These 25 amazing new eateries are among the best to open in Orlando in 2019. Every year, Orlando Weekly food critic Faiyaz Kara reviews dozens of new restaurants. Along the way, he picks his very favorites for a year-end honor called Top Tables 2019.
There can be only five winners, which will be announced on December 25, but these two dozen restaurants are Faiyaz’s finalists, the contenders for the title!
Alex’s Fresh Kitchen
1015 S.R. 436, Suite 109, Casselberry, 407-636-5048
A family-owned and -operated breakfast and lunch joint in Casselberry, serving fresh, made-to-order meals daily, using locally sourced ingredients, with vegan and gluten-free options. Executive chef and owner Alex Diaz comes from a family that loves to cook, and says “it’s been one of the greatest joys of my life to see my culinary interests as a young man blossom into the deep love & passion I have for food today.” His priorities are family, food, and community. Even his mother, Deborah “Deb” McDowell, makes all of their gluten-free pastries & desserts.
Photo via Alex’s Fresh KitchenBagel Bruno
3405 Edgewater Dr., 407-601-2914
Bagel Bruno, the much-anticipated collab between Pizza Bruno and Foxtail Coffee, forst opened in November, offering six “Montreal-style” bagel varieties, all vegan. The dough contains no egg or honey, is naturally leavened, and is poached in dark brown sugar before being hearth-baked. Six varieties will initially be served — plain, salt, rye, sesame seed, everything and cinnamon-golden raisin — after which, Zacchini says, seasonal varieties will make their way onto the menu. A bevy of sammies (and Foxtail’s coffees, of course) will also be served.
Photo by Allysha WillisonDelaney’s Tavern
1315 S. Orange Ave., 407-849-0801
SoDo’s newest boutique hotel has a worthy hotel restaurant that doubles as a neighborhood hang for denizens of Delaney Park. The bar is low-key yet inviting, and the lounge area makes an ideal spot to enjoy a menu of the globe’s greatest hits – shrimp and grits, vegan paella, brie en croute, blue crab beignets and more. And the cocktail game is strong. Open daily.
Photo by Rob BartlettDexter’s New Standard
1035 N Orlando Ave., Winter Park, 407-629-1150
A new location and a fresh take on the old Dexter’s Winter Park, now in a new locations and offering main courses like eggplant Napoleon, clearwater barrel fish, roast chicken, bone-in ribeye and the DNS Burger, with Swiss cheese, pickle, garlic aioli, dijon, fried shallot, and hand cut fries. Ingredients are sourced from local farms and producers, including Waterkist Farms in Sanford, Zenn Naturals in Mascotte, Frog Song Organics in Ocala and Nearby Naturals in downtown Orlando.
Photo via Dexter’s New Standard/FacebookDomu Dr Phillips
7600 Dr Phillips Blvd., 407-630-6163
First and foremost, know that Domu makes their own noodles, and there’s no takeout, “to maintain the integrity and quality of the food.” Domu originally started in November of 2016 in the Audubon Park District of Orlando. Created by chef-owner Sean “Sonny” Nguyen, his vision was brought to life with a neighborhood restaurant and bar that offered house-made noodles, creative takes on small plates and seasonal cocktails. Domu is a slang term for “a dream come true” and the ambiance supports that ideology of going against the grain and creating something unique. It’s an opportunity to witness true Japanese techniques performed by a modern-day chef.
Photo via Domu/FacebookElize Restaurant
55 W Church St., 407-401-8811
Known as the Rusty Spoon, it was one of Orlando’s best restaurants, before being sold by William and Kathleen Blake to Michelle Lagerweij, who changed the name to Elize. The Rusty Spoon opened in 2011 drew critical acclaim, but the new owner is no novice. Lagerweij is from the Netherlands, where, in the city of Utrecht, she owns a restaurant similarly named Cafe Elize. She has already taken the menu in new directions.
