Orlando is well-known for its theme parks and attractions, but it also has a vibrant dining scene. From fine dining establishments to casual eateries, there are many excellent restaurants to choose from in Orlando.
Here is a look at 12 of the best restaurants that Orlando has to offer.
The Ravenous Pig
Located in Winter Park just north of downtown Orlando, The Ravenous Pig is consistently ranked as one of the best restaurants in the city.
The restaurant is known for its creative and seasonal New American cuisine. The menu changes frequently to highlight the freshest local ingredients. Standout dishes include the charcuterie and cheese boards featuring artisanal meats and cheeses.
The Ravenous Pig also has an extensive craft cocktail menu that complements the food perfectly. With its intimate yet lively ambiance and outstanding cuisine, The Ravenous Pig is a must-visit for any foodie exploring Orlando’s dining scene.
Cress
For fine dining, Cress in downtown Orlando is a top choice. Cress provides an upscale but unpretentious dining experience with its prix fixe tasting menus. Diners can enjoy either a five or seven-course meal featuring creative dishes that combine global flavors with local ingredients.
Chef Steven Domine puts his extensive culinary training to good use by presenting visually stunning dishes with unexpected flavor combinations. The tasting menus change seasonally based on ingredient availability.
With dishes like carrot souffle and foie gras torchon, Cress offers some of the most innovative upscale cuisine in Orlando. The intimate dining room provides the perfect backdrop for a special meal.
Kabooki Sushi
Located in the up-and-coming Mills 50 neighborhood, Kabooki Sushi offers a modern take on traditional Japanese cuisine. Credited with starting Orlando’s sushi boom, Kabooki Sushi features classic and specialty rolls along with less common Japanese fare like seaweed salad and soft shell crab.
Diners can sit at the sushi bar and watch the sushi chefs prepare artistic presentations or opt for a table. While Kabooki Sushi excels at sushi, their non-sushi entrées like miso black cod and robata grilled items also impress. Kabooki Sushi brings high-quality, authentic Japanese dining to Orlando in a hip, contemporary setting.
Se7en Bites
For Southern comfort food with gourmet flair, Se7en Bites in downtown Orlando is the hot spot. Chef Trina Gregory-Propst puts her own spin on classic Southern cuisine using locally-sourced ingredients. Dishes like fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese, duck confit, and chicken and dumplings showcase the chef’s creativity and skill.
And no matter what you order, save room for homemade pie or bread pudding. The charming bungalow location adds to the restaurant’s Southern appeal. Se7en Bites offers modern Southern fare in a warm, inviting environment.
The Pharmacy
The Pharmacy is Orlando’s go-to spot for top-notch American cuisine in a unique setting. Set in a former pharmacy, the restaurant retains much of the original charm and character. Diners sit at vintage pharmacy counters and stools, surrounded by decades-old apothecary relics. While the decor transports you back in time, the innovative menu is firmly rooted in the present.
Chef Ryan Manning puts his own creative spin on American classics, with dishes like smoked brisket meatloaf and General Tso’s cauliflower. Cocktails also get the chef’s gourmet treatment like the “hot toddy” made with chai-infused bourbon. For contemporary American fare in a one-of-a-kind setting, The Pharmacy delivers.
Domu
Ramen lovers flock to Domu in East End Market for steaming bowls of flavorful noodle soup. Specializing in classic and modern ramen styles, Domu’s broths take center stage, simmered for hours to create rich, layered flavors. Customize your ramen with proteins like braised pork belly, chicken thigh, or local fish along with traditional toppings and housemade condiments.
Don’t overlook snacks like pork buns, wings, and gyoza to start. The casual counter-service spot also provides an array of Japanese beer, wine, and saké. For authentic ramen in a contemporary setting, Domu can’t be beat.
The Coop
For down-home Southern cooking with plenty of Florida flair, head to The Coop in Winter Park. Everything is made from scratch using regionally-sourced ingredients at this charming upscale food shack specializing in fried chicken. The menu stars the brined and breaded crispy fried chicken available in meals, sandwiches, tenders, and more.
