Leiah 409 N. Magnolia Ave., Orlando Leiah Restaurant, the downtown boîte on the ground floor of the Hilton Garden Inn fronted by chef Omar Torres, opened in March. The restaurant is billed as a “chef driven home-style kitchen that makes perfect symphony with the most luxurious elements of land and sea.” Credit: Photo via Leiah/Facebook
A new addition to the city’s culinary scene has taken shape in downtown, and it’s aiming to raise the bar — while planted firmly on the ground floor.

Leiah aims to bring an “elevated dining” experience to Orlando, now in soft-open mode in the space formerly occupied by City Diner on the ground floor of the Hilton Garden Inn building at 409 N. Magnolia St., with full dining coming soon.

Helming the kitchen is chef Omar Torres, whose experience includes time at the Ritz-Carlton, Waldorf Astoria and Marriott Autograph Collection. Leiah’s menu focuses on dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, ethically sourced seafood and an extensive selection of curated wines, the restaurant says.

The “kitchen and wine cellar” promises a refined yet welcoming atmosphere. The grand opening date has yet to be announced, but for now, diners can get a first taste during the soft-opening period — because good things come to those who make a reservation (available online now).

Subscribe to Orlando Weekly newsletters.

Follow us: Apple News | Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky | Or sign up for our RSS Feed

This article appears in Feb 26 – Mar 4, 2025.