While it may feel like summer all year round in Florida, we’re still approaching the end of the season — which also means we have a whole new slate of summer restaurant openings to dive into.
In the past few months, Orlando’s welcomed new Filipino tasting counters, Hawaiian diners, food halls, sushi spots, beignet purveyors and more.
Here are all the hottest new restaurants that opened in Orlando this summer — with no big chain outposts in sight.
Sushi Izuki
8685 Fenton St., Orlando
Sushi Izuki, billed as “modern meets traditional omakase,” has opened near South Apopka-Vineland Road in O-Town West. The restaurant is led by chef Leo Chen, who was previously at Neta Shari in Brooklyn, an omakase restaurant that earned inclusion in the NYC Michelin Guide from 2022-24. Izuki, no surprise, is striving to obtain a Michelin star. Credit: Photo via Sushi Izuki/InstagramLuminescent
12286 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
The Indian-influenced high-end coffee and cocktail bar Luminescent is now open and aiming to distinguish itself with an interior featuring an ever-changing lighting scheme and plenty to sip on. Credit: Image via Google MapsBourbon Steak
1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd., Orlando
Bourbon Steak, the chi-chi chophouse by celebrated chef Michael Mina, opened inside the old Shula Steak House space at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel in July. The Orlando outpost is the restaurant’s 10th location and will serve USDA Prime steaks, Japanese wagyu, Maine lobster pot pie and more “special occasion” fare. Credit: Photo via Bourbon Steak/Google MapsLima 1535
7347 Lake Underhill Road, Orlando
Peruvian restaurant Lima 1535 has opened on Lake Underhill Road, serving plenty of traditional eats — including alpaca. Credit: Photo via Lima 1535/Google MapsPiacere Pizza
609 Irvington Ave., Orlando
Piacere Pizza, the Miami-based wood-fired pizza outfit, is now offering their pies, pasta, panini and desserts out of a food truck at À La Cart, a Best of Orlando 2025 winner for best outdoor dining. Credit: Photo via Piacere Pizza/FacebookPapparella Trattoria
6002 Sand Lake Vista Drive, Orlando
Papparella Trattoria, a restaurant with roots in Brazil since 1984, has opened on Sand Lake Vista Drive off Turkey Lake Road. Wood-fired pizza made from 72-hour fermented dough, as well as handmade pastas and breads, comprise the menu. Credit: Photo via Papparella Trattoria/InstagramHalls on 5th
15 E. Fifth St., Apopka
Halls on 5th opened its doors in May in Apopka. The historic feed store–turned–food hall features vendors including Butcher’s Nook, Empanada & Co., Parlor Waffle Kitchen, Soulicious Vegan, Sweet & Salty Island Grindz and Thrive Eatery. Credit: Photo via Halls on 5th/FacebookLucky Goat Coffee
4753 S. Orange Ave., Orlando
Tallahassee-based Lucky Goat Coffee opened in SoDo this summer, and is now bringing Orlando top-quality beans and plenty of caffeinated drinks. Credit: Photo via Lucky Goat Coffee – South Orange Ave/FacebookAsin
1420 Alden Road, Orlando
Currently open with a small bites menu and a full menu coming soon, Asin (Tagalog for “salt”) is serving dishes like fried peanuts with garlic and chili flakes, deviled eggs with longanisa (pork sausage) and chicharron, Filipino ceviche, stir-fry beef and more for now. The Filipino-inspired chef’s tasting counter is the newest concept from chef DJ Tangalin, located inside aperitif and wine bar Arden. Credit: Photo via Asin/InstagramOutpost Neighborhood Tavern
227 N. Eola Drive, Orlando
The Outpost is now open in the former Persimmon Hollow Brewing space near Lake Eola. The neighborhood tavern by former Island Time owner Devon Tillman and OUT Sports League creator John Teixeria promises to be a “fabulous place for dining, drinks, drag and sports.” Credit: Photo by McKenna SchuelerSparrow
807 N. Orange Ave., Orlando
Sparrow, a 1,978-square-foot wine bar and lounge, has opened 100 feet away from Reyes Mezcaleria and will present a focused menu drawing on executive chef/partner Wendy Lopez’s heritage (her great grandfather, “Papa Chema,” was Spanish). But flavors and techniques from Portugal, Italy and France will also pepper the bill of fare with continental classics like tortilla Española, patatas bravas, jamón ibérico and conservas served alongside bacalhau croquetas, cacio e pepe and prawn de bourgogne. Credit: Photo via Sparrow/InstagramJune
700 E. Washington St., Orlando
