Restaurants

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.
April 02, 2026 02:25 PM
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Connor Jacobson
An outdoor view of the Grasslands Golf Course in Lakeland from the balcony of the clubhouse
Food
What would you choose for your Masters Champions Dinner?
Fill your menu with local food and drink.
April 9, 2024
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Connor Jacobson
LAL_coffee_shop_bracket_stock_photo_Feb_2024
Food
Vote in LALtoday’s coffee shop bracket
We want to know: Where is the best coffee shop in Lakeland? Vote for your favorite to help determine a champion.
March 26, 2024
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Staff
A giant pretzel on a plate with white queso and honey mustard dipping sauces.
Food
Get your snack on with these Lakeland bites
Whether you’re feeling salty or sweet, check out these snacks to satisfy your next craving.
March 21, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Four white plates sit on a brown wooden table. Two contain two slices of French toast while the other two contain scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausage links.
Culture
Answered: Your picks for Lakeland’s hidden gems
From food and drink to retail and attractions — we asked you for what hidden gems make Lakeland the best and you delivered.
March 15, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
LAL_Peach_Cobbler_Factory_March_2024
Food
Peach Cobbler Factory in Lakeland is now open
Here’s what you need to know about Lakeland’s newest spot for sweets.
March 1, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
maas brothers
Business
Which closed Lakeland business would you bring back?
From retailers to restaurants, you told us which businesses you think deserve a second chance.
February 26, 2024
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Connor Jacobson
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
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
Two chefs cook barbecue in an industrial kitchen at Catapult
Business
Get hungry for Catapult’s restaurant residency program
The program will allow food entrepreneurs to get the experience of running their own restaurants, while Lakelanders will get to try even more local food.
January 4, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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More from LALtoday
The open door entrance of a small business, with a "SHOP SMALL" welcome mat and shelves of merchandise visible inside.
Business
Our Lakeland-based Small Business Saturday shopping picks
The 16th annual edition of Small Business Saturday falls on Nov. 29 — the perfect time to help you add a local sparkle into your holiday shopping.
November 25, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An aerial photo of a crowded fall street festival with white tents, vendors, and people walking in downtown Lakeland.
City
Look back on fall in Lakeland’s photo archives
We’re digging through the Lakeland Public Library photo archives to relive autumn memories from years gone by.
November 24, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Swan City Improv's future building, a white and turquoise painted church with a gray roof and a spire against a clear blue sky.
Culture
Swan City Improv opening a comedy club in downtown Lakeland
The Comedy Cathedral is set to open by spring 2026 with entertainment, classes, and community events designed to keep Lakeland laughing.
November 20, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A silhouetted runner on Lake Hollingsworth at sunset
Travel and Outdoors
Turkey Trots and Thanksgiving runs around Lakeland
You won’t find an official Turkey Trot in Lakeland, but there are plenty of fun runs and nearby races to break a seasonal sweat.
November 20, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The Terrace Grille's dining room has plush orange chairs, large windows, and two glasses of white wine on the table.
Food
Dine in or carry-out Thanksgiving dinner in Lakeland
Here’s a list of local restaurants open on Thanksgiving.
November 17, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The front of a newly opened Publix, decorated with green and white balloon columns and silver "WELCOME" balloons for its grand opening.
Business
Lake Miriam Square Publix is now open
The rebuilt store includes 55,701 sqft of space for shopping, dining, and relaxing. Scroll through photos from opening day.
November 13, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The front exterior of the Spanish Colonial-style Ludd Spivey House with a stucco facade, arched windows, and a terracotta tile roof.
Real Estate
Influential Lakelander’s home hits the market
Take a look inside the Ludd M. Spivey House, formerly home to Florida Southern College’s president who made a historic impact on the campus.
November 11, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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City
Local news, powered by readers like you
Over the next 10 days, we’re launching a reader-driven campaign to sustain what we do best.
November 10, 2025
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Staff
A night photo of the Lakeland Margarita Ball on the lawn near Lake Mirror, with a band playing on a lit stage in the background.
Events
Raise funds (and a glass) at the Lakeland Margarita Ball
The Lakeland Margarita Society hosts the Margarita Ball every November to raise money to provide Christmas gifts for local children.
November 6, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Overhead shot of five pumpkin pies with whipped cream dollops
Food
Preorder your prized pies ahead of Thanksgiving
Whether you’re an annual customer or looking for the first time, check out these pies you can bring to Thanksgiving made fresh by local bakers.
November 6, 2025
 · 
Rilee Delgado