So far, 2019 has been great for Orlando restaurants. We’ve used old spaces in new and innovative ways (see Boxi Park and The Old Jailhouse) and added a lot more tacos, ramen and sushi because the City Beautiful can never have enough. Here’s a handful of brand-spanking new spots that have opened in Orlando in the past five months and need to be tried ASAP.

 

 

Chronic Tacos 7541 W. Sand Lake Road Sure to satisfy your munchies, this Dr. Phillips taqueria experienced a long delay in opening its build-a-taco concept – though, really, it’s not all too surprising given the joint’s name is Chronic Tacos. Photo via Chronic Tacos/Facebook
Domu Chibi 869 N. Alafaya Trail, 407-730-7260 Lines out the door have been the norm since Domu’s quick-service ramen concept opened at the Waterford Lakes Town Center. The menu isn’t as extensive as Domu’s flagship inside East End Market, but bowls of tonkotsu, shoyu, shiso, curry, butter miso and vegan spicy miso ramen can be had for less than $10, and that’s all that matters. Photo via Domu/Facebook
Hinckley’s Fancy Meats 3201 Corrine Drive, 786-671-1023 Matt Hinckley received many accolades and a lot of press (from the New York Times in particular) for his specialty butcher shop in Lake Helen, and now he’s parlaying that success into his first sandwich shop at East End Market. Get adventurous and try the Wapiti elk meatball sandwich. Photo by Rob Barlett
Artisan’s Table 55 W. Church St., 407-730-7499 The beloved downtown Orlando restaurant moved a block down into a bigger, more open space with a lot more lighting in February. The flavor remains just as good as ever, though – especially in their famous Japanese bowl (two eggs, japanese sticky rice, scallion, togarashi, sweet chili sauce and a whole lot of bacon). Photo via Artisan’s Table/Facebook
Imperial at Washburn 170 E. Morse Blvd., Winter Park, 407-415-8053 For-sale furnishings from John Washburn’s market travels comprise much of the decor at the shiny new Imperial in Winter Park. Aside from vermouths, beers and wines, try their delectable Imperial sliders with housemade pickles or chicken satay. Photo via The Imperial at Winter Park/Instagram
La Boucherie 7625 Turkey Lake Road, 407-930-1708 This French outfit from Limousin appropriated the concept and ideals of the American chain restaurant, Gallicized it, expanded it all over France and then brought it to Orlando. Start with foie gras, roasted bone marrow, seasonal terrine and escargots, then hit the steaks or indulge in blanquette de veau. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Boxi Park ?6877 Tavistock Lakes Blvd., 407-536-9666 A 30,000-square-foot park fashioned from shipping containers, Boxi Park is a mix of restaurants and bars at the Lake Nona Town Center. And they have everything – lobster rolls, fried chicken, burgers, tacos, health food and a cool black vanilla soft serve from Before It Melts. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Forever Naan 4205 Curry Ford Road, 407-601-0835 Finally, you can actually get a curry on Curry Ford Road. Proprietors Pooja Patel and Jasmeet Kaur work from family recipes to make spot-on samosas, curries, butter chicken and more. The decor, referencing several hit Indian films, will please Bollywood fans as well. Photo via Forever Naan/Facebook
MX Taco 207 N. Bumby Ave., 407-730-5241 This Milk District taqueria packs in a lot of flavor in a small space. Try the shrimp tikin xic taco, Pueblan chicken mole poblano taco dripping in crema, cotija cheese and sesame seeds, or the Oaxacan veggie taco with sweet potato, beans, mushrooms, cotija, pickled onions and mole. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Bread & Co. Artisan Bakery 1230 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park The same group that opened (and closed) Wonton Asian Kitchen in Winter Park made some interior modifications and converted the space into an artisanal bakery. Find delicious pastries, cakes, and of course, a ton of bread. Photo via Bread & Co. Artisan Bakery/Facebook
Gyroville 10360 E. Colonial Drive, 407-978-8191 The South Florida chain brings its build-your-own-gyro concept to the Reedy Plaza in east Orlando. Wraps, rice bowls and salads can be customized with gyro meat, pork or chicken souvlaki, or falafel. Photo via Gyroville/Facebook
Jaleo 1482 Buena Vista Drive, 321-348-3211 Chef José Andrés, the biggest name in gastronomy right now, just opened the largest branch of his tapas concept highlighting his fave eats from around Spain at Disney Springs. In addition to paellas and plenty of jamón ibérico de bellota, find gambas al ajillo (shrimp sautéed with garlic and chili) and chicken croquetas. Photo via Jaleo
Le House 595 W. Church St., 407-530-7024 The first Vietnamese restaurant to grace the Parramore District presents a focused menu of traditional fare – phos, noodles, fried rice and rolls, along with some stir-fried vegetarian options. Photo via Le House/Facebook
Le Ky Patisserie 2401 Curry Ford Road, 407-930-7308 Their web presence is limited, to be generous, but this French-Vietnamese bakery serves up Instagram-worthy cheesecakes, croissants and other baked goods, along with the occasional banh mi on fresh-baked bread. Photo by Le Ky Patisserie
Lotus Asia House 9101 International Drive, 407-250-8888 Karim El Sherif, former general manager and wine director at Restaurant Daniel in New York, brings his high-end, pan-Asian, Buddha Bar-ish concept to Pointe Orlando promising creative cocktails, DJs, dim sum carts and a bangin’ wine list. Photo via Lotus Asia House/Facebook
