There are tons of great restaurants out there to choose from; here are a list of some of our writers' TOP restaurants and in their specific category. 

PIZZA

 

2420 Curry Ford Road

407-751-5697

2589 S. Hiawassee Road, Orlando, FL 32835-6316

407-293-8880

3990 Curry Ford Road, Orlando, FL 32806

407-270-6833

Originally born as a food cart, this brick-and-mortar pizzeria in the Conway area west of downtown draws people by word of mouth from all around. Pizzas are of the personal-size variety and wood-fired, so come up out with a slightly smoky taste and bubbling on the edges (so so good). Interesting versions like New Haven Clam Pie, with clams, bacon and cream, and the house favorite Crimson Ghost, with Fresh mozzarella, soppressata, basil, Mike's Hot Honey. Also, don't sleep on the pastas, house-made ricotta, and wood-roasted octopus.

 

AMERICAN AND PUB FOOD

99 W. Plant St., Winter Garden, FL 34787

407-230-4837

A quaint fine-dining restaurant in the Edgewater Hotel serves a set-price menu of New American fare.

 

4012 Central Florida Pkwy., Orlando, FL 32837

407-393-4333

With a discreet entrance tucked off the lobby of The Ritz-Carlton Grand Lakes, Orlando, the restaurant greets you in a grand way with a huge open kitchen, windows all around and a dramatic ceiling that looks like a geode cut and open with dim light coming down from above. It's Chef John Tesar's new restaurant in Orlando, and he recruited other chefs from top Marriott hotels across the state. Everyone who knows food in Orlando is talking about this place — and also talking about how it's good for a special occasion.

 

640 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland, FL 32751

407-674-2400

Rustic-modern with wood and metal accents, dimly lit, spotlight on big open kitchen. This is another restaurant by Brandon McGlamery of Prato and Luma on Park (now closed) fame.

 

617 Primrose Drive, Orlando, FL 32803

407-203-0727

Very few hangovers would survive breakfast and brunch at Se7en Bites. The menu is stocked with crowd-pleasers, including a buttermilk garlic biscuit topped with a soufflé-baked egg, homemade sausage, and a dollop of pimento cheese

 

250 W. Plant St., Winter Garden, FL 34787

407-347-9099

From our hand-built burgers to fine bourbon to craft beer brewed near and far, we are committed to sourcing the freshest ingredients within our community.

 

2 W. Plant St., Winter Garden, FL 34787

407-614-1010

 

565 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, FL 32789

407-628-2333

A husband-and-wife team of James Beard-nominated chefs are behind The Ravenous Pig, where Chef Clay Miller, who trained under the likes of Thomas Keller and Michael Mina, turns out Southern-leaning “Modern American" food, much of it ethically and locally sourced in Florida

 

6400 Time Square Ave., Orlando, FL 32835-7500

407-313-5111

 

132 W. Plant St., Winter Garden, FL 34787

407-614-2765

Wine, flatbreads, salads and American entrees in a sleek space with patio tables.

1236 Hempel Ave., Windermere, FL 34786 

407-296-0609

American joint serving BBQ, sandwiches and craft brews in a colorful, relaxed setting with a patio.

 

STEAK 

 

10100 Dream Tree Blvd., Lake Buena Vista, FL 32836

407-313-7777

Set on the 17th floor of the Four Seasons Resort Orlando, Capa is a chic Spanish restaurant with a high-design interior and sweeping views from a spacious outdoor terrace. Start with cured meats, Spanish cheeses, and tapas like foie gras with quince. Continue to share as you move onto mains like Wagyu beef, rack of lamb, and short ribs braised in a rich rioja sauce. For dessert, skip the churros for the crema de coco (coconut sorbet with mango espuma) or the hazelnutty guindilla.

8255 International Drive #100, Orlando, FL 32819

407-363-0228

Classic chophouse delivering wood-fired aged beef, plus seafood and wine in a sophisticated space.

729 Lee Road, Orlando, FL 32810

407-645-4443

High-end steaks and seafood served in refined dining rooms enlivened by piano music and magic shows.

Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse

9150 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819

407-351-5074

Opulently outfitted chain restaurant specializing in prime steaks and seafood along with fine wines.

