For some US cities, there’s a particular dish or cuisine that’s just intrinsic to the area. Can you picture New York City without its pizza joints? Or Philadelphia without its famous cheesesteaks? Or perhaps Portland without its amazing donut scene? 

But Orlando is a bit different. The cuisine in Orlando is truly eclectic. Whatever you’re in the mood for, you’ll find it here. Want an omakase tasting menu? You’ve got it! How about a burger that’s part North American and part Latin American? They’ve got that, too. Heck, if you can’t decide between doughnuts and BBQ, you can get both at the same place!

Looking for the best places to eat in Orlando? We’ve compiled a list of the best Orlando restaurants, from Southern comfort food to vegan eats with a Latin flair. Dine your way through this list, and you’re bound to leave this sunny city feeling full and satisfied.

The 18 Best Places to Eat in Orlando

1. Camille

New to Orlando’s dining scene is Camille, a modern French-Vietnamese restaurant that’s quickly becoming one of the coolest places to eat in Orlando. Located over in Baldwin Park, it’s a tasting-menu-only restaurant, meaning that you’ll have to work hard to score a seat. 

There are just 30 regular seats, but for an even more intimate experience, you can grab one of eight seats at the chef’s counter. The menu changes seasonally, but most dishes are Vietnamese favorites with French twists, like the Vietnamese coffee-crusted Wagyu with potato pâvé. 

You’ll get 10 courses throughout your meal, with reservations being mandatory to score a table at this highly-coveted spot. Alongside your meal, the bar will also pour an extensive list of wine, sake, and beer, all curated by an in-house sommelier.

2. Foreigner Restaurant

Foreigner Restaurant has just recently debuted its permanent brick-and-mortar in Audubon Park, and it’s already become one of the best places to eat in Orlando. Up until now, it functioned as a pop-up, but it was simply too good not to become a forever feature of Orlando’s dining scene.

But you may have to wait a while for a reservation. This restaurant only has 10 seats, making for one very intimate dining experience. What will you get when you eat here? You’ll receive 10 courses, with the opportunity to watch the masters at work in the open kitchen.

As far as specifically what you get on the menu, you won’t know until you get there. This restaurant functions confiance-style, meaning you’ll simply have to trust that the chef will make something incredible. The menu varies by week and relies on local ingredients and innovative preservation and fermentation techniques.

3. Pigzza

Over in the Mills 50 District, Pigzza, one of the most fun restaurants in Orlando, is serving up what they call “Italianish” food. And that’s a pretty perfect way to describe it. Here, you’ll find traditional Italian dishes, all with their own unique twist.

If you’re going for pizza, you’ll be able to get a traditional Margherita pie, or you can try something totally one-of-a-kind, like the Shrimpin’ Ain’t Easy, made with alfredo sauce, blackened shrimp, hot Italian sausage, smoked mozzarella, and pecorino.

If you’re in the mood for pasta, you can try their take on a carbonara made with smoked pork belly. Or go for their parm options, like their chicken parmesan with house-made marinara and burrata cheese. And, of course, you can’t skip dessert, with options like the Banana Caramel Tiramisu, made with mascarpone, caramelized bananas, rum-soaked ladyfingers, and a salted caramel sauce.

4. Kaya

Kaya has quickly become one of the top restaurants in Orlando, thanks to its homey atmosphere and exquisite tasting menu. On the outside, you’ll see a garden filled with fresh ingredients, from lemongrass to edible flowers. On the inside, you’ll see family photos, artwork, and decor that’s all designed to transport you to the Philippines.

You’ll need a reservation to get a seat here to experience the restaurant’s tasting menu, or you can do an a la carte dinner at the bar. But you’ll want to do the tasting menu to get the most out of the experience. Alongside the five waves of dishes, you’ll also learn firsthand about the menu and stories from the Philippines. 

The menu itself is seafood- and vegetable-forward, taking inspiration from the Philippines, but the ingredients are strictly local. If they’re not grown directly on-site, they at least come from local farms, fishermen, and other providers.

5. Smoke & Donuts BBQ

What was once one of Orlando’s best food trucks is now one of the best restaurants in Orlando. Smoke & Donuts BBQ, with its simple, retro vibes, is cooking up something very new and not at all simple. 