Midici 171 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland, 407-790-4527 Neapolitan pizzas of the highest order lend Maitland’s pizza scene added cred. Midici uses finely milled Caputo “00” flour and ferments it in-house for 24 hours, before they blister it out in 90 seconds at 900 degrees. Put a fork (and knife) in these pizzas – they’re done, and done right. Photo via Midici/Facebook
Naroodle Noodle Shop 10034 University Blvd., 407-853-4828 Fans of Naruto, the Japanese manga series, and fans of proper-good bowls of ramen converge at this UCF-area noods spot where the cooks and staff take both very seriously. Photo via Naroodle Noodle Shop/Facebook
The Old Jailhouse 113 S. Palmetto Ave., Sanford, 407-548-6964 Sanford’s original county jail has been converted into an eatery where delectable plates like Creole lamb, Lowcountry shrimp and sausage, and Sun Belt cioppino reign supreme. Photo via The Old Jailhouse/Facebook
Paris Banh Mi Café Bakery 1021 E. Colonial Drive, 407-866-2012 This French-Vietnamese fusion concept near Lineage Coffee and Lazy Moon Pizza serves a lot of banh mi, freshly baked French bread, gorgeous pastries and desserts, coffee and boba tea. Photo via Paris Banh Mi Café Bakery/Facebook
Proper & Wild 155 E. Morse Ave., Winter Park, 407-543-8425 Proper & Wild’s indulgent meatless fare includes “heartcakes” fashioned from hearts of palm, wild-grain risotto with cashew cream and roasted oyster mushrooms, and black gnocchi with activated charcoal. Photo via Proper & Wild
Rockpit Brewing 10 W. Illiana St., 407-826-1773 The coal-country-inspired taproom features 20 craft brews on draught, available in 9-, 12- and 16-ounce pours. We particularly like the McCoy’s Irish Red and the Quinnie Ginny Gimlet Gose, aged in St. Augustine Gin barrels. Photo via Rockpit Brewing
Pepe by José Andrés Disney Springs, 1482 Buena Vista Drive The celebrity chef’s first brick-and-mortar location of his popular D.C. food truck sells grab-and-go bocata sandwiches on ciabatta-like pan de cristal and bikini sandwiches employing thin, crustless white bread. Also Spanish sangria with sangria ice cubes. Photo via Pepe
Sette 1407 North Orange Ave., 407-704-7771 Va and Trina Gregory-Propst’s rustic Italian concept has only been open for a short time, but it’s already a hit. Enjoy house-made pastas and a hodgepodge of comforting fare like rustic stews and hearty risottos. Photo via Sette/Facebook
Sideward Brewing 210 N. Bumby Ave., 407-866-2195 The Milk District’s new brewery, taproom and kitchen serves inventive beer, cider, cold brew, and delicious bites. Photo by James Hand via Sideward Brewing Company
Sus Hi Eatstation 1830 E. Colonial Drive With “dojos” in Altamonte Springs, UCF, Lake Nona and Millenia, this new ninja-themed, build-your-own sushi joint in Mills 50 takes over the old Mai Bistro space. Make it “party ninja” style with chicken tempura, cheese, bacon, cucumber, avocado, scallions, wonton noodles, spicy krab, spicy mayo, white sauce, sweet soy sauce, sesame seeds and tempura flakes. Photo via Sus Hi Eatstation/Facebook
Sushi Pop/Chauhaus 115 E. Lyman Ave., Winter Park, 321-203-2282 Chef Chau Trinh’s edible tribute to Japanese pop culture has been giving people a reason to go to Oviedo for several years, but the new location, just off Winter Park’s Park Avenue, comes with a bonus. ChauHaus, serving Vietnamese staples like pho, bun bo hue and banh mi, uses the space to serve lunch Wednesdays-Sundays. Photo via Sushi Pop/Facebook
Susuru 8548 Palm Parkway, 407-778-4813 The tourist sector needs a few good Japanese joints, and this “retro-themed izakaya” by the same folks who run Jade Sushi & New Asian in College Park is one we city folk should be justifiably jealous of. They take their yakitori just as seriously as their takoyaki and, yeah, they got ramen. Photo via Susuru
Tamale Co. 2401 Curry Ford Road, 407-930-7308 The newest addition to the Hourglass Social House is another stationary outpost of popular food truck, Tamale Co., which has been slinging delicious varieties of tamales for several years. Photo via Tamale Co.
The Ramen 486 N. Orange Ave., 407-233-4801 Chef Suichi Tanida’s new downtown Orlando shop, The Ramen, features a selection of Japanese dishes, including ramen of course. You can never go wrong slurping down a bowl of their beef ramen with pork broth, moyashi, spinach, aji-tamago, menma, ito-togarashi and green onion. Try the dorayaki pancake. Photo via The Ramen/Facebook
Veranda 1700 W. Sand Lake Road, 407-730-9190 The city’s first Romanian restaurant (as far as we know) just opened in the plaza across from the Florida Mall serving a bevy of Eastern European delights, from traditional Romanian carnaciori (sausages) and mamaliga (a porridge of yellow maize flour) to braided breads and medovik (Russian honey cake). Plenty of Timisoreana beer to go around, too. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Z Asian Vietnamese Kitchen 1830 E. Colonial Drive On a strip with no shortage of Vietnamese restaurants, Z Asian serves “authentic Vietnamese food you can drink beer to” as well as Chinese and Thai dishes (Vietnamese chicken wings, pho, lo mein, orange beef, pad thai, curries and the like). Bonus: They serve dishes you don’t typically see around town, namely slow-cooked duck soup, seafood soup and wonton soup. Photo by Hien Q. Pham
Sanctum Coffee & Juice Bar 1150 Douglas Ave., 407-755-3651 Find sandwiches, salads, wraps, breakfast items, açai bowls and baked goods at this new bean-and-bev bar in Altamonte Springs. Try Sanctum’s new Sedona burrito, a wrap of sweet potatoes, beets, quick cabbage slaw, black beans, vegan queso and avocado ranch. Photo via Sanctum Coffee & Juice Bar/Facebook