Nineteen61

If I could give 5 stars plus, I would. We celebrated our 25th anniversary here and from the moment we arrived until the time we paid we were given a great deal of attention and service. We enjoyed our cocktails, appetizer, entrees, and dessert. Everything was delicious with the ingredients and preparation explained in detail by our server. The story of the restaurant was shared by the house manager and he also shared some suggestions for our choices from the menu. We can't wait to come back and thank you for a memorable experience.

We planned my son's rehearsal dinner the night before his March 2025 wedding, and Sunday brunch the day after the wedding in the banquet room at Nineteen61. We worked with Justice, who was terrific, for almost 8 months prior to the big day. Justice met with us in person, showed us all of the table decor and food options. She was very patient, experienced, and helpful. Showed us that you can have a slide show on the two monitors in the room, which was great. The rehearsal dinner and brunch were tremendous, great buffet style food, large windows for light, a bar, you can see the kitchen area, such a pleasant space. My son and his fiancé chose an Asian style menu for the rehearsal and a traditional eggs, sausage, bacon breakfast that was very terrific. Justice was so attentive, to me as the Mother of the Groom, and to the bride and groom. She set up the slide show for us, which was a bit complicated, she made it work, and it was a very big hit. She checked in with us frequently, bringing drinks if we wanted one, gave us extra menu cards for keepsakes, boxed up left over food so guest could take some home, that was very nice. We forgot to gather our thumb drives from the monitors, and Justice mailed them to us and included a personal handwritten card with it. Nice touch. I can't say enough about the wonderful experience we had at Nineteen61 and the great customer service by Justice. She is a gem! It made this special weekend more special!

Excellent service from the waitress who was a local there and was so helpful about informing me about the area and where to go. She was accommodating and gave such wonderful customer service. Unfortunately I didn’t have the pleasure to have access to the whole menu due to the time I came. There’s a certain time that the menu is limited. For first timers there they offer a complimentary champagne glass. The outdoor area is dog friendly and B was serviced his fresh water bowl. B gives them two paws up 🐾

First off our server Maria was outstanding. We have been here several time but never for happy hour, she helped us with suggestions for appetizers and drinks. She also let us know the paella has been updated. We had the Bloody Mary sans vodka and my wife had the strawberry mojitos mocktail. Plus we had the dos tacos one beef and one pork both were succulent and juicy. I wish I was able to give them 10 stars.

The atmosphere was absolutely great; I loved it! The apps were amazing, butttttt- the salmon salad (Nineteen 61 salad) left something to be desired. Overall, I loved the experience & will definitely be back.

Nineteen 61 is always awesome! Filet is the best in town and anywhere else nearby except maybe Ruth’s Chris. Empanadas are my favorite appetizer. We’ve eaten here several times and have never had a bad experience or bad meal. Highly recommend this restaurant. It’s our family’s goto choice for their birthday or special dinner as well as any vendor that’s in town and wants to take us out to dinner! Cody was our server tonight and he was awesome as well.

Absolutley amazing. Im kinda embarrassed I didn't try the whole menu. The pereuvian paella was amazing I could have eaten 3 dishes. Title in pictures. Service was great and atmosphere was amazing. The rooftop bar was great even though of the rain. Defintley a must visit.

The vibe of this place is amazing 👏🏽. But the food could be better for the price. It looks good, but the taste is another story. I would probably only go back for the drinks, sadly.

Just went for my Son's 18th birthday. I live local and would call myself a regular. Over all the food was good and the service was great per the normal. My only gripe and it's a big one. I ordered the $69 ribeye and what came out was not a ribeye. I assume it was a large piece of sirloin but it had zero marbling, no cap, and was very tough. It was cooked medium rare as I asked. It what I would have expected at Texas Roadhouse if I order a large sirloin. The only difference is it wouldn't have been $69

Absolutely worth the full dining experience! Whether seated at the bar, booth, or table, this restaurants cuisines, drinks, desserts, atmosphere and service are all 5 stars . This downtown Lakeland gem is a popular spot and one of my favorites that has to miss. What adds an even special touch is the occasional table visit by the executive chef at any given time. If you're looking for great quality, delicious, Latin American inspired flavors, then indulge your palate with this 10 out of 10 dining experience.

