Orlando is slamming itself onto Florida’s foodie destination map this year. With nearly a hundred new restaurants and eateries set to make their City Beautiful debut this year, it’s a pretty good year to be extra hungry.
We’ve got dining concepts from star-studded chefs, innovative food experiences and tons of flavor across the board. Here are dozens of Orlando’s newest restaurants open right now.
Check out our comprehensive list of the 77 new spots Orlando can expect to see later this year.
Papi’s Smashburger
66 E. Pine St., Orlando
Papi’s Smash Burger, new from Orlando’s own Chris Hernandez, is now in a soft open in its downtown location. And it’s ready to show up and show out with a unique atmosphere and burger creations made from 100% Florida grass-fed beef — plus a bar stocked with boozy shakes. Credit: Photo via Papi's Smash Burger/InstagramRusTeak Wine Bar
1681 Amazing Way, Ocoee
The popular Ocoee gastropub closed last June but opened just a mile down the road in spanking new digs. The chic interior includes a 16-seat indoor bar with a pass-through to the patio.
Photo via RusTeak Wine Bar/FacebookOtto’s High Dive
2304 E. Robinson St., Orlando
What’s not to like about a neighborhood rum bar oozing midcentury Cuban charm and a lively conviviality without the deafening clamor and clang? Aside from experienced bartenders shaking and stirring rum-based cocktails, Otto’s serves a focused selection of Cuban fare to boot.
Photo via Otto’s High Dive/InstagramSmoke & Donuts
601 N. Primrose Drive
After offering its superb barbecue at the now-shuttered Belicoso Cigars and Cafe in Mills Park, then being a resident food truck at À La Cart, Smoke & Donuts has finally gone full brick-and-mortar. And next to Se7en Bites, no less. Armed with one of the largest smokers in Orlando, S&D fires smoked meats and made-to-order cake donuts. There’s a full bar serving specialty cocktails as well. Credit: Photo via Smoke & Donuts/FacebookFriendship BBQ
5126 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Friendship BBQ, a stateside chain offering Xinjiang-style chuan’r (grilled skewers cooked over wood), has opened at 5126 W. Colonial Drive, next door to the Enson Market.
Photo via Friendship BBQ/YelpFuwa Fuwa
2008 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
The Toronto-based Japanese pancake chain will take over the old Subway building in Colonialtown and serve “fuwa fuwa” (or “fluffy fluffy”) soufflé pancakes and other dessert treats.
Photo via Fuwa Fuwa/YelpKos
449 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland
The socially conscious Nordic coffee shop in Maitland is still refining its menu, but from-scratch Norwegian waffles, Norwegian brown goat cheese (gjetost), Scandinavian open-faced toasts, skyr bowls, Norwegian smoked salmon, overnight oats and pastries are being offered, as well as natural wines and mimosas.
Photo via Kos/FacebookThe Moderne
1241 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
“Flamboyant,” “devious” and “spirit-forward” are categories of cocktails served at The Moderne, but could easily describe the vibe inside this self-described upscale social lounge as well. Asian-inspired small plates ranging from kushiyaki to noodles to hand rolls are on trend, much like the clientele.
Photo via The ModerneNorman’s
7924 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando
It’s been a long time coming, but Norman Van Aken’s eponymous restaurant has finally opened at the Dellagio Town Center in Dr. Phillips. The legendary chef, along with his trusted chef de cuisine Carlos Robles Molina, plate dishes touting (new) “New World” cuisine.
Photo via Norman’s/FacebookOverRice
1084 Lee Road, Orlando
The longtime food truck op is another in a line of mobile purveyors going brick-and-mortar this year. Apart from Pinoy staples like pork adobo, lumpia and pancit, chef-owners Mayra and Joel Paoner cook up a bevy of Hawaiian classics like kalua pork and chicken katsu.
Photo via OverRice/FacebookPark Avenue Tavern
558 W. New England Ave., Winter Park
The old Dexter’s space in Hannibal Square got a much-needed refresh when this Manhattan import moved in and decked the space out in a decent amount of leather. Like the Murray Hill original, expect tavern classics like steak frites, burgers and pastrami reubens.
Photo via Park Avenue TavernGame Room Social Club
55 N. Orange Ave., Orlando
Advertised as “Orlando’s newest sports and craft cocktail bar,” Game Room Social Club has opened in the old Lizzy McCormack’s space.
Photo via Game Room Social Club/InstagramOEC Taiwanese Cuisine
5270 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Orlando’s newest spot for fans of Taiwanese beef noodle soup.
Photo via OEC Taiwanese Cuisine/YelpStacking Philly’s
1145 Townpark Ave., Lake Mary
Cheesesteaks, hoagies and craft beers are this lunch spot’s specialties.
Photo via Stacking Philly’s/FacebookDescend 21
9801 International Drive, Orlando
Orlando’s newest social and entertainment lounge featuring TopGolf Swing Suites, billiards and scores of TVs, has opened in the old Urban Tide space at the Hyatt Regency Orlando. The menu offers everything from chicken pinchos with guava BBQ sauce to fried cauliflower tacos. Credit: Photo via Google MapsFord’s Garage
8201 Vineland Ave., Orlando
Prime burgers and comfort food are the highlights at this auto-themed chain eatery now open in Orlando.
