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    Ivy on the Square

    4.0 (395 reviews)
    ModerateSouthern, Wine Bars
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Ivy on the Square Southern Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    IVY ON THE SQUARE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Romantic
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Ivy on the Square

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    1 of our krispy chicken dishes with potato wedges, succotash, cornbread & another roll.
    Lesli S.

    Stopped by for lunch. Really cute inside - an upscale shabby chic or modern farmhouse feel with lots of natural light. Plenty of pay by app parking nearby with this restaurant on the back side of the square. Immediately greeted by the hostess. We sat at the dining tables, but there's a bar area available as well. Seating was a blend of upholstered couch and chairs and was quite comfortable. Only complaint was it was kind of gross with dried on food, crusty bits and stains so had to try and ignore that. Management needs to increase regularity of checking and cleaning. Our waiter was very helpful and attentive. Ordered a couple of the krispy chicken, which is gluten-free because they use a gf rice crispy cereal to coat it. It's a pretty generous meal consisting of 1 chicken breast, corn/bean succotash, cornbread and another side. We had potatoes and cheese grits. The chicken and cornbread were pretty good. Chicken was cooked well and it was nice to have something that resembled fried chicken but gf. All the rest of the accompaniments were meh. Also ordered the caprese salad. Caprese was as expected but with some pesto drizzled on top and this made for a nice addition. Not sure we would return, but enjoyed the overall ambiance and service.

    Baked Krispy Chicken with corny cornbread and potato wedges
    Mel M.

    My wife and I have heard good things about Ivy on the Square so we were looking forward to having lunch there. Located on the square (duh), this place is oozing with charm. As you step inside seeking refuge from the heat and that bright sun, you are welcomed into a calming, almost serene, well appointed space. We were seated promptly and provided the menu. My wife planned on ordering their Boozy Burger but pivoted and chose the Fried Atlantic Cod with mac and cheese and I opted for the Baked Krispy Chicken with salad and potato wedges. My wife thought her cod was fresh and flaky BUT the breading needed more flavor. I felt the same about my chicken...not only was the chicken breast a bit undersized, I thought it needed more flavor and probably could've been better paired with garlic mashed potatoes with a savory gravy. The salad, with raspberry vinaigrette was good as were the hot rolls and the corny cornbread. My wife also liked the vegetables (some green beans with corn). We thought service was uneven. My salad was served with the entree instead of before and the hot rolls were served after our meals were served. Additionally, we had to flag down a server for drink refills and waited a bit for our server to get our bill. We both loved the ambiance but thought service was spotty and flavors lacking. Lunch for 2 with tip came out to just under $52. NOTE: We didn't see any free parking nearby. You can pay for street parking or in one of the parking lots nearby.

    Melissa F.

    Arrived on a Friday night. Food was good overall. We asked to sit outside on their garden patio and were told no. We were quoted 15-20 minutes for a party of four and it ended up being 40. The wine glasses look cheap and stumpy. Service was good. Fried green tomatoes were a favorite at the table. This place is very cute inside.

    Bar
    Robert C.

    A beautiful space in a restored 100+ year old building. Several dining areas, a gorgeous bar, and some seating in the corner of the bar. Ample sidewalk seating too, but you have to deal with the street 5 ft away and idiots in cars, on bikes and trucks benching fumes. Go for inside or the bar. A nice menu with something for everyone. Lots of flexibility in adjusting the dish. Our server, Jessica, was awesome- top notch all around with an uplifting attitude. A star for her alone! Food was good - bacon dates were tasty, my turkey wrap was probably meant to be on the croissant instead of the spinach wrap I substituted. Bacon for the mahi was undercooked and the fish a bit dry. Overall a thumbs up.

    Crème Brûlée
    David S.

