Exceptional gourmet flavors await inside the brand-new Lamp & Shade Craft Kitchen located in the beloved Mills 50 district. This concrete building stood as a lamp store for many years, and this new restaurant in Orlando pays homage to the building's roots and offers modern spins on classic eats. Lamp & Shade is going to be a hit for date night or a gathering with friends. Come with us for a quick overview of what to expect here.

Lamp & Shade Craft Kitchen And Cocktails

Best Bites and Drinks

Executive Chef Ryan put his heart and soul into every tasty item on the menu. The purple sweet potato dumplings are getting a lot of attention in town. One of our contributors, Jodi Caballero, visited during opening night. Here are some of the highlights from her visit.

Dining Room and Bar at Lamp & Shade Craft Kitchen Orlando
Dining Room and Bar at Lamp & Shade – image by Jodi Caballero

Of course, you have to kick off your visit to Lamp & Shade with one of their top tier craft cocktails. Many of the delicious beverages are inspired by tiki recipes and other classics of a bygone era.

During our visit, the Tiki drink, Buried in Pearls, worked its magic and the Whiskey-based drink, Basic Instinct, offers a unique presentation and garnish.

Drinks at Lamp & Shade Craft Kitchen Orlando – image by Jodi Caballero

The menu is separated by hot plates, cold plates, and sharables. Here are some of the highlights from our visit.

  • Bread with a Furikake butter
  • Miso soup
  • Caesar Salad Bites
  • Hassleback Potatoes
  • Blacked Tuna
  • LA Short Ribs
  • Castella Cake

A refreshing cold plate is the Caesar Salad Bites. If your favorite part of this classic salad has always been the croutons then this small plate is a dream come true.

Caesar Salad Bites at Lamp & Shade Craft Kitchen Orlando
Caesar Salad Bites at Lamp & Shade Craft Kitchen – image by Jodi Caballero

For something soothing at the end of a long workday, cozy up to the Miso Soup. Playful crack the crispy garnish into the bowl and you'll soon be sipping on savory goodness.

Miso Soup at Lamp & Shade Craft Kitchen Orlando
Miso Soup at Lamp & Shade Craft Kitchen – image by Jodi Caballero

The LA Short Ribs aren't the best dish for some romance vibes, but they are tasty and could be worth any potential date faux pas.

LA Short Ribs at Lamp & Shade Craft Kitchen Orlando
LA Short Ribs at Lamp & Shade – image by Jodi Caballero

From the sharables, the Hot Stone Fried Rice looks like a great dish to try if you want to share some great bites as a group or on your date. There are a few vegan options too, and delicious hand-crafted desserts for a sweet ending.

The Castella Cake is a gorgeous plate of chocolate cake garnished with berry dust and fresh raspberries and a scoop of fresh cream on top. A lovely touch of romance at the end of a marvelous meal.

Castella Cake at Lamp & Shade Craft Kitchen Orlando
Castella Cake at Lamp & Shade Craft Kitchen – image by Jodi Caballero

Keep an eye out on for news about Happy Hour at Lamp & Shade during weekdays 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Best Vibes

The atmosphere, decor, and details of this place are spot on. Not only does Lamp & Shade honor the lamp store that graced these grounds since the 1960's, it brings a beautiful blend of modern and retro.

Dining Room booth at Lamp & Shade Craft Kitchen Orlando -
Booth at Lamp & Shade Craft Kitchen – image by Jodi Caballero

A modern romantic vibe that is perfect date night, as provides a lovely setting for friends and colleagues to gather. Thriving Hospitality is the group behind this gorgeous establishment. This team has spots in Tampa and Orlando, like Thrive Cocktail Lounge and Eatery on Orange Ave.

Reservations are a good idea – especially during the first few months of this much-anticipated bright spot's opening. And if you have to wait for a table, you can entertain your date or your friends by putting on the provided lampshades on your head for photo opportunities. Talk about throwing some shade!

A man posing with a lamp shade on his head at Lamp & Shade Orlando
Lamp & Shade Orlando – image by Jodi Caballero

Hours & Info

Open daily 4:00 p.m. – 12:00 p.m. (as late as 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays)

Parking is limited. You may need to make use of street parking nearby.
Address: 1336 N Mills Ave Orlando, FL 32803
Phone: 321-417-3477