Location: Winter Park
Top Restaurants in Winter Park
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Winter Park Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Winter Park
Winter Park is a suburban city in Orange County, Florida, United States. The population was 27,852 at the 2010 United States Census. It is part of the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Things to do in Winter Park
1. Ethos Vegan Kitchen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 450 reviews
Ethos Vegan Kitchen is a full-service vegan restaurant just north of Orlando in historic Winter Park featuring hearty, homestyle fare. Menu selections are 100% vegan and include light bites, soups, salads, sandwiches, pastas, main dishes, pizza, desserts and a children's menu. Ethos also features a selection of vegan beer and wine, and vegan bakery items made from scratch on-site daily. In addition to our regular menu, a weekend Brunch menu is available on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 3pm.We are open Monday through Friday, 11am to 11pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 11pm. Ethos is located on Fairbanks Avenue at New York, one block west of Park Avenue.
Reviewed By Jake G - London, United Kingdom
Every time I'm in Orlando visiting my husband's side of the family, we drive by Ethos Vegan Kitchen. I'm the only vegetarian so we end up at other restaurants when we're out with family. But this time, after a very long Florida trip, I was craving a solid vegan meal--I go vegan during the week. Given that it's difficult to find vegan options at most restaurants, when I travel, I chuck veganism out the window, and am just happy when I can find non meat options.
We arrived close to 2pm and had to wait at the bar because the room was packed. I love that a vegan restaurant is packed for lunch during the week. Our table was ready in a few minutes and I ordered the chickpea salad sandwich with mashed potatoes and gravy, and my partner ordered chickun gyro. Both were very good. I couldn't stop "mmmmMmming"
I was so happy with my order that I made us share the Ethos sundae for dessert even though I was full. So yummy. I nearly got a couple of cookies on the way out but thought that might be overly decadent. Next time. And there will be a next time. Every time I'm back in Orlando, I will be having at least one meal at this restaurant. You don't have to be vegan to love good food.
2. Winter Park Fish Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 364 reviews
Comfortable casual table service restaurant with high-end local fish & seafood. Lots of choices, from scratch made sides & preparations to fish choices that fit the needs of any seafood lover. Open kitchen dining room and lots of temperature controlled outdoor seating to enjoy the wonderful Florida weather!
Reviewed By Andy M - Saint Paul, Minnesota
Winter Park Fish Company lived up to their Trip Advisors Review. We went there for a Saturday lunch. Easy parking, no wait for a table outside. And the food and service were both excellent. The waiter had recommendations about the freshest fish- what was brought in that morning. We followed his recommendations for the swordfish and the grouper, as well as the preparations. Both of us had one of their types of seared recommendations. The fish was incredibly fresh and well-prepared. Grouper was outstanding. Swordfish was great- (I just forgot that I don't like swordfish!) but it was still fantastic.
Three standouts about the restaurant- 1) They offer a fixed menu, but then have multiple fresh options dependent on what they get that day. (I wanted the tilefish, but at 11:45 AM they had already sold all 10 filets they had!). 2) They have a myriad of preparations available- sautes, sears, pan fried, panko, etc. Everyone should be able to find a preparation they enjoy- I think it is important to listen to the recommendations, as some preps don't fit certain fish. 3) They also have many sides to choose from.
2 things to improve- 1) We both could have used more sauce. (You also get to customize sauces, and they are delicious- just tiny servings). 2) I am still searching for a great seafood soup in Orlando. Here I tried the clam chowder. It was fine, but not worth an order. And honestly, disappointing for the caliber of food coming out of this kitchen.
3. Luma
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 608 reviews
Luma on Park is a high-energy, casual American kitchen serving delectable food and dining, where the fare speaks for itself and the wine program is all about the juice. We want our guests to feel comfortable dining the way they please, whether they prefer a traditional three-course meal or an array of small eclectic dishes.Luma’s menu offers the freshest seasonal ingredients and herbs to enhance the flavor profile of its cuisine. Every culinary experience will be different, but our diligent staff is thoroughly trained in all aspects of food and beverage to display the idea of service being as important as the food for the ultimate dining experience. Luma's private dining room, The Cellar is a lavish, exclusive room that can seat 48 people and is equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment ideal for major events, from corporate gatherings to wedding receptions.
