25 Orlando restaurants every new resident needs to try before calling themselves a local

You don't truly know Orlando until you've eaten like a bona fide local. From teeny sub shops that have been around for…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

Pom Pom's Teahouse & Sandwicheria
67 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando
This beloved local sandwich salon features themed gourmet sandwiches and unique salads, with an entire menu under $15. Go crazy with one of their beefier pressed sandwiches like the Big Daddy's Triple Decker, keep it light with The Cobb or indulge your sweet tooth with a Colossal PB&J. Late-night hours on the weekend.
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The 20 hottest new restaurants to open in Orlando so far in 2024

If you've been paying attention, you know that Orlando has been unwavering in its major strides in the culinary scene. Constantly welcoming…

By Chloe Greenberg

Mid Drive Dive
2401 Edgewater Drive, Orlando
Mid Drive Dive is described as a midcentury-inspired restaurant and bar serving American classics. The concept comes from the longtime tenants at East End Market Matt Hinckley (Hinckley's Fancy Meats) and Jacob Zepf (The Neighbors, Freehand Goods). The menu features American classic snacks, salads, sandwiches and mains. At the bar, guests can dive into simple yet crafty cocktails, plus staple beers and wines.
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All the bites, brews and smiling faces we saw at Brunch in the Park 2024

Brunch in the Park 2024 took over Lake Eola Park Saturday, April 13 with endless snacks, sips and smiles from attendees. The…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

All the bites, brews and smiling faces we saw at Brunch in the Park 2024
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24 Orlando hole-in-the-wall restaurants everyone should know about

Hidden gems aren't hard to come by in Orlando — you just have to seek them out. From storied sub shops to walk-up Mediterranean…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

Hot Dog Heaven 
5355 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
An Orlando staple, Hot Dog Heaven has been slinging authentic Chicago dogs since 1987, with an unwavering community following for this classic bite.
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24 essential waterfront restaurants in Central Florida

From storied fish camps to upscale bistros, the Orlando area is home to a variety of restaurants with waterfront views. So forget…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

Canvas Restaurant
13615 Sachs Ave., Orlando
Besides the gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows, the flashy yellow lamps and the brick walls, Canvas restaurant overlooks a beautiful lake with a partially covered patio. Try the oak-charred octopus, to really drive home that on-the-water feel.
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Photos: Quick look at Disney Springs' breezy new eatery, Summer House on the Lake

Cali cuisine and breezy beach vibes rule at Summer House on the Lake, newly open at Disney Springs. It's the perfect place…

By Jessica Bryce Young

Photos: Quick look at Disney Springs' breezy new eatery, Summer House on the Lake
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17 Irish pubs to visit in Orlando for St. Patrick's Day, or any time

We're closing in on St. Patrick's Day, and Orlando promises lots to do — if you're lucky enough to make it out…

By Chloe Greenberg

Fiddler’s Green Irish Pub
544 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park
This 25-year-old pub lives in the heart of Winter Park, and invites guests in for live music Wednesdays through Sundays, beers on tap and hearty pub eats. For its St. Patrick's Day celebration Fiddler's Green will have live entertainment all day, including music and Irish dancers.
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20 of the most anticipated restaurants opening in Orlando this spring

This year is already gearing up to be a big, not-so-bite-sized one for Orlando's dining scene. After losing some major staples —…

By Faiyaz Kara, Chloe Greenberg

Ômo by Jônt Orlando
115 E. Lyman Ave., Winter Park
The 16-seat “experiential” tasting menu concept Ômo by Jônt by chef Ryan Ratino of two-Michelin-star D.C. powerhouse Jônt will usher guests through three separate rooms, where they’ll feast on 18 to 22 courses of refined French-Japanese creations. The Living Room is where those able to foot the cost ($245 plus pairings at $195 and, gulp, $595) will snack on a “barrage of canapés.” They’ll then be led to the Savory Counter for the brunt of the meal, then the Pastry Parlor, where it all comes to a glorious gut-busting conclusion. Needless to say, Ômo will be one of the highest-profile openings of the year.
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These are the most beautiful restaurants to visit in Orlando

Orlando's known for going big and bringing over-the-top dining experiences to all — locals and tourists alike. And thanks to some new…

By Chloe Greenberg

Chuan Fu
1035 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
Chuan Fu, a Sichuan restaurant by the owners of Chuan Lu Garden and U and Me Revolving Hot Pot, opened this year in Winter Park. Patrons at Chuan Fu can expect "very special" and "very different" Sichuan dishes including some that "have not been seen in town," all prepared by chefs hailing from Sichuan Province.
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Photos: SeaWorld Orlando's Seven Seas Food Festival returns with new flavors

The culinary events at EPCOT and Universal may eat up the lion's share of attention, but SeaWorld Orlando's Seven Seas Food Festival…