17 W. Church St., Orlando, FL 32801

407-447-7950

 

SEAFOOD

7705 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando, FL 32819

407-776-2001

There are so many winners on Chef Henry Moso's menu, it's hard to know where to start. A James Beard Award finalist and Rising Star Chef of the Year, Moso packs the house for his sublime seafood dishes and multi-course omakase menus featuring the freshest seasonal nigiri, and much of the restaurant's fresh fish arrives regularly from the Toyosu market in Tokyo, and from Spain.

 

1809 Winter Park Road, Orlando, FL 32803 

A sake and sushi bar with just nine seats (yes, reservations are absolutely mandatory), Kadence is tiny but certainly mighty on Orlando's fine-dining scene.

1095 W. Orange Blossom Trl., Apopka, FL 32712

407-890-1111

 

ETHNIC

5855 Winter Garden Vineland Road, Suite 100, Windermere, FL 34786

407-395-8350

East End Market, 3201 Corrine Drive, Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32803

407-960-1228

7600 Dr Phillips Blvd. #14, Orlando, FL 32819

407-630-6163

Domu, in East End Market, is a chic, modern space with whitewashed brick walls, cheerful murals, and edgy fixtures. House-made noodles and slow-cooked broths are just part of what makes the ramen here so good. Beyond that, a pan-Asian menu includes rice bowls, lobster buns with bonito flakes, and grilled octopus with yuzu. Finish with ice cream, which comes in flavors like horchata, Vietnamese coffee, and taro.

Garibaldi (Apopka) Mexican Restaurant & Bar
2430 E. Semoran Blvd., Apopka, FL 32703

407-814-7103

20 E. Washington St., Orlando, FL 32801

407-841-5626

821 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32801

407-868-9007

Reyes Mezcaleria is a Downtown favorite for Oaxacan food. Start with a mixed ceviche of citrus-cured snapper and shrimp, or a queso fundido with Oaxaca cheese. Continue with shared plates — say, elotes, tamales, or fish tacos — or opt for a larger platos fuerte instead. For the latter, anything with mole sauce is an excellent choice, as is the line-caught Veracruz snapper (whole or filleted). Dessert offers nothing particularly notable — pass on the churros and finish with more mezcal instead.

 

129 W. Plant St., Winter Garden, FL 34787

407-347-9699

Airy and trendy spot dishing up updated takes on classic Mexican offerings such as tacos and enchiladas.

 

720 N. Mills Ave., Orlando, FL 32803

The focus in Japanese izakaya eats, and the yakitori is made with particular care and consideration. Organic free-range chicken is brined overnight and broken down into the various yakitori skewer offerings on the menu. 

 

ITALIAN 

7600 Dr Phillips Blvd., Orlando, FL 32819

407-545-6867

Elegant choice specializing in Italian provisions such as meat plates, pizza, pasta and desserts.

1130 S. U.S. Hwy 17 92, Longwood, FL 32750

407-834-9872

Colorful, Picasso-esque paintings by one of the owner's mothers decorate the walls of Enzo's on the Lake, an Orlando icon since 1980. The restaurant does Italian classics to perfection.

 

124 N. Park Ave., Winter Park, FL 32789

407-262-0050

A long hall-like dining space that stretches to the back where the wood-fired ovens, imported from Italy, churn out pizzas and the many other dishes finished there.

FUN FACT:

You can try multiple restaurants in central Florida for $40 per person, select dates; it's called "Magical Dining." Our chefs are ready. The tables are set. And you are invited to experience the wonders of Orlando’s acclaimed culinary scene with Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining, celebrating its 17th anniversary from Aug. 26 through Oct. 2, 2022 — 38 delicious days. It’s your chance to enjoy three-course, prix-fixe dinners at many of Orlando’s most popular restaurants, including MICHELIN Guide honorees, for just $40 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

LOCAL TIP:

"With more than 45 years of distinctive culinary experience, I am convinced that success comes down to this: One restaurant, in one location, serving the highest quality cuisine, the best service and a friendly atmosphere in which to enjoy it.”
— Chris Christini, owner

"Food is delicious. The meatballs melt in your mouth. We had a great time with such an attentive staff. Lazar and Rodrigo were our waiters. and they were super friendly and attentive. The location has a very old-school, traditional feel." – Mike