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What to eat in Orlando

A traveling insider's guide on where to eat in Orlando. | By Lisa A. Beach | April 20, 2022 (Updated March 9, 2023)

Whether you’re on vacation with the family, meeting up with friends or on a much-needed date night, you can plan the ultimate day of drinks, meals and dessert at some of the best restaurants in Orlando. If you’re not sure where to eat, here’s a fresh look at old standbys and local favorites.

Disney Springs

Nestled near the Disney theme parks, you’ll find a dining mecca to please every palate — from light bites and handhelds to fine dining and decadent desserts. Disney Springs serves up a smorgasbord of top-notch Orlando restaurants.

Drinks

The brick exterior of Wine Bar George — A Restaurant & Bar instantly transports you to another time and place. Head upstairs and grab a table near the window (or out on the veranda) for some fun people-watching. With master sommelier George Miliotes at the helm, this estate-style wine bar offers an impressive 140 wines available by the glass, bottle or (if you want a wine flight experience) by the ounce.

Meals

Jaleo by José Andrés dishes up traditional and contemporary Spanish cuisine — tapas-style — in this sophisticated-yet-casual Orlando dining hot spot. From lighter sandwiches and salads for lunch to an extensive variety of shared plates and authentic paellas (cooked over a wood-fired pit), Jaleo’s quality ingredients — including 48-month cured Ibérico ham and regional Spanish cheeses — stand out in every bite.

Dessert

Indulge your sweet tooth at Gideon’s Bakehouse. These small-batch baked goods regularly draw lines out the door, thanks to their decadent flavors, rich ingredients and mammoth portions (they clock in at almost half a pound). Try popular favorites like coffee cake or pistachio toffee chocolate chip.

Restaurant Row

After a long day spent visiting nearby Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando, located in Orlando’s ICON Park and I-Drive neighborhoods, head to Restaurant Row. You’ll find a cluster of gastronomic delights lining Sand Lake Road in Orlando’s Doctor Phillips neighborhood.

Drinks

Kick off the night with drinks at The Whiskey, a rustic restaurant with a rock ‘n’ roll attitude. The Whiskey boasts an impressive drink menu, featuring handcrafted cocktails (try the refreshing Motley Cue-Cumber), classics (think Old Fashioned and Kentucky mule) and what seems like an endless selection of liquor, including moonshine.

Meals

If you love contemporary Japanese cuisine with a global twist, head to Kabooki Sushi. Chef Henry Moso brings an international flair to his restaurant, infusing his sushi, sashimi, rolls and ramen with techniques and flavors from France and Mexico.

Dessert

Top off your meal with a trip to Gelato La Carraia, the go-to destination for authentic gelato. This Florence-based gelaterie opened an Orlando outpost in 2017, dishing up artisan treats featuring either a milk or fruit base. The result? Decadent flavors like hazelnut, lemon, pistachio and tiramisu mousse.

Downtown dining districts

In the downtown hub of Orlando, explore these neighborhood favorites — perfect for date nights, casual get-togethers or special celebrations.

Drinks

The stylish-yet-cozy ambiance at the family-owned Bites and Bubbles beckons couples to kick off their date night at this eclectic spot in the Mills 50 district. Grab a table on the rooftop patio for spectacular views with an on-point craft cocktail or glass of vino from the extensive wine list.

Meals

Get a taste of O-Town at Maxine's on Shine. This quirky eatery (set in the Thornton Park neighborhood) boasts an eclectic atmosphere inside, plus plenty of outdoor seating. Many nights you can spot the owner in her signature hat and glasses chatting with guests.

Dessert

Located in the Milk District, Se7en Bites specializes in unique, scratch-made sweets — like the vanilla bean bourbon bacon Nightime SkyPie. As one of the many budget-friendly options in Orlando, this woman-owned eatery regularly sells out of menu-favorites, so arrive early for the best selection.

With so many amazing restaurants in Orlando, you might want to try more than one while you’re in town. You’ll return home with a bellyful of memories that’ll keep you satiated until your next trip back.

Lisa Beach is an Orlando freelance writer whose work has been published in The New York Times, Good Housekeeping, Parade, USA Today, and Conde Nast Traveler.

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