Looking for the next new restaurant hitting O-Town’s food scene? Check out these buzzy places to eat and drink in Orlando — plus, some spots coming soon. Keep tabs on this list to stay ahead of the cuisine curve. And don’t forget to bookmark it.
August
White Castle, 4551 Collina Terrace, Clermont | Burgers
Billed as the home of the slider, this is Flordia’s second free-standing castle. It features two drive-through lanes and indoor + outdoor seating.
July
Simply Cheese, 2201 Edgewater Dr. | Cheese
This local fromagerie is open inside of The Good Pour’s College Park location, serving up cheese samples + pairing recommendations for every bottle in stock.
The Gnarly Cuban, 2545 Coolidge Ave., Ste. C | Cuban
This local business opened La Ventanita, Spanish for “the small window” (and often used in Miami to reference walk-up windows), to serve breakfast and lunch Wednesday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Jag Cantina, 8965 Conroy Windermere Rd. | Mexican
The 6,500-sqft restaurant features a private dining room, outdoor patio, and lounge area + offers a full cocktail menu in addition to “modern Mexican” dishes.
Shaka Donuts, 2641 Curry Ford Rd. | Donuts
Shaka Donuts is back and better than ever at its new Hourglass District location.
Beignets & Brew, 885 N. Orange Ave. | Coffee + French donuts
The regional chain opened its second Orlando location in the old Downtown Credo space with specialty coffee drinks and breakfast items.
Nomi Sushi Hibachi & Sake Bar, 12189 E. Colonial Dr., Ste. 110 | Japanese
Grab classic sushi rolls, sashimi, nigiri, and creative specialty rolls + sake at this newly-opened restaurant.
JALA, 155 E. Morse Blvd., Winter Park | Indian
This new restaurant offers modern Indian cuisine, and we’re dying to try the unique Pani Puri Shots.
Harmony Tea Shoppe, 12301 Lake Underhill Rd. | Boba tea
The boba spot’s second Orlando location is now open at the Waterford Park mixed-use development.
June
June, 700 E. Washington Ave. | Mexican
A “wood-fired contemporary Mexican” spot, June is a Team Market Group concept currently accepting reservations in its soft opening period.
Nikitta, 8255 International Dr. | Nikkei
Nikitta features Japanese and Peruvian fusion dishes + cocktails in an elevated atmosphere.
Nomi Sushi Hibachi & Sake Bar, 12189 E. Colonial Dr. | Sushi
Coming in hot with some cold fish is this new hibachi spot. Get your cameras ready — the presentation is perfect for the ‘gram.
Black Bean Deli, 126 W. Plant St., Winter Garden | Deli
For real this time, this deli is now open and it’s bringing Cuban sandwiches to Winter Garden.
Luminescent, 12286 E. Colonial Dr. | Coffee + cocktails
This new hangout in the old Baguette Factory serves coffee by day and cocktails by night, plus street food-inspired bites.
Allure Restaurant & Lounge, 13 W. Pine St. | Upscale dining
This South Africa-based restaurant and bar located in downtown’s historic Elijah Hand Building features menu items like Creamy Tahini Carrot Soup + Chicken Roulade.
Did we miss any openings in June? Let us know.
May
Aangan Indian Grill & Bar, 7653 International Dr. | Indian + Colombian
Stop by this spot during the day for Indian dishes with a modern twist. Head in after 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday for a nightclub vibe with Colombian food and drinks.
The Topher Taproom at Ziggie’s, 601 Virginia Dr. | Bar
Orlando Magazine’s Best Pizza of 2023 is taking over its neighbor’s space. The former Thirsty Topher had to close, but Ziggie’s is keeping it as a dedicated bar space.
Sparrow, 807 N. Orange Ave. | Wine bar and lounge
North Quarter just got its first taste of Chef Wendy Lopez’s menu inspired by the culinary traditions of Southern Europe.
Phat Ash Bakes, 221 S. Bumby Ave. | Bakery
What it says in the name — these are some fat cookies. Plus, they have gift boxes.
Pom Pom’s Sandwiches, 212 W. 1st St., Sanford | Sandwich shop
Pom Pom’s is back, baby. Favorites are back on the menu, plus some new surprises.
Rawsha Mediterranean Cuisine, 8956 Turkey Lake Rd. | Casual mediterranean
If your ideal meal starts with stuffed grape leaves and ends with shawarma, do we have the place for you.
Ji Bei Chuan, 7750 Palm Pkwy. | Noodles
This chain, founded in Shuzhou, China, just landed near World of Beer. Slurp up rice noodles and ramen to your heart’s content.
