Wining and dining season is here. Valentine’s Day is racing right up on us, which means it’s time to kick reservation mode into high gear. Whether you’re looking to book a romantic dinner for two, a friends’ night out or even a solo date, there’s an abundance of romantic restaurants awaiting you around town.
Here’s where to find Orlando’s best candlelit cozy spots, intimate tapas bars, extravagant splurge spots and classic romantic eateries.
448 N. Terry Ave., Orlando
The Monroe is a swanky restaurant located in Orlando’s Creative Village, offering up cozy vibes, tasty small plates and entrees, coffee and cocktails. Credit: The Monroe/Facebook
1130 S. U.S. Highway 17-92, Longwood
Enzo’s on the Lake got its start in a small Central Florida home in 1980. Over the years, the restaurant has become the area’s go-to scenic dining destination, serving Italian cuisine with a chic spin. Credit: Enzo's on the Lake/Facebook
930 N. Mills Ave., Orlando
This “friendly neighborhood absinthe house” launched in late 2023 and was named for the Ernest Hemingway-invented cocktail made with champagne and absinthe. Expect a moody, speakeasy feel and, as you can probably imagine, strong drinks. Credit: Photo via Death in the Afternoon/Google Maps
1241 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
The Moderne is a contemporary cocktail bar serving up a rotating menu of both classic and reinvented beverages, plus tasty Asian-inspired tapas.
Credit: Google Maps
17 W. Church St., Orlando
The focus on bringing in a ritzy clientele gives the interior of this downtown Orlando restaurant the feeling of a time warp — back to when going to get a nice steak was the finest thing a discerning eater could do for themselves. But you might be surprised by the healthy selection of vegan choices on the menu as well. Credit: Kres Chophouse
348 N. Park Ave., Winter Park
Garp and Fuss is the place to be if you’re trying to treat your taste buds to something new. But the best way to do it is to grab a seat in the beautiful indoor patio-esque dining room, with greenery crawling up the walls and the sun (or moon) shining through the windows overhead. Credit: Garp & Fuss/Facebook
618 N. Thornton Ave., Orlando
At Kaya, a modern Filipino restaurant, there’s a homey feel and a menu that deliberately tests any preconceived notions people may have of Filipino fare. Credit: Kaya/Facebook
720 N. Mills Ave., Orlando
Tori Tori is both a modern cocktail bar and a hotspot to grab traditional Japanese pub food in Orlando’s Mills 50 district. From the mind of Domu’s Sean “Sonny” Nguyen, the spot offers classic and creative cocktails, sake, beer and wine and eats like scallop crudo and wagyu gyoza. Credit: Tori Tori/Facebook
807 N. Orange Ave., Orlando
Wine bar and restaurant Sparrow, about 100 feet away from Reyes Mezcaleria, offers a menu drawing on executive chef/partner Wendy Lopez’s heritage. But flavors and techniques from Portugal, Italy and France also pepper the bill of fare with continental classics like tortilla Española, patatas bravas, jamón ibérico and conservas served alongside bacalhau croquetas, cacio e pepe and prawn de bourgogne. Credit: Sparrow/Facebook
861 N. Orange Ave., Orlando
Talay, offering seafood-leaning Thai fare from the folks behind Isan Zaap, opened this year in NoDo. The restaurant is partial to the bounties of the deep — “I want to showcase the flavors of Thailand through seafood,” said chef-owner Fin Patsawee in our review of the space. Credit: Photo via Google Maps
558 W. New England Ave., Winter Park
The Winter Park space that once housed Dexter’s and Park Avenue Tavern is now home to high-end steakhouse Corner Chophouse, from the Charleston-based Indigo Road Hospitality Group. The restaurant aims to blend steakhouse tradition with Florida finesse, serving Certified Angus Beef Prime cuts, regionally sourced seafood and shareable sides. The bar also serves a martini-forward cocktail program. Credit: Corner Chophouse
Multiple locations
Chef Henry Moso is what makes the sushi game so strong at this high-end spot. There are a handful of rolls, none of which you’ll find at your average sushi joint, but it’s mostly sashimi and nigiri. Credit: Kabooki
737 N. Thornton Ave., Orlando
