We’re inching closer and closer to summer, which means we have some full plates to look forward to. Along with the increased temps, we’re also getting a long list of new places to eat including new locations of old favorites, iconic national chains, a long-awaited food hall and plenty more.
Here are all the most buzzed-about restaurants and eateries we’re welcoming to the City Beautiful in the coming months.
8546 Palm Parkway, Orlando
On the heels of opening Hayashi Taro, Lewis Lin will then open this nigiri-focused sushi-ya and sake bar next door to Susuru — the restaurant that started it all for him. “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’ll offer budget-friendly omakases and more. Credit: Make Design Studios
729 N. Mills Ave., Orlando
A Japanese teppanyaki concept akin to the wildly popular Pepper Lunch (an outpost of which is also slated to open this year) will tender their do-it-yourself dishes on the Mills 50 site of the now-demolished 7-Eleven. Krispy Rice will join Jiang’s Kitchen and Little Sister Dumpling on the site along with the already-opened Kōri Bakery & Dessert and Tiger Sugar.
Credit: Krispy Rice/Instagram
1235 N. Orange Ave., Orlando
The former Hammered Lamb space will see “traditionally decocted European lagers, fruited sours, IPAs and premium barrel-aged ales” being poured as steamy season sets upon us. The 10-barrel brewhouse and taproom will have a covered 1,000-square-foot outdoor seating area and will offer eats via a yet-to-be-announced culinary partner.
Credit: Hyperbolic Brewing/Google Maps
1040 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
The Danish coffee chain will open its first area location in the old Doshi space with a menu filled with fresh juices, smoothies, shakes, sandwiches, breakfast bowls and pastries. Oh yeah, and coffee. Credit: Joe & The Juice/Facebook
610 W. Morse Blvd., Winter Park
The home-grown chain offering Colombian baked goods, hot bites, desserts, fruit smoothies and, of course, coffee will move into the Hannibal Square building once occupied by The Coop. Owner Edwin Lurduy says the space will receive a thorough refresh, including the outdoor area. Unlike other Mecatos bakeries, this one will have on-premise roasting so that “customers can see the process and have access to freshly roasted coffee daily” and a liquor license for coffee-based cocktails. Credit: Craig Kaye
6433 Raleigh St., Orlando
The sort of “Thai noodle soul” found in the back alleys of Bangkok is what this Metrowest noodle bar moving into the old China Grill space is promising. Aromatic Thai boat noodles (kuay teow reua) will be a signature offering, as will khao soi and blood-thickened nam tok noodles. Credit: Google Maps
1632 N. Mills Ave., Orlando
The Southeast Asian bar concept by Top Chef Season 3 champ Hung Huynh will feature a fun menu of fire-grilled seafood, skewers, caviar, chicken nuggets and tropical cocktails to be served out of a lush yet casual 2,600-square-foot space. That space? The former home of Brass Tap in Mills Park. Credit: Bento Group
171 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland
Vinicius Turci, of Turci Panino, Turci Pasta and Luca Turci Italian Restaurant, will open this fourth concept highlighted by a large central bar with a full bar program. Expect smaller, “carefully crafted” dishes designed to expose guests to the menu’s variety. The interior will be vibrant, but the mien relaxed and convivial. Credit: Photo via Google Maps
1621 S. Orange Ave., Orlando
The Cuban diner chainlet is in full-on expansion mode and will move into the space that long held Brick & Fire Pizza in Hospital Row. If you see your doctor munching on a Cubano or medianoche, you’ll know why. Credit: Zaza Cuban Comfort Food/Facebook
646 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
The chain that encourages customers to “grip, rip and dip” their bagels into various schmears will take over the old Soho Juice Co. space near the busy intersection of Orlando and Fairbanks avenues. Credit: via PopUp Bagels/instagram
28 S. Orange Ave., Orlando
This early-morning-to-late-night concept by Brandon King and Galo Tenorio, opens early summer at 28 S. Orange Ave. in the space vacated by the Dapper Duck Bar last year. The restaurant will host a premium matcha bar serving high-quality ceremonial matcha with seasonal flavors, as well as coffee and fresh ube donuts starting at 7 a.m. with more breakfast items to come. For lunch and dinner, the restaurant goes fast-casual with a menu of noodle dishes, stir-frys, wings and hibachi bowls offering “bold flavors.” Guests can expect Mongolian beef chow fun, orange chicken chow mein, beef hokkien noodles and wings in garlic, honey-garlic and pepper flavors. Credit: Noodle Shawty
