From American-style comfort food to elegant and elaborate fine-dining concoctions, Orlando is home to a fabulous variety of LGBTQ+ owned restaurants. Impress your sophisticated taste buds, celebrate Pride Month, or just enjoy a big, gay takeout brunch from these impressive Orlando venues serving up mouthwatering dishes and plenty of culture and character.
Gallery by Caroline Silva
The Hammered Lamb
1235 N Orange Ave, 407-704-3200
Opened since 2013, The Hammered Lamb has been a progressive small business that takes protecting the environment and planet very seriously. As a neighborhood pub serving liquor, beer, wine and food until 2 a.m. everyday, guests are welcome for any meal. Enjoy a Mary’s Lil Omelette or a Lamb Gyro alongside a sweet Peach Nectar speciality cocktail. During the weekends, Hammered Lamb opens for Brunch and happy hour is served Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m.
Photo via Bloody Mary/FacebookSe7en Bites
617 N PRIMROSE DRIVE, 407-203-0727
Located in the heart of Orlando’s Milk District, owners Va Propst and Trina Gregory-Propst and their restaurant Se7en Bites has appeared on a Food Network episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.” Se7en Bites has also been recognized for their Vanilla Bean Bourbon Bacon Moonpie and Chicken Pot Pie. Expect to wait in line, since no reservations can be made, but it will be so worth it. Offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, make sure you stop for each meal at least once. Southern comfort food never tasted so good.
Photo via Georgia Peach Dumpcake Cobbler/FacebookHungry Pants
3421 S. Orange Avenue, 407-412-6300
Hungry Plants, Owned by Joey Conicella and Alex Marin, has designed their menu to be “100% plant-based, 80% of the time.” This allows all guests to feel welcomed and always find something tasty to chomp on. You’re bound to love the food and perhaps not even notice that you’re actually eating plant-based. If you’re looking for a tasty bite and are on a budget, this venue is for you. Offering everything from salads, sandwiches, cauliflower tater tots and black bean brownies, Hungry Plants satisfies every taste bud.
Photo via Vegan Meals/FacebookIsland Time
712 E Washington St, 407-930-2640
Serving Southern and Caribbean inspired meals that frequently alter to provide the best ingredients on the market, Island Time owners Andrew Anderson and Devon Tillman both studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Orlando. The original concept of Island Time was to be a wine and beer bar, but in 2019, the owners decided to offer both a main and brunch menu featuring Plantain and Apple Fritters, Mojo Pork Sliders, Fish and Grits, and a variety of specialty drinks.
Photo via Mangu’/FacebookHamburger Mary’s Bar & Grille
110 West Church Street, 321-319-0600
Diner classics and unique cocktails meet quirky entertainment at Hamburger Mary’s. Events run from Monday and Thursday to Sunday and you can enjoy everything with a Mary Burger, Mother Clucker Sandwich or Fried Twinkies. Events vary from a cabaret Dinner show to a Broadway Brunch and everything is served with a side of sass.
Photo via Feast Burger/FacebookChef Art Smith’s Homecomin’
1602 E. Buena Vista Dr., Lake Buena Vista, 407-560-0100
A Walt Disney World restaurant paying homage to Florida’s agricultural heritage, Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ uses local ingredients and farm-to-table cuisine. Sip on a handcrafted moonshine cocktail in the breezy back porch or enjoy tasty comfort food in their dining room. Chef Art Smith is prepared to impress, as he was Oprah’s personal chef and opened four restaurants across the country. Feast upon a Fried Chicken & Doughnuts plate and finish off your meal with a Hummingbird Cake featured in his book “Back to the Table.”
Photo via Mac and Cheese/FacebookQuantum Leap Winery
1312 Wilfred Drive, 407-730-3082
Half-LGBTQ+ owned, Quantum Leap does not offer a full menu, but you will be pleased to find countless wines on tap. Their tasting rooms allow guests to enjoy wines from some of the world’s premier growing regions. Enjoy it all alongside select cheese, charcuterie and chocolate options. Quantum Leap also makes up for its lack of a menu by often bringing food trucks to their location.
Photo via Quantum Leap Wines/FacebookDexter’s
1145 Townpark Ave., Suite 1201, Lake Mary, 407-805-3090
Founded in 1984, Dexter’s utilizes fresh and locally sourced ingredients to create dishes like Eggplant Napoleon, Uptown French Dip, and Country and Biscuits. Enjoy each dish with wine from their extensive collection or a crafted cocktail from their full bar.
Photo via Parmesan Shells/FacebookLa Tavola
26 E King Street, 407-222-8264
La Tavola is a series of celebratory fundraising pop-up dinners showcasing Italian culture and cuisine that benefits The Kevin Fonzo Foundation. Guests can enjoy a four course Italian supper while watching chef Kevin Fonzo create classic Italian dishes. As both the guests and chef are creators, dishes can be requested. Dinners are held weekly and reservations must be made.
Photo via Chicken Cacciatore/FacebookThe Glass Knife
276 S ORLANDO AVE, WINTER PARK, 407-500-CAKE
Inviting customers into an uplifting and elegant communal setting, The Glass Knife offers everything from cakes, pastries, beer, coffee, and a breakfast and lunch menu. Perhaps munch on the Baked Lemon Blueberry French Toast or the Cheddar Biscuit Sandwich Plate, either way you’re winning. Finish your meal with a Chocolate Onyx Pastry almost too beautiful to eat or a lavender Vanilla Cinnamon Latte.
Photo via Chocolate Onyx Pastry/WebsiteGarp & Fuss
348 N Park Ave, Winter Park, 407-960-5560
Located in the Hidden Garden along Park Avenue in Winter Park, Garp & Fuss, owned by chef Liz Zucco and general manager Nikki Nielsen, is a restaurant and bar offering eccentric American fusion cuisine and unique cocktails. Their signature “Fuss” fried chicken sandwich is accompanied with perfectly crisp fries and the “Garps” brings in a Chicago flair to their dishes. Vegan and vegetarian options are also offered.
Photo via Fuss Fried Chicken Sandwich/WebsiteBernie’s Gourmet To Go
1875 W CR-419, Oviedo, 407-977-0010
As a local source of healthy and affordable take out, Bernie’s Gourmet To Go offers speciality subs, deli sandwiches and a chicken salad bar. Owner, Bernie, was born and raised in Germany and came to the United States in 1994. Working as a chef at Le Cordon Bleu and Bistro Cappuccino, Bernie is now in Oviedo, Florida. If you’re looking to enjoy your meal at home, Bernie’s has a deli and market that sells homemade egg salad, fresh mozzarella cheese, jicama salad and more. Dinner take out is also offered and you may even take home a meal to reheat and enjoy!
Photo via To Go Dinner/FacebookBites & Bubbles
912 N Mills Avenue, 407-270-5085
Local and independently owned, Bites & Bubbles serves up tasty meals, wines and merriment. Located in the heart of the Mills 50 District, the venue offers a full dinner menu Tuesday through Saturday and monthly wine dinners. Not only are there numerous fine cheese boards to pick from, but there is a variety of other upscale dishes and desserts to enjoy such as the Lobster Thermador and White Chocolate Mousse.
Photo via Roquefort Crusted NY Strip Steak/Facebook
