Food

A paper plate with a stack of BBQ ribs.
Food
Explore Central Florida’s best BBQ
Sponsored by
A rendering shows three buildings surrounding a pedestrian courtyard.
City
Downtown Winter Haven’s new Bowen Yard development nears completion
Get ready to “Gather, Eat, Chill” at Bowen Yard in downtown Winter Haven.
February 22, 2024
 · 
Rilee Delgado
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Sponsored
⚾ Kick off Spring Training at the Tiger BBQ tomorrow
Sponsored by
a man barbecues ribs on an open grill outside with people in the background
Sponsored
We’re fired up about Ribs on the Ridge happening this weekend
Get the juicy details on the third + final leg of the Florida Triple Crown of BBQ’s three-event competition.
Sponsored by
A rendering of The Depot 303 food hall, showing a white one-story building with black trim and design accents. The top of the building has a small sign that reads "The Depot 303."
Real Estate
Get a sneak peek at The Depot 303, Mulberry’s first food hall
As this food hall gets closer to opening, see the latest renderings of the 14,000-sqft indoor and outdoor space coming to The Depot 303 in downtown Mulberry.
February 1, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Vanilla Dream Cold Brew at Andrew's Coffee
Sponsored
Meet Andrew’s Coffee — the new cafe replacing happyfastdelicious
The bold drive-thru coffee spot regrouped and launched a new concept based on Lakelanders’ feedback.
Sponsored by
meat cooking on a grill with flames coming up and a person's hand in the top left corner
Sponsored
Ready, set, grill: Grills Gone Wild returns Feb. 9-10
Sponsored by
Chef Marcos Fernandez of Nineteen61 carefully crafts a plate in the restaurant's kitchen. Next to him on the counter are prep containers and ingredients.
Food
Lakeland’s local restaurant picks for the James Beard Awards
Lakeland’s restaurants are deserving of recognition — see who our readers think deserves a prestigious James Beard Award next year.
January 24, 2024
 · 
Gabe Guarente
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Sponsored
Pig out, LAL: Pigfest returns Jan. 26-27
Sponsored by
A woman in a dress points to a large cake made by Publix for the fourth anniversary of Lakeland's Dixieland neighborhood.
Culture
A slice of Lakeland history: The Dixieland anniversary cake of 1952
Do you remember the time Publix made a huge birthday cake for an entire Lakeland neighborhood? Read on for the story.
January 16, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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Sponsored
This inaugural Florida Triple Crown of BBQ competition is smokin’ hot
Sponsored by
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Culture
How well do you remember this month’s top Lakeland news?
Take our interactive quiz to test your local news knowledge, and keep reading LALtoday to up your score.
May 28, 2025
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The sun setting over a baseball field.
Sports
“Strike Out Hunger” at a Lakeland Flying Tigers game
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May 28, 2025
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Experience
Pamper your pet at these Lakeland spots
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May 23, 2025
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A decorative sign over the Munn Park entrance with treetops and the sunshine in the background
Travel and Outdoors
Summer 2025 weather forecast for Lakeland
Prepare for summer weather in Swan City with these seasonal temperature and precipitation outlooks.
May 22, 2025
 · 
Staff
Curved black benches surround a memorial with a rose inlaid on stone, honoring law enforcement at Veteran's Memorial Park.
City
Explore Veterans Memorial Park in Lakeland
Find a quiet place for reflection at Veterans Memorial Park, a serene green space near downtown Lakeland on the shores of Lake Beulah.
May 22, 2025
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A stack of books is shown on a table in Lakeland Public Library with windows looking out at Lake Morton.
Culture
Ready, set, read — kick off summer with these reading programs
Who says summer reading is only for the kids? Check out these opportunities for every age around Lakeland.
May 21, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
A vintage postcard with an illustration of Downtown Lakeland and Lake Mirror from an aerial view
City
Test your Swan City history smarts with this quiz
Take the interactive quiz to see how much you remember about Lakeland’s geography, and learn about three of our favorite transformations from over the years.
May 20, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Signage marking the Lake-to-Lake Bikeway and bike lane
Travel and Outdoors
Ride the Lake-to-Lake Bikeway across Lakeland
See Lakeland from a new perspective — on two wheels.
May 20, 2025
 · 
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Small kitchen with white cabinets, electric stove, microwave, and beige tile floor and countertops.
Real Estate
Put your own spin on these Lakeland fixer-upper homes
Grab your tool belt — these five homes are primed and ready for you to unleash your creativity and put your vision into action.
May 19, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
A timelapse photo of the exterior of the Polk Theater at night. The marquee sign is lit with blinking lights, and car lights streak by the front door.
Food
Enjoy dinner and a show around Lakeland this week
Let us plan your nightly entertainment with movies, live music, and stage shows, plus the perfect places to grab a bite.
May 16, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson