OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Dining at Elevation 89 comes with a front-row seat to the runway. Located inside the Ocala International Airport, the full-service restaurant blends elevated American cuisine with a distinctly aviation-inspired atmosphere, offering guests sweeping views of aircraft activity just beyond the windows.
Named for the airport’s elevation above sea level and its aviation radio call sign, Elevation 89 was envisioned to be more than a typical airport eatery. Owners wanted a destination where locals, visitors and traveling pilots could gather for good food, drinks and conversation against the backdrop of planes taking off and landing.
The restaurant’s interior serves as both a visual centerpiece and a nod to the restaurant’s aeronautical surroundings–including a bar crafted from an aircraft wing and a spacious dining room. Floor-to-ceiling windows line the dining room, creating an open, airy feel and allowing diners to watch airport activity throughout their meal. The combination of natural light, runway views and modern industrial touches gives the restaurant a polished yet approachable vibe that appeals to both aviation enthusiasts and causal diners.
Matador Network Executive Chef Jeremy Zajac–who has shaped the menu since the restaurant’s opening in October 2021–brings a passion offering a mix of comfort favorites and refined dishes suited for lunch, dinner or a relaxed evening out. Fare includes appetizers like crab cakes, porcini-dusted scallops and lobster spring rolls give way to a lineup of entrees including tacos, wagyu beef sliders, customizable wing options and crispy chicken on a freshly baked roll.
Burger lovers can choose from a creative selection that includes the Bison Burger with bourbon BBQ, the Flying Goat with goat cheese and fig jam and the Virgin Island Burger with blackened cream cheese and fried banana peppers. A full bar complements the food offerings, making Elevation 89 a unique dining spot–even for those with no flight to catch.
Elevation 89 is open daily for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday to the public and easily accessible from outside the airport. Reservations can be made using OpenTable, but walk-ins are welcome. Diners can go to the restaurant’s website or call 352-655-2880 for more information.
With its aircraft-wing bar, panoramic runway views and welcoming service, Elevation 89 offers more than just a place to eat–the restaurant continues to prove that some of Ocala’s most interesting dining experiences happen just beyond the runway.
