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.
Frostbite Ice Cream & More
Frostbite Ice Cream & More in Frostproof is a 1950's style hamburger joint with ice…
Address: 801 N Scenic Hwy
Frostproof, FL 33843
Phone: 863-635-4222
nickperos@thefrostbite.comBorn & Bread Bakehouse
Born & Bread Bakehouse is a bakery located in Lakeland, FL. They specialize in slow…
Address: 1113 S Florida Ave
Lakeland, FL 33803
Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille
Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille in downtown Lakeland features fresh seafood as well as Cajun…
Address: 101 N Kentucky Ave
Lakeland, FL 33801
Phone: 863-686-2228
Jimbo’s Pit Bar-B-Q
Since 1964, Jimbo's Pit Bar-B-Q in Lakeland has been serving smoked ribs, chicken, pork, delicious…
Address: 1215 E Memorial Blvd
Lakeland, FL 33801
Phone: 863-683-3777
jimbospitbarbq@gmail.comArabellas 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
Scarpa’s Italian
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
scarpasitalian@gmail.comGood 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.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.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