Orlando, you’ve got 72 new restaurants, bars and sweet shops to look forward to in 2025

Last year brought a foie-laden flood of fancy tasting menu restaurants to town, all jockeying for the Michelin Man’s attention. But this year will mark a return to relative normalcy, with some of our most notable restaurateurs (Jason and Sue Chin, Juan Rios and Team Market Group) as well as some of our most beloved chefs (Lewis Lin, Michael Collantes, William Shen and Pom Moongauklang) poised to diversify our variegated dining landscape even further.

In the case of the Chins, the James Beard-nominated couple will potentially open three new restaurant venues, though we can only talk about one. And in a case of, “What is this? 2015?,” new food halls from Apopka to I-Drive will vie for the bon vivant’s buck. And maybe — just maybe — H Mart will finally open. From live-fire cooking and tableside shabu-shabu to theme park eats and wine bar sips, this list of new restaurant openings should stuff you to the hilt. If not, go for seconds.

Ace Cafe

A year after closing its garage doors in downtown Orlando, the biker bar/restaurant is being revived in the 73 Moto space in Sanford. Former Ace Cafe Orlando founder Steve Glum as well as 73 Moto and Henry’s Depot honcho Sean Kelley are behind the project. (Opening fall; 115 N. Laurel Ave., Sanford; instagram.com/acecafesanford)

Agave Azul

Juan Rios will be a busy man opening Naya in Maitland and working on the buildout of his yet-to-be-named live-fire concept in Mills 50. But expanding the concept that got him here will still be a focus when he opens his sixth Central Florida location of Agave Azul in O-Town West. Oh, and the local chain happens to be celebrating its 20th anniversary. Salud! (Opening July; 8685 Fenton St.; agaveazulcocinamex.com)

Agave Bandido

With two locations in Florida and one in Georgia, this burgeoning regional outfit plays up its over-the-top decor and classic Mex and Tex-Mex fare done right. The new building next to Ford’s Garage will feature a sizable covered patio and a tiki-inspired speakeasy. (Opening spring; 5365 Hamlin Groves Trail, Winter Garden; agavebandido.com)

Atlantic

Billed as an “undersea culinary fantasy reminiscent of an enormous Victorian aquarium,” the soon-to-open full-service resto inside Celestial Park (part of Universal Epic Universe) will offer seafood, steak and stylish cocktails. (Opening May; 1001 Epic Blvd.; universalorlando.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/dining/atlantic)

Beignets & Brew

The expansionist Miramar Beach-based chain specializing in the hot powdered-sugar-covered dough pillows will open locations in the old Downtown Credo space in the North Quarter and in the Super Target Plaza in Hunter’s Creek. Expect traditional and specialty beignets, smoothies, “power fizzies” and coffee to be served. (Opening March; 2079 W. Town Center Blvd. and 885 N. Orange Ave.; beignetsandbrew.com)

Black Bean Deli

After encountering numerous delays, Andres Corton will finally bring his media mañanas, media noches, and perfectly porcine Cuban sandwiches, not to mention filling plates of shredded Havana pork and picadillo, to a character- and charm-filled space in the heart of Winter Garden. (Opening August; 126 W. Plant St., Winter Garden; blackbeandeli.com)

Black Coffee/Cafe Negro Bistro

The Latin-ish concept by Univision personality Jose “El Negro” Figueroa serves breakfast, lunch and early-dinner fare, as well as weekend brunch, out of the old Winter Park Fish Co. space. The menu is overseen by Ángel Serrano, a fixture in Puerto Rico’s restaurant scene. (Open; 761 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park; instagram.com/blackcoffeecafenegro)

The Blue Dragon Pan Asian Restaurant

The other full-service restaurant slated to open inside Celestial Park at Epic Universe will offer a bevy of pan-Asian eats (tonkotsu ramen, smashed cucumbers, snowflake potstickers) under the glow of “ethereal lanterns.” The restaurant’s Tiger Bar will play into the theme with such cocktails as “Chengdu Dream” and “Khaosan Boba.” (Opening May; 1001 Epic Blvd.; universalorlando.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/dining/the-blue-dragon-pan-asian-restaurant)

