This 380-Acre Equestrian Complex Is Also A Hidden Culinary Gem

Driving to the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida, particularly at night, is an interesting—and dramatic—experience. Once you get off the highway, you drive through some pretty dark stretches occupied by farms, and just when you think Google Maps has led you astray you see the magnificent silhouette of The Equestrian Hotel. And the surprises don’t stop there.

The World Equestrian Center is the largest equestrian complex in the United States, and it’s fittingly located in the heart of Ocala, the horse capital of the world. It’s an impressive facility with everything a horse, equestrian or horse lover could dream of, but even if your life doesn’t revolve around horses there’s plenty to see and do. If you love food, prepare to be pleasantly surprised (and even impressed) by their culinary offerings.

The massive estate, which continues to expand over its 380 acres, is home to eight distinct dining concepts. Four of them can be found at the stylish 248-room Equestrian Hotel, which has spacious rooms and suites that overlook an open-air‌ horse arena. They include Emma’s Patisserie, a pastry shop with colorful French macarons, flaky pastries and delicate confections that are almost too pretty to eat proudly displayed in a glass case for you to select and pair with a gourmet coffee. Yellow Pony Pub & Garden is the hotel’s pub concept, complete with live music, a horseshoe-shaped bar and saddle-topped bar stools. Stirrups Restaurant is the hotel’s upscale steakhouse, serving up prime steaks and chops, sustainable Florida seafood and Southern-inspired seasonal plates. Horse to Water is the hotel’s pool bar, which serves frozen cocktails, wine, beer, seltzers, spritzes and snacks.

The remaining dining concepts are dotted throughout the property, and include Filo’s Mexican Cantina (stop by for tacos, burritos and quesadillas), Miss Tilly’s Lollipops (kids and adults will love their chocolate, candy and coffee), Ralph’s Burger & Sandwich Shop (specializing in burgers, salads and milkshakes) and Viola & Dot’s Italian Kitchen & Pizzeria (for when you’re craving pasta, pizza and tiramisu).

At the helm of the World Equestrian Center’s dining program is Ryker Brown, resort executive chef. When asked what sets their dining program apart, his answer was simple: a commitment to fresh ingredients, making everything from scratch, and, above all, the people that work there. “From the chefs to servers, to front of house management, we have a group of extremely talented, dedicated people and that’s really what makes everything come together,” he said. “I’ve worked at a lot of hotels and resorts and this is the best hospitality team that has ever been assembled. They are phenomenal, every one of them.”

And if all of this wasn’t enough to entice food lovers to make the journey to Ocala, the World Equestrian Center also hosts the Ocala Food & Wine Festival. The annual festival, which enters its third year in 2023, brings together more than 50 local restaurants, premium wineries, breweries and distilleries for a jam-packed weekend. Last year’s event was hosted by celebrity chef, author and restaurateur Art Smith and featured cooking demonstrations from top chefs, intimate celebrity chef dinners (hosted by the likes of Lorena Garcia, Timothy Hollingsworth and Elizabeth Falkner), live music and lively tasting events.

Hosting a massive food festival at an equestrian center may seem like an unusual choice, but Brown explained that it’s all part of the bigger picture to put the World Equestrian Center on the map as a multipurpose destination and make use of their ample facilities. “We are an equestrian facility, but we’re so much more than that,” he said. “We have everything horses and competitors could ever want, but we also have these expo centers and a beautiful property.” The inaugural Food & Wine Festival in 2021 was a 1-day event, and the 2022 event was a 3-day food and drink extravaganza that kicked off with a Tasting Notes Welcome Party (complete with live music and food and drink samples) and ended with an elegant Jazz Brunch on the sunny Stirrups terrace at The Equestrian Hotel. Tickets for the 3rd annual Ocala Food & Wine Festival go on sale Friday, July 21 on the event website.