Orlando’s restaurant scene has never been hotter. This summer, our team spotted the best restaurants for special occasions, date nights, or even just a lunchtime bite outside in the fresh air. These eateries include cheap bites to top-dollar treats, but all of them are part of Orlando’s foodie explosion.

 

Photos by Rob Bartlett
Credit: Photo by Rob Bartlett
Coco Cocina Mexicana Who knows whether serving regional Mexican fare in upscale digs is enough to reverse the curse of this South Eola space, but dishes like a bracing aguachile negro and crunchy/creamy chapuline-and-guacamole tacos give one hope. Weekend brunches are highlighted by $4 margaritas. 100 S. Eola Drive, 407-601-5750; $$ cocococinaorlando.com Credit: Rob Bartlett
Wine Bar George George Miliotes is one of the 140 wine professionals in the U.S. known as Master Sommelier, and he might just be the man to seat you at your table. The family-style wine-braised chicken ($59) is an entire, purple-hued chicken served in a large cast-iron-style casserole with mushrooms, pearl onions, Yukon potato hash, asparagus, and its own braising liquid perfectly transformed into sauce. A favorite small plate is the grilled octopus salad ($18), which is presented like a ceviche. There are plenty of wines offered by the glass, and there are lots of bottles within budget, starting at about $60. There’s also an “Outstanding by the Ounce” section, which highlights the best-of-the-best bottles from all over the world. Open daily at different times. 1610 East Buena Vista Dr., Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830; $$$$ winebargeorge.com Credit: Rob Bartlett
Kabooki Sushi Sand Lake Henry Moso, one of our city’s finest sushi chefs, brings his brand of high-end Japanese dining to Dr. Phillips. Stellar omakases (a one-week heads-up is recommended) are worth the pricy ($175-$250) admission, though an a la carte version is offered daily based on available ingredients for $150. Nigiri purists can readily indulge in a 10-course tasting for $65, but don’t overlook the cold and hot tasting items. Cocktails get crafty in a good way. Closed Monday. 7705 Turkey Lake Road, 407-776-2001; $$$ kabookisushi.com Credit: Rob Bartlett
À La Cart Inviting Milk District food truck park hosts five food trucks at an open-air pavilion with 15 rotating taps, surrounding a square patch of faux grass that acts as an informal beer garden. Brazilian steak, poke and Viet-Korean fare are offered every day, with Brazilian-style empanadas and SwedeDish’s Scandinavian offerings splitting a fourth spot. A daily rotating vendor keeps things interesting. 609 Irvington Ave., 407-776-4693; $$ alacartorlando.com Credit: photo by Rob Bartlett
Veranda Restaurant The veranda-less Veranda presents Eastern European cuisine from Moldova and Romania, from such peasant staples as mamliga (polenta cakes served with salty cheese crumbles and sour cream) to Ottoman-influenced meat rolls and mince patties. For the less adventurous, Italian dishes (think pastas and pizzas) are also offered. Open daily. 1700 W. Sand Lake Road, 407-730-9190; $$ verandarestaurant.com Credit: Rob Bartlett
La Boucherie French steakhouse chain makes its U.S. debut inside the Bay Hill Plaza, offering fare a cut above Outback, but not quite the level of a Ruth’s Chris. Steaks, naturally, are the focus, including cuts like rump steak, top sirloin and various ground steaks. The “maquignon” – a burger with hashbrowns acting as buns – is an ideal lunchtime option. For starters, consider escargots, foie gras or a seasonal terrine. For the steak-averse, traditional preparations of pot au feu and blanquette de veau will give you all the French feels. There are 12 dessert options to choose from. 7625 Turkey Lake Road, 407-930-1708; $$$ laboucherie-usa.com Credit: Rob Bartlett
Bolay Fast-casual joint in Lake Nona (with more outposts to come in Winter Park and UCF) lets guests build beautiful guilt-free and gluten-free bowls of deliciousness. Choose from nine different bases (everything from black rice and orange-basil quinoa to Asian sweet potato noodles and kale), layer on cooked veggies like ginger broccoli and smoky cauliflower, add some meat, other add-ons and a sauce, and have at it. Meats, btw, don’t suffer from the over-charring so often found at Chipotle. 12711 Narcoossee Road, 407-627-1990; $ bolay.com Credit: Rob Bartlett