Photo by The Rusty SpoonHinckley’s Fancy Meats
Hinckley’s Fancy Meats
East End Market, 3201 Corrine Drive, 786-671-1023
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.
Photo by Robb BartlettHourglass Social House
2401 Curry Ford Road, 407-930-7308
Straddling the line between café and food hall, the Hourglass Social House offers a diverse array of food options – Mexican, Vietnamese, French pastries, vegan handhelds – not to mention beverages aplenty. Foxtail Coffee gets the morning crowd jacked, while the market stocks a nice selection of wine, beer, kombucha and juice. Bottomless mimosas are served on weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Open daily.
Photo by Rob BartlettHungry Pants
3421 S Orange Ave., 407-412-6300
Orlando’s first self-described “plant-curious, fast-fine eatery,: the menu is designed to be “100% plant-based, 80% of the time.” Local food entrepreneurs Joey Conicella and Alex Marin want to know “are you plant-curious?” Located in the heart of SODO (South of Downtown Orlando) Hungry Pants offers customers a plant-curious menu in a fast-fine setting. They define plant-curious as “interested in experimenting when it comes to food, especially whole and balanced foods like vegetables and alternative protein sources.” They say being plant-curious means still enjoying your favorite comfort foods without judgment, promising “something for everyone,” whether you are a carnivore or an omnivore, or somewhere in between.
Photo by Rob BartlettJaleo by José Andrés
Disney Springs, 1482 Buena Vista Drive, 321-348-3211
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.
Photo by Rob BartlettKabooki Sand Lake
7705 Turkey Lake Road, 407-776-2001
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 pricey admission ($175-$250), 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 no one should overlook the cold and hot tasting items. Cocktails get crafty in a good way. Open seven days a week.
Photo by Rob BartlettKaizen Izakaya
54 W. Church St., 407-316-8500
It’s out with the old and in with the new as the old Amura on Church Street gets a long-overdue rebrand. You’ll find all the trendy pan-Asian trappings of the modern izakaya – ramen, Korean fried chicken, bao, donburi – but quality cuts of Japanese fish as well. The moriawase gets you 14 pieces for $35, but don’t overlook Korean staples like that KFC and a comforting bowl of kimchi yaki-udon noodles. Open daily.
Photo by Rob BartlettLisbon Portuguese Cuisine
7600 Dr Phillips Blvd., 407-635-0002
Owner and Chef, Rui Borges, was born in Sao Miguel, Azores, an autonomous region off the coast of Portugal. He immigrated to New Bedford, Massachusetts in the early 1980’s, before morning to Florida in 2004, where he was able to realize his dream by opening the only Portuguese restaurant in Orlando. Lisbon is a Portuguese restaurant serving “authentic cuisine at its very best.” Simple but elegant food is complemented by the restaurant’s Azulejo décor, a characteristic element of Portuguese culture. They serve fresh fish and seafood alongside a vast selection of Bacalhau (salted cod) and meat dishes. Their Adega (wine cellar) offers a selection of some of the best Portuguese wines. They also serve a rendition of the famous “Pastel de Nata,” which they proudly bake daily. Enjoy an old-world gastronomic experience to the sound of Fado, Portugal’s soulful sound at Lisbon Portuguese Cuisine.
Photo by Lisbon Portuguese Cuisine/FacebookMakani Egyptian
8255 International Drive, 407-723-1243
Prices are steep, but Makani’s fare celebrating Egypt’s contributions to world cuisine are top-notch. In addition to street food staples like carb-heavy koshary, spiced kebda (beef liver) and hawawshi (pita stuffed with minced beef), there are plush kebabs, earthy stews and syrupy sweets. Fresh fruit juices supplant alcoholic beverages. Hookah is offered on the patio. Open daily until 2 a.m.
