25 essential Winter Park restaurants you should’ve tried by now

Swine & Sons
One word can describe Swine & Sons: meat, and lots of it. The restaurant is known for its featured shaved meats, including smoked brisket and salumi (a spicy Calabrese and nutmeg-and-clove Varzi). Although it is more of a takeout concept rather than a sit-down, the food is sure to get your salivary glands going. Open Tuesday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
595 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, 407-636-7601; $$

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Winter Park Fish Co.
The mostly-from-Florida seafood served here will get you hooked. They’ll make a gratifying fish and chips from scratch with almost any fish they’ve got in-house (your choice!), and fresh local produce is a nice healthy touch. Expect a bit of a wait.
761 Orange Ave., Winter Park, 407-622-6112; $$?

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El Bodegon
El Bodegon serves time-honored and strongly flavored tapas, including cured serrano ham, chorizo and honeycomb tripe. And garlic is one of the main ingredients in many of chef Francisco Figueiras' dishes. Be sure to try the gambas al ajillo, which has flecks of cilantro, chili pepper and diced bulbs of the stinking rose that give the dish its aromatic and full-flavored essence.
400 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, 407-628-1078; $$$

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Hotto Potto
Fresh ingredients, genial service and sheer variety help make this Winter Park hot pot joint an option for those looking for a change in their restaurant routine. Meats aren’t too out of the ordinary, though live blue crab, lobster, shrimp and bass keep it interesting. Stock base and spice levels can be adjusted according to taste, though “numb-spicy” isn’t as excruciating as you might think/hope. Open daily, and until 5 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
3090 Aloma Ave., Winter Park, 407-951-8028; $$

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Luma on Park
Foodies are hot for the innovative fare at this Park Avenue star. There’s a great wine selection, a creative cocktail menu, and the smaller plates encourage sharing. Or go for one of the fabulous entrees, such as red snapper with English peas, watermelon radish, squash and black quinoa. The atmosphere is lively, especially at the chef’s table. ?
290 S. Park Ave., Winter Park, 407-599-4111; $$$

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Park Cafe & Bakery
One of the cutest spots for breakfast or lunch in Hannibal Square is at the Park Cafe & Bakery. Expect well-crafted Mediterranean fare like Turkish bagels and authentic baklava while you dine in a beautiful courtyard with a fountain.
400 W. New England Ave., Winter Park, 407-951-8442; $

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Scratch
A big-city feel permeates the tiny space, and the ambitious dishes coming out of chef Dustin Haney’s kitchen set a high standard, be it roasted beet carpaccio or deftly grilled, crispy-skinned branzino. Splitting a small plate of luscious pork belly adobo over black rice could be trying – no one will want to share – but polishing off dark chocolate torte and vanilla bean crème brûlée is effortless. Closed Sunday and Monday.
223 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, 407-325-5165; $$

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The Parkview
Though just about any meal at The Parkview is a safe bet, this Winter Park eatery really shines at brunch, at least we think so. Don’t shy away from the mimosa flights, or any of their beers and wines for that matter, one of the largest selections in the area.
136 S. Park Ave., Winter Park, 407-647-9103; $$

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Umi
Umi’s sushi and small plates impress in both presentation and palatability. Purists will appreciate their stellar sashimi and robata offerings, while contemporary diners will get a kick out of their takes on “Japanese fusion.” A nice selection of sakes, soju cocktails and Japanese beers ensure imbibers leave content. Servers are eager and knowledgable. Open daily.
525 S. Park Ave., Winter Park, 407-960-3993; $$

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Anna's Polish Restaurant
If you’re looking for authentic polish cuisine, Anna’s is a good place to start. Red Borsch soup, potato pancakes, mushroom and sauerkraut perigee – Anna’s menu has enough options to keep your babcia satisfied.
3586 Aloma Ave. Suite 7, Winter Park, 407-657-0020; $$

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The Coop
Best bring a growling stomach to John Rivers’ shrine to Dixie dining, where you’ll feast on over-the-top, American-sized portions of fried chicken, meatloaf, pot pies, pork chops and the like. You’ll also find numerous sides and starters – candied yams, creamed corn, stewed okra, fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese, to name just a few. Not saving room for pie would be a dang shame. Closed Sundays.
610 W. Morse Blvd., Winter Park, 407-843-2667; $$

