Some people make to-do lists – we make have dinner Lists. In recent months, many hot new restaurants have opened in Lakeland, from the “nomadic” cuisine of Peach House to the unique baked goods of Bandidas.
To satisfy those who starvation For new dining options, we also have information on several other Swan City restaurants opening soon. Grab your forks because we’re about to get started.
Newly opened
Every dish we tried from the menu at Sabrina’s Delicacies made us dance with joy.
Sabrina’s delicacies | Sausages
Grab a pre-made box to go or sit down and stay a while at this formerly mobile-only company’s first-ever brick-and-mortar location in the same mall as Tea Largo. See what we tried as we left.
KPOT Korean BBQ and Hot Pot |
Cook as much hot pot and Korean barbecue as you want right at your table at this spot in the former Crispers store in Lakeside Village.
Peach House | Nomadic
This new dining concept from the owners of Revival is located in the former Red Door Lakeland building, right on the shores of Lake Morton. Stop by and sample their “nomadic” cuisine inspired by flavors from the Mediterranean to Florida.
When you go to the Peach Cobbler Factory, you best bring your sweet tooth.
The Peach Cobbler Factory | Desserts
Head to Highland City Town Center Plaza to fill up on Southern desserts like banana pudding, brownies, cookies, and more. Naturally — many different types of cobbler.
Bandidas Bakery | Pastries
Owners Gabriella and Giovanna Favilli-Vigoreaux sell homemade baked goods as well as breakfast, lunch and to-go dishes in their first store.
Pouring bear coffee | Coffee
Opened in the same building as Tea Largo and Sabrina’s Delicacies, this new cafe combines vintage furniture, mid-century wallpaper, and reclaimed wood accents to create a cozy space perfect for sipping on a handcrafted espresso.
Café Zuppina | Mediterranean and Eastern Europe
This popular Lakeland eatery has moved downtown to the space formerly occupied by Cafe Roti and is now open for lunch and dinner.
You’ll find students behind the coffee bar and in line at Morning Grind.
Morning drudgery | Coffee
Support students at Florida Southern College’s Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise by getting your caffeine fix at this coffee cart that also serves as an experiential learning lab.
Curry leaves | Indian
This eatery may be off the beaten path just north of the Lakeland Quality Inn, but it offers a lunch buffet full of classic and innovative Indian dishes that’s 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 café is open Monday through Friday for breakfast and lunch.
Dong Tea Lakeland | Taiwanese
This teahouse specializes in Taiwanese bubble tea and Korean corn dogs – head to Lakeland South Center Plaza and give it a try.
Whether you’re a seafood connoisseur or not, there’s something on the menu for you at Maritime, one of Bowen Yard’s restaurants.
Bowen Court | Varied
Whether you’re craving ice cream, seafood, Mexican or Cuban food, or something else, you’ll find it at Winter Haven’s first downtown food hall.
Mochine Nut |
After you’ve had a good rest at Skyzone, walk just a few feet to the first location of this chain in Lakeland, which specializes in Korean-style mochi doughnuts, boba and hot dogs.
Pasture madness | Sausages
Stop by here in the plaza next to Chick-Fil-A in south Lakeland for take-out and freshly prepared deli meats.
The Great Wall | Latin American-Asian fusion
Don’t be fooled by first impressions — This fusion restaurant may look like a nondescript sandwich shop at first glance, but step behind the Coke machine and you’ll see it transform into a speakeasy.
Bar Vasco | Cocktails + Tapas
Enjoy small plates and colorful cocktails under the stars at Lakeland’s newest rooftop bar, Nineteen61.
Coming soon
Hakucho brings small Japanese dishes to the city center.
Hakucho207 E. Main St., Lakeland | Izakaya | Opening 2024
Japanese-inspired small plates (similar to a Spanish tapas bar) will soon be served in the long-vacant space between Linksters Taproom and Black & Brew Coffee House and Bistro on Main Street. This eatery comes from the same local owners as Sushi beefis located in the carpentry shop.
Kentucky Market | Varied | Opening to be announced
Frescos owners Tim and Tina Calhoon plan to open a 1,200-square-foot community market at the former Taco Bus location for food entrepreneurs to sell their wares. They also plan to expand Frescos’ catering kitchen.
Island Breeze Tiki Bar201 E. Main St., Lakeland | Tiki Bar | Opening to follow
Soon you won’t have to go to the beach to enjoy your favorite tropical drinks. Island Breeze offers mixed tropical drinks and a modernized facade to the site of the former Dart World Gaming Arena.
Mootown Scoops is located next to Mister Fish.
Mootown Shovels | Ice cream | Opening to be announced
Max Miller, owner of Blue Dog Craft Barbecue in The Joinery, is behind this new ice cream shop in the Lake Morton area. Look forward to a great playlist — The store will have a Motown theme.
Expansion of the carpentry workshop | Varied | Opening to be announced
Lakeland’s most popular downtown market is set to undergo its first expansion, which could include a full-service restaurant, additional quick-service restaurants and event space.
The Depot 303 | Varied | Opening December 2024
Speaking of food halls – a 13,000 sq. ft. indoor market with seven stalls and a bar will soon be home to downtown Mulberry.
The Metro Diner menu features everything from new and exciting takes on breakfast like s’mores waffles to classic diner fare like cheeseburgers.
Metro Diner | American | Opening Winter 2024
Known for allowing customers to “order anything at any time of day,” this eatery will take over the former Sumo Sushi location in Lakeland South Plaza.
Foxtail coffee | Coffee | Opening to be announced
This well-known Central Florida company will open its first Lakeland location at the Shops at Lake Wire, the shopping center in the upcoming Prospect Lake Wire project.
Bright Ice Scoop Shop + unnamed wine bar | Ice cream + wine | Opening to be announced
Life would be sweet if this ice cream parlor and bar decided to split up and lease space in the former Petals: The Flower Shoppe location.
Twin Peaks | Sports bar | Opening September 2024
A pub-style menu, 50 televisions and 32 beers on tap are the highlights of this sports bar opening in the former Smokey Bones location on Highway 98 North.
Is the restaurant you are most looking forward to not on our list? Tell us what you are looking forward to – We trust that you have good taste.