Cevi’ch Central

Mares Real Peruvian Cuisine, the ho-hum Peruvian restaurant, has rebranded as Cevi’ch Central, a place where “Peruvian tradition meets flavor and innovation.” Their ultimate goal: a Michelin star. Sigh. (Open; 528 S. Park Ave., Winter Park; cevichcentral.restaurant)

Chubby Cattle

David Zhao’s all-you-can-eat wagyu joint is coming to Orlando, but where exactly has been the subject of great speculation. Yakiniku lovers will just have to salivate over the thought of tabletop grilling American, Australian and Japanese cuts of highly marbled beef. Seafood too. (Opening 2025; location TBA; chubbycattle.com)

City Food Hall

The old Hall on the Yard building in Ivanhoe Village will reopen under new ownership as City Food Hall, featuring a new lineup of food vendors. Danilo’s Pasta Bar chef DJ Tagalin is joining forces with Soseki’s Michael Collantes on three concepts inside the two-story space: Chez Les Copains, a classic French brasserie which has already opened upstairs; Asin, a Filipino chef’s tasting counter; and a reboot of Collantes’ Taglish, but with a new Filipino menu overseen by Tagalin. Other soon-to-open vendors include Ramen Takagi and egg sandwich outfit EggDose. (Opening spring; 1460 Alden Road; cityfoodhall.com)

Cowboy Curry

Chef William Shen (Sorekara, Zaru, UniGirl) is expanding his footprint inside Mills Market with this stall specializing in scratch-made Japanese curry plated with rice, veg and beef, particularly A4 and A5 Japanese wagyu, USDA Prime chuck and menchikatsu (wagyu trimmings). (Opening March; 1110 E. Colonial Drive; instagram.com/cowboycurryfl)

Croissant Gourmet

Let the croissant wars begin and the midriffs of pastry lovers be fattened, thanks to another location of Croissant Gourmet, just down the road from Buttermilk Bakery, from owner François Cahagne and new chef-partner François Paille, former pastry chef at Norman’s, London House and Lake Nona Wave Hotel. (Open; 900 Orange Ave., Winter Park; croissantgourmet.com)

The Current Seafood Bar

Mike Smith took over The Imperial in Sanford from John Washburn (who’s busy prepping the opening of The Imperial on Park) and will replace the cocktail bar with a raw bar serving everything from oysters and clams to tartares and ceviches. Beer and basic cocktails will also be served. Oh, and Smith will open yet another Current Seafood Counter, this one inside the Citgo gas station behind Juju at 3025 E. Colonial Drive, this spring. (Opening spring; 116 E. First St., Sanford; thecurrentseafoodcounter.com)

Dick’s Last Resort

No, this isn’t a hole in the wall but a Southern comfort spot known for its purposely obnoxious service. Back in 2016, Dick’s abruptly closed its Orlando location, leaving restaurant workers in the lurch. Dick move. Now they’re coming back “bigger and better” to Pointe Orlando. (Opening spring; 9101 International Drive; dickslastresort.com)

DZÔ! BBQ

Chi-Kin owner Hoi Nguyen took over the former Mongolorian space last summer with plans to open a Southeast Asian barbecue joint combining the best aspects of “real” South East Asian barbecue, from skewered meats to Vietnamese-style lemongrass spare ribs to Laotian sausage. While the menu is still in development, “small plates and shareables” is what they’re going for. (Opening 2025; 2217 E. Colonial Drive; no website)

