Another year, another chance to pretend we can put the turmoil of last year behind us. Luckily, there’s food: New restaurants that’ll be opening in 2022 are something to set our eyes toward. Whether you’re feeling like it’s payday and want to go pinkies up at Ava MediterrAegean, dig in kamayan-style at Kaya’s grand opening, or cruise through the Fatburger drive-thru while gobbling down some fries, we got you.
Jollibee
The Filipino fast-food joint is arguably the most anticipated restaurant thanks to its addicting brand of Chickenjoy! fried chicken and their Yumburgers seasoned to elicit langhap sarap. Look it up.
(Opening spring, 11891 E. Colonial Drive, jollibeeusa.com)Photo via Jollibee.Chick’n Cone
501 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
The brunch-favorite chicken and waffles has taken on a new life with Chick’n Cone. The handmade waffle cone is filled with crispy chicken and coated with one of six sauces. Tenders, sandwiches, fries and milkshakes are also available.
Photo via Chick’n Cone/FacebookJoJo’s Shake Bar
Coming soon
Chicago’s most outrageous milkshake bar is coming to International Drive. Depending on the holiday, there’s a rotation of milkshake flavors, but its mainstay classic, the Gold Digger, is the one to try. It’s a caramel toffee shake topped with a gold star marshmallow, toffee pretzel and a white chocolate macadamia nut cookie.
Photo via JoJo’s Shake Bar/FacebookSmoke & Donuts
321-352-7070, 601 N. Primrose Drive
After years in the food truck circuit, Smoke & Donuts finally has its own shop. Make sure to check out their doughnut sliders and chopped brisket.
Photo via Smoke & Donuts/FacebookColbie’s Southern Kissed Chicken
3267 Vineland Road
Although Colbie’s is mostly known for their “Southern kissed” chicken, their comfort food sides are not to be missed. Check out their hush puppies, corned spoon bread and Southern cheese curds.
Photo via Colbie’s Southern Kissed Chicken/FacebookAva MediterrAegean
407-794-9896, 290 S. Park Ave., Winter Park
Food from the Mediterranean and Aegean islands will be represented in this new eatery. Expect plenty of seafood options, including a crispy and juicy grilled jumbo octopus.
Photo via AVA MediterrAegean/FacebookMeet Fresh
5144 W. Colonial Drive, Unit 33
Established in 2007 with the goal of creating fresh and healthy Taiwanese desserts, this national chain has finally made its way to Orlando. Meet Fresh’s menu is filled with icy taro balls, shaved ice, tofu pudding, egg waffles and milk tea.
Photo via Meet Fresh/FacebookCowboy Chicken
3290 Margaritaville Blvd., Kissimmee
Guests can expect perfectly roasted chicken when going to Cowboy’s. Their hearty plates come with two sides and a sweet roll.
Photo via Cowboy Chicken/FacebookSalt & Straw
1486 Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista
Portland-based Salt & Straw creates both vegan and dairy ice creams with a monthly rotation of inventive flavors. Mainstay flavors include freckled mint chocolate chip, honey lavender and cinnamon snickerdoodle.
Photo via Salt & Straw/FacebookSusuru Juju
Coming soon
The owner of Susuru, an izakaya serving Japanese drinks and small plates, is opening a new restaurant – Susuru Juju. The new restaurant will in many ways echo the retro-style izakaya of Susuru with yakitori, grilled skewers and Japanese drinks.
Photo via Susuru Juju/FacebookTorchy’s Tacos
Multiple locations
Austin-based Torchy’s plans to share its mega-popular tacos with Orlando. Menu items to look out for include their breakfast tacos, margaritas and li’l nookies – fried chocolate chip cookie dough balls that are dusted with powdered sugar.
Photo via Torchy’s Tacos/FacebookFatburger
Coming soon
A West Coast burger chain has finally opened up in Orlando (could have been you, In-N-Out). Fatburger will bring its massive, hand-pressed burgers and thick-cut fries to the area, and we can’t wait.
Photo via Fatburger/FacebookNew York Beer Project
9230 Miley Drive, Winter Garden
The gastropub will feature beer-inspired plates that pair with specialty beer and flights. Although the beers rotate, food you can expect to see include their Bavarian pretzel, magic castle sliders and fried pickles.
Photo via New York Beer Project/FacebookCafé Don Juan
1100 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
Café Don Juan is bringing Puerto Rican tostadas, empanadas and coffee to Orlando. Delicious pastries filled with guava, coquito and Nutella will also be available.
Photo via Café Don Juan/FacebookKnife Burger
4040 Central Florida Parkway
Three-time James Beard Award winner chef John Tesar will open a burger joint this year. Knife Burger will feature affordable burgers, hot dogs and milkshakes.
Photo via Knife Burger/FacebookFresh & Co.
407-734-0000, 7728 W. Sand Lake Road
Fresh & Co. has something for everyone with a menu that includes vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian and meat options. Hyper-local seasonal fruits and veggies are used for all their plates including their falafel pita, red curry lentil soup and Shanghai chicken salad.
Photo via Fresh & Co. /FacebookThai Farm Kitchen
917-892-3798, 2625 Edgewater Drive
The Thai Farm Kitchen is bringing its contemporary Thai cuisine from New York to Orlando. Its second restaurant will include menu items from its original shop, including dumplings, fried whole snapper and panang curry.
Photo via Thai Farm Kitchen/FacebookKaya
618 N. Thornton Ave.
The team behind the ultra-luxe Kadence are opening a Filipino restaurant. Pop-ups of the new spot have featured ampalaya panna cotta with basil custard, squid ink tagliolini and oxtail caramelle.
Photo via Kaya/InstagramSo Dough
419 E. Michigan St.
So Dough is coming to SoDo, and it’s bringing classic Detroit and Chicago-style pizza with it. According to their Instagram, the menu is still being finalized, but we’re hoping it’ll include some of those mini pizza bites they’ve been teasing about.
Photo via So Dough/FacebookQuesa Loco
321-972-4503, 971 W. Fairbanks Ave.
The birria craze that took Instagram by storm has finally brought a beloved taco truck into its own brick and mortar shop. Classics from their food truck like birria pizza, elotes and tortas will continue to be served at the new restaurant.
Photo via Quesa Loco/FacebookNorman’s
Coming soon
After a 16-year stint at the Ritz Carlton, the beloved Norman’s closed in 2019. The contemporary American restaurant will serve the same Norman’s, just in a different neighborhood.
Photo via Norman’s/FacebookCupid’s Hot Dogs
1515 Lee Road
Another restaurant has joined the ranks of West Coast chains in Orlando. Cupid’s will bring its famous cupid chili hot dog and Chicago-style hot dog to the area.
Photo via Cupid’s Hot Dogs/FacebookThe Mongolorian BBQ
2217 E. Colonial Drive
The creator behind King Bao, Poke Hana and Chi-Kin is bringing Mongolian barbecue to Orlando. The idea is for guests to build their own bowls, as their chosen proteins and veggies are cooked to perfection in stir fryers in front of them.
Photo via The Mongolorian BBQ/FacebookPigzza
1050 N. Mills Ave.
Scorned barbecue pizza fans will finally have their day in the sun. Pigzza, a partnership between Pig Floyd’s and Stasio’s Italian Deli, will feature a barbecue/pizza fusion cuisine. Expect combinations of classic Italian dishes with Pig Floyd’s smoked meat.
Photo via Pigzza/Facebook Credit: Photo courtesy Pigzza/Facebook
