Some people make to-do lists — we make to-dine lists. Many hot new Lakeland restaurants have opened over the past several months, from Peach House’s “nomadic” fare to Bandidas’ one-of-a-kind baked goods.
To satisfy those who are starving for fresh dining options, we’ve got details on several more Swan City restaurants coming soon, too. Grab your forks as we dig right in.
Newly open
Sabrina’s Delicacies | Charcuterie
Grab a pre-made box for the road or sit down and stay a while at this formerly mobile-only biz’s first-ever storefront in the same plaza as Tea Largo. See what we tried when we went.
KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot | Korean
Cook up all-you-can-eat hot pot and Korean barbecue right at your table at this spot in the former Crispers location at Lakeside Village.
Peach House | Nomadic
This new food concept from the owners of Revival is located at the former home of Red Door Lakeland, just off the shores of Lake Morton. Stop in to try some of the “nomadic” cuisine inspired by flavors from the Mediterranean to Florida.
The Peach Cobbler Factory | Desserts
Head to the Highland City Town Center plaza to get your fill of Southern-style desserts like banana pudding, brownies, cookies, and — of course — many different types of cobbler.
Bandidas Bake Shop | Pastries
Owners Gabriella and Giovanna Favilli-Vigoreaux are slinging their homemade baked goods out of their first brick and mortar location, along with breakfast, lunch, and grab + go options.
Pour Bear Coffee | Coffee
Opened in the same plaza as Tea Largo and Sabrina’s Delicacies, this new coffee shop combines vintage furniture, midcentury wallpaper, and reclaimed wood accents to create a cozy space perfect for sipping on a handcrafted espresso.
Cafe Zuppina | Mediterranean and Eastern European
This Lakeland favorite moved downtown into the space formerly occupied by Cafe Roti. It’s now open for lunch and dinner service.
Morning Grind | Coffee
Support the students Florida Southern College’s Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise by getting your caffeine fix from this coffee cart that also serves as an experiential learning lab.
Curry Leaves | Indian
This eatery might be located off the beaten path in the north Lakeland Quality Inn, but it’s got a lunch buffet full of classic + innovative Indian dishes that will make it worth the trip.
Amonie Jo’s Coffee Co. | Coffee
Located on the corner of South Florida Avenue and Lime Street, this organic coffee bar and fresh food cafe is open for breakfast and lunch Monday-Friday.
Dong Tea Lakeland | Taiwanese
This tea house specializes in Taiwanese bubble tea + Korean corn dogs — head to the Lakeland South Center plaza to give it a try.
Bowen Yard | Varied
Whether you’re in the mood for ice cream, seafood, Mexican, Cuban, or something else — Winter Haven’s first food hall, located downtown, will have you covered.
Mochinut | Korean
After getting a good jump in at Skyzone, head just a few feet over to Lakeland’s first location of this chain specializing in mochi donuts, boba, and Korean-style hot dogs.
Graze Craze | Charcuterie
Stop into this spot in the plaza next door to the south Lakeland Chick-Fil-A for grab + go and made-to-order charcuterie options.
Bar Vasco | Cocktails + tapas
Enjoy small plates + colorful cocktails under the stars at Lakeland’s latest rooftop bar atop Nineteen61.
Kichi Taiyaki | Japanese desserts
Sweet tooths are going to love this news: a new dessert shop has come to the former Twisted Sugar location on South Florida Avenue. The menu includes mostly sweet options (like fish-shaped cakes, soft-serve ice cream, and souffle pancakes) as well as a few savory bites.
Twin Peaks | Sports bar
A pub-style menu, 50 TVs, and 32 beers on tap are the highlights of this sports bar in the former Smokey Bones location off of Highway 98 North.
Rogue Coffee | Coffee
This cafe in Downtown West has a full breakfast + lunch menu to perfectly pair with your coffee or boba tea. We loved the banana bread, roasted beet salad, and the pumpkin spice lattes.
Smith’s American Tavern | American
Don’t call it a comeback. Owners of The Back Nine have rebranded their downtown dining destination with a brand new food + cocktail menu. You’ll still find favorites like the Cuban egg rolls and Blackberry Crush (as well as the sports simulators), but don’t be afraid to branch out with new dishes.
La Gran Muralla | Latin-Asian fusion
Don’t let first impressions fool you — this fusion eatery may look like an unassuming sandwich shop when you first walk in, but step behind the Coke machine to see it transform into a speakeasy.
Crab Daddy’s Surf & Turf | Seafood + soul food
A local favorite food truck is now a brick-and-mortar serving up dishes like gumbo, crab legs, and shrimp + grits.
Coming soon
Hakucho, 207 E. Main St., Lakeland | Izakaya | Opening 2024
Japanese-inspired small plates (think: similar to a Spanish tapas bar) are coming soon to the longtime vacant spot between Linksters Taproom and Black & Brew Coffee House and Bistro on Main Street. This eatery is coming to you from the same local owners of Sabu Ramen, located in The Joinery.
Market on Kentucky | Varied | Opening TBA
Frescos’ owners Tim + Tina Calhoon plan to open a 1,200-sqft community market for food entrepreneurs to sell their goods in the former location of Taco Bus, as well as expand the Frescos catering kitchen.
Island Breeze Tiki Bar, 201 E. Main St., Lakeland | Tiki bar | Opening TBA
Soon, you won’t need to make a beach trip to enjoy your favorite tropical drinks. Island Breeze will bring blended tropical beverages and an updated facade to the location formerly home to Dart World Gaming Arena.
Mootown Scoops | Ice cream | Opening TBA
Max Miller, owner of Blue Dog Craft Barbecue in The Joinery, is behind this new ice cream shop coming to the Lake Morton area. Expect a great playlist — the shop will have a Motown theme.
The Joinery expansion | Varied | Opening TBA
Lakeland’s go-to downtown food hall is looking at its first expansion, which could include a full-service restaurant, additional quick-service dining options, and event space.
The Depot 303 | Varied | Opening December 2024
Speaking of food halls — a 14,000-sqft food hall with seven vendors and a bar will soon call downtown Mulberry home.
Metro Diner | American | Opening Winter 2024
This eatery known for allowing customers “to order anything, any time of day” will be taking over the former Sumo Sushi spot in the Lakeland South Plaza.
Foxtail Coffee | Coffee | Opening TBA
This Central Florida staple will open its first Lakeland location in the Shops at Lake Wire, the retail plaza at the upcoming Prospect Lake Wire development.
Bright Ice Scoop Shop + unnamed wine bar | Ice Cream + wine | Opening TBA
Life will be sweet if this ice cream shop and bar opt to split and lease space in the former space of Petals: The Flower Shoppe.
Chicken Salad Chick | Salads + sandwiches | Opening TBA
We don’t know if the chicken or the egg came first, but we do know that many of our readers have been hoping for this Southern-style, fast casual spot to open in Lakeland. It’s going into the space formerly occupied by Red Elephant Pizza & Grill on South Florida Avenue.
Prima 135 | Steakhouse | Opening TBA
Restaurateur Bill Freeman, former CEO of Shula’s Restaurant Group, is planning a swanky steakhouse in the former Florida National Bank building downtown. The owners plan to include a glass-walled kitchen and bank vault wine cellar while restoring the building to its original art deco design.
Is your most-anticipated eatery not on our list? Tell us what you’re looking forward to — we trust you have good taste.
