The 33 best restaurants in Orlando

Wine Bar George at Disney Springs is easily one of my favorite restaurants in Orlando. This hip spot is known for its extensive wine list that features more than 200 wines from around the world, all available by ounce, glass, or bottle—I love that there’s even cheap wine on tap, and I often get the $9 Sabine rosé.

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 roasted veggies or the grilled Greek sea bass that’s perfectly cooked and filleted tableside. Drop by for weekend brunch for decadent items like brioche French toast or a fried chicken biscuit with pimento cheese.

One of my other favorite restaurants in Orlando is Pig Floyd’s Urban BBQ, an eatery that pairs house-smoked meats and international flavors for a truly unique concept. Every time I pop into the BBQ joint I try something different and have never been disappointed.

A few favorites on the menu include the pulled pork bento box where compartments are filled with succulent pork, jasmine rice, Cuban beans, salad, and spring rolls; the butter chicken tacos have char-grilled chicken thighs as a base, and come topped with rice, tikka masala sauce, jalapeño, cilantro, and Greek yogurt drizzle to cool everything down. 

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The bright, fresh flavors at celebrity chef Richard Blais's eatery at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, Four Flamingos, is known for its citrus and seafood. Dining at Four Flamingos, a 2024 Michelin Guide selection, feels like stepping back to a different era—the swaying palm trees make it feel as if time slows down. Each vibrant dining space, including the adorable screened-in back porch, feels right out of Key West.

The menu constantly changes and is filled with seafood such as sea bass and lobster. Recent standout additions include a crab and crawfish twice-baked potato and Baked Florida, the restaurant’s take on a baked Alaska that comes with a Key lime pie center. If you're in the know (now you are, you're welcome) ask about the secret patty melt burger. Another bonus? Blais stops by fairly often, so you may just see him in the kitchen when you visit.

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Located in trendy Winter Park, Buttermilk Bakery has become a breakfast staple in Orlando—perhaps because you can smell the freshly baked goods the moment you step out of your car. Head to the front porch of this women-owned bakery to stuff your face with fresh pastries in seasonal flavors, like fall-favorite pumpkin cheesecake croissants. This spot deserves more than a quick pitstop, so build in time to settle on the porch or side patio for a moment alone with your quiche.

For the best selection, go early in the day or do a quick mobile order and pick up your pastries later in the morning. My favorite time to visit is on the weekends when the bakery bakes weekend-only items like brioche, cake donuts, and kouign-amanns.

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Located near downtown, Sticky Rice Lao Street Food is the first Orlando-based quick casual restaurant specializing in Laotian street food like flash-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 laab rice bowl with a choice of sautéed protein plus cilantro, scallions, shallots, mint, jasmine rice, lettuce, and cucumber. 

As a lifelong fan of Disney, I was excited when Victoria & Albert's at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa won its first Michelin Star. I knew I was in for a treat when I was handed a zero-proof cocktail as a welcome, and heard a live harpist strum iconic Disney and pop songs.

The real show began, however, when plates of cauliflower panna cotta topped with caviar, seared A-5 Wagyu, and stunning desserts started arriving at my table. 

Kabooki Sushi offers all the traditional sushi rolls and sashimi, but you should consider the chef-selected 10- to 15-course omakase experiences for a culinary adventure.

Whatever you order, make sure not to get too full because the house-made desserts are divine. My personal favorites are the ube cheesecake with graham cracker crust and torched meringue, and the toasted coconut carrot cake with pickled raisins that comes topped with cream cheese ice cream and orange ginger ice cream.

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Some of the best tacos in Orlando are just a few minutes beyond its core. Hunger Street Tacos is a simple joint that crafts dishes like suadero tacos with seared brisket and avocado salsa verde from old family recipes. There's a second location in Winter Park, and you'll know you've found the right spot when you see the building with the impressive mural of a little girl surrounded by flowers. 

Time Out tip: If you're going to the Plant Street location, grab a beer from Crooked Can to wash down your tacos.

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AVA MediterrAegean gives off an unmistakable vibe of parea, the Greek word for "a group of friends who gather to share life experiences, philosophies, values and ideas." The interior is upscale and cozy, and the restaurant is known for its tableside dishes, many of which are lit. This description is both literal and figurative, and includes the perfectly shareable honey-glazed halloumi cheese.

The weekend brunch includes options like a Greek Omelet filled with pepper, spinach, onion, and feta cheese, plus date-studded French toast that comes covered in caramel. The brunch dishes pair nicely with cocktails like the Smoke & Mirrors, which is made with Alfred Giraud Heritage French Whiskey, WhistlePig rye that's been aged 12 years, brown sugar, and black walnut bitters.

