The 10 hottest new restaurants in Orlando right now

Domu

3201 Corrine Drive, 407-960-1228
Popular ramen joint lives up to the hype offering near-perfect bowls of tonkotsu, shoyu, miso and curry ramen. There’s an uni pasta for those who want to forgo broth for the richness of sea urchin, but don’t overlook other soupless options like the crackling good Korean fried chicken with Korean butter sauce, the grilled octopus, and Sichuan cucumbers. Cocktails crafted by Rene Nguyen (Herman’s Loan Office) are taken seriously here.

Photo by Rob Bartlett

Must-try: Miso ramen with chashu and ajitama brulee (seasoned soft-boiled egg)

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DoveCote

390 N. Orange Ave., 407-930-1700
It’s hard to find a clunker on this downtown brasserie’s menu of approachable French cuisine, whether you’re downing starters like French onion soup (a specialty), tomato-water risotto or Vietnamese seafood stew, or entrees like steak frites, moules frites or vermouth-braised pork cheeks. Partake in their progressive cocktail program, or enjoy one of the many French wines offered by the glass.

Photo by Rob Bartlett

Must-try: Tomato-water risotto

Photo via kristineyoungin/Instagram

Bulla Gastrobar

110 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, 321-214-6120
Spanish joint serves up some mighty fine tapas and tipples. Chef Felix Plasencia gets it going with marvy croquetas, stellar octopus salad, and pintxos of charcoal-fired cumin-marinated pork. Jamon ibérico de bellota and Leonora cheese are good any time of day. For more substantial plates, consider the seafood paella, arroz marinero cooked with plankton, and the red snapper fired up in a charcoal oven. Torrijas (Spanish-style French toast) drizzled with honey and served with turrón ice cream is our choice to end the meal.

Photo by Rob Bartlett

Must-try: Grilled octopus salad

Photo by Rob Bartlett

Tennessee Truffle

125 W. First St., Sanford, 407-942-3977
Southern fare and French technique fuse at chef-owner Nat Russell’s down-home Sanford resto. His biscuits and gravy might be the best in Central Florida, and the same could be said of his maque-choux and creamed corn. Biscuit sandwiches are wholly satisfying, though be wary of palate-shreddingly firm biscuits. A scoop of house-made ice cream (brown butter and buttered popcorn, specifically) is the way to end. Breakfast and lunch only. Closed Sundays and Mondays.

Photo by Rob Bartlett

Must-try: Biscuits and gravy

Photo via faiyazkara/Instagram

The Stubborn Mule

100 S. Eola Drive, 407-930-1166
The folks who brought us RusTeak are behind this casual Thornton Park eatery where dishes veer toward the weighty, and beverages toward the crafty. Fried Wisconsin cheese curds and equally addicting pork belly slicked in an “Asian” sticky sauce make fine starters, while burgers, Reuben tacos, and the catch of the day make fine entrée choices. Ending with a cronut topped with vanilla bean ice cream will only cement your decision to return. Closed Mondays.

Photo by Rob Bartlett

Must-try: Stubborn Mule burger

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Pizza Bruno

3990 Curry Ford Road, 407-906-8547
Arguably Orlando’s most popular and buzzed-about pizzeria entices with “neo-Neapolitan” pies: fermented dough and creative flavor combinations fired in a Ferrari-red Pavesi oven (it’s a beaut). Traditionalists can have a field day here, for sure, but the adventurous can employ such ingredients as hot honey, charred peaches, blueberries, maple syrup and the like on their fast-blistered pizzas. Garlic knots with “too much garlic” are practically a must – enjoy them with the ricotta meatballs prior to pie-eating. Online ordering was just added for those who’d rather not eat in.

Photo by Rob Bartlett

Must-try: The Amatriciana

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Chroma Modern Bar + Kitchen

6967 Lake Nona Blvd., 407-955-4340
The modern kitchen anchoring Lake Nona Town Center’s ultra-modern landscape serves up some time-honored dishes courtesy of chef Jason Bergeron. Succulent short-rib sliders, lamb ribs, littleneck clams and luxuriant bone marrow make sharing joyfully gratifying. Desserts could use more inspiration, but it won’t tarnish Chroma’s sheen.

Photo by Rob Bartlett

Must-try: Bone marrow

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Bartaco

7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd., 407-801-8226
Beach-themed taquería fuses Mexican tradition with Latin, Mediterranean and Asian flavors and, for the most part, does so successfully. Tacos are on the small side, but when corn tortillas are filled with such succulent meats as duck confit in tamarind glaze, rotisserie pork pastor, and soy-, sesame- and sriracha-marinated Angus ribeye topped with kimchi, substance tends to trump size. Vegetarian options (falafel, cauliflower, portobello) abound, but don’t overlook other items like grilled corn rolled in lime, cayenne and cotija. Cocktails please even when desserts don’t wow.

Photo by Rob Bartlett

Must-try: Rotisserie pork pastor taco

Photo via jenkvieira/Instagram

Earls Kitchen + Bar

4200 Conroy Road, 407-345-8260
As in other cities, Canadian import Earls Kitchen + Bar “unchains the chain” with way-cool interior design, and that verve finds its way into the kitchen as well, with a menu of global greatest hits ranging from bibimbap to poke. English sticky toffee pudding makes a great ending (just ask for more toffee sauce), while an above-average cocktail program keeps it interesting on the libationary front.

Photo by Rob Bartlett

Must-try: Sticky toffee pudding

Photo via winterparkeats/Instagram

King Bao

710 N. Mills Ave., 407-237-0013
While the steamed buns themselves aren’t fresh (they’re bought frozen, sorry), the crunchy, succulent or spicy meats they cradle are, be it kimchi fried chicken, Korean short rib or braised pork belly. Tater tots are the sole side, but if you have room for dessert, fried bao with sweet fillings are available. Closed Sundays.

Photo by Rob Bartlett

Must-try: Kickin' Chicken and Firecracker Shrimp baos with Fire Tots

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