lakeside restaurants in Central Florida

Discover Places to

Eat & Drink

Central Florida Restaurants

Superb eats are a specialty in Florida’s Sweetest Spot. 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 and Café Zuppina 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 favorites include Born & Bread Bakehouse (Cruffins) and The Market at Café Zuppina 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

Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille

blackened tuna over rice at Harry's Seafood Bar and Grille in Lakeland, FL

Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille in downtown Lakeland features fresh seafood as well as Cajun…

Address: 101 N Kentucky Ave
Lakeland, FL 33801

Phone: 863-686-2228

LEARN MORE

Cookie Jar Bakeshop & Eatery

Woman handing purchased baked goods to customer over pastry filled bakery counter at Cookie Jar Bake Shop in Bartow, FL

Cookie Jar Bakeshop & Eatery in downtown Bartow serves freshly baked pastries, macarons, cheesecake, cookies,…

Address: 305 E Main St.
Bartow, FL 33830

Phone: 863-519-3333

LEARN MORE

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

LEARN MORE

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

LEARN MORE

Frostbite Ice Cream & More

hamburger and french fries at Frostbite Ice Cream & More in Frostproof, FL

Frostbite Ice Cream & More in Frostproof is a 1950's style hamburger joint with ice…

Address: 801 N Scenic Hwy
Frostproof, FL 33843

Phone: 863-635-4222

LEARN MORE

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

LEARN MORE

Manny’s Original Chophouse

Manny's Chophouse

Manny's Original Chophouse is a locally owned, small chain of restaurants serving steaks, pork chops,…

Address: 210 FL-60
Lake Wales, FL 33853

Phone: 863-678-0370

LEARN MORE

Jimbo’s Pit Bar-B-Q

Jimbo's Pit Bar-B-Q

Since 1964, Jimbo's Pit Bar-B-Q in Lakeland has been serving smoked ribs, chicken, pork, delicious…

Address: 1215 E Memorial Blvd
Lakeland, FL 33801

Phone: 863-683-3777

LEARN MORE

Andy’s Igloo & Drive-In Restaurant

Andy’s Drive-In Restaurant Winter Haven, FL

Andy's Igloo & Drive-In Restaurant is a kid-friendly, local favorite near downtown Winter Haven.

Address: 703 3rd St SW
Winter Haven, FL 33880

Phone: 863-293-0019

LEARN MORE

LEARN & DISCOVER

Family taking selfie in front of LEGO Movie World

6 Great Reasons to Spend a Weekend in Winter Haven

Ready to book a family-friendly weekend getaway? Here’s a list of 6 exceptionally fun things to during weekend in Winter...

See Details
2 women on paddleboards during tour with Paddleboard Winter Haven

50+ Ways to Experience Lakeland & Winter Haven

Here’s an easy way to plan your next trip to Central Florida – 50+ Ways to Experience Lakeland & Winter...

See Details
LEGO Globe at PLANET LEGOLAND at LEGOLAND Florida Resort in Winter Haven, FL

Re-Imagine & Rebuild the World at PLANET LEGOLAND

LEGOLAND® Florida Resort in Winter Haven has introduced a world with no rules just pure creativity… PLANET LEGOLAND® opening April...

See Details
IG ciaraliebl on couch at Unfiltered Coffee in Bartow, FL - one of the Most Instagram-Worthy Places in Central Florida

Most Instagram-Worthy Places in Central Florida

Trip planning on Instagram is definitely a thing and we love finding new places to take pictures at Central Florida,...

See Details
Exterior of 3-story Wonder House in Bartow, FL

Historic Central Florida Sites That Everyone Should See

Whether you’re just visiting the area or a lifelong resident of Polk County, there is so much history in and...

See Details
Two dogs and owner hiking at lake kissimmee state park

Dog Friendly Spots in Central Florida

We understand that your pets are just as important as your human family members. So we created a list of...

See Details
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!...

See Details
Kids walking outside of Beach Retreat Bungalows at LEGOLAND Florida Resort in Winter Haven, FL

Alternative Places to Stay in Central Florida

If you’re looking for cheaper places to stay near Disney World or any of the great attractions of Central Florida...

See Details
Lina Greco's weekend getaway with a stop to Bok Tower Gardens

Weekend Getaway in Central Florida

Lina Greco worked in partnership with Visit Central Florida to create this Weekend Getaway Travel Recap. Weekend Getaway to Central...

See Details
I can see the weekend from here!👀⁠• • •⁠📸: @emily.ruthann⁠.⁠Having trouble finding the perfect gift for that thrill-seeking adrenaline junkie in you life? Well, @JumpFloridaSkydiving might just be the answer!⁠.⁠Jump Florida Skydiving welcomes first-timers and experienced jumpers at their Lake Wales location. Right now, they are offering numerous Holiday Gift Card Packages, perfect for beginners!⁠.⁠What they offer:⁠- Tandem (First Time) Skydiving⁠- Skydive License Training (AFF)⁠- Experienced Jumpers⁠.⁠Click the link in our bio to learn more.⁠.⁠.⁠.⁠#skydiving #skydive #adrenalinejunkie #JumpFloridaSkydiving #FloridaSkydiving #TandemSkydiving #CentralFlorida #VisitCentralFL #LoveFL

Top 10 Adrenaline-Rush Activities in Central Florida

Central Florida’s Polk County, nestled between Orlando and Tampa, is the ultimate outdoor destination in Florida, and is packed with...

See Details
water ripples used as email signup background

Subscribe to

EMAIL LIST

Join our email list and stay up to date with all the great things happening in Florida’s Sweetest Spot.