There's always something new to enjoy in The City Beautiful. 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, let's see what's new!
New Additions to Pointe Orlando
Pointe Orlando continues to be a must-try on International Drive. And JUST OPENED four new venues have arrived forming the ALL NEW – Live! At The Pointe.
NOW OPEN on the second level of Pointe Orlando!
- Sports & Social
- PBR Cowboy Bar
- Houndsmen Lounge
- Shark Bar
Celebrate the finer things in life at Houndsmen English Lounge. Orlando's first PBR Cowboy Bar is the hottest new spot for great music and dancing, and bull riding!
Retro dance music and patio vibes make Shark Bar a place to gather, unwind, and hit the beach. Sports & Social brings together top-rated and industry-leading sports gaming platforms with an awesome sports entertainment experience and great eats!
VALIDATED PARKING: Simply present your Pointe Orlando parking ticket to one of the team members to receive a free parking voucher. Valid at Sports & Social, PBR Orlando, Houndsmen Lounge, Shark Bar, Palm Tree Club, and Sal's Pizza.
JUST OPENED: Palm Tree Club is a chic venue bringing together elevated dining and pleasure with an exciting, captivating, and vibrant ambiance seamlessly merging into one unique experience.
There are still more venues arriving in Pointe Orlando this year! Keep an eye out for announcements and details about Dick’s Last Resort, Barton G. (a dining experience like no other), Rocket Fizz, Taffer’s Tavern and more.
New Date-Worthy Restaurants
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.
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.
Garden Tiger
1900 Alden Rd, Orlando, FL 32803
This new spot is located in the heart of Ivanhoe Village, from the same team behind Porch Therapy, The Heavy, and Janet's Dry Humor. Be sure to check their site and follow them on Instagram as details are announced.
Tom's Watch Bar
8050 International Drive, Suite 1000 Orlando, FL 32819
Tom’s Watch Bar is perched above International Drive, with 360-degree sports viewing experience and world-class rooftop views. The big draw is the giant stadium screens or the 150+ TVs lining the restaurant and bar. Take in amazing views of the Orlando skyline thanks to the two-story venue’s prime rooftop location, all while enjoying chef-inspired delicious dishes and drinks.
Bark Haven Dog Bar
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
The Eola Food Hall
150 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, FL
The Eola Food Hall will occupy the first two floors of the four-story building at 150 E. Central Blvd. that formerly housed the University Club of Orlando. Construction is expected to begin by the end of the year, with a projected opening in late 2025. The food hall will offer a diverse mix of cuisines in the heart of downtown, catty-corner to Lake Eola Park. The food hall will feature about 16 vendors, including three full-size restaurants of about 1,300 square feet. Two of the restaurants will be on the second floor and one on the first floor.
Thrive (Coming Soon)
Hall's on 5th (Food Hall)
15 E 5th St, Apopka, FL
Thrive will be one of the vendors at a new food hall that is coming soon to Apopka. The food hall will be named “Hall's on 5th“. Locals will recognize the building as the former Hall's Feed Store. Once completed, the food hall will host six to eight food vendors.
Related: A Beer Lover's Guide to Breweries in Orlando
The Great Southern Box Food Hall
2105 N Orange Blossom Trl, Orlando, FL 32804
The Great Southern Box Food Hall, in the new Packing District, brings a variety of vendors focused on immigrant cuisine. The Great Southern Box Company Food Hall features eleven vendor stalls, two outdoor patios, a micro-brewery led by Orange County Brewers, and a 5,254 SF event space.
Enjoy happy hour Monday – Friday from 4-7pm and weekend brunch from 11am – 2pm on Saturday and Sunday. They also have monthly programming that includes events like yoga on the lawn and live music.
More food halls…
Now fully open 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 includes Foxtail Coffee, Wave Asian Bistro, Urban Body Works, and the recently opened Pizza Bruno.
Brew Theory opened a Brew Theory Marketplace at 2650 Jewett Lane Sanford, FL 32771.
