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

Restaurants in Central Florida

Your taste buds have a sense of adventure, too. 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.

Plan A Trip

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, Fire Restaurant and Bistro Pizza in Winter Haven, Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille, and Café Zuppina 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 The Market at Café Zuppina 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.

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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

info@swanbrewing.com

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

info@groveroots.com

Revival Bar

3 people sitting around a coffee table at Revival in Lakeland, FL. Shelved filled with books on side wall. Bar in background.

Revival is a homey, welcoming craft cocktail bar in downtown Lakeland. Visitors will enjoy inventive…

Address: 119 S Kentucky Ave
Lakeland, FL 33801

Phone: 863-606-6090

revivallakeland@gmail.com

Front Page Brewing Co.

Front Page Brewing Co crowlers lined up under taps

Front Page Brewing Co. is a craft brewery in historic downtown Bartow. Located in the…

Address: 190 S Florida Ave
Bartow, FL 33830

Phone: 863-537-7249

info@frontpagebrewing.com

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

Vasco Sixty-One

Rooftop image of tapas and drinks at Vasco Sixty-One

Vasco Sixty-One is the rooftop bar at Nineteen61. They offer unique cocktails and tapas.

Address: 215 E. Main St.
Lakeland, FL 33801

Phone: (863) 688-1961

Union Taproom

tap wall at Union Tap room in Winter Haven, FL

Union Taproom in downtown Winter Haven features 40 self pour taps filled with an ever-changing…

Address: 245 W Central Ave #102
Winter Haven, FL 33881

Phone: 863-268-4921

info@uniontaproomwh.com

True Blue Winery

True Blue Winery

True Blue Winery serves house made blueberry and other fruit wines, beer and Bistro small…

Address: 604 Pink Apartment Rd
Davenport, FL 33837

Phone: 863-419-4400

truebluewinery@gmail.com

Central Tavern

Central Tavern

Central Tavern is a downtown bar with local charm. Outdoor seating is available.

Address: 273 W Central Ave
Winter Haven, FL 33881

Phone: 863-229-5027

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