Orlando’s known for going big and bringing over-the-top dining experiences to all — locals and tourists alike. And thanks to some new impressive additions that popped up in the past year (Otto’s High Dive, Camille, Chuan Fu), the list of local restaurants serving great food and elevated ambience is ever-growing.
Here are the most beautiful restaurants to visit in Orlando.
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 in this lush, design-forward space to down daiquiris, mojitos and Cuba libres — and plenty of Cuban fare. Credit: Photo via Otto's High Dive/Instagram
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/FacebookCamille
4962 New Broad St., Orlando
The real draw at this new Baldwin Park spot is chef Tung Phan’s creative and unconventional spins on Vietnamese dishes, all punctuated with classical French flourishes — dishes like Vietnamese coffee-crusted Wagyu with potato pâvé; espuma of pho; and green papaya with salmon and nước chấm. Credit: Photo by Rob Bartlett
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 Bartlett
400 Pittman St., Orlando A temaki bar and lounge by Michelin-starred chef Mike Collantes, Sushi Saint brings handroll sushi to downtown Orlando, wrapped in an elegant atmosphere. Credit: Photo via Sushi Saint/Instagram
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 ZengAVA MediterrAegean
290 S. Park Ave., Winter Park
The trendy Mediterranean hotspot in the heart of Park Avenue may be saturated in South Beach swank, but its menu packs real substance. That only makes people-watching at Ava all the more enjoyable. Credit: Photo via AVA MediterrAegean/Yelp
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
10100 Dream Tree Boulevard, Lake Buena Vista One Michelin star Capa, the Spanish steakhouse on the 17th floor of the Four Seasons Resort Orlando, and site of this year’s ceremony, also earned a Michelin star for the fourth year running. Its location makes it a prime spot for watching the firework shows at Epcot and the 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 seats in the house. Reservations are required, so make sure you call ahead. Credit: Photo by Rob BartlettDomu
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/FacebookEnzo’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/Instagram
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/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/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.comCanvas Restaurant
13615 Sachs Ave., Orlando
Besides the gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows, the flashy yellow lamps and the brick walls, Canvas restaurant overlooks a beautiful lake with a partially covered patio. Try the oak-charred octopus, to really drive home that on-the-water feel. Credit: Photo via Canvas Restaurant/FacebookNorman’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/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/YelpReyes Mezcaleria
821 N. Orange Ave., Orlando
Experience Reyes Mezcaleria’s sitting room during brunch with perfect sun or dinner with mood lighting. Their statement furniture pieces make a great ambient backdrop to any foodie’s authentic Mexican eats and, of course, mezcal-based cocktails. Credit: Photo via Reyes Mezcaleria/FacebookForeigner
2816 Corrine Drive, Orlando
From Chef Bruno Fonseca, the Foreigner experience will offer guests a 10-course menu confiance-style (“trust the chef”) dinner, where patrons will have the opportunity to watch the inner workings of an active kitchen. Credit: renderings courtesy of The ForeignerHighball & Harvest
4012 Central Florida Parkway, Orlando
Don’t be intimated by the name Ritz-Carlton; the Highball and Harvest is chill with a hint of chic. Although the bartenders have mastered slinging Old Fashioneds, the rotation of Florida brews on tap is very tempting, as well. Credit: Photo via Highball & Harvest/FacebookHillstone
215 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
You can access Hillstone’s glorious lakeside patio by car, boat or seaplane. Choose from a lunch, dinner or wine menu, and bask in the beautiful view of Lake Killarney with friends and strangers. Credit: Photo via Hillstone/FacebookSTK Steakhouse Orlando
1580 E. Buena Vista Drive, Orlando
This modern two-story steakhouse, specializing in prime grilled meats, provides a breathtaking view from its sprawling rooftop patio. It’s on the pricier side, but if elegant, carnivorous dining is what you’re looking for, then STK’s got you covered. Credit: Photo via STK/FacebookPaddlefish
1670 Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista
Paddlefish is a three-story floating fortress of food permanently moored at Disney Springs. The riverboat features fresh seafood dishes, a rooftop deck and multiple contemporary dining rooms and outdoor spaces. When you’re floating on the Springs, pretty much any seat can be considered the best seat in the house, especially with a lobster on the plate in front of you. Credit: Photo via Paddlefish/Yelp
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/YelpTopolino’s Terrace
1080 Esplanade Ave., Lake Buena Vista
Located in the Riviera Resort, Topolino’s Terrace offers French and Italian-style eats, for both breakfast and dinner. The restaurant also has an outdoor patio offering sprawling views and a high-end lounging atmosphere. Credit: Photo via Topolino’s Terrace/Facebook
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/FacebookVilla de Flora
6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee
Encased by the recognizable glass roof of the Gaylord Palms south of downtown Orlando, Villa de Flora offers Mediterranean and assorted dishes alongside a unique scenic view perfect for the ideal romantic date or evening out. Credit: Photo via Villa de Florida/Gaylord Hotelsname
110 Orlando Ave., Winter Park
This Dallas-based, wine country-inspired restaurant offers an enclosed greenhouse patio offering a “wine garden experience.” The menu of NoCal-influenced dishes (local and seasonal, of course) come ready to pair with the 60-plus wines on tap. Credit: Photo via Sixty Vines/Facebook
