In the great Venn diagram of the restaurant world, one circle represents undeniably good food; the other, undeniably good vibes. The eateries and bars that fall in the middle are foodie gold. They’re swanky, dimly lit, plant-filled and perfectly Instagrammable spots. And Orlando is full of ’em.
Here are 27 trendy restaurants every Orlandoan must try to earn the title of a true foodie.
Reyes Mezcaleria
821 N. Orange Ave., Orlando
Experience Reyes Mezcaleria’s sitting room during brunch with perfect sun or dinner with mood lighting. Their statement furniture pieces make a great ambient backdrop to any foodie’s authentic Mexican eats and, of course, mezcal-based cocktails. Credit: Photo via Reyes Mezcaleria/FacebookDomu
3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando, and 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando
This ramen bar gets packed! Domu makes their noodles in-house and they have tweaked their broth recipes to mouthwatering perfection. Because of this, and the fact that they don’t take reservations, ensuring a table at Domu is a challenge. The wait might be long, but it is so worth it. Credit: Photo via Domu/FacebookBlack Rooster Taqueria
1323 N. Mills Ave., Orlando
This taqueria offers a modern twist on authentic Mexican cuisine — and it’s delicious, so you can probably expect some lines. But with options like the shrimp and chorizo tacos, pozole verde bowl and classic tres leches cake and flan, it’s most definitely worth the wait. Credit: Photo via Black Rooster Taqueria/YelpThe Monroe
448 N. Terry Ave., Orlando
The Monroe is a swanky retro-restaurant located in Orlando’s Creative Village, offering up cozy vibes, tasty small plates and entrees, coffee and cocktails. Credit: Photo via The Monroe/Facebook
1809 Winter Park Road, Orlando
With a Michelin star, a reservation required for dinner, and a secret menu, this sushi and sake bar is a hot commodity. There are only nine seats, and tickets range from $155-$175 for one meal, so this is not your go-to for a casual night out. But if you’re in the mood to splurge on some to-die-for sushi, Kadence might be calling your name. Credit: Photo via Kadence/FacebookPig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa
1326 N. Mills Ave., Orlando
The rustic counter-serve joint is no secret to adoring Orlando foodies. Innovative flavors and traditional fire, smoke and pit BBQ methods combine to make this spot the BBQ landmark it is. Credit: Photo via Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa/YelpThrive
13 S. Orange Ave., Orlando
This cocktail lounge and eatery is made for foodies who crave unique flavor concoctions and dining experiences. And its charm is no secret, so be sure to make a reservation if you plan on paying a visit. Credit: Photo via Thrive/InstagramThe Strand
807 N. Mills Ave., Orlando
The Strand has embedded itself into Orlando’s restaurant scene with dishes made from scratch and daily specials using fresh, seasonal ingredients. This popular joint also keeps a rotating inventory of craft beers and wine. Credit: Photo via The Strand/YelpThe Ravenous Pig
565 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park
Using sustainable food methods and cooking with ingredients sourced close to home, The Ravenous Pig asks that you make reservations because there’s often a wait to get into this foodie heaven. The stylish gastropub and beer garden offers inventive New American eats, an in-house taproom and hand-crafted cocktails, all definitely worth the splurge. Credit:Photo via The Ravenous Pig/FacebookAVA MediterrAegean
290 S. Park Ave., Winter Park
The trendy Mediterranean hotspot in the heart of Park Avenue may be saturated in South Beach swank, but its menu packs real substance. That only makes people-watching at Ava all the more enjoyable. Credit: Photo via AVA MediterrAegean/YelpPizza Bruno
3990 Curry Ford Road, Orlando
The line is usually out the door at this pizza establishment known for its legendary garlic knots and scrumptious pizza. Get a glass of beer or wine, because there will probably be a wait — but it’s totally worth it. Cooked in a wood-fired oven for 90 seconds at 1,000 degrees, Pizza Bruno’s notorious char-spotted pizza represents true Neapolitan-style pie-fection. Credit:Photo via Pizza Bruno/FacebookHighball & Harvest
4012 Central Florida Parkway, Orlando
Don’t be intimated by the name Ritz-Carlton; the Highball and Harvest is chill with a hint of chic. Although the bartenders have mastered slinging Old Fashioneds, the rotation of Florida brews on tap is very tempting, as well. Credit: Photo via Highball & Harvest/FacebookOtto’s High Dive
4.5 out of 5 stars, 33 reviews
2304 E. Robinson St.
“After weeks of driving by and feeling the FOMO, I finally sat down at Otto’s! So excited this gem is in our Milk District neighborhood. We got a reservation for 5pm (latest available when we checked at the time) but it was perfect in time for happy hour. We shared a few plates but the crab salad and oysters were definitely our favorites!” — Dorsa V.
