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 — Linda’s Winter Park Diner, The Coop and more — in 2023, the city is ready to welcome some major new players and major new flavors.
Orlando can expect lots of new restaurant openings just this spring: From upscale omakase to crispy ice cream to sushi burgers and more, here are 20 of the most hotly anticipated restaurants opening in Orlando in the coming months.
Check out our full list of all 88 new restaurants we’re looking forward to this year.
957 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park Bar Kada, the 30-seat concept from Soseki’s Michael Collantes, lives next door to his Michelin-starred omakase house offering a selection of ancestral-method sakes, low-touch wines curated by sommelier Benjamin Coutts, and seasonal small plates utilizing local ingredients conceived by chef de cuisine Mike Vang. Credit: Photo via Michael Collantes/InstagramBoxer and Clover
3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando
This year promises to be a busy one for Matt Hinckley. Not only did he and Jacob Zepf (The Neighbors, Freehand Goods) open Mid Drive Dive, their midcentury-inspired diner in College Park, but Hinckley is teaming up with lead singer/guitarist Matt Heafy of metalcore band Trivium on Southern barbecue and pie concept Boxer and Clover inside East End Market named after characters in George Orwell’s Animal Farm. Should the stall prove successful, a brick-and-mortar may not be far behind. Credit: Photo via Boxer and Clover/InstagramChuck Lager’s America Tavern
8151 International Drive, Orlando
Celeb culinarian and Top Chef contestant Fabio Vivani will open an outpost of his restaurant based on the globe-trotting adventures of one Chuck Lager (who may or may not be a real person). The American tavern will fuse plenty of international influences into its dishes. Credit: Photo via Chuck Lager’s America Tavern/FacebookCoro Restaurant
3022 Corrine Drive, Orlando
Tim and Natalie Lovero’s highly anticipated Audubon Park restaurant Coro will feature Italian-leaning small plates embodying Japanese techniques, philosophy and ingredients. At Coro’s pop-up dinner at Farm & Haus, Lovero’s dishes were a composition of Italian, Indian, Japanese, French and Middle Eastern flavors, with every dish full of surprising turns. Credit: photo courtesy of Natalie LoveroCrispy Cones
2415 Curry Ford Road, Orlando
The Shark Tank-approved ice cream concept Crispy Cones offers fresh dough cones, “grilled rotisserie-style” then covered with cinnamon and sugar or “a specialty powder.” What that specialty powder is exactly we can’t say, but there’s more: The dough cone is then filled with your choice of spread, gourmet soft-serve ice cream, fruit and a variety of toppings. Credit: Photo via Crispy Cones/FacebookDick’s Last Resort
9101 International Drive, Orlando
No, this isn’t a hole in the wall (get it?) but a Southern comfort spot known for its purposely obnoxious service. Back in 2016, Dick’s abruptly closed its Orlando location, leaving restaurant workers in the lurch. Dick move! Now they’re coming back “bigger and better” to Pointe Orlando. Credit: Photo via Dick's Last Resort/FacebookGrazie Modern Italian Kitchen
3101 Corrine Drive, Orlando
New concept Grazie Modern Italian Kitchen, from seasoned restaurateur Nazih Sebaali (Café Annie, Meza Mediterranean Grill), is set to move into the building that long held Bem Bom. The menu will feature “Italian classics with a modern touch.” Credit: Faiyaz Kara
Various locations With Central Florida locations in College Park, Ocoee, Winter Park, Clermont and Oviedo, the New York-style bagel shop is hard to miss. The chainlet’s classic and more over-the-top bagel flavors and coffees continue to draw in the crowds. Check their social media for weekly flavor specials. Credit: Photo via Jeff's Bagel Run/FacebookLamp & Shade Craft Kitchen Credit: Image courtesy of Thriving HospitalityLazy Moon Pizza Maitland
441 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland
This third location, to complement Lazy Moon’s downtown and UCF pizzerias, will bring odd toppings and humongous slices to the old Einstein Bagels building in Maitland. It will also feature a sizable outdoor patio. Credit: Image via Lazy Moon PizzaMiami Grill
