The 20 hottest new restaurants to open in Orlando so far in 2024

Ceiba

1500 Eastbeach Way, Orlando
A love letter to Mexican cuisine, Ceiba is now serving modern takes on authentic Mexican flavors in — or rather, atop — Orlando. Now open on the Conrad Orlando's seventh-floor rooftop, Ceiba is led by chef Stephen Ullrich and aims to reflect a "contemporary expression of Mexican cooking and pays homage to curated ingredients that tell the story of the country’s treasured dishes and artisan purveyors."

Bar Kada

957 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park
The 30-seat concept from Soseki’s Michael Collantes has opened 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.

The Drake

361 N. Rosalind Ave., Orlando
The couple behind the popular Duck & Drake Kitchen food truck, Heberto and Rona Segura, have embarked on a new culinary endeavor in a more permanent locale. Diners can enjoy a diverse and seasonal menu with internationally inspired dishes and local ingredients.

Chuck Lager’s America Tavern

8151 International Drive, Orlando
Celeb culinarian and Top Chef contestant Fabio Vivani has opened 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 fuses plenty of international influences into its dishes.

Boxer and Clover

3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando
Matt Hinckley has teamed 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.

Sorekara

4979 New Broad St., Orlando
Japanese restaurant Sorekara, from chef William Shen and restaurateurs Johnny and Jimmy Tung, was built around the philosophy of sorekara (Japanese for “and then”) and appreciating each unique moment of life. Guests are to 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.

Lazy Moon Pizza Maitland

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

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 is now open, ushering guests through three separate rooms, where they can 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) can 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.

Pinstripes

11643 Daryl Carter Parkway, Orlando
The 40,000-square-foot venue housing a bistro, bowling lanes and bocce courts is now open in Orlando. The bill of fare promises wood-fired pizzas, seasonal gelato and a host of Italian American dishes.

Smokemade Meats and Eats

1400 S. Crystal Lake Drive, Orlando
The stellar pop-up run by Tyler Brunache brings Central Texas-style barbecue to the old Italian House Restaurant space. His brisket might be one of 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.

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, has anchored itself at Maitland Social in a 1,373-square-foot space with a 500-square-foot outdoor patio.

Fatburger

1713 Future Way, Celebration
Loved by West Coast pop culture icons and fast foodies alike, Los Angeles-based eatery Fatburger made its Orlando debut earlier this year. Predominantly located on the West Coast, Fatburger is known for its classic burgers, chili cheese dogs and loving lyrical mentions from icons like Ice Cube, Notorious B.I.G. and the Beastie Boys.

Oh Hey Cafe

1325 Lee Road, Orlando
Open House, a neighborhood social hall, and Oh Hey Cafe, a family-friendly café with expansive indoor and outdoor seating serving Lineage Coffee and pastries, have opened at 1325 Lee Road.

The Fry Shoppe

489 N. Semoran Blvd., Winter Park
The drive-through and pick-up restaurant is now slinging cone fries — don't call 'em french fries — in Winter Park. The frites are served in a paper cone and generally slathered with a variety (or combo) of sauces up to and including sweet corn mayonnaise, peanut sauce, ketchup, mustard, garlic-cilantro sauce or curry ketchup. All of these sauces are made in-house from scratch.

Mid Drive Dive

2401 Edgewater Drive, Orlando
Mid Drive Dive is described as a midcentury-inspired restaurant and bar serving American classics. The concept comes from the longtime tenants at East End Market Matt Hinckley (Hinckley's Fancy Meats) and Jacob Zepf (The Neighbors, Freehand Goods). The menu features American classic snacks, salads, sandwiches and mains. At the bar, guests can dive into simple yet crafty cocktails, plus staple beers and wines.

Raising Cane's

8170 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway | 12040 Pioneers Way
The beloved Louisiana-style fast food chain, known for its chicken fingers and signature Cane's sauce, has opened not one, but two new Orlando area locations since the start of this year.

Parlor Doughnuts

2912 Edgewater Drive, Orlando
Indiana-based Parlor Doughnuts is now slinging its signature layered doughnuts and homey atmosphere in Orlando. The craft doughnut and coffee chain sets itself apart with its specialty layered dough technique and unique flavors like French toast, turtle cheesecake and "Dreamsicle."

Birria 1983

54 W. Church St., Orlando
Birria1983 started as a food truck in 2020 and has now expanded into a permanent location in the old Graffiti Junktion space at the Church Street Market. Not a fan of birria? (Heresy!) Birria1983 also serves street corn, rice bowls, fajitas, quesadillas, burritos, Mexican pizzas, churros and more.

Poke Burri

12615 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden
Dual concept Poke Burri and Lifting Noodles, an Atlanta-born Japanese restaurant, has opened in Orlando. The menu features customizable sushi in unconventional forms — think sushi pizza, sushi burritos, sushi donuts and sushi corn dogs. (As well as poke bowls, for the less adventurous among us.) The Lifting Noodles side of the equation features plenty of specialty and build-your-own ramen options. This location also has a full bar and offers various teas and beverages.

Summer House on the Lake

1498 E. Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista
Cali cuisine and breezy beach vibes rule at Summer House on the Lake, newly open at Disney Springs. It's the perfect place to rock that coastal grandma fit while nibbling on salads, veggie-forward apps ... and indulgent cookies from the cookie bar.