When it comes to the BBQ, the restaurant uses unique smoking techniques and seasoning profiles gathered from some of the top BBQ regions of the country. On the menu, you’ll find pulled chicken, pulled pork, turkey breast, brisket, sausage, and tempeh for the vegan diners.

Meanwhile, the donuts are filled with sweet, spicy, and savory combinations, like the Mexican Hot Chocolate, with chocolate glaze, marshmallow fluff, spiced candied pecans, and a cayenne sprinkle. Or you can get the best of both worlds and try the Donut & Brisket Slider, chopped brisket served on a donut bun.

6. Papi Smash Burger

A burger from Papi Smash Burger is so much more than a burger, and yet it’s a burger done right and done well. These burgers aren’t artisanal or perfectly poised for Instagram. They’re messy in the best way. 

So, what makes this location one of the most unique restaurants in Orlando? For one thing, it’s the perfected way the burgers are made. They start with American Wagyu beef tallow. Then, mustard is squeezed into the liquified fat before a ball of seasoned Florida beef topped with shaved onions is smashed into the mix. 

American cheese, which is truly the best cheese for an American cheeseburger, is added on top. However, Papi Smash Burger takes a classic American burger and gives it some Puerto Rican and Cuban flair, like the Papi Chulo, topped with caramelized bananas, caramelized onions, bacon, chimichurri, and white American cheese.

7. Earthy Picks

If you’re looking for the best vegan options in Orlando, you’ll find them at Earthy Picks. This Latin-inspired Orlando restaurant is putting a new spin on traditional Latin American favorites over in the downtown area.

Though the brick-and-mortar is very new, Earthy Picks isn’t new to Orlando. It previously had several pop-up locations around the city and was a staple at the Lake Eola Sunday farmers’ market. Now, it’s just starting out in its first location, and it’s already making quite a few waves.

The light and airy space perfectly matches their veggie-packed bites. On the menu, you’ll find tacos, burritos, bowls, and much more, like their popular Crazy About You Bowl, packed with rice, beans, caramelized sweet plantains, avocado, greens, vegan ground beef, sprouts, and a cilantro sauce. Or just pop in for one of their smoothies, like the Get Up, made with cold brew, banana, peanut butter, cacao nibs, dates, and oat milk.

8. Se7en Bites

Looking for true Southern comfort food? You’ll find that and so much more at Se7en Bites, one of the most fun restaurants in Orlando. You’ll discover this hidden gem in the Milk District, where they’re functioning as both a bakery and a breakfast and lunch joint.

You could always stop by just for some sweet treats, like their oatmeal cream pie. But if you’re craving brunch, you’ll want to grab a table. Both their breakfast and lunch menus are served all day, so you can satisfy any brunch craving. 

The options here are indeed out of this world. Even a simple plate of pancakes is made above and beyond with the additions of honey butter and their signature vanilla bean butter syrup. Or go all out with one of their massive plates, like the Minnie Pearl, two pearl sugar waffles with buttermilk fried chicken, hot honey, eggs, cheddar chive grits, and that signature syrup.

If you’re craving lunch, you might want their comfort-food-favorite Chicken Pot Pie, which was previously featured on an episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.” Or try the 5 Cheese Mac n’ Cheese, made with a five cheese blend, caramelized onion bechamel, and a potato chip bacon crumble. No matter what you order, you’ll want one of their signature drinks to pair with it, like their peach lavender mimosas.

9. Wine Bar George

Wine Bar George is much more than a wine bar. Located in the Disney Springs shopping and dining district of Walt Disney World, this rustic restaurant is one of the best places to eat in Orlando.

If you’re coming for the wine, you’ll be more than satisfied here, with more than 140 wines available by the glass, bottle, or even ounce. And you know they’ve only chosen the best. Wine Bar George is the only Master Sommelier-led wine bar in all of Florida!

Alongside your drinks, you’ll find perfect pairings on the menu. The majority of the dinner menu is made up of small plates, so pick a few of your favorites and share them among your fellow diners. Some standouts include the Zucchini Hush Puppies, Crispy Mac & Cheese Bites, and the Dicuru Burrata with Olde Hearth sourdough. Or you can always go for the charcuterie selections with artisanal cheeses, meats, and condiments.

