We've got lots to enjoy in 2024. Several new creative date night concepts are here and there are even more exciting new things in store. From new Orlando restaurants to exciting new attractions and experiences, these are the new Orlando date night ideas to try in 2024.

Updated regularly throughout the year, most recent update January 2024 by Dani Meyering and Meghan Roth.

Recap of Key highlights of 2023:

Keep reading for lots more!

Primrose Lanes. Image Credit Dani Meyering

Orlando restaurateurs got even more creative over the past year. Food halls, breweries, pop up dining, and unique fusion concepts continue to dominate the foodie scene in 2024, so grab your sweetheart and enjoy a date night filled with culinary exploration.

New Date-Worthy Restaurants

The Bao Spot

54 West Church Street #140
Orlando, Florida 32801

Local family owned food concept, The Bao Spot opened the doors for the first time December 1, 2023 on Church Street in Downtown Orlando. The menu will include a number of appetizers, including Fried Brussel Sprouts and Honey Bacon, plus Fried Pork Dumplings.

You'll find one of the nerdiest, most creative atmospheres here – and excellent Asian-inspired eats. We love downtown Orlando restaurants, including The Bao Spot.

Superica

415 S. Orlando Ave, STE. 211, Winter Park, FL 32789

Superica, a Georgia-based restaurant with an Austin-style menu, features a colorful dining room where delicious Mexican and American foods are served. You may know this as ‘Tex-Mex’ cuisine. Superica offers a casual yet whimsical space inspired by the owner’s northern Mexican-meets-Texas ranch style of cooking, complete with an additional 900 square-feet of patio seating.

Superica is open every day, plus offers options for brunch on Saturday and Sunday. 

The Castle Irish Pub

2625 Edgewater Drive, Orlando, FL 32804

The Hoynes family have been running pubs for hundreds of years. Their mission is to provide legendary Irish hospitality to each of the guests that come through their doors. Their menu offers a variety of Irish pub selections, along with a robust drink menu, and live music on the weekends.

Kung Fu Kitchen

8466 Palm Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32836

Kung Fu Kitchen will take you on a culinary journey to China right here in Orlando with their authentic steamed buns (xiao long bao) and hand pulled noodles. They have a variety of delicious dishes such as dim sum, chilled plates, breakfast, and desserts from different regions of China.

Chef Peter Song, an actor who immigrated from China, was determined to bring authentic Northern Chinese cuisine to the US and five years ago he opened the first restaurant in New York. 

VIDA Cocina & Tequila

275 W State Rd 436, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714

When stepping into VIDA you’ll immediately recognize something inherently inviting. With the warm and vibrant atmosphere provided by the lights and abundant greenery, you’ll feel as if you’re eating inside a garden while enjoying the rich culinary traditions of Mexico!

VIDA Cocina & Tequila serves Mexican cuisine with a modern twist and a focus on using high-quality ingredients, with alternatives for all dietary needs.

Chuan Fu

1035 N Orlando Ave #105, Winter Park, FL 32789

This Sichuan restaurant by the owners of Chuan Lu Garden and U & Me Revolving Hot Pot, opened in Winter Park in October 2023 – and it's already made it into the MICHELIN Guide for Orlando. The restaurant occupies the space that most recently was Orlando Meats. It is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Monday. 

The Drake Bar and Kitchen

361 N. Rosalind Ave. Suite 1, Orlando, FL 32801

Just opened in downtown Orlando, The Drake Bar and Kitchen is not a newbie in town. Owners Heberto and Rona Segura are the duo behind Duck + Drake Kitchen which has pleased diners in College Park for several years.

Cocktail on table  at The Drake Downtown Orlando restaurant
Cocktail at The Drake Downtown – image by Dani Meyering

This new dedicated brick and mortar restaurant is polished and inviting, with brass accents and warm tones. As you might expect, there are duck decorations and details throughout this space. Craft cocktails and global cuisine dominate the menu.

Note, The Drake is closed on Sundays and Mondays, and parking is available at nearby parking garages.

