Eat your way through the alphabet

Lakeland, FL restaurants from A to Z

Dog sitting at table with food at Good Thyme restaurant in Lakeland, FL

Gee, we love a fresh lunch from Good Thyme. | Photo by @gata.lovestacos + @vizzyfilms_

Deciding where to eat in Lakeland should be as easy as ABC. With 34 of your responses, we’ve rounded up our readers’ favorite local restaurants starting with each letter of the alphabet.

A: Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant, 3700 Lakeside Village Blvd. | We love this spot with a dog-friendly patio.

B: Black & Brew Coffee House and Bistro, 205 E. Main St. and 100 Lake Morton Dr. | Grab a morning coffee or a hearty lunch.

C: Cob & Pen, 1221 Florida Ave. S. | Two words: Ultimate fries.

D: Divicious Deli & Coffee Shop, 128 E. Main St. | Our readers love this downtown stop for their morning brew.

G: Good Thyme, 1037 Dixieland Mall Ln. | This breakfast and lunch spot specializes in using fresh ingredients.

L: LoveBird Almost Famous Chicken, 2101 Florida Ave. S. | Choose your heat level wisely at this hot chicken joint.

LAL-Mister-Fish-laltoday — Mmmm, nothing beats a fried fish sandwich from Mister Fish.

M: Mister Fish, 715 E. Palmetto St. | Grab a bite at this classic restaurant before a walk around Lake Morton.

Q: Quinteassence Kava Bar, 839 N. Massachusetts Ave., Ste. 101 | Come for the tea, stay for the nightly events.

R: Reececliff Family Diner, 940 Florida Ave. S. | We can’t leave without a slice of the pie of the day.

T: Tapatio’s Restaurante Mexicano, 734 E. Memorial Blvd. and 6645 Florida Ave. S. | It’s always a fiesta at this local favorite.

Hand holding bagel at Uncle Nick's Deli in Lakeland, FL — U need to try a bagel from Uncle Nick’s Deli’s extensive menu.

U: Uncle Nick’s Italian Deli, Bagels and Catering, 6955 Old Rd. 37 | Order up a New York-style bagel made in-house.

W: WACO Kitchen, 3900 Don Emerson Dr. | Let your taste buds take flight.

Z: Zarza Latin Food & Grill, 4648 Cleveland Heights Blvd. | This grill is known for flavorful Latin dishes and lunch specials.

Hungry for more? You can C the full list here.

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Today

5th Annual Boo-Tox Party! | Thu., Oct. 20 | 4-8 p.m. | Medical Spa at Watson Clinic, Bella Vista Building, 1755 N. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Treat yourself with discounts on Botox, plus free chair massages and skincare consultations from a licensed aesthetician — RSVP online.
T-R-I-V-I-A | Thu., Oct. 20 - Thu., Nov. 24 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | The Joinery, 640 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Show what you know to win prizes while enjoying deals on beer, wine, and cocktails.

Friday

Munn Park Saints w/ Big Baby Bitez | Fri., Oct. 21 | 7 p.m. | Swan Brewing, Lakeland | Free | Grab a brew and hang out with music from Munn Park Saints + food from Big Baby Bitez.
Haunted Jail Tour 2022 “Doomsday” | Fri., Oct. 21 - Sat., Oct. 29 | 6:30-10:30 p.m. | Polk County Jail, 455 N. Broadway Ave, Lakeland | $12.00 - $20.00 | Join the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for their annual Haunted Jail Tour with new unexplored areas — all proceeds will benefit the United Way of Central Florida.

Saturday

37th Fall Garden Extravaganza | Sat., Oct. 22 | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | Munn Park, 201 E Main St, Lakeland | Free | Shop from 40+ vendors to give your garden a fall makeover.
Bonnet Springs Park Grand Opening | Sat., Oct. 22 - Sun., Oct. 23 | 10 a.m.-9 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Park Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Bring the whole family to celebrate Bonnet Springs Park’s grand opening with live music on multiple stages, art installations, food trucks, a firework show, and more.
Hispanic Festival Lakeland | Sat., Oct. 22 | 1-10 p.m. | Frances Langford Promenade, Lakeland | $10.00 | Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with authentic foods and entertainment for the whole family.

Sunday

Classic Albums Live: Billy Joel “The Stranger” | Sun., Oct. 23 | 7:30-10 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W Lime St, Lakeland | $29.00 - $39.00 | Come “just the way you are” and experience Billy Joel’s 1977 album, “The Stranger,” as Classic Albums Live performs it note for note, cut for cut.

Monday

After School Art | Mon., Oct. 24, Mon., Oct. 31 | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art | $5.00 | Parents and children can learn creative skills with a new art lesson each week.