Reviewed By Linda U - Harwich, Massachusetts
We visited Winter Park for a getaway weekend and loved the town. It is charming with lots to do - museums, lake tours, shopping and lots of restaurants. Luma has lots of competition yet it really shines. The service was impeccable with a charming young woman who was very knowledgable. She was training another young woman and we enjoyed them both. My husband had the egg pasta bolognese. The pasta was very thick and different but delicious. I had the flank steak that was perfectly cooked and served over the best polenta. We skipped dessert as there are several nearby ice cream shops!! The restaurant has a few outdoor tables with heaters (it was cool when we were there) but the inside is very modern and very elegant. I do not hesitate to recommend this restaurant. This is not an inexpensive restaurant.
4. 4 Rivers Smokehouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 993 reviews
4 Rivers is a family-owned smokehouse specializing in 30-day aged brisket, homemade southern sides and fresh bakery items.
Reviewed By nannyca - The Villages, Florida
we've been here many times and loved it. Not so much this time, we got the same things but it just wasn't as good
5. Tibby's New Orleans Kitchen Winter Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 571 reviews
Tibby's is not just about what you see, but how it makes you feel. It's about expressing personality and character through food, music, art and heritage. It has the vibe of New Orleans funk in a very fun atmosphere. It is vibrant in expressions and true to its colors. It reflects a social gathering that feeds the soul. It is not the New Orleans you may have visited; it is the New Orleans that locals call home.
Reviewed By Joy A - Lansing, Illinois
We try and visit here every year on our Florida winter vacation. Menu hasn't changed over the years, We start out with happy hour cocktails and fried pickle appetizers. good start- I tried something different- Fried oysters remoulade. What I was expecting was the 6 fried oysters and remoulade dip on the side. Well they were in a large cocktail glass over lettuce with remoulade sauce over them. Not my cup of tea. The waitress did not hesitate in taking them off the bill. My chicken and andouille sausage gumbo was again outstanding. The other dinners were shrimp creole, chicken pontchartrain, and shrimp and grits. All agreeing the food was delicious. Service was very attentive.
6. Hillstone Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 809 reviews
Formerly Houston's
Reviewed By toomuchfunnow - Savannah, Georgia
Great vibe, but very loud. Late lunch for us. Not much on the menu offerings. Decided on the crispy chicken sandwich. Atypical slaw type topping with cheese and tomato which complemented the chicken very well. String fries done to perfection. Very nice water view. Gret for a business lunch or with friends.
7. The Wine Room on Park Avenue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 373 reviews
Reviewed By DawnAlba - Providence, Rhode Island
If you aren't familiar with the process, you get a pre-paid "gift card" and use it in the dispensing machines to have a taste, a pour or a full glass.
Great way to try different wines...and, there is quite a variety.
We only had wine, but the food we saw looked good.
Be sure to go downstairs, too. There are a few more wines to sample and the "vault" with cushy seating.
8. Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 929 reviews
Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine is a family owned business, established in 2005, that offers variety of authentic Turkish food from many regions of Turkey. Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine adapted its name from one of the oldest cities in the world, Istanbul, which was once known as the Constantinople in the early 13th century. The name “Bosphorous” taken from the strait that lies in the center of Istanbul connecting the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara, Europe to Asia. The decor of this eatery is kept to minimum to draw the attention to the food. The intent was to create a modernized, warm authentic atmosphere by taking the old elements of Istanbul and combining it with some modern influences to create a truly unique experience.
Reviewed By Maan N
The chicken Adana and shish kebabs are excellent. Also loved the lavas (puffy bread). The appetizers were OK with Baba Ganush being our favorite. Seatings outside is very nice on Park Ave.
