Orlando’s busy and buzzing year on the culinary scene is wrapping up, marking the end to a 2025 filled with boast-worthy Michelin nabs, heartbreaking closures, and a whole slate of new openings. This year brought a bustling 12 months for the City Beautiful’s foodies, and it’s now time to look back on the diners, steakhouses, Mexican kitchens, Asian-fusion spots, vinyl bars and more new restaurants we’ve welcomed.
Here are the 24 most buzzed-about restaurants that opened this year.
807 N. Orange Ave., Orlando
Wine bar and restaurant Sparrow, newly plopped about 100 feet away from Reyes Mezcaleria, offers a menu drawing on executive chef/partner Wendy Lopez’s heritage. But flavors and techniques from Portugal, Italy and France also pepper the bill of fare with continental classics like tortilla Española, patatas bravas, jamón ibérico and conservas served alongside bacalhau croquetas, cacio e pepe and prawn de bourgogne. Credit: Sparrow/Facebook
861 N. Orange Ave., Orlando
Talay, offering seafood-leaning Thai fare from the folks behind Isan Zaap, opened this year in NoDo. The restaurant is partial to the bounties of the deep — “I want to showcase the flavors of Thailand through seafood,” said chef-owner Fin Patsawee in our review of the space. Credit: Photo via Google Maps
7501 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Newly opened and the very first location of the mega-popular Asian market and food hall, H Mart is sure to have something for even the pickiest of out-of-towners. There are Asian (and Asian-fusion) vendors like U Chun, Jaws Tapokki, Chidon, Myung Ga, Paik’s Noodle and Oh K-Dog & Egg Toast, plus additional restaurants onsite like Coffee & Co, Dabang, Kung Fu Tea and an outpost of international bakery Paris Baguette. Credit: H Mart
227 N. Eola Drive, Orlando
The Outpost is now open in the former Persimmon Hollow Brewing space near Lake Eola. The neighborhood tavern by former Island Time owner Devon Tillman and OUT Sports League creator John Teixeria promises to be a “fabulous place for dining, drinks, drag and sports.” Credit: Google Maps
761 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park
Black Coffee/Cafe Negro Bistro, a Latin-ish concept by Univision personality Jose “El Negro” Figueroa, serves cheffy breakfast, lunch and early dinner fare as well as weekend brunch. Ángel Serrano, a fixture in Puerto Rico’s food landscape, oversees the menu. Credit: Photo via Black Coffee/Cafe Negro Bistro/Facebook
4724 Millenia Plaza Way, Orlando
Pho 813 reopened this year at a new location under new ownership, serving more of the Vietnamese flavor it’s dished out in the past. Credit: Google Maps
63 E. Pine St., Orlando
Nuri’s Tavern opened in the ground-floor space that previously hosted the Robinson Room. It serves tavern-style pizza and is overseen by Team Market Group executive chefs Nick Grecco and Jason Campbell. Credit: Nuri's Tavern/Google Maps
3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando
Gyukatsu Rose, inside East End Market, is the latest concept from Domu founder Sonny Nguyen, serving gyukatsu, or Japanese fried beef cutlets. Wagyu is typically used, which is seasoned, coated in breadcrumbs, and given a quick fry before being sliced rare and served alongside a mini stone grill for diners to sear to their liking. Credit: Photo by Matt Keller Lehman
558 W. New England Ave., Winter Park
The Winter Park space that once housed Dexter’s and Park Avenue Tavern is now home to high-end steakhouse Corner Chophouse, from the Charleston-based Indigo Road Hospitality Group. The restaurant aims to blend steakhouse tradition with Florida finesse, serving Certified Angus Beef Prime cuts, regionally sourced seafood and shareable sides. The bar also promises a martini-forward cocktail program. Credit: Corner Chophouse
153 E. Morse Boulevard, Winter Park
Luca Turci Italian Restaurant, from Turci Pasta and Turci Panino owner Vinicius Turci, has replaced Braccia Ristorante on Morse Boulevard in Winter Park. It comes from the team behind Turci Pasta in College Park, likely all part of Turci’s aggressive growth plan, which also includes Turci Panini and Turci Osteria Italiana. Credit: Photo by Matt Keller Lehman
700 E. Washington St., Orlando
June, the contemporary Mexican kitchen specializing in wood-fired eats of the Yucatán with Asian flourishes, now lives in Thornton Park. The former Graffiti Junktion space has been given an extreme makeover courtesy of Team Market Group, who own and operate the restaurant. Credit: Photo via JuneinOrlando/Instagram
360 E. Horatio Ave., Maitland
The Packwoods, a striking craft cocktail bar from Thriving Hospitality (Lamp & Shade Craft Kitchen, Thrive Cocktail Lounge & Eatery) is open at Maitland Social, joining Wave Asian Bistro, Pizza Bruno and Foxtail Coffee inside the Horatio Avenue gastrohub. The 1,400-square-foot space focuses only on cocktails; food isn’t served. Credit: Photo via Google Maps
500 S. Park Ave., Winter Park
The Chapman aims to celebrate the history of Winter Park. The name is a reference to Winter Park founders Loring Augustus Chase and Oliver Everett Chapman, and the restaurant presents a menu of the best Florida has to offer — fresh fish and seafood as well as locally raised beef and plenty of citrus — in a space inspired by fin de siècle style. Credit: Photo via Chapman Restaurant/Facebook