No better place to pick for my solo date. Great for groups as well. I stopped in for dinner and I'm definitely happy I did. Waiter Matt was absolutely remarkable he was attentive, knowledgeable and friendly. Appetizers: Scallops The fresh perfect cooked seafood in a beautifully rich broth . Empanadas Warm flaky hint of sweetness melt in your mouth crust paired with the bold flavors oe beef are a perfect pair. These are amongst some of the best empanadas I've tasted. Main: Grouper with manchego risotto it was slightly rich for me but very tasty and cheesy. Dessert: Key lime pie perfect. Not many can master this but this is perfection Drink Hibiscus sweet tea lemonade Champagne-complimentary Parking:$7 valet or street parking available Restaurant is extremely clean and centrally located. Their staff and kitchen run like a well oiled machine. Such precision and intention with everything. I enjoyed my evening and happy I got a chance to try this while in town.

On our way home from a weekend at Disney decided to stop in Lakeland for some lunch. Such a great food scene here! This place sounded really nice and the menu has some awesome options. Grabbed a reservation but didn't really need it. Seated at a table pretty quickly. Meadow came right up and took our orders. Very nice and friendly. Very relaxing vibe and a free glass of sparking wine on our first visit! Bonus! We started with some empanadas. Really good, light and airy with a little kick to the picadillo. For me I had the SRGENTIRIAN SAUSAGE HASH. Grilled chorizo Argentino, really good and large portion. I did think it needed a little more heat for me. Got some of their house made hot sauce to kick it up. Deb got the El Cubano 61. El Cubano Sandwich Lunch. Delicious and the salad was really good. Overall we had a great experience here and will look to stop in again

We came in for lunch and had a great experience. The restaurant is beautiful. The staff were very attentive and welcoming. To drink, I had the hibiscus tea, which was sweet, refreshing, and pretty. For my entree, I had the Cuban sandwich with yucca fries. The sandwich was absolutely delicious! The pork was so tender and the salty ham and cheese added so much flavor. The bread was sweet and pressed to perfection. The fried yucca was crisp and had a great texture. The prices were also very good. Overall, this was an awesome lunch experience!

Cute spot in downtown Lakeland! It was my first time here and it was a good spot. Street parking and pretty large venue. I went for brunch with friends and got one cocktail, an appetizer and an entree. The cocktail menu was extensive with lots of unique drinks. The Mucho Margarita was light and refreshing with a beautiful tequila taste. We then started with the Brussel sprouts and there was a delicious maple drizzle over them. They were perfectly crispy and a decent portion. For the entree I ordered the Argentinian Hash. The chorizo was nicely charred and flavorful. Would love to come back and try other items on the menu. The server was also great at recommending items.

First time, we had a great bartender Jacob and an amazing prime rib brunch, to cap it off cafe con leche! Best one since Tio Pepe' in Clearwater Fl. We will be back and bring friends.

We went for lunch to celebrate our 20th anniversary. Since it was a week dat at lunch it was busy but everything was excellent! The food was amazing. Service was top notch. We got a cozy booth in the back. The glass allowing you to see into the kitchen is lovely. They even printed menus with our names and gave us a card signed by the staff. Space inside is a bit tight so I'd keep it to small intimate but they can accommodate larger parties.

We dedicated to stop in for lunch to grab a bite to eat quick before leaving town. Thankfully they had open lounge seating because it was booked out for their typically restaurant seating with reservations! We were immediately sat in the lounge/bar area & greeted promptly! One of my favorite parts of their menu was everything was full of flavor and nothing lacked my attention! I ended up getting a pretty basic chicken and veggies meal, but it was filled with flavor! We also got a spicy margarita and a fruit margarita which both were amazing and I would come back just for those! All of our food was hot and everything came out promptly. I will say their food and drinks are on the higher price range, but they have great flavor and are worth the price! Overall I love the taste and flavor, knowing what I'm paying for! I recommend also trying their rooftop bar after eating if you get the chance!

