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, Red Door Lakeland 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.
Gary’s Oyster Bar & Seafood House
![exterior of Gary's Oyster Bar. Entrance, sign and a parked truck](https://visitcentralflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Garys-Oyster-Bar-500x300.jpg)
Gary's Oyster Bar & Seafood House has been serving quality oysters and seafood for more…
Address: 660 E Alfred St
Lake Alfred, FL 33850
Phone: 863-956-5055
garysoysterbarandseafoodhouse@gmail.comAndy’s Igloo & Drive-In Restaurant
![Andy’s Drive-In Restaurant Winter Haven, FL](https://visitcentralflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Andys-Drive-In-Restaurant-and-Igloo_Winter-Haven-500x300.jpg)
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
Ave Bar by Arabellas
![man and woman with cocktails sitting at bar inside Ave Bar in Winter Haven, FL](https://visitcentralflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Ave-Bar-Winter-Haven-couple-at-bar-500x300.jpg)
Ave Bar by Arabellas is adjacent to the fine dining restaurant in downtown Winter Haven.…
Address: 340 W Central Ave
Winter Haven, FL 33880
Cookie Jar Bakeshop & Eatery
![Woman handing purchased baked goods to customer over pastry filled bakery counter at Cookie Jar Bake Shop in Bartow, FL](https://visitcentralflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Cookie-Jar-Bakeshop_Bartow-500x300.jpg)
Cookie Jar Bakeshop & Eatery in downtown Bartow serves freshly baked pastries, macarons, cheesecake, cookies,…
Address: 305 E Main St.
Bartow, FL 33830
Phone: 863-519-3333
cookiejarbakeshopandeatery@gmail.comRichard’s Fine Coffees
![Counter of baked goods at Richard's Fine Coffees in downtown Winter Haven FL](https://visitcentralflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Richards-Fine-Coffees-500x300.jpg)
Located adjacent to the Winter Haven Public Library in Winter Haven, Richard’s Coffee Shop is…
Address: 330 Avenue A NW
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Phone: 863-291-3082
dtuttle1024@verizon.netGrove Roots Brewing Co.
![kids playing outside Grove Roots Brewing Company in WInter Haven, FL](https://visitcentralflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Grove-Roots-Brewing-Company-Winter-Haven-Florida_2018_036-500x300.jpg)
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.comFord’s Garage
![hamburger and basket of french fries on a plate at Ford's Garage in Lakeland, FL](https://visitcentralflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Fords-Garage-Lakeland-Florida-500x300.jpg)
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
SottoTerra at Streamsong Resort
![Lodge SottaTerra Restaurant](https://visitcentralflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Lodge-SottaTerra-Restaurant-500x300.jpg)
SottoTerra combines the romance of Italy with impeccable cuisine to create a one-of-a-kind feast. Reservations…
Address: 1000 Streamsong Dr.
Bowling Green, FL 33834
Phone: 888-294-6324
Hillcrest Coffee
![Staff bringing coffee to customers sitting at table inside Hillcrest Coffee in Lakeland, FL](https://visitcentralflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Hillcrest-Coffee_Lakeland-500x300.jpg)
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
hillcrestcoffee@gmail.com