Highest-rated cheap eats in Lakeland by diners

Americans spend a lot of money on eating out—in 2024, that totaled $1.54 trillion, 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 more than 7 in 10 consumers 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 tortillas are cheaper to produce than bread. 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.

Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated cheap eats restaurants within 10 kilometers of the Lakeland area using data from Yelp. 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
- Read more on Yelp

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
- Read more on Yelp

China Garden

3 / 29

#27. China Garden

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

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
- Read more on Yelp

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
- Read more on Yelp

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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
- Read more on Yelp

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
- Read more on Yelp

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
- Read more on Yelp

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
- Read more on Yelp

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
- Read more on Yelp

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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
- Read more on Yelp

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
- Read more on Yelp

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
- Read more on Yelp

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
- Read more on Yelp

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
- Read more on Yelp

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
- Read more on Yelp

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
- Read more on Yelp

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
- Read more on Yelp

Pho Tan

19 / 29

#11. Pho Tan

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

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
- Read more on Yelp

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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
- Read more on Yelp

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
- Read more on Yelp

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
- Read more on Yelp

Mission BBQ

24 / 29

#6. Mission BBQ

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

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
- Read more on Yelp

Camel Tow Taco

26 / 29

#4. Camel Tow Taco

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

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
- Read more on Yelp

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
- Read more on Yelp

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
- Read more on Yelp

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 388 metros.