Lakeland business news
Lakeland business news, newest first: openings and closings, new restaurants, jobs and the local economy.
Top story
Lakeland unemployment falls to 5.1%, below a year ago
Lakeland's jobless rate fell to 5.1% in September, from 5.6% in August, and dipped below last year's level. It is still above Florida's 4.2%.
Business guides
New businesses
New businesses in Lakeland: October 2026 roundup
New in Lakeland: a pickleball center and Nick & Moes in permitting, Lakeland Regional Health Parkview open, and the food businesses the state licensed.
Brunch
Brunch in Lakeland: weekend brunch downtown and beyond
Where to get brunch in Lakeland, from restaurants' own pages: Frescos, Nineteen61 and the Terrace Grille downtown, plus cafes and a bakery, with hours.
Date night
Date night in Lakeland: dinner, shows, late openings
Date night in Lakeland: downtown dinner at Nineteen61, Frescos or the Terrace Grille, a Polk Theatre show, the drive-in, Thursday nights at the art museum.
Where to eat
Where to eat in Lakeland: lists by category
Every Lakeland where-to-eat list in one place: wings, pizza, Mexican, barbecue, breakfast and coffee, burgers, sushi, ice cream, bakeries and patios.
Wings
Where to get wings in Lakeland: U.S. 98, Florida Avenue and downtown
Eleven wing places at 14 locations inside Lakeland city limits, along U.S. Highway 98 North, South Florida Avenue, Edgewood Drive and downtown.
Pizza
Where to get pizza in Lakeland: downtown, Florida Avenue and U.S. 98
Twelve pizza places at 17 locations inside Lakeland city limits, from downtown and The Joinery to South Florida Avenue, U.S. 98 and Lakeside Village.
Mexican food
Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants in Lakeland
Twelve Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants at 16 locations inside Lakeland city limits, on South Florida Avenue, U.S. 98, Memorial Boulevard and downtown.
Barbecue
Where to get barbecue in Lakeland: Florida Avenue, U.S. 98, downtown
Six barbecue restaurants inside Lakeland city limits: two on South Florida Avenue, two on U.S. 98 North, one in Lakeside Village and one downtown.
Burgers
Where to get burgers in Lakeland: downtown, Florida Avenue, U.S. 98
Nine burger places at 11 locations inside Lakeland city limits: downtown by Lake Mirror, Lakeside Village, South Florida Avenue and U.S. 98 North.
Sushi
Sushi and Asian restaurants in Lakeland: Florida Avenue and U.S. 98
37 sushi and Asian restaurants at 41 locations inside Lakeland city limits, most on South Florida Avenue, U.S. 98 North and in Lakeside Village.
Patios
Patios and outdoor dining in Lakeland: Lake Wire, Lake Morton, downtown
Eight Lakeland places at 14 locations whose own sites list a patio or outdoor seating, from Lake Wire and Lake Morton to downtown and U.S. 98 North.