4220 S. Semoran Blvd., Orlando
Miami Grill, the new-model rebrand of the former Miami Subs chain, has gained repute for a menu of cheesesteaks, gyros, wings, seasoned fries and healthy salads, all presented with a “South Beach vibe.” The rebrand was given a big boost by partnering up with musician Pitbull a few years back. The first Orlando location will be at 4220 S. Semoran Blvd. and is slated to open in the latter days of fall this year. The second location is set for 14088 E. Colonial Drive. Credit: Photo via Adobe
115 E. Lyman Ave., Winter Park Ômo by Jônt takes guests on a journey into cuisine from around the world featuring Japanese fare in an interactive atmosphere. With room for up to 16 guests at a time, the eatery ushers guests through three separate rooms, where they can feast on 18 to 22 courses of refined French-Japanese creations. The Living Room is where guests can snack on a “barrage of canapés.” Then they’re led to the Savory Counter for the brunt of the meal, finishing in the Pastry Parlor. Credit: photo courtesy of Hive HospitalityPinstripes
11643 Daryl Carter Parkway, Orlando
Opening a 40,000-square-foot venue housing a bistro, bowling lanes and bocce courts takes plenty of balls (literally). The fare promises wood-fired pizzas, seasonal gelato and a host of Italian American dishes. Think Primrose Lanes but with way more tourists. Credit: Photo via Pinstripes/FacebookSmokemade Meats and Eats
1400 S. Crystal Lake Drive, Orlando
The stellar pop-up run by Tyler Brunache will bring Central Texas-style barbecue to the old Italian House Restaurant space. His brisket might be the best in the city, but other items like cheddar-jalapeño sausage, ribs, smoked turkey and bangin’ sides and desserts will set barbecue fiends afire. Credit: Photo via Smokemade Meats and Eats/Instagram
4979 New Broad St., Orlando Japanese restaurant Sorekara, from chef William Shen and restaurateurs Johnny and Jimmy Tung, was built around the philosophy of sorekara (Japanese for “and then”) and appreciating each unique moment of life. Credit: photo courtesy of William ShenTom’s Watch Bar
8126 International Drive, Orlando
A boob-tube-heavy sports bar by Smashburger founder Tom Ryan will open on the top floor of the Hollywood Plaza Garage entertainment complex, bringing sportsballs fanatics to the sprawling space. Apart from the 40-ounce beers and booze, the chain offers pub grub beyond burgers and wings — think prime rib dips, ahi tuna towers, butter-poached lobster and shrimp tacos. Credit: Photo via Tom's Watch Bar/FacebookVolcano Hot Pot and BBQ
3560 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
The fourth area location of this popular chain will open inside the Colonial Landing Plaza, joining outposts in Kissimmee, I-Drive and Winter Garden. A slew of meats as well as seven varieties of broth will greet Colonialtown visitors. Credit: Photo via Volcano Hot Pot and BBQ/FacebookVoodoo Bayou
7525 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando
The Moonfish space in Dr. Phillips has stayed vacant for nearly four years, but it won’t be for much longer when this “Southern Cajun Kitchen” brings its NOLA-inflected fare (buttermilk biscuits, gator bites and fried chicken are notables) and extensive whiskey and bourbon selection to Sand Lake Road. Credit: Photo via Voodoo Bayou/FacebookWave Asian Bistro
360 E. Horatio Ave., Maitland
The popular Mount Dora sushi house, known for its creative sushi doughnuts, sushi burritos, sushi pizza and sushi burgers, will anchor the soon-to-open Maitland Social in a 1,373-square-foot space with a 500-square-foot outdoor patio. Credit: Photo via Wave Asian Bistro/Facebook
7988 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando Lewis Lin (Susuru, Juju) will have a busy year ahead of him with Mao Mao opening in the fall but, prior to the handroll eatery, he and investor partners Khoa Nguyen and Keren Swanson will open this 100-seater specializing in wagyu shabu-shabu next door to Peperoncino in the Dellagio Town Center. Nabe will also offer premium seafood, as well as cocktails and a sake program. Nola’s Ice Cream will be situated in front of the almost 3,000-square-foot space. Credit: Image via Google Maps
