Sample this year’s menus with Orlando influencer and foodie Christina Petsos.

Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining® presented by Orlando Health is here, ushering in one of the best times of the year. Many of Orlando’s best restaurants offer a three course, prix-fixe meal for $40 or $60, with over 180 options to explore across six weeks. This is the perfect excuse to get out and try something new. And the best part? A portion of the proceeds are donated to charity. I was able to preview Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining menus at over a dozen restaurants and I must say, this is the best year yet. Let’s dive in.

Discover: Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining

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Bar Helios at Universal Helios Grand Hotel ($60)

Bar Helios is located on the rooftop of the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel, overlooking the brand-new theme park, Universal Epic Universe. It’s a beautiful restaurant with sky-high ceilings depicting constellations. It also offers a rooftop terrace that has become a popular evening spot to watch Celestial Goodnight, the nightly spectacular that spans the whole park. The menu is Greek-inspired, and I have always been impressed with the level of quality and creativity of their dishes.

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One of their most popular appetizers, the patatas bravas, is on the Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining menu. These layered potatoes are not to be missed. I also thoroughly enjoyed the farmers cheese. A feta spread is always a good idea, and this one features locally sourced fruit and pistachio crumbles for a unique layer of crunch. The fried halloumi is sweet and savory as it is served with honey. Upgrade to the ora king salmon for a nice sushi option.

From their main courses, I was happy to see the pan-seared diver scallops, as it was one of my favorite items from my previous visit. The scallops are cooked well, and the dill citrus foam creates a punchy flavor without being overbearing. The petite beef medallions have a chimichurri sauce that completed them well. For the risotto al Limone, it is served in a wood dish and is smoked. I often find not everyone can cook risotto to the right consistency, but Bar Helios does a phenomenal job. For an upgraded option, you can also try the Niman Ranch lamb chops. The lamb is tender and served with a chermoula sauce. This sauce is fresh, earthy, tangy and aromatic, with a balance of herbs, spices, citrus and garlic.

When it comes to desserts, I recommend the Mount Vesuvius. This is one of their most popular desserts. It comes with a spicy caramel sauce that is poured tableside. Another great option is A Night at the Opera. The cake is moist, light and beautifully presented with multiple layers.

My top picks: Patatas bravas, pan-seared diver scallops, Mount Vesuvius

Daniel Gabor’s Alpine Grill ($40)

From the humble beginnings of a ghost kitchen to a full sit-down restaurant, the food at Daniel Gabor’s Alpine Grill in Ocoee is nothing short of fantastic. Chef Daniel Gabor moved to the United States from Bavaria, where he was a bartender. He first went to New York to attend the Culinary Institute of America before transitioning to Orlando, where he opened Dan’s Bavarian Takeout, a successful ghost kitchen at Dollins Food Hall (now West Lakes Food Co.). Now at his Alpine Grill, he serves dishes inspired by the Alpine region. The menu is full of German dishes with some inspired by Spain.

From the appetizers, I must direct you to the mushroom parfait that takes over four days to prepare. It’s served with housemade sourdough bread and spreads just like butter. The mushroom is not overpowering, making for a pleasant melt in your mouth experience. The albondigas are tender and marinated in a rich tomato sauce that transported me right back to Spain. And the Flamed Chorizo Mussels are a decadent, Spanish-inspired seafood option with a splash of cognac, creating a rich, savory broth with remarkable depth.

From the entrees, I really enjoyed the chicken schnitzel. Crispy on the outside, but tender on the inside, this is a dish where Daniel Gabor’s really shines and shows his love of his country’s cuisine. The braised short rib is also good. It’s marinated for 48 hours prior to cooking and falls apart so easily. Together with the mashed potatoes and pepper jam, you get a sweet and savory mix that works so well.

For dessert, I couldn’t miss the apple strudel. It’s served warm with an anglaise sauce that is so smooth. The crunch of the strudel was music to my ears. The mascarpone cheesecake has a lighter and silkier texture than your regular cheesecake. Served with fresh blueberries, it’s a great choice.

My top picks: Mushroom parfait, chicken schnitzel, apple strudel

Dragonfly Robata Grill & Sushi ($40)

Located in the Restaurant Row dining district, Dragonfly Robata Grill & Sushi is a restaurant I visit year after year. The fish is fresh and the skewers always perfectly grilled. Their Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining menu features four courses, instead of three, with smaller dishes so you can try more food.

Discover: Restaurant Row

I highly recommend starting with the wontons. They offer a creative blend of savory and sweet flavors with the perfect crunch. The house-made peach-apricot reduction adds a bright, fruity contrast with its sweet and slightly tangy notes. Their ginger salad is also a winner, so you can’t go wrong.