Oooo wow! Came to this restaurant on a Saturday night, and our waiter Colby (the only one with a ponytail lol) told us it was one of their busiest nights in a long time with over 300 reservations. Even though it was packed, the service was incredible! The ambiance is moody and perfect for an anniversary, birthday, or a romantic date night. It was a bit loud, but that was only because one table was really enjoying their drinks (haha). Now, onto the food and service: Right after we sat down, Colby greeted us and gave us a detailed rundown of the menu and the restaurant's history. I really appreciated that personal touch. We kicked things off with the chickpea soup and plantain avocado mousse chips. WOW! The flavors were incredible. Everything was fresh and crispy, just how it should be. The avocado mousse was light but packed with flavor definitely a highlight. For the main course, I had the pollo al la brasa. I'm sensitive to spice, so Colby made sure to check with me when the dish arrived to ensure it wasn't too spicy. Thankfully, it was just perfect! The black beans and plantains helped balance out the flavors and cooled things down when needed. And of course, we saved room for dessert! If there's one thing I'll be coming back for, it's the guava cheesecake. Colby recommended it, and he was spot on. It was perfectly sweetened with the right amount of crunch--seriously, I'm already craving it again. NEED ASAP lol! We also tried the mocktails--the Don Ramon (hibiscus tea with other flavors) was super refreshing, and their fresh lemonade was so tasty! Overall, a 5-star experience! I'm definitely coming back, and I'm curious to try their lunch menu next time. Highly recommend this place for a fun night out with fantastic food, drinks, and service.

I met friends from out of town for lunch and I thought this would be a place that would meet everyone's dietary needs. They just didnt offer enough vegetarian options. Our server was a delight, the service was friendly and fast and she went Out of her way to make it an enjoyable experience. Just the right amount of attention so we could catch up. We sat outside. The sidewalk is blocked from he street with shrubs for privacy. Inside is busy and highly energetic. They have a full bar, many choices on the menu for food and cocktails, more traditional Mexican.

I recently visited Nineteen16 for lunch while exploring Lakeland, and it did not disappoint! As a first-time visitor, I was pleasantly surprised with a complimentary glass of champagne! The Latin American cuisine was absolutely delicious! Must get the Peruvian ceviche! The service was friendly and attentive, making sure I had everything I needed. If you're in Lakeland and looking for a spot with amazing food, great hospitality, and a welcoming atmosphere, Nineteen16 is a must-visit. I'll definitely be back! What I ordered: - PERUVIAN CEVICHE: corvina, leche de tigre, ginger, lime, cilantro, cancha, choclo, & a plantain chip, traditional or aji amarillo - EL CUBANO 61:Slow-roasted mojo pork shoulder, Manchego, Jamén serrané, house pickles, sour orange aioli on honey-buttered pressed Cuban bread - GRAND MARNIER CREME BRULEE - TRES LECHES

Went there for the first time a few months ago and had a great time. Our waiter was very knowledgeable about the menu and served us complimentary champagne with our meal. My husband loved his meal and said it was the best steak he had ever had. I ordered a special that I wasn't too keen about, but I think it was just not for me. Our appetizer was amazing. Service was prompt and friendly. We are returning this weekend for lunch.

This is probably my wife's favorite restaurant in Lakeland for celebrating major occasions. The food generally has good flavor though portion sizes can be a little smaller. I've never seen the Picanha on the menu before but I was well rewarded for the risk. The steak itself was juicy and delicious while the side potatoes and cherries were covered in an equally delicious sauce. I've also never had anything like those sweet drop peppers which was a delightful experience as well. Most of the desserts are so small it's not really worth it but they taste decent if you need just a small splash of sweetness to finish off your meal.

We didn't have a reservation, and we were really lucky to get a cocktail table for 2. The hostess was quick to get our table cleaned and ready for us. For an appetizer we had the scallops in lime juice with parm (Conchas a la parmesana) .The espresso martinis were good and made with Baileys. My entree was the Sea bass chimi which came with carrots and mashed potatoes. I did come with a soup or salad. I tried the garbanzo bean soup which was delicious! It's a very cute place that has a bar and cocktail area in the front and a darker cozy dinner area in the back. I parked at hollis garden and walked past the lake to get there. Very nice thing to do on a chill Saturday. Thank you Alexa for your great service!

This weekend while visiting Lakeland we decided to dine at a highly-rated Latin Cuban fusion restaurant, as recommended by Yelp reviews. I was impressed by the experience! The restaurant is modern and vibrant! We sat at the bar because it was pretty busy, which is a good thing. We ordered the Calamari Fritos, Pollo a la Brasa, and Churrasco Steak. Each dish was amazing. And can't forget we had some delightful espresso martinis!! fantastic dining experience and would certainly return in the future.

Went there for lunch on a Monday afternoon. Not too crowded and was able to be seated immediately. We were a party of 3 and with one adult beverage and lunch menu spent a little over $100 (with tip). This is far above what I'd consider usually for lunch but it was a special occasion. The food was good and came pretty fast. Maybe I just cheap but this will only be a special occasion place.

