Orlando's Most Romantic Restaurants

Everyone’s got an opinion about which are Orlando’s most romantic restaurants. Such an enchanting city, Orlando has no shortage of options for romance. There are hundreds of restaurants in Orlando.

Many of our local publications host reader-selected restaurant awards and ‘best of’ lists that give top marks to the best date night spots. And, after years of research, and personal experience, we’ve discovered quite the assortment of romantic locales worthy of inclusion in your date night rotation.

So, to help you sift through all those winners and to better aid you in your quest to have a perfect romantic evening, here’s a summary of top picks categorized by accolades and ambiance.

Looking for romantic date night ideas? Check out our guide to Orlando’s Most Romantic Experiences! We've also got you covered with 50+ Things to do for Valentine’s Day in Orlando that also work anytime of year.

Updated March 2024 by Dani Meyering

AWARD-WINNING ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS

ORLANDO WEEKLY

Orlando Weekly‘s annual Best of Orlando Reader's Poll compiles the best of the City Beautiful in multiple categories. In the Food & Drink category, the following restaurants were voted by readers as the Best Restaurant for a Date in past years:

  1. Hillstone
  2. Better Than Sex – A Dessert Restaurant
  3. Prato
Image credit: Better Than Sex

Orlando Michelin Guide

The Michelin Guide Orlando Restaurants highlights include one-star rated and Bib Gourmand recipients. These are just a few of our favorites.

  • Capa at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World — One Star
  • Knife & Spoon from chef John Tesar inside the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes — One Star
  • Domu at East End Market – Bib Gourmand
  • Strand in Mills 50 – Bib Gourmand
  • Bombay Street Kitchen on Orange Blossom Trail – Bib Gourmand

COZY COURTYARDS AND PATIOS

MAXINE'S ON SHINE

337 Shine Ave, Orlando, FL 32803

This romantic eatery boasts an eclectic atmosphere, a charming shaded patio, live music on the weekends, and a fun menu. The restaurant also serves as a neighborhood hot spot as a regular stop on the monthly Thornton Park Wine Walk (a date night must-do).

GARP & FUSS

348 N Park Ave #5, Winter Park, FL 32789

This neighborhood eatery in Winter Park has a fully enclosed patio dining area with skylights, plus a spacious dining room, bar, and pool table. Find it inside of the Hidden Garden, one of Winter Park’s charming courtyards off of Park Avenue. Feast on charcuterie, upgraded burgers, flatbreads, and American fusion dishes while sipping signature cocktails and craft beer. You're sure to feel the romance here.

Rome's Flavours

124 E Morse Blvd, Winter Park, FL 32789

Step just off Park Avenue in Winter Park and you'll find this charming Italian eatery serving up fresh pastas, heavenly pizzas, and incredible specials sure to impress your date. Dine al fresco and pretend you're in Italy, or make reservations to dine inside the intimate dining room. It's one of our favorite authentic Italian restaurants in the city.

DISCOVER: 25+ Winter Park Restaurants with Outdoor Dining

THE OLD JAILHOUSE

113 S Palmetto Ave, Sanford, FL 32771

This restaurant in Historic Downtown Sanford specializes in delectable cuisine and top-notch cocktails, all served up in the former home of Sanford’s Old Jailhouse. This place has one of the most interesting interiors anywhere in the Orlando area. And, for an added dose of magic, the restaurant boasts a secluded outdoor dining space complete with string lights.

Orlando restaurants with secret gardens and courtyards - The Old Jailhouse
Image credit: The Old Jailhouse

Check out more Sanford date ideas to make the most of your time in the area.

Also try:

Check out our consistently updated Outdoor Dining Guide: 75+ Places to Eat Outside in Orlando for tons more ideas.


TABLES WITH A VIEW

WATERFRONT DINING + SUNSET WATCHING

At Disney Springs, The Boathouse serves date-worthy seafood fare best enjoyed at tables overlooking the water. Complete your experience with a ride around the lake in one of the iconic amphicars.

