Get Instagram influencer Christina Petsos’ top picks for Magical Dining.

It is my favorite time of year: the return of Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining® presented by Orlando Health. This is when top fine dining restaurants in Orlando offer three-course, prix-fixe meals for $40 or $60 per person, with $1 from each $40 meal and $2 from each $60 meal benefitting The Mustard Seed of Central Florida. I got to preview some of the menus to help you navigate your decisions — be sure to make your reservations!

Discover: Guide to Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining

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Orlando Neighborhoods

Crocante Restaurant & Bar ($40)

Crocante is a Puerto Rican restaurant that was recently featured on the hit Netflix series, Somebody Feed Phil. Chef Yamuel Bigio brings big flavors to Orlando with options like their famous Pancetta, Avocado Salad, Stuffed Chicken Breast and more.

Discover: Somebody Feed Phil in Orlando

This restaurant had been on my list for quite some time, so I was thrilled they participated in Magical Dining this year. Please use this opportunity to try this amazing Latin restaurant, which is just east of The Milk District®.

Discover: Things to Do in The Milk District

The Pumpkin Soup tasted like a cross between lentil soup and pumpkin, which is one of my favorite flavors and is incredibly comforting to me. The Avocado Salad is refreshing and a crowd favorite. Their Pancetta is not to be missed on this menu: crunchy, tender and delicious. Another unique offering is the Stuffed Chicken Breast: bacon wrapped, sweet plantain stuffing and creamy garlic sauce. Last but not least, the Tres Leches was moist and the perfect sweetness.

My top picks: Pumpkin Soup, Pancetta, Tres Leches

Hamilton’s Kitchen ($40)

Hamilton’s Kitchen is located inside The Alfond Inn, an ever-elegant property in Winter Park. I love to go to The Alfond Inn to browse the art and eat at Hamilton’s Kitchen.

Discover: Things to Do in Winter Park

This hotel and restaurant are dog friendly, and the outdoor patio is perfect for enjoying with your furry companion. They offer traditional Southern cooking with modern preparation, highly focused on locally sourced ingredients.

The Steak Frites was a favorite with chimichurri on both the steak and the fries. The Shrimp & Scallops were perfectly cooked with a pinch of salt for flavor. Their Macallan 12yr Butterscotch is a staple at The Alfond Inn and a great choice for dessert, though I slightly preferred the Key Lime Delight.

My top picks: Waldorf Salad, Shrimp & Scallops, Key Lime Delight

Lake Nona Wave Hotel Restaurants (Varies)

Lake Nona Wave Hotel is a foodie’s paradise, with all three of their restaurants participating in Magical Dining. This time of year truly presents a unique opportunity to try these venues that I know have been on your list.

Discover: Things to Do in Lake Nona

BACÁN ($60) is influenced by the many flavors of the Americas. It is a MICHELIN Recommended restaurant, which is well deserved. The food is creative yet approachable. My picks from this menu are Tuna Crudo, Birria Short Ribs and Chocolate Tres Leches.

Discover: Orlando MICHELIN Guide Dining

HAVEN Kitchen ($40) is a beautiful restaurant located on the second floor with a view of the pool. The food is inspired by the Mediterranean but with a twist to include Florida flavors. My picks from this menu are the Chicken Meatball Provencal, Mahi Mahi Souvlaki and Earl Grey Panna Cotta.

Nami ($60) is also participating in Magical Dining. While I have not gotten to try this menu yet, I am very excited for it and look forward to it in anticipation.

The Osprey ($40)

The Osprey is a beautiful restaurant close to Lake Baldwin in Baldwin Park, an upscale neighborhood adjacent to Audubon Park Garden District and Winter Park. I love the vibes here and can easily hang out for hours.

Discover: Things to Do in Audubon Park

The drinks and food are phenomenal, and it is thoughtfully designed. They serve locally and sustainably sourced line-caught fish, prime steaks grilled over Florida oak, and handmade pastas.

I was impressed with how good the food is here. Baldwin Park has come so far in terms of quality restaurants. I absolutely loved everything, and my favorite thing was the Rigatoni Bolognese. The Clam Chowder is great, too, and made for the perfect starter on a rainy Florida day. You can’t go wrong with the PEI Mussels, either.

My top picks: Cedar Key Clam Chowder, Rigatoni Bolognese, Peanut Butter Pie

Reyes Mezcaleria ($40)

I’ve been going to Reyes Mezcaleria for a while, and it impresses me every time I dine here. It is an elevated Mexican restaurant with the incredibly talented Chef Wendy Lopez at the helm. You’ll find them in downtown’s North Quarter district adjacent to Mills 50® District and City District.

Discover: Things to Do in Orlando Neighborhoods

The restaurant is beautiful with so much detail and things to look at. It gives a dark, intimate vibe, perfect for date night. And no matter what you order here, it’s going to be good.

The Magical Dining menu at Reyes is incredibly impressive with options like Birria Croquetas, Pork Chamorro and their Guera Cake. The Pork Chamorro is served inside a banana leaf and cut for you tableside. The flavor is incredible, and I could drink the sauce that comes with it. A little sweet, a little savory. Best of both worlds. The Sonoran Snapper was another favorite for me. Cerveza battered, it’s crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside with a nice acidic taste.

My top picks: Birria Croquetas, Sonoran Snapper, Guera Cake

Tourism Districts

Cala Bella ($40)

Experience a little slice of Tuscany right here in Orlando courtesy of this Rosen Shingle Creek restaurant. The food at Cala Bella is always fantastic, and I’m always delighted to dine here. It’s a beautiful space, and like all Rosen Hotels restaurants, it has the best service. Hotelier Harris Rosen has always strived for exceptional experiences, and he achieves it at all his properties.