Photo by Rob BartlettMX Taco
207 N. Bumby Ave., 407-730-5241
A modest Milk District taco stand where rubbing shoulders with fellow taco fiends is as sure a bet as meat juice dribbling down your chin. It’s got a great vibe – a vibe that Ryan Manning, a ginger-haired chef with boyish looks, has managed to make feel, dare I say, wholly “authentic.” He may have the outward appearance of a young Boris Becker but, inside, Manning’s as Mexican as Pancho Villa. A favorite among the seven tacos offered: the Michoacán carnitas with confit pulled pork and Pueblan chicken mole poblano draped in crema, cotija cheese and sesame seeds. From Oaxaca comes a deceptively filling and earthy veg taco with sweet potato, beans and a mix of crimini, clamshell and button mushrooms.
Photo via MX TacoThe Old Jailhouse
113 S. Palmetto Ave., Sanford, 407-548-6964
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.
Photo by Rob BartlettParis Banh Mi Cafe Bakery
1021 E Colonial Dr., 407-866-2012
Paris Banh Mi Café Bakery is family-owned, authentic French bakery offering breads, pastries, desserts, coffee and Boba drinks made with the finest and freshest of ingredients. Their bakers start work before the sun rises each day. The warm smell of baking often escapes onto the street before they’ve even opened. Try starting your morning with their warm croissants, banh mi and a cup of Vietnamese coffee. Walk through the doors and let the sweet smell of sugar, spice, almonds, and cream wash over you. Take a look in the bakery case and take some goodies home to share.
Photo by Paris Banh Mi Cafe Bakery/FacebookProper & Wild
155 E. Morse Blvd., Winter Park, 407-543-8425
Chelsie and Jamie Savage’s high-end veg restaurant makes the perfect complement to the couple’s casual Sanctum Café. 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.
Photo by Rob BartlettSette Italian
1407 N. Orange Ave., 407-704-7771
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.
Photo by Rob BartlettSushi Pop Winter Park
115 E. Lyman Ave., Winter Park, 321-203-2282
The new Winter Park outpost offers the classic Sushi Pop dinner menu, but also features a special lunch pop-up called “Chauhaus.” Chef Chau Trinh says the menu consists of “my mamma’s pho, spring and summer rolls, banh mi, grilled meats with rice and rice noodle dishes, and her Bun Bo Hue (pho’s gangsta tattooed cousin).” A smaller menu for lunch will have some sushi and poke bowls, but the focus will be on pho and the Vietnamese food Chau grew up with. It’s traditional southern Vietnamese pho, elevated.
Photo by Sushi Pop Winter Park/FacebookSusuru
8548 Palm Parkway, 407-778-4813
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.
Photo by Rob BartlettTaglish
Lotte Plaza Market, 3191 W Colonial Dr., 407-930-1076
Taglish is a blend of Filipino-American cuisine that marries the tastes of both worlds in a fast-casual setting, with bowls, wraps, salads and more. Located in the Lotte Plaza Market food court.
Photo by Taglish/FacebookTori Tori
720 N. Mills Ave., toritoripub.com
Slick Mills 50 cocktail bar is a modern izakaya at heart offering sizzling yakitori and kushiyaki, bar bites of substance and hand rolls stuffed with everything from Hokkaido scallops to uni to otoro. The food here is as impeccably crafted as the drinks. Open daily at 5:30 p.m., stays open until 2 a.m.
Photo by Rob BartlettVeranda Restaurant
1700 W. Sand Lake Road, 407-730-9190
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.
Photo by Rob BartlettZ Asian Vietnamese Kitchen
1830 E. Colonial Drive, 407-601-6024
Mills 50 Vietnamese joint shuns the 100-plus-item menu in favor of a focused bill of fare. Soups, be they stellar duck noodle, seafood, bún bò hue or pho, are laboriously fretted over. More interesting items to consider: pan-fried rice flour, Vietnamese crepes, and an herbal tea dessert beverage with Chinese dates, seaweed, red beans, jelly and longan fruit. Don’t overlook the wings. Closed Mondays.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