By Seth Kubersky

Photos: SeaWorld Orlando's Seven Seas Food Festival returns with new flavors
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The 30 Black-owned restaurants in Orlando everyone should know about

From family-recipe fueled soul foods to vibrant superfoods, Orlando is home to tons of Black-owned restaurants dishing out flavor and flair. With Ethiopian…

By Alexandra Sullivan, Sarah Harwell

Sister Honey’s
247 E. Michigan St., Orlando
Sister Honey's bakery offers up award-winning pies, cupcakes, pound cakes, cookies and more in South Orlando. Menu items and bakery options change daily, so call ahead if you're looking for something special.
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The 27 most romantic restaurants and bars in Orlando

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, so before booking reservations willy-nilly, make sure you're up to date on all things romantic…

By Alexandra Sullivan, Chloe Greenberg

Domu 
3201 Corrine Drive,
Domu is an Asian fusion restaurant with heavy hip-hop inspiration, according to the restaurant’s owner, Sean “Sonny” Nguyen. The restaurant offers exciting twists on noodles, specialty cocktails and small plates.
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25 essential Colonial Drive restaurants everyone should visit in Orlando

Besides being a main drag that runs east-west through Orlando, Colonial Drive (or State Road 50) is also home to a seemingly…

By Chloe Greenberg

The Moderne
1241 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
This contemporary cocktail bar focuses on exquisite classic beverages and also offers a unique take on Asian tapas. The dynamic cocktail menu changes each month while bartenders offer show-stopping presentations.
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All the over-the-top food coming to the 2024 Florida State Fair

Along with farm animals, carnival rides and formerly famous musicians, a vital pillar of any respectable state fair is big, dumb, (preferably…

By Creative Loafing Tampa Bay staff

Strawberry Shortcake Kebab
Mini Donuts & Fresh Strawberry kebabs topped with icing, fresh lemon zest, whip cream, & Lemon infused Honey. Feeling adventuresome!? Dip it in chocolate!!


Location: DeAnna's Fried Banana Pudding
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Beautiful bites: The prettiest plates our critic cleaned in his previous 12 months of culinary indulgence

It was an unprecedented year for restaurant openings in Orlando, not just in number, but in quality. The caliber of offerings by…

By Faiyaz Kara

    Kabooki Sushi: Peking duck            Chef Henry Moso's presentation of glistening Peking duck is the stuff Instagram dreams are made of. After poaching the bird in a hot liquid of Chinese red vinegar and honey, Moso ages it for three or four days. Then he roasts it, poaches it in hot oil, and carves it and the duck is ready for social media glory.
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21 vegan and vegetarian restaurants to try in Orlando

Whether you already eat plant-based, you're plant-curious or you're just looking to expand your culinary horizons in the new year, Orlando has…

By Chloe Greenberg

Winter Park Biscuit Co.
3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando
Inside East End Market, Winter Park Biscuit Co. continues to draw crowds hungry for its vegan twists on comfort food classics. The Crispy Chik Sandwich, chopped cheese and breakfast biscuit sandwiches are some of the more popular eats on offer.
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Top Tables: Our critic's picks of the finest restaurants that opened in Orlando in 2023

The sheer number of exceptional eating establishments that unveiled themselves in 2023 made identifying and ranking the best new restaurants for this…

By Faiyaz Kara


No. 1: Camille 

4962 New Broad St., camilleorlando.com 

Opened June



Yes, it's the sort of restaurant that's been intentionally and systematically designed, planned and curated to attract the sparkle of Michelin stars and James Beard Awards, but the seductive trappings and glint of tweezers in the pockets of cooks doesn't take away from the fact that chef Tung Phan's creative and unconventional spins on Vietnamese dishes punctuated with classical French flourishes comprise one of the most exciting menus we've seen in years. A dish like Phan's bánh xèo, reimagined here with chunks of tuile-crowned Florida spiny lobster positioned onto a ring of Vietnamese pesto slicked in passion-fruit nước chấm with bourbon barrel-aged fish sauce, isn't just a showpiece; it's photogenic as hell, too. But Camille is so much more than pretty food on pretty plates. Phan purposefully leaves his guests with a sense of the historical connection of France and Vietnam and, as an extension, of the effects the colonizer has on the colonized, and vice-versa. And in today's world, the poignancy of Phan's message is not lost. (Review)
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Every Orlando restaurant we reviewed in 2023

Orlando's restaurant world is growing by the day, and our restaurant critic is setting out to get a taste of it all.…

By Faiyaz Kara, Rob Bartlett, Bao Le-Huu

SUPERICA
415 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, 407-919-6671, $$$$

Five-time James Beard Award nominee Ford Fry brings his high-caliber Tex-Mex cantina to Winter Park, and it delivers. Both the queso fundido and the tortilla soup make top-notch starters. Tacos come in hard shell, street and al carbon varieties (the crispy pork belly is luscious). A dish of heft worth considering: 36-hour smoked and grilled bone-in short rib. Open daily.
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The 20 most anticipated new restaurants coming to Orlando in 2024

