A Local’s Guide to Restaurants in Winter Haven: 12 of the Best Local Eats

Updated on November 26, 2024: This story was originally published on May 25, 2023, and has been updated with new information.

Welcome to Winter Haven, Florida, a charming city nestled in the heart of Central Florida. If you’re a food enthusiast looking for the best culinary experiences in town, you’re in for a treat! With the help of our Community Sales Manager at VillaMar, who is a lifelong Winter Haven resident, we’ve rounded up the top local restaurants in Winter Haven. Whether you’re new to the city, just visiting, or a longtime resident looking for a new date night destination, Winter Haven has something to tantalize your taste buds. From hidden gems and newly opened eateries to long-standing favorites, this guide will take you on a mouthwatering journey through the vibrant dining scene in Winter Haven.

1. Bowen Yard Food Hall

The first dining destination on our list actually houses six restaurants in one unique space! Polk County's newest food hall, Bowen Yard opened in June in a great spot in Downtown Winter Haven. Gather, eat, and chill, with delicious dining options centered around an open courtyard:

• Maritime elevates seafood with a menu carefully crafted by Chef Jason Boniface, who also leads the kitchen at Cob & Pen in Lakeland. As the anchor restaurant at Bowen Hall, they offer both an upscale dining room and a take-out window for those who prefer to enjoy a meal in the communal courtyard.
• ATO offers fresh, made-to-order poke bowls, sushi burritos, and appetizers. If you are local to the area, you may be familiar with ATO from The Joinery food hall in Lakeland.
• Savor Cuban flavors at Hemingway's Cuban Kitchen - This food hall favorite also has locations at Armature Works in Tampa and Kern's Food Hall in Knoxville, TN.
• Lakehouse Kitchen serves vibrantly authentic Mexican food crafted from high-quality ingredients.
• Winter Haven's newest ice cream shop, Ripples Ice Cream offers delicious made-from-scratch scoops and cones, along with a coffee bar serving Ethos Coffee.
• Soce Market is part neighborhood market and part quick-service restaurant, serving soup and sandwiches along with wine and beer.  

2. Nutwood

Boasting a Michelin star-rated chef/owner and operator, Nutwood features California cuisine with international flair. Nutwood offers lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch options with dishes ranging from chicken and waffles to pork belly wraps and steak to a catch of the day. Reservations are highly recommended, and private dining options are also available for truly special occasions.

3. Gourmet Goodies Bake Shop

When the sweet tooth needs a little bit of satisfaction, you have to check out Gourmet Goodies! This local bakery is open six days a week and is known for its specialty cakes for any occasion. In addition to custom cakes, Gourmet Goodies offers cupcakes, cookies, cake pops, brownies, pies, cheesecakes, and so much more!

4. Sugar and Slice Bakery

Another option for fulfilling your sweet tooth, Sugar and Slice focuses on baking memories in the form of custom cakes for weddings, birthdays, and other occasions. Specialty or custom cupcakes, cake pops, cookies, rice Krispie treats, and other sugary goodies also await your visit!

5. Arabellas

Located in the heart of historic downtown Winter Haven, Arabellas is known as the area’s best Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Grab a drink beforehand at Ave Bar, then sit down and enjoy delicious lunch or dinner starting with traditional antipasti options including bruschetta or calamari, followed by pasta or meat options such as fettuccine alfredo, ravioli di Manzo, pollo alla marsala, filetto al Porto, and more.

6. Harry’s Old Place

For 30 years, Harry’s Old Place has delighted as Winter Haven’s best seafood and steak destination. Locals love stopping in for their favorite food special, such as twin lobster tail Tuesday, prime rib Wednesday, or surf and turf Thursday. No matter which day you dine here, you’ll find plenty of fresh catch options and local fare in a waterfront location.

After a fire damaged the building in May of 2024, a remodel has been underway and we anxiously await the re-opening which is expected before the end of the year!

7. Food Trucks at Grove Roots Brewing

Looking for a casual culinary option perfect for an afternoon bite or group hangout? Grove Roots Brewing offers a popular, family-friendly biergarten and this local craft brewery features popular food trucks Tuesday through Sunday with options ranging from barbecue and hot dogs to seafood and Asian southern fusion. Be sure to watch the brewery’s calendar for an up-to-date food truck schedule, and ask the taproom staff to suggest a brew to pair with your meal!

