The 25 most beautiful restaurants in the Orlando area

Hillstone

215 S Orlando Ave, Winter Park, 407-740-4005; $
Located right on Lake Killarney, Hillstone is the perfect restaurant to enjoy a romantic sunset reflecting off the lake while you sip on craft cocktails with your S.O. The appetizers alone, although only a small list, are the perfect start to the evening, an evening that we suggest should be ended with Hillstone’s warm, five-nut brownie to finish off the night.

Photo via zfarls/Instagam

Ocean Prime

7339 W. Sand Lake Rd. West Orlando, FL 32819,(407) 781-4880; $$$
Cut from the fold created by Cameron Mitchell, this modern American restaurant offers an extensive wine list to pair with its variety of seafood and steak options. If you’re not into the surf n’ turf feel, Ocean Prime also offers sushi, shellfish cobb salad and decadent desserts if you just can’t wait until after dinner.

Photo via Ocean Prime

Norman’s

4012 Central Florida Pkwy. Orlando, FL 32837, (407) 206-2400; $$$$
An evening at the Ritz is one almost impossible to forget, so why not take your boo to this awe-inspiring and internationally renowned restaurant that has celebrity Chef Norman Van Aken at the helm and ensure that your Valentines affair is as pristine and flawless as you want it to be. With a fusion of Latin, Caribbean and Asian approaches to his dishes, Norman’s reputation, while preceding him heavily, promises that choosing his restaurant will be more than just a date, and more like event to attend.

Photo Norman's

Morimoto Asia

Disney Springs, 1600 E. Buena Vista Blvd. Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830, (407) 939-6686; $$$$
Palatial resto offers pricey but well-executed pan-Asian eats. Rock shrimp tempura, braised black cod, duck ramen and arresting Peking duck wow, and spicy yellowtail rolls and ethereal otoro are wonderful. Pairing meals with potent potables is easy here: plenty of sakes, beers and wine from which to choose. Reservations are recommended, though the second-floor Forbidden Lounge is a draw for the walk-up diner.

Photo via valda0062/Instagram

The Capital Grill

9101 International Drive, Orlando, Fl, 407-370-4392; $$
The Capital Grille is more than just every steak lover’s go-to. Lobster mac and cheese, crab cakes and a fiery pan fried calamari are just a few of the many other delicacies that you can find on its full dinner menu. Try the seared tuna for a lighter lunch or a classic strip steak for a dinner that can’t be beat.

Photo via The Capital Grille/Facebook

Kres Chophouse

17 W. Church St. Orlando, FL 32801, (407) 447-7950; $$$$
Downtown chophouse brings an element other steakhouses don’t seem to have – impeccable service. The prime cuts of meat are damn fine too, be they rib-eye steaks or foie gras-crested elk tenderloins. An in-house sommelier roams the space proffering wine advice. Desserts, like white chocolate bread pudding with whisky sauce, also cater to epicurean sensibilities. You’ll hardly believe you’re in the middle of Church Street.

Photo via Kres

310 Lakeside

301 E Pine St, Orlando, 407-373-0310; $
Enjoy fresh air and fine dining while overlooking Lake Eola at this American-fare restaurant. Sip on some wine and enjoy the extensive menu 310 Lakeside has to offer (including brunch) in a peaceful setting directly across from one of Orlando’s most beautiful lakes.

Photo via 310 Lakeside

Villa de Flora

6000 W. Osceola Pkwy. Kissimmee, FL 34746,(407) 586-1114; $$$
Encased by the highly recognizable and breath-thieving glass roof of the Gaylord in south of downtown Orlando, Villa de Flora is a must visit location for the aspiring long-lasting couple as both its Mediterranean and adjacent assorted dishes mixed with the view round out an experience that would provide memories to fall back on for your next few meaningless arguments.

Photo via Villa de Flora

Eddie V’s

7488 W. Sand Lake Rd. Orlando, FL 32819, 407-704-2248; $$$
You get what you pay for and, for the most part, this pricey Dr. Phillips fish house delivers. The steak tartare with lobster and the jumbo lump crab make a splash as starters, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better steak than their 22-ounce USDA Prime bone-in rib-eye. Desserts aren’t of the same caliber, though the Key lime and coconut baked Alaska is satisfactory.

Photo via Eddie V's

The Boheme

325 S. Orange Ave., (407) 581-4700; $$$$
Resplendent resto in the Grand Bohemian Hotel puts the “art” back in culinary arts, both in restaurant design and chef Laurent Hollaender’s creations. Escargots de Bourgogne play up Hollaender’s French heritage, but crispy fried smelt is the superlative starter. Current seasonal mains (roasted lamb loin; Maple Leaf Farms duck breast served with starfruit, spring forest mushrooms, Swiss chard and roasted marble potatoes) impress.