10. Pizza Bruno

With locations in College Park and Curry Ford, Pizza Bruno may just be where to get the best pizza in Orlando. Although Orlando isn’t particularly known for its great pizza, this restaurant actually takes its inspiration from the Jersey Shore. Owner Bruno Zacchini may have grown up in Florida, but he spent summers at the Shore, where he first learned to make pizza at the famous boardwalk.

Today, you can find Bruno’s wood-fired pizza here at Pizza Bruno, where you can get traditional offerings like Margherita with basil and fresh mozzarella or Blanca, with an array of cheeses and no sauce. Or you can opt for one of the pizza joint’s unique takes on a classic slice, like the Crimson Ghost, featuring soppressata and Mike’s Hot Honey, or The 5-0, their twist on Hawaiian pizza. 

For dessert, you’ll find classic Italian favorites, like gelato or cannoli. Or try their Nutella cannoli, which replaces the ricotta with the creamy chocolate hazelnut spread. 

11. The Ravenous Pig

The Ravenous Pig has been one of the best restaurants in Orlando for over a decade. Though its original location is in nearby Winter Park, it’s since grown, thanks to its very ravenous fanbase. They now also operate their sister restaurant, Cask & Larder, in the Orlando International Airport, as well as their fast-casual BBQ offering, The Polite Pig, in Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs district.

At The Ravenous Pig, you’ll find a menu that changes constantly, always being improved and created only with seasonal ingredients from small local distributors. Here, you’ll find seafood dishes like their Key West Spiny Lobster with whiskey butter, meat-filled plates like their Lamb Ravioli with charred eggplant and cherry tomato gremolata, and vegetarian-friendly offerings like Mushroom & Gruyere Beignets.

The restaurant is particularly known for its meat dishes, and whether you prefer pork or beef, you’ll find it on the menu here. Also on the menu are specialty cocktails and beers made on-site by the Ravenous Pig Brewing Co.

12. Jiko – The Cooking Place

Over in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, you’ll find some of the best restaurants in Orlando, and perhaps none are better than Jiko – The Cooking Place. Though the restaurant is deeply influenced by South Africa, you’ll find a blend of African, Indian, and Mediterranean cuisine on the menu. 

The menu changes seasonally, offering unique takes on classic dishes like flatbreads and filet mignon. As you dine, you’ll notice the warmth of the wood-burning ovens, as well as the African-inspired decor. Vibrant color illuminates the dining room as golden birds soar overhead. 

Throughout the evening, the glow of the overhead light will change subtly, with the red, orange, and gold tones meant to reflect an African sunset. Just outside the windows is the Animal Kingdom Lodge’s savannah, so you may see some incredible animals while you dine.

13. California Grill

The food at California Grill is genuinely decadent and delightful. But that’s not what makes it one of the best places to eat in Orlando. 

California Grill is located on the 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, meaning that you don’t have to pay for a ticket to Walt Disney World to dine at one of Disney’s best restaurants. You’ll choose an appetizer, entree, and dessert as the pieces of your three-course dinner. From sushi rolls to cioppino, you’ll dine around the world as you take in the stunning views of Cinderella Castle.

Try to schedule your reservation around when Magic Kingdom has its fireworks for an experience you’ll never forget. As the show begins, the lights dim, and the music from the park is piped in. Whether you’re a kid or a kid at heart, you’ll delight in watching the explosions of color just outside the floor-to-ceiling windows as you’re truly immersed in Disney magic.

14. Victoria & Albert’s

Over at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, you’ll find a high-end restaurant that’s been one of Disney’s and Orlando’s best restaurants since 1988, Victoria & Albert’s. Taking its name from Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, this high-end dining spot was inspired by Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Celebration. Everywhere you look, you’ll find Victorian-inspired touches, from the lace details to the opulent lighting. 

Despite its English background, the menu is more American. When you dine in the Dining Room, you’ll choose between two tasting menus created around seasonal ingredients. These menus are always innovative and use techniques that only the greatest of chefs have mastered. 

For an even more upscale experience, get personalized tableside service in Queen Victoria’s Room. Or get an even more intimate dining experience at the Chef’s Table, which places you just steps away from the masters at work.