From the second course, I enjoyed the nigiri trio, which includes salmon, tuna and yellowtail, as well as the shrimp skewers. Marinated in yuzu, it was a savory yet refreshing dish.

The ribeye skewers were juicy and flavorful as a main course. They are glazed with rich tare sauce, a Japanese-inspired sweet and savory seasoning that enhances the steak’s natural depth, and finished with garlic shiso chimichurri. The tuna kobachi had a nice kick and is served with flaky puffed rice. It’s a fun alternative to a normal maki roll as you can build it yourself.

Dessert included the ube flan and mochi donuts. The mochi donut was light with a lovely chewy and bouncy interior. The ube flan was creamy with a great nutty flavor from the ube.

My top picks: Wontons, nigiri trio, kobachi, mochi donuts

Four Flamingos, A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen ($60)

Four Flamingos is the namesake kitchen of celebrity chef Richard Blais. It’s a beautiful restaurant located inside the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, right outside Walt Disney World® Resort. The theming is lovely with thoughtful nods to the majestic pink bird throughout the decor. Its open kitchen allows you to watch the chefs prepare your meals and the ambiance is bright and airy.

I’ve always been a fan of this restaurant, and I’m never let down by the food. Their Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining menu is a lovely showcase of what Four Flamingos has to offer.

Their appetizer section includes the goat cheese brûlée, seasonal ceviche, and spiny lobster bisque. Listen, I love a good goat cheese. The addition of a brûlée takes this one to the next level. The ceviche is more sashimi style than ceviche. The coconut milk it sits in brings a nice sweetness to the dish. The spiny lobster bisque was smooth and the lobster melted in my mouth like butter. It had a nice kick from the Datil oil. You can also upgrade to the crab cakes, which I found was mostly crab, hardly any filling. It was a great crab cake.

For entrees, you can choose the mojo chicken, yellow tail snapper or the churrasco. The swordfish is available as an upgrade. No matter what you choose, you’re in for a treat. Do not sleep on the mojo chicken. I normally won’t order the chicken on a menu because it’s generally pretty basic, but this mojo chicken was amazing. Perfectly salted.

The yellowtail snapper was tender and served with a passion fruit and thyme cream that balanced the flavors of the fish well. The churrasco is made with wagyu and was cooked perfectly. The swordfish prime rib is one of my favorite dishes in Orlando. I’ve never had a swordfish cooked more perfectly than the one at Four Flamingos.

For desserts, they have a coconut panna cotta, dulce de leche crème brûlée, and tres leches tiramisu. I was completely obsessed with dulce de leche crème brûlée. I want another one while typing this. The espresso “dirt” offered a nice crunch to the silky texture of the creme brûlée.

My top picks: Seasonal ceviche, key lime mojo chicken, dulce de leche crème brûlée.

Fuji Sushi ($40)

If you ask me who I think has the best Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining deal this year, I’ll tell you it’s Fuji Sushi in Altamonte Springs. The amount of food in this meal is insane. Plus, Chef AB is a wonderful talent and you really should go try his sushi. While it is a three-course menu, many of the main courses come with two items, making it the best bang for your buck.

I tried all three appetizers. The main difference between the beef tataki and the tuna is the protein. Both are large portions, served in a ponzu sauce that is tangy and light, exactly what you want out of a ponzu sauce. The shrimp tempura has a light batter with a nice buttery flavor.

For the entrees, there are three roll options, and they all come with an additional item. Each roll is expertly crafted with fresh, high-quality fish. The Aquabear roll comes with diced tuna that was spiced well. This was my favorite of all the entrees. For the krab lover, I recommend the Fuji bomb. It is giant and it comes with a roll that is wrapped in cucumber rather than seaweed paper.

The great thing is that there is more than just sushi on this menu. There is also a hibachi option, the gyu-niku. This is sliced stir fry beef with veggies and steamed rice. You can also opt for the Fuji combo, which is a bento box, giving you a sample of everything. Just two people together partaking in Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining can share quite a bit of food and taste what Fuji has to offer. I can guarantee it won’t be your last visit.

Dessert selections include mochi ice cream, fried cheesecake and fried ice cream. All are traditional desserts offered at Japanese restaurants. The mochi were perfectly chewy and kept the ice cream cold to where it did not melt right away. The fried cheesecake was creamy and sweet.

