New Restaurants Of Lakeland FL
ILLUSTRATED BY ALLIE BRINTON
The local restaurant scene has been heating up the past several years, meaning more chains that make out-of-towners feel at home and a lot of mouthwatering new dishes that have quickly become part of the Lakeland foodie culture. If it opened in the past two years, there’s a good chance you’ll find it on this menu of newcomers.
1. 4 Rivers Smokehouse
4729 S. Florida Ave.
Barbecue platters, ribs, pulled pork, sandwiches, mac and cheese, bread pudding, desserts, and more. Another Florida-based chain, 4 Rivers Smokehouse seeks to share the “art of smoking” with its patrons. Serving meat that is smoked between 12 and 18 hours and classic southern comfort foods like mac and cheese and peach cobbler, this smokehouse has something for everyone.
2. Amonie Jo’s Coffee
401 S. Florida Ave.
Coffee, chai, toasts, pastries, etc. Offering organic coffee with Haitian inspired flavors, Amonie Jo’s is a brightly colored cafe that is known for its fun and flavorful treats and drinks. The founders, the Williams sisters, honor their late mother with the name and the personal touches around the shop.
3. Andrew’s Coffee
3601 S. Florida Ave.
Lattes, tea, lemonade, energy drinks, pastries. Andrew’s Coffee, formerly known as Happyfastdelicious, specializes in quick, drive thru service and specialized beverages. Guests are encouraged to customize their drink on the Andrew’s Coffee app and order ahead so their beverage is ready when they arrive.
4. AX-CALIBER
204 E. Orange St., Ste. 102
Even without the excitement and camaraderie that comes with an axe-throwing range and virtual shooting range—and for the days where you simply want something fresh and tasty—Axe-caliber delivers a bullseye.
They offer everything from loaded flatbreads to delectable shareables like wings and nachos to dynamite stacked sandwiches and burgers. Thirsty? Enjoy locally roasted coffee drinks hot and cold, as well as a full beer and wine bar. Pair that with axes and plenty of space to gather, Axe-caliber is a winning spot for many occasions.
5. Vasco Sixtey-One
215 E. Main St
In the same way Nineteen61 has become synonymous with top-of-the-line fine dining in Lakeland, its new rooftop bar, Vasco Sixty-One, is attempting to become a one-of-one in the craft cocktails space downtown.
The rooftop bar overlooking Munn Park is thoughtfully designed to bring the community together over delicious tapas and curated spirit offerings and wines. The drinks are as gorgeous as they are tasty, with Beverage Director/Partner Emerson Bamaca and his team pulling out all the recipes and aesthetic touches to create memorable experiences.
6. Bandidas
1755 E. Edgewood Dr.
Sandwiches, pastries, layer cakes, coffee, kombucha and more. Gabriella and Giovanna Favilli-Vigoreaux, the couple that founded Bandidas, bring their New York City bakery experience to Lakeland. One of the many businesses to go from Catapult to a brick-and-mortar location, Bandidas is a great place to grab breakfast or lunch.
7. Bedrock Rings
127 S. Kentucky Ave
Chicken wings, boneless wings, appetizers, burgers and sandwiches. Owner Sam Joaquin noticed that downtown Lakeland was missing one important type of food, so he brought Bedrock Wings to the downtown area to solve this problem.
8. Café Zuppina
116 S Tennessee Ave.
Mediterranean dishes, lamb chops, salad, healthy options, kebabs, etc.
This Lakeland staple recently relocated to a downtown storefront. This expansion allows the owners, Berna and Erkan Nar, to bring their family recipes — including gluten-free and dairy-free options — to more patrons every day.
9. Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ
2250 Griffin Road
This growing chain offers unique hotdog creations, smoked brisket sandwiches, chicken wings, dessert, and a self-pour beer wall. Check out their ax-throwing and family friendly games after your meal.
10. Crumbl Cookies
919 Lakeland Park Center Drive, Suite 370
Crumbl, one of the fastest growing dessert chains in the nation, is famous for its unique cookie flavors, and has recently added cakes to its offerings. A rotating menu means there are new flavors to try each week, so be sure to check online before you go.