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 rooftop restaurant boasts one Michelin star and has floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping views of Walt Disney World—plus 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 black pepper glaze and accompanied by smoked tri-colour fingerling potatoes, and mains like Paella de Mariscos, a paella with mussels, clams, shrimp, and bay scallops. For something more substantial, try the Miyazaki Wagyu Beef Flight with A-5 grade beef with a 6-ounce American cut, a 6-ounce Australian cut, and a 3-ounce Japanese cut for $225.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is all about experiencing nature, and the same can be said about the park’s signature eatery, Tiffins Restaurant. The restaurant is named after the light lunches popular with the working class in India and the multi-tiered lunch box in which it is carried and eaten. While you won’t eat out of a tiffin, you will eat dishes inspired by Walt Disney Imagineering and animal experts who built the theme park. The globetrotting menu at Tiffins Restaurant rotates regularly. Still, you can always find Tiffins’ signature bread service with Thai red curry milk bread, pão de queijo, papadam, coconut-curry sauce, guava sauce, and ginger-pear chutney.

In downtown Orlando’s North Quarter District, Reyes Mezcaleria boasts an exciting menu by Executive Chef Wendy Lopez. The entire menu is exceptional; standouts include the ceviche made with citrus-cured snapper, and queso fundido. For mains, order the 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, either.

Nestled on a side street in the Mills 50 district, Kaya is a Filipino restaurant that recently won a Michelin Green star for its sustainability practices. The restaurant is known for its set menu, where the chef creates multiple courses of modern Filipino cuisine, including dishes like sour soup served in a clay pot called Sinigang Sa Palayyok and house-made tofu with strawberry jam for dessert.

While I love a set menu, I actually prefer ordering dishes a la carte at Kaya. Try the veggie-filled pancit, or the shrimp and garlic fried rice for something a little more filling. If I'm feeling particularly adventurous, I always ask my server what’s new so I can try the latest creations from the chef. 

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Chef Vic Nguyen is the mastermind behind King Bao in the Mills 50 district. This hotspot is literally the king of bao buns, and there are three Orlando locations. Delicious buns come in varieties like firecracker shrimp, Korean beef with fuji-apple-salsa, and sweet potato croquette. If that's not enough, King Bao also serves loaded tots and sweet bao. 

You’ll find Se7en Bites, an eatery known for its modern takes on nostalgic Southern comfort food, in the heart of The Milk District. The restaurant and bakery is a local favorite that got national attention when it appeared on Guy Fieri's popular show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives;" if you want to try what Guy Fieri tried, head to the restaurant early and order the Vanilla Bean Bourbon Bacon Nighttime SkyPie.

Beware that the pies often sell out, so get there early. Don't feel bad about waking up early, though, because breakfast here is also a decadent delight and includes towering breakfast biscuit sandwiches, savory bread pudding, and chicken and waffle sandwiches.

Orlando’s Winter Park neighborhood has become the center of the culinary scene in the city, but one mainstay that's always  had a queue is Prato. Each of the Italian dishes on the seasonally-changing menu has a modern twist; for instance, I love the leek and mushroom ravioli, where pasta squares are stuffed with a savory filling and topped with porcini mushroom butter. Make sure to save room for the desserts.

The Osprey, which specializes in locally sourced seafood like line-caught fish and aguacultured oysters from both Florida coasts, has been a staple in downtown Baldwin Park since it opened in 2015. When you go, you'll find a packed 30-seat bar filled with patrons sipping on perfectly crafted drinks and slurping $2 oysters

If for some reason seafood isnt' your jam, The Osprey does a great selection of prime steaks grilled over natural Florida hardwood in a rare Spanish Josper oven.

Soseki is the pinnacle of fine dining in Orlando—this modern omakase restaurant has received a Michelin star every year since 2022. Known for its intimate dining experience—there are just 10 seats—Soseki's menu changes monthly and has seasonality at its core. It highlights Florida produce and fish. While guests are never privy to the menu before dining, they can expect classic omakase courses like piece-by-piece nigiri. Don't skip the many sakes and cocktails curated by Benjamin Coutts, Soseki's beverage director who received the 2023 Michelin Sommelier of the Year award. Be warned that reservations are tough to come by, but it's worth the continued effort to secure one.

Another hot spot for omakase-style dining is Kadence, which has maintained its one Michelin Star since 2022. The eight-seat restaurant is known for its omakase menu that incorporates the best ingredients from the land and sea that chef/owners Mark and Jennifer Berdin can find.