My top picks: Tuna tataki, Kobachi and Aquabear Roll, mochi ice cream

Hamilton’s Kitchen ($60)

I have been a fan of Hamilton’s Kitchen, located inside boutique hotel The Alfond Inn, for many years. It is a staple in Winter Park. This year, Hamilton’s Kitchen welcomed Executive Chef Antwan Ellis to the restaurant. He brings with him a menu rooted in his Caribbean culture. A fun fact if you are a Florida Gator fan, he used to be a personal chef for Emmett Smith.

Discover: Things to Do in Winter Park

From the appetizers, I chose the wedge salad. It proved that a classic can still surprise you. The house-made blue cheese dressing was rich without being overpowering, while the crispy onions added a satisfying crunch in every bite. My favorite touch was the prosciutto crisp, which brought just the right amount of salty, savory flavor and tied everything together. It was fresh, flavorful and a great way to start the meal.

For entrees, I ordered the grilled rack of lamb and the crusted grouper. The crusted grouper is a dish I have been talking about since I first tried it when Chef Antwan first joined the team at Hamilton’s Kitchen. It's tender, flaky and incredibly flavorful from the crust and the dill beurre blanc that accompanies it. The grilled rack of lamb is a large portion and cooked perfectly to my liking.

For dessert, the Hamilton’s Butter Cake is the perfect finisher. When I think of what my perfect dessert is, it is this. The added sea salt is the perfect touch.

My top picks: Wedge salad, crusted grouper, butter cake

Lizzy’s Live ($40)

Lizzy’s Live is new to Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining this year. It’s a supper club and live music venue located on Restaurant Row. Upon entering, you’re transported into a sleek and sophisticated atmosphere. Blacks, red, and blues are the main colors that greet you, along with beautifully accented lights and decor.

What’s unique about this venue is that not only do you get a wonderful meal, but you get a show too. The musical acts cover a wide range, including jazz, pop, R&B, Latin and top 40. It’s a whole experience.

The menu at Lizzy’s has some great options. I ordered the ceviche and hummus for appetizers. The ceviche is a large portion with the perfect acidity. The hummus has olive oil on top that really complimented the nuttiness of the hummus.

For entrees, I tried the chili chocolate braised short ribs and the churrasco steak and shrimp. The short ribs are served with a silky mole purée that brings subtle notes of chili and chocolate. It’s finished with a concentrated braised reduction. Every bite balances savory, sweet, smoky and slightly spicy flavors for a rich and deeply layered take on the dish.

The churrasco steak and shrimp is a hearty surf-and-turf dish. It’s finished with vibrant chimichurri, adding fresh herbs, garlic, acidity and a touch of brightness that cuts through the richness of the steak and shrimp.

For dessert, the creme brûlée and chocolate lava cake are two great options to end the meal.

My top picks: Ceviche, chili chocolate braised short ribs, chocolate lava cake

Mordisco Steakhouse ($40)

Mordisco Steakhouse opened earlier this year on International Drive. Their flagship location is in Doral, and they have already garnered quite a following here in Orlando. They are a Venezuelan and Caribbean fusion restaurant known for wood-fired meats and award-winning ceviche.

For my appetizer, I tried the wood-fired steak tartare. Hand-cut prime filet mignon delivers a delicate, buttery texture and clean richness, elevated by the deep, smoky essence of smoked bone marrow. A luxurious truffle ají dulce reduction adds layers of earthy truffle, subtle sweetness and a touch of vibrant spice, creating a beautifully balanced flavor profile.

For my entree, I had the picanha. Anytime I see picanha on a menu, I’m ordering it. It’s served with stroganoff sauce or truffle ají dulce sauce and two sides. I chose mashed potatoes and yuca fries, and I was happy with both.

Dessert was my favorite part. I ordered the Venezuelan chocolate marquesa. This is their unique twist on a beloved classic. It’s layers of rich Venezuelan chocolate and “Maria” cookies. A Maria cookie is a thin, round, subtly sweet biscuit with a mild vanilla flavor and a delicate, crisp texture.

My top picks: Steak tartare, picanha, Venezuelan chocolate marquesa

The Nauti Lobstah ($40)

The Nauti Lobstah in Apopka is a place that feels like home. Every time you walk through the doors you are greeted with the friendliest staff who genuinely make you feel welcome. Chef Mike comes to us from Rhode Island, and he definitely knows a thing or two about New England cooking. If you’re searching for a taste of the Northeast here in Orlando, look no further.