Eastwood

Work continues on what is arguably Team Market Group’s most ambitious venture. Now that Nuri’s Tavern has opened and June is on the verge of doing so, the 3,300-square-foot live-fire restaurant across the street from Plantees will be the group’s focus. TMG chefs Nick Grecco and Jason Campbell are promising meats, fish and veg fired over a custom wood-burning grill and large-scale smoker. (Opening late 2025; 1024 N. Mills Ave.; instagram.com/eastwoodorlando)

Eola Food Hall

The 15,000-square-foot, two-story venue across the street from the Orlando Public Library will have 10 vendors, a full-service restaurant, a wine room/speakeasy and a cocktail bar, not to mention panoramic, floor-to-ceiling views of Lake Eola Park. The official vendor lineup will be announced later this spring or early summer. (Opening late 2025; 150 Central Blvd.; eolafoodhall.com)

Garni Café

The “uncomplicatedly French” restaurant is the latest addition to the Lake Nona Wave Hotel, which includes powerhouses Bacán and Nami. Executive chef Guillaume Robin presents such classics as coquilles St. Jacques, bouillabaisse, smoked beef bourguignon and profiteroles in a “botanical-inspired” dining room. (Open; 6100 Wave Hotel Drive; garnicafelakenona.com)

Glass Knife

Let’s be honest, this chi-chi patisserie belongs on Park Avenue. Their pretty pastries, gateaux, cookies and doughnuts will no doubt be a popular draw when the bakery’s second location opens in the old Financier Bistro space. (Opening summer; 212 N. Park Ave., Winter Park; theglassknife.com)

A Gourmet Chinese Cuisine

The Mills 50 restaurant formerly known as Chuan Lu Garden will reopen later this month after an extensive floor-to-ceiling renovation. Gone is the space’s signature chinoiserie and in its place, a contemporary aesthetic and a new name. The stellar Sichuan cuisine, however, will remain. (Opening March; 1011 E. Colonial Drive; chuanlugardenfl.com)

H Mart

Orlandoans have been waiting a looong time for this New Jersey-based Korean grocery store to open its first Florida location and, by the looks of it, we’ll be waiting a little longer to peruse the aisles of 185,000-square-foot space. Among H Mart’s offerings are food vendors, of course: Some that have been announced include Eggcellent Sandwich & Coffee, Myung Ga Korean BBQ & Tofu Soup, Paik’s Noodle, Chidon Katsu Place, Oh K-Dog & Egg Toast, U Chun Korean Restaurant, Jaws Topokki and Kung Fu Tea. (Opening late 2025; 7501 W. Colonial Drive; hmart.com)

Halls on 5th

The folks behind Apopka’s Propagate Social House acquired the 100-year-old Hall’s Feed Store building and will transform it into a multi-vendor space with craft cocktail bar, private dining experiences and outdoor seating. The hall’s anchor vendor will be a new concept from Thriving Hospitality (Thrive Cocktail Lounge, Bounce House, The Packwoods, Lamp & Shade Craft Kitchen). Other vendors include Soulicious Vegan Kitchen, Empanada & Co., Sweet & Salty, Butchers Nook, Parlor Kitchen and Parlor Waffle Kitchen. (Opening March; 15 E. Fifth St., Apopka; hallson5th.com)

Haraz Coffee House

The Michigan-based Yemeni café will pour creative Eastern- and Western-style coffee beverages using beans picked from the mountainous region of Jabal Haraz. (Opening spring; 1737 N. Alafaya Trail; harazcoffeehouse.com)

Heatwave

An LGBTQ-friendly restaurant concept will open where another iconic LGBTQ-friendly establishment — Stonewall — once stood. Heatwave will feature three interconnected spaces: a café, restaurant and hybrid theater-lounge. (Opening spring; 741 W. Church St.; heatwaveorl.com)

Hikiniku To Sumi

Lewis Lin will introduce Japanese Hamburg steaks, or hambagu, in this lunchtime subconcept at Juju’s kappo bar. Ground Japanese wagyu (procured from Palm Beach Meats) will be grilled over binchotan coals and served over steamed koshi-hikari rice made in a traditional clay donabe pot. (Opening spring; 700 Maguire Blvd.; susuruorl.com/juju-restaurant)

