Magical Dining Returns to 80+ Orlando Restaurants Aug 27 – Oct 3

Magical Dining is Friday, August 18 – Sunday, October 1, 2023. 

We look forward to the month of August each year, which always kicks off Visit Orlando's multi-week Magical Dining program. This annual celebration of Orlando eateries offers a three-course, prix fixe menu for just $40/person, and a new upper tier for $60 per person.

For many diners, it is a way to experience a special restaurant that may not normally fit into their budget.

The deliciousness begins on Friday, August 18, 2023 and continues through Sunday, October 1, 2023. This year, diners can indulge at over 132 participating local restaurants – including lots of exciting new additions. Participating eateries span six main districts including Winter Park, Restaurant Row, Downtown, and even all the way to Disney.

There are even some kid friendly restaurants with Magical Dining. Please remember to request the special Visit Orlando's Magical Dining menu upon arrival at the restaurant. Also note that tax and gratuity are not included in the $40 or $60 per person.

$1 from every meal served ($2 if in the $60 per person tier) will be donated to The Lifeboat Project, which raises awareness and resources to combat human trafficking.

Full list of Magical Dining restaurants plus all the menus  

NEW ADDITIONS TO MAGICAL DINING FOR 2023

First-Time Restaurants

The newest additions to Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining include:

  • Amare at Swan Reserve ($40)
  • Bella Tuscany Ristorante Italiano – Ocoee ($40)
  • Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ – Orlando and Flamingo Crossing locations ($40)
  • LakeHouse ($40)
  • MYlounge Orlando ($60)
  • North Italia ($40)
  • Osphere Grill, Sushi and Bar ($40)
  • Palate Bistro and Bar ($40)
  • The Palm ($60)
  • Park Avenue Tavern ($40)
  • Salt & The Cellar ($60)
  • The Wilson Cocktails & Seafood ($40).

Additionally, seven restaurants were recently recognized by the MICHELIN Guide, including AVA MediterrAegean ($60), BACÁN ($60), and The Pinery ($40) – all new additions to Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining – as well as returning favorites Kabooki Sushi East Orlando ($40), Maxine’s on Shine ($40), The Ravenous Pig ($40) and Z Asian – Vietnamese Kitchen ($40)

If you're looking for a quick list of recommendations then these restaurants are some of the best in Orlando. Head over to our curated list of MICHELIN Guide Restaurants with Magical Dining.

Magical Dining Desserts at AVA Mediterraegean
Magical Dining Desserts at AVA Mediterraegean – Dani Meyering

Exclusive Overnight Staycation Deals

Use Magical Dining as an excuse to treat yourself to a romantic overnight staycation this year. Returning for 2023, Visit Orlando's Magical Nights, offering locals exclusive hotel and resort offers to extend the dining experience at participating hotel restaurants.

Here are a few of our favorite options:

  • Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin: up to 20% off
  • The Alfond Inn: includes Magical Dining dinner menu for two in Hamilton’s Kitchen, and a bottle of chilled Champagne to celebrate
  • Lake Nona Wave Hotel: Florida Residents can save 20% on stays
  • The Point Hotel and Suites on International Drive: Receive 25% off our best available rate in a Grand One Bedroom Suite along with a bottle of wine

MAGICAL DINING DATE NIGHT HIGHLIGHTS

Participating restaurants sprawl from the I-Drive/Convention and Restaurant Row areas to Winter Park, Disney and beyond. With 118 restaurants participating in Magical Dining in 2023 the choices are overwhelming.

Here are some of our top picks for date night ambiance and overall value.

HAVEN

Head to The Wave Hotel in Lake Nona and enjoy one of the best meals in Orlando. HAVEN offers a sophisticated Mediterranean menu bringing a twist to traditional Florida flavors. An approachable menu featuring a twist on classic dishes, HAVEN Kitchen offers a stunning, botanical setting with both indoor and outdoor dining available.

