11 Best Restaurants in Orlando, Florida

The Pig established the gastropub category in Orlando and then went on to spawn several offshoots. Run by James and Julie Petrakis, a husband-and-wife chef team with multiple James Beard Award nominations, its delicacies include pork porterhouse and the pub burger, though the daily-changing menu always includes less-expensive pub fare like rock shrimp tacos and homemade pretzels. All charcuterie is made in-house, from the spiced orange salami to the game-bird terrine. Adjacent is the Ravenous Pig Brewing Co., serving small-barrel craft beers and ales in a beer garden. The Pig received the Michelin Bib Gourmand designation in 2022, which recognizes great food at great value.

Top Chef winner Richard Blais has fun with his beloved Florida seafood at this Michelin Recommended restaurant. Although he's rarely in the kitchen, his flair for inventive combinations and wacky molecular-gastronomy touches are obvious in dishes such as monkfish in oxtail ragu, turmeric-rubbed fresh Florida catch with banana leaf grits, or scallop ceviche in coconut.

Hipsters, families, and business groups dine side by side at this popular restaurant, a laid-back spot that specializes in Asian street food and has quickly become a Southern institution with 15 locations in seven states, including six in Florida. Travel Southeast Asia with scratch-made family recipes from across the region. Developed by four Florida friends, the adventurous menu includes roti canai, a flaky bread with a chicken-curry dip; curry laksa, a noodle soup with exotic flavors; and crispy Korean wings. More timid eaters adore the marinated beef skewers with Malaysian satay sauce, peanut-y chilled sesame noodles, and duck tacos.

James Beard Award–winning chef Melissa Kelly's ode to her Italian-American roots and farm-to-table sensibilities received a Michelin Recommended award in 2022. The homemade pastas and breads, Florida meats, and offerings from the pizza oven are essential; locally caught fish is served with Florida clams; and the chicken from nearby Lake Meadow Naturals is, yes, primo.

This retro-themed, Japanese bar–suburban rec room serves memorable charcoal-grilled skewers, ramen, chicken karaage (deep-fried in oil), tempura, and tofu bowls. Bar bites, craft beer, and cocktails add flair to the very casual atmosphere.

With nine permanent food and drink vendors, all housed in colorful repurposed shipping containers, Boxi Park is like a big, stationary, food-truck park, just with more alcohol. Three of the venues serve microbrew beers and margaritas or other mixed cocktails to go with burgers, chicken sandwiches, tacos, lobster rolls, and more.

Sushi-ya Henry Moso makes hip, modern-day variants of old-school sushi, with everything from standard spicy tuna rolls to tempura-fried St. Louis sticky ribs. The noteworthy, 10- to 15-course omakase events cost as much as $300 and feature such rare delights as Japanese flying fish or live scallops.

This elegant-but-casual, Michelin-starred eatery is helmed by two-time Top Chef contestant John Tesar (you know, the mean one) and focuses on turf (prime, house-aged steaks) and surf (raw bar, local seafood). Interesting dishes include sushi-grade tuna and torched foie gras or 45-day, dry-aged, 32-ounce, bone-in rib eye (at $130). As is typical for a steak house, sides like kimchi creamed spinach or fried potatoes with caviar are extra.

In the Key West atrium of the Gaylord Palms Resort, a large, anchored boat in the indoor lagoon welcomes guests aboard for a delicious meal. This restaurant partners with local farms and fishmongers to bring fresh, quality dishes to the table. Chicken, steaks, and pork chops are also featured, however seafood is the star here. 

Family recipes and beyond-standard Indian dishes makes Saffron a small gem in Orlando's subcontinental culinary scene. The classics—lamb korma, tandoori chicken, and tikka masala—are joined by specialties from Chettinad, Goa, and Kerala.

Using locally sourced ingredients, the chef at this small, independent redbrick eatery on Sanford's main drag creates Southern-fusion dishes. His house-made biscuits and gravy are renowned, the Saturday brunch menu features a Southern-style croque monsieur with candied collard greens, and dinner choices include pan-seared Florida catfish with bacon from Tennessee and the ever-popular shrimp and grits with corn from Zellwood, Florida.