Hot Asian Buns

If you’ve sunk your teeth into Jimmy Nguyen’s and Chau Vo’s KFC with gochujang, nori, scallions and a creamy slaw served from their food truck, then you’ll likely make a beeline to Sanford baoery in the old Moon’s Subs space. BTW: Their steamed buns are handmade in small batches using all-natural ingredients free of preservatives. (Open; 204 S. Sanford Ave., Sanford; instagram.com/hot_asian_buns)

Hot As Rice Japanese Kitchen

A Japanese teppanyaki concept akin to the wildly popular Pepper Lunch (which is also slated to open this year) will tender their do-it-yourself dishes on the site of the now-demolished 7-Eleven near the intersection of Mills Avenue and Colonial Drive. (Opening fall; 729 N. Mills Ave.; instagram.com/hotasriceorlando)

The Imperial on Park

John Washburn may have sold The Imperial in Sanford but, after snagging the old Parkview space, he’s gained a presence on desirable Park Avenue. Business partner Drew Weisner, who also served as the executive chef of Dexter’s Thornton Park back in the day, is developing the menu for a space that now has a hood system in place. (Opening March, 136 S. Park Ave., Winter Park, imperialwinebar.com)

Jabal Coffee House

Like Haraz Coffee House, Jabal will feature luxe environs and premium Yemeni coffee sourced from the mountainous region of Jabal Haraz. Light, medium and dark roasts flavored with spices like cardamom, nutmeg, cloves and ginger will be the specialty. (Opening April; 8335 S. John Young Parkway; jabalcoffeehouse.com)

June

A restaurant specializing in the cuisine of the Yucatán Peninsula accented with Asian influences will open in the old Graffiti Junktion space in Thornton Park. The new venture from Team Market Group will celebrate “clean and simple” flavors in their sashimi, aguachiles, ceviches, tamales, rice dishes and proteins. (Opening May; 700 E. Washington St.; juneorlando.com)

Leiah

Billed as a “chef driven home-style kitchen that makes perfect symphony with the most luxurious elements of land and sea,” the downtown restaurant on the ground floor of the Hilton Garden Inn is fronted by chef Omar Torres, who will also offer a chef’s tasting experience on Fridays and Saturdays. (Open; 409 N. Magnolia Ave.; leiahrestaurant.com)

Lorelei Wine Bar

This venture by Arthur Boothe and Julian Burgos of Death in the Afternoon and Suffering Bastard fame promises “fun and delicious” varietals served in environs curated by GDP Designbuild. The wine bar is named after the German siren of lore so, yes, German wines will be served, as will a menu of sharable plates by chef Eric Norvelus. (Opening April; 737 N. Thornton Ave.; instagram.com/loreleionthornton)

Luminescent

The high-end coffee and cocktail bar will distinguish itself with an interior employing an ever-changing lighting scheme and a menu of Indian street eats. (Opening summer; 12286 E. Colonial Drive; instagram.com/luminescent.orlando)

Mao Mao

Lewis Lin’s handroll concept set to move into the space next door to Susuru is still a go. Mao Mao will be similar in style to Mari in Hell’s Kitchen and will offer handrolls with “fun” Japanese toppings and high-quality fish from a 12-seat bar. (Opening late 2025; 8546 Palm Parkway; no website)

Mikiya Wagyu Shabu House

From the same folks behind Chubby Cattle, this AYCE wagyu shabu-shabu concept is slated to open next to Maggiano’s in Pointe Orlando. Premium ingredients and an umami-rich broth will make for a luxe experience. (Opening 2025; 9101 International Drive; mikiyashabu.com)