11. Cultivated Pig
502 E. Main St.
Smoked meat, Texas-inspired barbecue, buffalo mac and cheese, sandwiches and salads. Founded by Texans Kevin Aydelott and Jimmy Fox, The Cultivated Pig is the first resident restaurant at Catapult. Serving up quality meats cooked over a live fire and classic southern sides, these best-friends-turned-business-owners are proud to provide Lakeland with a taste of The Lonestar State.
12. Curry Leaves
3260 U.S. Highway 98 N., at the Quality Inn
Indian dishes, butter chicken, appam mutta roast, chicken varutharachathu, vegetarian dishes. After the success of the first Curry Leaves in Tampa, owner Saji Matthews decided to open one in Lakeland. This restaurant specializes in fine Indian cuisine and offers a lunch buffet on Saturdays and Sundays.
13. Dong Tea Lakeland
5301 S. Florida Ave.
Milk tea, bubble tea, matcha lattes, coffee, and bubble waffles. This tea shop offers traditional milk tea and sweet bubble tea. Dong Tea is a great option for bubble tea lovers and people who want to try out these popular beverages for the first time.
14. Food + Beer
3615 S. Florida Ave. #1350 in Merchant’s Walk
Guests are encouraged to “eat food, drink beer” at this Florida chain that was started by two friends, Mike Whalen and Casey Daniels, who met while working at the same chain restaurant in the early 2000s.
Food + Beer has a menu for every occasion, including “tacos & tequila” Tuesdays, weekend brunch with bottomless mimosas, and an everyday menu that includes gourmet burgers, fresh cut fries, bowls and wings. Stop by this sports bar any night to catch the game, or test your knowledge on Wednesday nights with team trivia at 6:30
15. Fresh Kitchen
4520 S. Florida Ave.
DIY mixed bowls with rice, noodles, chicken, tofu, mushrooms, broccoli, signature sauces, and more. This Florida-based chain offers fresh, healthy, and customizable food that is always gluten free, with vegan and dairy free options for those with dietary preferences and restrictions.
16. Graze Craze
4525 Florida Ave. S. #30
This new charcuterie board and boxes eatery offers unique options for people looking to host a party, cater a work event, set up a romantic lunch for two, or simply treat themselves. Their assortments of fruit, cheese, meats, proteins, vegetables, pastries and more are completely customizable, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
17. Hong BBQ & Hot Pot
4525 Florida Ave. S. #30
It’s traditional hot pot, it’s Korean hot pot and it’s all you can eat! The newest South Florida Ave. hot spot allows patrons to “cook their own food” using the traditional Chinese fondue method, as well as cook Korean favorites on a table top grill. There are a wide variety of proteins, noodles, vegetable tofu, broths and more to concoct Chinese dishes.
The main attraction with the Korean barbecue are the meats, including beef, steak, pork belly, chicken gizzards and more. The options are limitless, and if you’re craving something sweet check out one of their 15+ specialty drinks like boba, vietnamese coffee, etc.
18. Jessie’s Gourmet Sandwich Cafe
1825 E. Edgewood Dr.
Jessie’s Gourmet Sandwich Cafe uses family recipes and simple ingredients to create delicious, filling sandwiches as well as salads that are fresh and satisfying. It’s no surprise that on the menu you’ll find a very Florida-esque Cuban on Ciabatta and the Scarpa’s Italian, a cold sandwich that pays homage to the owner’s family. Jessie Scarpa is a third-generation restaurateur and her parents, Glenn and Ashley, are the founders and owners of Scarpa’s Italian, which is located on the same property as the cafe.
19. K-Pot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot
1568 Town Center Drive
Korean barbecue staples, sliced meats, dumplings, seafood, beer, wine, cocktails.
At KPOT, patrons are given a simmering pot of broth to cook their own all-you-can-eat meat and sides. This restaurant offers a unique blend of traditional Asian cuisine and Korean Barbecue for this hands-on dining experience.
20. La Granja
3919 S. Florida Ave.
Chicken, steak and seafood platters, Peruvian specialties, rice, tostones, beans, flan, tres leches, etc. La Granja has been building a name for itself since 1993, offering Peruvian dishes and rotisserie chicken from Miami to Tampa.
