Lacto
Ovo
American
Non-veg

Serves meat, vegan options available. American diner food but reported having also a large vegan menu - ask for it. Open Mon-Sat 6:00am-3:00pm.


68 Reviews

First Review by myahpapaya

Loveiseternal77

Points +188

Vegan
06 Jan 2026

Abundant And Delicious Vegan Options

I am so grateful to have recently discovered Ocala Downtown Diner!🙏🏻 My spouse and I are both vegan and this diner has a distinct vegan menu with an abundance of options. 🌱 💪🏻 We ordered the Smothered Stuffer, Vegan Breakfast Sandwich, Sweet Potato Fries with vegan mayo, and Fried Pickles with vegan ranch and everything was truly delicious! 🤤 Not only was the food yummy, but the employees were very kind and attentive. It was nice to be in such a warm and charming space where people from many walks of life can peacefully co-exsist 🕊️ I look forward to coming back to try more of the menu in the future ❤️

Pros: Extensive Vegan Menu, Cozy Atmosphere, Kind And Attentive Staff

MattChester

Points +3167

Vegan
22 Dec 2025

Full and thoughtful menu

What a great and unexpected vegan menu on a classic diner. It’s not just a beyond burger— options and they were all great! A gem of a place I’ll go to again if I’m back in Ocala

Updated from previous review on 2025-12-22

spacetag

Points +820

Vegan
14 Nov 2025

Big vegan menu

I love that they have a separate large vegan menu that they give everyone right when they sit down. We got the Philly and the chix and bakn. I love that they asked if we wanted Impossible OR Beyond. So nice to have choices. Both sandwiches were delicious, service was very fast and friendly.

KevinCharney

Points +67

Vegan
26 Jun 2025

The only issue is choosing what vegan awesomeness you want

I got this place anytime I am in town. A FULL vegan menu, two sides of breakfast and lunch greatness. Always friendly, wonderful ambiance. The food is fantastic!

Pros: Selection, Taste, Vibe

pikpril

Points +56

Vegan
21 Jun 2025

FIVE STAR Vegan Menu

Everyone is so darn welcoming and friendly. The options were epic and unique. I'm sharing the menu. Perfect place. (Impossible, Dr. Praeger's, Beyond.. creamy vegan cheeses, vegan mayo.. etc)

Pros: So many Options , Kind staff, Fair prices

Very_Vegan

Points +66

Vegan
17 May 2025

A gem in Oca

It doesn’t seem like a place with an extensive vegan menu, but it has one and it’s awesome. The food is good, hearty diner food. Service is great. It’s always packed when I’ve been, so that says something

Debbwa

Points +60

Vegan
03 Apr 2025

Owner is Vegan

Fun experience with a separate, full vegan menu. Server told us the owner is vegan. True southern diner vibe, but with vegan options!

Updated from previous review on 2025-04-03

JERILYNSWIGER

12 Jun 2025

I don’t think this is true. If you look at their instagram page. There is a photo of the owner posing with a deer’s head that she claims to have shot.

DanielleF33

Points +559

Vegan
26 Mar 2025

Good vegan comfort food

Great all vegan menu! Friendly staff, decent prices:)

Pros: Fully vegan menu, Cool venue, Mindful staff

Cons: Still serves meat:(

MarthaWaltman

Points +16

Vegan
03 Feb 2025

Excellent Food and Variety

Vegan options are on a dedicated menu for vegans. They also have gluten free options that are marked on the menu. The chix Philly sandwich was very good as was the Cole slaw.
The service was great and friendly.
Definitely recommend it if you are in the area! #Veganuary

Pros: Variety , Gluten free options , Dedicated menu

Cons: Closing time was 3 pm, Up charges for gluten free options in

JenPickeringDunbar

Points +118

Vegan
09 Nov 2024

Great for a diner in Ocala

I had the Faux Really Philly
with “chix” and sweet potato fries. I also split 2 vegan pancakes with my friend. I managed to get 3 meals out it.
The sandwich says it’s a sub but it’s not that big.
Food was good.

laceypaige

Points +56

Vegan
06 Oct 2024

Great spot!

Had to take care of some business in Ocala, and worried there would be much vegan options to work with. Ocala’s was an exciting discovery, since they had a separate vegan menu! I went twice—admittedly, first meal was fine, wasn’t exactly what was expected. However, went back a second time for a burger and it was delicious! The staff were knowledgeable and recommended their fav vegan options, and they have a choice between beyond and impossible for most of their meat selections! Glad to have stumbled across it on the trip😄

Pros: Plenty of vegan options/very vegan friendly , Good food, Knowledgeable staff

Cons: “ODD Breakfast Waffle” didn’t come as expected

SandhillVegan

Points +31

Mostly Veg
24 Jul 2024

Excellent... extensive vegan menu

Tasty food...super service....loaded Breakfast Burrito was delicious

Pros: Food , Service , Price

KatherineWinter

Points +1980

Vegan
11 May 2024

Double sided vegan menu

Came here after visiting Kindred Spirits. They unprompted asked me if I wanted a vegan menu. Food was pretty good and the staff was friendly. The french fries were very good. Normal diner type of options.

