Cold and bold: Take an iced coffee tour around Lakeland

We tried the iced coffee at 10 Lakeland coffee shops and are ready to make recommendations. Plus, we included a few additional coffee shops in the Polk County area.

Coffee roasters at patriot coffee

Patriot Coffee employees roasting a batch of beans. | Photo courtesy of @patriotcoffeeroasters

Table of Contents

The day doesn’t start until we’ve had a cup of coffee — or maybe three cups of coffee. We tried the iced coffee at 10 Lakeland coffee shops and broke them down for you below.

Deli delights

Divicious Deli & Coffee Shop | 128 E Main St. | Great for those on the go, the New York-style coffee shop offers Lakeland friendliness over the counter. Did we mention they boast new iced coffee flavors every week, like chocolate-covered Oreo, rose, and snickerdoodle?

Vietnamese coffee

Saigon Bistro | 1554 Town Center Dr. W. | If you haven’t tried iced Vietnamese coffee at Saigon Bistro, you’re missing out. This drink is served with sweetened condensed milk, making for a sweet and creamy delight.

Get a move on

Jude Coffee | Mobile | This couple-owned mobile coffee cart makes drinks on the go, so keep your eyes on their social media to find upcoming pop-ups. You can also book the cart for weddings, local events, and parties.

Iced coffee at Hillcrest Coffee

Cheers from Hillcrest Coffee, one of Swan City’s coziest coffee shops. | Photo by LALtoday

Listen to the brew-sic

Hillcrest Coffee | 119 Hillcrest St. | Listen to live music while you sip your coffee at this locally owned shop nestled inside a 1925 bungalow. Fun fact: Did you know that while this spot is on our list of work from home locations, it’s also a great place to unwind? Find the bookshelf to claim a board game, book, or even coloring book for some afternoon relaxation.

The OG

Mitchell’s Coffee House | 235 N. Kentucky Ave. | Founded by the Harvey family in 1998, Mitchell’s is a Lakeland institution known not only for its coffees but also for its sweets and weekly lunch specials.

Books and brew

Pressed LKLD | 213 E. Bay St. | We were im-pressed by Pressed’s iced coffee. Grab some lit with your latte at this bookstore + coffee shop. In case you missed it, we told you all about Pressed Lakeland’s owners and how it got its start, here.

Iced coffee at Concord Coffee

Concord Coffee’s iced coffee powered this newsletter. | Photo by LALtoday

Local roast

Concord Coffee | 1037 Florida Ave. S. #135 | Fun fact: Did you know you can take your hand-crafted coffee to go and watch Concord’s beans being roasted right across the way? Pick up a bag or get them delivered directly to your door with its subscription service.

Let’s get lunch

Black & Brew | 205 E. Main St. | We’ll rave about this coffee shop until we’re brew in the face. Enjoy its locally sourced coffee + fresh food (we love the pesto breakfast sandwich). Pro-tip:
In addition to the Lake Morton location inside the Lakeland Public Library, the biz is launching a third location this year on Lakeland’s south side.

In the mood to be your own barista? Check out these local small-batch coffee roasters offering beans to Lakelanders through local establishments, online sales, and even Publix.

Bag of Patriot Coffee Roasters ground coffee

Be like City Editor Rilee and enjoy Patriot’s holiday blend all year round. | Photo by LALtoday

Stock up on beans

Patriot Coffee | 1117 Florida Ave. S. Suite 105 | Find these beans locally brewed at establishments like Born and Bread Bakehouse, Scout & Tag, and Grove Roots Brewing Company. You can order from this veteran-owned coffee roaster online. Pro tip: Join the subscription service to have your java delivered.

Ethos Coffee Roasters | 132 Lake Beulah Dr. | If you’re looking for ethically sourced beans, look no further than Ethos. Bonus: Ethos does not have a roasted coffee inventory, meaning each bag is as fresh as possible.

Not in LAL? No worries. Here are some suggestions within a quick drive of Lakeland.

Plant City

Bartow

Winter Haven

Pour over coffee

Pour-over coffee from N+1 Coffee | Photo courtesy of @nplus1coffee

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