First Avenue Bar & Bistro Opens in the Former La Cuisine Space in Downtown Ocala

A new bistro is opening in downtown Ocala in the space that housed La Cuisine for 17 years.

First Avenue Bar & Bistro at 48 SW 1st Avenue

First Avenue Bar & Bistro is at 48 SW 1st Ave, Ocala, FL 34471, the downtown address that was home to La Cuisine. The restaurant's website, firstaveocala.com, describes it as elevated American cuisine with handcrafted cocktails and posts dinner, cocktail and kids menus.

Reservations and Hours

According to its website, First Avenue Bar & Bistro begins accepting guest reservations on Oct. 20, 2026. It will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 4:30 p.m., with happy hour from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

From Oct. 20 to 31, the restaurant is in a preview period with slightly reduced seating. During that period, reservations are taken by phone at (352) 452-9811, or by text or email to a team member. OpenTable reservations open on Nov. 3, the website says. As of Oct. 15, 2026, its Google Maps listing shows it as temporarily closed ahead of the opening.

The End of La Cuisine

La Cuisine was opened in 2009 by Patrice Perron and his wife, Elodie, according to the restaurant's website, and earned nine Golden Spoon awards from Florida Trend magazine. The owners announced the sale of the restaurant on June 10, 2026, writing that the buyer was a local downtown Ocala business owner who intended to keep the space a restaurant, and then closed effective immediately on June 12, 2026, according to their posts on the restaurant's Instagram account.

Also Opening: The Forge in Midtown

For another new dining destination, read our report on The Forge food hall in Midtown Ocala.

More Places to Eat

See the full list on our new restaurants in Ocala page, browse downtown Ocala dining, or compare options in fine dining in Ocala. Downtown events pair well with dinner: check the Ocala events calendar for First Friday Art Walk and Reilly Arts Center shows.

Sources: firstaveocala.com and the First Avenue Bar & Bistro Google Maps listing; lacuisineocala.com and the La Cuisine Instagram posts of June 10 and June 12, 2026. Checked Oct. 15, 2026. Opening details can change; confirm with the restaurant before visiting.