Time Out tip: While the food is remarkable, the sake menu is also a big reason to try for reservations, which are released a month in advance. Mark and Jennifer Berdin are certified Advanced Sake Professionals through the worldwide Sake Education Council, so the pairings are impeccable.

Local culinary legends Julie and James Petrakis own The Ravenous Pig, along with The Polite Pig at Disney Springs and two Cask and Larder locations at the airport in Terminal A and Terminal C.

The Ravenous Pig is known for its house-made charcuterie, which guests can see hanging in the fridge while walking to their table. After indulging in cured meats and cheeses, you will want to try out the seasonal pasta, which has included a sweet corn ravioli with miso-corn broth in the past. The menu is constantly updated to highlight seasonal ingredients and the day's catch. End the night next door at the on-site brewery and taproom.

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One of the most popular restaurants in the city for Indian food is Bombay Street Kitchen, a two-time recipient of Michelin's Bib Gourmand designation. Known for its Indian street food dishes, the restaurant features a menu that opens up a world of flavors and textures from the bustling cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, and beyond. There's something for everyone on the menu, but I love the dosas and pani puri.

Norman’s on Orlando's "Restaurant Row" on Via Dellagio Way is headed up by Chef Norman Van Aken, a beloved chef and author who coined “fusion cuisine” in 1989. His eponymous restaurant is packed with delectable dishes like blue crab beignets that are served with citrusy yuzu aioli, yuca-stuffed shrimp topped with pickled habanero tartar salsa, and an incredible tomahawk pork chop served with Thai fried rice.

Cakes like cocoa-infused red velvet garnished with rich cream cheese icing, gilded sprinkles, and edible 23-karat gold flakes are the calling card at The Glass Knife. However, you shouldn't skip the actual food on the menu for breakfast, lunch, and weekend brunch.  

This dog-friendly cafe turns out impeccable baked cinnamon-spiced apple Liège waffles with warm caramelized apple compotee, 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.

The Pinery has become a major culinary hot spot in the city for its Southern hospitality and menu of Southern classics made with Florida's wealth of ingredients.

Part of the fun is the restaurant's oft-changing menu, which means you never quite know what you'll be served. I love the restaurant’s fried green tomatoes, which are a Southern classic, topped with charred red pepper sauce, goat cheese, and balsamic glaze. The sweet tea-bined chicken sandwich is a few perfect bites of fried chicken, hot honey, roasted garlic aioli, tomatoes, and arugula that's a divine taste of the South. To end, get the chef’s croissant bread pudding, which is worth the drive across town alone.

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Luke’s Kitchen and Bar is all about classic American cuisine that evokes a sense of nostalgia. Almost everything on the menu is made in-house, and many ingredients are locally sourced. While the menu has the typical burgers, steaks, and seafood dishes, you'll also find offerings like blackened fish collars and snapper ceviche.

Another plus? The renovated patio now has a wood-fired oven; you should try the fresh sourdough flatbreads topped with house-made chili crunch, garlic sausage, and salumi. After dinner, stick around for desserts like banana upside-down cake and root beer floats.

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Knife and Spoon is an essential restaurant in Orlando from award-winning chef John Tesar. Awarded one Michelin star, the restaurant is known for its seafood and dry-aged steaks, which come in various cuts and aging times. The steak here ranges in age from 30 to 120 days; regardless of which steak you go with, order the sensational sides like the kimchi creamed spinach for a bit of a kick. If you ask, you can even see the room where the steaks are aged.

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There are plenty of chicken restaurants popping up all over the city with pretty good chicken sandwiches, but Jam Hot Chicken  has already won the Orlando chicken war because it serves the best one. Diners can choose the heat level of the sandwich's hot chicken, which is fried to crispy perfection and topped with slaw, housemade pickles, and comeback sauce.

Chroma Modern Bar + Kitchen is a spot in Lake Nona that's well-loved by locals and visitors alike. What's to like so much? How about cocktails, contemporary tapas, and craft beer served in a cozy setting where friends and family can connect over weekend brunch and daily lunch and dinner. The menu includes about one dozen tapas such as corned beef brisket empanadas with swiss cheese, house-made sauerkraut. The mains are just as tasty, and very shareable. 

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Authentic Cuban cuisine isn't far from those willing to look for it in Orlando. Black Bean Deli, which has two locations in Winter Park and and Mills 50, is a bustling cafe from Andres Corton, who is keeping his Cuban grandparents' culinary legacy alive.  It boasts exceptional cafe con leche, empanadas, pan tostada, croquetas, Cuban sandwiches, Media Noche, and other classics. It's a delicious taste of Havana in Central Florida you won't soon forget.