I always, and I mean always, start with the Lobster Bisque, so I am always pumped to see it on the Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining menu. It’s thick, creamy and full of lobster chunks. I love it so much I am happy to eat it even when it’s hot outside. If you want to opt for a different appetizer, the mussels and escargot make for a great choice. Both are garlicky, and I’m a fan of that. The escargot is not chewy and really, I just taste the butter and garlic. You can also upgrade to oysters. If you like oysters, these are fresh out of James River. Great quality.

New to their menu is swordfish, which is hard to find out here. It’s cooked well, not tough, with a lovely garlic white wine sauce. The shrimp and flounder combo is one of my personal favorites, so tender and flaky. For an option that will seriously fill you up, go with the linguine and little neck clams.

There are many upgrade options on this menu, my favorite being the 1.5-pound Maine lobster. The Ritz cracker crumb topping is heavenly. These lobsters are fresh from Maine. They are still alive until you order one. You can even get it stuffed with shrimp and scallops. I’d be amiss to not mention how fantastic the steak is here, too. You can also order surf and turf.

They have great dessert options as well, with my favorite being the chocolate peanut butter jar.

My top picks: Lobster bisque, flounder and shrimp, 1.5-pound lobster (upgrade), chocolate peanut butter jar

Ômo by Jônt ($60)

It is exciting to have Ômo by Jônt as an option for Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining this year. They are the only One-MICHELIN-Star restaurant to participate in the entire history of the program. This makes trying a restaurant that was awarded one of these coveted stars more accessible. The Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining experience takes place in their Salon, a cozy and intimate room that is the first room of their Journey experience. I also recommend ordering a glass of wine here, as their sommelier was named the best in Florida, receiving the MICHELIN Sommelier Award for 2026.

Discover: Orlando MICHELIN Guide Dining

For the first course, I ordered sweet, delicately seared scallops paired with crisp cucumber, juicy stone fruit and toasted almonds for a dish that’s both elegant and refreshing. The scallops’ naturally buttery flavor is complemented by the cool crunch of cucumber, the bright sweetness of seasonal stone fruit, and the warm, nutty richness of almonds.

I also tried the hiramasa (tuna), which was incredibly fresh and served with a gochujang sauce. The gochujang had a little kick but nothing too spicy. I don’t typically have gochujang and tuna together, but it is no surprise to me that this combination worked well.

Discover: Inside Ômo by Jônt

For entrees, I tried the nanatsuboshi and the wagyu. Both excellent choices. The wagyu melts in your mouth, and the nanatsuboshi features a generous portion of creamy, nutty cheese balanced by earthy mushrooms. This rice dish was incredibly flavorful, and I wanted at least three more bowls of it. While Ômo has a rotating menu, this dish always stays on it due to its popularity.

For desserts, I tried the stone fruit purin and the kakigori. The stone fruit purin was a light, elegant finish to the meal. The silky Japanese-style custard had a delicate sweetness, topped with juicy seasonal peaches that added a burst of fresh, floral flavor. The kakigori is shaved ice that is prepared tableside. The layers of hazelnuts embedded into the ice cream were perfect, and the shaved ice was fluffy like snow.

My top picks: Hirmasa, nanatsuboshi, kakigori

Osteria Ester ($40)

MICHELIN Recommended Osteria Ester is the newest concept from restaurateurs Sue and Jason Chin. Like all of Good Salt’s concepts, Sue Chin has designed this restaurant eloquently. I love the level of detail and care that goes into every space she designs. It is an Italian restaurant focusing on classic Italian comfort foods with a twist. Chef Michael Cooper is originally from New Jersey and is no stranger to Italian cuisine and making pasta. He knew from a young age that he was interested in doing it for a living. The pasta at Osteria Ester is made fresh in house, and you can taste that it comes from a place of love.

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The truffle arancini is the appetizer I tried. The coating on it is perfectly salted and has the perfect crispiness. It lives rent free in my mind.

From the entrees, I tried the paccheri al vodka and the gnocchi sardo. Both were excellent and total opposites, so based on what you want at the time is how I would decide. The paccheri has a decent amount of spice to it. The gnocchi does not, but let me tell you that those little potatoes are great. If you cannot finish it all, I can confirm that the paccheri makes excellent leftovers. Something about pasta is it is always better the next day.

For dessert, I tried the butterscotch budino and the gelato. Anytime I have something with hazelnut, I am sent to an immediate nirvana. I am not sure why it is, but that is just how I am. The budino is made with hazelnut, and the gelato has a chocolate hazelnut option. I am sure you can guess that they were both winners to me.