Bark Haven Dog Bar (Coming Soon)

724 Brookhaven Dr, Orlando, FL 32803

It’s pretty simple – You love your dog. Like, a lot. You’d bring them everywhere if you could! Believe us when we say “We get it!” That’s why the owners of BarkHaven dreamed of creating an urban oasis for dogs and their people. It’s a safe place to enrich the special bond you share, surrounded by a tail-wagging community of like-minded pack members. Located conveniently on the Urban Trail between the Mills 50 District and Ivanhoe Village, BarkHaven is Orlando’s premiere membership dog park bar! Day passes and memberships are for dogs only, as humans always get in free.

New Food Halls & Markets

Slated to open sometime in 2023 is Maitland Social. This upscale food hall is near the Maitland City Center, which has become a popular gathering spot in recent years. Maitland Social is said to include Foxtail Coffee, Wave Asian Bistro (of Mount Dora fame), and Urban Body Works.

Jacksonville’s Norikase, a Japanese restaurant known for its 17 course omakase tasting menu, brings a casual eight-seat concept Norigami to Plant Street Market. The menu is developed by Chef David Tsan of Soupakase, Morimoto Asia, and Kabooki Sushi fame. Norigami is already getting praise as a MICHELIN Restaurant in Orlando.

Brew Theory opened a Brew Theory Marketplace at 2650 Jewett Lane Sanford, FL 32771.

Related: A Beer Lover's Guide to Breweries in Orlando

A New Take on Local Favorites

Throughout Orlando, beloved food concepts and restaurants continue to evolve in interesting ways.

The Juice Stand – Packing District

1795 West Princeton Avenue, The Packing District

The Juice Stand is back in The Packing District and includes three local favorites – Foxtail Coffee, Kelly's Homemade Ice Cream, and The Ravenous Pig Brewing Co. The building is a replica of an iconic shop called the Juice Stand, which was the center of Dr. Phillips Citrus Operations. Repurposed brick from old Dr. Phillips buildings in the 1900s was used for the Juice Stand replica’s countertops and outside benches.

Jack and Honeys

808 E. Washington Street, Orlando, FL

Jack & Honey's is a new upscale diner in the heart of Thornton Park in downtown Orlando and replaces the 808. Jack Lambert of Hammered Lamb is the owner and has partnered with Wendy Connor, who was also an owner of the 808.

Jack and Honeys Chicken and Waffles Dish with 2 Glasses of Sangria
Jack and Honeys Chicken and Waffles – Image by Jodi Caballero

Turci Panino

2122 Edgewater Drive, Orlando, FL 32804

Turci Panino is an authentic Italian sandwich shop, from the same people that brought us Turci Pasta. They offer a selection of Italian panini sandwiches served on your choice of three breads. They even have a vegan option that would please even the pickiest meat eater.

Big Taco

1455 State Road 436, Unit 117, Casselberry, FL 32707

Back in 1995, Orlando’s Tex-Mex dining scene experienced a culinary fast-casual revolution. Brian Wheeler, affectionately dubbed the “Big Taco,” introduced a hometown, fast-casual Tex-Mex concept, named Tijuana Flats. In 2015, Brian sold Tijuana Flats to a private equity firm, which ended up diverging from Brian and Camp's original vision and altering its core essence.

Today, the Wheeler Family, led by oldest son, Jake, has reintroduced Orlando to simplistic, made-to-order Tex-Mex with the opening of Big Taco. Upon entering Big Taco, there’s an immediate essence of cool, old Las Vegas with a distinct, strong personality. Big Taco serves Tex-Mex cuisine with a focus on simplicity and robust flavors. The menu includes all the classic dishes like tacos, burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, and salads. Specialties include items such as a chili smothered burrito – and more.

More notable new concepts…

Now open in historic downtown Sanford is The Wildflower cocktail bar. This favorite spot in Baldwin Park will now have a second location in Sanford, at Magnolia Square.

