ORLANDO RESTAURANT OPENINGS:
Pomelo, by Top Chef champ Hung Huynh, will open before the end of the year in the former Brass Tap space at 1632 N. Mills Ave. in Mills Park. The cocktail-focused venue will feature a menu of shareables and live-fire eats showcasing Southeast Asian flavors and Mediterranean flourishes. Expect the vibe to be relaxed, fun and loud … O-Ku, the sushi concept from Indigo Road Hospitality Group (operators of Corner Chophouse), will open before the end of the year in Minnesota Row, a mixed-use development at 1311 Minnesota Ave. in Winter Park. Expect contemporary digs and “authentic” and “innovative” Japanese cuisine courtesy of executive chef Cuong Le …
Kai Kai BBQ & Dumplings, the Cantonese stall inside Mills Market with a second stall slated to open next month inside the Hills City Center in Minneola, is opening an outpost next door to Kappo Sushi in the former White Castle Crave & Go space at 11815 Glass House Lane in O-Town West. The small takeout-only spot will have outdoor seating for those wanting to eat on-site. Look for it to open before the holidays … Norigami, the highly lauded sushi counter inside Plant Street Market, will also open next month inside the Hills City Center … Meanwhile, Kai Kai’s original founders, Jerry and Jackie Lau, have left their post at Moon Wok Kitchen & Lounge to focus on a pho concept called U-Pho that will open inside the new Enson Market food court at 11750 E. Colonial Drive near North Alafaya Trail …
Philly Shack (formerly Philly Bros.) with locations on South Semoran Boulevard and Curry Ford Road, has opened a third location at 1145 Townpark Ave. in Lake Mary. Their beef is cooked in tallow … Trader Joe’s has opened its third Orlando-area location, this one at 1444 N. Alafaya Trail in Waterford Lakes … Chez Lui Cafe, pouring ethically sourced coffee from Haitian farmers, has opened inside Kalalou Bar & Grill at 5160 S. John Young Parkway … Coincidence Cafe, offering fresh-baked bread, breakfast items, bagels, sandwiches, cakes and pastries in addition to coffee, has opened at 3765 N. John Young Parkway near the Packing District … Noon Sweets & Tea, serving bubble tea, premium matcha and a selection of house-made sweets, has opened inside East End Market.
ORLANDO RESTAURANT CLOSINGS:
Broken Strings Brewery at 1012 W. Church St. in Parramore will pour its last beer Nov. 30 … After more than 40 years, Marci Arthur’s cooking school, Truffles & Trifles, will close its doors in College Park.
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This article appears in Nov. 11-17, 2026.