My top picks: Arancini, paccheri alla vodka, butterscotch budino

Simply Capri ($40)

Simply Capri is an authentic Italian restaurant close to Walt Disney World® Resort. One of my favorite touches to this restaurant is that almost everyone who works here is actually from Italy. They focus on the simple things, producing great food with fresh ingredients. The pasta at Simply Capri is made in house. It can’t get fresher than that. The interior of Simply Capri is so light and airy, just beautiful. I also enjoy their outdoor patio. There are enough fans out there to keep you from overheating.

For appetizers, I tried the eggplant parmesan and the Caesar salad. I’m not normally a big fan of eggplant, but I truly enjoyed this version. You can tell it is sourced locally and fresh. The Caesar salad was made with a beautiful romaine lettuce and the fresh shaved parmesan really made it stand out.

I was over the moon to learn their gnocchi dish was on the menu. The gnocchi was cooked expertly and incredibly soft. The truffle sauce was mild, which I appreciated. I love a good truffle, but a lot of places overdo it. This was perfect. I also tried the Cornish hen with chickpea puree and broccolini. It was beautifully cooked, with golden, crispy skin that gave way to tender, juicy meat. The silky chickpea puree added a creamy, nutty richness without feeling too heavy. A refined, yet comforting take on this classic dish.

For dessert, I had both the tiramisu and the cannoli. Both were fantastic, and asking me to choose which I preferred is downright cruel. Order them both.

My top picks: Caesar salad, gnocchi, cannoli

Twin View Restaurant ($60)

Twin View is a signature restaurant located at Evermore Orlando Resort. Named for the beautiful view it provides of both the lagoon and the golf course, this restaurant offers more than just stunning scenery. I have dined here multiple times and have thoroughly enjoyed my meal each time. The craftsmanship the chefs put into their dishes is evident, and I do find it to be worth a trip to this gorgeous resort.

For appetizers, they offer a Berkshire pork belly, beets and burrata, and a crab cake. The pork belly is served with polenta grits that really reminded me of the south. It is rare for me to see a pork belly dish served with grits and I really enjoyed it. The pork belly was incredibly tender. The crab cake is made with blue crab, and I found it to have a good amount of fish rather than being mostly stuffing. The beets and burrata is a refreshing appetizer and I love that the mint used for the dish is picked from their own garden.

Their entrees include local mushroom pasta, market fish, and a 14-ounce New York strip. The local mushroom pasta was cheesy and comforting. For the market fish, I received a fantastic piece of red grouper. This fish does vary by date, so you might enjoy tile fish or different varieties of grouper. The New York strip was giant and had a rich and smoke flavor from the red eye gravy.

Dessert options include their signature s’mores, key lime ice cream sandwich and orange blossom cake. The signature s’mores is an instant classic. It tastes just like the campfire treat but in a much more elevated form. The key lime ice cream sandwich is perfect for these hot summer days with the perfect acidity. The orange blossom cake is not overpowering with orange, which I appreciate, and the cake layers are fluffy.

My top picks: Berkshire pork belly, market fish, signature s’mores

VINIA Wine & Kitchen ($40)

VINIA is an intimate wine bar and scratch kitchen in Winter Park. It has been one of my go-to date night spots for years. I can always count on VINIA for incredible food, top notch service and a well-rounded wine list. Truly, this restaurant never lets me down. It is an Italian and Brazilian fusion restaurant, which is not one I see very often. I appreciate that VINIA makes sure to include creative plant-based options for vegetarians and vegans.

Discover: Orlando Wineries & Wine Bars

I am a huge fan of their pão de queijo. How can you not love cheese bread, though? Another appetizer I consistently order at VINIA is the empanada. The exterior is one of the best I have had, and I love how cheesy it is on the inside. They also offer a vegetarian empanada. One of their most impressive items is their plant-based escargot made with mushrooms, zucchini, plantains and black figs.

From their entrees, I am in love with the oxtail gnocchi. This is an upgrade but 100% worth it. Those who know me, know how much I talk about this dish. The gnocchi are like little pillows of heaven. I have never tried such perfect gnocchi as at VINIA. The oxtail on top is always tender and makes for an amazing dish. The bacalhau ao forno is another great option. It is a roasted cod with honey butternut squash flan. For the vegans, the zucchini rolls are similar to stuffed shells, but with all vegan ingredients. They are divine.

For dessert, you cannot go wrong with an affogato. My personal favorite is the pot de crème. The sea salt on top has me wishing I had more than just one serving.

My top picks: Pao de queijo, oxtail gnocchi, pot de crème

Ready to begin your own culinary journey? Explore $40 and $60 menus at over 180 Orlando restaurants, then make your reservations today for the tastiest event of the year.

Discover: 180+ Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Restaurants & Menus

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