A New Take on Local Favorites
Throughout Orlando, beloved food concepts and restaurants continue to evolve in interesting ways.
Brix & Mortar Urban Winery in Lake Mary
242 Wheelhouse Lane #1230, Lake Mary, FL
Brix & Mortar Urban Winery is opening a second location in Lake Mary on November 13th at 5pm. Located at Griffin Farm at Midtown, this Lake Mary wine bar brings the same wines, wine flights, and inviting ambiance that you’ve come to love. Join them for a glass (or two!) and enjoy their unique wine offerings in a relaxed, modern setting.
Foxtail Marketplace & Cafe at Leu Gardens
Leu Gardens, 920 N Forest Ave, Orlando, FL 32803
This stunning Foxtail Coffee location in Leu Gardens just opened and is a must-visit spot! This cozy, eclectic shop features iconic Foxtail Coffee merchandise alongside a gift shop in honor of the gardens, with beautiful French doors welcoming you into this re-imagined retail cafe experience. In addition to their diverse craft beverage offerings, this shop also serves a wide variety of food options, beer & wine, and a central-Florida favorite – Kelly's Homemade Ice Cream! Stop by to grab a treat and stroll through the stunning gardens.
*NOTE: Admission to Leu Gardens is not required to visit this Foxtail Coffee location!
Quantum Leap Winery (New Location)
The Cottage on Lake Fairview, 4410 Edgewater Drive
Quantum Leap Facebook
Quantum Leap Winery is “Florida’s only sustainable winery.” Quantum Leap Winery's production model, which blends grapes from around the world on site, reduces the carbon footprint associated with traditional wine production by utilizing low-carbon footprint vessels such as kegs, pouches or boxes.
Quantum Leap had to leave its previous Mills 50 location and instead found a charming property, The Cottage on Lake Fairview. Currently open Friday – Sunday for wine, food, and Quantum Leap hosted events.
Ivanhoe Park Brewing Lager House
23 N Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32805
Taking over the former Deadwords Brewing space, local favorite Ivanhoe Park Brewing now offers Ivanhoe Park Brewing Lager House. By taking over this building after Deadwords, the team at IBP can utilize a gorgeous brewing space, a sophisticated bar, and offer even more special events. Plus there is a curated wine collection and a kitchen for visiting food vendors to serve up fresh eats.
The outdoor patio is shaded and great on pleasant days. Plus there are lots of board games, dates, and room for families. They also host a variety of monthly events like their counterpart.
Rion’s Ocean Room
3201 Corrine Dr, Orlando, FL 32803 (East End Market)
Rion’s Ocean Room is making waves at East End Marke! Specializing in Hawaiian-style poke, this walk-up counter serves fresh seafood by the pound, including premium ahi, fatty salmon, ono, and more. Date night can be casual without missing out on quality, thanks to the high-quality poke without the fuss.
Small Food Group is responsible for this instant classic spot, as well as DOMU, EDOBOY, and more!
Gyukatsu Rose
3201 Corrine Dr, Orlando, FL 32803 (East End Market)
Next on the development list from Small Food Group is a must-try for Wagyu beef fans. This spot, right around the corner from DOMU and right next to Rion's Ocean Room, focuses on Wagyu only. Serving up wagyu cutlet sets alongside sizzling stone grills for a tasty Japanese-inspired experience.
À La Cart SoDo
2207 E Michigan St, Orlando, FL 32806
À La Cart, the Milk District food truck park by owners April and Dustin Williams, opened the long-awaited À La Cart SoDo on May 1, 2024. The couple's second operation features 8 mobile outfits including Filipino-Hawaiian vendor OverRice, 503 Latin Fusion, Nona Street Pizza, SmashDunk Brgr, Taitō Sushi, Barrio Español, Oldenburg Provisions, and a “coming soon” coffee and dessert truck. They also feature a rotating draft list of craft beer, as well as wines, ciders, seltzers, and more.