There are many Disney Springs restaurants with outdoor dining that make for a romantic date idea.

Want a glorious sunset as the backdrop to your meal? Wall to wall windows and an outdoor lounge area provide front row seats to gorgeous waterfront views (especially during sunset) at Canvas in Lake Nona. Feast on New American fare with Latin flare paired with seasonal cocktails.

We'd be remiss not to mention longtime favorite Enzo's on the Lake, a charming Italian restaurant in Longwood situated on the shores of Lake Fairy. It's one of the classics in Central Florida. Arrive early to wander through the romantic outdoor patio and sculpture garden before your meal.

Get more ideas in our guide to the 10 best places to dine with sunset views.

Image credit: Canvas Restaurant & Market

ROMANTIC ROOFTOP RESTAURANTS

Certain restaurants are just as famous for their top-notch cuisine as they are for their sweeping tableside views.

California Grill is located on the 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, providing an aerial view of Disney World and, most notably, the nightly Magic Kingdom fireworks. Arrive at sunset for a romantic meal, and then return later to watch the fireworks show from the outdoor deck. FYI: You’ll definitely need a reservation to dine here.

Another favorite, Bites & Bubbles offers sophisticated fare in a romantic, cozy setting. Treat yourself to everything from caviar to fine cheeses gourmet burgers. Paired with an exceptional wine or craft cocktail, of course. Snuggle up in the main dining room or head upstairs to the open-air rooftop.

Notable favorites include Illume at the beautiful JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek and AC Sky Bar at the AC Hotel Orlando Downtown.

Sushi and sunset at illume JW Bonnet Creek
Sushi and sunset at illume JW Bonnet Creek – image by Dani Meyering

Peruse the best rooftop dining picks in our guide to the Best Rooftop Bars & Restaurants in Orlando.


SMALL TOWN VIBE

Escape the high rise buildings and head to one of Orlando's charming towns, each boasting quaint and unfussy downtown districts filled with romantic restaurants for date night. Here are a few of our favorites:

MARKET TO TABLE

146 West Plant Street, Winter Garden, Florida 34787

This romantic eatery is located in the heart of charming Downtown Winter Garden. Chef Ryan Freelove serves Modern American cuisine with a relentless dedication to local and seasonal.

Image credit: Market to Table

THE TENNESSEE TRUFFLE

125 W 1st St, Sanford, FL 32771

While the space may be casual, the Southern fusion fare created by Nat Russell is off the charts at this restaurant in Historic Downtown Sanford.

1921 MOUNT DORA

142 E 4th Ave, Mt Dora, FL 32757

It doesn't get much better than 1921 Mount Dora's Florida-inspired cuisine in a 1921 building filled with modern art.

GOBLIN MARKET

330 Dora Drawdy Way, Mt Dora, FL 32757

Also located in Mount Dora, Goblin Market is a beloved local bistro with a secluded courtyard and three intimate, book-lined dining rooms.


MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS AT DISNEY

Looking to wine and dine your date on Disney property? From the theme parks themselves to Disney Springs and the assortment of Disney resort hotels, there's no shortage of romantic restaurants to discover.

A few of our top picks include:

  • Be Our Guest Restaurant (Magic Kingdom)
  • Le Cellier Steakhouse (EPCOT)
  • Hollywood Brown Derby Restaurant and Lounge (Disney's Hollywood Studios)
  • Tiffins (Animal Kingdom)
  • Enzo's Hideaway Tunnel Bar (Disney Springs)
  • Wine Bar George (Disney Springs)
  • Steakhouse 71 (Disney's Contemporary Resort)
  • California Grill (Disney's Contemporary Resort
  • Narcoossee's (Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa)
  • Jiko – The Cooking Place (Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge)
  • Toledo (Disney's Coronado Springs Resort)
Lobster Bisque at Narcoossee's Disney restaurant
Lobster Bisque and Agave Garden mocktail at Narcoossee's – Dani Meyering

We go more in depth on all of these restaurants plus additional romantic spots in our detailed guide to The Most Romantic Spots in Walt Disney World.


ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS TO CELEBRATE A SPECIAL OCCASION

KRES CHOPHOUSE

17 W Church St, Orlando, FL 32801

This swanky downtown steakhouse features incredible service, premium steaks (I get the filet mignon every time), fabulous cocktails and the ideal atmosphere for celebrating an anniversary, holiday, engagement, or an over-the-top first date. Surprisingly, it's also got an impressive vegan menu. Cozy booths invite you to linger over your meal and draw out the dining experience for as long as possible.

Other high-end steakhouses include Christner’s Prime Steak & Lobster (a staple of the Orlando area for 30 years), and Bull & Bear at Waldorf Astoria Orlando.

Read our guide to Romantic Steakhouses for a Swanky Night Out for more ideas.

Kres Restaurant

BETTER THAN SEX – A DESSERT RESTAURANT

1905 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32804

Moody, romantic, and sultry, Better Than Sex lives up to the hype as one of Orlando's most romantic restaurants. The menu is comprised exclusively of over-the-top desserts best paired with a chocolate-dipped glass of wine.

VINIA WINE & KITCHEN

444 W New England Ave #119, Winter Park, FL 32789

This cozy European wine bar and eatery in Hannibal Square is one of my favorite restaurants in Orlando. The space features local art on the walls and romantic ambiance. Shareable scratch-made entrees and European wines round out the menu, with live music Thursday nights setting the ultimate date night mood.

The Fabio's Table dining experience (Saturdays) features a 5-course meal paired with wines, all curated by owner Fabio Perricelli.

The personal service and intimate setting of VINIA is hard to beat. You're sure to have a romantic and memorable meal together here.

28 Days of Love Giveaway prize - gift card to VINIA Wine & Kitchen
VINIA Wine & Kitchen

HIGHBALL & HARVEST

4012 Central Florida Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32837

When it comes to hotel dining, the farm-to-table fare at Highball & Harvest at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes is in a league of its own. For something out of the ordinary, book a seat at the cocktail table, the restaurant’s unique chef’s table experience for cocktails.

Also try:


BEST RESTAURANTS FOR A FIRST DATE

Explore these romantic restaurants that are among our favorite first date ideas.

SANTIAGO'S BODEGA

802 Virginia Dr, Orlando, FL 32803

Forget about your first date nerves as you order an assortment of shareable plates from this hip and romantic tapas style restaurant, with a great happy hour. If you’re not quite ready to end the evening, take a walk to Better Than Sex for your dessert course.

EDEN BAR

1300 S Orlando Ave, Maitland, FL 32751

If you want to switch up the usual dinner and a movie first date idea, Eden Bar and Enzian Theater are guaranteed to impress your date.

Dine underneath gigantic live oak trees strung with twinkling lights as you sip movie-inspired cocktails paired with fresh entrees. You can also dine inside the theater, but I’m partial to the unbeatable ambiance the outdoor restaurant and bar provides. Plus, it will give you more time to get to know one another.

Facing towards the Eden Bar outdoor bar at The Enzian Theater with a crowd at night
The Eden Bar at The Enzian Theater | Image credit: Dani Meyering

THE PARKVIEW

136 S Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789

Located on Park Avenue, The Parkview is an underrated gem for date night. Rows of boutique wine bottles line the walls indoors, while several al fresco tables overlook Central Park. Items on the menu are made from scratch utilizing local ingredients whenever possible, and there's an extensive wine list. This is one of our picks for best brunch in Orlando as well.

Also try:

Need more inspiration for planning a first date? Here are our reader's picks for 50 First Dates in Orlando.  If you're celebrating a special occasion consider booking a chef's table experience in Orlando.

And Tampa Bay has some pretty amazingly romantic date night restaurants, and romantic experiences, too!


PRIVATE DINING

Looking for a more intimate setting or a spot for a rehearsal dinner or engagement celebration? A private table or dining room fits the bill. Here are a few of our favorites.

Feature image credit: Canvas Restaurant & Market