A lot of change happened this year, in the world of food and otherwise, so we thought it appropriate to highlight some of the major new eateries that popped up in the go-to foodie destination that is Winter Park.
Winter Park made waves in 2023 with new restaurants and bars to buzz about. Smashburger spots, champagne bars and noodle houses are just some of the brand-new foodie destinations to check out.
Flûtes
480 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
Flûtes champagne bar is a bubbly new addition to Winter Park’s bar scene, offering French-inspired drinks and atmosphere to the area. While the bar specializes in champagne, guests can also dive into select beers and wine on offer. Credit: Photo courtesy Flutes/FacebookCow & Cheese
400 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland
Cow & Cheese opened early December with a roster of just four “real deal” smashburgers. The hyper-focused menu allows owner Kwame Boakye to keep his burger standards high, fresh-baked brioche buns and all. Credit: Photo courtesy Kwame BoakyeJeni’s Splendid Scoop Shop
510 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
Find all the fantastic flavors put out by the iconic ice cream brand in its very own brand-new scoop shop in Winter Park. Credit: Photo via Jenis.comForward/Slash
650 S. Capen Ave., Winter Park
This new distillery blends barrel-aged American whiskey sourced from some of the most talented distillers in the country. Try whiskey, bourbon and rye in their tasting room, cocktail bar and bottle shop. Credit: photo courtesy Forward/Slash on Instagram
1035 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park Chuan Fu is a Sichuan restaurant by the owners of Chuan Lu Garden and U and Me Revolving Hot Pot in Winter Park. Its menue is mostly mala-coded — the fiery, numb-spicy Sichuan specialty — but fine dishes of the not-hot variety are available too. Credit: Chuan ZengSoDough 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/FacebookRise 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/InstagramSuperica
415 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
ThisTex-Mex hotspot with specialty margaritas, fresh-cooked tortillas and wood-grilled flavors galore is finally set to open in Winter Park later this fall. The restaurant features Austin-style Mexican cuisine like shrimp tacos, enchiladas, freshly house-made corn and flour tortillas, and more. Plus, there will be plenty of tequila to wash it all down. Credit: Photo via superica.com/buckheadStoryville Coffee Company
170 E. Morse Blvd., Winter Park
Home to Seattle’s most expensive latte at $8.50, a new outpost of Storyville Coffee Company will move into the recently vacated Imperial Kitchen & Wine Bar space at 170 E. Morse Blvd. in Winter Park. Credit: Photo via Storyville Coffee/FacebookChill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream
1100 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
The nitrogen ice cream purveyor is setting up shop at 1100 S. Orlando Ave. and slinging ice cream (both dairy-based and non) and toppings that are mixed and flash-frozen upon ordering using liquid nitrogren for maximum culinary drama. This is Chill-N’s first Sunshine State spot not in South Florida; the chain also has locations in Texas and Tennessee. Credit: Photo courtesy Chill-N Nitrogen/FacebookMaya Cafe Lounge and Gallery
1980 Howell Branch Road, Winter Park
You won’t find a flat-top, a hood or deep fryers here, but you will find a chunky eggplant dip ($14.95) blended with olives and dill and flecked with pomegranate and sesame seeds that’ll leave you blowing chef’s kisses to your mates. “It’s definitely one of our most loved dishes,” our server told us. Bites of prosciutto-wrapped mozzarella ($18) served on a cheese board and drizzled with honey, seemed hastily put together, but we tried to see the creations as “organic” in form and the missing filling of nuts a “culinary improvisation.” Credit: photo by Rob BartlettPark 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. Credit: Photo via Park Avenue Tavern/InstagramBar Italia
480 Orlando Ave., Winter Park
The Ohio-based chain should give those who lamented the loss of Brio Italian Grille inside Winter Park Village a proper fix of wood-fired pizzas and fresh-made pastas. The Italian eatery serves house-made sauces and dishes inspired by New York City’s best Italian restaurants. Credit: Photo via Bar Italia/FacebookChayote Barrio Kitchen
480 Orlando Ave., Winter Park
This contemporary restaurant, conceptualized by renowned Puerto Rico-based chef, Mario Pagan, offers elegant and bold interpretations of Latin-forward cuisine under the Nueva Mesa Latina, or “New Latin Table,” banner. Credit: Photo via Chayote/FacebookMares Peruvian Cuisine
528 S. Park Ave., Winter Park
Mares offers Peruvian specialties in Winter Park, with dishes like colorful ceviche, causa and seafood specialties, plus chicha and cocktails. Credit: Photo via Mares Peruvian Cuisine/Instagram