Photo via Otto’s High Dive/Instagram Credit: Photo via Otto’s High Dive/InstagramSantiago’s Bodega
802 Virginia Drive, Orlando
A winner of Orlando Weekly’s own Best of Orlando “Best Happy Hour,” Santiago’s Bodega is a Key West-themed tapas bar that delightfully pairs small plates with specialty sangria. Credit:Photo via Santiago's Bodega/InstagramHunger Street Tacos
2103 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park
Hunger Street Tacos offers Orlandoans fresh, authentic and creative Mexican-style street food at its flagship Winter Park location. You’ll spy the Fairbanks location by the iconic “Planting Dreams, Harvesting Hopes” mural by Lapiztola on the side of the building. Credit: Photo via Hunger Street Tacos/FacebookSusuru
8548 Palm Parkway, Orlando
Lewis Lin of College Park’s Jade Sushi & New Asian and managing partner Kenny Ly came together to create a “retro-themed izakaya” offering exquisite ramen, yakitori and takoyaki. Inspired by Showa-era style, this Japanese gastropub stays open until as late as midnight on the weekends to satisfy your slurping needs, both noodle and boozy. Credit: Photo via Susuru/FacebookNorigami
426 W. Plant St., Winter Garden
It’s no wonder a seat at this eight-person sushi bar is one of the hardest to come by in Orlando. Chef David Tsan’s menu offers seafood gems like geoduck, needlefish and blackthroat sea perch – all wrapped up in on an ambient, intimate dining bar. Credit: Photo by Rob Bartlett
100 S. Eola Drive, Orlando The Stubborn Mule is in high demand for its creative twists on American cuisine. Locally sourced food options and craft cocktails, beer and wine makes this eatery a popular stop for local and tourist foodies alike. Credit: Photo via The Stubborn Mule/FacebookProper
112 S. Orange Ave., Orlando
Proper, the new “vinyl listening room” and bar, has opened in downtown Orlando, providing a haven for folks who want to listen to some records while sipping on a quality beverage. Credit: Photo via Proper/Instagram
7705 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando
Chef Henry Moso is what makes the sushi game so strong at this high-end spot. There are a handful of rolls, none of which you’ll find at your average sushi joint, but it’s mostly sashimi and nigiri. Credit:Photo via Kabooki Sandlake/FacebookSoseki
955 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park
Soseki Modern Omakase is a 10-seat chef’s choice concept located in Winter Park, serving up globally inspired and seasonally sourced dishes that draw in even the pickiest of sushi snobs. Credit: photo by Rob BartlettHungry Pants
3421 S. Orange Ave, Orlando
Hungry Pants is a “plant curious” (meaning mostly vegan, some vegetarian, and some actual meat) fast-fine eatery housed in a vibrant, lively hangout space with a terrace and tons of trendy vibes. In addition to its hearty brunch, lunch and dinner eats, the spot also offers sweet treats and craft beers. Credit:Photo via Hungry Pants/Facebook
720 N. Mills Ave., Orlando Tori Tori is both a modern cocktail bar and a hotspot to grab some traditional Japanese pub food in Orlando’s Mills 50 district. From the mind of Domu’s Sean “Sonny” Nguyen, the spot offers classic and creative cocktails, sake, beer and wine, and eats like scallop crudo and wagyu gyoza. Credit:Photo via Tori Tori/FacebookBulla Gastrobar
110 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
Winter Park’s spot for tapas and cocktails, Bulla Gastrobar’s flavors are crafted by chef Diego Solano, who trained and cooked in some of Spain’s most prestigious eateries. Inspired by the ingredients and culture of the country, Solano has created an authentic vision of gastronomy at the Winter Park eatery. Credit: Photo via Bulla GastrobarBest Thornton Park or South Eola Restaurant
1st: Maxine’s on Shine, maxinesonshine.com
2nd: Soco, socothorntonpark.com
3rd: Stubborn Mule, thestubbornmuleorlando.com
All Best of Orlando® 2022 winners posted on 8/31/22 Credit: Photo by Rob Bartlett
1555 State Road 436, Winter Park Kai Asian is known for their Korean-style loaded fries, topped with a helping of kimchi and bulgogi, but they have other Thai, Vietnamese and Korean-influenced dishes too. Read our food critic’s review of Kai Asian here.Credit: Photo via Kai Asian Street Fare/FacebookHigh T
23 W. Church St., Orlando
This tripped-out themed bar is an ode to Alice in Wonderland in every way possible. From craft cocktails with a play on words such as “Maybe I’m Dreaming” and “Travel by Hat” to over-the-top decor, this spot is really a trip down a rabbit hole. Credit: Photo via HighT/Instagram
