The 30 best restaurants in Orlando

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The 30 best restaurants in Orlando

30 Best Restaurants in Orlando Picked By Local Experts

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Interior of a restaurant with a red ceiling decoration.Photograph: Don Riddle

From ramen to Michelin-starred sushi and old Florida classics, find your picks at the best restaurants in Orlando.

Tuesday May 28 2024

Photograph: Don Riddle

Megan duBois

It’s no secret that there’s a hell of a lot of food to choose from in Orlando. In the past few decades, Orlando has risen to become a culinary center in Florida and a serious contender with the biggest cities in the food world. 

And sure, it might be synonymous with Disney and theme parks, but Orlando knows how to do fine dining too. In 2024, a whole 48 Orlando restaurants now find themselves on the Michelin guide in some capacity. For those, head to our Orlando Michelin guide, but for everything from sandwiches to home-style classics, here are the best restaurants in Orlando right now. 

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Best restaurants in Orlando

Wine Bar GeorgeWine Bar GeorgePhotograph: Mike Gluckman

Wine Bar George at Disney Springs is a favorite among locals and tourists. The restaurant is known for its extensive wine list that features more than 200 wines from around the world, all available by ounce, glass or bottle. When it's time to nosh, get the Big Board, six artisanal cheeses, five artisanal meats, and accompaniments. We also love the family-style platters of skirt steak with baby zucchini, patty pan squash, cipollini onions, roasted potatoes, or the grilled Greek sea bass with white bean ragout, warm spinach with tomato confit, and cipollini onions. Wine Bar George also serves a decadent weekend brunch with items like brioche French toast or a fried chicken biscuit with pimento cheese.

3. Four Flamingos, A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen

Kabooki SushiKabooki SushiPhotograph: Courtesy Kabooki Sushi

Kabooki Sushi offers all the traditional sushi rolls and sashimi, but for a truly over-the-top culinary adventure, consider the chef-selected 10- to 15-course omakase experiences. If you opt to order from the à la carte menu, make sure not to get too full: The house-made desserts, like ube cheesecake with graham cracker crust, torched meringue, and toasted coconut and carrot cake with cinnamon glaze, walnut brittle, pickled raisins, cream cheese icing, orange ginger ice cream, and micro cilantro, are divine.

The Ravenous PigThe Ravenous PigPhotograph: Courtesy The Ravenous Pig

Norman'sNorman'sPhotograph: Rey Villacicencio

Domu, slang for “a dream come true,” is simply that. Their house-made noodles and creative small plates earned them a third Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2024, and the delightful daily happy hour features a Wasabi Ginger Margarita with Libélula Tequila, lime, triple sec, ginger syrup, and a dash of wasabi worth driving through downtown Orlando during rush hour to imbibe. DOMU does not accept reservations, and finding a seat inside the tiny restaurant can be challenging, so be sure to arrive early and be willing to wait, especially on weekends.

10. Sticky Rice Lao Street Food

Sticky Rice Lao Street Food is the first Orlando-based quick casual restaurant specializing in Lao street food like lash-fried lemongrass marinated beef jerky and pork tapioca dumplings with sweet radish, minced pork, peanuts, cilantro and dried chilies. If you want more than small plates, consider one of the noodle soup and rice bowls like the lamb rice bowl with a choice of sautéed protein plus cilantro, scallions, shallots, mint, jasmine rice, lettuce, and cucumber. The small restaurant is located on the edge of Orlando's Vietnamese community near downtown.

AVA MediterrAegeanAVA MediterrAegeanPhotograph: Chad Baumer AVA MediterrAegean’s interior is Cycladic, cozy and upscale, offering a multi-sensory ambiance with a parea vibe (parea is “a group of friends, who gather to share life experiences, philosophies, values and ideas, according to AVA MediterrAegean”). The restaurant is known for its tableside dishes, many of which are lit, literally and figuratively, including the honey-glazed halloumi cheese, a perfectly shareable appetizer. Brunch (Friday through Sunday) is also popular with options like the Greek Omelette with bell pepper, spinach, onion, and feta cheese and waffle and Greek honey with yogurt and berries perfectly paired with bespoke cocktails like Smoke & Mirrors with Alfred Giraud Heritage French Whiskey, WhistlePig aged 12 years, Demerara, and black walnut bitters.

CapaCapaPhotograph: Don Riddle

Steakhouse Capa at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort is a beautiful spot for an elegant date night, special occasion dinner, or a fancy night out with friends. The one Michelin-starred rooftop restaurant boasts floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping views of Walt Disney World and two beautiful outdoor terraces to watch nighttime fireworks. Chef Malyna Si has created a menu of seasonal dishes inspired by her travels through Spain. There are shareable tapas like Pulpo a la Gallega, octopus finished with a caper, honey and black pepper glaze and accompanied by smoked tri-colour fingerling potatoes, and mains like Paella Valenciana, a paella with rabbit, fava beans, haricot verts, Calasparra rice, and white chicken stock. For something more substantial, try the Miyazaki Wagyu Beef Flight with A-5 grade beef (new from autumn 2023) with a 6-ounce American cut, a 6-ounce Australian cut, and a 3-ounce Japanese cut for $225.

TiffinsTiffinsPhotograph: Megan duBoisSe7en BitesSe7en BitesPhotograph: Courtesy Se7en Bites

Reyes MezcaleriaReyes MezcaleriaPhotograph: Courtesy Reyes Mezcaleria

In downtown Orlando’s North Quarter District, Reyes Mezcaleria boasts an exciting menu by Executive Chef Wendy Lopez. The entire menu is exceptional, from the ceviche with citrus-cured snapper, red onions, heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, orange, and hearts of palm to starters like queso fundido to mains like duck enchiladas de Michoacán with queso fresco, chihuahua cheese, chili rojo, and spicy carrot escabeche. Don't miss the craft cocktails and menu of 150 agave spirits.

19. Luke’s Kitchen and Bar

Luke’s Kitchen and BarLuke’s Kitchen and BarPhotograph: Michael Pisarri

20. Chroma Modern Bar + Kitchen

Chroma Modern Bar + KitchenChroma Modern Bar + KitchenPhotograph: Shutterstock

PratoPratoPhotograph: Michael PisarriThe OspreyThe OspreyPhotograph: Courtesy The Osprey

SosekiSosekiPhotograph: 86 MediaKadenceKadencePhotograph: Michael Mitra

27. Bombay Street Kitchen

The Glass KnifeThe Glass KnifePhotograph: Courtesy The Glass Knife

Cakes like the red velvet with cocoa-infused cake, cheesecake, and rich cream cheese icing garnished with a swirl of gilded sprinkles and edible 23-karat gold flakes are the calling card at The Glass Knife, but don’t skip the sweet and savory items on offer for breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch. This dog-friendly cafe turns out impeccable baked cinnamon-spiced apple Liège waffles with warm caramelized apple compote, smooth maple whipped cream, and toasted pecans, and Cheddar Biscuit Sandwich Plate with egg soufflé, bacon jam, applewood-smoked bacon, arugula and aged cheddar cheese on a house-made cheddar biscuit.

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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