Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, so before booking reservations willy-nilly, make sure you’re up to date on all things romantic in the City Beautiful. From spots just opened in the past year like Sushi Saint to local mainstays like Enzo’s on the Lake, there’s no shortage of places to spend the biggest date night of the year. (No pressure.)
Here are 27 of the most romantic eateries and bars in Orlando.
Highball & Harvest
4012 Central Florida Parkway
Located at the Ritz-Carlton, this artisanal restaurant and bar, inspired by Florida agriculture and railroads, is a mash-up of refined and rustic. Guests can interact with chefs to learn about the local food they’re eating, or with bartenders in a handcrafted cocktail class. Credit: Photo via Highball and Harvest/Facebook
618 N. Thornton Ave., Orlando Kaya is a newly Michelin-recognized Filipino restaurant offering casual fine dining with fresh ingredients, vibrant flavors and a neighborhood vibe. Kaya offers creative cocktails at the Banyan Bar in its outdoor patio and garden space. Credit: Photo via Kaya/Facebook
720 N. Mills Ave., Orlando Tori Tori is both a modern cocktail bar and a hotspot to grab some 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:Photo via Tori Tori/FacebookMaxine’s on Shine
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 after the Thanksgiving chaos. Credit: Photo via Maxine's on Shine/FacebookCapa
10100 Dream Tree Blvd., Lake Buena Vista
This Spanish steakhouse’s location on the 17th floor of the Four Seasons Resort makes it a prime spot for watching the firework shows at Epcot and Magic Kingdom, or just taking in some high-rise views. Staff will take you out onto the terrace a few minutes before the shows so you can view them from the best seat in the house. Reservations are required, so make sure you call ahead. Credit: Photo via Capa/FacebookDomu
3201 Corrine Drive,
Domu is an Asian fusion restaurant with heavy hip-hop inspiration, according to the restaurant’s owner, Sean “Sonny” Nguyen. The restaurant offers exciting twists on noodles, specialty cocktails and small plates. Credit: Photo via Domu/FacebookSixty Vines
110 Orlando Ave., Winter Park
Sixty Vines, named for its 60 wine options on tap, offers brunch, lunch and dinner options. The space has a modern atmosphere with floor-to-ceiling windows and a sustainable tap wall. Credit: Photo via Sixty Vines/Instagram
7575 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando Chatham’s Place has been part of the Orlando community for more than 30 years. Chef Tony Lopez, creator and owner of the restaurant, showcases locally grown produce and fresh ingredients in the eatery’s dishes. Credit:Photo via Chatham’s Place/Yelp
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:Photo by Rob BartlettBetter Than Sex
1905 N. Orange Ave.
Better Than Sex is an adults-only dessert restaurant in a speakeasy-like setting. Indulge in a suggestive sweet treat or a glass of chocolate-rimmed wine. Perfect for couples who enjoy restaurants with character and a sly bit of humor. Credit: Photo via Better Than Sex – A Dessert Restaurant – Orlando / FacebookThe Strand
4.5 out of 5 stars, 446 reviews
807 N. Mills Ave.
”The interior is slightly eclectic with greenery through out and a bar near the front that seats about 8 people. They had a TV above the bar that was encased in a 1950s TV entertainment box. Very retro and provided a nice touch.” – Breanna H Credit:Photo via The Strand/YelpEnzo’s on the Lake
1130 S. U.S. Highway 17-92, Longwood
Enzo’s on the Lake got its start in a humble Central Florida home in 1980. In the years, the restaurant has become the area’s go-to romantic date destination par excellence, serving Italian cuisine with a chic spin. Credit:Photo via Enzo's on the Lake/InstagramHillstone
215 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
At Hillstone, go for the atmosphere and stay for the food and drinks. With a view of Lake Killarney, this Winter Park restaurant is known for spectacular sunsets and is perfect for intimate dining experiences. Credit: Photo via Hillstone/Facebook
1241 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando “This is maybe my fourth or fifth time at The Moderne, and I have yet to be disappointed. The ambiance is perfect, the music is always on point, and it’s just a great spot for date night or a girls’ night out. And every server I’ve had has been nice and welcoming.” — Jasmine J. Credit: Photo via Moderne/FacebookKres Chophouse
17 W. Church St., 407-447-7950
Kres has an entirely separate vegan menu, allowing customers to choose from two appetizers, three entrees and two desserts to create a decadent three-course meal.
Photo via Kres Chophouse/Facebook Credit:Photo via Kres Chophouse/Facebook
7705 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando
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:Photo via Kabooki Sandlake/FacebookBulla Gastrobar
110 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
A prime Winter Park spot for tapas and cocktails, Bulla Gastrobar’s flavors are crafted by Chef Diego Solano, who trained and cooked in some of Spain’s most prestigious eateries. Inspired by the ingredients and culture of the country, Solano has created an authentic vision of gastronomy at the popular eatery. Credit: Photo by Rob Bartlett
7488 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando “I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve dined at Eddie V’s over the years. It’s a mystery to me why my previous reviews haven’t posted because this place deserves all the praise! Whether it’s a special occasion, a date night, or simply a night out ‘just because,’ Eddie V’s consistently delivers an extraordinary dining experience.” — Pamela H. Credit: Photo via Eddie V's Prime Seafood/FacebookGarp and Fuss
348 N. Park Ave., Winter Park
This spot packs a punch with out-of-the-box flavor pairings like buffalo cauliflower and butternut squash & apple soup. 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: Photo via garpandfuss.com
211 N. Lucerne Circle W. 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: Photo via The Wellborn/Facebook
1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland Enzian Theater has a sizable and attractive patio surrounding its Eden Bar, perfect for enjoying a drink or small bite before catching a movie. From cult classics to the latest buzzing blockbuster, the theater offers daily showings sure to please. Check their schedule for matinees, kids’ showings and special events. Credit: Photo via Enzian Theater/TwitterNorman’s
7924 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando
After a three-year hiatus and a 16-year run at the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes, Norman Van Aken’s legendary eating house Norman’s made a triumphant return in the Dr. Phillips area earlier this year. The menu’s Latin-Caribbean DNA is still intact, but flavors from Japan and Southeast Asia expand on Van Aken’s “New World” view. Credit: Photo via Norman's/FacebookCapital Room
102 E. First St., Sanford
With an array of craft cocktails, savory tapas and delicious sweets, this chill lounge has something unique to add to every savory meal. Choose an exquisite cocktail, fine wine or craft beer from their menu. Credit:Photo via The Capital Room Bar/FacebookPrato
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:Photo via Prato/YelpSushi Saint
400 Pittman St., Orlando
A temaki bar and lounge by Michelin-starred chef Mike Collantes, Sushi Saint brings hand roll sushi to downtown Orlando, wrapped in an elegant atmosphere. Credit: Photo via SushiSaint.comThe Guesthouse
1321 N. Mills Ave., Orlando
Watch out – if you’re not paying attention you might just drive right past this Mills 50 bar and hangout spot. The Guesthouse offers a sprawling bar with ample seating indoors, plus the worth-the-wait patio out back. It’s more intimate (meaning you might need to fight for a spot) but the vibe is worth it. Credit: Photo via The Guesthouse/Facebook
