Orlando’s fall dining lineup includes new restaurants, drink spots and food halls across the city, with a particularly busy stretch of openings planned around Mills 50 and East Colonial Drive.
Several incoming concepts are headed to Mills 50. Little Sister Dumpling, at 713 N. Mills Ave., plans dumplings, small plates, noodle dishes, beer and wine, with vegan options and late-night weekend service. Nearby, Fan Hwa at 709 N. Mills Ave. will specialize in tong sui dessert soups and sweet and savory bao, while Hayashi Tarō at 714 N. Mills Ave. is planned as an omakase bento shop with takeout boxes, an eight-seat counter and a ceremonial tea experience.
Also on or near East Colonial Drive, chef William Shen is preparing Unimart: Conbini Experience inside Mills Market, offering Japanese snacks and prepared items such as tamago sandos, fried chicken and bento boxes. Uji Matcha Cafe is planned at 1016 E. Colonial Drive, while Wavy Baby is expected to bring Filipino-inspired breakfast and lunch sandwiches, pastries and nonalcoholic beverages to 1242 E. Colonial Drive later this year or early next year.
Other planned additions include Pomelo at 1632 N. Mills Ave., where chef Hung Huynh is set to serve Southeast Asian-influenced shareable plates and live-fire dishes, and Oza Kai, an expansion of a Central Florida Parkway restaurant that will bring Kyoto- and izakaya-inspired fare to 1821 E. Colonial Drive.
Downtown, Eola Food Hall is planned across from the Orlando Public Library at 150 Central Blvd. The two-story, 15,000-square-foot venue is expected to have 10 vendors, a small fine-dining restaurant, a wine room or speakeasy, a cocktail bar and views of Lake Eola Park. Its vendors had not yet been announced, though the project has indicated offerings including birria tacos, açai bowls, Thai food, burgers and wings.
Downtown Orlando is also set to gain Reeves Sports Bar at 50 E. Central Blvd., with craft cocktails and chef-driven pub food from Thriving Hospitality, and Terra Modern American at 434 Orange Ave. Terra, inside the Society high-rise, is expected to serve New American dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Beyond Orlando proper, Naya Comida + Barrita is planned for Trelago Market in Maitland. The contemporary Mexican concept from Agave Azul’s Juan Rios will focus on wood fire, nixtamal and mezcal, with organic masa imported from Mexico for its tortillas. In Winter Garden, Flatlands Bar & Grill is planned at Flamingo Crossings with steak-forward bar-and-grill fare.
Additional fall arrivals listed by Orlando Weekly include Robin’s Creamery, a halal-friendly ice cream and gelato shop; Krispy Rice, a Japanese teppanyaki concept; Hyperbolic Brewing, with a taproom and covered outdoor seating; and Libra, the renamed restaurant at downtown’s newly rebranded Hotel Beauden.