21. Low and Slow Smokehouse
1853 E. Memorial Blvd.
Pulled pork, smoked brisket, combo platters, steak, sandwiches, etc. This North Carolina style barbecue joint is a great option for a hearty, slow cooked meal that uses local ingredients to craft high quality meals.
22. Mama’s Soul Food
518 E Memorial Blvd.
Southern classics like meatloaf, pulled pork, smothered chicken, catfish, collared greens, sweet potato pie, and more. Whether you grew up eating your own mama’s southern food, or you just enjoy the comfort of these fried delicacies, Mama’s Soul Food is a great option for home cooking when you don’t want to cook.
23. La Gran Muralla
2810 Lakeland Highlands Rd.
La Gran Muralla, the only speakeasy in Lakeland, specializes in Latin-Asian fusion dishes and elevated dining experiences. Here, you can try unique offerings like jellyfish sashimi and teriyaki guava-glazed octopus. Be sure to make a reservation (and get the code to unlock the door which is disguised as a vending machine) for the full, speakeasy experience.
According to the owner Jian Zhang, who has lived in Lakeland for more than 20 years, everything–even the simple syrup at the bar–is made from scratch. Zhang’s previous business experience includes taking over China 1 when his parents retired and opening Jade Fox Lounge, both of which are located in Highlands Plaza near La Gran Muralla.
24. Lovebird (Winter Haven)
199 6th St. NW, Winter Haven
The new LoveBird location in Winter Haven, affectionately called “the hatchling” on the restaurant’s website, is offering a few new menu items, and perhaps most importantly, more parking. LoveBird has been a Lakeland classic since its opening in 2021, and owner Jeremy Brumley is excited to bring the bird to our neighbors in Winter Haven.
The larger space allows more guests to be able to experience the exclusive Guac Chicken Cobb salad, the My Boy Bleu sandwich that features buffalo sauce and bleu cheese, and all of the fan favorites featured on the original Lakeland menu.
25. Mary’s Bagel Cafe
1242 N. Florida Ave.
Breakfast and lunch bagels, sandwiches, fresh healthy choices, biscuits and gravy, wings, catering and more.
Lifelong Lakelander Denise Gilmore opened the cafe across the street from her place of employment for more than two decades — Lakeland Regional Health — in early 2023.
26. Mochinut
6218 US Hwy 98 N
Mochi donuts, milk tea, fruit tea, hotdogs. Mochi donuts originated in Hawaii, and are a combination of popular American donuts and Japanese mochi rice cakes. National chain Mochinut brings Japanese and American fusion treats to many cities, including Lakeland.
27. Morning Grind
111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr.
Coffee, lattes, Color Theory tea, hot chocolate, croissants. This student-run coffee cart provides students and community members with delicious, caffeinated beverages while providing young entrepreneurs with hands-on business experience.
28. Pa’ Los Chinos
2918 S. Florida Ave.
Puerto Rican style Chinese food, shrimp and chicken combos, lo mein, fried rice. Pa’ Los Chinos, which has six locations throughout Central Florida, specializes in Chinese food with a Puerto
Rican twist.
29. Peach House
733 E. Palmetto St.
Oysters, Kentucky Fried Gator, whipped ricotta toast, bread pudding, cocktails and more. Peach House specializes in Old Florida inspired seafood and sandwiches. The historic house with a gorgeous patio is part of the charm curated by owners Jeannie Weaver Lopez and Ryan Lopez, well-known for their success owning and operating the popular Downtown bar Revival.
30. Pizza Odyssey
811 E. Palmetto St.
Specialty pizzas, wings, and flatbread subs. Owned by Lakeland native Heath Hester, Pizza Odyssey (formerly known as Pizza Daddy’s) offers a break from chain pizza with made fresh dough and fun custom pies. Hester quit his job as an elementary math and science teacher last year to pursue his dream of owning a pizza place.
31. Mega Mercado (southside)
6445 South Florida Ave.
@megamercadorestaurant&tienda2
Many Lakelanders would agree that Mega Mercado has some of the best Mexican food in the area. When the Latin supermarket and restaurant was purchased by the current owners, Roberto and Maria Peralta, six years ago, the Peralta’s worked hard to keep it as authentic as possible.
This new location, which features the same delicious horchata, tacos birria, and homemade desserts as the original Mega Mercado, is sure to be a favorite of college students and local families alike.