Discover: Top Orlando Resorts

I must recommend you try the Oxtail Fettuccine. One of my favorite dishes in Orlando, it is amazing every time and so addicting. All the entrees were phenomenal that I tried this visit, to include the Local Catch and the Hertaberkschwein Farms Pork Chop. Both were incredibly tender with amazing flavor.

For appetizers, I tried the Baked Meatball, the Charred Octopus and the Roasted Parisian Carrots. I was a huge fan of the meatballs — so cheesy. The octopus was also cooked well and not rubbery at all. For desserts, they offer a Chocolate Crème Brûlée, Pistachio Cheesecake and Cafe Latte Torte. I loved them all but especially loved the Pistachio Cheesecake.

My top picks: Baked Meatball, Oxtail Fettuccine, Pistachio Cheesecake

Chima Steakhouse ($60)

This Brazilian steakhouse is in the Restaurant Row area. The meat is extremely high quality, and even my Brazilian friends love it. Their picanha, aka top sirloin, is perfection. I couldn’t stop eating the Jalapeño Picanha, it’s addicting! It brings the flavor without an uncomfortable heat.

Discover: Restaurant Row Dining

The gauchos walk around to serve you the meat. You may request your favorites or ones you’re waiting for, too.

My favorites were the Jalapeño Picanha, Garlic Picanha and Beef Ribs, but it was all great. Their Magical Dining deal also comes with cheese bread, salad bar, rodizio items, sides and a choice of dessert.

Fiorenzo ($60)

Fiorenzo is located inside Hyatt Regency Orlando on International Drive. Tucked to the side in this bustling hotel is a modern Italian steakhouse with an open concept kitchen. It is a beautiful space with amazing food.

I tried Nonna’s Meatball, Burrata, 16-oz. Delmonico Ribeye, Mushroom Lasagna, Vegan Filet, Tidal Wave Limoncello Tiramisu and Banana Cream Pie.

If you don’t try the steak here, you’re seriously missing out. This is their specialty, and it is cooked in a stove. They have a 16-oz. Delmonico Ribeye on the Magical Dining menu that I loved. The salt on top was everything I wanted. Nonna’s Meatball is another thing I love and get every time, and it happens to be on the Magical Dining menu. Something unique at Fiorenzo is their Vegan Steak — the flavor really does taste like a steak. They are doing innovative things here!

My top picks: Nonna’s Meatball, Burrata, 16-oz. Delmonico Ribeye, Tidal Wave Limoncello Tiramisu

Norman’s ($60)

Norman’s is located on Restaurant Row — a perfect spot for it! The terrace overlooks Sand Lake and is beautiful. It’s hard to miss it from the road.

Chef Norman Van Aken is the founding father of New World Cuisine: a celebration of Latin, Caribbean, Asian, American and African. He is a James Beard recipient and talented in so many ways. The menu blends both new and old, and is something everyone needs to try at least once in their life.

Their Magical Dining menu has some of Chef Norman’s signature items, like the Blue Crab Beignets and the Pan-Cooked Filet of Key West Yellowtail Snapper. This is what I order every time, because it’s amazing — perfectly pan seared with a touch citrus. Another great option is the Four Peppercorn Roasted Prime Petite Filet Mignon.

My top picks: Charred & Chilled Beef Tataki, Pan-Cooked Filet of Key West Yellowtail Snapper, Dulce de Leche Tres Leche Cake

Salt & the Cellar by Akira Back ($60)

Salt & the Cellar by Akira Back is probably one of the most underrated restaurants in Central Florida and needs to be at the top of your list. It is located inside the boutique ette hotel near Walt Disney World® Resort. It is not only gorgeous, but some of the destination’s best food is here.

Chef Akira Back’s DOSA is a MICHELIN Star recipient. His cuisine is known for its unique blend of Japanese, Korean and American flavors, as well as its use of fresh and high-quality ingredients. Here at Salt & the Cellar, they pride themselves on using only the freshest ingredients for their dishes. The food is a blend of Mediterranean and Asian cuisine, and every dish is truly a work of art.

The menu offers great choices like their Akira Back Tuna Pizza, Grilled Eggplant, Jidori Chicken, Filet Mignon 5 oz., AB Cigar (made of chocolate), and more. It is a $60 menu and worth every penny.

My top picks: Akira Back Tuna Pizza, Jidori Chicken, Yuzu Curd

Seito Sushi Sand Lake ($40)

Part of the Restaurant Row area, Seito Sand Lake is a beautiful restaurant, the drinks are strong, and all the food is amazing every time. This menu is $40 and is four courses! (Editor’s note: Seito has a second location in Baldwin Park, also participating in Magical Dining.)

I find myself staring at all the decor every visit, as it’s so detailed. Plus, you can’t forget the gorgeous Hanami lounge with the cherry blossom that lines the ceiling. I am forever obsessed with it. Makes the perfect date night to sit in here — it’s so intimate.

My personal favorite picks for this menu are Miso Soup, King Trumpet Mushroom, the Bench Press, and the Ube Cheesecake, but really it all was very good. You can also add a drink pairing for an additional charge.

My top picks: Miso Soup, King Trumpet Mushroom, Bench Press, Ube Cheesecake

Map of Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining® Restaurants

Use this interactive map to track down all 150+ participating restaurants in Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining 2024, including the ones featured in this blog. Be sure to check out suggested Magical Dining art pairings from United Arts of Central Florida, too.