Lakeside Dining
With more than 550 lakes dotting Polk County, locals and visitors alike all have their favorite lakeside dining spot. In Winter Haven, with full-length windows and a lakeside patio, Harborside Restaurant is a modern American steakhouse, seafood and oyster bar that features only the finest cuts of dry aged meat and daily delivered fresh fish. Also in Winter Haven, with its neighborhood restaurant feel and its location on the shores of Lake Ned, no place epitomizes casual lakefront dining more than Harry’s Old Place. Situated on the shores of scenic Lake Pierce in Lake Wales, Cherry Pocket Steak & Seafood Shak provides a perfect blend of entertainment, scenery and fresh seafood.
Fine Dining
If you’re headed to Winter Haven or Lakeland for a romantic weekend, or if your kids have a sophisticated palate, book a reservation at our most popular fine dining restaurants including Arabellas Ristorante and Nutwood in Winter Haven, or Nineteen61, Bay Street Bistro and Scarpa’s Italian in Lakeland. In 2017, Arabellas Ristorante was named in OpenTable’s Most Romantic Florida Restaurants list.
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, Lucille’s American Cafe and Bistro Pizza in Winter Haven, Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille, and The Joinery in Lakeland, and Peebles Bar-B-Q in Auburndale.
Sweets & Baked Good
Cookies, cakes, pies, and CRUFFINS are just a few of the goodies you can find at the various artisanal bakeries located in Polk County. But don’t fear – if you’d rather gelato or perhaps a Turkish coffee, we’ve got you covered too. Our local favorites include Born & Bread Bakehouse (Cruffins) and Black & Brew in Lakeland. If you’re on the east side of Polk County, go to Gourmet Goodies Bake Shop in Winter Haven or Lavender n’ Lace Tea Room in Lake Alfred.
Coffee Shops
You can visit chain coffee shops anywhere, so be sure to experience one of Polk County’s locally owned shops during your Central Florida vacation. Concord Coffee in Lakeland is a roaster and coffee shop, Hillcrest Coffee features a variety of locally roasted beans including Ethos Roasters, while Black & Brew Coffee House & Bistro in Lakeland brews locally roasted Patriot Coffee. Ethos Roasters is also served at N+1 Coffee in Winter Haven.
Lang’s Taste of Florida Café

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
langsuncountry@yahoo.comBlackburn’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
blackburnbbq@gmail.comAbuelo’s Mexican Restaurant

Enjoy large portions of coastal and interior Mexican cuisine at Abuelos Restaurant at Lakeside Village…
Address: 3700 Lakeside Village Blvd
Lakeland, FL 33803
Phone: 863-686-7500
Good Thyme LKLD

Good Thyme LKLD has something for everyone. Popular items include the Fried Chicken Biscuit, Power…
Address: 1037 Dixieland Mall Ln
Lakeland, FL 33803
Phone: 863-603-8296
goodthyme863@gmail.comBlue Palmetto Café

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
cafe@boktower.orgAndy’s Igloo & Drive-In Restaurant

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
Arabellas Ristorante

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
Harry’s Old Place

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
dquill12@hotmail.comLavender N Lace Tearoom

Enjoy a savory lunch and dessert or afternoon tea at Lavender n' Lace Tearoom. Daily…
Address: 430 N Lake Shore Way
Lake Alfred, FL 33850
Phone: 863-956-3998
lavenderandlace@gmail.com