Magical Dining is Back! What’s New for 2024 + Top Date Night Picks

Magical Dining is Friday, Aug. 16 through Sept. 30, 2024 with a record 150 restaurants, including 25 new restaurants!

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 an 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 16, 2024 and continues through Monday, September 30, 2024. This year, diners can indulge at over 150 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 Mustard Seed of Central Florida, focused on helping residents and families recover from hardships while minimizing environmental impact.

NEW ADDITIONS TO MAGICAL DINING FOR 2024

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, nine restaurants were recently recognized by the MICHELIN Guide, including AVA MediterrAegean ($60), BACÁN ($60), and The Pinery ($40), 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.

Exclusive Overnight Staycation Deals

Use Magical Dining as an excuse to treat yourself to a romantic overnight staycation this year. Returning for 2024, 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 25% off
• Lake Nona Wave Hotel: Florida Residents can save 20% on stays
• ette hotel: special culinary and room package

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 2024 the choices are overwhelming.

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

HAVEN

Lake Nona

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.

Nami is new to Magical Dining this year and is also at the Lake Nona Wave Hotel, with one of our favorite hidden bars in Orlando.

Luke's Kitchen

Maitland

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.

Unreserved Food Bazaar at JW Marriott Bonnet Creek

Attractions area

This station-style restaurant is a hidden gem in the attractions area. 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 JW Garden.

1921 Mount Dora

Mount Dora

1921 Mount Dora’ is a celebration of “Modern Florida Cuisine” in a historic setting that is intimate, bold and welcoming. 1921 is a culinary fusion showcasing local produce and responsibly sourced ingredients to produce a nightly changing menu. Rustic refinement aligned with the intelligent, dramatic and delicious lifestyles of Florida. It's one of our picks for most romantic restaurants in Orlando.

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

• 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

New Restaurants for Magical Dining 2024

• Adega Gaucha — Kissimmee ($40)
• Armando’s — College Park, Lake Nona, Winter Park ($40)
• Braccia Ristorante ($40)
• Chayote Barrio Kitchen ($60)
• Chef’s Table at The Edgewater ($60)
• Chima Steakhouse ($60)
• Citrus Club ($40)
• Crocante Restaurant + Bar ($40)
• Cru Quarters at The Mayflower ($40)
• F&D Prime Modern Steakhouse ($60)
• Firebirds Wood Fired Grill ($40)
• Helena Modern Riviera ($40)
• Nami ($60)
• Norman’s Orlando ($60)
• Pine & Oak Tavern ($40)
• Sophia’s Trattoria ($40)
• Summer House on the Lake ($40)
• Trabucco ($40)
• Trattoria del Porto at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando ($40)
• Twin View Restaurant at Evermore Resort ($60)
• Wine 4 Oysters Bar and Bites — East Orlando and West Orlando locations ($40)

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 Mustard Seed of Central Florida, focused on helping residents and families recover from hardships while minimizing environmental impact.

Orlando MAGICAL DINING DETAILS

Visit Orlando's Magical Dining begins Friday, Aug. 16 through Monday, Sept. 30, 2024.

Over 150 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: Trattoria del Porto, courtesy of Visit Orlando

Updated July 2024 by Dani Meyering