Lakeland is a hidden treasure of Florida. One of the best aspects Lakeland has to offer is its unique blend of restaurants. Here are five amazing restaurants in Lakeland, plus the best place for some yummy desserts!

Posto9

Posto9 is a Brazilian Gastropub that is new to Lakeland. The menu includes a raw bar with oysters, a variety of salads, chicken and waffles, steaks, and believe it or not, amazing fries among so many other delectable dishes. Posto9 has been described as a
piece of New York in Lakeland. The exposed brick throughout the building gives a feeling of exclusivity and the rooftop bar is the place to be when the sun sets.

Palace Pizza

Palace Pizza is the first restaurant I ever ate at in Lakeland and it has my heart. Not only are their pizzas and pasta fantastic, but their garlic knots are out of this world! I am a huge fan of garlic knots and Palace Pizza tops the charts. They have the perfect amount of garlic and butter and they are always cooked just right. Nothing beats Palace Pizza garlic knots.

Black & Brew

If you’re in the mood for a great sandwich or salad and some delicious tea or coffee, Black & Brew is a must. I’ll be honest, as a picky eater, I got the grilled cheese sandwich both times I went to Black & Brew. However, the grilled cheese was amazing! I have also heard from friends that the quinoa salad is just as yummy. Every day, Black & Brew has different coffee and tea specials in flavors you wonder how they come up with. Each new flavor seems better than the last.

Fred’s Market

Fred’s Market is by far my favorite Lakeland restaurant. Their slogan is “Slow food, FAST” and I think that is the best way to describe Fred’s. All the food makes for a southern home cooked buffet with one delicious option after the next. Their rolls are so fluffy and glazed with butter. Their mac and cheese is made from scratch. And their pulled pork is smoked to perfection. Every day of the week there is a different menu so every time you go to Fred’s, you’re in for a new treat. To top it all off, their homemade desserts include peach cobbler, strawberry shortcake, and banana pudding to name a few.

GrillSmith

For the best grill in Lakeland, look no further than GrillSmith. From pork to steak to chicken, and even seafood, GrillSmith has it all and everything is prepared deliciously. There is also a Fitness Plates section of the menu for those looking to eat healthier. For those of us not planning on eating healthy anytime soon, the dessert menu is equally appetizing featuring key lime pie, a bananas foster sundae, Grand Marnier creme brûlée, and s’mores.

Dessert Bonus: Got Candy & More

Got Candy & More has all the sweets you could ever imagine all made in-house. Between the ice cream, vanilla bean macarons, chocolate covered cherries, and chocolate pretzels, I don’t know which I would pick as my favorite! The cakes they bake at the store are as beautiful as they are delicious, too. Whether you stop in for a quick afternoon snack or for dessert after dinner, you have to stop in regardless.