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.

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Eat & Drink






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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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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Cob & Pen

adults gathered around table at Cob & Pen in Lakeland, FL drinking beer and sharing small bite plates of deviled eggs, dip, french fries and wings

Cob & Pen in Lakeland is a local favorite featuring craft beer, boutique wine and…

Address: 1221 S Florida Ave
Lakeland, FL 33803

Phone: 863-937-8126

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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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Concord Coffee

2 people sitting a coffee bar, reading magazine. Drinks are on bar. At Concord Coffee in Lakeland, FL

Concord Coffee is a craft coffee shop and espresso bar located in Lakeland, focusing on…

Address: 1037 S Florida Ave #135
Lakeland, FL 33803

Phone: 863-225-2283

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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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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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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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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...

    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!...

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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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