Did we miss any openings in May? Let us know.
April
City Food Hall, 1412 Alden Rd. | Food market
Not just one restaurant, but multiple restaurants and full-service bars. Think: Blessed Belly, Takagi, and Smash Dunk. Plus, enjoy the outdoor space.
Lorelei Wine Bar, 737 N. Thornton Ave. | Wine bar
From the people behind Death in the Afternoon + Suffering Bastard comes a French wine bar. Don’t miss out on the burrata + peach insalata.
Hot Asian Buns, 204 S. Sanford Ave., Sanford | Baoery
This spot’s bao are all handmade in small batches. We’ve got our eye on the bao combo, which comes with a side of kimchi fries.
Jabal Coffee House, 8335 S. John Young Pkwy. | Coffee
Caffeinate with premium Yemeni coffee at this cafe with a luxurious vibe.
Mosonori, 7541 Sand Lake Rd. | Sushi
James Beard Award nominee Henry Moso is serving up a new handroll bar.
Did we miss any openings in April? Let us know.
Coming Soon
Heatwave, 741 W. Church St. | Cafe and theater lounge | ETA: Soft opening on Aug. 15
Things are heating up in the Parramore neighborhood. The former LGBTQ+ bar Stonewall will reopen as a restaurant.
Grain & Berry, 1753 W. Princeton St., Ste. 200| Superfood cafe | ETA: August 2025
Grab smoothies, acai bowls, juices, and more from this soon-to-be-open cafe.
Okonomi, 1110 E. Colonial Dr. | Japanese | ETA: Summer 2025
Bring on the nigiri. From William Shen of Cowboy Curry comes another Japanese restaurant, this time offering casual sushi.
Hot as Rice Japanese Kitchen, 729 N. Mills Ave. | Japanese | ETA: Summer 2025
This teppanyaki spot — think: big, flat grill — is taking over the former 7-Eleven lot.
Águila, 1215 N. Orange Ave. | Coffee shop | ETA: August or September 2025
This new spot will feature several signature drinks; Café Panela sweetened with pure cane sugar, guava matcha, a spicy Mexican mocha, and the cafe’s take on horchata.
The Human Bean, 234 E. State Rd. 434 | Coffee drive-thru | ETA: Fall 2025
The Oregon-based biz is set to open in Winter Springs this fall with hot, cold, and frozen coffee and espresso drinks.
Sonic Bloom Room, 1321 Edgewater Dr. | Coffee shop | ETA: Late fall 2025
This coffee bar and flower shop will feature flowers and coffee in a cozy, vibey spot playing warm analog sound.
Oza Kai, 1821 E. Colonial Dr | Japanese | ETA: Winter 2025
Restaurateur Tim Liu — think: Mikado Sushi, Boku Sushi & Grill, and Oza Izakaya — has a new restaurant planned.
Outpost Neighborhood Tavern, 227 N Eola Dr. | Sports bar | ETA: End of 2025
This LGBTQ-friendly eatery and sports bar has received funding from the DTO Restaurant Program and is slated to open this year across from Lake Eola.
Jiang’s Kitchen, 27 E. Robinson St. | Chinese | ETA: 2025
New York-based restaurant has plans to begin operations by the end of this year in its downtown Orlando space.
Blue Coast Burrito, 2311 N. Orange Blossom Trl. | Tex-Mex | ETA: 2025
The Tennessee-based company will open its first Florida location here in Orlando’s Packing District.
Cowboy Curry, 1110 E. Colonial Dr. | Japanese | ETA: 2025
How does scratch-made Japanese curry sound to you? Sign us up.
Pups Pub, 898 W. Montrose St., Clermont | Sports bar | ETA: January 2026
Bring the dog along, this spot is for humans and their canine companions. The sports bar offers drinks and a rotating selection of food trucks where you can grab a bite to eat while your dog plays in areas dedicated to them.
Mecatos Bakery & Café, 380 State Road 436 | Cafe | ETA: Spring 2026
The Colombian-inspired cafe plans to build its 10th area location on a previously vacant lot in Casselberry.
Le Spatula, Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Orlando | Spongebob-themed | ETA: 2026
Take a gander at this SpongeBob-themed restaurant that will open at the upcoming resprt near Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Zaza Cuban Comfort Food, Multiple locations | Cuban | ETA: TBD
The chain announced plans to open seven new restaurants across Central Florida. Among the planned locations are the former home of Brick & Fire Pizza in SoDo + Orlando International Airport.
Still hungry for more? Dig deeper into our food news.
