I was happy to try this place out. Photos in the web sites are nice. Reviews in the different sites were mixed. Sadly it was deceptive.
First just opening the door there was a strong odor to old humidity- mold in the place. Like dirt standing water. Still we went in. Bathrooms were dirty and lacking hand drying paper.
There were like 7 patrons on the bar, where we sit. And only 2 to 3 tables with some.
Glasses of our initial drinks smell also like old dirty standing water. They agreed with us, and the excuse was that they may have been from the first wash. ( it was 7 pm ).
Wine list is minimalist ( so please don’t call it a wine bar ), libations are ok, drinks are variable depending the bartender. ( they need to practice together to harmonize drinks ).
Food:
If I go back I would only eat appetizers. The bacon wrapped dates were very good and the pimento cheese fritters were to die for. Perfectly cooked, crispy, and not overwhelming pimento. The peach habanero jam ( which the server didn’t know what it was ) was excellent.
Salads were fresh and good with “home” made dressings. I had Caesar and my wife had thousand island that tasted like a mayo ketchup, but very good.
For “house staples” I had the baked krispy chicken. A recipe they say is 30 years old. Yes it was clean, crispy, and the inside chicken soft. But completely tasteless. My wife agree with that.
She had the special. A special prime rib with baked potato. Nice looking piece of meat, almost impossible to cut and again flavorless. Side veggies were saggy, potato small.
The coffee was very good.
Notice to say that the service was very friendly and nice.
In summary: This is a beautiful place that needs more care and attention to details. Manager should care about the knowledge of servers and the in unison preparation of drinks by bartenders. Food should be taste and flavors improved. The “staples” dinner has to create the WOW effect in the patrons. Presentation and taste are very important, non of which was present.
They can do much better with attention to details.
Vivian
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January 26, 2026
Ate at Ivy on the Square downtown and it’s the kind of place you go when you want real Southern comfort food, but in a nicer setting. The dining room feels cozy and a little “special,” and the menu has those classic, filling plates that taste like someone actually cooked them (not just reheated). We started with a couple small things, then got entrees—everything was seasoned well and came out hot.
J K
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September 27, 2026
We didn't eat here but enjoyed the coffee and bar. Donny played the guitar 🎸 tonight and we had a blast. Be sure to stop by this local gem in historic downtown Ocala.
Misty Davis
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June 29, 2026
This place is beautiful. Lovely atmosphere which is contributed to with a large bar, unique, but well chosen, decor, and good service. The food is good, though not great. The menu feels a bit limited. Not that there aren't a decent amount of choices, just that there is a lot of similarities in those choices. I've been here twice and would go again.
Doreen B.
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February 27, 2026
I went on a Thursday night with 10 other people. I tried the prime rib special ($48) and it was just ok. I ordered it medium but it was more medium well. The server later said that they cut the prime rib, then dunk it into the hot au jus, thus cooking it a bit more. Everything else was great, including my chocolate martini ($15).
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53 S Magnolia Ave, Ocala, FL 34471, USA
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I was happy to try this place out. Photos in the web sites are nice. Reviews in the different sites were mixed. Sadly it was deceptive. First just opening the door there was a strong odor to old humidity- mold in the place. Like dirt standing water. Still we went in. Bathrooms were dirty and lacking hand drying paper. There were like 7 patrons on the bar, where we sit. And only 2 to 3 tables with some. Glasses of our initial drinks smell also like old dirty standing water. They agreed with us, and the excuse was that they may have been from the first wash. ( it was 7 pm ). Wine list is minimalist ( so please don’t call it a wine bar ), libations are ok, drinks are variable depending the bartender. ( they need to practice together to harmonize drinks ). Food: If I go back I would only eat appetizers. The bacon wrapped dates were very good and the pimento cheese fritters were to die for. Perfectly cooked, crispy, and not overwhelming pimento. The peach habanero jam ( which the server didn’t know what it was ) was excellent. Salads were fresh and good with “home” made dressings. I had Caesar and my wife had thousand island that tasted like a mayo ketchup, but very good. For “house staples” I had the baked krispy chicken. A recipe they say is 30 years old. Yes it was clean, crispy, and the inside chicken soft. But completely tasteless. My wife agree with that. She had the special. A special prime rib with baked potato. Nice looking piece of meat, almost impossible to cut and again flavorless. Side veggies were saggy, potato small. The coffee was very good. Notice to say that the service was very friendly and nice. In summary: This is a beautiful place that needs more care and attention to details. Manager should care about the knowledge of servers and the in unison preparation of drinks by bartenders. Food should be taste and flavors improved. The “staples” dinner has to create the WOW effect in the patrons. Presentation and taste are very important, non of which was present. They can do much better with attention to details.
Ate at Ivy on the Square downtown and it’s the kind of place you go when you want real Southern comfort food, but in a nicer setting. The dining room feels cozy and a little “special,” and the menu has those classic, filling plates that taste like someone actually cooked them (not just reheated). We started with a couple small things, then got entrees—everything was seasoned well and came out hot.
We didn't eat here but enjoyed the coffee and bar. Donny played the guitar 🎸 tonight and we had a blast. Be sure to stop by this local gem in historic downtown Ocala.
This place is beautiful. Lovely atmosphere which is contributed to with a large bar, unique, but well chosen, decor, and good service. The food is good, though not great. The menu feels a bit limited. Not that there aren't a decent amount of choices, just that there is a lot of similarities in those choices. I've been here twice and would go again.
I went on a Thursday night with 10 other people. I tried the prime rib special ($48) and it was just ok. I ordered it medium but it was more medium well. The server later said that they cut the prime rib, then dunk it into the hot au jus, thus cooking it a bit more. Everything else was great, including my chocolate martini ($15).