Orlando’s Ivanhoe Village Main Street
Want to know what makes Orlando special? Theme parks and attractions are part of the equation, but ask any local, and they’ll point you to charming neighborhoods and nearby cities with dining, nightlife, shopping and culture worth experiencing time and again. Adjacent to the heart of downtown Orlando and part of the Orlando Main Streets program, Ivanhoe Village Main Street is one of them — here’s why.
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Encompassing historic neighborhoods, acclaimed dining, cultural venues, specialty shopping, funky street art and lots of indie flair, Ivanhoe Village Main Street is the sort of community that has something for everyone — unless you’re looking for the “same old, same old.” It’s nestled between downtown Orlando’s core and the vibrant Mills 50 district.
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The area is centered by its namesake, Lake Ivanhoe. (Get out and enjoy some paddleboarding on it while you’re there.) The surrounding homes are part of the National Register of Historic Places, but despite that designation, this vibrant community doesn’t live in the past. Numerous new restaurants, shops, apartments, condominiums and other construction have sprung up in recent years, with more on the way.
Like most of Orlando’s urban core, Ivanhoe Village is also awash with natural beauty thanks not just to its central lake but to tree-lined streets and a robust parks system that present numerous opportunities for walking and biking. What’s more, the community connects to the Orlando Urban Trail, a 3-mile path that runs from Lake Highland in Orlando to Mead Botanical Garden in Winter Park, including six gorgeous lakes.
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Gourmet takes on comfort food classics is integral to Orlando’s homegrown dining scene, and Ivanhoe Village Main Street is a prime example. One of the area’s newest additions is also one of its most acclaimed: The Pinery, a MICHELIN Recommended restaurant that celebrates Florida’s forgotten history.
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Situated on the shores of its namesake lake, Russell’s on Lake Ivanhoe offers upscale casual dining with a fresh, innovative menu, complemented by amazing views. Other fresh additions are The Chef and I Orlando, a chef-driven restaurant with an approachable gourmet style, and The Hall on the Yard, presenting a collection of diverse culinary offerings and three premium cocktail bars.
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As good as Ivanhoe Village Main Street’s dining is, the nightlife is even better. Take The Imperial at Washburn Imports, for example. By day, it sells furniture, but at night, it transforms into one of Orlando’s hottest speakeasies, offering a wide range of craft beer and wine. For a furtive vibe without the alcohol, visit The BANDBOX — Orlando’s first spirit-free speakeasy, tasting lounge and bottle shop.
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Speaking of beer, you can quaff locally crafted brews at Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co. and Ten10 Brewing Company, the latter of which straddles the “line” between Ivanhoe Village and Mills 50. Also on the Ivanhoe Village/Mills 50 border is The Thirsty Topher with 24 taps, a handpicked selection of red and white wines, and a selection of cans, bottles and bombers.
Craft beer and wine are both on the menu at Grape & The Grain, which hosts food trucks and live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights. Other nightlife standouts in this area include Savoy Orlando, which caters to LGBTQ+ revelers, plus The Hammered Lamb, The Lucky Lure, Caboose, Hideaway Bar, Nora’s Sugar Shack and The Matador.
Officially part of Ivanhoe Village Main Street but also easily accessible from downtown’s Mills 50 district, beautiful Loch Haven Cultural Park is a nexus of art and culture in Orlando. It’s anchored by the Orlando Museum of Art, which was founded in 1924 and hosts a dozen or more rotating exhibits every year.
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Culture aficionados will find even more to love here, including The Mennello Museum of American Art, Orlando Shakespeare Theater (aka Orlando Shakes) and the headquarters for Orlando Ballet, which performs at downtown Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Loch Haven Park is also home to the STEM-focused Orlando Science Center and the Orlando Family Stage, both of which are geared toward kids and their families. You can even visit the Orlando Fire Museum while you’re there.
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Also worth noting is Orlando Fringe, aka the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, which is held in and around Loch Haven Cultural Park in May. The oldest fringe festival in the U.S., Orlando’s edition carries on the European tradition with a smorgasbord of theatrical and performing arts, including programming for kids. Plus, it’s a lot of fun. You can also get a taste of Fringe artistry year-round at Fringe ArtSpace, which joined downtown Orlando’s Church Street district in 2023.
For years, Ivanhoe Village Main Street’s primary lakefront shopping district was locally known as Antique Row. Not only can you still get in some quality antiquing when you visit the area, but that retro mindset has influenced many of the newer retail options that evolved with the area’s dining and nightlife. Check out this popular district the next time you’re in Orlando.
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There Is Always More to Do in Orlando
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