The Best Restaurants in Orlando

For a fun-filled jaunt by the pool, check out 39 Poolside Bar and Grill. From award-winning Rosen Plaza Hotel, this spot is an ideal place to wine and dine for locals and out-of-towners alike. Chef Ricardo “Ricky” Lopez’s love of different countries and cultures shows in the 39 Poolside Bar and Grill menu. The happy hour is sure to please and features Peruvian style Ceviche and a tropical mixed green salad. This is a hotspot to stop by for a dip in the pool and a signature frozen delights drink.

A signature steakhouse in Orlando, A Land Remembered brings both surf and turf to the table. Chef Brett Beavers takes command of the kitchen and produces a menu that delights the palate, including steak bruschetta with a spicy horseradish aioli and lobster bisque with a splash of sherry. Enjoy a classic steak dinner in an elegant setting, and don’t forget to pair a highly-rated glass of wine with the meal, as A Land Remembered has plenty of options to choose from. Whether choosing surf or turf, a meal at A Land Remembered will leave a lasting memory.

Created and inspired by Amit Kumar’s childhood spent watching his grandmother cook in Northern India, Aashirwad Indian Restaurant combines different cultures to create a display of modern Northern Indian cooking. The name means “blessing,” which is fitting as Kumar has been known to express his feelings of gratitude to be able to share the inspiration gained from his grandmother with the world. With a bright and festive interior, Aashirwad serves up food made with hand-mixed spices and traditional ingredients, including shrimp in coconut and lime curry and lamb biryani with fragrant basmati rice. Since its opening, Aashirwad has gained quite a following and was considered the Best Indian Restaurant by Orlando Weekly in 2019.

Chef Marco Cudazzo, born and raised in Ortona, Italy, brings traditional Italian dining to Orlando. So much so that this restaurant has received the distinctive Ospitalita Italiana (Seal of Quality) from the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce. But the food can speak for itself. Signature dishes include bucatini alla maremma made with fresh bucatini pasta and scaloppine pizzaiola made with tender veal medallions. Enjoy these odes to Italy in the quaint home-style setting of Adriatico.

Taking inspiration from their namesake, the Northern Lights, Aurora commits to the outer space theme with Chef Mike Trudnak at the helm. Though the decor is out-of-this-world, the food is centered around down-to-earth local ingredients that come together to create classic local dishes. Try out the alligator empanadas or the Skull Island jumbo prawns with Cajun cheese grits to get a taste of Orlando. Their creative cocktail menu features their Nebula or Solar Flare, which is an ideal way to end the evening at Aurora in the Celeste Hotel.

Longstanding winner of the OpenTable Diner’s Choice Award from 2018-2021, Bites and Bubbles brings forth local food with a French twist. In tune with the cheerful nature of the namesake, Bites and Bubbles features glass chandeliers to create a relaxed throwback to dining in the ’60s. The menu, which changes nearly every day according to locally sourced ingredients, is the brainchild of chef and co-owner Eddie Nickell. It features French favorites, including seared Hudson Valley foie gras and escargot with a classic brandy mustard creme sauce.

Bombay Street Kitchen captures the tastes, smells, and wonders of eating street food in India. Drawing inspiration from the diverse cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and more, Bombay Street Kitchen produces dishes with a wide range of backgrounds from various cultures in India, including Goat Biryani, Pani Puri, which comes with two spiced glasses of water including spicy green chile and sweet orange tamarind, and Masala Dosa. Owner Amit Kumar captures the nature of street food with imported spices and traditional dishes. Stop by the modern restaurant for food plated for fun and enjoyment, to travel to the streets of different cities in India without ever leaving the restaurant.

Established in 2004, this new location of a long family-run business lives up to the standard of the other Bosphorous locations. The name of the game is Turkish food, created with Halal meats and ingredients imported from Turkey. The menu, crafted by a team of chefs, features traditional Turkish dishes, including fried liver (arnavut ciğeri) and babaganoush served with tahini and tangy yogurt, as well as other dishes, letting diners travel the world with a single bite. Winner of the 2019 Best Middle Eastern restaurant by the Orlando Sentinel, Bosphorous marries traditional Turkish foods with fresh local ingredients.

