Whether you’re looking to dazzle foodie relatives, impress them with your knowledge of hole-in-the-wall spots, or just get everyone out of the house, Orlando has the restaurants for you.

Here are 29 of the best local restaurants to take out-of-towners. 

Best Winter Park Restaurant


Winner: The Ravenous Pig
Finalists: Prato, Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine Credit: Photo via The Ravenous Pig/Facebook
Maxine’s on Shine 337 Shine Ave., Orlando Maxine’s on Shine offers regular live music, a hefty comfort food-filled menu, and weekend brunch perfect for a relaxing meal after the Thanksgiving chaos. Credit: Photo via Maxine's on Shine/Facebook
Valkyrie Doughnuts 12226 Corporate Blvd., Orlando Whimsical unicorn and tardigrade murals adorn the walls of this vegan doughnut and sweets shop owned by Celine Duvoisin of Valhalla Bakery. Valkyrie is known for its Instagrammable plant-based doughnut creations made from scratch. Credit: Photo via Valkyrie Doughnuts/Instagram
Gideon’s Bakehouse 3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando This small local cookie bakery serves up big flavors and over-the-top creations. Known for from-scratch recipes and almost half-pound cookies and cake slices, as well as a certain whimsical dark humor, it’s not a spot any Orlando sweet tooth should pass up. Credit: Photo via Gideon’s Bakehouse/Yelp

The Stubborn Mule

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/Facebook

Best Teahouse


Winner: Pom Pom’s Teahouse and Sandwicheria
Finalists: Infusion Tea, The Tea Lizard Credit: Photo via Pom Pom's Teahouse and Sandwicheria/Facebook
SoDough Square 223 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park SoDough Square has officially opened a second location in Winter Park. This new location brings the resto’s signature take on Detroit-style pizza to the Park, as well as a few extras that can only be found there, including capicola and hot honey added to the list of possible toppings. Credit: Photo via SoDough Square/Facebook
Briarpatch 252 N. Park Ave., Winter Park One of Winter Park’s most iconic and long-standing breakfast joints serves up contemporary American cuisine and brunch daily. With breakfast goodies like blueberry stuffed pancakes and raspberry-and-brie stuffed brioche french toast, it’s not hard to find a reason to wait in line here. Credit: Photo via Briarpatch/Yelp
Enzo’s on the Lake 1130 S. U.S. Highway 17-92, Longwood Enzo’s on the Lake got its start in a humble Central Florida home in 1980. In the years, the restaurant has become the area’s go-to romantic date destination par excellence, serving Italian cuisine with a chic spin. Credit: Photo via Enzo's on the Lake/Instagram
Kappy’s Subs, 501 N. Orlando Ave., Maitland Credit: Photo via KappysSubsfl.com
Susuru 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/Facebook
Prato 124 N. Park Ave., Winter Park Orlando Weekly readers’ “best Italian restaurant” three years in a row, Prato scores huge with Orlandoans for its authentic Italian dishes. You’ll battle crowds to get a seat at this loud Park Avenue “it spot,” but once inside, the rustic Italian creations will justify the body-checking. As you can read in our 2020 Prato review, “You’d be hard-pressed to find better meatballs in the city, seriously.” Credit: Photo via Prato/Yelp
Rise Southern Biscuits and Righteous Chicken 110 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park North Carolina’s Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken opened its Winter Park location earlier this year. Founded in 2012 by Tom Ferguson, Rise specializes in Southern comfort food including chicken sandwiches, biscuits, tater tots, fried okra and donuts. Credit: Photo via Rise Southern Biscuits/Instagram
Domu 3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando Domu is an Asian fusion restaurant with heavy hip-hop inspiration, according to the restaurant’s owner, Sean “Sonny” Nguyen. The restaurant offers exciting twists on noodles, specialty cocktails and small Asian plates. It maintains its Bib Gourmand distinction. Credit: Photo via Domu/Facebook
Best Curbside Service 1st: Beefy King, beefyking.com 2nd: Tijuana Flats, tijuanaflats.com 3rd: Miller’s Ale House, millersalehouse.com All Best of Orlando® 2022 winners posted on 8/31/22 Credit: Photo by OW Staff
Best Vegan Restaurant 1st: Ethos Vegan Kitchen, ethosvegankitchen.com 2nd: Winter Park Biscuit Co., winterparkbiscuitco.com 3rd: Hungry Pants, eathungrypants.com All Best of Orlando® 2022 winners posted on 8/31/22 Credit: Photo by Rob Bartlett
High Tide Harry’s 4645 S. Semoran Blvd., Orlando This decked-out fish spot boasts longtime local ties, fervent fans and a laid-back, “no frills” approach to simple seafood. Credit: Photo via High Tide Harry's/Facebook
Hunger 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/Facebook
Hungry 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
Kaya Orlando Credit: Photo by Rob Bartlett/Orlando Weekly
Cafe Tu Tu Tango 8625 International Drive, Orlando The funky tapas spot offers creative food and drink specials every weekday, plus live music and relaxed patio seating, too. With tons of shareable plates to choose from, signature cocktails and artists who paint while you eat, Cafe Tu Tu Tango garners some well-deserved crowds. Credit: Photo via Café Tu Tu Tango/Facebook
Best Steakhouse 1st: Linda’s La Cantina, lindaslacantina.com 2nd: Christner’s, christnersprimesteakandlobster.com 3rd: Kres Chophouse, kresrestaurant.com All Best of Orlando® 2022 winners posted on 8/31/22 Credit: Photo via Linda's La Cantina/Facebook
Bagel King 1455 Semoran N. Circle, Casselberry Bagel King is a go-to destination for bagel and breakfast lovers all over Central Florida. The casual, counter-serve spot has been operating since 1977 and is home of the “kettle-baked bagel.” The menu also features various soups, salads and sandwiches. Bagel King is open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Credit: Photo via Bagel King/Facebook