Definitely will rerun, and may spend a night or two in town. The smiling faces are the most endearing. We came seven minutes before their opening but the staff is very welcoming, and seat us immediately. Thank you. 1961 was the year owner and or chef's parents came to U.S. from Cuba - hope I get this fact right -:). They also have a banquet hall next door. The decor is rustically beautiful. Love the exposed brick walls. Our serve is a beautiful tall girl in short hair, who is just wonderful and attentive - thank you. I like their earthy tableware. We've two small starter plates and a salad: - octopus Pulpo: one of the best octopus I've had - crispy outside and tender inside. - chips avocado - two dips are wonderful and I enjoyed the spicy one more. - 1961 salad with salmon: the dressing is on the sweet side for me but very yummy, and I finished it. The salmon is also cooked to the perfection. Hand soap and cream in the bathroom: soap is wonderful but hand cream is a little watery. Two or three bar tenders have been busy since we sat down. There is a small party, 10 some young women who dressed well. The clientele is from infant to oldies like me and beyond. It's a scene. In and out in a little over an hour. Now heading to their street fair, which is four blocks long, and which is two doors away. This restaurant drew us in and we're very glad to discover a lovely town, kind of like New England quaint town. Will be back soon.

This will now be my go-to Lakeland restaurant when I am in town. Wow- the food here is so good. The quality of the food + the taste was just great. I went with a group of coworkers and every single person commented that their dish was delicious. I personally ordered the garbanzo bean soup and the Churrasco steak and had absolutely no regrets. The churrasco steak was cooked to absolute perfection. Super tender and juicy at a perfect medium rare. As a group we got several appetizers and each one was good on its own. The brussel sprouts was super flavorful, the plantain chips with salsa and avocado mouse was the right level of crispy and thin, and the ceviche was fresh. I felt full after my soup and somehow still ended up finishing my whole churrasco steak + a side of Mac and cheese somehow. I could not stop singing the praises of the food that night and the next day. Highly recommend for folks to check out for a special occasion. The ambiance was upscale with the waiters and waitresses being super friendly and helpful with food suggestions. They genuinely seemed to love the food themselves when they were providing recommendations for what to order. A couple coworkers also grabbed a few cocktails and they said the drinks were also really well made. Overall 10/10 meal where we were all super satisfied with dinner. Will be back again!

Very very good Last minute decision to go while out with our dog. We sat outside. Very well shaded area. Unfortunately no pictures. We will absolutely be back. Had: -old fashioned -macho margarita - just perfect level of spice -sea bass tacos - lightly breaded on corn tortillas -Peruvian fried rice with chicken - so good, wish they offered a trio option where you could get chicken shrimp and steak Being gluten free and dairy free I had a hard time deciding what to get. Many good options. Service was nice. We made a reservation online about 30 minutes before arrival. Front patio was full but our table was waiting for us. Attentive hostess and servers. You could see that they assist each other.

I've been living in Lakeland for yearssss and never visited this establishment until yesterday. The food was amazing, the service was awesome and the drinks were delicious. My server Tristan was so friendly and polite. The Maitre D Dean was very professional and welcoming. I ordered the PAN CON BISTEC sandwich, the Beef empanadas for appetizer and The walk in the park margarita. Everything was so good. I can't wait to go back!

Dining at Nineteen 61 was a treat for three reasons: 1) The service was fabulous. 2) The food was delicious. 3) Someone else was paying. This is one of those gorgeous restaurants you will ever step into, and the service is just as good. It's been a while since I ate there, and I honestly can't remember all the dishes we had, but the food that we had was delicious. Now it is a little pricey, but as I said, someone else was paying, which made it that much more fun . Parking was not the easiest, so I parked about 100 yards away, but it was a nice night and I enjoyed the walk.

We ate at Nineteen61 after months of reading great reviews and planning to go. The Food was excellent as expected with a pleasant atmosphere for conversation with our best friends. We started with the Plantain Chips and Avocado Mousse which was crazy good - a lovely salty sweet crunch with the smooth creaminess of the avocado mousse paired perfectly with the Italian Poderi Chiara Moscato D Asti sparking wine. The Soups and Salads were enjoyed by all. We both got the Delmonico Steaks: a basted 24oz hand cut angus boneless ribeye, served with caramelized onion butter and the smoked broccolini. A luscious thick steak big enough for two and deserving of its $67 price. We finished with a flourless chocolate ganache raspberry cake and a Birthday Boy Complementary Guava Cheesecake. Both served with special coffees. Overall a very special meal with great friends that will bring us to Lakeland frequently.