This restaurant follows in the footsteps of the New York City original to bring an upscale steakhouse to Orlando. This is the only restaurant in Florida to serve prime grade Certified Angus Beef exclusively. With these standards, the menu created by chef Juan Suarez shines, including the Bull and Bear fried chicken and 32-day dry-aged Tomahawk ribeye, delights the palate. Enjoy the meal, paired with the sommelier's choice wine recommendation, while overlooking the legendary golf course.

Charley’s Steak House has been a staple in Orlando since 1974. With such a rich history, it is no wonder this steakhouse has been voted the #1 Steakhouse in the U.S. several years in a row. Chef Jose Rodriguez runs a tight ship, overseeing the intense preparation process, including aging the steaks for four - six weeks, hand-cutting, and flame broiling over an open 1200 degree pit to achieve the perfect sear. Pair the meal with one of the 1,000 wine selections on hand and dine on perfectly prepared cuisine in complete elegance.

For the last 45 years, Christini's Ristorante Italiano has been bringing traditional Northern Italian fine dining to Orlando. Chris Christini, owner and chef, strives to create a menu and atmosphere capturing the elegance and romanticism of the northern region of Italy. Handmade pasta, Chilean sea bass laid over shrimp risotto, and gigantic veal chops are all dishes that capture chef Christini's passion for food and the country where he was raised. This 2020 OpenTable Diner’s Choice winner is sure to provide a 5-star dining experience, all while transporting diners to another country.

Winner of Orlando Magazine’s #1 Best Steakhouse and #1 Best Old Favorite in 2019 and 2020, Christner’s is a “humble little steakhouse” that goes big with the menu. Chef Chris Hughes brings the USDA prime steaks to life. Every dish is prepared to bring out the best, evident as the New York strip is cut to order and the imported cold water lobster is carved at the table in front of diners. Christner’s has been family-owned for 28 years, and never misses the chance to make people feel like part of the family with excellent service and a homey but stylish atmosphere.

Chroma is an Orlando restaurant serving small plates that go a long way. While the innovative buffalo chicken spring rolls and lamb sliders dreamt up by chef Anthony Travis delight diners, the star of the show at this spot are the locally sourced drinks. Craft beers brewed next door and garden-to-glass specialty cocktails have helped make Chroma the 2017 Best New Restaurant according to Orlando Magazine. Whether inside at cozy banquettes or outdoors around the fire, this sleek, modern bar and kitchen is one of the best places for a weekend date night.

Häos is a beautiful blend of the culinary arts and the art of entertainment found in downtown Orlando. This recently opened restaurant features not only a creative menu crafted by chef Michael McGonigle, but also a string of performances, including piano and drag. Menu items like Just the Tips Flatbread, with tenderloin tips and gruyere, and This Salmon Is Mahhhvelous, set the tone for an evening sure to entertain. Recently opened in late 2020, this spot has yet to gather critical acclaim, but it won’t be long before it is the star of the show in Orlando.

Home to the world’s largest collection of autographed caricatures, Jack’s Place at the Rosen Plaza Hotel offers steak and seafood surrounded by a fun artistic twist. As the Orlando Magazine’s “Best Restaurant on International Drive” for several years in a row, this steakhouse knows how to do fine dining. Chef Ricky Lopez sets the bar high for the menu, including 21-day aged steaks and caramelized chimichurri scallops served with parmesan risotto. While the food is always fine, the atmosphere is casual and perfect for a relaxed evening for two.

Celebrated chef Henry Moso opened Kabooki at the young age of 22 to much eager anticipation after years of working in local Orlando restaurants. Inspired by his mother’s cooking and his background growing up in Laos and Southeast Asia, he pairs the finest cuts from Japan with fresh local ingredients to create a culinary surprise on a plate. Kabooki is a Japanese restaurant bringing the creativity of the kabuki theater to the plate, including an omakase dining option. Nominated for a 2020 James Beard Rising Star Chef of the Year, Chef Henry Moso is sure to provide the best.