Updated from previous review on 2024-05-11

Kirbiewalters

Points +707

Vegan
16 Apr 2024

Cute downtown diner

When I saw this on happy cow it immediately stuck out to me as I used to frequently indulge in diner food pre vegan. They had an entire vegan menu and the massive diner cups so I was sold. My food was really good, I even got a cupcake to go. I will say- if you are a healthier vegan and don’t eat much refined sugar DON’T get any baked goods. I had the cupcake that night at home and immediately got a headache from the sugar. Other than that food was great and staff was extremely friendly! Would eat here again if I was in the area

Pros: Full vegan menu , Friendly staff

Melorel

Points +16

Vegan
28 Dec 2023

I will never go there again!!

The smell of old fat is welcoming you, followed by a rude waitress not accommodating to your simple request of a table at the window. Also don’t bring your service dog as they don’t even bother to ask and only offer you a table outside in the cold weather and rain.. #Veganuary

Updated from previous review on 2023-12-28

Valerie95

Points +26

Vegan
04 Sep 2023

ENTIRE VEGAN MENU

This place has both breakfast and lunch menus that are front to back with a TON of options. From sweet to savory. Cheese sauce, ranch, bacon, etc. All the vegan fixins for an affordable price. Always good service and quick food. Favorite vegan spot in Ocala.

Pros: Menu variety , Quick service, Great food

CarolynG.Bryant

Points +30

Vegan
15 Jun 2023

So delicious!

The BLT was loaded with fillings and because it was the Thursday special it came with a choice of a side dish (many choices) and a drink.

Pros: Completely separate vegan menu

mateutschgmail.com

Points +34

Vegan
18 Mar 2023

Perfect choices!

So many delicious choices & extremely knowledgeable waitress, Erin, made my decision easy!

Pros: Lots of vegan options , Waitress, Erin, especially helpful &knowledgeable, Delicious!

Cons: Air fryer not an option, but not a problem-

KristenAlana

Points +105

Vegan
15 Feb 2023

Old school diner food.

If you like old school style diners then this is your jam. BLT is lightlife tempeh. Bread is very thick, with minimal between the bread. Very polite staff.

Updated from previous review on 2023-02-15

IANTO

Points +220

Vegan
19 Jan 2023

5 star earned

WOW! Diner atmosphere and has a big vegan menu- perfect for friends that are not vegan - all can enjoy - awesome yummy food
Must see the menu
Awesome; awesome awesome Maria was an excellent server 🤩

Pros: Huge vegan menu

Cons: None

StephanieLanger

Points +1092

Vegan
29 Dec 2022

Classic diner food

Came here with family for a birthday breakfast. They have a large vegan menu with lots of choices. I enjoyed the chik’n and waffles. Would love to come again and try some of their other items. It’s a fun place to visit.

Pros: Separate vegan menu

Cons: Not open for dinner

suewells

Points +24

Vegan
10 Nov 2022

Great Diner Food

Lots of great diner food options. We had vegan Philly Cheese Steak and buffalo wrap. Both were wonderful. Staff were lovely. Attentive and friendly. We will be back.

dwaynesummers

Points +24

Vegan
19 Oct 2022

Best Vegan Menu

When we travel, we like to try local restaurants that offer vegan options. The Downtown Diner has the most vegan options of any traditional restaurant we have ever visited. They also take great pride in their vegan food to make sure it is delicious, unlike some who only serve a black bean burger! The hoagie with the Impossible meat was amazing! It was a pleasure to eat there. By the way, the staff is very friendly and are knowledgeable about the vegan options.

Pros: Lots of vegan options, Great food, Friendly staff

Cons: Need more seating!, No TP in bathroom. Need continuous checks.

SharlynFoley

Points +37

Vegan
08 Oct 2022

Cute diner with great vegan menu

Love having this place in Ocala. They aren't 100% vegan but they have an excellent breakfast and lunch vegan menu.

Cons: Only open till 3pm

Michelle.L.

Points +968

Vegan
24 Jul 2022

Ocala's Downtown Diner is a must!

If you ever find yourself in Ocala, Ocala's Downtown Diner is a must! I live in Jacksonville and my boyfriend lives in Clearwater so we meet in Ocala as a halfway point and we are so lucky to have found this place! They have a very extensive vegan breakfast and lunch menu. The food is amazing and the staff is extremely friendly! So far, we have been there for breakfast twice and lunch once. I was very impressed that they offer vegan alternatives for everything we've needed thus far (non-dairy milk for your coffee, vegan butter, vegan mayo, etc.). They offer both Beyond and Impossible patties for their burgers. The only drawback of this place is that they aren't open for dinner, although that's probably for the best considering we would likely eat three meals a day there if we could! We will definitely be going here every time we are in Ocala! I would have left a five star rating if I could have!

Updated from previous review on 2022-07-24

Pros: Lots of delicious vegan options, Friendly staff, Good prices

Cons: Not open for dinner

mikey725

Points +196

Vegan
15 Jul 2022

How refreshing!

It’s so refreshing to find a place like this with so many vegan options! I plan on returning anytime I’m in the area. I had the faux Philly chix and it was fantastic! The service was excellent and my food arrived very quickly.

Pros: Lots of vegan options , Fast service , Friendly service

bsandman

Points +38

Vegan
02 Jul 2022

Great local place with many Vegan options!

There were so many vegan options it was difficult to pick, but I made a great choice with the Buffalo Chix Wrap and a side of Couscous and Quinoa. My 3 kids (ages 10-24) also enjoyed their non vegan food choices. Service was fantastic and they give a discount when paying with cash. I look forward to returning to try other of their menu items!

Pros: Lots of vegan options , Great service , Great atmosphere

Cons: Small location




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