Let's start off with the location . It is in the heart of downtown Lakeland. If you looking for Latine Cuisine , then this is your spot. Cubans and Peruvian infused. The restaurant is situated in a perfect spot to check out after having some drinks or just walking around downtown Lakeland. The location is in demand that there was no inside seating because everything is by reservation ( keep that in mind) in which it is very understandable. So we sat outside in which was fine because they had fans and ACs ... if I may recommend something. Please buy those fly fans for the table it will make guests wayyyy more happy. The food delicious. Not 1 complaint about anything. Everything we ordered was very yummy. I believe meadow was our waitress and she was nothing but kind super helpful and always checking up on us. Will be coming back ... 9.0/10 for sure

I came to Nineteen 61 one a work lunch and could not have been more impressed! (speaking for myself and my coworkers). We were nervous because we didn't think to make a reservation, but we were able to be seated right away, which was incredible! Our server, Jenny, was incredible at her job, and extremely attentive! She recommended the Tacos al pastor special, which is what I got, and it was delicious! I'm very apprehensive about paying more than 5$ for tacos, but these were incredible! I loved the combination of sweet and savory flavors! The yuca fries and empanadas were phenomenal as well! We loved the atmosphere and ended our visit with a cup of coffee. I definitely will need to come back again!

For a recent celebration of life event, I made a last minute call to check on availability at nineteen 61. I got lucky. Kerri was my point of contact and within minutes i received a proposal and a contract for the event. Upon arrival the venue was perfect and everything was in place. Justis the Banquet manager was in charge and we never felt unattended. Any plate or glass set down after use disappeared by the nija like staff. All food and beverage items were perfectly fresh and well presented. One thing I always tell anyone planning my event, is we never want to run out or or short on anything. There was a constant flow of hors d'oeuvres and plenty of if wonderful signature dishes that Nineteen 61 does so well. Thank you so much for turning a sad and somber day into an amazing time of celebration and fellowship. It will always be remembered and appreciated by our family and friends. Sincere thanks. Please consider the wonderful owners and staff when considering your next event. No dissappointments!!

My hotel suggested this place. I looked it up and the menu looked pretty good. Lots of food choices. I had to try it. I walked over and didn't have a reservation. I got a seat at the bar, my fav. Liz and Taylor were the bartenders. Iasked for a recommendation. I then asked about the Chaufa. Liz said it was Devine! So I had to order the chaufa con pollo. The guy next to me ordered and got the Churasco. It looked and smelled amazing. The place was getting real busy and loud. The music was just right. I finally got my meal. The guy next to me said it looked and smelled really good. I took a bite and agreed with him. It was. The girls were attentive and kept asking if I was OK? My drink was refilled multiple times. I finished and was offered dessert. Tres Leche was the choice. It was also very good. Both dishes were different than i have had in the past. But really good in their own way. The chaufa was tasty and full of chicken. The tres leche was not drowning in leche. It was just right. The cake was moist but didn't fall apart. This place was awesome. The food was good. The service was excellent. Liz was great and entertaining. This is a must of you're only in town for a night. You will love Nineteen 61.

Had Mother's Day brunch here today. The food was incredible! The service was great. We got the warmest greeting from the owner, the service was excellent and the flowers and instagram photo spot was the perfect touch! This is becoming one of our favorite restaurants

Everything about this gem was phenomenal. Great service, delicious food, beautiful ambiance. Cody provided an unforgettable experience and made awesome recommendations. We can't wait to come back for another date night.

An outstanding meal from start to finish. The sous vide octopus was cooked to perfection, as were the scallops in the paella. I also took the wine pairing suggestions, which complemented my meal nicely.

Great brunch spot on the weekends. Perfect scenery, menu, and flavors that explode in your mouth.

Great experience as always. This is our favorite fine dining rest in tampa by far. Their service is great and their food matches. Flavors are amazing and everything is obviously made in house. Suggest making a reservation to be sure that you can get in!