709 N. Mills Ave., Orlando
Catchè, a dessert house specializing in Vietnamese dessert soups called chè, is set to open in Mills 50. The menu isn’t final yet, but so far you can expect Vietnamese coffee, fresh juices and non-soupy desserts as well. Credit: Faiyaz Kara
150 Central Blvd., Orlando
The 15,000-square-foot, two-story venue across the street from the Orlando Public Library will have 10 vendors, a “small fine dining restaurant,” a wine room/speakeasy and a cocktail bar, not to mention panoramic floor-to-ceiling views of Lake Eola Park. The official vendor lineup has yet to be announced but expect birria tacos, açai bowls, Thai cuisine, burgers and wings. Credit: Image via Eola Food Hall
709 N. Mills Ave., Orlando
Owner Eric Jiang (Sushi Izuki, Jiang’s Kitchen) will also open this Chinese dessert and bao shop in the heart of Mills 50. The corner space will feature an inviting interior design with natural wood tones, open kitchen and “modern Chinese aesthetics.” Sweet dessert soups called tong sui will be the specialty here, as will bao both sweet (red bean paste) and savory (barbecue chicken). Credit: Fan Hwa/Instagram
124 Ruby Red Place, Winter Garden
Simply Capri owner (and former Patina Restaurant Group CEO) Nick Valenti will veer away from the comforts of Italian fare and dabble in cheffy bar-and-grill and steak-forward cuisine with this new concept situated directly across from Simply Capri at Flamingo Crossings. Credit: Google Maps
714 N. Mills Ave., Orlando
It’ll be another busy year for Lewis Lin. The Susuru and Juju chef will open Neko San this summer, but prior to that, he’ll bring this “omakase bento” store to the Royaltea space in Mills 50. Three different omakase bento boxes will be available to go, though an eight-seat counter inside will proffer more options. A ceremonial tea (ocha) experience will also be offered. Credit: Lewis Lin
27 E. Robinson St., Orlando
Soup dumplings, like their signature truffle pork XLB, and “premium” sushi rolls will be hand-crafted inside a modern, “Zen-inspired” space next door to Kava Kulture and Deeply Coffee. Scallion pancakes, Taiwanese popcorn chicken, dan dan noodles and more will also be offered. Owner Eric Jiang (who’ll also open Chinese dessert and bao shop Fan Hwa in Mills 50) says he’s planning a second Jiang’s Kitchen near the Millenia Mall before the end of the year. Jiang recently opened Sushi Izuki, an omakase house in O-Town West. Credit: Google Maps
713 N. Mills Ave., Orlando
Little Sister Dumpling, a fast-casual operation offering a wide variety of dumplings from classics to modern twists to vegan options, will open next door to Tiger Sugar in 2026. Expect small plates and noodle dishes, as well as beer and wine options and late-night vibes on weekends. Credit: Google Maps
701 Vista Trelago, Maitland
Agave Azul’s Juan Rios is bringing a contemporary Mexican wood-fire concept to anchor the Trelago Market in Maitland. The menu will be centered around three elements dating to pre-Hispanic times — wood fire, nixtamal and mezcal. Naya will be inspired by the Pacific Coast of Riviera Nayarit, serving hand-crafted tortillas using organic masa imported from Mexico along with mezcal and tequila-centric cocktails. Credit: Image via Google Maps
67 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando
From a chef-owner with 28 years of experience in Japanese cuisine, this intimate, eight-seat omakase experience will be focused on seasonal Japanese fish and premium ingredients. High-quality sushi rice seasoned with traditional dark red vinegar and served with house-made soy sauce will be used to highlight “depth, balance and authenticity” of flavor. In addition to the omakase experience, Q will also offer a curated five-course option featuring traditional Japanese dishes as well as sushi. Credit: Q Sushi
5770 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee
After first teasing a new Kissimmee location more than a year ago, Hamburger Mary’s will now be revived in Kissimmee’s Old Town District in mid-May. The storied LGBTQ-owned restaurant — unafraid to challenge a repressive state government — closed its longtime location in downtown Orlando in May 2024. The restaurant, known for its popular drag brunches, will be opening at the former Shoney’s Restaurant space located in Old Town, just off U.S. 192. The space will have a seating capacity of up to 249 with “plenty of room for large groups,” according to a news release. Credit: Hamburger Mary's Kissimmee/Facebook
