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27 trendy foodie restaurants and bars every Orlandoan needs to try

By on Fri, Jul 14, 2023 at 10:50 am

In the great Venn diagram of the restaurant world, one circle represents undeniably good food; the other, undeniably good vibes. The eateries and bars that fall in the middle are foodie gold. They're swanky, dimly lit, plant-filled and perfectly Instagrammable spots. And Orlando is full of 'em.

Here are 27 trendy restaurants every Orlandoan must try to earn the title of a true foodie. 
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High T 23 W. Church St., Orlando This tripped-out themed bar is an ode to Alice in Wonderland in every way possible. From craft cocktails with a play on words such as “Maybe I’m Dreaming” and “Travel by Hat” to over-the-top decor, this spot is really a trip down a rabbit hole.
Photo via HighT/Instagram

High T

23 W. Church St., Orlando
This tripped-out themed bar is an ode to Alice in Wonderland in every way possible. From craft cocktails with a play on words such as “Maybe I’m Dreaming” and “Travel by Hat” to over-the-top decor, this spot is really a trip down a rabbit hole.
Reyes 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.
Photo via Reyes Mezcaleria/Facebook

Reyes 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.
Domu 3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando, and 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando This ramen bar gets packed! Domu makes their noodles in-house and they have tweaked their broth recipes to mouthwatering perfection. Because of this, and the fact that they don’t take reservations, ensuring a table at Domu is a challenge. The wait might be long, but it is so worth it.
Photo via Domu/Facebook

Domu


3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando, and 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando This ramen bar gets packed! Domu makes their noodles in-house and they have tweaked their broth recipes to mouthwatering perfection. Because of this, and the fact that they don’t take reservations, ensuring a table at Domu is a challenge. The wait might be long, but it is so worth it.
Black Rooster Taqueria 1323 N. Mills Ave., Orlando This taqueria offers a modern twist on authentic Mexican cuisine — and it's delicious, so you can probably expect some lines. But with options like the shrimp and chorizo tacos, pozole verde bowl and classic tres leches cake and flan, it's most definitely worth the wait.
Photo via Black Rooster Taqueria/Yelp

Black Rooster Taqueria


1323 N. Mills Ave., Orlando This taqueria offers a modern twist on authentic Mexican cuisine — and it's delicious, so you can probably expect some lines. But with options like the shrimp and chorizo tacos, pozole verde bowl and classic tres leches cake and flan, it's most definitely worth the wait.
The Monroe 448 N. Terry Ave., Orlando The Monroe is a swanky retro-restaurant located in Orlando's Creative Village, offering up cozy vibes, tasty small plates and entrees, coffee and cocktails.
Photo via The Monroe/Facebook

The Monroe


448 N. Terry Ave., Orlando The Monroe is a swanky retro-restaurant located in Orlando's Creative Village, offering up cozy vibes, tasty small plates and entrees, coffee and cocktails.
Kadence 1809 Winter Park Road, Orlando With a Michelin star, a reservation required for dinner, and a secret menu, this sushi and sake bar is a hot commodity. There are only nine seats and tickets range from $155-$175 for one meal, so this is not be your go-to for a casual night out. But if you're in the mood to splurge on some to-die-for sushi, Kadence might be calling your name.
Photo via Kadence/Facebook

Kadence


1809 Winter Park Road, Orlando With a Michelin star, a reservation required for dinner, and a secret menu, this sushi and sake bar is a hot commodity. There are only nine seats and tickets range from $155-$175 for one meal, so this is not be your go-to for a casual night out. But if you're in the mood to splurge on some to-die-for sushi, Kadence might be calling your name.
Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa 1326 N. Mills Ave., Orlando The rustic counter-serve joint is no secret to adoring Orlando foodies. Innovative flavors and traditional fire, smoke and pit BBQ methods combine to make this spot the BBQ landmark it is.
Photo via Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa/Yelp

Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa


1326 N. Mills Ave., Orlando The rustic counter-serve joint is no secret to adoring Orlando foodies. Innovative flavors and traditional fire, smoke and pit BBQ methods combine to make this spot the BBQ landmark it is.
Thrive 13 S. Orange Ave., Orlando This cocktail lounge and eatery is made for foodies who crave unique flavor concoctions and dining experiences. And its charm is no secret, so be sure to make a reservation if you plan on paying a visit.
Photo via Thrive/Instagram

Thrive


13 S. Orange Ave., Orlando This cocktail lounge and eatery is made for foodies who crave unique flavor concoctions and dining experiences. And its charm is no secret, so be sure to make a reservation if you plan on paying a visit.
The Strand 807 N. Mills Ave., Orlando The Strand has embedded itself into Orlando’s restaurant scene with dishes made from scratch and daily specials using fresh, seasonal ingredients. This popular joint also keeps a rotating inventory of craft beers and wine.
Photo via The Strand/Yelp

The Strand


807 N. Mills Ave., Orlando The Strand has embedded itself into Orlando’s restaurant scene with dishes made from scratch and daily specials using fresh, seasonal ingredients. This popular joint also keeps a rotating inventory of craft beers and wine.
The Ravenous Pig 565 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park Using ingredients sourced close to home, The Ravenous Pig offers inventive New American eats, an in-house taproom and hand-crafted cocktails. The stylish gastropub (with adjoining beer garden) asks that you make reservations because there’s often a wait to get into this foodie heaven — definitely worth the splurge.
Photo via The Ravenous Pig/Facebook

