Mission Resort + Club in Howey-in-the-Hills has rolled out Conquistador Bar & Restaurant, a revamped dining room that pulls together two longtime concepts on the property into one updated space. The restaurant quietly soft-opened earlier this year and is gearing up for a formal launch timed to Valentine’s Day weekend, positioning itself as a spot where locals and resort guests can slide in for a quick drink or settle into a full-blown, multi-course dinner.
Inside, the look leans into Spanish Colonial details, with handcrafted tile, cowhide accents, warm woods, and plenty of greenery, building a layered, touchable dining room. The renovation merged La Margarita and El Conquistador into a single 164-seat restaurant, including outdoor seating, and doubled the bar footprint to support a larger cocktail program. Just off the main room, the resort has also introduced The Great Room, a flexible lounge set up for laptop time or laid-back lingering, according to What Now.
Menu, hours, and reservations
The kitchen puts a spotlight on Spanish flavors and Gulf seafood, with shareable plates alongside wood-kissed entrees. Current headliners include seafood paella, lobster fritas, and braised short rib. For Valentine’s Day, the restaurant is rolling out a limited chef’s feature that packages lobster bisque, Filet Oscar, and lobster champagne risotto, as detailed by Mission Resort + Club.
Conquistador serves lunch Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and dinner from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, with the kitchen staying open until 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Reservations are available through OpenTable or by calling (352) 324-2024.
A broader renovation and the design team
The Conquistador relaunch is one piece of a larger Mission Resort overhaul led by owner-operator MMI Hotel Group, a project that has reached into guestrooms, dining venues, and public spaces across the property, per Hotel Online. The restaurant interiors were created in partnership with Interior Image Group (IIG), the hospitality design firm credited with the look. The investment underscores MMI’s effort to position Mission Resort as both a stay-and-play escape and a neighborhood hangout.
“This project was all about honoring our history while making the experience even better for the people who come here week after week,” Mission Resort general manager Cindy Staley said in a statement to What Now. With its expanded bar, spirit-free options, and share-friendly menu, Conquistador is aiming to be a Valentine’s weekend go-to for Lake County and Central Florida diners. The resort is urging guests to book ahead for Friday and Saturday if they want to snag a seat for the chef’s feature.