Enjoy an evening of elegance while dining at Knife and Spoon, the brainchild of award-winning chef John Tesar. This restaurant offers the fine dining classics with a new and innovative twist. The menu is streamlined so choosing a meal is quick and easy, with dishes including bucatini squid ink pasta and bone-in ribeye each have time to shine. Enjoy the view from the wide windows of the Knife and Spoon at the Ritz-Carlton while sipping something from the bar and soaking in the quiet atmosphere.

Using fresh seafood sourced and delivered daily from Florida’s coastline, as well as prime beef aged in-house, KRES CHOPHOUSE focuses on producing high-quality dishes from local sources. “Voted Best Late Night Dining” and “Best Steakhouse Orlando” KRES CHOPHOUSE plays on the history of downtown, decorating with modern art and a 1930’s historic landmark building. Enjoy the filet mignon or Scottish salmon and finish off the evening with a drink from the full bar or something from the wine list curated to pair perfectly with each dish. Don’t forget to visit during happy hour, which features half-priced appetizers at the bar.

Step back into old-world Portugal with a meal at Lisbon Portuguese Cuisine. This restaurant features traditional Portuguese dishes, music, and decorations to transport diners back in time. Owner and chef Rui Borges draws on a childhood growing up in Sao Miguel create the only Portuguese restaurant in Orlando. Try the baked daily pastel de nata or the collection of bacalhau (salted cod) dishes bringing the traditional flavors of Portugal. If the music and food aren’t enough to transport diners, choosing a beverage from the wide range of Portuguese wines should do the trick.

Community is at the heart of the Nona Blue dining experience, which is why this modern tavern has created a large shareables menu designed to enhance the enjoyment of whole groups. This concept tavern, conceived of in 2012 after winning a golf tournament, produces local Mexican and Italian tapas, including meatloaf sliders, Italian meatballs, and Baja-style street tacos to delight tastebuds. The bar contributes to the tavern feel, with a choice of 16 craft beers on tap. Nona Blue is a neighborhood gem, bringing quality food to the community with tavern-style dining.

As the Orlando Sentinel’s 2019 Reader’s Choice Best Pizza winner, Park Pizza and Brewing Company is the place to go for good pizza. This lively restaurant is still relatively new to the area, but knows how to make good food. This family-friendly restaurant serves the classic pizzas, and also expand the menu to include Bleu Bird and Pepperoni Picante pizzas for more adventurous eaters. Combine good food with house-brewed beer and Park Pizza becomes the perfect spot to catch the game. Fridays and Saturdays offer even more enjoyment as diners can enjoy live music performances alongside their meal.

For over 20 years Seito Sushi has brought award-winning sushi to the Sand Lake area. This Japanese sushi restaurant sticks to a classic sushi foundation using traditional techniques, but has taken modern inspiration and run with it. Along with fresh nigiri and sashimi made with premium cuts of fish, creative rolls include She Sell Seashells with torched scallops and Totoro with chu-toro tartare. The humorous take on food produces serious results. Seito Sushi is an upscale restaurant that is both modern and creative, with Japanese umbrellas decorating the ceiling. It is an ideal place to enjoy both traditional and modern Japanese dishes.

Winner of the 2020 Florida Trends Golden Spoon Award, Soco is bringing southern U.S. hospitality to downtown Orlando. At the helm is award-winning chef and partner Greg Richie who has worked for Emeril Lagrasse to capture the flavors of New Orleans and worked in the prestigious James Beard House on several occasions. Under his leadership, Soco crafts Louisiana Creole flavors, including the classic shrimp and grits and pecan-crusted fresh catch, which all come together for a full southern dining experience. With a grand window view into the kitchen, diners can either watch the chefs prepare the meals while they wait or turn to look out over the heart of Thorton Park.

