Group of friends dining at Red Door in Lakeland, apart of our A-Z dining guide
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Eat & Drink

Central Florida Restaurants

Come try the best Restaurants in Florida.

Try something delicious at these restaurants in Central Florida. You’ll soon find out superb eats are a specialty in Florida’s Sweetest Spot. Don’t forget our coffee shops or local breweries either!

Room for dessert? Smack dab in the heart of Central Florida, about half way between Orlando and Tampa, you’ll find a tasty treat in the award winning grapefruit pie served at Lang Sun Country Grove’s Taste of Florida Café.

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Ready to get your taste of The Real Florida Magic? So what’ll it be? Napkin-obliterating BBQ? Classic high-end steakhouse fare? From upscale elegance to down-home grub, Central Florida’s food scene is sure to please everyone from the culinary curious to the chicken-fingers-only crowd. Try something delicious at these restaurants in Central Florida.

Local Favorites

From kid-friendly restaurants and barbecue restaurants recognized by Garden & Gun Magazine, to Gastropubs and TripAdvisor’s #1 restaurant in Lakeland, here are a few of our local favorites: Andy’s Drive-in Restaurant & Igloo, Harborside, Lucille’s American Café and Arabellas Ristorante in Winter Haven, Nineteen61, Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille, LoveBird – Almost Famous Chicken in Lakeland, and Peebles Bar-B-Q in Auburndale.

 

BBQ Capital of Florida™

Roll up your sleeves, grab a wet wipe, and dig into the kind of smoky, saucy, fall-off-the-bone barbecue that earned Polk County the title of the BBQ Capital of Florida™. Discover some of the state’s best pitmasters at local favorites like Peeples Bar-B-Q and Smokin’ Jim’s House of Barbeque in Auburndale, Jimbo’s Pit Bar-B-Q in Lakeland, and Carter’s Bar-B-Que in Mulberry. They’re just a few of the mouthwatering stops waiting to be explored.

Sweets & Coffee

Cookies, cakes, pies, and CRUFFINS are just a few of the goodies you can find at the various artisan bakeries located in Polk County. Our local favorite includes Born & Bread Bakehouse (Cruffins) in Lakeland.  Coffee lovers need to visit Concord Coffee, Hillcrest Coffee, Pressed Books & Coffee and Black & Brew Coffee House & Bistro in Lakeland, and Haven Coffee Roasters or Honeycomb Bread Bakers in Winter Haven.

Plan A Trip

Eat & Drink






Gary’s Oyster Bar & Seafood House

exterior of Gary's Oyster Bar. Entrance, sign and a parked truck

Gary's Oyster Bar & Seafood House has been serving quality oysters and seafood for more…

Address: 660 E Alfred St
Lake Alfred, FL 33850

Phone: 863-956-5055

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Ave Bar by Arabellas

man and woman with cocktails sitting at bar inside Ave Bar in Winter Haven, FL

Ave Bar by Arabellas is adjacent to the fine dining restaurant in downtown Winter Haven.…

Address: 340 W Central Ave
Winter Haven, FL 33880

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Black & Brew Coffee House & Bistro

Black & Brew Coffee House

Downtown Lakeland quick bites cafe and coffee shop offering breakfast, lunch and dinner options including…

Address: 205 E. Main St
Lakeland, FL 33801

Phone: 863-682-1210

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Harry’s Old Place

potatoes, corn on the cob, shrimp and butter. Seafood boil bowl at Harry's Old Place in Winter Have, FL

Harry's Old Place has been serving up a large selection of fresh fish in Winter…

Address: 3751 Cypress Gardens Rd
Winter Haven, FL 33884

Phone: 863-324-0301

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Blackburn’s BBQ

Blackburn's BBQ

Blackburn's BBQ in Eagle Lake serves oak smoked pork ribs, chicken, pulled pork and beef…

Address: 169 5th St
Eagle Lake, FL 33839

Phone: (863) 287-9975

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Hillcrest Coffee

Staff bringing coffee to customers sitting at table inside Hillcrest Coffee in Lakeland, FL

Hillcrest Coffee is a warm and inviting coffee shop in Lakeland. Inside the 1925 bungalow…

Address: 119 Hillcrest St
Lakeland, FL 33815

Phone: 863-398-9155

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Grove Roots Brewing Co.

kids playing outside Grove Roots Brewing Company in WInter Haven, FL

Grove Roots Brewing Co. produce artisanal ales inspired by the local Florida culture and influenced…

Address: 302 3rd St SW
Winter Haven, FL 33880

Phone: 863-291-0700

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Front Page Brewing Co.

Front Page Brewing Co crowlers lined up under taps

Front Page Brewing Co. is a craft brewery in historic downtown Bartow. Located in the…

Address: 190 S Florida Ave
Bartow, FL 33830

Phone: 863-537-7249

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LEARN & DISCOVER

  • Andy’s Drive-In Restaurant Winter Haven, FL
    Dining at Hidden Gems in Central Florida

    Whether you’re at home or on vacation, the age old questions of “What do you want to eat?” and “I...

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  • Group of friends dining at Red Door in Lakeland, apart of our A-Z dining guide
    A-Z Guide to Dining in Central Florida

    Central Florida is home to some of the most unique variety of dining options. From delicious cruffins to some of...

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  • Photo of scrambled eggs and breakfast potatoes at The Terrace Grille in Lakeland, FL
    Top Brunch Spots in Central Florida

    If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, then brunch is the most important meal of the week!...

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  • Harborside Restaurant is a great option for waterfront dining in Central Florida, located on Winter Haven's Lake Shipp
    Waterfront Dining in Central Florida

    If you’re looking for waterfront dining in Central Florida, consider visiting Winter Haven. This “Chain of Lakes” city, has lakes...

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  • Barbecue Festivals in Central Florida
    Barbecue Festivals in Central Florida

    A new year signals the return of barbecue festivals in the BBQ Capital of Florida™. You’ll find several opportunities to...

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