Haven Kitchen at Lake Nona Wave Hotel with stylist gold and jewel toned furniture
Haven Kitchen at Lake Nona Wave Hotel – Dani Meyering

 

The Hampton Social

We love The Hampton Social for Brunch at Pointe Orlando, but during Magical Dining it becomes the perfect choice for girls' night. Start with the Bang, Bang Shrimp then move on to the Spicy Rigatoni or the Honey Glazed Salmon, and finish with Blueberry Bread Pudding.

Luke's Kitchen

With a newly expanded outdoor patio and fresh menu, Luke's Kitchen is one of our favorites for date night. And during Magical Dining you can experience one of the best values in Orlando.

The Magical Dining menu at Luke's Kitchen is one of the best in town! Plus there are multiple options that are gluten-free like the Carrot-Coconut Soup, Chairman’s Reserve Pork Chop, and Zucchini with black eyed pea, corn, tomato, onion soubise.

More Magical Dining Favorites

Here are a few more of our top picks for date night:

  • Reel Fish Coastal Kitchen – Celebrate the flavors of Florida and the south with Cedar Key Clams & Tasso Toast, Pompano Beach Swordfish, and more
  • The Ravenous Pig – Always a favorite each year! Lots of vegetarian and gluten-free menu options
  • AVA MediterrAegean – gluten-free options for each course including Creekstone Farm Prime Flank Steak
  • Market to Table – Winter Garden restaurant, highlights include Truffle Gnocchi and gluten-free options like Braised Beef Short Rib
  • Chez Vincent – Head to Hannibal Square in Winter Park for French cuisine and award winning food
  • Taverna Opa – Live belly dancing performances while you dine, plus we loved the cocktail flight upgrade ($18) sampled during a media preview dinner in the past

Cocktail flight upgrade from Taverna Opa Orlando | Image credit: Stephanie Machado

 

  • VINIA Wine & Kitchen – One of our favorite wine bars and restaurants in Winter Park, wine flight upgrades for menu and dessert, live music on Thursdays
  • The Taproom at Dubstread – A College Park favorite for decades
  • Dragonfly Robata and Sushi – One of the best sushi spots in town, don't overlook the Garlic Blue Crab Fried Rice

Dessert flight at VINIA Wine & Kitchen paired with wines (changes seasonally)

 

Unreserved Food Bazaar at JW Marriott Bonnet Creek
This station-style restaurant recently launched its highly anticipated dinner service led by Chef Peter Kunstek. It will offer a multicourse meal for $40 per person.

Standout menu items include house-made tagliatelle with fresh scallops, “Bonnet Creek Dragon Rolls” sushi, tender beef cheek ragout and a sweet-treat of dulce de leche molten cake. Vibrant European-style cocktails will accompany the meal, including sangria, cucumber spritzes and dill martinis using hyper-local herbs from the resort’s new JW Garden.

GIVING BACK

Each year, Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining selects nonprofit organizations making an impact on the Orlando community to serve as a charity beneficiary. With the new tiered concept, one dollar from each $40 meal and two dollars from each $60 meal will be donated to this year’s charity recipient, The Lifeboat Project, an organization raising awareness on the issue of human trafficking and empowering the lives of survivors through short and long-term aftercare, residential programs and education.

To ensure this donation continues to make a widespread impact, Visit Orlando will also award a $2,000 donation to one local nonprofit in each of Orange County’s six commission districts that provide services and resources to survivors of abuse in Central Florida.

The 2023 nonprofits are:

three entrees part of Magical Dining at AVA Mediterraegean
Magical Dining Entrees at AVA Mediterraegean – Dani Meyering

Orlando MAGICAL DINING DETAILS

Visit Orlando's Magical Dining begins Friday, August 18 – Sunday, October 1, 2023.

Over 132 participating local restaurants, each offering a three-course, prix fixe dinner menu for just $40 per person, or upper tier $60 per person. Takeout options are available at select restaurants.

For more information, go to MagicalDining.com.

Looking for more food-focused date night ideas? Try these:

Feature image: Cala Bella at Rosen Shingle Creek, courtesy of Visit Orlando
Updated July 2023 by Dani Meyering