Mosonori

The handroll bar by four-time James Beard Award nominee Henry Moso will very likely wow the Dr. Phillips set, just as Mosonori on Orlando Avenue did the Winter Park crowd. The old Steak on Fire space is designed by the same firm (GDP Designbuild) and the cylindrical rolls will utilize the same premium nori Moso sources from a small processor in Fukuoka. (Opening April; 7541 Sand Lake Road; mosonori.com)

Nabe

Lewis Lin, along with investor partners Khoa Nguyen and Keren Swanson, opened this 100-seater specializing in wagyu shabu-shabu next door to Peperoncino in the Dellagio Town Center. In addition to slices of highly marbled Japanese beef and umami-rich broth, Nabe offers premium seafood as well as cocktails and a sake program. Pop by Nola’s Ice Cream, situated in the same space, on your way out. (Opening March; 7988 Via Dellagio Way; nabeorl.com)

Naya Comida + Barrita

Agave Azul’s Juan Rios will anchor the Trelago Market in Maitland with this contemporary Mexican wood-fire concept. The menu will be centered around three elements dating to pre-Hispanic times — wood fire, nixtamal and mezcal. Naya will be inspired by the Pacific coast of Riviera Nayarit, featuring handcrafted tortillas using organic masa imported from Mexico along with mezcal and tequila-centric cocktails. (Opening July; 601 Trelago Way, Maitland; instagram.com/nayacomida)

Naz’s Halal Food

Moving into the old World Famous House of Mac space in SoDo is this burgeoning chain, which started out as a food truck in Queens, NY. The restaurant will offer a variety of meats (lamb, chicken, fish, kofta and chapli kebab) served over rice as well as gyros, wings, burgers, cheesesteaks and more. (Opening March; 2435 S. Orange Ave.; nazshalal.com)

Noir Bar

The North Quarter has long been in need of a top-shelf bar, and the sister op to Talay next door will do just that in the form of Thai-inspired cocktails, tapas and a lush, moody vibe. (Opening March; 861 N. Orange Ave.; instagram.com/noirbarorlando)

Nola’s Ice Cream

Marie Mercado of the Greenery Creamery and Sampaguita Ice Cream teamed up with investor partners Khoa Nguyen and Keren Swanson to open this sweet treatery specializing in, hold on to your cholesterol pills, fried doughnut ice cream sandwiches. The shop also offers classic ice cream scoops with plenty of Asian inspiration, sundaes and floats. It’s also situated in the same space as Lewis Lin’s shabu-shabu concept Nabe. (Open; 7988 Via Dellagio Way; instagram.com/nolasicecream)

Nuri’s Tavern

Tavern-style pizza has come to the downtown core courtesy of Team Market Group, who made over their own Robinson Coffee Room space as Nuri’s Tavern. Tavern-style pies, noted for their thin, crackly crusts, are offered here in 12-inch rounds that are “party-cut” so that guests can have a beer in one hand and a square in the other without having to put either down. (Open; 63 E. Pine St.; nuristavern.com)

Oak & Stone

The beer and pizza tavern by Artistry Restaurants will join sister restos Boca, Atlantic Beer & Oyster, and The Chapman on Park Avenue later this year. Oak & Stone will move into the 310 Park South space and feature stone-fired pies as well as an expansive self-serve beer wall very much like the restaurant’s seven other locations on the Gulf Coast. (Opening late 2025; 310 S. Park Ave., Winter Park; oakandstone.com)

Okonomi

It’ll be another busy year for William Shen, who’ll open Japanese curry concept Cowboy Curry inside Mills Market as well as Okonomi, a casual sushi concept with a refined presentation of (mainly) nigiri. (Opening May; 1110 E. Colonial Drive; instagram.com/okonomifl)

The Original Rainbow Cone

The 100-year-old Chicago institution will open an outpost inside the Waterford Lakes Town Center. The star, of course, is the five-layer cone featuring chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House (vanilla with cherries and walnuts) and pistachio ice cream topped with orange sherbet. (Opening March; 461 N. Alafaya Trail; rainbowcone.com)