Texas de Brazil does as the name suggests, melding Brazilian cooking and food with Texas hospitality. This Brazilian steakhouse differs from the traditional steakhouse in a big way. The meat, including grilled lamb, beef, and Brazilian sausage, are carved directly onto the diner’s plate, rodizio-style. This festive style of dining has gained Texas de Brazil a 2017 OpenTable Diner’s Choice Award as well as a Trip Advisor Award of Excellence. Feast until full on a huge selection of meat cuts in the traditional churrasco style of Porto Alegre ranchers without ever leaving Orlando.

The H utilizes an open kitchen design, so diners can feel the heat of the fire used to roast their dinner. A fine-dining establishment in Orlando, The H offers dishes inspired by the travels of the chefs, which culminates to over 70 different countries. Executive Chef Sezer Deniz combines all the inspiration to create a menu filled with wonders, including bone-in ribeye and house-made linguine de la mar with octopus and shaved bottarga. Their elegant and chic dining experience will encourage diners to stay for the late-night menu at this chophouse.

The Monroe meets any diner’s needs, and it’s a perfect place to grab a quick drink or sit down for a full-course meal. Opened in 2021 and helmed by a chef fresh out of the James Beard Foundation’s Boot Camp, The Monroe strives to live up to its namesake, civil rights leader Dr. William "Monroe" Wells. Chef Josh Oakley makes comfort food his own with unique small plates, which are perfect for sharing, including house-made pork rinds and grilled chicken hearts with lime aioli, but the fan-favorite dish is the fried chicken. With a fun atmosphere and backyard patio, The Monroe is an ideal spot for casual dining with friends.

Since its opening in 2015, the Osprey Tavern has been a hotspot for local seafood in Orlando. Headed by Chef Michael Cooper and his experience working in Michelin-starred restaurants, this seafood restaurant provides staples with an elegant twist. Mainstays of the restaurants include a whole Key West yellowtail snapper seasoned with ginger and Thai basil, as well as the local catch served with herb gnocchi. Enjoy the happy hour oysters when visiting on a Tuesday through Friday, as the oyster bar is a must-visit and offers some of the best local Floridian shellfish.

On the site of a historic 1924 building, the Tap Room at Dubsdread wows diners with lush scenery and award-winning food. With a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor and Orlando Business Journal’s “Best Power Lunch,” this restaurant serves up a wide array of food on the relaxing open-air verandah. Chef Stewart Barney creates award-winning burgers, including their original Cowboy with blue cheese crumbles and the Above Par with goat cheese. The menu also features several lighter options so diners can enjoy eating at The Tap Room at Dubsdread at any time of day.

Chef Luis Taborda oversees the award-winning Venetian Chop House, which claims the prestigious AAA 4-Diamond rating, as well as “Most Romantic Restaurant,” voted by Orlando Magazine readers. The accolades extend beyond the classic steakhouse menu of Angus beef cuts and burgers, all the way to the unique wine selection, which gathers awards in its own right. The widespread options for dinner and drinks, paired with an outdoor terrace and fireplace, along with excellent service ensures a spectacular evening of dining.

While the inventive plates created by Chef Tracy Jenkins delights palates, it is the international wine selection crafted by Deborah Linden that truly shines at the Vineyard Wine Bar. This elegant wine bar was designed to be used for relaxing with friends while the wines transport diners all over the world. Offering a wide selection of reds, whites, bubbly, and even craft beer, the Vineyard was voted in the Top Ten Restaurants in Central Florida by OpenTable. There are many ways to enjoy the bistro, including live music some nights and with a try-before-you-buy option for stocking up at home.

Thoughtfully styled after a wine-makers own home, Wine Bar George has the welcoming atmosphere of stepping onto a private estate. With a menu of over 140 wines, which has been carefully crafted by Master Sommelier George Miliotes, there are plenty of options to choose from. Since opening, Wine Bar George has gained critical acclaim, on the list of the New York Times 2019 “Top Five Best New Restaurants in America” and the 2019 “World’s Best Micro Wine List” according to The World of Fine Wine. Small plates of grilled octopus salad or Ibérico pork pluma pair perfectly to create a memorable evening.