8. Adler’s 

Adler’s knows burgers. With two brick and mortar locations and a food truck, this restaurant focuses on handmade fare using high-quality, local ingredients in dishes such as the Twitty, a burger featuring caramelized pineapple, bacon, American cheese, and mayo. YUM! Enjoy traditional sides like fries with your burger, or opt for something a little more fun like fried mac n’ cheese, jalapeno firecrackers, or fried cheese pickles. Our mouth is already watering…is it dinnertime yet?!

9. The Smokin’ Ox

Get your barbecue fix at this popular spot, known for its brisket, St. Louis-style ribs, chopped pork, and smoked wings and chicken. With sauce options for every palate, including original, hot, sweet, and mustard based, it’ll be hard to choose a favorite! In addition to traditional barbecue options, The Smokin’ Ox also offers fried green tomatoes, smoked turkey salad, tacos, smoked sausage links, and even delicious desserts!

10. Harborside

Located on the shores of Lake Shipp and one of Winter Haven's most well-known restaurants, Harborside offers upscale waterfront dining with both indoor and outdoor seating areas. Daily specials, such as catfish Tuesdays and super grouper Thursdays, draw a crowd, while other menu favorites, such as oysters, mahi mahi, and the shrimp trio, bring diners back over and over! Looking for a place to host a private event or special occasion? Harborside is the go-to spot for events in Winter Haven with its private dining spaces!

11. Honeycomb Bread Bakers

We can’t leave our favorite breakfast and lunch spot off the list! Honeycomb offers handcrafted breads and pastries to eat in-store or to take home. Sit and stay awhile and order from the full menu of breakfast options, with items like avocado toast, bagel and schmear, quiche, as well as coffee and latte options, or come by for lunch and enjoy a mix of breakfast options and sandwiches, salads, and soups.

12. Chilly Masala

Opening in late 2022, Chilly Masala brings the flavors of India to Central Florida, with a wide selection of vegetarian, vegan, and meat dishes, along with brads, rice dishes, and salads. The butter chicken is a must-try for meat eaters, and a lunch buffet gives you the opportunity to try multiple dishes for a reasonable price.

More About Living in Winter Haven, FL

When you call Winter Haven home, eating is far from the only thing to do! While Winter Haven is landlocked, it is renowned for watersports and waterfront living thanks to hosting 55 lakes in the city limits, including the famed Winter Haven Chain of Lakes. You can spend your days in the great outdoors (with your furry friend in tow), stroll the historic downtown lined with parks, restaurants, and boutiques, or spend the day at a theme park with LEGOLAND Florida right here in Winter Haven and Orlando attractions just a short drive away.

Want to dig your toes in the sand? Winter Haven is centrally located between Tampa and Orlando, and between the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, making it easy to spend the day at the beach or commute to nearby cities. In addition to this convenience, residents state the top reasons they like this Central Florida city are a sense of community, a slower pace of life, and an affordable cost of living, with lots of places to eat and shop.

Here are two of the best neighborhoods in Winter Haven where you can enjoy all there is to love about living in this city.

Harbor at Lake Henry

Located about 6 miles northwest of downtown, new construction homes in Winter Haven, FL are now available in this brand-new neighborhood situated just minutes from Highway 27, parks, and shopping and dining. A wide variety of homes are available to suit your needs, with low-maintenance townhomes providing 1,604 square feet of living space and single-family homes offering 1,358 to 3,162 square feet of living space with 3 to 6 bedrooms, each with pricing in the $290's. Within the neighborhood, you'll appreciate a community playground, ample green open space, and blue waters thanks to a large pond and the adjacent Lake Henry Canal, with a limited number of exclusive waterfront homes available.

VillaMar

If a master-planned community rich with amenities is more your speed, discover VillaMar in Winter Haven, a popular neighborhood of new homes priced from the $270’s. Now selling in Phase 6, the homes at VillaMar offer 1,358 to 2,819 square feet of living space, 3 to 5 bedrooms, and popular features designed for your life including open-concept living space, a private owner’s suite, and flexible-use rooms. Located on the shores of Crystal Lake, VillaMar boasts an idyllic setting surrounded by open space, ponds, and wetlands, as well as resort-style amenities including a pool, amenity center, and playground, with additional amenities planned in future phases.

Ready to learn more? Our Winter Haven New Home Specialists are experts on the city and can help you find the perfect neighborhood and home to suit your needs. Give us a call, text, or email to connect!