15 Best Orlando Restaurants You Definitely Need To Visit
Orlando’s dining scene goes far beyond theme park fare and touristy chains. The city has quietly evolved into a true foodie destination, packed with everything from upscale steakhouses to hidden gems serving authentic Asian dishes and creative fusion cuisine.
No matter if you’re a local in the know or just passing through, these 15 restaurants highlight the bold, diverse flavors that make Orlando’s food scene so exciting.
1. Knife & Spoon
Celebrity Chef John Tesar brings his steak expertise to this elegant restaurant inside the Ritz-Carlton. The space combines sophisticated luxury with a surprisingly unstuffy atmosphere.
The dry-aged steaks are the undeniable stars, developing complex flavors over weeks of careful aging. Seafood options shine equally bright, particularly the butter-poached lobster that melts in your mouth like savory candy.
Cocktails receive the same meticulous attention as the food, making this a complete fine dining experience.
2. Camille
This Vietnamese tasting-menu restaurant brings intimate fine dining to the Baldwin Park neighborhood. Seats at the chef’s counter put you close to the action, making resistance futile.
I once went in for “just a light night out” and left marveling at course after course, each balanced with craft and restraint. The progression achieves that perfect harmony: crisp textures where they count and cloudlike, buttery richness where it belongs.
Offerings extend beyond sushi to a seasonal chef’s menu of composed hot and cold dishes.
3. Nami
This Lake Nona restaurant inside the Wave Hotel serves Japanese plates with big flavor. The minimalist wood-accented space creates the perfect backdrop for food that’s anything but minimal.
I still dream about standout fried chicken, impossibly juicy inside with a crackling crust that stayed crisp even as we lingered over drinks. An intimate counter experience lets the team showcase precise technique and premium product.
The sake selection impresses even connoisseurs, with helpful staff guiding your choices.
4. Domu
Ramen enthusiasts form lines outside this East End Market staple, and for good reason. The rich, complex broths simmer for hours, developing depths of flavor that can’t be rushed.
The Richie Rich ramen features a velvety, golden broth topped with a soft-boiled egg that oozes perfectly when pierced.
Their wings deserve equal attention: twice-fried to crispy perfection and glazed with a kimchi butter that creates an addictive sweet-spicy-tangy trifecta.
Cocktails incorporate Japanese ingredients in creative ways.
5. YH Seafood Clubhouse
Dim sum dreams come true at this upscale Cantonese restaurant where an extensive menu of bamboo-steamer favorites is made to order and brought piping hot to the table. The weekend brunch scene buzzes with energy as families gather around lazy susans.
I once brought my dim sum-skeptical parents here, and they were converted after the first bite of har gow, plump shrimp dumplings with translucent wrappers.
The seafood specialties truly shine, particularly the salt and pepper squid with its light, crisp coating. Save room for egg tarts.
6. Otto’s High Dive
Beach vibes meet serious culinary chops at this laid-back spot serving Cuban and Floridian coastal cuisine. The bright, airy space instantly puts you in vacation mode.
Seafood takes center stage, with plates that taste like they were swimming hours ago. House specials feature perfectly grilled catch-of-the-day topped with a tangy slaw that cuts through the richness.
Cocktails lean tropical without veering into tacky territory. Think quality rum with fresh-squeezed juices rather than sugary mixes.
7. Kabooki Sushi
Chef Henry Moso creates sushi that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious at this modern Japanese restaurant. The sleek interior sets the stage for an artistic culinary performance.
The Hamachi Crudo arrives like a painting: thin slices of yellowtail adorned with bright citrus, jalapeño, and delicate microgreens.
Specialty rolls push creative boundaries while maintaining balance, never sacrificing flavor for flash.
The omakase option lets the chef guide your experience through seasonal specialties and signature creations.
8. Tori Tori
This stylish Mills 50 pub modernizes the traditional Japanese izakaya concept. The striking design features curved wood panels creating intimate dining nooks throughout the space.
The yakitori skewers showcase every part of the chicken, grilled over binchotan charcoal that imparts a distinct smoky flavor.
Their karaage (Japanese fried chicken) achieves that perfect juicy-crispy balance that keeps you reaching for more.
The cocktail program deserves equal billing, with Japanese-inspired drinks featuring ingredients like yuzu and shiso.
9. Se7en Bites
Southern comfort food gets a creative upgrade at this Milk District bakery and cafe. The line often stretches out the door, filled with locals who know the wait is worthwhile.
Owner Trina Gregory-Propst’s family recipes form the backbone of the menu. Her grandmother’s biscuits serve as vessels for incredible breakfast sandwiches that could cure any hangover. The vanilla bean bourbon bacon jam should be bottled and sold as a controlled substance.
My birthday tradition involves their mile-high layer cakes that somehow improve on childhood memories.
10. Maxine’s on Shine
This neighborhood bistro feels like dining in someone’s eclectic living room, because it practically is. Owners Kirt and Maxine Earhart have created a space that embodies genuine hospitality.
The menu features comfort classics elevated with chef-driven touches. Their meatloaf transforms this humble dish into something special, served alongside smashed potatoes that somehow improve on an already perfect food.
Live music often accompanies dinner, creating an atmosphere that encourages lingering over that last glass of wine.
11. Capa
Perched atop the Four Seasons Resort, this Spanish steakhouse offers panoramic views of Disney fireworks alongside exceptional cuisine. The sophisticated space manages to feel both special occasion-worthy and comfortable.
The menu balances traditional Spanish tapas with prime steaks. The patatas bravas elevate the humble potato to extraordinary heights, while the A5 Wagyu, though splurge-worthy, delivers an experience that meat lovers won’t soon forget.
Time your reservation for sunset to witness the dining room transform as Orlando lights up below.
12. Primo
Farm-to-table dining reaches its full potential at Chef Melissa Kelly’s restaurant inside the JW Marriott Grande Lakes. Many ingredients come directly from the on-site organic garden visible from the dining room.
The menu changes with the seasons, ensuring peak flavor in every dish. Handmade pasta dishes showcase both technique and restraint, allowing quality ingredients to shine. The wood-fired pizzas develop perfect leopard spotting on crusts with just the right chew.
Service strikes that ideal balance between knowledgeable and approachable.
13. Sear + Sea
This modern steakhouse inside the JW Marriott Bonnet Creek elevates the traditional meat-and-potatoes formula. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the sophisticated space with natural light during the day service.
The dry-aged steaks develop complex flavors during their carefully monitored aging process. Seafood options are equally impressive: the whole roasted fish deboned tableside makes for both a delicious meal and dinner theater.
Cocktails receive the same attention to detail as the food, with house-infused spirits and creative presentations.
14. Zaru
Japanese precision meets Florida ingredients at this intimate Mills 50 gem. The minimalist space lets the artistry in the bowl take center stage.
The house focus is Sanuki-style udon: springy, hand-crafted noodles served in delicate broths or chilled with thoughtfully composed toppings. Each bowl arrives at the perfect temperature, seasoned precisely so nothing extra is needed.
I celebrated my anniversary here and watched my noodle-skeptical partner transform into an enthusiast over the course of eight perfect slurps.
15. The Pinery
This Ivanhoe Village restaurant pays homage to Orlando’s citrus-growing history with Florida-focused cuisine. The bright, airy space features subtle nods to the area’s agricultural past.
The menu showcases local ingredients in thoughtful preparations that feel familiar yet fresh. Their signature chicken dish comes with a citrus glaze that perfectly balances sweet and tangy notes.
Seafood options highlight Gulf and Atlantic catches prepared simply to let their quality shine. The patio offers prime Lake Ivanhoe views, especially magical at sunset.