    Wow, just wow. We happened to be in town and were looking for a place to eat and I found this place. So glad we did. The place is so cute from the outside and inside. Extremely well decorated and just a super cool vibe. I had the signature dish which was the crispy baked chicken. My daughter got the grilled version. And my wife got the fried green tomato BLT. They were all excellent. The rolls that came with the chicken were great. Took me back to those buns they used to give you in school with lunch. So good! The Mac and cheese was mouth watering. Oh, and the raspberry lemonade was the bomb! We were all very happy with our choices. The meals were so good we couldn't pass up dessert. We got the chocolate cake, the peanut butter pie and the crème brûlée. If we thought our meals were good, we were about to be slapped in the face with these desserts. I struggle for words to describe how good they were. My wife said the crème brûlée was the best she'd ever had. When you go to this place, save room for dessert. Or even if you don't have room, order it anyway. One bite and you'll forget you're stuffed. It's that good. So if you find yourself in Ocala, be sure to check this place out. You won't regret it. If you like my reviews, follow me on TikTok at the_blind_foodie

    Maria M.

    We came for a date night at this weekend and had a wonderful time! The atmosphere is very cozy. The furniture and lighting make you feel at home, but also still feel upscale. We shared the pimento cheese fritters, and they were excellent. My husband had the creole shrimp and I had the chicken Marsala special, both were very good! Only critique would be that the chicken was a tad tough, but the flavor was great. Service was very kind, but a bit slow. We could see our server had quite a few tables and he wanted to give time to each one without rushing. We really enjoyed and we will be back!

    Fried Shrimp. Comes with green beans, carrots, Mac n cheese, cornbread, and a yeast roll.
    Lauren S.

    We have been residing in Ocala for over a year and a half but it took that long for us to finally try this place. I have had it bookmarked since we moved here but I cannot give a reason why we haven't visited. We are downtown a lot so there should be no excuse. It was a Saturday, earlier in the evening, when we decided to dine here. We went to the movies earlier and were sitting in the car deciding on what to do. Since we were parked in front, hubs suggested here. The restaurant was definitely busy but it did not look packed upon entering. A host walked us to a table in the back. I must say, the set up of the tables and ambiance were definitely unique and I loved it. It was very dark in the restaurant so it was difficult to read the menu. I loved that it was darker than most places. Our server greeted us and took our order for drinks. He was not enthusiastic or personable but still did his job. We also ordered the Bacon wrapped dates as an appetizer and added a side of bleu cheese dressing. We had a very similar appetizer in St. Augustine with bacon wrapped dates that had a bleu cheese compote of some sort and the ingredients were incredible. I wanted to recreate that it was definitely close. I ordered the fried shrimp. There was a lot of food involved! I had a salad that came with it but I think recall it being too impressive. The fried shrimp came with Mac and cheese, green beans, cornbread, and a yeast roll. Of course I did not finish it and took some to go. It was okay. I did think the shrimp was cooked/fried fresh as opposed to the shrimp being fried then frozen. All in all, I did enjoy the ambiance and I would like to visit again. I would like to try other items on the menu and maybe sit at the bar. The lunch menu appears to have different items than the dinner menu so I definitely want to try lunch as well.

    Bacon wrapped dates. Presentation could be better
    Mike L.

    Food was great. Just be aware that the bacon wrapped dates are small and a bit pricey for what you get Signature fried shrimp was delicious so wax the Mac and cheese Service was outstanding and the place is perfect for date night

    Emily H.

    Great ambiance, great service and delicious food. The fried green tomatoes were on point. The fried chicken was amazing and on my list for top fried chicken. For dessert we had the peanut butter pie which was good, but definitely super rich. Loved this location.

    Ivy on the Square

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    4 months ago

    Love this restaurant. The food is wonderful southern cooking meeting metro dining. Wish I lived closer so I could dine there more often

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    5 months ago

    I love this restaurant, and eat there quite frequently. Varied menu, great food, friendly staff and a wonderful ambience.

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    Ask the Community - Ivy on the Square

    Does Ivy's offer a 'regular' type printed menu...or are customers forced to order from an 'APP'...? If so, total turn-off and 'dealbreaker' for us. ...!