The new location has more seating, both indoors and out, along with more covered outdoor seating for those unpredictable Florida summer days (and nights). And don't worry, this location has three times as much parking as their original location.
À La Cart SoDo will host weekly events just like their Milk District sibling, including their Monday night movies and Tuesday Trivia. They will open at 11:30 every day for lunch, and close at 11pm on weeknights, midnight on weekends.
Make sure to check out their Sunday Brunch from 11:30am – 3pm when their vendors offer special “brunch only” menu items. The bar also has special mimosas, bellinis, beermosas, and melonmosas!
The Glass Knife (Second Location)
The Glass Knife recently announced that a second location is coming to Park Avenue in late Spring 2025. Their signature way to enjoy breakfast, lunch, brunch, coffee, donuts, and desserts – now in a new way. More details to come!
Fine Dining
New Executive Chef and Menu at Park Avenue Tavern
558 New England Ave., Winter Park
Park Avenue Tavern proudly announces the appointment of Chef Nibaldo Urdaneta as its new executive chef, overseeing all culinary experiences for lunch, brunch, dinner, meetings and special events. Chef Nibaldo began his culinary career in the restaurant of the InterContinental Hotel Maracaibo in Venezuela before moving to the U.S. in 2018.
In Miami, he worked with the restaurant Beaker and Gray before moving to Orlando and taking on various culinary roles at The Ravenous Pig, Disney’s The Yachtsman Steakhouse, and the Ritz Carlton. He went on to open the Mu Restaurant & Grill Kissimmee where he earned the title of Orlando Weekly’s People’s Choice Best Burger in Orlando twice.
Park Avenue Tavern guests will find great new fall menu items including Pumpkin Gnocchi, Sausage & Mash, Bone-In Short Rib and Truffle Mac & Cheese for dinner, as well as Bacon Wrapped Dates and Fried Green Tomatoes as appetizers. A new Brunch Menu now features Bananas Foster French Toast, Short Rib Hash and Pimento Chicken Sandwich.
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 are currently open Wednesday – Sunday from 5:30pm to 10:00pm. Reservations available on OpenTable.
Cast & Crew
640 N Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32118
Breakfast: Daily 6-10am
Dinner: Nightly 5pm
Weekend Brunch: 11am – 3pm
Whether staying a few nights in Daytona Beach or just up for a quick day trip, Cast & Crew is a phenomenal addition to the beachside scene. Locals and visitors are welcome to stop in for a delicious dinner, brunch, or even just a round of handcrafted drinks – the NA / mocktails are divine too!
I was invited to stop in during their opening weeks, and the Seared Scallops entree blew me away! Scallops are often a tried-and-true test of a kitchen's skill and talent. There is a small window of perfection for scallops to be cooked without becoming chewy. The Seared Scallops are served atop potatoes confit and parsnip puree, with pickled cauliflower nestled alongside – and I ate every last morsel.
Thanks to Executive Chef Oliver Koster of Cast & Crew, many of the dishes have a Dutch and European influence. His Dutch influence makes for some of the most creative seafood dishes found anywhere along A1A. When I spoke to Chef Koster I told him that this scallop entree must remain on the menu for years to come!
Cocktails + Sweet Treats
Mango Mango Dessert
11225 S Apopka Vineland Road, Suite #200 Orlando, Florida, 32836
This Asian dessert spot opened on September 20, 2024, and is off Apopka Vineland Road close to Darryl Carter Pkwy, between SeaWorld and Disney. They hail from New York’s Chinatown and their desserts are inspired by the constant innovation of the city, infusing sweet soups in traditional Hong Kong style with modern desserts.
They serve up mouthwatering creations like special mango juice sage & pomelo with mango ice cream, mango coconut sticky rice, mango pancakes, and more! Whether you’re a mango lover or just looking for something new and sweet, they’ve got a dessert for everyone.