This Mills 50 neighborhood wine bar offers bites, sips and a simple, elevated atmosphere. Sit inside or out, at the bar or a table and soak up the laid-back energy. Credit: Lorelai
1100 Orlando Ave., Winter Park
With its first location having opened in 2024 and a second less than a year later, Mosonori offers an intimate handroll bar experience with plenty of flavors to dive in to. As impressive as the roll marrying king crab, Kaluga caviar and spicy mayo is, don’t pass on a tasting of toro tartare with truffle ponzu and bubu arare. Credit: Photo via Google Maps
153 E. Morse Blvd., Winter Park
Luca Turci Italian Restaurant, from Turci Pasta and Turci Panino owner Vinicius Turci, has replaced Braccia Ristorante on Morse Boulevard in Winter Park. It comes from the team behind Turci Pasta in College Park, likely all part of Turci’s aggressive growth plan, which also includes Turci Panini and Turci Osteria Italiana. Credit: Photo by Matt Keller Lehman
500 S. Park Ave., Winter Park
The Chapman aims to celebrate the history of Winter Park. The name is a reference to Winter Park founders Loring Augustus Chase and Oliver Everett Chapman, and the restaurant presents a menu of the best Florida has to offer — fresh fish and seafood as well as locally raised beef and plenty of citrus — in a space inspired by fin de siècle style. Credit: Photo via Chapman Restaurant/Facebook
629 E. Central Blvd., Orlando
Osteria Ester, an Italian-American concept from Good Salt Restaurant Group founders (and 2025 James Beard Award finalists for Outstanding Restaurateur) Jason and Sue Chin, is open in Thornton Park. It aims to be a true neighborhood gathering place taking on a casual and communal feel. Michael Cooper, executive chef-partner of The Osprey (another Good Salt operation) oversees kitchen operations at this restaurant named after his grandmother. Credit: Google Maps
901 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
Selva Rosa Cocina & Bar aims to be an “elevated-casual space where people can hang out, enjoy good drinks and have fun,” says Heidy Cuevas, a spokesperson for the restaurant. Selva Rosa features three distinct areas: the main dining room, a sushi bar and “El Patio Rosa.” The menu, Cuevas says, blends Mexican, Latin American and Asian flavors to create a unique experience. Credit: Google Maps
337 Shine Ave., Orlando
Maxine’s on Shine offers regular live music, a hefty comfort food-filled menu, and weekend brunch perfect for a relaxing meal. Credit: Photo via Maxine's on Shine/Facebook
2304 E. Robinson St., Orlando
This Milk District-born “neighborhood rum bar” offers a lush, design-forward ambience and plenty of (of course) rum-based libations and tasty Cuban fare. Credit: Otto's High Dive/Facebook
211 N. Lucerne Circle W., Orlando
This quaint neighborhood hangout spot and bar aims to offer a “taste of vacation.” Guests can enjoy the scenic atmosphere, small plates, desserts and Sunday brunch on top of a plentiful wine and cocktail list. Credit: The Wellborn/Facebook
409 N. Magnolia Ave., Orlando
Leiah, 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: Leiah/Google Maps
6004 Artist Ave., Lake Nona
The simple modern Japanese eatery concept has been reimagined by culinary director Freddy Money and executive chef Jason Beliveau at Nami. Expect a menu filled with over-the-top Japanese creations. Credit: Matt Keller Lehman
115 E. Lyman Ave., Winter Park
Ômo by Jônt takes guests on a journey into cuisine from around the world featuring Japanese fare in an interactive atmosphere. With room for up to 16 guests at a time, the eatery ushers guests through three separate rooms, where they can feast on 18 to 22 courses of refined French-Japanese creations. The Living Room is where guests can snack on a “barrage of canapés.” Then they’re led to the Savory Counter for the brunt of the meal, finishing in the Pastry Parlor. Credit: Ômo by Jônt/Facebook
124 N. Park Ave., Winter Park
Orlando Weekly readers’ “best Italian restaurant” three years in a row, Prato scores huge with Orlandoans for its authentic Italian dishes. You’ll battle crowds to get a seat at this loud Park Avenue “it spot,” but once inside, the rustic Italian creations will justify the body-checking. As you can read in our 2020 Prato review, “You’d be hard-pressed to find better meatballs in the city, seriously.” Credit: Prato/Facebook