20 of the most anticipated restaurants opening in Orlando this spring

Bar Kada

957 W. Fairbanks Ave., Orlando
The 30-seat concept from Soseki’s Michael Collantes will open next door to his Michelin-starred omakase house offering a selection of ancestral-method sakes, low-touch wines curated by sommelier Benjamin Coutts, and seasonal small plates utilizing local ingredients conceived by chef de cuisine Mike Vang.

Boxer and Clover

3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando
This year promises to be a busy one for Matt Hinckley. Not only did he and Jacob Zepf (The Neighbors, Freehand Goods) open Mid Drive Dive, their midcentury-inspired diner in College Park, but Hinckley is teaming up with lead singer/guitarist Matt Heafy of metalcore band Trivium on Southern barbecue and pie concept Boxer and Clover inside East End Market named after characters in George Orwell’s Animal Farm. Should the stall prove successful, a brick-and-mortar may not be far behind.

Chuck Lager’s America Tavern

8151 International Drive, Orlando
Celeb culinarian and Top Chef contestant Fabio Vivani will open an outpost of his restaurant based on the globe-trotting adventures of one Chuck Lager (who may or may not be a real person). The American tavern will fuse plenty of international influences into its dishes.

Coro Restaurant

3022 Corrine Drive, Orlando
Tim and Natalie Lovero’s highly anticipated Audubon Park restaurant Coro will feature Italian-leaning small plates embodying Japanese techniques, philosophy and ingredients. At Coro’s pop-up dinner at Farm & Haus, Lovero’s dishes were a composition of Italian, Indian, Japanese, French and Middle Eastern flavors, with every dish full of surprising turns.

Crispy Cones

2415 Curry Ford Road, Orlando
The Shark Tank-approved ice cream concept Crispy Cones offers fresh dough cones, “grilled rotisserie-style” then covered with cinnamon and sugar or “a specialty powder.” What that specialty powder is exactly we can’t say, but there’s more: The dough cone is then filled with your choice of spread, gourmet soft-serve ice cream, fruit and a variety of toppings.

Dick's Last Resort

9101 International Drive, Orlando
No, this isn’t a hole in the wall (get it?) but a Southern comfort spot known for its purposely obnoxious service. Back in 2016, Dick’s abruptly closed its Orlando location, leaving restaurant workers in the lurch. Dick move! Now they’re coming back “bigger and better” to Pointe Orlando.

Grazie Modern Italian Kitchen

3101 Corrine Drive, Orlando
New concept Grazie Modern Italian Kitchen, from seasoned restaurateur Nazih Sebaali (Café Annie, Meza Mediterranean Grill), is set to move into the building that long held Bem Bom. The menu will feature “Italian classics with a modern touch.”

Jeff's Bagel Run

1332 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park
With locations in College Park, Ocoee and Oviedo, the New York-style bagel shop is planning a slew of other openings this year — Winter Park, O-Town West and Celebration this spring, and Conroy/Kirkman and Clermont this summer. Hole-y wow!

Lamp & Shade Craft Kitchen

1336 N. Mills Ave., Orlando
The new concept from Thriving Hospitality, who run Thrive Cocktail Lounge & Eatery downtown, will move into the old Lamp & Shade Fair building in Mills 50 with chef Ryan Stewart serving an “Asian-influenced, tapas-style menu.” Tiki-inspired craft cocktails will also be offered.

Lazy Moon Pizza Maitland

441 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland
This third location, to complement Lazy Moon’s downtown and UCF pizzerias, will bring odd toppings and humongous slices to the old Einstein Bagels building in Maitland. It will also feature a sizable outdoor patio.

Miami Grill

4220 S. Semoran Blvd., Orlando
Miami Grill, the new-model rebrand of the former Miami Subs chain, has gained repute for a menu of cheesesteaks, gyros, wings, seasoned fries and healthy salads, all presented with a "South Beach vibe." The rebrand was given a big boost by partnering up with musician Pitbull a few years back. The first Orlando location will be at 4220 S. Semoran Blvd. and is slated to open this spring. The second location is set for 14088 E. Colonial Drive.