Chatham’s Place

7575 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando
Chatham’s Place has been part of the Orlando community for more than 30 years. Chef Tony Lopez, creator and owner of the restaurant, showcases locally grown produce and fresh ingredients in the eatery’s dishes. Credit: Photo via Chatham’s Place/Yelp
Aladdin’s Cafe 611 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland Aladdin’s Restaurant, first opened in Maitland in 1995, is one of the first family-opened Lebanese restaurants in Central Florida. The menu features an array of traditional, authentic Lebanese dishes. Credit: Photo via Aladdin's Cafe/Yelp

Lam’s Garden

2505 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Family-owned Lam’s Garden has been offering straightforward, traditional Chinese cuisine (and dim sum service) since it was opened in 1989. It’s packed out on holidays with Chinese families and college kids catching up on their holiday break. Credit: Photo via Lam's Garden/Facebook

Kai Asian Street Fare

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/Facebook

Otto’s High Dive

2304 E. Robinson St., Orlando
Otto’s High Dive is no sleepy watering hole. It’s a “neighborhood rum bar,” alive with the din of tipplers who gather amid an understatedly lush, design-forward space to down daiquiris, mojitos and Cuba libres — and excellent Cuban fare. Credit: photo by Rob Bartlett
Zaru 1114 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando The concept, which we first told you about back in July, is by James Beard Award-nominated restaurateurs Johnny and Jimmy Tung. Zaru’s intimate and striking 25-seat dining room will feature Udon noodles will be made from Japanese flour sourced from Kagawa Prefecture, the birthplace of udon, and will be offered in both hot and cold options, with and without broths, along with freshly fried tempura and a host of add-ons for a custom-built bowl. Credit: Photo by Rob Bartlett/Orlando Weekly

Additional Slideshows

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Orlando’s 25 hottest restaurants to open in 2023

Chloe Greenberg is the Digital Content Editor for Orlando Weekly.