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






Manny’s Chophouse

Manny's Chophouse

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

Address: 35496 US-27
Haines City, FL 33844

Phone: 863-422-3910

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Harborside

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

Harborside is a seafood and steak restaurant located on Winter Haven's Chain of Lakes.

Address: 2435 7th St SW
Winter Haven, FL 33880

Phone: 863-293-7070

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Ford’s Garage

hamburger and basket of french fries on a plate at Ford's Garage in Lakeland, FL

Ford's Garage, a small Florida chain, is a gourmet burger can craft beer bar. In…

Address: 879 Lakeland Park Center Dr
Lakeland, FL 33809

Phone: 863-337-3673

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Blue Palmetto Café

Blue Palmetto Café at Bok Tower.

Blue Palmetto Café serves delicious salads, soups, sandwiches, wraps, fruit and specialty desserts daily. The…

Address: 1151 Tower Blvd
Lake Wales, FL 33853

Phone: 863-676-1355

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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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Swan Brewing

tap wall at Swan Brewing in Lakeland, FL

Swan Brewing features 30 taps of craft beer, live music and food trucks. The brewery…

Address: 115 W Pine St
Lakeland, FL 33815

Phone: 863-703-0472

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The Proper Pie Company

fish and chips and a meat pie from Proper Pie Company in Davenport, FL

The Proper Pie Company in Haines City is a small restaurant serving fresh, handmade double…

Address: 511 US Hwy 17-92
Haines City, FL 33844

Phone: 863-438-2705

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Lang’s Taste of Florida Café

person hold up orange ice cream in front of Lang's Taste of Florida sign

Home of the world famous grapefruit pie, featured on Food Network, Lang's Taste of Florida…

Address: 5900 US-17
Haines City, FL 33844

Phone: 863-956-1460

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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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