Photo via The Boheme

Dragonfly Robata

7972 Via Dellagio Way Orlando, FL 32819, (407) 370-3359; $$
With a taste capable of discriminating against the less skilled tasters of society, Dragonfly Sushi Robata, which sits in the Dr. Phillips area, helps the Orlando store peruser to accompany the surrounding lovely area with a sit down meal capable of setting the correct mood for any would be romantic.

Photo via Dragonfly Robata/Facebook

Capa Steakhouse

Four Seasons Resort Orlando, 10100 Dream Tree Blvd., Lake Buena Vista, 407-313-7777; $$$
Sexy rooftop resto at the Four Seasons shows off its style with Basque- and Spanish-inspired specialties and USDA Prime steaks. It’s hard to go wrong with any dish, but you’ll go right with hamachi crudo to start. Succulent roast duck with braised salsify, Florida peaches and pickled mustard seed is also a must. If beef is your craving, the bone-in fillet is sublime, even if it sets you back $69. Desserts are all Instagram-worthy.

Photo via Capa

Ravello

Four Seasons Hotel, 10100 Dream Tree Blvd. Orlando, FL 32836, (407) 313-7777; $$$
Looking to add richness to your caloric intake rotation could lead you to Ravello in the heart of Orlando’s Four Seasons Hotel. Surrounded by Disney world, this restaurant is capable of playing the role of resort away from the resort as this Italian Dining Clinic shows you how service and food presentation is supposed to be performed. With a brunch so rewardingly filling, this bistro is a must visit for both tourists and locals alike.

Photo via Ravello

STK

Disney Springs, 1580 Buena Vista Dr. Orlando, FL 32821, (407) 917-7440; $$$
Slowly rolling out the most succulent and choicest of cuts, STK provides a breathtaking and life giving service to the Orlando area with steaks so overwhelming in taste that any argument you and your loved one enters is forgotten moments after one of their oyster plates or renown filets finds its way into your argue hole (your mouth you sicko.)

Photo via STK/Facebook

Chatham’s Place Restaurant

Closed Sundays. 7575 Dr. Phillips Blvd. West Orlando, FL 32817, (407) 345-2992; $$$$
Look no further for palate paradise because this wine bar and american themed food provider is truly worth your presence and hard earned cash. With the subtle undertone fueled by the piano player, this Dr. Phillips area restaurant should be on your ‘must-roll through’ list as providing unique and ‘ahead-of-the-curve’ themed morsels is something they have seemed to master.

Photo via Chatham’s Place

Bice Ristorante

5601 Universal Blvd. Orlando, FL 32819, (407) 503-1415; $$$
Overlooking the closest replica of Venice’s riveira that you’’ find in Orlando, this winner of Open Table’s 2015 Diner's’ Choice is an Italian infused dining experience that both has and is an elegant scene that you can sit in for your special dinner. With a wine selection that will only make the view more overwhelming, this ristorante, if chosen, will give you the evening you're looking for.

Photo via BiCE/Facebook

The Ravenous Pig

565 W Fairbanks Ave, Winter Park, 407-628-2333; $$
This culinary experience mixes the unique feel European pubs consistently atmosphere with traditional pub food and that far surpasses any UK themed sustenance that you are able to encounter in the area.

Photo via Ravenous Pig

Chez Vincent

533 W. New England Ave. Winter Park, FL 32789, (407) 599-2929; $$$
With Owner/Chef Vincent having gathered and perfected his culinary know-how in France, Ivory Coast and Mexico and after subsequently landing in Orlando, this location is sure to provide both an astounding selection of wine and decadent morsels of ‘digestables’ that leave the ingester overwhelmed with sensory overload of the most desired order.

Photo via Chez Vincent/Facebook

Better than Sex

1905 N. Orange Ave. Orlando, FL 32804, (407) 761-8949; $$
Why not just cut straight to the chase, and indulge in some unrestrained savory sweets at this dessert focused eatery on Ivanhoe Dr. The sex appeal, the dainty and sugar coated beverage serves as a drinkable cake like product that will make actions that follow pale in comparison.

Photo via Rob Bartlett

Fogo de Chao

8282 International Dr. Orlando, FL 32819, (407) 370-0711; $$$
Orlando’s newest churrascaria is a shrine to beef, with heavenly tableside service to boot. Juicy skirt steak, salt-crusted rib-eye and meltingly tender filet are standouts, but sides like bacon-studded rice and beans, deep-fried polenta squares and thick spears of chilled asparagus will also wow. The impressive wine list leans toward South America and Spain; the high ratio of staff to diners means service is equally impressive.

Photo via Fogo de Chao