The Ravenous Pig


565 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park Using ingredients sourced close to home, The Ravenous Pig offers inventive New American eats, an in-house taproom and hand-crafted cocktails. The stylish gastropub (with adjoining beer garden) asks that you make reservations because there’s often a wait to get into this foodie heaven — definitely worth the splurge.
AVA MediterrAegean 290 S. Park Ave., Winter Park The trendy Mediterranean hotspot in the heart of Park Avenue is saturated in South Beach swank, but its menu packs real substance. That only makes the people-watching at Ava all the more enjoyable.
Photo via AVA MediterrAegean/Yelp

AVA MediterrAegean


290 S. Park Ave., Winter Park The trendy Mediterranean hotspot in the heart of Park Avenue is saturated in South Beach swank, but its menu packs real substance. That only makes the people-watching at Ava all the more enjoyable.
Pizza Bruno 3990 Curry Ford Road, Orlando The line is usually out the door at this pizza establishment known for its legendary garlic knots and scrumptious pizza. Get a glass of beer or wine, because there will probably be a wait — but it’s totally worth it. Cooked in a wood-fired oven for 90 seconds at 1,000 degrees, Pizza Bruno’s notorious char-spotted pizza represents true Neapolitan-style pie-fection.
Photo via Pizza Bruno/Facebook

Pizza Bruno


3990 Curry Ford Road, Orlando The line is usually out the door at this pizza establishment known for its legendary garlic knots and scrumptious pizza. Get a glass of beer or wine, because there will probably be a wait — but it’s totally worth it. Cooked in a wood-fired oven for 90 seconds at 1,000 degrees, Pizza Bruno’s notorious char-spotted pizza represents true Neapolitan-style pie-fection.
Highball & 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.
Photo via Highball & Harvest/Facebook

Highball & 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.
Otto’s High Dive 2304 E. Robinson St., Orlando What's not to like about a neighborhood rum bar? Otto's is oozing midcentury Cuban charm and has a lively conviviality without the deafening clamor and clang. Aside from experienced bartenders shaking and stirring rum-based cocktails, there's a focused selection of Cuban fare to boot.
Photo via Otto’s High Dive/Instagram

Otto’s High Dive


2304 E. Robinson St., Orlando What's not to like about a neighborhood rum bar? Otto's is oozing midcentury Cuban charm and has a lively conviviality without the deafening clamor and clang. Aside from experienced bartenders shaking and stirring rum-based cocktails, there's a focused selection of Cuban fare to boot.
Santiago's Bodega 802 Virginia Drive, Orlando A winner of Orlando Weekly's own Best of Orlando "Best Happy Hour," Santiago's Bodega is a Key West-themed tapas bar that delightfully pairs small plates with specialty sangria.
Photo via Santiago's Bodega/Instagram

Santiago's Bodega


802 Virginia Drive, Orlando A winner of Orlando Weekly's own Best of Orlando "Best Happy Hour," Santiago's Bodega is a Key West-themed tapas bar that delightfully pairs small plates with specialty sangria.
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. You'll spy the Fairbanks location by the iconic “Planting Dreams, Harvesting Hopes" mural by Lapiztola on the side of the building.
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. You'll spy the Fairbanks location by the iconic “Planting Dreams, Harvesting Hopes" mural by Lapiztola on the side of the building.
Susuru 8548 Palm Parkway, Orlando Chef Lewis Lin and managing partner Kenny Ly came together to create a "retro-themed izakaya" offering exquisite ramen, yakitori and takoyaki. Stuffed with Showa-era collectibles, this Japanese gastropub stays open late on the weekends to satisfy your slurping needs, both noodly and boozy.
Photo via Susuru/Facebook

Susuru


8548 Palm Parkway, Orlando Chef Lewis Lin and managing partner Kenny Ly came together to create a "retro-themed izakaya" offering exquisite ramen, yakitori and takoyaki. Stuffed with Showa-era collectibles, this Japanese gastropub stays open late on the weekends to satisfy your slurping needs, both noodly and boozy.
Norigami 426 W. Plant St., Winter Garden It's no wonder a seat at this eight-person sushi bar is one of the hardest to come by in Orlando. Chef David Tsan's menu offers seafood gems like geoduck, needlefish and blackthroat sea perch – all wrapped up in on an ambient, intimate dining bar.
Photo by Rob Bartlett

Norigami


426 W. Plant St., Winter Garden It's no wonder a seat at this eight-person sushi bar is one of the hardest to come by in Orlando. Chef David Tsan's menu offers seafood gems like geoduck, needlefish and blackthroat sea perch – all wrapped up in on an ambient, intimate dining bar.
The Stubborn Mule 100 S. Eola Drive, Orlando The Stubborn Mule is in high demand for its creative twists on American cuisine. Locally sourced food options and craft cocktails, beer and wine makes this eatery a popular stop for local and tourist foodies alike.
Photo via The Stubborn Mule/Facebook

The Stubborn Mule


100 S. Eola Drive, Orlando The Stubborn Mule is in high demand for its creative twists on American cuisine. Locally sourced food options and craft cocktails, beer and wine makes this eatery a popular stop for local and tourist foodies alike.
Proper 112 S. Orange Ave., Orlando Proper, the new "vinyl listening room" and bar, has opened in downtown Orlando, providing a haven for folks who want to listen to some records while sipping on a quality beverage.
Photo via Proper/Instagram

Proper

112 S. Orange Ave., Orlando Proper, the new "vinyl listening room" and bar, has opened in downtown Orlando, providing a haven for folks who want to listen to some records while sipping on a quality beverage.
Kabooki Sushi 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.
Photo via Kabooki Sandlake/Facebook

Kabooki Sushi


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.
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