The holiday season is fast approaching, which very likely means you’re gearing up to host visitors from colder climes. If you’re looking for local eateries to impress them with Florida flavor, we can help. Whether you need a leisurely breakfast spot, a storied fish shack, a waterfront dinner or a glitzy nightspot, Orlando has a wealth of classic, homegrown restaurants to offer. 

Here are some of the best Orlando restaurants to take out-of-town visitors to. 

The Ravenous Pig 565 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park The Ravenous Pig offers inventive New American eats, an in-house taproom and hand-crafted cocktails. The stylish gastropub (with adjoining beer garden) asks that you make reservations because there’s often a wait to get into this foodie heaven — definitely worth the splurge. Credit: Photo via The Ravenous Pig/Facebook
Maxine’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/Facebook
Kaya 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: Photo via Kaya

Briarpatch

252 N. Park Ave., Winter Park
One of Winter Park’s most iconic and long-standing breakfast joints serves up contemporary American cuisine and brunch daily. With breakfast goodies like blueberry-stuffed pancakes and raspberry-and-brie stuffed brioche french toast, it’s not hard to find a reason to bring the family here. Credit: Photo via Briarpatch/Yelp

Enzo’s on the Lake

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: Photo via Enzo's on the Lake/Facebook

Kres Chophouse

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: Photo via Kres Chophouse

Susuru

8548 Palm Parkway, Orlando
Chef Lewis Lin and managing partner Kenny Ly came together to create this “retro-themed izakaya” offering exquisite ramen, yakitori and takoyaki. Stuffed with Showa-era collectibles, vintage ads and decorations, Susuru is an experience and a dining destination all in one. Credit: Photo via Susuru/Facebook
Beefy King 424 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando This Central Florida meaty institution has been filling hungry Orlandoans’ stomachs with the best roast beef (and turkey, ham or pastrami) sandwiches since 1968. Beefy King also offers milkshakes and their own spin on the classic tater tot, Beefy Spuds. You wouldn’t want to deny this City Beautiful classic to the out-of-towners. Credit: Image via Google Maps
Domu 3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando, and 7600 Dr Phillips Blvd., Orlando With two locations in town, Domu offers double the opportunity to relish in these delectable noodles and Asian fusion treats. Credit: Photo via Domu/Facebook
Zaru 1114 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando The Bib Gourmand-holding concept is by James Beard Award-nominated restaurateurs Johnny and Jimmy Tung. Zaru’s intimate and striking 25-seat dining room features udon noodles made from Japanese flour sourced from Kagawa Prefecture, the birthplace of udon, and offered in both hot and cold options, with and without broths, along with freshly fried tempura and a host of add-ons for a custom-built bowl. Credit: Photo via Zaru/Instagram

Tori Tori

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/Facebook

Best Seafood Restaurant


Winner: High Tide Harry’s
Finalists: The Nauti Lobstah, The Current Seafood Counter Credit: Image via Google Maps

The Stubborn Mule

100 S. Eola Drive, Orlando
The Stubborn Mule is in high demand for its creative twists on American cuisine. Locally sourced food options and craft cocktails, beer and wine makes this eatery a popular stop for local and tourist foodies alike. Credit: Photo via The Stubborn Mule/Facebook

Otto’s High Dive

2304 E. Robinson St., Orlando
Otto’s High Dive is no sleepy watering hole. It’s a “neighborhood rum bar,” alive with the din of tipplers who gather amid an understatedly lush, design-forward space to down daiquiris, mojitos and Cuba libres — and excellent Cuban fare. Credit: photo by Rob Bartlett
Kappy’s Subs 501 N. Orlando Ave., Maitland Family-owned since 1967, Kappy’s Subs offers a little glimpse into Orlando’s restaurant history (and is newly celebrating its return from the dead after a closure scare last year). The spot serves classic American fare like subs, burgers and dogs across a good old-fashioned all-American diner counter. If you’re a big group, you might want to plan to pick up your sandwiches to go. Credit: Photo via Kappy's Subs/website
Cafe Tu Tu Tango 8625 International Drive, Orlando If dinner and a show is what you’re looking for, this funky tapas spot is the place to go. Cafe Tu Tu Tango has been serving the Orlando community for more than 30 years, offering creative food and drink specials every weekday, plus live music and relaxed patio seating, too. With tons of sharable plates to choose from, signature cocktails, and artists who paint while you eat, Cafe Tu Tu Tango is an attraction in itself. Credit: Photo via Café Tu Tu Tango/Facebook
Lee and Rick’s Oyster Bar 5621 Old Winter Garden Road, Orlando You can’t get more Florida than a seafood spot shaped like a boat and covered in taxidermy fish. Located right here in Orlando, Lee and Rick’s Oyster Bar first opened back in 1950 with just nine seats and an oysters-only menu. Now the family-run local favorite offers plenty of seafood and ample seating to enjoy it in. Credit: Photo via LeeandRicksOysterBar.com
Oza Izakaya 5310 Central Florida Parkway, Orlando This modern take on Kyoto and Izakaya traditions just opened this year and is already bringing eats like tsukune (Japanese chicken meatballs), smoked dashi ramen, hokage salmon and more to town. Credit: Photo via Oza Izakaya/Facebook

King Bao

710 N. Mills Ave., Orlando
This Mills Avenue mainstay specializes in diminutive steamed Asian buns stuffed with creative and delicious mixes of proteins and veggies. Credit: Image via Google Maps

Lamp & Shade Craft Kitchen

1336 N. Mills Ave., Orlando
Located in the historic walls of the former Lamp Shade Fair store on Mills Avenue, Lamp & Shade beckons guests to indulge in its Asian-influenced, tapas-style menu. From menu items like charred baby bok choy and curry mussels to seafood hot pot for the table, Lamp & Shade’s food and atmosphere invite guests to eat up and hang out. Credit: Photo via Lamp & Shade Craft Kitchen/Google Maps

Best Date Restaurant


Winner: Prato
Finalists: Christner’s Prime Steak and Lobster, Maxine’s on Shine Credit: Photo via Prato/Facebook

The Wellborn

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: Photo via The Wellborn/Facebook

Best Steakhouse


Winner: Linda’s La Cantina
Finalists: Christner’s Prime Steak and Lobster, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar Credit: Image via Google Maps

Chatham’s Place

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

Lam’s Garden

2505 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Family-owned Lam’s Garden has been offering straightforward, traditional Chinese cuisine (and dim sum service) since it was opened in 1989. It’s packed out on holidays with Chinese families and college kids catching up on their holiday break. Credit: Photo via Lam's Garden/Facebook

Chuan Fu

1035 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
Chuan Fu is a Sichuan restaurant by the owners of Chuan Lu Garden and U and Me Revolving Hot Pot in Winter Park. Its menue is mostly mala-coded — the fiery, numb-spicy Sichuan specialty — but fine dishes of the not-hot variety are available too. Credit: Chuan Zeng

Kabooki Sushi


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/Facebook

Kadence


1809 Winter Park Road, Orlando With a Michelin star, a reservation required for dinner, and a secret menu, this sushi and sake bar is a hot commodity. There are only nine seats, and tickets range from $155-$175 for one meal, so this is not your go-to for a casual night out. But if you’re in the mood to splurge on some to-die-for sushi, Kadence might be calling your name. Credit: Photo via Kadence/Facebook

Chloe Greenberg is the Digital Content Editor for Orlando Weekly.