    They have a regular typed menu! Their food is delicious and reasonably priced! I love it! You will not be disappointed!! The service is great too!!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    I'm not sure why it took me so long to come back since my last visit in August 2022, but I'm glad I…read morefinally did! Stella's continues to impress with fresh ingredients and absolutely incredible bread. I wasn't sure since it being 2 years since I was here if they would have the breakfast I had last time. I was surprised they did have it so I ordered the Spanish Egg Breakfast, which came with arugula, chorizo, heirloom tomatoes, ciabatta toast, and a preserve. The eggs were perfectly cooked, the chorizo added a great smoky-spicy kick, and the heirloom tomatoes were sweet and juicy. The arugula balanced everything out with a slight peppery bite, and the ciabatta toast was just amazing--crispy on the outside, soft inside, and perfect with the preserve. I also had the Jamón Serrano Sandwich & split it with my bf. It was just as good as it sounds. The jamón serrano, manchego, and basil pesto were a perfect combination--savory, nutty, and herby--all sandwiched between that same incredible ciabatta. Every bite was fresh and flavorful. The atmosphere is cozy, and the service was friendly, though the wait was a little longer than expected. Still, the quality of the food made up for it. Definitely won't wait as long to return next time!

    Another cute place that took us too long to check out. We were walking around for Art Walk and…read moredecided to stop in here for a glass of wine and to check what this place really is. It looks like a store from the outside but I did see someone sitting inside sipping wine so I was intrigued. As you walk in, there is a spacious seating area at the front of the store. Then it kind of transitions into a market store. There is a counter you order food at and pay for items. There is a small bar with seating next to that as well. We browsed the market items and picked up a couple of items. We went to the counter to pay and that is when I realized you can order food and drinks. If you order something that takes time to prepare, it is brought to you at a table. Since I ordered a glass of wine, I just waited there for it and went to sit. Hubs retrieved a beer from the fridge. The owner was the individual we interacted with and he was very pleasant. There was constant traffic the entire time we were there so I hope that means they will remain in business. The prices were not too crazy and it is a perfect place to have a drink and/ or gourmet snacks. I definitely want to return and try other items on the menu.

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    Three Six Bistro - Scallops

    Three Six Bistro

    4.4(38 reviews)
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    Oh man we really wanted to check this place out due to the reviews. We've been to alot of places…read moreback in tampa and orlando with same vibes so was so excited when something like it opened up here in ocala...but was left disappointed. First, the chef greeted almost everyone but us which was quite disappointing. Second, my order was messed up. I did told them i touched it since i thought it looked like my dish with the scallops yet the waiter still picked it up and serve to another table. Our food also took a long time to come out..water took a long time to get refilled along with the napkins and our wine did not come out until way later. Third, our bill was messed up as well. So definitely be cautious. Also, pro tip is it is cheaper if you pay in cash. We did try new stuff such as kangaroo tartare..definitely was a hit but crab fondue was ok as well as the pastas. You could definitely make them at home. The lobster pasta was too overpowering with garlic and there was barely any duck in the duck and pork pasta. For Ocala, i would say okay if you wanted to give fine dining a try. I just would not be back due to how we were treated, all the mess ups and underwhelming food for what we paid for. I do have to give props to the scallops. It was nicely cooked ( still soft, and could melt in your mouth).

