on a road trip to the panhandle.. This place is a gem. I had the crab cakes and they were outstanding..!!! They sat us outside and the view from our table beautiful and my out of town guests loved the Florida feel. The other patrons who I would assume are from the villages were very warm and friendly and the table to table made this lunch even more enjoyable... The service staff from the front door to our waiter also were over the top accommodating and friendly... Don't pass this place up if you are looking for a non chain restaurant.... read more

Great views, great seating. Food is a 4.5 but it's not reliable. I've ordered the same thing on different occasions and didn't even look the same. I enjoy this place but the staff can be weird like they are mad at the manager or something and that's not cool. Just can't give 5 stars because... much as I like going there, it's not a five star. Killer atmosphere read more

This place is what the southern end of the Villages needed. Most of the food was awesome. We also had deviled eggs, the people I was with could not stop talking about the bacon. Some of the food portions were huge and others were smaller. Only not so good was the root beer/Dr Pepper barbecue sauce. It had too much of a soda type flavor. read more

Good food and service, a bit pricey. We felt rushed, and it actually made us feel uncomfortable. The ambiance is great.

We went during their soft opening and even though some items on the menu weren't available the experience was awesome. All staff were friendly and attentive. Our server (Mark) was very energetic and informative about several items he recommended on the menu. We went with his suggestion in reference to the calamari which was served with a marinara sauce that was a bit chunky and excellent flavor. My wife & her mother split the Chicken Sandwich which will soon be famous (according to the menu) with fries. I had the Mahi fish tacos. There are 2 fried fish tacos with a slaw/kraut type as the greens which had a sauerkraut flavor. I also had as my side the burgundy mushrooms which are to die for! The place is ultra cool with mainly outside dining that looks over a water area that on this night was perfect! There are several tables that are inside near the entry way if you like inside dining. The bar area is outside under the tiki hut overlooking the water. I would venture to say there is roughly 50 seats around the bar! You can have an adult beverage(s) as well as food. We knew of Harry & his sister Paula when we lived in Palm Beach Gardens back in the 70's & 80's and enjoyed their place in Hobe Sound which is nothing like this place on Okahumpka Lake. More eclectic is how I would describe but very cool! So, this is a fantastic place to check out & hope you have the same positive experience as we did this evening! read more

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Service is top notch, food is average nothing gourmet, scenery out to the lake is the best feature. Wish the food was more than typical Florida bar food. read more

Went at about 5:00pm and the restaurant was already busy. Took a table inside as the wait outside was 35 minute (note to self get there earlier). Started dinner off with Calamari and it was the best we have had in awhile. Super tender hot and served with marinara sauce our table enjoyed the burger, a chicken sandwich, shrimp and grits and the whipped Feta with Hot honey everything was so good, came out of the kitchen nice and hot. Drink menu is extensive with beers, wines and cocktails. Our server Sophia was amazing. We will be back read more