15. Otto’s High Dive

Otto’s High Dive may be a bar first, but we’d be remiss not to add it to the list of the best places to eat in Orlando. On the menu is a fusion of Floridian and Cuban cuisine, while the decor takes on elegant Cuban and tropical theming.

Located in Orlando’s Milk District, this restaurant and rum bar offers flavorful treats, from their Florida orange-infused tres leches cake to their coffee-rubbed pork belly. And brunch is as much of a treat as dinner, with offerings like their Savory Bread Pudding, made with mushroom conserva, roasted tomatoes, and house-made herb ricotta. Or go sweet with the Pan Dulce Cubano, sugar-coated Cuban toast with marasca cherries, coconut cream, and spiced mandarin orange syrup.

And you simply can’t leave here without trying one of their specialty cocktails. Though many are rum-based, you’ll also find a mix of different spirits on the menu, like mezcal, gin, and sherry. 

If you’re a rum lover, you’ll adore the long list of daiquiri options, like the Funky Daiquiri, made with Agricole rhum, passionfruit, and honey. And for those who can’t or don’t want to partake in spirited drinks, there’s also a long list of mocktails available.

16. The Wellborn

Stepping foot in The Wellborn is like stepping back in time. Located in the Dr. Phillips House on Lake Lucerne, this restaurant’s building is on the National Register of Historic Places. A Victorian garden surrounds it, giving it a feeling of being tucked away despite being so close to downtown Orlando. 

With its award-winning bar patio, this restaurant and bar features a mix of Florida and Caribbean small plates, as well as their signature handcrafted cocktails. You’ll sip and dine as you enjoy vacation vibes, the Carnary Island palms and banana trees transporting you to a tropical paradise.

Start your day with brunch favorites, like Brioche French Toast, made with mascarpone cream, cookie crumbles, and house-made berry jam. Or order a round of their seasonal pastries, a mix of sweet and savory treats like a manchego and potato-filled flaky pastry or a chocolate croissant coated in cinnamon sugar. 

Or end the day with splittable dishes, like toasted sourdough with an eggplant and garbanzo dip, or something all for you, like their dry-rubbed Piri Piri Chicken Wings. And don’t skip dessert, especially the Guava Cheesecake!

17. King Bao

King Bao is a pretty unassuming place, but it happens to be one of the coolest places to eat in Orlando. If you think you’ve had bao before, you haven’t if you haven’t tried King Bao’s gourmet take on this classic Asian dish. The ambiance may be that of a fast-casual eatery, but the menu is what makes this one of the most unique restaurants in Orlando.

The bao buns are always thick and fluffy, but what’s on the inside is truly one-of-a-kind. Pork belly fan? Try the Hogzilla, made with thick-cut braised pork belly, pickled carrots, daikon, ground honey-roasted peanuts, and cilantro. 

Love seafood? Go for the Inner Harbor, stuffed with Maryland-style crab cake, Old Bay mustard aioli, and scallions. Or skip the meat altogether and try Mr. Potato Head, filled with sweet potato croquette, sour cream, roasted corn, and relish sesame seeds.

But savory bao isn’t the only thing on the menu here. You’ll also find a unique mix of takes on tots, like the pork-covered Porky’s Tatchos. Or go for a sweet bao, like the Tarzan, fried bao with Nutella, bananas, and powdered sugar.

18. 1921 Mount Dora

Located in nearby Mount Dora, 1921 Mount Dora is part restaurant and part museum, making it one of the most fun restaurants in and around Orlando. Set inside a historic house from 1921, here you’ll find delectable Florida-inspired cuisine as you dine alongside artwork from the Modernism Museum.

Though the menu changes with what’s in season in Florida, you’ll always find a fresh selection of delightful Florida favorites and upscale cuisine that takes these classic dishes to new heights. Start your meal with the sweet n’ sour Bandera quail or ham hock with foie gras. 

For your main course, dine on the strangely wonderful short rib with peanut butter hummus, grilled Japanese eggplant, and blistered shishitos. Or go for the red snapper with gnocchi, spaghetti squash, and sauce nantua.

The wine selection at 1921 Mount Dora has been as meticulously curated as their selection of works of art. Be sure to select a bottle to share with your party to pair with your meal.

There you have it! The 18 best restaurants in Orlando. What are your favorite places to eat in Orlando? Let us know in the comments!

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