9. Prato
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 738 reviews
Blending simplicity and inspiration, Prato celebrates cuisine from Italy's rich culinary landscape, seamlessly blending Italian classics with modern techniques and seasonal ingredients. Celebrated chef, Brandon McGlamery entices guests with dishes ranging from light primi and insalata choices to savory, handcrafted pastas and inventive Italian entrees. By offering a variety of Spanish and Italian varietals and blends, we help our guests to discover complex, unique and lesser known wines that excited and delight their palettes. With a long bar that runs through the center of the restaurant, dining at Prato offers a communal and social atmosphere.
Reviewed By Nancy L
The chips are amazing. The pizza ok. Nice pour of Guinness. When walking to the bathroom it seems you walk thru the prep area... butcher knives laying around. Unisex bathrooms very dark. The vent in the ceiling was kinda black looking so I took a picture. Wonder what it was? Outdoor seating is nice if no one smoking and visiting dogs are under control. I watch people let there dog at the table beside me drink from a water glass several times. Service friendly but now very speedy. The bread they serve with oil is nice but has no taste.
10. The Ravenous Pig
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 891 reviews
Reviewed By acasasnovasg - Heathrow, Florida
Ravenous Pig
Winter Park
Ravenous for Food to Soul and Bodies
This is the kind of review that I’m joyfully, but ravenously writing...
A longtime, ”multi-visit”, due review about a true gastronomic place, were palate-pleasing recipes, artistry and nice ambiance abounds.
This are "my kind" of heartfully lines. The ones that in my own style-flows from my mind-softly and with loveliness-when my heart and soul are touched by my tastes...like it was, many times, last February, at ”Ravenous Pig”...
and, it has been, many times before over the years!
We went to Ravenous on our first evening outing since we returned, last February to our beloved north Orlando Home. After that we went with Jose Carlos, our dear godson, and Mariel-his wife-that were visiting us for a long weekend and, the last there, we went with Anton, our ”baby-boy”, who stayed a week with us
Our first gastro-stop was scheduled at Ravenous...where we feel comfy treated and well one by all its staff, headed by Scott, that had become a friend to all of us since we first meet him-years back- at the original Ravenous location on nearby Orange Avenue.
YES; Since they opened in 2007, The Ravenous...has served ”sustainable food created with passion” and artistry...that's why is highly located among our Orlando’s favorites.
THEY proudly indicate that their recipes are based on using ingredients sourced in Florida. James and Julie Petrakis have earned critical acclaim for their thoughtful creations inspired by the best seasonal foods from the Sunshine State. Some years back they made a ”wisemove”...moving its Orange Ave location to a much better one in Fairbanks Ave. A location that has its nice history (within) for our family when we were frequent costumers at the historic ”Le Cordon Bleu” !
That was then...let's see now:
This time, I would like to do some similitudes and differences with our last October Gastrotour, all over Charleston and nearby areas, where we enjoyed several fantastic gastronomic experiences which included; ”Halls Chophouse”, ”The Grill at Charleston Place” and ”Circa 1886”...among other great places
When we are enjoying our times in our North Orlando Home, as impenitent foodies, we-carefully- schedule our dining outings as gastronomic mini-adventures. Regardless, our first ones are- ALWAYS- Mount Dora’s 1921, Ravenous, Luma, Prato, Luke’s and Hillstone. Why is that?
Simply because our goals, at this ”prime” season of our lives, demand to be the most discerning as possible...as time pass by- extremely fast- without ever noticing or grasping the best of it
WHY and WHAT are those GOALS?
What is the truest meaning of those boldish statements?
My goals?
My goal is to find “pleasing, tastings, artistry...and beauty on a plate”.
I’m not talking just about nice presentation, but rather mind-blowing tasting experiences. For that, they need to be more than simple recipes; rather new discoveries to be enjoyed-newest surprises-in every one of those bites.