And new in downtown Sanford is a new dining concept from Hollerbach's Willow Tree. This new dining concept is serves cocktails, beer, and German tapas. 

Cocktail at The Wildflower Sanford Cocktail at The Wildflower Sanford (Dani Meyering)

Fine Dining

Nami Lake Nona

6004 Artist Ave, Orlando, FL 32827

Nami’s contemporary Japanese concept sparkles with European elements in its approach to the modern dining experience. Discretely positioned in Lake Nona’s art-forward Wave Hotel, the world-class team of chefs has collaborated to bring a one-of-a-kind menu served in an imaginative dining room. The cocktail bar offers elevated mixology in its precise and beautiful cocktails. 

As the night evolves the cocktail bar and dining room become one to create a retreat with in-house DJ led vibes and special late night menu offerings.

Moso Nori

1100 S. Orlando Ave, Winter Park, FL

Moso Nori, a concept by James Beard Award finalist Henry Moso, is coming to City Place in Winter Park in the summer of 2024. The restaurant will feature an island bar with 30+ seats, where Moso and his chefs will serve cylindrical rolls fashioned from premium roasted Japanese nori and filled with everything from dry-aged fish to foie gras to vegetables.

Ômo by Jônt

115 E Lyman Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789

ÔMO by Jônt is an immersive chef's counter concept by Chef Ryan Ratino and the team behind TWO-MICHELIN STARRED Jônt in Washington, D.C. The restaurant will showcase Ratino's skills with Japanese seafood and play up meats and produce procured from local purveyors like Pasture Prime and Frog Song Organics.

They will be able to host an intimate gathering of up to 16 guests, Thursday to Sunday, at 5:30pm and 7:45pm. Opening February 1, 2024.

Image of Dry-aged, grilled wild Japanese kinki, broken buttermilk sauce, onion soubise, Omo Reserve caviar at Ômo by Jônt
Ômo by Jônt – Image by Hive Hospitality

Cocktails + Sweet Treats

Bar Kada

957 Fairbanks Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789

Chef and owner Michael Collantes’ modern take on a traditional sushi omakase earned him a Michelin star at Soseki, and he’s now back with a new effort: Bar Kada. Slated to open adjacent to Soseki in Winter Park, Collantes is working with Soseki vets, 2023 Michelin “Sommelier of the Year” Benjamin Coutts, and chef de cuisine Mike Vang, on this 30-seat sake and wine-led concept. Vang will oversee seasonal small plates that pay tribute to not only Central Florida produce, but also local seafood. Drinks will highlight low-touch wine and ancestral sakes, plus sake-based cocktails.

Lamp and Shade

1336 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL

Lamp & Shade is Mills area’s newest dining and nightlife concept. Playfully yet eloquently named, Lamp & Shade Craft Kitchen and Cocktails got its inspiration from the idea to ‘hangout and throw some shade in conversation’ while paying homage to the history of its building, previously The Lamp Shade Fair, well-known by locals for over 50 years.

Death in the Afternoon

930 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803

This recently opened “friendly neighborhood absinthe house” comes from the owners of the Sanford tiki bar Suffering Bastard and former dive bar Bitters & Brass. Like Suffering Bastard, Death in the Afternoon's name comes from the Ernest Hemingway-created drink made with champagne and absinthe. Fans of the Green Fairy will find a tightly curated roster of both Swiss- and French-style offerings from around the world

And there are other new cocktail spots in town to visit.

The newest tiki bar in Orlando is Permanent Vacation in Maitland. We absolutely loved our first visit here and plan to visit again. Check out reservation info and what you need to know to visit Permanent Vacation tiki bar.

Predator Cocktail and Low and Slow Mocktail at Permanent Vacation maitland florida
Predator Cocktail and Low and Slow Mocktail at Permanent Vacation – Dani Meyering

Opened in the Fall of 2023 in Winter Park is Forward/Slash tasting room. Blended for the discerning whiskey lover and the newly converted – FORWARD/SLASH is whiskey meant to be savored, not stashed away.

