Looking for the next new restaurant hitting Swan City’s food scene? Check out these buzzy places to eat and drink in Lakeland — plus, some spots coming soon. Keep tabs on this list to stay ahead of the cuisine curve. And don’t forget to bookmark it.
August
Franklin Bread House, 1201 S. Florida Ave. | Bakery
Do knot miss this outdoor Dixieland cafe in the space next to the Marathon gas station. It’s open Friday-Saturday mornings with Bavarian pretzels, Polish donuts, and coffee. Editor’s pick: The cinnamon + sugar pretzel.
Dirty Dawg Pop Shop, 2972 Lakeland Highlands Rd. | Drinks + popcorn
Lakeland Ice Cream Company South opened a new venture with a pup-themed menu of syrup-filled sodas + layered popcorn. The Big Bark with Dr. Pepper and marshmallow fluff is talking dirty to us.
Our mouths are watering looking at Crave’s menu of hot dogs and barbecue.
Photo by @cravetheshoppesonderita
July
Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ, 2250 Griffin Rd. | Barbecue
This restaurant returns under new ownership at the same location, featuring creative hot dogs, classic barbecue staples, craft beers on tap, and ax-throwing.
Foxtail Coffee, 322 Kathleen Rd. | Coffee
This Central Florida staple has opened its first Lakeland location in the Shops at Lake Wire, the retail plaza by the Prospect Lake Wire apartment complex. In addition to coffee + espresso, it offers Kelly’s Ice Cream, breakfast bites, and a few lunch items.
Five Star Seafood, 3601 S. Florida Ave. | Seafood
Drive-thru or walk in for fresh seafood combos, chicken, sandwiches, and pasta.
May
Mootown Scoops, 723 E. Palmetto St. | Ice cream
Pair your Mister Fish sandwich with a scoop from this parlor right down the block. Get it in a waffle cone, a root beer float, or on a croque glacé (a warm, pressed brioche bun).
Bakeland, 838 S. Tennessee Ave. | Bakery
Grab a loaf of homemade sandwich bread or freshly baked muffins from this farmstand-style micro bakery.
Taste of India, 3114 S. Florida Ave. | Indian
Stop by for dishes like tikka masala, lamb vindaloo, and samosas, which are available for dine-in or takeout.
The Dram House, 3234 S. Florida Ave. | Cocktail bar
Shop the wide selection of specialty bourbons or opt for a handcrafted cocktail and a seat at the bar. A food menu is coming soon.
FL Master Homemade Donuts, 2930 S. Combee Rd. | Doughnuts
Step up to the counter and take your pick from a packed pastry case. Flavors range from bakery staples to unique mochi donuts, plus apple fritters as big as your head.
Tilaw is bringing new dishes to Depot 303, along with your Pinoy Cravings favorites like pancit + lumpia.
Photo by @tilaw_fl
April
Depot 303, 303 NW 1st Ave., Mulberry | Varied
Everyone can try something they like in this food hall with six stalls + a bar. It’s packed with local favorites, like Fat Maggie’s and Pizza Odyssey, plus new flavors to explore.
Hakucho, 207 E. Main St. | Japanese izakaya
Make a reservation to try Japanese pub-style bites + bevs in a bustling atmosphere. Our favorite dishes and drinks so far are the fried chicken karaage, tart mocktail, and just-spicy-enough shishito peppers.
Crave Cookies, 3604 Harden Blvd. | Cookies + dirty sodas
The menu of freshly baked cookies changes every Friday here, so you can always get a craving for something new.
The Wine Garden, 1204 S. Florida Ave. | Wine + charcuterie
This is Lakeland’s newest full-service wine bar, serving up global wine selections + gourmet goods Tuesday-Sunday in Dixieland. Find it right between Bright Ice Scoop Shop and By the Chef Pizza.
Lake Miriam Chinese Kitchen, 4802 S. Florida Ave. | Chinese
Loyal fans were excited to hear this eatery, previously located in the Lake Miriam Publix, now has its own storefront in the same plaza. It’s still serving up favorite dishes like teriyaki chicken and lo mein.
PALS Candy Shop, 121 S. Kentucky Ave. | Bulk candy
Fill up a bag with 70+ types of candy you can buy by the ounce, or cool off with an ice-cold slushy.
Fusion&Sabor Kitchen, 4417 S. Florida Ave. | Latin fusion
A cozy counter-service spot has taken over the former Cafe Zuppina space on South Florida Avenue. Stop by to get a taste of the spot’s arepas, empanadas, samosas, and more made with a Latin-fusion flair.
La Gracia Colombian Bakery & Sandwich Shop, 5100 US Hwy. 98 N., Ste. 15 | Bakery
Pick up coffee and a freshly baked pastry for breakfast, or order an arepa and a sandwich to enjoy for lunch. Either way, enjoy the warm bread.
Did we miss a restaurant that opened in April? Let us know.