Amazing Food , Great Service and Fun Atmosphere. Nineteen 61 is the place to go if you are around the Lakeland area but best is doing reservations

This was a third stop of five on a birthday outing and what a fabulous place for a fancy occasion. The service is outstanding! From the moment we arrived, we were seated and properly greeted with a friendly welcome. I love the Euro feel of the cozy sidewalk seating and the attentive service. The "Bar61 Old Fashioned" is spot on. Since we were hopping around having drinks and appetizers, we didn't order a main course but I will say, the Poutine Cubano appetizer was outstanding. The brisket was very tender, juicy and flavorful. The presentation of this plate was 5-star and tasted like it as well. I requested a somewhat of a cafe con liche but with a shot of cream rather than all the milk and it was spot on and delicious. I absolutely enjoyed this place and can't wait to return.

Great service overall i definitely recommend this place to anyone that lives local or around town

Met some friends in the cute town of Lakeland. This place was on my hit list since it was Spanish and listed very high with Yelpers. Weather in Florida, fantastic. We had outdoor seating and there were heat lamps if needed. Server was awesome, very patient and accommodating. He provided recommendations and answered our five million questions. A couple of us split the pitcher of red Sangria($40+). I had the most amazing Seafood Paella. I was not a fan of octopus and our server was able to add more shrimp and skip the octo. Dessert was so delicious. We split the tres leches. It's pricey here but worth the food and service.

Omg the food was so gosh darn salty! Like flavorful is one thing but salty is just wow. Both risottos were so salty and I couldn't eat them. I was excited to try the black been & the cheese version but one bite, my blood pressure wouldn't take it. The steak was really good but the seasoning with the chimichurri sauce was just too much. I'm starting to think salt is the culture in Florida but I won't let Lakeland speak for all of Florida. The French 75 was good but who can mess it up really? It's not a hard drink. The one thing I did enjoy was the garbanzo bean and chorizo soup! The soup was not salty at all and the flavors speaker for themselves! The bread was very gooey and wasn't my favorite. The ambiance is beautiful and attractive! I heard customers are able to rent their own wine lockers.

Since I'm from South Florida I had ZERO expectations for this place... well I am beyond impressed by the flavor of their food!!! WOW! Tastes just like being in Miami maybe even better than some places I've been. ! The staff was wonderful and it's located in a cute little area with street parking. Love the bar and lounge area , the music is great and all the historical Cuban paintings are hanging up. Definitely a MUST if you are in the Lakeland area!

Great service! The brunch was a perfect selection of sweet and savory. Best Nashville chicken and waffles I've had, ever. Their Argentinian Hash was on point...we used the comeback sauce from the chicken and waffles on it and that was so yum! Their atmosphere is clean and cozy. Loud, but not too loud, I could still hear my husband across the table just fine. Nice walk to the restaurant in a quaint part of Lakeland.

We celebrated our 29th anniversary here, and enjoyed every aspect of our dinner. We were a little early, so we were invited to get drinks at the rooftop bar, which we did. Waitstaff, drinks, and the appetizer we shared were terrific. When it was time for our reservation, we went downstairs and were seated promptly. Our server, Zack, was, as the manager described, a treat. Attentive, warm, friendly, knowledgeable, helpful ...just a delight overall. He really enhanced our dining experience. The personalized menu was a nice touch, and we enjoyed the complimentary champagne that arrived shortly after we were seated. The ceviche was fresh, zippy, and delicious, and the suggested plantain chips went with it beautifully. Great for scooping, and added a nice crunch. We split a 1961 salad, which is one of my favorites, and, as usual, was fresh and flavorful. My grouper saltado had a flavorful sauce, and the grouper was tender and well cooked. I enjoyed the chaufa that accompanied it as well. Gray's pork shoulder was equally tender, and delicious. We also enjoyed the dessert we shared, which was like a chocolate mousse cake, but, sadly, I cannot recall its name. I prefer a booth, but we were seated at a table, however, the seats were super comfortable, so I didn't mind. Overall, a wonderful experience for our special occasion. We'll be sure to return.

Beautiful and perfect location downtown Lakeland. The atmosphere, decor, and over all vibe of the restaurant is incredible. I was greeted immediately, sat at the bar with my gf, had a nice cocktail by a very attentive bartender named "Brian" and had the most delicious salad I have had in a long time. Would definitely return.

Your search is over. This is the place to eat when you're in downtown Lakeland. Outstanding service. Warm decor. And amazing entrées. The only reason I gave it four stars is because we all agreed the desserts were a miss. They're try hard, overcomplicated, and underwhelming. But aside from that, we had an amazing dinner and will be back.

