When you hear ‘Orlando, Florida’, you probably think Disney – but maybe it’s time to think again? There’s so much more to this sunny city than theme parks, especially if you’re a foodie looking for the best eats. Orlando’s food scene has everything, from Michelin-starred restaurants to hole-in-the-wall spots loved by locals. With so much going on, seeking out the best experiences is tricky, but we’ve done all the hard work for you and tested out the city’s most incredible places to eat.

Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the best food experiences in Orlando, counting down to the one you really don’t want to miss.

Formerly HAVEN Kitchen, Garni Café has undergone a French rebrand to better reflect the skills and experience of its chefs. It’s now the perfect place for a Parisian breakfast, offering refined pastries (croissants, pains au chocolat, and custard buns), sweet plates (including corn waffles with blueberry compote), and eggs – however you like them cooked in the morning. French fare is served alongside American classics such as eggs Benedict and everything bagels with smoked salmon, pickled cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes.

Brunch fans are guaranteed to dig Garni; here, you can indulge in the king of mealtimes seven days a week, with heartier dishes that bridge the distance between breakfast and lunch. Start with steak tartare, follow with a lobster roll with a croissant twist, and round off your three-course brunch with a caramel apple Tatin pimped up with maple puff pastry, rosemary vanilla ice cream, and salted caramel sauce. Garni is open for lunch and dinner, too.

Discover Instagram-friendly cookies, vegan ‘chicken’ and biscuits, and more artisanal cheese than you could ever dream of at East End Market. Located in Audubon Park, just northeast of downtown Orlando, this market and food hall was founded as a space to showcase some of the best artisans, chefs, and entrepreneurs in Central Florida. Here, you’ll find respected ramen restaurant DOMU, laid-back lounge The Neighbors, and almost a dozen market stalls with exciting food and drinks.

Browse cheeses from around the world at La Femme du Fromage, and grab a grilled cheese while you’re there – the Truffle Pig has the approval of Phil Rosenthal of Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil. Stop by Lineage for craft coffee, and pair it with a hearty oxtail, egg, and cheese sandwich from Hinckley’s Fancy Meats. Before you leave, don’t forget to pick up a cookie or two from Gideon’s, where each sweet delight weighs in at nearly half a pound.

It’s no secret that Orlando can get pretty hot, and the best way to cool down is undoubtedly with ice cream. There are plenty of options, but two of the best spots to check out are Kelly’s and Sampaguita. Small chain Kelly’s can be found dotted across the city, including right across the street from East End Market and inside some Foxtail Coffee locations. Local and handcrafted, its flavors range from classic mint chocolate chip to blue velvet cake batter.

At Sampaguita in the Mills 50 neighborhood, Filipino flavors (and colors) are on show – think deep purple ube and sweet green pandan. No one has to miss out here; there's a great selection of vegan ice creams, ideal for those who need to skip the dairy. For something truly eye-catching and delicious, choose one of the sundaes or a special like the halo halo, a traditional Filipino shaved ice dessert with layer upon layer of taste bud–tingling flavors and textures.

Four Seasons Orlando’s PB&G stands for ‘pool, bar, and grill,’ and that’s exactly what you’ll find at this waterside eatery. If you’re staying at the resort, start your day with a swim in the adults-only Oasis pool before heading to the grill for an upscale brunch of American fare made with locally sourced ingredients. The chirashi bowl is the perfect fresh, filling meal, combining spicy tuna poke, salmon poke, sushi rice, avocado, soy-glazed mushrooms, and salad with a spicy aioli.

Light desserts are just the thing for those on a health kick (or those who are taking it easy after a big night at the nearby Capa steak restaurant). Here, the likes of sorbet, peach Melba, and paletas (Mexican ice pops) are all packed with refreshing fruity flavors. A menu of juices and mocktails offers easy-going accompaniments too, though anyone who needs some pep in their step can just as easily order a coffee of their choice.

Winter Park is the place to be for boutique stores, chic restaurants, and relaxing green space. Italian spot Prato is the talk of the town, so book a table for lunch and dig into wood-fired Fiorentina pizza with Arrowhead spinach crema, a mustardy take on cacio e pepe, and gnocchi in indulgent truffle butter. Rustic but stylish interiors make Prato a relaxing place to enjoy your meal – but you might be lucky enough to bag a table outside, overlooking the park.

After lunch, take the opportunity to wander the area on foot. Park Avenue and its surrounds are wonderfully walkable, so you can take home chocolate popcorn from artisanal Peterbrooke Chocolatier, stop at Bosphorus for Turkish cuisine, and head to the local art museum, all without a car. If you have an hour to spare, take the scenic boat tour around the lakes to learn about the history of the area.

Get a taste of Cuban cuisine at Otto’s High Dive. This neighborhood joint in Orlando’s Milk District is popular with locals, filling up fast in the evenings. A light and airy space that manages to be warm and welcoming at the same time, the bar and restaurant focuses on good food and drinks in a convivial setting. The menu offers a raw bar, shareable plates, and traditional Cuban dishes such as ropa vieja (braised short ribs in a rich tomato sauce).

