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GARDEN BISTRO

702 E ORANGE ST, Lakeland FL 33801 · 8636863332

Last inspected Aug 14, 2026 · 8 visits since November 2023

Licence typeRestaurant
Seats82
Risk levelRisk Level 2
LicenceSEA6307429
Grade history
SEP 24
MAR 25
OCT 25
MAR 26
AUG 26
— STEADY

5 inspections within 12 points of each other. Whatever this kitchen does, it does consistently.

Worst finding on record
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 2/1/24
High priority/50-17-3
Badges — 2 earned
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined

Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →

Inspection history

8 visits, newest first

Aug 14, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

0 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 3 findings
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Ice machine
Intermediate/22-02-4
Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Reusing milk jug for iced coffee.
Basic/25-32-4
Single-service articles improperly stored. Napkins on floor in stockroom. Operator moved napkins to shelf
Basic/25-05-4/Corrected On-Site
Mar 9, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 1 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

0 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 1 finding ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener
Intermediate/22-02-4
Oct 9, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

0 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Ice machine
Intermediate/22-02-4
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping clothes on cutting board on cookline
Basic/21-12-4
Mar 11, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

1 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 2/01/25
High priority/50-17-3
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand washing sink in front used as dump sink, with ice in bottom of sink
Intermediate/31A-11-4
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. By 3-compartment sink.
Intermediate/31B-02-4
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Wet wiping cloths stored in hand washing sink and front counter. employee placed in sanitizer
Basic/21-12-4/Corrected On-Site
Nov 19, 2024□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection

A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.

0 High priority0 Intermediate0 Basic
Sep 19, 2024Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection

Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 4 recorded.

0 High priority3 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Ice machine
Intermediate/22-02-4/Warning
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
Intermediate/53B-01-5/Warning
No soap provided at handwash sink. Back kitchen
Intermediate/31B-03-4/Warning
Reuse of single-service or single-use articles. Reuse of a syrup container. Operator discarded container.
Basic/25-32-4/Corrected On-Site/Warning
Feb 12, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

1 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired 2/1/24
High priority/50-17-3
No soap provided at handwash sink.Front counter
Intermediate/31B-03-4
Nov 3, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection

Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.

1 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Container of medicine improperly stored. Several bottle of meds stored on bottom shelf with creamers.
High priority/41-07-4
Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Frontline
Basic/51-11-4

This record follows the licence, not the owner. Restaurants change hands and the licence history normally does not, so an older entry may describe people who no longer run the place. Every inspection above links to the state's own report. Something wrong? Tell us.