629 E. Central Blvd., Orlando
Osteria Ester, an Italian-American concept from Good Salt Restaurant Group founders (and 2025 James Beard Award finalists for Outstanding Restaurateur) Jason and Sue Chin, is open in Thornton Park. It aims to be a true neighborhood gathering place taking on a casual and communal feel. Michael Cooper, executive chef-partner of The Osprey (another Good Salt operation) oversees kitchen operations at this restaurant named after his grandmother. Credit: Google Maps
959 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park
Nontraditional pizza house concept Perla’s Pizza is back in business at a new Winter Park location. Previously operating in Ivanhoe Village under chef Michael Collantes before dissolving just months after it opened in 2021, Perla’s is alive again on Fairbanks Avenue, in the previous site of the Winter Park Collective. This not-so-new concept was known for its slew of unconventional toppings and flavor combinations. Perla’s website still says “menu dropping soon,” but Collantes told Orlando Weekly in June 2024 that Perla’s flavors are likely to upset a few pizza traditionalists. Again. Credit: Matt Keller Lehman
901 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
Selva Rosa Cocina & Bar aims to be an “elevated-casual space where people can hang out, enjoy good drinks and have fun,” says Heidy Cuevas, a spokesperson for the restaurant. Selva Rosa features three distinct areas: the main dining room, a sushi bar and “El Patio Rosa.” The menu, Cuevas says, blends Mexican, Latin American and Asian flavors to create a unique experience. Credit: photo by Faiyaz Kara
11815 Glass House Lane, Orlando
For nearly three years, David Tsan has been cutting fine figures at Norigami, his eight-seat sushi counter inside Winter Garden’s Plant Street Market. Now the 36-year-old Taiwan-born chef is partnering with James Beard Award-nominated restaurateurs Johnny and Jimmy Tung to open a full-fledged restaurant specializing in kappo-style dining. It will present sushi and cooked dishes in both multicourse and à la carte formats. Its style will fall somewhere between the formal artistry of kaiseki and the casual spirit of an izakaya, allowing Tsan to showcase his culinary journey to guests. Credit: via Chef David Tsan
1155 Doss Ave., Orlando
Mazala Pijja has opened inside the Laxmi Plaza along Doss Avenue near OBT. Expect pizza pies fusing Indian ingredients like tikka masala, palak paneer and smashed samosas. Credit: Matt Keller Lehman
8546 Palm Parkway, Orlando
Chef Lewis Lin has opened the doors to Neko San, a quick-style omakase concept and sake bar next door to Susuru in Lake Buena Vista. “Neko” is the Japanese word for “cat,” a name he chose in memory of the felines that once patrolled the area behind the restaurant, and who held a special place in the hearts of Susuru’s workers. It offers budget-friendly omakases and more. Credit: Make Design Studios
8685 Fenton St., Orlando
Sushi Izuki, billed as “modern meets traditional omakase,” has opened near South Apopka-Vineland Road in O-Town West. The restaurant is led by chef Leo Chen, who was previously at Neta Shari in Brooklyn, an omakase restaurant that earned inclusion in the NYC Michelin Guide from 2022-24. Izuki, no surprise, is striving to obtain a Michelin star. Credit: Photo via Sushi Izuki/Instagram
2217 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Moa Kai Hawaiian Diner, run by Hoi Nguyen of poke bowl joint Poke Hana, is now open on Colonial Drive. At this new concept, Hawaiian comfort food meets the classic American diner, with brunch and dinner options, plus desserts and drinks. Menu highlights include Kalua barbecue pork handhelds, saimin noodle soups, shoyu chicken, ube haupia pie, spam musubi, poke bowls, burgers and more. Credit: Matt Keller Lehman
1568 Maguire Road, Ocoee
Former Schmankerl Stub’n chef-owner Daniel Gabor has opened Daniel Gabor’s Alpine Bar & Grill in the Bella Tuscany space in Ocoee. Gabor promises a fresh take on Alpine comfort food like ricotta-spinach ravioli and Riesling chicken to go alongside Schmankerl faves like schnitzel, gulasch, pork tenderloin and apple strudel. Credit: Matt Keller Lehman
2105 N. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando
Pine Street Hospitality, the group that brought Orlando Bullitt Bar, McQueen’s, Sessions, The Basement, The Attic and Papi Smash’d Burger, brought Walter’s Tavern, a 3,800-square-foot bar, to the Great Southern Box Co. Food Hall in the Packing District. The bar is named after Walter Phillips, son of Dr. Phillips, and will offer craft cocktails, live entertainment and an “elevated sports-viewing experience.” Credit: Walter's Tavern/Facebook
1110 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
This new Colonial Drive-based Asian eats hub has captured the tastebuds of Orlando, and offers several options for budget-friendly bites. Unigirl, Bánh Mì Boy, and Kai Kai BBQ and Dumplings are three of the outposts offering big flavors for under $15. Credit: Mills Market