Polk County is one of the fastest growing areas in the nation, and with that comes an explosion of new food and drink venues. Among the abundance of choices, we’ve found three restaurants that are time-tested crowd favorites. These locations combine a mix of mouthwatering food, flavorful drinks and each has its own unique atmosphere that brings guests back, again and again, for another bite.
Here are three restaurants in Polk you should try, if you haven’t already:
Arabellas Italian Ristorante | Winter Haven
Details: 346 W. Central Ave., Winter Haven; 863-293-1797; arabellas.us
Live piano music and a sense of refined elegance radiate from Arabellas Italian Ristorante in the heart of downtown Winter Haven. Guests are invited into an upscale dining room where dim candles light linen-covered tables perfect for an intimate date or celebratory dinner. Classic Italian dishes are featured from calamari and eggplant rolletini as appetizers onwards to pasta dishes, including fettuccine alfredo, then choice of seafood, chicken, veal or beef entrees including Chateaubriand, featuring a 20-ounce Angus beef tenderloin in mushroom brandy sauce for two. Diners can head next door to its chic Ave Bar for a cocktail after dinner, or grab takeout from its associated Bistro Pizza.
Cherry Pocket | Lake Wales
Details: 3100 Canal Road, Lake Wales, Florida; 863-439-2031; cherrypocket.com
It can be easy to overlook the “world famous” Cherry Pocket Steak ‘n Seafood Shak in Lake Wales, but missing out on its Old Florida charm would be an error. Adventurous foodies will find this humble restaurant in East Polk serves up a variety of surf ‘n turf in a casual waterfront setting. Try the fried oysters or fried green tomatoes to start, and its homemade salad dressing is already bottled to take home. There’s a Cajun flare to the menu, as seafood and steaks are available blackened, dirty rice on the side and Cajun spice available for the fries. Heat of the dish can be adjusted for taste. The resort also offers a cabin and RV park for those wanting to kick back and relax.
Nineteen61 | Lakeland
Details: 215 E. Main St., Lakeland; 863-688-1961; nineteen61.com
The vibrant and eclectic Nineteen61 serves up a unique mix of modern Spanish food with a Latin American twist and dash of Southern comfort in the heart of downtown Lakeland. Tucked into East Main Street, streetside tables offer a front-row view of historic Munn Park or step inside for a sleek and modern atmosphere. The front bar area with smaller tables is great for catching up over a cocktail, while venturing further inside gives way to dimly lit tables offering a more intimate feel. Chef Marcos Fernandez dishes up classics including a Ropa Vieja and seafood paella to Peruvian-inspired fried rice and its namesake 1961 salad featuring Manchego and Swiss cheeses over lettuce with a house-made dressing. After dinner, head upstairs to its rooftop bar, Vasco61, that boasts the largest spirits menu in Central Florida and a bird’s-eye view of the city.
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