lakeside restaurants in Central Florida

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Eat & Drink

Central Florida Restaurants

eady 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 and Arabellas Ristorante in Winter Haven, Nineteen61, Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille, Red Door Lakeland in Lakeland, and Peebles Bar-B-Q in Auburndale.

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 and Black & Brew Coffee House & Bistro in Lakeland, and N+1 Coffee in Winter Haven.

Plan A Trip

Restaurant Type

Restaurant Location

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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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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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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Nineteen61

interior shot of Nineteen61 in downtown lakeland

Nineteen61 is a popular upscale Latin inspired restaurant in downtown Lakeland. The Restaurant is an…

Address: 215 E Main St
Lakeland, FL 33801

Phone: 863-688-1961

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Arabellas Ristorante

Arabellas Ristorante, Winter Haven Florida

Arabellas Ristorante is consistently the #1 Restaurant in Winter Haven according to TripAdvisor reviews. The…

Address: 346 W Central Ave
Winter Haven, FL 33880

Phone: 863-293-1797

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Lakeland Food Tours

Group sitting at table inside Cafe Roti. Drinks on table. Nate, host of Lakeland Food Tours standing.

To fill your mind, your belly and your heart in one walking food tour with…

Address:
Lakeland, FL

Phone: 863-279-0076

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Scarpa’s Italian

3 people eating Italian dishes, water and wine glasses at Scarpa's Italian in Lakeland, FL

This fine dining experience in Lakeland has been recognized by Emeril Lagasse. Scarpa's Italian features…

Address: 1833 E Edgewood Dr
Lakeland, FL 33803

Phone: 863-937-8940

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Peebles Bar-B-Q

BBQ image of Peeble's BBQ with a pulled pork sandwhich

Since 1947, Peebles Bar-B-Que in Auburndale has been mastering exceptional barbecue and part of their…

Address: 441 Dixie Hwy
Auburndale, FL 33823

Phone: 863-967-3085

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