WILDWOOD, FL (352today.com) – At the western edge of The Villages, Brownwood Paddock Square brings together boots, bites and buckaroos with nightly live entertainment in a setting inspired by Florida’s cattle-ranching past.

Opened in 2012 as the third town square in The Villages, Brownwood was designed with rustic architecture, brick-lined walkways and an open-air stage at its center. The square serves as one of the community’s primary hubs for dining, shopping and social gatherings.

Dining options span casual to upscale

Brownwood offers a wide range of restaurants, from classic American fare to international flavors.

Casual dining staples include Cody’s Roadhouse, Gator’s Dockside and Five Guys. For breakfast and brunch, guests can visit Another Broken Egg Cafe.

Deli favorites are available at Toojay’s and McAlister’s Deli, while quick bites and sweets can be found at Dunkin’ and Scooples Ice Cream Parlor & Restaurant.

For seafood and fresh flavors, Island Fin Poke Co. offers Hawaiian-inspired bowls, and Bluefin Grill & Bar provides an upscale coastal menu. Elevated dining options also include Harvest Restaurant & Bar, City Fire American Oven & Bar and Prima Italian Steakhouse. Mexican cuisine is featured at Fiesta Grande Mexican Grill, while craft beer enthusiasts can explore taps and tavern fare at World of Beer Bar & Kitchen.

Fresh-baked goods are available at Renee’s Fresh Bakery.

A red, brick sidewalk features a restaurant to the left and golf carts along the road on the right. In the background are more shops and restaurants.
Shops line a sidewalk with golf carts parked on the street next to it. Signs hang from white pillars outside of the shops with one reading, "Renee's" and another reading, "Island Fin Poke Co."

Retail and specialty shops

Retail offerings range from fashion and footwear to home decor and specialty goods.

Clothing boutiques include Evelyn & Arthur, Spartina 449, Trader Jack’s and The Rustic Rose Fashion Boutique. Footwear retailers include SAS San Antonio Shoemakers and Shoe Biz.

Home furnishings and gifts can be found at Babette’s Furniture & Home, The Rustic Rose Home Accents & Gifts and The Spice & Tea Exchange.

Pet owners and their four-legged companions can stop by Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming for treats and grooming services.

A sidewalk features shops and palm trees lined along it. Golf carts and cars are parked on the road next to the sidewalk.
Brownwood Paddock Square features a variety of restaurants and shops within walking distance of each other.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

Services and recreation

Beyond dining and retail, Brownwood also offers professional and recreational services.

Cycling enthusiasts can visit Village Cycles, while golfers have access to Golf Central and a nearby golf cart service and dealership.

Health and wellness services include Health Genesis Clubs, Town Dental and Nail Saloon. Communication services are available at Consumer Cellular, and sleep solutions are offered at Tempur-Pedic.

A sidewalk features palm trees, bushes and smaller trees next to an open road. Shops are lined up on the sidewalk with signs indicating which shops are where.
Brownwood Paddock Square features a large variety of shops and restaurants within walking distance for convenient shopping and dining.
Courtesy: Amber Battillo/352today

Nightly music keeps the square moving

Live entertainment remains one of Brownwood’s biggest draws, with free nightly music on the central stage from about 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. that keeps residents and visitors dancing under the stars. February highlights include Bar Fly, Scooter the DJ, Southbound, Johnny Wild & The Delights, DJ night with CLUB CTRL featuring DJ Lu-S, and classic-rock Skin Deep closing out the month.

March’s lineup keeps the energy going with a mix of rock, pop, country and party bands: SSnakeeyez, Justin Heet Band, The Dave Capp Project, Eighteen87, Zee-R Band, The Edge of Rock, September Dogs and more will appear throughout the month.

Some evenings on the square also feature special events such as car shows and festivals paired with music for added atmosphere. Performances and event dates, as well as exact lineup, can be found on Brownwood’s website.

More than a decade after its debut, Brownwood continues to reflect the evolving footprint of The Villages–part town square, part dance floor and entirely its own brand of Central Florida charm. Whether residents arrive by golf cart or on foot, they come for dinner and often stay for the encore.

A band plays music on a stage in a town square with a crowd watching.
A crowd of people sit in a town square, watching a performance of live music.
A large, wood entrance features a brown sign at the top that reads, "Brownwood Paddock Square." Below it is a banner that reads, "Strawberry Festival" with dates on the right side. Below that is a strawberry themed walkthrough facade that reads, "Strawberry Festival."