A few days back, when I was diletantly conversing about my gastronomic writings with Portelita-a dear schoolmate- great philosopher and better friend, he pointed out a paramount question; are (for me) just the luxurious-high-end restaurants.The ones showing the highest tab price. The ones using exuberant and expensive ingredients...The only ones where is possible to find satisfactory gastronomic experiences?
Certainly NOT! ....was my passionate answer to that question.
They are NOT the only ones offering passion for the art of gastronomy.
Gastronomy, as an ART, goes beyond and above fashionable high enders places where everything is -probably- more about image than substance!
The substance is sustained in true-gastronomic places-as in all ARTS...by it's creativity, its harmony, its balance, its contrasts and its freshness use of ingredients (ideas)
Now; we need to differentiate artisans and truest artists
Artisans, in cuisine, are simple cookers...with no-artistry intentions on his works.
Arts in cuisine are as important-or even more- as they are in any other major arts!
In other words; the Best Restaurants in the World needs to be an artistry expression of food to our souls, but framed on a nice ”canvas”; framed and served in a perfect AMBIANCE!
Can be food qualified as an artistic expression ?
That is an old discussion among scholars. Those ones that refused to recognize Food as an Art says that due to its nonpermanent and brief existence...food cannot be an Art, as Painting and another artistic expression, that will last forever. Others, in favor of Food as an Art, would say that other art expressions, like Music, are nonpermanent and it will be "alive" while is played, hence...same judgment could be applied to Food.
I'm one of those in favor of considering Food as an Art as there is no other art manifestation that pleases all our senses- in body and mind- as fine food does.
If you are following my reviews, you will find that I'm one of those-emphatically- in favor of considering Food as an Art
Here-at Ravenous- you will find an art manifestation that pleases your senses, your mind, and your body...as only fine artistry food does.
Now; I can't let "pass", as valid, those movements that-unfairly-just judge, as artistry in cuisine, it's creativity. As much as I respect those judgments, I believe that they are "overenthusiastic" when they granted the ”SUPERB” to some places based only in the creativity of their recipes...forgetting SETTING, SERVICE, AND AMBIANCE!
All the above qualities are of PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE IN FOOD AS ART...
Once said all the previous phylogenic considerations, let me get to some details of our latest fantastic gastronome experiences in Ravenous...
One of the nicest details here is that their Menu change accordingly to each season in order to take advantage of the peak flavors of all cooking ingredients
Before entering in some recipes tasted in our last evenings at Ravenous I need a moment from you; I’m obliged to note, even not been a Beer lover but wines lover, that they had a Brewery onsite, under the direction of Brewmaster Larry Foor. The Cask & Larder Brewery produces small batch of craft beers with meticulous care using innovative techniques. Those craft beers include year-round favorites as well as a rotating selection of limited edition seasonal beers.
As most of the times, while we waved our recipes options, we had either Ruinart Champagne (favorite of my dear wife) or a nice white wine from their Cellar.
Old red wines. Those hard to find ones-as usual- are from our North Orlando Home own cellar.
As this is a ”gastro-walk” into our last times there I need to briefly describe those wines following my notes and trusting my Proustian memories...
One evening, we start having a Ruinart, Rosé, that was the expression of two grape varieties blended in total harmony. A silky, generous feel on the palate...were chardonnay provided the Rosé with aromatic freshness, while the Pinot Noir offered intense bright color and delicate aromas of red and exotic fruits. Another evening we had, from their Cellar, an excellent priced and better unmistakable flavor tasting, head-heavy, white Meursault from Burgundian vineyards at its bests.
That day, after that Meursault, we had a jewel wine that we bought and brought from a trip to Burgundy...a Gevrey Chambertin, Premier Cru, Les Cazetiers, from Leclerc’s 2010 fantastic vintage. An intense ruby colored wine. Kind of a ”racy nose” showing a delicious note of spices, leading into a robust, lively and unforgettable powerful palate...our last bottle -regrettably- of that beauty!