    While the outside is very unassuming, the inside is decorated very nicely. They have a compact bar…read morearea but the rest of the place is just big enough for it to feel cozy and intimate but not cramped. The service was amazing. The server gave great recommendations regarding the food, wine, and dessert. He was very upbeat and made sure he checked on us just enough. The chef also came out to greet us as we finished our meal. I could tell he talks to his regular customers because he spent a few minutes at another table having friendly conversation. My mom and I decided on the wine pictured below. It was very smooth. We both loved that it went well with our meals and dessert. The serve this truffle and Parmesan popcorn to start. Delicious! We also ordered the seafood empanadas. They are served with queso and pepper sauces. The empanadas are so rich and the flavor is amazing. I had the filet with asparagus and fondant potatoes. The filet was a bit overcooked but still amazing. It was perfectly seasoned and I could cut it with a butter knife. The fondant potatoes were perfectly cooked. It had this really good truffle sauce on top. The asparagus was more of a garnish but it was perfectly cooked. My mom had the bison filet with duchess potatoes. She loved it. She reported it was perfectly cooked. It was a pretty hefty portion. We shared the chocolate cake. It is not a very big dessert but we had eaten our meals and drank wine. It was served with blueberry compote and Tillamook ice cream. The cake was perfect. Rich but not too sweet or dense. I do not normally like cooked fruit. And I have never thought to pair chocolate cake with blueberry compote. But my goodness the two went together so well! The ice cream made it even better. Now I know Ocala doesn't have a ton of fine dining. And yes. The price point of this place is a bit high. But it's a great treat for people like my mom and I who enjoy great food, service, and ambiance. I also want to point out the menu has some more adventurous options like kangaroo, python, boar, and other options that rotate. I pray this town doesn't let this place get shut down. I think they could keep the crowds coming by doing a tapas night, happy hour, or food and wine pairing event.

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    Dining room

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    Flamed Honey Walnut Duck

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    MC Wine bar

    MC Wine bar

    5.0(10 reviews)
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    I've visited MC Wine Bar twice and had a good time both times. There was free popcorn to be had as…read morewell, and it was fresh, and it was good, so kudos there! The bar staff has been friendly and chats us up about the beers available (yep, we were there for the craft beers, thank you very much! Other nearby patrons were also friendly and joined in conversations as well. They do have live music on the weekends and as it is a small place the front area where the musicians perform can get pretty crowded. However, sitting at the bar or in the back of the bar you can still have conversations without having to yell, which I definitely appreciate. If you aren't into wine or beer (somehow) there is also a "loophole" menu in which you can order wine-based-alcohol drinks such as mojitos and cosmos. I haven't yet tried those, but I will be doing so on the next visit!

    I have been hear a few different times and have never been disappointed. The staff's knowledge of…read morebeer and wine is outstanding. Their creativity is second to none as they use wine as a base to make martinis, margaritas, and shots. The live music is always pleasant. You are able to hold a conversation without having to yell to the person next to you. Even though there is no kitchen here, they offer to go pick up food from 3 different local restaurants, Coaches, Pine Street Tavern, and Motor City. The staff has always been engaging and provide great service. This makes me want to come more often as I always feel welcome. As I said in the beginning, this wasn't my first visit, and it will not be my last.

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    The Juniper General Store - Store

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    4.5(28 reviews)
    6.6 mi

    Hubs planned for us to visit as a surprise. It was our dog's gotcha day and he picked this place…read morebecause it was dog friendly for inside! Upon walking in, it was overwhelming since I was honestly unaware of this place! Lol and because I was unaware of our visit ahead of time, I did not get to look at Yelp beforehand. We decided to browse around the market area before sitting somewhere. There were so many items! You name it, it was sold in the market. There were items that were handmade by local residents and items from corporations as well. There were some snacks that piqued my interest, as well as some crafts. When we were about to sit at the bar, we were greeted by I believe one of the owners, who very enthusiastically welcomed us and paid a lot attention to our dog. I was craving iced tea so I ordered that, along with a bottle of wine- since it was cheaper. Hubs went the usual route and ordered an IPA on tap. We sat and enjoyed our drinks while we gazed around. Since it is so close to WEC, they had horse races showing on the television. The bartender was attentive and kept my bottle of wine in the fridge and topped me off as necessary. It was not super busy in the afternoon but as it became later, more people came in. I believe a lot of traffic from the restaurant next door stroll in after dinner. Speaking of, there is not a kitchen but they have baked goods, cheeses in the fridge, and food trucks on occasion. They also have pairing dinners and all their events are updated on their Instagram page. If this place was not so far from home, we would be here every week.

    A breath of fresh air! Great for coffee drinks and wine. Welcoming to laptops, fabulous friendly…read morehostess, and top notch quality items for sale.

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    Ivy on the Square - southern - Updated May 2026

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