Welcome back, Polk County.
Mike here.
We started out our Best Food In Polk with The Best Pizza In Winter Haven, and have since also ranked The Best Pizza In Polk County as well.
But now it's time to talk about the best ITALIAN in Winter Haven.
Not just the pizza, the whole kit and caboodle.
And for this one I'm switching up the way we do the rankings a bit.
Instead of just hitting the top ten, I'm giving you the best Italian restaurants in Winter Haven; but broken down into specific categories like:
- The Best Overall
- The Best Casual
- The Best Pizza + Italian
- The Best Hidden Gem
And then even a couple of bonus nods if you're willing to drive a bit outside of Winter Haven.
This felt only fitting as I was making my way through the votes and realizing that many people were voting because "this place is good for THIS" and I noticed a trend among categories that needed to be addressed.
But, without further ado:
The Best Italian Restaurants In Winter Haven.
And, as always, this isn’t just a list I’ve put together based on my own preferences…
This list was built from HUNDREDS of votes, from locals just like you.
Let’s go 
Special Author’s Note:
Katie and I are both Italian, as many of you already know, and this definitely made us excited to try the 1-2 spots we haven't hit yet on this list. Keep an eye out for them on our Polk Food Quest soon!
Best Overall: Arabellas
The Best Italian Restaurants In Winter Haven, Florida
Arabellas — 346 W Central Ave, Winter Haven
The Best Italian in Winter Haven wasn't really a competition at all; Arabellas came in as the number one spot by WIDE margin.
Located in the heart of downtown Winter Haven, Arabella's has become the go-to spot for upscale Italian dining, special occasions, and memorable nights out.
Voters said things like:
- "Arabella's hands down!"
- "Without a doubt Arabella's."
- "Arabella's for sure."
Arabellas is an upscale spot, so with my rankings I also made sure to include some more casual locations as well.
But, keep in mind, we've also covered the best pizza places Winter Haven and Polk County as well, so you can always revert back to those lists if you're looking for something a more casual.
A lot of Polk locals specifically mentioned Arabella's when discussing anniversaries, celebrations, and date nights.
That said, though, when it comes to Italian food near Winter Haven, no restaurant received more support.
Best Casual: Floridino's
The Best Italian Restaurants In Winter Haven, Florida
Floridino's — 30650 US-27, Lake Hamilton
This is mine and Katie's personal favorite on the list.
The only reason we're not giving it best overall and ranking Arabellas as the best upscale Italian spot in Winter Haven is because Floridino's is technically Lake Hamilton.
Floridino's earned overwhelming support from Polk and Winter Haven locals looking for generous portions, family-friendly dining, and classic comfort food.
Voters said things like:
- "Floridino's is fantastic."
- "Hands down Floridino's."
- "Their bread is so freaking good."
Floridino's continues to be one of the most recommended Italian restaurants in the area; and where we would normally recommend anyone go if they're looking for an awesome Italian restaurant close to Winter Haven.
Best Pizza + Italian: Bistro
The Best Italian Restaurants In Winter Haven, Florida
Bistro Pizza — 326 W Central Ave, Winter Haven
Coming in as our best pizza + Italian in Winter Haven is Bistro Pizza, who came in as the number one pizza place in Winter Haven.
If you're looking for a great slice of pizza in the heart of Downtown Winter Haven, this is your spot.
With voters being very confident with them haing their favorite pizza spot:
- “Definitely Bistro Pizza
- ” “Bistro pizza!!!”
- “10-10 recommend Bistro Pizza”
If we want pizza in Winter Haven Katie and I are going here or Upper Crust.
Hidden Gem: Calogero's Pizzeria
The Best Italian Restaurants In Winter Haven, Florida
Calogero's — 148A W Haines Blvd, Lake Alfred
Coming in as the hidden gem on the list is Calogero's Pizzeria in Lake Alfred.
This one is close enough to Winter Haven to count on the main list without putting it in the "worth the drive" categories below, and voters were raving about it being a hidden gem for Polk.
Even when voting for Winter Haven, voters chimed in:
- "Calogeros in Lake Alfred!"
- "Calogero's Pizzeria is SO good"
- "Calagero's Pizzeria without a doubt"
Polk County locals repeatedly brought up Calogero's when discussing lesser-known Italian spots you need to try; and many of them voted it as the best in Winter Haven (albeit being in Lake Alfred).
If you haven't visited yet, this may be the hidden gem on the list.
It's definitely on mine and Katie's list for the next spots to hit.
Worth The Drive: L'Incontro
The Best Italian Restaurants In Winter Haven, Florida
L'Incontro — 35 St FL-60, Lake Wales
For our first Worth The Drive location we have L'Incontro in Lake Wales.
I wouldn't be surprised if this one makes a run at the top Italian restaurant in Polk County when we make our way to that list.
But for now, it's a top spot if you're south of Winter Haven, or willing to make the drive.
Voters shared:
- "L'Incontro is great!"
- "Superior Italian food."
- "The best hands down!!"
L'Incontro was right there with the next spot on our list in the conversation, which is one that continuously gets brought up anytime there's discussion of pizza and/or Italian anywhere near Lakeland.
Worth The Drive: Il Forno
The Best Italian Restaurants In Winter Haven, Florida
Il Forno — 3615 Florida Ave S, Lakeland
For our second Worth The Drive location we have Il Forno in Lakeland.
There is actually one Il Forno Northern Lakeland and one Southern Lakeland.
Even when voting for the best Winter Haven location, voters came in with:
- "Il Forno hands down!!!"
- "The absolute best."
- "Best homemade."
Note: In this case I'm featuring the Il Forno South location strictly because it is often among the spots that hundreds of Polk Squeeze subscribers mention when they subscribe to the newsletter and name their favorite spots.
Want to add to that list? Respond to the first email I send when you join the list to get our weekly newsletter.
Other Great Italian Restaurants In Winter Haven, Florida
If you’re anything like me, you want to try all the best Italian restaurants in AND near Winter Haven, Florida so you can be the judge for yourself.
So here are some other places that get a nod from us that are outside of Winter Haven, but consistently came up in the votes:
- Scarpa's (Lakeland)
- Dora's Pizza (Haines City)
- Palace Pizza (Bartow & Lakeland)
- Pizza Brothers (Auburndale)
- Giovanni's Pizza & Kitchen (Davenport)
Which gives us the best Italian Restaurants in (and near) Winter Haven.
And brings us to the moment you’ve all been waiting for…
My personal opinion (that no one asked for 
).
Here are my top Italian restaurants:
- Floridino's
- Arabellas
- Saving This Spot
As always, I'm reserving my third spot until we've hit every spot on the list, and there are definitely a couple we have at the top to get to ASAP.
THANKS!
Thanks for reading this edition of The Polk Squeeze today.
Share this with a friend who's been looking for the best Italian restaurant in Winter Haven.
- Mike Romaine
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