Orlando's food scene was hit with a lot of change in the past 12 months. The city lost some old favorites and…

By Chloe Greenberg

The 20 most anticipated new restaurants coming to Orlando in 2024
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Orlando's 25 hottest restaurants to open in 2023

Orlando is barreling into the new year, having gone through plenty of change in 2023. We've lost some big eateries and bars…

By Chloe Greenberg

Sushi Saint
400 Pittman St., Orlando
A temaki bar and lounge by Michelin-starred chef Mike Collantes, Sushi Saint brings hand roll sushi to downtown Orlando, wrapped in an elegant atmosphere.
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Essential restaurants and bars that opened in Winter Park in 2023

A lot of change happened this year, in the world of food and otherwise, so we thought it appropriate to highlight some…

By Chloe Greenberg

Flûtes
480 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
Flûtes champagne bar is a bubbly new addition to Winter Park's bar scene, offering French-inspired drinks and atmosphere to the area. While the bar specializes in champagne, guests can also dive into select beers and wine on offer.
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29 Orlando restaurants to take out-of-town visitors

Whether you're looking to dazzle foodie relatives, impress them with your knowledge of hole-in-the-wall spots, or just get everyone out of the…

By Chloe Greenberg

Maxine's on Shine
337 Shine Ave., Orlando
Maxine's on Shine offers regular live music, a hefty comfort food-filled menu and weekend brunch perfect for a relaxing meal after the Thanksgiving chaos.
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Orlando Beer Fest 2023: Everybody and every brew we saw

Another year, another sudsy and successful beer festival. Orlando Beer Fest 2023 returned to the Milk District's Festival Park this weekend, bringing…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

Orlando Beer Fest 2023: Everybody and every brew we saw
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All the new chain restaurants calling Orlando home in 2023

Orlando prides itself on its many excellent homegrown restaurants, but who are we to shy away from what's universally loved? This year,…

By Chloe Greenberg

Raising Cane’s
7105 Palm Parkway, Orlando
The Louisiana-style chicken finger purveyor earlier this fall announced it will open its first three Central Florida locations before the end of 2023. Raising Cane’s is set to open its first Orlando location Nov. 7 not far from Walt Disney World. Two more chicken spots will follow not long after.
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Where to find the 19 best speakeasies in Orlando

The nightlife and drinking scene in Orlando is no joke — there are places perfect for any type of nighttime mood you…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

Mathers Social Gathering
3 Phoenix Building, 30 S. Magnolia Ave., Orlando
Several times voted Orlando's best downtown bar and best cocktail by our readers, Mathers Social Gathering will really take you back in time with its speakeasy atmosphere and the elaborate process you'll go through to get inside. There's kitschy Bathtub Gin cocktails, sure, but also a swinging blue velvet couch, dueling pianos, bustling burlesque nights and even a resident poet.
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The most memorable moments at Orlando Beer Fest through the years

Call all your favorite local libation lovers — Orlando Beer Festival is back. And like always, it's set to draw out brew…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

The most memorable moments at Orlando Beer Fest through the years
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The 25 best Orlando patios for ‘golden hour’ drinks

It's that time of year; temps have dropped a few degrees and, at last, the unrelenting heat of summer is behind us.…

By Chloe Greenberg

The Wellborn
211 N. Lucerne Circle W., Orlando
This quaint neighborhood hangout spot and bar aims to offer a "taste of vacation." Guests can enjoy the scenic atmosphere, small plates, desserts and Sunday brunch on top of a plentiful wine and cocktail list.
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Lamp + Shade Craft Kitchen and Cocktails poised for December opening

In February, we told you about Lamp & Shade Craft Kitchen and Cocktails opening in the old Lamp & Shade Fair building…

By Faiyaz Kara

Lamp & Shade Craft Kitchen
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All the Orlando restaurants and bars that closed in 2023

We've lost some good ones in the last year. Orlando saw several long-loved restaurants and bars shut down for good in 2023,…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

The Coop
610 W. Morse Blvd., Winter Park
Famed Winter Park fried chicken destination The Coop is closed its doors July 16, after nearly a decade on Morse Boulevard serving up high-quality Southern comestibles — not just fried chicken but sweet tea, shrimp and grits, coconut cake and more — to the denizens of Winter Park.
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29 Orlando restaurants with cult-like followings

An undeniable truth: Orlando is full of passionate, opinionated people who love to eat. The city is home to plenty of great…

By Orlando Weekly Staff

Kappy's Subs
501 N. Orlando Ave., Maitland
If you're looking for a new low-key sub shop, Kappy's Subs is your answer. Family-owned since 1967, the eatery serves classic American fare (like subs, burgers and dogs) across a good old-fashioned all American diner counter.
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