Outpost Neighborhood Tavern

The new venture by Devon Tillman (former owner of Island Time/The Garden Bistro in Thornton Park) and John Teixeira (owner/commissioner of OUT Sports League) will bring an American-inspired menu as well as, Holy DeSantis!, a weekly drag brunch. And, no, this Outpost has absolutely no affiliation to the Outpost Neighborhood Kitchen, which shuttered under dubious circumstances last year at the Maitland City Centre. Might be a good idea to consider a name change regardless. (Opening spring; 227 N. Eola Drive; instagram.com/outpostorl)

Oza Kai

Tim Liu, the man behind neighborhood joints Mikado Sushi in MetroWest, Boku Sushi in Maitland and Oza Izakaya in Williamsburg, will bring Oza Kai to the heart of Mills 50. The restaurant will house a 10-seat sushi bar where omakases will be presented by a chef Liu is bringing in from Japan. The 120-seat restaurant will also offer a menu of less formal Japanese fare that will be served in what Liu describes as three “modern tatami rooms” as well as a sunroom and an outdoor lounge. (Opening spring; 1821 E. Colonial Drive; ozaizakaya.com)

The Packwoods

The craft cocktail bar from Thriving Hospitality (Lamp & Shade Craft Kitchen, Thrive Cocktail Lounge & Eatery) joins Wave Asian Bistro, Pizza Bruno and Foxtail Coffee, the food vendors inside the Maitland Social. Their 1,400-square-foot space focuses only on cocktails — food isn’t served. (Open, 360 E. Horatio Ave., Maitland, thrivinghospitalityent.com)

Parliament on Pine

The former home of CityArts Factory and Sak Comedy Lab will soon be home to a new version of the iconic Parliament House, with another local icon — Pom Moongauklang of Pom Pom’s Sandwiches — handling the food program at the two-story venue. Moongauklang will also take charge of culinary ops at Parliament House Ivanhoe, in the old M Lounge space at 2000 N. Orange Avenue. (Opening 2025; 29 S. Orange Ave.; instagram.com/parliament_house)

Pepper Lunch

Guests will sear their own meats and veg at this popular Japanese DIY teppanyaki chain. Just when and where exactly, we don’t yet know. (Opening 2025; location TBD; pepperlunchrestaurants.com)

Perla’s Pizza

Chef Michael Collantes will resuscitate his pie concept just two doors down from his other concepts, Soseki and Bar Kada. The space, previously home to the Winter Park Collective and the Wine Barn before that, is being completely gutted to make way for ovens that will fire, as Collantes says, “Florida Man pizza.” Perla’s will develop a cocktail program to complement those rounds. (Opening spring; 959 W. Fairbanks Ave. Winter Park; instagram.com/perlaspizza)

Pig Floyd’s Winter Park

Thomas Ward has been hard at work (almost four years!) gutting the old Bubbalou’s building, and construction is finally nearing completion. Traffic is steady on Lee Road so, thankfully, the new location will have a drive-thru. (Opening spring, 1471 Lee Road, Winter Park, pigfloyds.com)

Pisco Peruvian Gastrobar

Like the original Lake Nona location, Pisco in Lake Mary offers an indulgent ambience, bespoke cocktails and some of the best anticuchos and ceviches in town. (Open; 3801 W. Lake Mary Blvd., Lake Mary; piscoperuviangastrobar.com)

Pom Pom’s Sandwiches

Four months after closing her Milk District mainstay, Pom Moongauklang up and announced that she was partnering with Vinnie Nguyen and reopening Pom Pom’s (sans teahouse) in the old Salvatore’s stall inside Henry’s Depot. Expect old faves, like the Fu Manchu with Asian pulled pork and ginger-cranberry chutney and the Big Daddy with turkey, ham and roast beef. Pop-ups will be staged in March prior to the April opening. (Opening April; 212 W. First St., Sanford; instagram.com/pompomsteahouse)

