Faiyaz Kara, Author at Orlando Weekly - Page 5 of 100

Zayn & Co. will open a permanent booth in the back patio of Digress Wine next month

Owners of the Palestinian coffee and food truck will also debut Mashawi, featuring Palestinian-American street food, and Mini-Zayn.

by Faiyaz Kara February 20, 2026February 20, 2026

Karelyn's Vegan soul food plate

Restaurant Reviews

Karelyn’s Vegan bridges the gap between soul food and a health-conscious diet

Mushroom-based wings are ‘as finger-licking good as they are kind to chickens.’

by Faiyaz Kara February 20, 2026February 20, 2026

Capital One Cafe bank ATM coffee

New Asian options Z, Mii, and Taiwan cafes all now open; banks getting in the coffee game; book tasting next week

Almost more restaurant openings and food events than we can fit in this week

by Faiyaz Kara February 19, 2026February 23, 2026

Vines by H restaurant

Vines Grille and The H team up as Vines by H; a second location of Sushi Saint opens

Plus bye-bye Bahama Breeze, Final Whistle pub pops up in Thornton Park, and more local food news

by Faiyaz Kara February 16, 2026February 16, 2026

JJ's Scratch Cocina

Restaurant Reviews

JJ’s Scratch Cocina morphs from a fast-casual to a full-service restaurant

Specializing in the cuisine of the Americas

by Faiyaz Kara February 11, 2026February 12, 2026

Osteria Ester

Osteria Ester, with refined spins on Italian-American staples, is an instant classic

Michael Cooper’s paean to Italian cuisine alla New Jersey feels like our very own Babbo

by Faiyaz Kara February 4, 2026February 4, 2026

new restaurants: Ford's Garage opens in Sanford

10 new restaurants from burgers to sushi to Turkish breakfast, plus two closures

All the tasty local food news

by Faiyaz Kara January 29, 2026February 2, 2026

Desi Bistro

Desi Bistro brings the heady delights of Bangladeshi cuisine to the UCF corridor

When it comes to cuisine of the Indian subcontinent, Bangladeshi fare has long been overshadowed in this city

by Faiyaz Kara January 28, 2026January 29, 2026

Ming's Bistro in Orlando

Local food news: Peter’s Kitchen is now Ming Garden; Colonialtown gets a Jeff’s Bagel Run

Plus Raine’s Pizzeria takes over the old Leguminati space, a new tenant for Colibri in Baldwin Park, and more

by Faiyaz Kara January 22, 2026January 23, 2026

A Gourmet Chinese Cuisine restaurant, formerly known as Chuan Lu Garden

A Gourmet Chinese Cuisine is the new name, and Cantonese cuisine is the new game

Chuan who?

by Faiyaz Kara January 21, 2026January 22, 2026

chef Wendy Lopez

Wendy Lopez, chef behind Reyes Mezcaleria and Sparrow Wine Bar, nominated for a 2026 James Beard Award

“We are freaking out for her!”

by Faiyaz Kara January 21, 2026January 21, 2026

Kappo Tsan chef de cuisine Toshi

Local restaurant news: Kappo Tsan is now open; Ivanhood wine bar Arden has closed

Plus plenty more openings, closings, and new Orlando tastes

by Faiyaz Kara January 19, 2026January 19, 2026

Slap Hand-Ripped Noodles

Slap Hand-Ripped Noodles are well worth the wait

Chef-owner Eric Yang’s signature three-way chili slap noodles hit hard

by Faiyaz Kara January 16, 2026January 16, 2026

Six Ravens

Six Ravens, by Gideon’s Bakehouse owner Steve Lewis, is coming to Disney Springs

The shop will specialize in “coffyns” — fluffy yeast rolls encasing savory fillings created in collaboration with local chefs

by Faiyaz Kara January 16, 2026January 18, 2026

Seoul Bōl, a ‘modern Korean wellness bowl restaurant,’ is coming to Windermere

“The demographic of the area is more suited to quick, healthy meals”

by Faiyaz Kara January 12, 2026January 12, 2026

Sushi Saint will move into the Bar Kada space in Winter Park

‘For sure, caviar donuts will be on the menu’

by Faiyaz Kara January 9, 2026January 9, 2026

News

Ramen Rumble 8 pits champions of years past against each other

Ladles out! Morimoto Asia will host this year’s ‘Battle of the Champions’ Feb. 2

by Faiyaz Kara January 6, 2026January 7, 2026

The 12 most memorable plates our critic cleaned in 2025

Best Bites 2025

by Faiyaz Kara January 4, 2026January 4, 2026

Openings, Closings + Moves

Mecatos Bakery and Cafe opening in The Coop space in Winter Park

John Rivers says, “I wish Mecatos the best of luck there. It is a very special place.”

by Faiyaz Kara December 27, 2025December 27, 2025

Top Tables: The best new restaurants in Orlando

Our critic’s annual list of the 10 best eateries to open this year

by Faiyaz Kara December 23, 2025December 27, 2025