Pretty Please
1 S Orange Ave #101, Orlando, FL 32801
Located front and center on Orange Avenue in Downtown Orlando is a new lounge that brings tropical vibes, beautiful furnishings, and delicious drinks. Pretty Please is a welcome addition, with a fun, but polished atmosphere. The drink menu is impressive with options to fit every budget from craft-made concoctions like the No Aloha – a clarified cocktail with Probitas Blended Rum, Velvet Falernum, Pineapple, Coconut Water, Fresh Lime, as well as simple combos like Ranch Water and Loaded Mexican Coke.
During our hosted visit the Another Weekend tropical Old Fashioned impressed everyone with Planetary Pineapple Rum, Banana, Pineapple Cane Syrup, Xocolatl Mole Bitters, and Lime. And the bartender whipped up a refreshing watermelon mocktail too!
Rivals Activity Bar
25 Wall Street, Orlando, Florida 32801
Rivals is downtown Orlando's latest hotspot, blending entertainment and nightlife into one dynamic venue. Whether you're in the mood to play games, enjoy a cocktail, or join the late-night party, Rivals offers the perfect atmosphere to challenge friends and have a great time.
This bar is packed with a variety of games, from classic bar favorites like darts and basketball to arcade machines and board games. Challenge your friends to a round or meet new opponents—it’s all about the fun of competing at Rivals! Plus, with their massive LED wall, you'll never miss a moment of the action, whether it’s live sports or the latest gaming tournament.
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. 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 oversees seasonal small plates that pay tribute to not only Central Florida produce but also local seafood. Drinks 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.
The Winery & Tasting Room by Brewlando at ICON Park
8395 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
Step inside for an impressive selection of 50 wines from around the globe, featuring exquisite choices like the the Graham Beck Sparkling Rose from South Africa and the aromatic Domaine Gonon Pouilly-Fuisse from France.
For beer aficionados, Brewlando presents 8 exceptional draft beers, including the clean and crisp Belle Isle Blonde and the effervescent Golden Knight Belgian Golden Strong Ale. These selections showcase Brewlando’s dedication to brewing excellence and innovation.
One downside is that no food is offered other than pre-made charcauterie boxes and nibbles, but thankfully there are lots of restaurants at ICON Park.
What's New at Orlando's Theme Parks
Although ICON Park is not a theme park, something big will open there in 2025. Blue Man Group will open a brand-new theater at ICON Park in Orlando on April 3, 2025, with tickets now available for purchase. This custom-built 578-seat venue, located beneath the Orlando Eye, will feature their signature blend of art, live music, comedy, and non-verbal performance. ICON Park, a popular entertainment hub on International Drive, offers dining, nightlife, and attractions, making it an ideal location for this new residency. Blue Man Group shows will run Tuesday through Sunday, with options for VIP experiences, meet-and-greets, and dinner packages to be announced soon.
New Experiences at Walt Disney World
Now open, Tiana's Bayou Adventure takes over Splash Mountain in a new joyful celebration of New Orleans. We love it! And there is a new Disney-fied version of the Country Bear Musical Jamboree.
And in the coming years an entire villain's land at Magic Kingdom will arise.
A new, revamped musical show based on The Little Mermaid will arrive at Disney's Hollywood Studios next summer. New restaurants at Walt Disney World have opened, and more are still on the way, including a pirates-themed tavern in Adventureland.
One of our sibling sites, Tampa Bay Parenting has a full rundown of all the New Rides and Shows Coming to Walt Disney World.
What's New at Universal Orlando
A new DreamWorks Land just debuted! And we are in love with the new CineSational nighttime spectacular that just debuted at Universal Studios. Finally, work continues on the resort's upcoming Epic Universe park, officially opening on May 22, 2025.
New Coaster(s) at SeaWorld Orlando
Penguin Trek, a new family friendly coaster debuted at SeaWorld in summer 2024. This unforgettable family launch coastertakes 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!
And continuing with the cool theme, SeaWorld will totally revamp the Wild Arctic experience into something truly amazing in 2025.
Here's to an exciting year in Orlando, with great things in 2025 on the way!