The Rev

The concept, by Santiago’s Bodega owner Jason Dugan, was announced more than four years ago as Ramen Revolution. The name has since been truncated, but you won’t be sold short on chef Jose Hernandez’s menu of ramen, seafood and oysters. (Open; 728 Virginia Drive; instagram.com/therevorlando)

Schmankerl Stub’n

Daniel Gabor shuttered his modern German restaurant on South Orange Avenue with the intent to relocate, as he put it, “anywhere but downtown.” That location hasn’t been announced as yet, but we’re sure to see the talented chef whipping up his scratch-made German classics and modern dishes sometime this year. (Opening 2025; location TBA; instagram.com/schmankerlstubnorl)

Shokupan Bakehouse

From the folks behind Chiffon Culture Bakery Café comes this eatery that will serve hot sandwiches and hot meals crafted with shokupan milk toast, as well as a variety of house-made croissants and baked goods, out of the old Hangry Dobo space. (Opening summer; 12140 Collegiate Way; instagram.com/shokupanbakehouse)

Soni’s Bakery

Winter Park’s less glamorous side will get an injection of glamour when Soni’s reopens with a revamped interior and revamped menu. Fret not: The chi-chi cakes and cupcakes will remain. (Open; 1502 N. Semoran Blvd., Winter Park; instagram.com/sonisbakeryfl)

Sparrow

A wine bar and lounge by Good Salt Restaurant Group’s Jason and Sue Chin, overseen by Reyes Mezcaleria executive chef/partner Wendy Lopez, will lend Southern Euro vibes to the North Quarter this spring. The cozy 1,978-square-foot space that sits about 100 feet away from Reyes will incorporate a warm and inviting backdrop for Lopez to serve a creative, and eclectic, tapas menu. (Opening April; 807 N. Orange Ave.; sparroworlando.com)

Star Gyros and Grill

This Turkish restaurant replaced another Turkish restaurant, Cappadocia Turkish Cuisine, but the offerings — aside from the addition of pizza and burgers — are much the same. And the lavash is just as poofy. (Open; 565 N. Semoran Blvd.; stargyrosandgrill.com)

Steel Chef’s Market

A Travelodge by Wyndham is being transformed into a multi-level food hall fashioned from shipping containers. The compound will feature 14 separate food vendors, a rooftop bar and an exhibition kitchen. (Opening late 2025; 7200 International Drive; no website)

Taco’s Lab

Not to be confused with Taco Labs (the Boca Raton-based chain of taquerias), Taco’s Lab will open in the old King Bao space promising a “full-blown flavor experiment engineered to blow your mind” and “taco insanity.” Their tacos de comal will be crafted from handmade tortillas using nixtamalized blue corn and other specialty varieties. (Opening spring; 1881 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park; instagram.com/tacoslab.co)

Talay

Owned by the same folks who run the highly lauded Isan Zaap, Talay offers a menu of refined, gorgeously plated, seafood-leaning Thai fare from an equally gorgeous space. Hard to believe this was once City Pub. Enjoy pre- or post-meal cocktails at sister op Noir Bar next door. (Open; 861 N. Orange Ave.; talayorlando.com)

Tamale Co. Modern Kitchen & Bar

The space recently vacated by Mid Drive Dive will soon see hand-crafted tamales and Mexican street fare courtesy of Tamale Co. owners Fernando and Jennifer Tamayo. A full bar with a full beverage program (tequila and mezcal will feature prominently) will also be offered just in time for Cinco de Mayo. (Opening May; 2401 Edgewater Drive; tamaleco.com)

TK Coffee & Donuts

The Longwood sweet shop next to Ali Baba serves handcrafted doughnuts in such flavors as strawberry shortcake, creme brûlée and honey-coconut coffee. Boba, and breakfast items like sausage rolls and croissant rolls, are also a draw. (Open; 1155 W. State Road 434, Longwood; instagram.com/tkcoffeedonuts_fl)