Tuesday

Lakeland Police Active Shooter Awareness Seminar | Tue., Oct. 25 | 8:30-11:30 a.m. | Youkey Theater at the RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St. | Free | Join the Lakeland Police Department for an active shooter awareness seminar for businesses, schools, and other organizations — pre-registration is required.*

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

73º | Mostly sunny | 0% chance of rain

Announced

Big names like The Band Perry + Hunter Hayes won’t be the only ones rocking out at the grand opening of Bonnet Springs Park. Local favorites like Van Plating, Kimmy Gabriela, and more will take the Lounge Stage on Sat., Oct. 22 and Sun., Oct. 23. 🎶

Civic

Voters will see an environmental referendum on ballots this November. If approved, Polk County would add a 20 cent ad valorem tax for each $1,000 in taxable property value for 20 years to fund environmental land purchases. A similar past tax led to the purchase of Circle B Bar Reserve. (The Ledger)
Two candidates are vying for a US House seat to represent the newly redrawn District 15, which now includes many West Lakeland residents. View a debate between Laurel Lee and Alan Cohn on Spectrum Bay News 9 tonight at 7 p.m. to hear more from them before election day. 🗳 (Bay News 9)

Biz

Tonight, four start-ups — IR Aerials, Vivoh, Fine Line Machine, and Purple Panda — will pitch their businesses for $10,000 at Catapult’s Launch Pitch Night. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. in Catapult’s Assembly Room and is open to the public — reserve your free tickets here.

Edu

Meet the four new members of the Florida Polytechnic University Foundation: Kristen Lowers, Saddle Creek Logistics Services’ Chief Information Officer; Dr. Muhammad Rashid, a global electrical engineering education leader; Don Wilson, retired lawyer; and Madison Yonash, a current Florida Poly student. The Foundation works to raise funds for the university.

Arts

Harrison School for the Arts is hosting a Creative Writing Event on Thurs., Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. Hear live readings of compositions by students. Tickets are $12 for adults and $9 for students + older adults. Write on.

Shop

What’s the password? You’re invited to the exclusive Fall Friends Gather party from Scout & Tag, Rafa Natural, and Take Heart. Visit the stores Sat., Oct. 29 from 4-8 p.m. and use the secret password “Friends Gather” to enjoy fall drinks, snacks, and giveaways. 🍁
Ditch the ribbon and twine. Natural wreaths made with dried flowers, berries, and grains are trending. This southeast Etsy seller makes beautiful arrangements we love — like this timeless dried lavender wreath. If you’re looking for something a little more seasonal, peep this fall garden wreath. 💐*

Answered

Yesterday, we asked you for any ultimate frisbee games happening around Lakeland, and Reader Diane M. wrote in with a few disc golf course suggestions. Try the Holloway Park and Publix Charities Park courses to work on your aim.

Try This

Head to Ax-Caliber on Thurs., Oct. 27 for its Halloween Glow & Throw party. Come in your best costume for deals on glow-in-the-dark ax throwing and The Range, plus half-off specialty coffees and milkshakes. Book your ax-throwing session here. 🪓

Plan Ahead

It’s almost Christmas time in the city, so we’re marking our calendars for the Holiday Night Market happening downtown on Sat., Dec. 10 from 5-10 p.m. Check off your holiday shopping list with 100+ local makers, listen to live music and DJ sets, and meet roaming characters.

Drink

We pe-can’t believe it — Keel Farms Agrarian Cider’s Pecan Pie fall flavor is now available. Head to Keel Farms (5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City) to try the cider in the tasting room, or visit during the weekend for Harvest Days. 🥧

Finance

If you or your children have student loans, you’re probably excited about the recent announcement of the new student loan debt forgiveness plan. The BBB recommends these tips for avoiding student loan forgiveness scams.*

Learn

Did you know? Babbel offers multiple ways to learn a new language (think: lessons, podcasts, videos, and live online classes). LALtoday readers can choose from 14 languages with lessons that focus on practical, everyday phrases — plus useful tips and cultural knowledge to better understand the words they’re learning. Me encanta. 🗺️ *

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

See a spooky show this season 🎥

Where to see Halloween movies in Lakeland, FL

Sign outside the Silvermoon Drive-In movie theater in Lakeland, FL

Kick it old school with a drive-in movie. | Photo by @kristen_maret

Whether you’re a horror movie fan or want to get into the spirit with the whole family, try one of these spots to get your frightful flick fix in Lakeland:

Festive Flix, Lake Mirror Amphitheater on the Frances Langford Promenade
Bring the family for a free outdoor screening of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” at 7 p.m. on Fri., Oct. 21. Don’t forget your lawn chair or blanket.

Polk Theatre, 121 S. Florida Ave.
See classic scary movies like “The Birds” and “Poltergeist,” and catch the interactive “Rocky Horror Picture Show” experience on Sat., Oct. 29 and Sun., Oct. 30 at 9 p.m.

Silvermoon Drive-In, 4100 New Tampa Hwy.
Pile in the car for a scary showing of new horror movies nightly at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m., or see four in one night at the Halloween Movie Marathon on Fri., Oct. 28.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Connor.

Editor’s pick: Yesterday, we asked what you’d like to see in Lake Wire’s new multi-use development. Reader Joyce M. said, “I would like to see a Whole Foods and Sprouts come in. It’s time to get healthy, Lakeland!” Several readers recommended a Trader Joe’s, and Reader N. suggested Chicken N Pickle, a restaurant with indoor pickleball courts.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Learn more about this upcoming development, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Rilee Delgado, Connor Keith, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Kaylee Holland, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

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