Brand-new restaurants open now in Orlando

By OW Staff on Thu, Mar 9, 2023 at 4:18 pm

Orlando is slamming itself onto Florida's foodie destination map this year. With nearly a hundred new restaurants and eateries set to make their City Beautiful debut this year, it's a pretty good year to be extra hungry.

We've got dining concepts from star-studded chefs, innovative food experiences and tons of flavor across the board. Here are dozens of Orlando's newest restaurants open right now.

Check out our comprehensive list of the 77 new spots Orlando can expect to see later this year.

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Photo via Papi's Smash Burger/Instagram

Papi’s Smashburger

66 E. Pine St., Orlando
Papi's Smash Burger, new from Orlando's own Chris Hernandez, is now in a soft open in its downtown location. And it's ready to show up and show out with a unique atmosphere and burger creations made from 100% Florida grass-fed beef — plus a bar stocked with boozy shakes.

RusTeak Wine Bar

1681 Amazing Way, Ocoee
The popular Ocoee gastropub closed last June but opened just a mile down the road in spanking new digs. The chic interior includes a 16-seat indoor bar with a pass-through to the patio. Photo via RusTeak Wine Bar/Facebook

Otto’s High Dive

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

Photo via Smoke & Donuts/Facebook

Smoke & Donuts

601 N. Primrose Drive
After offering its superb barbecue at the now-shuttered Belicoso Cigars and Cafe in Mills Park, then being a resident food truck at À La Cart, Smoke & Donuts has finally gone full brick-and-mortar. And next to Se7en Bites, no less. Armed with one of the largest smokers in Orlando, S&D fires smoked meats and made-to-order cake donuts. There's a full bar serving specialty cocktails as well.

Friendship BBQ

5126 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Friendship BBQ, a stateside chain offering Xinjiang-style chuan'r (grilled skewers cooked over wood), has opened at 5126 W. Colonial Drive, next door to the Enson Market. Photo via Friendship BBQ/Yelp

Fuwa Fuwa

2008 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
The Toronto-based Japanese pancake chain will take over the old Subway building in Colonialtown and serve "fuwa fuwa" (or "fluffy fluffy") soufflé pancakes and other dessert treats. Photo via Fuwa Fuwa/Yelp

Kos

449 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland
The socially conscious Nordic coffee shop in Maitland is still refining its menu, but from-scratch Norwegian waffles, Norwegian brown goat cheese (gjetost), Scandinavian open-faced toasts, skyr bowls, Norwegian smoked salmon, overnight oats and pastries are being offered, as well as natural wines and mimosas. Photo via Kos/Facebook

The Moderne

1241 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
"Flamboyant," "devious" and "spirit-forward" are categories of cocktails served at The Moderne, but could easily describe the vibe inside this self-described upscale social lounge as well. Asian-inspired small plates ranging from kushiyaki to noodles to hand rolls are on trend, much like the clientele. Photo via The Moderne

Norman’s

7924 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando
It's been a long time coming, but Norman Van Aken's eponymous restaurant has finally opened at the Dellagio Town Center in Dr. Phillips. The legendary chef, along with his trusted chef de cuisine Carlos Robles Molina, plate dishes touting (new) "New World" cuisine. Photo via Norman’s/Facebook

OverRice

1084 Lee Road, Orlando
The longtime food truck op is another in a line of mobile purveyors going brick-and-mortar this year. Apart from Pinoy staples like pork adobo, lumpia and pancit, chef-owners Mayra and Joel Paoner cook up a bevy of Hawaiian classics like kalua pork and chicken katsu. Photo via OverRice/Facebook

Park Avenue Tavern

558 W. New England Ave., Winter Park
The old Dexter's space in Hannibal Square got a much-needed refresh when this Manhattan import moved in and decked the space out in a decent amount of leather. Like the Murray Hill original, expect tavern classics like steak frites, burgers and pastrami reubens. Photo via Park Avenue Tavern

Game Room Social Club

55 N. Orange Ave., Orlando
Advertised as "Orlando's newest sports and craft cocktail bar," Game Room Social Club has opened in the old Lizzy McCormack's space. Photo via Game Room Social Club/Instagram

OEC Taiwanese Cuisine

5270 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Orlando’s newest spot for fans of Taiwanese beef noodle soup. Photo via OEC Taiwanese Cuisine/Yelp

Stacking Philly’s

1145 Townpark Ave., Lake Mary
Cheesesteaks, hoagies and craft beers are this lunch spot’s specialties. Photo via Stacking Philly’s/Facebook

Photo via Google Maps

Descend 21

9801 International Drive, Orlando
Orlando’s newest social and entertainment lounge featuring TopGolf Swing Suites, billiards and scores of TVs, has opened in the old Urban Tide space at the Hyatt Regency Orlando. The menu offers everything from chicken pinchos with guava BBQ sauce to fried cauliflower tacos.

Ford’s Garage

8201 Vineland Ave., Orlando
Prime burgers and comfort food are the highlights at this auto-themed chain eatery now open in Orlando. Photo via Ford’s Garage Orlando/Facebook

Aji Express

5928 Butler National Drive, Orlando
Sister operation to Aji Ceviche Bar in Casselberry and South OBT has opened near the airport. Photo via Aji Express/Facebook

Barnie's Coffee & Tea Co.

118 S. Park Ave., Winter Park
Barnie's Coffee & Tea Co. recently celebrated the reopening of its flagship café on Park Ave. Both the interior and the menu have been revamped, with new items available for breakfast, lunch and brunch. Photo via Barnie’s Coffee/Facebook

Sophia’s

6464 International Drive, Orlando
An "evolution-centered" restaurant inspired by Sophia, the world's first robot citizen, has opened inside Roboland on I-Drive offering, uh, regional American fare. Do androids dream of smothered waffle fries? Maybe they do. Photo via Sophia’s/Yelp

Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ

1737 S. Orange Ave., Orlando
Named among the "Top Ten Hottest Food and Restaurant Franchises of 2020," the fast-casual dining spot has beguiled hot dog and bratwurst aficionados but also serves up brisket and pulled pork, and has a self-serve beer wall well-stocked with local brews. Photo via Crave Hot Dogs& BBQ/Facebook