Round out your meal with sides like collard greens, mac and cheese, and bacon fried grits along with buttermilk biscuits. The Coop also has plenty of Florida seafood offerings like fried shrimp po’boys. Local craft beers and house cocktails like the “peach-pickled tea” complement the Dixie cuisine. For Southern comfort food done right, The Coop excels.
Hawkers Asian Street Fare
Experience the vibrant flavors of Southeast Asian street food at Hawkers locations in Orlando’s Mills 50 district and Colonialtown. The fast-casual spots serve hawker-style dishes inspired by the food stalls of Singapore and Malaysia.
Hawkers excels at serving bold, bright flavors in shareable small plates and bowls. Menu must-tries include Hainan chicken rice, duck laksa, char kway teow noodles, and roti canai.
Cocktails, beer, and wine provide refreshing accompaniments ideal for Singapore’s steamy night markets. Hawkers brings the exotic and exciting flavors of Southeast Asian street fare to Orlando in a fast-casual setting.
Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar
The Orlando outpost of this Florida chain transports diners south of the border with superb contemporary Mexican cuisine and an extensive tequila selection. Fresh, authentic flavors take center stage in dishes like carnitas tacos, street corn guacamole, and fish ceviche tostadas.
The drink menu offerstons of tequila-based cocktails along with margaritas available on tap. Choose from three levels of heat for a customized dining experience.
With its festive decor, Rocco’s recreates the vibrant atmosphere of Mexico City taquerias and cantinas. The Winter Park location provides beautiful outdoor dining space along the city’s brick main street. For Mexican cuisine done right, Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar is Orlando’s top choice.
Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa
Pig Floyd’s gives Central Florida barbecue enthusiasts their pulled pork and brisket fix in a laidback setting with punk rock style. The meat shines at Pig Floyd’s thanks to the custom-built smokers importing authentic flavor. The tender pulled pork and brisket star in sandwiches piled high on butcher paper and platters with your choice of Southern sides.
An array of housemade sauces like the sweet and spicy “Floyd” sauce enhance the smoked meats’ natural savor. Don’t miss the smoked wings with Alabama white sauce either. Locally-brewed beers and live music perfectly complement a meal at Orlando’s premier barbecue joint.
Mesa21
For a fine dining experience inspired by coastal Spain, Mesa21 in Ivanhoe Village is the place to go. James Beard semi-finalist Chef Jamilyn Salinas puts a creative spin on traditional Spanish tapas and entrees. Small plates like the lobster sofrito flatbread and bacon-wrapped dates excel, providing the chance to sample multiple dishes.
Heartier plates include the estrella Damm-battered Atlantic cod and dry-aged ribeye with romesco. Mesa21 also offers an impressive Spanish wine list. The striking modern décor with artistic stained-glass portraits transports diners to the coastal Mediterranean. For superb Spanish cuisine in Orlando, Mesa21 is a standout.
Prato
For high-quality Italian cuisine in a sleek yet rustic setting, Prato in Winter Park is Orlando’s favorite neighborhood trattoria. James Beard nominated chef Brandon McGlamery prepares fresh pasta, pizza, small plates, and entrées showcasing seasonal and regional Italian ingredients. Diners delight in wood-fired pizzas, homemade pastas like squid ink chitarra, and fresh seafood like seared scallops with sausage.
The mozzarella bar provides an interactive experience to watch homemade cheeses being prepared tableside. Extensive wine and cocktail menus give diners ample pairing options. With its dynamic seasonal menus and welcoming vibe, Prato brings true contemporary Italian flair to Orlando.
Conclusion
From down-home Southern joints to upscale Spanish spots, Orlando offers outstanding dining choices for any palate. Foodies flock to innovative establishments like The Ravenous Pig, Cress, The Pharmacy, and Mesa21 for fine cuisine served by acclaimed chefs.
For more casual fare, Se7en Bites, The Coop, and Pig Floyd’s bring regional flavors with laidback vibes. Hawkers Asian Street Fare, Kabooki Sushi, Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar, and Domu transport diners to exotic locales through authentic ethnic cuisine.
And Prato provides a genuine Italian dining experience. Orlando’s eclectic restaurant scene has options for every taste and budget. Exploring the city’s diverse eateries provides a tasty tour of local flavors and global cuisine.