Zero Degrees Fresh-fruit slushies, teas and coffee are this Cali-based chain’s signature offerings, but “Hispanic-Asian” food offerings make ideal accompaniments to such boffo iced bevs as mangonada and spicy watermelon. Chilotes – elotes topped with crushed Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and chicharrones – are as street as it gets, though popcorn chicken, wings and noodles keep things heated. 5282 W. Colonial Drive, 407-487-4597; also 1700 W. Sand Lake Road, 407-270-5164; $ zerodegreescompany.com Credit: Rob Bartlett
The Ramen This humble ramen joint by Suichi Tanida, the former chef at Epcot’s Mitsukoshi Restaurant, gives downtowners a healthy dose of traditional tonkotsu, shoyu and miso ramen. Don’t overlook gratifying donburi rice bowls or takoyaki. A handful of vegan options are offered. Closed Sunday. 486 N. Orange Ave., 407-233-4801; $$ facebook.com/pg/theramenorlando/ Credit: Rob Bartlett
Menagerie Eatery & Bar From the folks who brought you the Stubborn Mule and RusTeak comes the Menagerie, an eclectic joint with an equally eclectic menu that criss-crosses international culinary boundaries. You’ll find everything from Taiwanese Night Market chicken to curried cauliflower served with pisco sour relish to fried cod crusted in Frosted Flakes. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Sunday brunch until 3 p.m. 101 S. Eola Drive, 407-601-5358; $$ menagerieorlando.com Credit: Rob Bartlett
BaanChan Thai East Orlando Thai joint delivers a bit of the traditional (the pad Thai is solid) with a few dishes to lure the intrepid diner, like fried seasoned quail eggs; “Thai heaven beef,” aka fried beef jerky; and duck ramen in a lemongrass broth cloaking infernal red-hot chilis. Creamy Thai tea makes a great palliative. Closed Mondays. 10725 E. Colonial Drive, 407-270-8448; $ baanchanorlando.com Credit: Rob Bartlett
Buster’s Bistro Convivial Belgian gastropub in the heart of Sanford’s historic district has an amazing selection of Belgian brews on tap and by the bottle. Hearty dishes make fine accompaniments to all that beer, none more so than the short rib carbonnade. A deconstructed vol-au-vent’s got flavor, as does the poutine. Closed Mondays. 300 Sanford Ave., Sanford, 407-732-6880; $$ bustersbistro.com Credit: Rob Bartlett
Boxi Park Lake Nona shipping-container food park houses numerous food concepts, from burgers and tacos to fried chicken and lobster rolls. Beer, wine and cocktails are also offered in addition to live music, volleyball courts, playgrounds and a dog park. Open Thursday to Sunday. 6877 Tavistock Lakes Blvd., 407-536-9666; $ boxiparklakenona.com Credit: Rob Bartlett
Hinckley’s Fancy Meats Matt Hinckley, a champion of responsible agricultural practices, brings a wealth of experience to his East End Market meat shop, where his display case of smoked meats, terrines, rillettes and pâtés often stops folks in their tracks. Some mighty fine sandwiches can be had too, notably the crackling porchetta on ciabatta and a banh mi made with duck liver pâté. East End Market, 3201 Corrine Drive, 786-671-1023; $$ hinckleymeats.com Credit: Rob Bartlett
Jaleo Chef/humanitarian José Andrés brings his tapas concept to Disney Springs with much fanfare and it lives up to the hype. From sharable plates of pata negra and paella to grilled meats (the secreto is a must), the food – much like the 22,000-square-foot restaurant’s avant-garde and expressionist design – is impressive. Two different chef’s tasting menus are offered, and worth the splurge. Open daily. Disney Springs, 1482 Buena Vista Drive, 321-348-3211; $$$$ jaleo.com Credit: Rob Bartlett
Eola General Neighborhood general store by Sean Kelley (Henry’s Depot), Shaun Noonan (Dixie Dharma) and Joe Roberti (Grain & Ember) has plenty of good eats to go around, namely hearty sandwiches (get the French dip), boards (cheese, beef jerky, pickled veg and fruit) and breakfast items (bagels, sliders). You’ll find a nitro cold brew being poured courtesy of Wavelength Coffee, Swan City Bagels and pastries by Buttermilk Bakery. 522 E. Amelia St., 407-723-8496; $ eolageneral.com Credit: Rob Bartlett