Another evening we had a Vosne Romanee, Gros Frere, from great 2005 vintage. An exceptional complex pinot noir wine, from Vosne, our most beloved Bourgogne Region areas
To be pairing the meaty selections we had, twice, a selection from France’s Northern areas. A wine that we learned to love a long time ago. We increased, that appreciation, in our last trip to France when had the opportunity to stay in Vienne, enjoying its archifamous La Pyramide restaurant and its nearby Cote Rotie steep-sloped vineyards
They were a Cote Rotie, La Germine, from Duclaux, 2006. A very dark luscious ruby red, exotic and bold wine...”aggressive” and sharp as needed for the Lamb meaty flavors. The other wine, rather than Northern Rhone was from southern Chateauneuf areas. That red multi grape wine was a beauty, well preserved in our cellar, Chateauneuf du Pape, Elizabeth Chambellan, Vieille Vignes, from the great 1998 vintage.
As mentioned before; similitudes with Charleston Places, like Halls Chophouse, was that in both places we had meaty flavors of Bison. Both were as great!
Getting simple; differences are that in NO PLACE IN GREATER ORLANDO- REGRETTABLE- we can enjoy fine music and great ambiance, while fine dining!
The only exception being -Perhaps - that Arp music at great ”Victoria & Albert”
Back to our recipes recount at Ravenous on our latest evenings...seated, as always, on our preferred high booth table, graciously reserved for us.
Most of the times we had their fantastic selection of Charcuterie Board. Few places offer that variety of house-prepare delicacies:
SPRING CITRUS SALUMI, DUCK HAM, LAMB and CHICKEN SAUSAGE, FOIE GRAS MOUSSE, PORK RILLETTES...Abundant, great, fantastic flavored and...at just $23!
As appetizers, while in there, we never miss their TACOS...made out of crispy shrimp, cilantro, avocado, pickled jalapeño and cabbage slaw on soft tortillas. Our only regrets on those tacos is that we really missed their original ones...made out of Lobster.
One of my wife favorites is their ”Mussels”. Always freshly gathered and served with a miso, lemongrass, fennel and sided with nice kumquat toasts. Another great offer that I love is their, hard to find in Orlando foodie places- ”Octopus”, Perfectly cooked on the Grill...Galician style
As the second dish, for me, their ”RABBIT & FOIE GRAS RAVIOLO” great priced at $21. Made with roasted royal trumpet mushrooms, purple Osaka, pickled ramps and smoked pecorino...of course; to be shared
Once we tried, as second courses, a recipe not so common neither frequently offered; ”Chorizo Cod”, with its Spaniard or Portuguese roots, it was as good as having it nearby Rias Baixas in Galician Country. Served with small mussels...a great one that we would love to enjoy more frequently there!
Now...MEAT TIME -AND- PAIRED with those big red Rhone wines:
For my wife; ”LAMB LOIN”...perfectly cooked and better simple seasoned (as it should be) with its elaborated sidings of broccoli puree, heirloom carrots, pickled ramps, crunchy cheddar and a surprising malted yogurt adding the perfect balance to the recipe
Once of those outings I had their classic ”STEAK FRITES”...one of my favorites for its porcini marinated black Angus NY strip and tasty truffle fries
Last time we did REALLY enjoyed their Tomahawk at $110, but once shared with my son and the other time with my godson...simple served on a Board and cooked to perfection!
Before my Maquiatto Cafe, we had- once more time- their Classic Dessert "PIGTAILS" which are their version of the typical Spanish churros, but with original pigtail shaping prepared with warm cinnamon-sugar tossed fritters and chocolate espresso sauce...
Those Ravenous ”Churros” are Perfect with my Cafe...a cafe probably harvested in our dead DR, in the highest mountains of the Caribbean!
No need to say that Ravenous is highly recommended to all food lovers.
Some could think that it's expensive, but it's not; prices are perfectly set for what they are offering in a great setting, sitting, deco, service, great ambiance and even better cuisine!