June, the contemporary Mexican kitchen specializing in wood-fired eats of the Yucatán with Asian flourishes, is now open in Thornton Park. The former Graffiti Junktion space has been given an extreme makeover courtesy of Team Market Group, who own and operate the restaurant. Credit: Photo via JuneinOrlando/InstagramMoa Kai Hawaiian Diner
2217 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Moa Kai Hawaiian Diner, run by Hoi Nguyen of poke bowl joint Poke Hana, is now open on Colonial Drive. At this new concept, Hawaiian comfort food meets the classic American diner, with brunch and dinner options, plus desserts and drinks. Menu highlights include Kalua barbecue pork handhelds, saimin noodle soups, shoyu chicken, ube haupia pie, spam musubi, poke bowls, burgers and more. Credit: Photo courtesy Hoi NguyenA Gourmet Chinese Cuisine
1101 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Mills 50 Sichuan restaurant A Gourmet Chinese Cuisine (formerly Chuan Lu Garden) has finally opened its renovated doors on Colonial Drive. Credit: Rendering via Joyce CaiHeatwave
741 W. Church St., Orlando
After LGBTQ+ bar Stonewall abruptly closed at the end of 2021, the former Church Street space has come alive again — not as a nightclub, but as a new restaurant concept called Heatwave. The ambitious new restaurant concept from a local ownership group of Kevin Varanai, Andrea Dunn and Brandon Wood features three interconnected spaces: a café, restaurant and hybrid theater-lounge. Credit: Photo courtesy LoopnetWaffle Sandwich Bar
2105 N. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando
Waffle Sandwich Bar has taken over the stall vacated by Dancing Yeti inside the Great Southern Box Co. Food Hall. They offer sweet and savory gluten-free waffles as well as vegan options. Credit: Photo via Great Southern Box Company/Google MapsThe Good Pour
631 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
The Good Pour — a wine and spirits store infusing “retail with philanthropy” — is now pouring its vino in the old Wells Fargo space near the corner of Orlando and Fairbanks avenues. The space features a rooftop bar for private events and celebrations. Credit: Photo via The Good Pour/Google MapsDeeply Coffee
12639 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden
Downtown Orlando’s ever-ambient caffeine hub and bottle shop Deeply Coffee opened a second location in Winter Garden this summer, slinging the same caffeinated libations and light bites, toasts, breakfast sammies and wraps. Credit: Photo via Deeply Coffee/InstagramJala Indian Restaurant
155 E. Morse Blvd., Winter Park
Jala, an Indian fine dining restaurant, has opened in the space previously occupied by The Bridge in Winter Park. The menu comprises all the usual suspects, but Winter Park-ified. Think 24k gold-covered lamb chops for $55. Credit: Photo via Jala Winter Park/InstagramNomi Sushi Hibachi & Sake Bar
12189 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Nomi Sushi Hibachi & Sake Bar has opened on Colonial Drive, serving sushi and traditional-leaning Japanese cuisine. Credit: Photo via Nomi Sushi Hibachi & Sake Bar/Google MapsBlue Dragon Pan Asian Restaurant
1001 Epic Blvd., Orlando
This full-service restaurant has opened inside Celestial Park at Epic Universe, offering a bevy of pan-Asian eats (tonkotsu ramen, smashed cucumbers, snowflake potstickers) under the glow of “ethereal lanterns.” The restaurant’s Tiger Bar plays into the theme with such cocktails as “Chengdu Dream” and “Khaosan Boba.” Credit: Rendering via Universal OrlandoDaniel Gabor’s Alpine Bar & Grill
1568 Maguire Road, Ocoee
Former Schmankerl Stub’n chef-owner Daniel Gabor has opened Daniel Gabor’s Alpine Bar & Grill in the Bella Tuscany space in Ocoee. Gabor promises a fresh take on Alpine comfort food like ricotta-spinach ravioli and Riesling chicken to go alongside Schmankerl faves like schnitzel, gulasch, pork tenderloin and apple strudel. Credit: Photo via Daniel Gabor's Alpine Bar & GrillAllure Lounge
13 W. Pine St., Orlando
Allure Lounge, billed as a “premium fusion world kitchen,” has opened in downtown. The restaurant and mixology bar promises to bring the vibrant spirit of Cape Town, South Africa to downtown Orlando. Live music and VIP service is also offered. Credit: Photo via Allure Lounge/FacebookWonderful Hand-Pulled Noodle
8910 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando
Wonderful Hand-Pulled Noodle is now offering its squigglers out of the old Taste of Asia space on Turkey Lake Road, just a few doors down from Boiled Fish. Credit: Image via Google Maps