Proper & Wild Chelsie and Jamie Savage’s high-end veg restaurant makes the perfect complement to the couple’s casual (and uber-popular) Sanctum Cafe. The plant-based cuisine has a tonier touch than the Colonialtown eatery, but dishes like spicy makhani curry, beet tartare and chickpea fries prove equally gratifying. Don’t pass on the burgers – the yellow curry and kimchi version is east-meets-far-east remarkable. 155 E. Morse Blvd., Winter Park, 407-543-8425; $$ properandwildwp.com Credit: Photo by Rob Bartlett
The Old Jailhouse An ambitious restoration and renovation easily makes this restaurant the most stunning in all of Sanford. Chef Bram Fowler’s “Sun Belt Cuisine” highlights everything from Southern California to Louisiana to Lowcountry staples. Cocktails are taken just as seriously here as the wine list. Don’t leave without a bite of the buttery bananas Foster bread pudding. 113 S. Palmetto Ave., Sanford, 407-548-6964; $$$ theoldjailhousesanford.com Credit: Rob Bartlett
Domu Chibi Waits can get long at this “quick casual” offshoot of the highly lauded Domu, but you’ll get legit bowls of ramen for under $10. Noodles aren’t made in house (they’re from the respected Sun Noodle) as they are at Domu’s flagship, but the broths and bases, like the 18-hour tonkotsu, certainly are. Rice bowls and smaller bites like gyoza and fries are offered too. Open daily. 869 N. Alafaya Trail, 407-730-7260; $ domufl.squarespace.com/chibi Credit: Rob Bartlett
Susuru The nostalgia-packed decor of this attractions-area izakaya dazzles as much as the brilliant menu of yakitori, ramen and small bites. Of note are the skewered chicken thighs and chicken skin, as well as the tubular chicken meatball drizzled with your choice of five sauces. Short rib, Kurobuta pork-honey sausage and even Brussels sprouts benefit from binchotan grilling. Don’t pass up the street corn nor the hamachi collar. Cocktails come camera-ready. Closed Monday. 8548 Palm Parkway, 407-778-4813; $ susuruorl.com Credit: Rob Bartlett
Forever Naan From-scratch curries highlight this small Curry Ford Road curry shop, though the samosas, delicately fried and not thick-skinned, deserve praise as well. Coming soon is an expanded menu of Indian street snacks (think pani puri and kebab rolls) and vegan offerings. Closed Mondays and Saturdays. 4205 Curry Ford Road, 407-601-0835; $ forevernaan.com Credit: Rob Bartlett
F&D Woodfired Italian Kitchen Sister restaurant to Lake Mary’s F&D Kitchen & Bar and F&D Cantina, F&D Woodfired Italian Kitchen serves a menu of Neapolitan-style pizza and hearty pastas (using local noodle maestros Trevi) to the delight of residents in the Hourglass District. Notable dishes: yielding meatballs of Italian sausage and pangrattato; thin-ribboned cacio e pepe with Italian pork; and a wild mushroom pappardelle in a lovely porcini cream sauce. Vegans, take note: There’s also a vegan pizza menu. Open daily. 2420 Curry Ford Road, 407-751-5697; $$ fdwoodfireditaliankitchen.com Credit: Rob Bartlett
Poke Hana Cool Mills 50 spot does poke right for purists and nonconformists alike, but there’s more than ruby cubes of fish to be had here. Crackly rice-shell tacos filled with everything from pulled pork to spicy salmon to grilled chicken are worth a look, as is musubi – be it Spam or vegan fried tofu. A serving of Dole whip is a tubular ending. 1225A E. Colonial Drive, 407-601-0283; $ poke-hana.com Credit: Rob Bartlett
Sette This Italian concept by Se7en Bites owners Va and Trina Gregory-Propst offers plenty of rustic bites and comfort, from house-made pastas like one-noodle lasagna and mushroom pappardelle to addictive arancini and “pot roast” risotto. Desserts, as expected, are of the epic variety. 1407 N. Orange Ave., 407-704-7771; $$$ setteitalian.com Credit: Rob Bartlett
Nic & Luc Scratch Kitchen Longwood breakfast and lunch spot goes beyond scrambles and omelets with remarkably fresh plant-based bowls, toasts and handhelds. Early risers will shine after sampling the “Everything Hummus” toast or “Buddha Bowl” with roasted beets and raw sweet potato, while a lunchtime patty melt is the stuff diner dreams are made of. Don’t leave without trying a buttery homemade cookie. Closed Saturday and Sunday. 851 E. State Road 434, Longwood, 321-972-6415; $ nicandluc.com Credit: Rob Bartlett