Orlando's first meaderyZymarium Meadery on Mills, opened officially on August 19, 2023! This space is really cool and inspired by honey and honeycombs. Mead is a distilled drink made from honey, and it is gluten-free. 

Zymarium Meadery Bar Area
Zymarium Meadery Bar Area – image by Sarah Bradley

Colonial Lanes is reborn as Primrose Lanes Restaurant and Bowling Club. Drink, dine and bowl with lanes of fun, plus a dining space helmed by some familiar names from Orlando’s culinary scene. Chef Nick Grecco (Cask & Larder, Black Bean Deli) developed the menu, and you can get your cocktail fix at the bar overlooking the lanes. 

Be sure to notice the timeline of this historic property, displayed along the dining room. There are so many details and decor that repurpose parts of the original bowling alley that originally opened in 1959.

Lounge at Primrose Lanes Orlando
Lounge at Primrose Lanes Orlando – image by Dani Meyering

From the same hospitality group is The Acre. In College Park, you'll find a special wedding venue that has now turned into a social hangout on the weekends

Winter Park Village just finished a massive renovation and reimagining. One of the new places to grab dessert in Orlando is Jeni's Ice Cream. The ice cream you'll find here is decadent and chef-driven. The rich, gourmet flavors are definitely date-worthy.

Also at Winter Park Village, we love the Flutes Champagne Bar concept, it's perfect for date night! The doors opened on December 1, 2023.

The menu focuses on champagne, sparkling wine, as well as distinctive wine, and a few craft beer selections. The atmosphere is very nouveau Winter Park, a modern lounge with multiple homages to the glamourous days of Hollywood past.

saxophonist performs at Flutes Champagne Bar Winter Park
Flutes Champagne Bar Winter Park – image by Dani Meyering

Bringing some tropical vibes to Winter Park Village is Tommy Bahama's Marlin Bar. This sophisticated yet casual Florida-inspired spot opens Wednesday, January 31, 2024. You can expect casual bites and tropical drinks with an elevated flair. It will also become one of the many Happy Hour in Winter Park Village spots.

New Additions to Pointe Orlando

Pointe Orlando has new venues in its current playful lineup. With more food to try and more experiences to have, The Pointe continues to be a must-try on International Drive.

  • JoJo’s ShakeBar
  • Kavas Tacos + Tequila
  • Will to Escape
  • Earth Illuminated

Something sweet has arrived at Pointe Orlando. Full of nostalgia and fun, JoJo's Shake BAR is a fun date night spot or Girls' Night Out with decadent shakes, cocktails, mocktails, and sharable food.

decadent milkshake at JoJo's Shake Bar
JoJo's Shake Bar – Jodi Caballero

Kavas Tacos + Tequila officially opened on May 5, 2023 (Cinco de Mayo) at Pointe Orlando as a third offering from the founders of Taverna Opa and Tapa Toro. The menu features savory comfort food, fresh tableside experiences, and hand-crafted recipes that pay tribute to Mexico's rich culinary history.

READ MORE: 18 Unique Bars in Orlando

New Arts & Culture Experiences

In February 2024 Orlando will have its own version of the legendary listening rooms of the world’s most musical cities. Judson’s Live is an intimate artistic oasis. The atmosphere is low-key with a stylish slant, anchored by a grand piano once belonging to Judson Green, the late jazz musician, beloved Dr. Phillips Center board member.

Judson’s Live is your place to escape the world for 90 minutes. To take-in the surroundings as much as the delicious food and drinks, while discovering new music in the span of a 50-minute performance.

Order from a curated scratch-kitchen menu of small shareable plates, developed by executive chef Jason Klingensmith.

Enjoy a craft cocktail or beverage from our extensive brown spirits menu, or delve into exceptional wine offerings hand-selected by the in-house sommelier.

Judson's Live at Dr Phillips Center
Judson's Live at Dr Phillips Center. Photo by Dani Meyering.
Judson's Live at Dr Phillips Center
Judson's Live at Dr Phillips Center. Photo by Dani Meyering.