Tropixs Lounge & Eatery

This ambitious venture from Negril Jamaican Restaurant chef/owner Steve Myers will lend downtown an upscale island vibe. The restaurant buildout inside the old TD Bank space within the historic Metcalf Building should prove challenging. (Opening late 2025; 100 S. Orange Ave.; instagram.com/tropixslounge) 

Turci Osteria Italiana

Vinicius Turci of Turci Panino, Turci Pasta and Luca Turci Italian Restaurant will open a fourth concept, Turci Osteria Italiana, in the former Midici space at Maitland City Centre — once he clears all the permitting hurdles. (Opening fall; 171 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; instagram.com/turciosteria)

Unnamed Restaurant by Juan Rios

The Mexican restaurant by Agave Azul honcho Juan Rios moving into the Armstrong Lock building and inspired by the jungles of Tulum and the Riviera Maya had a name (B’alam Maiz y Agave), but Rios will be changing the name prior to its opening. The seafood-leaning restaurant will also feature plenty of live-fire cooking, not to mention house-made corn tortillas and an extensive tequila list. (Opening late 2025; 1120 N. Mills Ave.; no website)

Unnamed Restaurant by Pom Moongauklang

The space that long housed Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria will receive a complete refresh and a new concept by the versatile chef. Moongauklang says that the restaurant will see her “put on her chef coat” and add some “molecular touches” to the dishes she presents. Tasting menu? Probably. (Opening fall; 67 N. Bumby Ave.; no website)

The Yardery

The family-friendly, 5,400-square-foot restaurant will feature the only rooftop bar in Lake County, along with 11,000 square feet of yard and patio space for games and activities. (Opening March; 221 N. Baker St., Mount Dora; theyardery.com)

Zen Dumpling

The Jacksonville-based restaurant specializing in soup dumplings, steamed dumplings, pan-fried dumplings, fluffy pan-fried bao and boba tea is already wowing patrons at their just-opened Waterford Lakes location. They’ll wow even more when a second location at 420 E. Altamonte Drive in the old Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza spot opens this summer. (Open; 423 N. Alafaya Trail; zendumplings.com)

2026 AND BEYOND:

Culinary Health Institute

Chef Michael Collantes of Michelin-starred Soseki and handroll bar Sushi Saint will oversee the culinary concepts at the 4Roots Farm Campus as a “culinary partner” at John Rivers’ sprawling complex. Collantes will curate the food and beverage program on campus, including a grab-and-go market, catering, a cocktail bar, a restaurant specializing in live-fire cooking and a chef’s counter offering a higher-end, multi-course tasting. He’ll also develop a fermentation and preservation program. (Opening late 2026; 1918 W. Princeton St.; 4rootsfarm.org/chi)

Sama

Amit Kumar’s ambitious Winter Park venture is the Indian restaurant this city needs. Kumar, who runs Bombay Street Kitchen, Aashirwad and Tamarind, is planning on building a multi-level, multi-concept, 8,000-square-foot behemoth on the land that housed Fuji Sushi and Dry Clean World on Lee Road. Modern, innovative and uniquely plated Indian cuisine will be served on the main floor, while a cool and trendy small plate concept will greet patrons upstairs. (Opening 2026; 1449 Lee Road, Winter Park; no website)

Storyville Coffee Company

The café is home to one of Seattle’s most expensive lattes, but Winter Parkers can soon get a taste when Storyville opens a branch inside the recently razed two-story structure that previously housed Imperial Kitchen & Wine Bar. The company, based in Bainbridge Island, Washington, is owned by Full Sail co-chairman Jonathan Phelps and has two locations in Seattle. The café will occupy the ground floor of a proposed three-story, 11,280-square-foot building that will encompass office space and apartments. (Opening 2026; 170 E. Morse Blvd., Winter Park; storyville.com)

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This article appears in Mar 5-11, 2025.