Visit with a group and enjoy a real feast by ordering abundancia for the table. Served family style, this sharing extravaganza consists of a seafood tower, pastelitos, ropa vieja, rice and beans, Cuban bread, and dessert. The fresh seafood really stands out here; get a tower of succulent oysters, ceviche, crab salad, and shrimp cocktail, all served with plantain chips – perfect for dipping, topping, and spreading.

The only holder of a green Michelin star for sustainability in Orlando, Kaya's restaurant sources around 90% of its produce from Central Florida farms. The seasonal menu delivers modern twists on classic Filipino dishes – expect flavors such as sea bream ceviche in coconut leche de tigre, and adobo risotto made with mushrooms and koshihikari rice (a short grain variety often used in sushi).

Set in an open bungalow space, Kaya cultivates a real sense of community and the feeling that you’re being invited into someone’s home. The restaurant’s motto ‘kaya natin’ is Tagalog for ‘we can,’ and kaya means capable. Both staff and guests are treated like family here, creating an experience that’s about both exciting food and a welcoming atmosphere. This philosophy can be seen in everything that the team does, from the suppliers they work with to the connections they forge with neighbors and diners.

The mix of tantalizing Latin American flavors at BACÁN has won the restaurant a Michelin recommendation. Here, farm-to-table dining takes inspiration from South and Central America and the Caribbean, utilizing ingredients such as tamarind, Oaxaca cheese, and plantain for a truly unique experience. Go for a selection of snacks and small plates to share for a little taste of everything, or choose a tasting menu (five or eight courses, with optional drinks pairings) for a fascinating sensory journey through the Americas.

Feast on charred octopus with smoked feta and Argentinian chimichurri, potato confit with Manchego and tomato relish, and seasonal vegetables elevated to fine dining status at this upscale but relaxed restaurant. To finish, don’t miss the playful desserts – Harvest In Havana sees a vanilla tart topped with avocado mousse, passion fruit gel, and a crémeux flavored with the tangy, floral citrus fruit calamansi. Feel like Japanese food instead? Try the spot's sister restaurant Nami, which is also in the Michelin Guide.

Head north of downtown to trendy Mills 50 (one of Orlando’s oldest neighborhoods), which is home to amazing street art and a lineup of diverse eats. Mills Market is a hub for casual Asian cuisine, including Filipino, Japanese, and Vietnamese food. You’re spoiled for choice in this tiny space, but fortunately it’s easy to try a little bit of everything. Come hungry and plan to settle in for a while as you sample what’s on offer.

Build your own summer roll and enjoy a classic Vietnamese sandwich at Bánh Mì Boy, or sample freshly made onigiri (filled Japanese rice balls) from UniGirl – both are Michelin Bib Gourmand holders. At Cantonese stall Kai Kai, you can order freshly made dumplings and Chinese barbecue, while Saigon Snow tempts with colorful frozen desserts. Zaru is another Michelin Guide spot, crafting udon noodles with the finest ingredients.

One of just nine Michelin-starred restaurants in Orlando, Spanish-inspired Capa is the culinary star in the Four Seasons’ crown. The rooftop restaurant offers seafood from the Florida coast, plus succulent steak, with an open kitchen and wood-fired grill (so you can get a good look at how the magic happens). Every dish is made with the highest quality ingredients, from the dry-aged wagyu beef to the pan con tomate with Calabrian anchovy, and the Carabinero prawns with egg yolk, chili, and celery root.

Capa’s balcony is the perfect place to view the nightly fireworks at both Disneyland and EPCOT. An incredible view over the parks makes it one of the best spots in the city. Step outside at 9pm to catch the dual show and pick your favorite before you make your way back inside for dessert – try the Delicia Exotica, a sumptuous chocolate shell with coconut sorbet and a mango center. Alternatively, head down to The Lobby Bar to continue your evening.

Just a short drive from Orlando International, the design-led Wave Hotel combines technology and art to create sophisticated accommodation that’s both beautiful and comfortable. It’s also a hotspot for refined dining, with two Michelin recommendations (BACÁN and Nami) under its belt, plus another three places to eat, drink, and be merry, including Garni Café. When you’re not eating, take a moment to explore the sculpture garden – or simply spend time in your room playing with the high-tech toilets. Rates start from around $290 (about £215) per night.

Orlando’s Four Seasons Resort isn’t just a luxurious place to while away your days. Yes, it has a spa, tennis courts, running trails, and the only adults-only pool on Disney property, but it also has multiple top-rated places to eat and drink. From the raved-about Capa steak restaurant to classy Italian spot Ravello, chill waterside PB&G, and gelateria Lickety Split, you’ve got everything you need right on your doorstep – so you never have to leave, if you don’t feel like it. Rates start at around $1,000 per night (about £740), inclusive of resort fees and taxes.

Our writer stayed at Lake Nona Wave Hotel and Four Seasons Resort Orlando as a guest of Visit Orlando. Find out more about Orlando on the Visit Orlando website.

In town for Disney? Put these theme park foods on your agenda