Photo via Ford’s Garage Orlando/FacebookAji Express
5928 Butler National Drive, Orlando
Sister operation to Aji Ceviche Bar in Casselberry and South OBT has opened near the airport.
Photo via Aji Express/FacebookBarnie’s Coffee & Tea Co.
118 S. Park Ave., Winter Park
Barnie’s Coffee & Tea Co. recently celebrated the reopening of its flagship café on Park Ave. Both the interior and the menu have been revamped, with new items available for breakfast, lunch and brunch.
Photo via Barnie’s Coffee/FacebookSophia’s
6464 International Drive, Orlando
An “evolution-centered” restaurant inspired by Sophia, the world’s first robot citizen, has opened inside Roboland on I-Drive offering, uh, regional American fare. Do androids dream of smothered waffle fries? Maybe they do.
Photo via Sophia’s/YelpCrave Hot Dogs & BBQ
1737 S. Orange Ave., Orlando
Named among the “Top Ten Hottest Food and Restaurant Franchises of 2020,” the fast-casual dining spot has beguiled hot dog and bratwurst aficionados but also serves up brisket and pulled pork, and has a self-serve beer wall well-stocked with local brews.
Photo via Crave Hot Dogs& BBQ/FacebookChicharron Grill
3801 Avalon Park East Blvd., Orlando
Chef Roberto Treviño, the Food Network celeb who ran El Buda downtown as well as the ceviche program at Don Julio Mexican Kitchen, has opened Chicharron Grill at the Marketplace at Avalon Park. The restaurant offers “Puerto Rican-inspired cuisine.” Credit: Screengrab via Don Julio/FacebookPisco Express
9717 Eagle Creek Center Blvd., Orlando
Peruvian fast-casual eatery Pisco Express, from the same folks behind Don Julio Mexican Kitchen, has opened in Lake Nona. Their full-service concept, Pisco Peruvian Gastrobar, will open on Narcoossee Road sometime this year.
Photo via Pisco Express/YelpAtaj Moroccan
2901 Parkway Blvd., Kissimmee
Serving up traditional Moroccan dishes in an authentic atmosphere, Ataj is now open in Kissimmee.
Photo via Ataj Moroccan/YelpPalate Bistro
3900 Town Center Blvd., Orlando
Palate Bistro & Bar, a “fresh modern American” restaurant offering everything from spiced tzatziki meatballs to mini beef Wellingtons to coffee-rubbed pork chops, has opened in Orlando.
Photo via Palate Bistro/YelpSoDough Square
419 E. Michigan St., Orlando
Authentic Detroit-style pizza and Coney dogs are now being served at SoDough Square, the most Detroit restaurant in the city. Coney dogs, in case you’re wondering, are beef hot dogs on a steamed bun topped with a beanless chili sauce, onions and mustard.
Photo via Palate Bistro/Yelp Credit: Photo via SoDough Square/YelpFarm & Haus Cafe
526 S. Park Ave., Winter Park
The grass-roots rise of Farm & Haus from meal delivery service in 2014 (it was Farm-Haus back then) to East End Market stall to full-scale restaurant hasn’t been meteoric but, rather, biscuit-like. Expect dishes like the harvest hash, a well-composed breakfast bowl of sweet potatoes, farro and, among other things, locally sourced soft-boiled eggs. Credit: photo by Rob Bartlett
2816 Corrine Drive, Orlando From Chef Bruno Fonseca, the Foreigner experience offers guests a 10-course menu confiance-style (“trust the chef”) dinner, and patrons can watch the workings of the active kitchen. With plates ranging from Spanish, Italian and Portuguese cuisine with a selection of curated wine, Foreigner Restaurant aims for guests to feel welcomed the second they enter the eatery. Credit: renderings courtesy of The ForeignerBlack Magic Pizza
121 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando
Black Magic Pizza has opened its food window (literally a hole in the wall) at Whiskey Lou’s, in the space previously occupied by Itsa Chicken. Credit: Photo via @itsachickensandwich / InstagramNo. 2: Juju700 Maguire Blvd.
No other restaurant in the city quite captures the pulse and spirit of an izakaya than this eye-catching Colonialtown stunner by Susuru’s Lewis Lin. Juju’s interior, in all its revivalist Shōwa-era glory, is as captivating as the dishes coming out of the converted Pizza Hut kitchen. Lin has become equally adept at grilling meats and veg over binchotan coals as he has at dry-aging fish like yellowtail amberjack (14 days) and fatty tuna belly (45 days). However, Lin’s most noteworthy feat is that he’s managed to generate the kind of buzzy conviviality at Juju that money just can’t buy. Money, however, will buy a place at the six-seat kappo bar, where creative 10-course omakases are served for a mere $160. Credit: photo by Rob BartlettJust Salad
415 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, and 3119 Daniels Road, Winter Garden
This healthy chain is looking to sate your hunger in a (somewhat) sustainable way; their Reusable Bowl Program encourages customers to purchase a reusable bowl for $1 and then bring that back to use during each successive visit (with the added incentive of a free salad topping each time you flash your bowl). Credit: Photo courtesy Just Salad/Facebook