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Antonella's Pizzeria
Orlandoans have followed genial Italian chef Stefano LaCommare from spot to spot (Il Pescatore, Stefano's Trattoria), but now the next generation is stepping in. LaCommare's son Leonardo, daughter Antoniella and son-in-law Francesco opened a 10-seat pizzeria in Winter Park. Besides great their great pies, try the eggplant rollatini.
360 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, 407-636-5333; $

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La Granja
Although this restaurant features a drive-through window, it'll be worth it to go inside and see what people are packing away. Large plates of spit-roasted chicken, grilled steak and pork accompanied by large helpings of white rice, black or red beans and french fries are only a few of the many food options at La Granja. If you're really hungry, say "Hello" to the standard "Family meal #1," which includes half a chicken, half a pound each of pork and steak, large rice and beans, large french fries and four sodas.
490 N. Semoran Blvd., Winter Park, 407-677-0001; $

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The Ravenous Pig
The frills are as sophisticated as the fare at this Winter Park gastropub; diners swoon over the Gruye?re biscuits. Scallops with caramelized cauliflower puree, roasted foie with cinnamon ice milk and rabbit rillettes with pea tendrils underscore creativity and talent in the kitchen, as do mains like a lamb trio of loin, bacon and sausage. Desserts are uniformly rich and rave-worthy.
565 W Fairbanks Ave, Winter Park, 407-628-2333; $$$

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Toasted
Appealing to the basic human need for cheese and bread, Toasted deserves high praise for their simple, albeit sleep-inducing, curds wedged between grilled artisan bread. The braised brisket and fig-and-goat are grilled cheese options worth enjoying. Even vegans can get in on the fun with house-made vegan “cheese” and “burgers.” Open daily.
1945 Aloma Ave., Winter Park, 407-960-3922; $

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Boca
Tampa-based boîte is the latest to make a go of this jinx spot. Wonderfully crisp fried green tomatoes with pimento, tomato jam and house bacon are an impressive starter, as is the farmhouse salad with greens grown right on the walls in the resto’s “vertical garden.” Pan-seared wahoo over celery puree is a hit. Definitely don’t pass up fish specials – or dessert.
358 N. Park Ave., Winter Park, 407-636-7022; $$$

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Prato
You’ll battle crowds to get a seat at this loud Park Avenue “it spot,” but once inside, the rustic Italian creations of chef Matthew Cargo will justify the body-checking. Start with house-cured bresaola, then indulge in Bolognese bigoli enriched with foie gras butter, or simple oven-roasted yellowtail snapper. Italian wine aficionados will swoon over the list. Valet parking. Open daily.
124 N. Park Ave., Winter Park, 407-262-0050; $$

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Armando’s Cucina Italiana & Pizzeria
Trendy Hannibal Square hot spot lures a diverse crowd for primo Italian standbys and wonderfully blistered pizzas, care of a custom-built brick oven. The egg-topped San Giovanni pizza is a crowd favorite and ideal for sharing, but don’t overlook carpaccio with shaved Parmesan and pear slices. Pastas and secondi are simply presented, and shine because of it. Reservations strongly recommended. Patio dining available.
463 W. New England Ave., Winter Park, 407-951-8930; $$

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Briarpatch
Show up early if you want to dine at this Park Ave brunch hub. The brunch demand here is so intense that brunchers line-up down the street for a chance to chow down on dishes like truffle fried eggs, pear & gorgonzola omelettes and their jumbo lump crab scramble, to name a few.
252 N. Park Ave., Winter Park, 407-628-8651; $

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Dexter’s
The three restaurants in the Dexter’s family, longtime favorites of the Orlando brunch and happy-hour scenes, share a flair for giving comfort-food ingredients – pastas, sandwiches, killer sweet-potato fries – an exciting twist in an ambience that’s just right for friends, food and conversation.
558 W. New England Ave., Winter Park, 407-629-1150; $$

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