Snag a reservation at these coveted Michelin-starred restaurants in Orlando
Right about now, Orlando locals have a right to complain when they hear the city’s food scene described as up-and-coming. Sure, there are those out there who still see Orlando as simply the home of Mickey. Truth is, the world’s most commercialized rodent now shares O-Town with excellent restaurants. Luckily, that restaurant scene has begun to get the attention it deserves, including the arrival of the Michelin Guide. So far, four Orlando restaurants scored a Michelin star, while 11 others received the guide’s Bib Gourmand designation, for places that serve good food at reasonable prices. Another 31 spots in the city ended up in the guide’s “selected restaurants” section. But if you’re headed to Orlando to check out the city’s four starred restaurants, we’ve got you covered.
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Capa, a Spanish-style steakhouse and tapas bar, is known for its glamorous look and impressive menu. If you time your dinner just right, you can step out onto the balcony of the rooftop restaurant and watch the fireworks from the Magic Kingdom. Of the Four Seasons Resort restaurant at Walt Disney World, Michelin's inspectors wrote, "Kick things off with ace tapas before indulging in a main dish, like flame-kissed ribeye with tamarind-ancho sauce."
Michelin rating: 1 star
The 10-seat Soseki is the spot for creative omakase with a contemporary feel. While imbibing fresh fish and produce, you can enjoy an inspired beverage pairing ranging from global sake to traditional wines. "This tiny operation with Chef Mike Collantes at the helm is an ideal illustration of a contemporary meal expressed by way of an omakase,” the Michelin guide says. “A laser-like focus on local Florida produce results in a menu that changes monthly.”
Michelin rating: 1 star
Kadence is a popular sushi and sake bar in the Audubon Park Garden District of Orlando. The restaurant focuses on dishes made with the highest quality fish and produce. With just three seatings most days, two for lunch and one for dinner, the eight-seat restaurant can be challenging to get into. "The omakase opens with hot dishes and cool sashimi. This is free-spirited food that manages to honor the classic methods. Pacing is on point in sashimi like hamachi and hirame. Nigiri, like snapper with lemon and sea salt, will have you yearning for more," said Michelin inspectors.
Michelin rating: 1 star
Knife & Spoon at The Ritz Carlton, Orlando Grande Lakes is led by celebrity chef John Tesar and his right-hand man, chef de cuisine Gerald Sombright. While the restaurant has a bountiful selection of seafood, the star here is the dry-aged steaks, some aged in-house for 240 days. "This iteration from Chef John Tesar inside the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, is the picture of plush. Care and skill are the hallmarks of this team, as they turn out contemporary steakhouse fare woven with seafood," said Michelin inspectors.
Michelin rating: 1 star
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