The Best Restaurants In Lakeland Florida

Lakeland offers travelers through the central Florida area genuine down-home hospitality. From fine-dining to mom and pop locales, here are our top 10 selections for delicious cuisine.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Fred’s Market Restaurant

Market, Restaurant, South American, Vegetarian, Vegan, $
Fred’ Market Restaurant is a family owned and operated farm-to-table concept, offering food that is slowly cooked in a natural and unprocessed way and served in a warm, friendly atmosphere. The Johnson family has been serving uncompromising, fresh ingredients and family values to customers for over 60 years. From the menu, order the Market Table, which gives you access to smoked pork ribs, golden fried chicken, crispy catfish, grilled tilapia, veggies, cornbread and desserts.

Bar, Restaurant, Seafood, American, Cocktails, Wine, Beer, $
Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grill is a New Orleans inspired restaurant located in downtown Lakeland. The restaurant prides itself on fusing the best of cajun, creole and southern flavors adding a contemporary twist. Popular dishes are shrimp and scallop Orleans, grilled chicken Baton Rouge, crab crusted blackened red fish, Bourbon Street salmon and French Quarter beef tenderloin.

Chef T’s Garden Grill & Restaurant

Restaurant, French, Italian, Wine, Beer, $
Chef T’s Garden Grill & Restaurant offers wholesome meal in the turn-of-the-century atmosphere of Lakeland’s historic Chiles house. Dine inside and enjoy a sophisticated ambiance with candle-lit tables, period furnishings and cozy dining rooms. Outside, guests can relish their meals in a garden environment, enclosed by flowers and tropical foliage.

Loco Gringo’s Cantina

Loco Gringo’s Cantina offers a mix of Latin foods, Cuban, Colombian, Caribbean, and of course Mexican, with a ‘Floribbean’ twist. Don’t expect to be waited on by servers, as all ordering comes via the counter. Happy hour entails two-for-one margaritas. From the menu order the Turf Cha Cha bowl, Chimichanga and fish tacos.

Mister Fish

Restaurant, Diner, Seafood, Fast Food, Vegetarian
Mister Fish has been a family owned and operated restaurant since it was opened in 1968 by David Lee and Geneva Martin. It is now run by their daughter Michele Christman. Best known for their famous Mister Fish sandwiches and freshly prepared dinners, this restaurant remains a local favorite.

Fresco’s Bakery & Bistro

Bakery, Bar, Bistro, Gastropub, Restaurant, Pub Grub, American, Wine, Beer, Cocktails, $
Known as downtown Lakeland’s only Bourbon Bar, Fresco’s Bakery & Bistro serves unique lunch dishes and a killer Sunday brunch. Enjoy live music most evenings and hamburgers that compliment a full Bourbon bar. From the brunch menu try the bottomless mimosas, eggs Benedict and French toast.

Jimbo’s Pit B-B-Q

Bar, Bistro, Restaurant, BBQ, Fast Food, Vegetarian, American+
Jimbo’s has been serving the Lakeland area for over 50 years. Offering drive-though service and indoor and outdoor seating, Jimbo’s is known to have the best ribs, brisket and smoked chicken in town. Try the rib plate and cherry pie.

Bay Street Bistro

Bistro, Diner, Restaurant, French, American
Bay Street Bistro is known for top-quality French, American and Italian dining in a relaxed atmosphere. From the menu, choose the poached pear salad, which consists of poached pears, goat’s cheese, spiced walnuts and balsamic glaze on a bed of mixed greens.

Reececliff Family Diner

Diner, Restaurant, American, Vegetarian, Vegan
Reececliff Family Diner is one of the oldest restaurants in Lakeland, consistently serving delicious food for over 75 years, and forty of them with the same cook. This down home diner is a staple in the city, with rocking chairs on the front porch and a welcoming atmosphere. Try the country fried steak smothered in white pepper gravy and served with three sides and fresh baked bread.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.