Since this review was written, the chef and the manager of Nineteen 61 called and apologized for the bad service and the addressed the concerns regarding the food. The restaurant made several attempts to reach us, and we did make contact. The management was very concerned, and each problem was addressed to our satisfaction. We, meaning our group, was satisfied, and we will be returning to the restaurant in the future. Thank you!

Plainly put.... Awesome food and service. I haven't been disappointed yet. I love the playful samplings of foods and the quality in food selections by the chef. I want to come for brunch. So far it's just been for dinner.

Such a cool place! Great vibe, cool service, awesome drinks and delicious food! While in town for work we grabbed a lunch here and I can tell you I will definitely be back next time I am in Lakeland. Ceviche, Brussels sprouts and churrasco steak were so good! I highly recommend this spot!

We went here for our wedding anniversary, and it was absolutely perfect. From the champagne to the food to the menu personalization- just perfect! We had empanadas, shrimp ceviche, Hawaiian beef stew, a whole fish, and their steak. All delicious.

OMG what an amazing dining experience. The attention to detail given to beverages and dishes is exceptional. The service was on point and the only slip up was an improper cava being poured. It was comped. Our table ordered the Peruvian ceviche to share with was delish. The flavors meshed and even though we were told it was spicy it was not spicy to anyone in our party. At $18 this starter was small but the quality was worth the price. Additionally, we ordered beef empanadas it comes as an order of 3 for $12. This was very much worth the price. The dough is made fresh on site daily. The flavor is better than any other empanada I've ever tasted. You could taste the love and freshness in the pastry. Finally, for my main, I'm a sucker for vaca frita so I had to try the version. It was not as dry as I'm accustomed but the flavor was exceptional. It was worth $23. Reflecting how on point the attention to detail, the server asked how I wanted my egg prepared though the menu offers it Sunnyside up. Finally, for dessert I shared their Gran Marnier creme brulee. The Flavor of the Gran Marnier really came though in the dessert. I would definitely order this dessert again. Def suggest this restaurant for any celebration, date or just a fine dining experience.

I recently stopped by Nineteen61 while visiting Lakeland. I was looking for a tasty lunch and I definitely found it here. I stopped in on a Saturday afternoon for lunch. I grabbed a seat at the bar and admired their selection. The had a solid cocktail menu so I started with one. I looked over the food menu and went with the vaca frita. The bartender took good care of me while I was there The food came out quickly and it looked great. The beef was nice and tender and the flavor was great. The beans, rice, egg, and plantains complimented the meal really well. I really enjoyed my meal. My brunch visit to nineteen61 was a success. The food and cocktails were on point. I look forward to my next visit to explore the dinner menu.

This is a restaurant that makes me feel like Anton Ego, the food critic from Ratatouille. That's how passionate I am about this place. Tonight was my first time here. It's a Friday night and I was by myself so I got sat at the bar which was quite comfortable. Every.Single.Person I interacted with tonight seemed happy to be here and eager to please. Since the pandemic, elite service has gone by the wayside almost everywhere. But here, I found myself wrapped in the caring embrace of a staff that wanted to earn my affections, and earn them they did. Megan the host, all three bartenders, two managers, and several servers that I spoke to because I sat right by the POS terminal they all used. The only downfall was the constant bad language from all the servers because when they talk to each other they of course don't censor themselves. That should definitely not be on the floor at a fine dining or any restaurant but at least they were all having fun. Let's get to the food. I wanted to start with an appetizer but just wasn't hungry enough. But I asked two servers what they would tell their best friends to order and they both said the Churrasco so that's what I got. It came with the Garbanzo Bean Soup. The soup was piping hot and comforting but could have used a TOUCH more seasoning, but I've never had this kind of soup before. The steak was one of those dishes that's so good, I don't want to order anything else from here on my many future visits, but I'm eager to try others. It did come out a hair rare when I wanted medium rare so I did send it back. The second one was absolute perfection. What made the dish though, was the black bean risotto that came under the steak. It was perfectly seasoned and had a savory element that was intensely good. With an entree that good, no way was I about to skip dessert. There were many to choose from but my favorite is Crème Brûlée so I couldn't resist. It had a slight citrus flavor due to the Grand Marnier but I've never in my life had a better one. The shell was perfectly carmelized and crisp. The whole thing was not overly sweet but it was perfect. I offset it with a double espresso and as I type this I'm still sipping the espresso gloating in the good choice I made tonight. I live 25 minutes away and I just moved here. I think I've found my new favorite restaurant and I'm eager to come back and be swept away by many more delightful experiences.