Of all of Orlando's pockets of culinary goodness, Winter Park sure brings some special eats to the table. From mouthwatering hot fried chicken to vegan creations to Instagram-worthy Thai teas, Winter Park has a little something for everyone and every palate.
Here are some of Winter Park's most essential eateries every local should have tried (and stuffed themselves at) by now.
Don't see your favorite spot listed here? Let us know and we'll make sure to give it some love.
20 essential Winter Park restaurants every Orlandoan needs to try
By Orlando Weekly Staff on Tue, Apr 4, 2023 at 5:14 pm
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Photo courtesy Swine & Sons
Swine & Sons
1280 N. Orange Ave, Winter Park
Swine & Sons' long-awaited move to Winter Park last year brought the restaurants' beloved menu of Southern-inflected sandwiches, salads and breakfast bites along with it.
Photo via Prato/Facebook
Prato
124 N. Park Ave., Winter Park
Orlando Weekly's own "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."
Photo via Umi/Facebook
Umi
525 S Park Ave., Winter Park
Umi’s sushi and small plates impress in both presentation and palatability. Purists will appreciate their stellar sashimi and robata offerings, while contemporary diners will get a kick out of their takes on “Japanese fusion.” They offer a selection of sakes, soju cocktails and Japanese beers, too.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
The Hen & Hog
221 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park
The Hen & Hog is styled in all things farmhouse, right down to a hen-red color palette. Chef A.J. Haines' classical training and experience shows in dishes that not only look good but comprise all those homey Southern feels, like the chicken and waffle sandwich and fried pickles.
Photo via Bulla Gastrobar
Bulla Gastrobar
110 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
Winter Park's 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 Winter Park eatery.
Photo via Winter Park Fish Co.
Winter Park Fish Co.
761 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park
A previous winner of Orlando Weekly's Best Seafood Restaurant, Winter Park Fish Co. prides itself on its seafood dishes featuring fresh fish and unique chef-crafted dishes.
Photo via Hotto Potto
Hotto Potto
3090 Aloma Ave., Winter Park
Fresh ingredients, genial service and sheer variety help make this Winter Park hot pot joint an option for these looking for a change in their restaurant routine. Meats aren't too out of the ordinary, though live blue crab, lobster, shrimp and bass keep it interesting. Soup base and spice levels can be adjusted according to taste, and a wide array of house-made sauces seal the deal. Open late Fridays and Saturdays.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
Ava Mediterraegean
290 S. Park Ave., Winter Park
The trendy Mediterranean hotspot in the heart of Park Avenue may be saturated in SoBe swank, but its menu packs the sort of substance that only makes people-watching at Ava all the more enjoyable.
Photo via Hunger Street Tacos/Facebook
Hunger Street Tacos
2103 W Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park
Hunger Street Tacos offers Orlandoans fresh, authentic and creative Mexican-style street food at its flagship Winter Park location.
Photo via Briarpatch/Facebook
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 wait in line here.
Photo via Ethos Vegan Kitchen
Ethos Vegan Kitchen
601 S. New York Ave., Winter Park
Ethos Vegan Kitchen offers up a completely plant-based menu for lunch, dinner and brunch on the weekends. The spot boasts "heart, homestyle fare," and with their vegan take on a shepherd's pie, jerk "chickun" sandwich and decadent ice cream sundaes, they live up to it.
Photo via Krungthep Tea Time/Facebook
Krungthep Tea Time
1051 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park
The Thai teahouse and sandwich joint forgoes both floral wallpaper and strumming troubadours in favor of a stark, yet soothing, simplicity. While the cuisine is reduced to sandwiches and salads, don’t underestimate their flavorsome bites and Instagram-worthy sweets.
Photo via Anna's Polish Restaurant/Facebook
Anna’s Polish Restaurant
3586 Aloma Ave., Winter Park
If you’re looking for authentic polish cuisine, Anna’s is a good place to start. Red borscht soup, potato pancakes, mushroom and sauerkraut pierogies – Anna’s menu has enough options to keep your babcia satisfied.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
Fredster’s
1720 Fennell St., Maitland
The joint venture between two local restaurateurs is both a live music venue and a bar and grill serving turn-of-the-millennium specialties, like their chicken tortilla stack, blackened triggerfish sandwich and lamb sliders.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
Farm & Haus Cafe
526 S. Park Ave., Winter Park
The grass-roots rise of Farm & Haus from meal delivery service in 2014 (it was Farm-Haus back then) to East End Market stall to full-scale restaurant hasn't been meteoric but, rather, biscuit-like. Expect dishes like the harvest hash, a well-composed breakfast bowl of sweet potatoes, farro and, among other things, locally sourced soft-boiled eggs.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
Doshi
1040 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
Winter Park's modern Korean restaurant is full of flavor with elegant dishes like their wagyu bulgogi and galbi osso buco. The small bar also offers soju, sake, beer and wine.
Photo via Tabla Cuisine
Tabla Cuisine
216 N. Park Ave., Suite H, Winter Park
The beloved local Asian restaurant brings authentic Indian, Indian-Chinese and Thai cuisine of a higher level to Winter Park.
Photo via Jam Hot Chicken
Jam Hot Chicken
400 W. New England Ave., Winter Park
This hot chicken joint recently scored big in Yelp's latest top places to eat in Florida list. And with their over-the-top spice and delicately fried chicken in the heart of Winter Park, we're not surprised they made the cut as a fan favorite.
Photo via Ravenous Pig/Facebook
Ravenous Pig
565 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park
The stylish gastropub and beer garden offers inventive New American eats, beers brewed on-site and hand-crafted cocktails, all definitely worth the splurge, if you ask us.
Image via Antonella's/Yelp
Antonella's Pizzeria
360 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park
The family-owned and operated pizzeria specializes in New York-style pies, Italian dishes and a warm, relaxed atmosphere that feels like home.
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