March
Parlor Doughnuts, 351 E. Bay St. | Doughnuts + coffee
Grab a layered douhnut — we recommend the Swan — and enjoy your baked goods, coffee, and breakfast sandwiches al fresco on the outdoor patio.
Bright Ice Scoop Shop, 1200 S. Florida Ave. | Ice cream + coffee
This shop has 19 signature flavors that are always on the menu, plus seasonal specials. Grab your favorite in a cup, on a waffle cone, blended in a milkshake, or on an ice cream + cookie sandwich.
Sora Eatery, 3900 Don Emerson Dr. | Asian-American fusion
Find a variety of breakfast and lunch options on the menu. Most items have an Asian-fusion flair to them, in addition to classic bites, baked goods, and grab + go options.
Did we miss a restaurant that opened in March? Let us know.
February
Rita’s, 3115 US Hwy. 98 N. | Italian ice + custard
This biz has reopened in the same location under new ownership, just in time to cool off with a gelati on warm days.
Chicken Salad Chick, 5216 S. Florida Ave. | Salads + sandwiches
Readers rave about this casual eatery where you can choose from 10+ styles of chicken salad. Pro tip: Don’t skip the cookie that comes free with meals.
Did we miss a restaurant that opened in February? Let us know.
January
Market on Kentucky, 126 S. Kentucky Ave. | Market
Local entrepreneurs can sell their goods in this 1,200-sqft community market. Create your own charcuterie box, grab an iced coffee, order a pastry from Meraki Bakehouse, and stock up on snacks for the week.
Did we miss a restaurant that opened in January? Let us know.
2024 openings
Sabrina’s Delicacies, 4610 Cleveland Heights Blvd. | 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, 1568 Town Center Dr. | 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, 733 E. Palmetto St. | 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, 5261 US Hwy. 98 S., Ste. 8C | 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, 1755 E. Edgewood Dr. | 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, 4608 Cleveland Heights Blvd. | 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.
Morning Grind, 111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr. | 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, 3260 US Hwy. 98 N. | 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., 401 S. Florida Ave. | 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, 5301 S. Florida Ave. | 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, 308 4th St. SW, Winter Haven | Varied
Whether you’re in the mood for ice cream, seafood, Mexican, Indian, or something else — Winter Haven’s first food hall, located downtown, will have you covered.
Mochinut, 6218 US Hwy. 98 N. | 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, 4525 S. Florida Ave., Ste. 30 | 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, 215 E. Main St. | Cocktails + tapas
Enjoy small plates + colorful cocktails under the stars at Lakeland’s latest rooftop bar atop Nineteen61.
Order a stack of pancakes with flavors like matcha white chocolate, Biscoff, and creme brulee.
Photo by @kichitaiyaki
Kichi Taiyaki, 3958 S. Florida Ave. | 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, 3901 US Hwy. 98 N.| 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, 307 W. Main St. | 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, 124 S. Tennessee Ave. | 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, 2810 Lakeland Highlands Rd. | 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.
Metro Diner, 5293 S. Florida Ave. | American
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.
Did we miss a restaurant that opened in 2024? Let us know.
Coming soon
Lucky Goat Coffee Co., 3615 S. Florida Ave., Ste. 810 | Coffee | Opening late 2025
This Tallahassee-based cafe chain will open its first Lakeland franchise in the Merchant’s Walk plaza, featuring handcrafted drinks and baked goods.
Island Breeze Tiki Bar, 201 E. Main St., Lakeland | Tiki bar | Opening spring 2026
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.
The Joinery expansion, 640 E. Main St. | 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.
Grievous Angel, 801 E. Main St. | Burgers | Opening TBA
Jeremy Brumley, owner of LoveBird Almost Famous Chicken, is branching out from hot chicken to smashburgers in this new honky-tonk bar + restaurant concept named after a Gram Parsons song. It’s under construction now at the former Poor Porker site, where crews are adding a full kitchen and outdoor dining.
Prima 135, 113 S. Tennessee Ave. | 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.
Sambrazil Market, 2020 S. Combee Rd. | Market + bakery | Opening TBA
Get a taste of Brazil at this grocer, coming soon to Combee Road, which says, “we’re here to make life tastier and easier with authentic products and freshly baked treats.”
IHOP, 5820 US Hwy. 98 S. | Diner | Opening TBA
Another IHOP location could be coming to Lakeland after a franchisee submitted plans for a site off Highway 98 South near Clubhouse Road. It would be the company’s third local restaurant
The Velvet Swan, 125 S. Kentucky Ave. | Opening TBA
CJ Vapes & Lounge owner Jeremiah Joaquim has filed plans to open a cocktail bar called the Velvet Swan in the former Dissent Brewing space on Kentucky Avenue. Joaquim says he aims to create a sophisticated and upscale lounge environment.
Still hungry for more? Dig deeper through our food news.
