In a city as food-forward as Orlando, it’s expected that every passing year comes with its fair share of exciting new flavorful ventures — and sadly, a slate of shutdowns.
So far in 2025, the City Beautiful has had to say goodbye to some big names. We’ve lost decades-old family diners, brew houses, drag brunch hubs and even some culinary concepts that lasted less than a year. Some eateries are moving locations, other have cited increasingly burdensome financial and business struggles, but all will be sorely missed.
Here are just some of the restaurants and bars that have closed so far this year (plus some of their replacements expected soon).
Hanamizuki
8255 International Drive, OrlandoHanamizuki is a traditional Japanese hotspot along I-Drive that offers an abundance of sushi and ramen, grilled entrees, onigiri and more. It’s open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and again for dinner from 5 to 10:30 p.m. Credit: Image via Google Maps
HighT
8255 International Drive, OrlandoThe Alice in Wonderland-themed cocktail bar HighT opened downtown in spring 2024, and its owners announced it would be closing permanently in early April due to “overwhelming financial strain” from recent restrictions placed on nightlife in downtown. Credit: Photo via HighT/Facebook
Park Avenue Tavern
558 W. New England Ave., Winter ParkPark Avenue Tavern, the Winter Park outpost of the NYC original, shuttered two years after opening in the old Dexter’s space. It’s set to be replaced by the Charleston-based firm Oak Steakhouse. Credit: Faiyaz Kara
Oviedo Brewing Co.
1280 Oviedo Mall Boulevard, OviedoThe popular brewery located in the Oviedo mall announced early this year that after five years in business, the location would close for good. The announcement explained that lasting economic impacts from the pandemic and rising costs have made it difficult for the brewery to continue business. Oviedo Brewing Co. described the effort to push through these challenges as “mentally draining.” Credit: Photo via Oviedo Brewing Company/Facebook
Hammered Lamb
1235 N. Orange Ave., OrlandoOpen since 2013, this Ivanhoe Village staple has been pleasing Orlandoans with over-the-top brunch dishes, Bloody Marys and energetic events on their decked-out covered outdoor seating area for more than a decade. Credit: Photo via Hammered Lamb/Facebook
Nick’s Family Diner
1235 N. Orange Ave., OrlandoOrange Blossom Trail breakfast spot Nick’s Family Diner closed its doors after its 15-year run in Orlando. It had long been known for its cozy, casual environment, all-day breakfast and years of serving the community. Credit: Image via Google Maps
The Aardvark
2610 S. Ferncreek Ave., OrlandoRestaurant, bar and bottle shop The Aardvark closed in January. On social media, the owners blamed their lawyers for the closure. Credit: Photo by Rob Bartlett
Broken Strings Brewery
1012 W. Church St., OrlandoBroken Strings Brewery, formerly located in Parramore, announced its closure in January. Owner Charles Frizzell said that changes to the downtown Orlando business landscape have turned the area into a “ghost town.” The business saw no way it could remain open throughout the new year, he said. Frizzell also attributed the closure to other factors like business cost increases and declines in craft beer enthusiasts. Credit: Photo via Broken Strings Brewery/Facebook
310 Park South
310 S. Park Ave., Winter ParkAfter 26 years, 310 Park South closed its doors in Winter Park, and the space is now making way for thin-crust, coal-fired pizza joint Oak & Stone. Credit: Image via Google Maps
Salvatore’s Prime Sandwiches — Henry’s Depot
212 W. First St., SanfordSalvatore’s Prime Sandwiches, the Italian sandwich outfit that served Henry’s Depot in Sanford, closed its stall in the food hall earlier this year. But it wasn’t an end to the venture; the eatery then opened a brick-and-mortar at 1520 Edgewater Drive, just across the street from Infusion Tea in College Park. Credit: Photo via Henry's Depot/Facebook
Yummii 2 Go
1330 N. Orange Ave., Winter ParkYummii 2 Go, the Asian fusion restaurant next to Jeff’s Bagel Run in Winter Park, closed in April after just over a year in action. It’s set to be replaced by a Chinese restaurant employing tabletop stir-frying machines to make mini bowls of kung pao chicken, wagyu curry and Hunan spicy beef, à la L.A.’s Tigawok. Credit: Photo via Google Maps
1Up
25 W. Church St., OrlandoLargely beloved retro gaming and arcade bar 1Up closed alongside its neighboring sibling bar HighT this spring. The owners attributed the closings to financial struggles in the downtown area. 1Up opened in 2022 and had been entertaining gamers and nerds up until its closure. Credit: Image via Google Maps
