The newly minted Mission Resort + Club has opened Conquistador Bar & Restaurant, a new dining concept in Howey-in-the-Hills that brings together the resort’s former La Margarita and El Conquistador restaurants into one larger, livelier space. The goal was simple: create a place that works just as well for locals stopping in for a drink as it does for resort guests settling in for dinner.

The room pulls inspiration from Florida’s early days of exploration and from town founder William J. Howey. Handcrafted tilework, cowhide accents, warm woods and touches of metal give the space texture without feeling overly themed. Greenery and sunrise-toned colors soften the room while a larger bar anchors the space. Inside and out, the restaurant seats 164 guests with a natural flow from the bar to the patio.

“This project was all about honoring our history while making the experience even better for the people who come here week after week,” says general manager Cindy Staley. 

Feedback from members and regular guests shaped the renovation, including doubling the bar and opening up the dining room. 

“The goal was to build something that feels just as right for a quick drink as it does for a full evening out or weekend stay,” she says.

The Great Room is a comfortable gathering space built around a stone fireplace with leather seating and relaxed lounge areas. Cindy says the addition came directly from guest feedback.

“There simply wasn’t a natural place to gather, so we created one,” she says.

The décor is earthy and inviting, as is the back bar with multiple high-end tequilas on display. 

The bar itself was completely rebuilt and expanded from five seats to 12 with high-top tables and a lounge area nearby. Outdoor seating overlooks one of the resort’s quiet highlights: the daily golden hour sunset that regularly pulls both staff and guests outside for the view.

The menu highlights Spanish flavors paired with Florida ingredients, encouraging guests to share small plates alongside seafood and hearty entrées. Dishes such as seafood paella, piquillo salmon and a braised short rib point to the kitchen’s direction.

The first standout was a chorizo compound butter that was slightly sweet and perfect with warm crusty bread. Other highlights included lobster fritas with tempura lobster tail and black truffle oil and the hunter & gatherer salad with spiraled beets, goat cheese and crispy pancetta.

The crab cakes could easily be a meal on their own, packed with large chunks of lump and jumbo crab meat in a lightly baked cake that is more crab than filler.

The heritage pork chop was tender and juicy served with sweet potato purée and apple-bacon jam. The real surprise was the oven-roasted Brussels sprouts, charred just enough to stay crisp. The shrimp and chorizo bucatini was creamy with a small kick of heat.

The drive into the resort is beautiful and feels like a retreat from the busy highways nearby. Conquistador works well for gathering after a round of golf, meeting friends for drinks or settling in for a relaxed evening out.

If you go:
Open for lunch from 11am-4pm, Tues-Sat / Dinner from 5pm-10pm Sun-Thurs
Extended hours until 11pm Fri-Sat
10400 County Road 48, Howey-in-the-Hills / 352.324.2024 / missionresortandclub.com

Photos: Gina Horan