Ômo by Jônt Orlando

115 E. Lyman Ave., Winter Park
The 16-seat “experiential” tasting menu concept Ômo by Jônt by chef Ryan Ratino of two-Michelin-star D.C. powerhouse Jônt will usher guests through three separate rooms, where they’ll feast on 18 to 22 courses of refined French-Japanese creations. The Living Room is where those able to foot the cost ($245 plus pairings at $195 and, gulp, $595) will snack on a “barrage of canapés.” They’ll then be led to the Savory Counter for the brunt of the meal, then the Pastry Parlor, where it all comes to a glorious gut-busting conclusion. Needless to say, Ômo will be one of the highest-profile openings of the year.

Pinstripes

11643 Daryl Carter Parkway, Orlando
Opening a 40,000-square-foot venue housing a bistro, bowling lanes and bocce courts takes plenty of balls (literally). The fare promises wood-fired pizzas, seasonal gelato and a host of Italian American dishes. Think Primrose Lanes but with way more tourists.

Smokemade Meats and Eats

1400 S. Crystal Lake Drive, Orlando
The stellar pop-up run by Tyler Brunache will bring Central Texas-style barbecue to the old Italian House Restaurant space. His brisket might be the best in the city, but other items like cheddar-jalapeño sausage, ribs, smoked turkey and bangin’ sides and desserts will set barbecue fiends afire.

Sorekara

4979 New Broad St., Orlando
Japanese restaurant Sorekara, from chef William Shen and restaurateurs Johnny and Jimmy Tung, will be built around the philosophy of *sorekara* (Japanese for “and then”) and appreciating each unique moment of life. Guests will be ushered through multiple rooms rooted in this philosophy for an hours-long meal comprising 20-plus bites. “We want guests to think about their experience, and think about it for days and weeks after,” says Shen. “It’s one of a kind,” says Tung.

Tom's Watch Bar

8126 International Drive, Orlando
A boob-tube-heavy sports bar by Smashburger founder Tom Ryan will open on the top floor of the Hollywood Plaza Garage entertainment complex, bringing sportsballs fanatics to the sprawling space. Apart from the 40-ounce beers and booze, the chain offers pub grub beyond burgers and wings — think prime rib dips, ahi tuna towers, butter-poached lobster and shrimp tacos.

Volcano Hot Pot and BBQ

3560 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
The fourth area location of this popular chain will open inside the Colonial Landing Plaza, joining outposts in Kissimmee, I-Drive and Winter Garden. A slew of meats as well as seven varieties of broth will greet Colonialtown visitors.

Voodoo Bayou

7525 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando
The Moonfish space in Dr. Phillips has stayed vacant for nearly four years, but it won’t be for much longer when this “Southern Cajun Kitchen” brings its NOLA-inflected fare (buttermilk biscuits, gator bites and fried chicken are notables) and extensive whiskey and bourbon selection to Sand Lake Road.

Wave Asian Bistro

360 E. Horatio Ave., Maitland
The popular Mount Dora sushi house, known for its creative sushi doughnuts, sushi burritos, sushi pizza and sushi burgers, will anchor the soon-to-open Maitland Social in a 1,373-square-foot space with a 500-square-foot outdoor patio.

Nabe

7988 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando
Lewis Lin (Susuru, Juju) will have a busy year ahead of him with Mao Mao opening in the fall but, prior to the handroll eatery he and investor partners Khoa Nguyen and Keren Swanson will open this 100-seater specializing in wagyu shabu-shabu next door to Peperoncino in the Dellagio Town Center. Nabe will also offer premium seafood, as well as cocktails and a sake program. Nola’s Ice Cream will be situated in front of the almost 3,000-square-foot space.