Highest-rated cheap eats in Lakeland by diners

Americans spend a lot of money on eating out鈥攊n 2024, that totaled, or nearly 59% of all food spending. So, it's only natural to want the best bang for your restaurant dollar.

Value has become a key component of what diners look for when they eat out, with eyeing menus for value meals. At the same time, many diners also look for something new and exciting, hoping to sample new flavors or food with ingredients that are too expensive to make at home.

Many ethnic cuisines also provide a lot of value because they aren't as expensive to produce. Many Mexican dishes fall into this category because. Many Asian cuisines, including Chinese, Filipino, and Cambodian food, also rely on low-cost ingredients and simple food preparation techniques.

Food trucks and street food vendors also offer cheaper food, thanks to lower overhead costs. Their limited menus typically focus on one type of food, allowing them to simplify purchasing and pass the savings on in the form of lower prices.

compiled a list of the highest-rated cheap eats restaurants within 10 kilometers of the Lakeland area using data from . Data is as of Aug. 8, 2025. Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself. Only businesses with at least 20 reviews were considered, and a cost of "$" (out of 4) were considered. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with more than five locations nationally, based on the Yelp data, were not included.

Mega Mercado

1 / 29

#29. Mega Mercado

- Rating: 3.9/5 (209 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2009 George Jenkins Blvd. Wabash Shopping Center Lakeland, Florida
- Categories: Mexican
-

Cozy Oaks Restaurant

2 / 29

#28. Cozy Oaks Restaurant

- Rating: 4.0/5 (194 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1201 East Orange St. Lakeland, Florida
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Desserts, Seafood
-

China Garden

3 / 29

#27. China Garden

- Rating: 4.0/5 (34 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1527 Bartow Road Lakeland, Florida
- Categories: Chinese
-

Country Angels

4 / 29

#26. Country Angels

- Rating: 4.0/5 (47 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 122 North Commonwealth Ave. Polk City, Florida
- Categories: Pizza, American, Breakfast & Brunch
-

La Calentana Mexican Store & Restaurant

5 / 29

#25. La Calentana Mexican Store & Restaurant

- Rating: 4.0/5 (71 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1725 West Memorial Blvd. Lakeland, Florida
- Categories: Mexican
-

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Britt's Cafe - Lakeland

6 / 29

#24. Britt's Cafe - Lakeland

- Rating: 4.0/5 (97 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3662 Harden Blvd. Lakeland, Florida
- Categories: Cafes, Cuban, American
-

Mayflower Chinese Restaurant

7 / 29

#23. Mayflower Chinese Restaurant

- Rating: 4.1/5 (56 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4676 East County Road Ste 540A Lakeland, Florida
- Categories: Chinese, Seafood, Chicken Shop
-

S & L Restaurant

8 / 29

#22. S & L Restaurant

- Rating: 4.1/5 (91 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2915 South Combee Road Eaton Park, Florida
- Categories: Burgers, Breakfast & Brunch
-

Charlie's Family Restaurant

9 / 29

#21. Charlie's Family Restaurant

- Rating: 4.1/5 (64 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2614 Lakeland Hills Blvd. Ste 8 Lakeland, Florida
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, American
-

The Egg Factory

10 / 29

#20. The Egg Factory

- Rating: 4.1/5 (71 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1533-1535 South Combee Road Lakeland, Florida
- Categories: Diners, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
-

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Mister Fish

11 / 29

#19. Mister Fish

- Rating: 4.2/5 (161 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 715 East Palmetto St. Lakeland, Florida
- Categories: Seafood
-

Purple Onion Deli Grill

12 / 29

#18. Purple Onion Deli Grill

- Rating: 4.2/5 (96 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 316 North Kentucky Ave. Lakeland, Florida
- Categories: Delis
-

Quintero's Taqueria

13 / 29

#17. Quintero's Taqueria

- Rating: 4.2/5 (25 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4288 Old Kathleen Road Lakeland, Florida
- Categories: Mexican
-

Mitchell's Coffee House

14 / 29

#16. Mitchell's Coffee House

- Rating: 4.2/5 (125 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 235 North Kentucky Ave. Lakeland, Florida
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch, American
-

Sarge's Smokehouse Bbq

15 / 29

#15. Sarge's Smokehouse Bbq

- Rating: 4.3/5 (76 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Plant City, Florida
- Categories: Barbecue, Food Trucks, Smokehouse
-

Good Thyme

16 / 29

#14. Good Thyme

- Rating: 4.3/5 (47 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1037 Dixieland Mall Lane Lakeland, Florida
- Categories: New American, Breakfast & Brunch, Salad
-

Uncle Nick's Bagels Subs and Deli

17 / 29

#13. Uncle Nick's Bagels Subs and Deli

- Rating: 4.3/5 (266 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 6955 Old Hwy 37 Lakeland, Florida
- Categories: Delis, Bagels, Sandwiches
-

Country Chicken n Fish

18 / 29

#12. Country Chicken n Fish

- Rating: 4.3/5 (130 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1263 Kathleen Road Lakeland, Florida
- Categories: Seafood
-

Pho Tan

19 / 29

#11. Pho Tan

- Rating: 4.4/5 (204 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2920 South Combee Road Lakeland, Florida
- Categories: Vietnamese
-

The Sandwich Factory

20 / 29

#10. The Sandwich Factory

- Rating: 4.4/5 (67 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5024 Lunn Road Lakeland, Florida
- Categories: Sandwiches
-

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Elena's Cuban Cafe

21 / 29

#9. Elena's Cuban Cafe

- Rating: 4.4/5 (120 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2246 East Edgewood Drive Lakeland, Florida
- Categories: Cuban
-

Philly Steak & Wing - Lakeland

22 / 29

#8. Philly Steak & Wing - Lakeland

- Rating: 4.4/5 (100 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4963 US Hwy 98 North Lakeland, Florida
- Categories: Cheesesteaks, Burgers, Chicken Wings
-

Black & Brew

23 / 29

#7. Black & Brew

- Rating: 4.4/5 (463 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 205 East Main St. Lakeland, Florida
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, New American
-

Mission BBQ

24 / 29

#6. Mission BBQ

- Rating: 4.5/5 (179 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 4014 Florida Ave. South Lakeland, Florida
- Categories: Barbecue
-

Subs 'n Such

25 / 29

#5. Subs 'n Such

- Rating: 4.5/5 (91 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1008 South Florida Ave. Lakeland, Florida
- Categories: Delis, Diners, Sandwiches
-

Camel Tow Taco

26 / 29

#4. Camel Tow Taco

- Rating: 4.6/5 (45 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Orlando, Florida
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tacos
-

Anthony's Health Hut & Restaurant

27 / 29

#3. Anthony's Health Hut & Restaurant

- Rating: 4.6/5 (33 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5329 South Florida Ave. Lakeland, Florida
- Categories: Health Markets, Sandwiches, Vitamins & Supplements
-

Divicious Deli & Coffee Shop

28 / 29

#2. Divicious Deli & Coffee Shop

- Rating: 4.6/5 (168 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 128 East Main St. Lakeland, Florida
- Categories: Delis, Coffee & Tea
-

Sweet Cup Cafe

29 / 29

#1. Sweet Cup Cafe

- Rating: 4.7/5 (80 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1401 Lakeland Hills Blvd. Lakeland, Florida
- Categories: Mexican, Juice Bars & Smoothies, Cafes
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This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 388 metros.

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