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.
Rooftop 360 at Streamsong
Rooftop 360 atop The Lodge at Streamsong Resort offers small bite plates and handcrafted cocktails…
Address: 1000 Streamsong Dr.
Bowling Green, FL 33834
Phone: 888-294-6322
Swan Brewing
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.comRevival Bar
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.comAve Bar by Arabellas
Ave Bar by Arabellas is adjacent to the fine dining restaurant in downtown Winter Haven.…
Address: 340 W Central Ave
Winter Haven, FL 33880
Grove Roots Brewing Co.
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.comFront Page Brewing Co.
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.comWACO Kitchen
Dine with an amazing view of the Lakeland Linder Airport at WACO Kitchen, a farm-to-table…
Address: 3900 Don Emerson Dr.
Lakeland, FL 33811
Phone: (863) 583-4004
Union Taproom
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.comCentral 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