Related: Tips for a Broadway in Orlando Date Night

Cirque du Soleil – Drawn to Life premiered at Disney Springs in November 2021, replacing La Nouba. And new segments were added in early 2023. This imaginative new adventure transforms the stage into a giant animation table where the art is literally brought to life via dazzling choreography, daring feats, and a timeless soundtrack worthy of the Disney name.

Art² (Art Squared), a new interactive art park, is slated to open in downtown Orlando (E Robinson St. & N. Orange Ave.). Plans for the urban park include a two-story shipping container structure, food trucks, picnic tables and hammocks, a stage, an art gallery, a café and a 19×10 foot LED video wall used for art, events, streaming festivals, and movies.

The installation will host both free and ticketed events throughout the year and welcome everyone to share in Orlando's community vibe.

AREA15, a “Wanderland of Art, Music & Entertainment” based out of Las Vegas, is projected to open an Orlando location in 2024. This multifaceted, immersive art venue is intended to house a variety of creative experiences that are both hands-on and approachable for visitors from all backgrounds.

Consider it a playground for all ages. The Vegas location even includes a Liftoff Lounge and an open-air balloon ride! Stay tuned for more details on what we can expect from the Orlando location.

What's New at Orlando's Theme Parks

New Experiences at Walt Disney World

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is now open at EPCOT as one of the longest-enclosed coasters in the world. And TRON Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom debuted last summer, as well as Moana: Journey of Water at EPCOT.

New restaurants at Walt Disney World have opened, and more are still on the way!

Cover Menu of New Restaurant at EPCOT Shiki-Sai – image by Terri Peters

Evermore Orlando Resort, a new billion-dollar, 10,000-room resort located next to Walt Disney World, will open on Jan. 1, 2024. Evermore will offer a new approach to vacationing, feature a large-scale community of homes solely built for the purpose of vacation renting, operating with hotel-quality standards.

Evermore amenities include a 20-acre tropical beach complex, an 8-acre crystalline water amenity by Crystal Lagoons, 15 restaurants, bars and food markets, two 18-hole Jack Nicklaus designed golf courses and more.

One of our sibling sites, Tampa Bay Parenting has a full rundown of all the New Rides and Shows Coming to Walt Disney World.

New Hotel Near Walt Disney World 

Conrad Orlando, which opened in January 2024, marks the Conrad Hotels & Resorts brand’s debut in Orlando and second property in the Sunshine State.

Conrad Orlando – Image provided by Conrad Orlando

Nestled within Evermore Orlando Resort’s sprawling 1,100-acre property less than three miles from one of Orlando’s most famed theme park resorts, the 433-room Conrad Orlando features five distinct dining venues; the serene Conrad Spa Orlando and Water Garden; Evermore Bay, an 8-acre crystalline lagoon and expansive pool complex; and more than 65,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space. 

What's New at Universal Orlando

2024's Universal's Mardi Gras starts in early February with the beloved parade and unique food. The Holidays at Universal Orlando just wrapped up.

Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast arrived to Universal Studios in the summer of 2023. And a new Dreamworks Land will debut soon! Work continues on the resort's upcoming Epic Universe park, which is planned to open by 2025.

New Coaster(s) at SeaWorld Orlando

The World's First “Surf Coaster” called Pipeline debuted in May 2023 and it is awesome!! This roller coaster is unlike anything in Orlando. You're actually standing up as you twist and turn!

Penguin Trek, a new family friendly coaster, is headed to Sea World in 2024. This will be the coolest research mission you’ve ever joined! This unforgettable family launch coaster will take you on an adventure through the breathtaking vastness of Antarctica. Board your snowmobile and race along with your expedition team at up to 43 miles per hour, navigating twists and turns and narrowly escaping the crumbling hazards of an icy cavern. Reach the end and you’ll make the ultimate discovery: a real penguin habitat!

Here's to an exciting year in Orlando!