Orlando’s culinary scene continues to evolve beyond theme park fare, showcasing bold flavors, deep cultural roots, and serious kitchen talent. But even with the Michelin Guide’s growing presence in Florida, some standout local gems still haven’t received their flowers — no Star, Bib Gourmand, or even a Recommendation. Here’s a look at some of the city’s most talked-about dining experiences that remain noticeably absent from the Michelin map.
1. Bull and Bear
Address: 14200 Bonnet Creek Resort Ln, Orlando, FL 32821
Phone: 407-597-5500
Elegant, polished, and theatrically indulgent, Bull & Bear is where classic steakhouse luxury meets tableside showmanship. From its prime tomahawk cuts to its refined service, this is the kind of experience Michelin usually eats up. The fact that it hasn’t earned a star feels like a curious oversight.
2. The Foreigner
Address: 2816 Corrine Dr, Orlando, FL 32803
Phone: 321-517-6985
A true underground gem, The Foreigner’s intimate chef’s tasting dinners are immersive, ingredient-driven, and personal. Chef Bruno Fonseca crafts each experience with storytelling, technique, and bold global flavors. It’s the kind of culinary intimacy that’s often Michelin bait.
3. The Moderne
Address: 1241 E Colonial Dr Orlando, FL 32803
Sleek but soulful, The Moderne blends contemporary Asian cuisine with striking presentation and serious balance. The precision here — from sushi to hot dishes — suggests a kitchen operating at a high level. Michelin’s silence on this one is starting to raise eyebrows.
4. Seito Baldwin Park
Address: 4898 New Broad St #32814, Orlando, FL 32814
Phone: (407) 898-8801
This longtime favorite continues to redefine neighborhood sushi with seasonal specials and flawless execution. Seito balances playful creativity with deep respect for Japanese technique. If Michelin gave points for consistency and community love, they’d already be in.
5. The Osprey
Address: 4899 New Broad Street, Orlando, FL 32814
Phone: (407) 960-7700
The Osprey brings modern coastal energy to Baldwin Park, with a seafood-forward menu and one of the sharpest raw bars in the city. It’s elevated but never fussy — just clean flavors, perfect textures, and a laid-back vibe Michelin often overlooks in favor of formality.
6. The Monroe
Address: 448 N Terry Ave., Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: (407) 734 2102
Chef Josh Oakley’s menu is a love letter to comfort food, Southern roots, and neighborhood hospitality. The Monroe doesn’t aim for fine dining; it aims for soul, and it hits that mark every time. It’s a bold omission from a guide that says it celebrates character.
7. Reyes Mezcaleria
Address: 821 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32804
Phone: (407) 868-9007
Reyes delivers vibrant, modern Mexican cuisine in a lively space that’s always buzzing. The flavors are layered, thoughtful, and rooted in heritage — and the bar program deserves its own accolades. Michelin’s absence here suggests they might need a better mezcal education.
8. Adega Gaucha
Address: 8204 Crystal Clear Ln, Orlando, FL 32809
Phone: (407) 250 44 55
Forget everything you know about Brazilian steakhouses. Adega Gaucha takes the churrasco experience to a refined, chef-led level. It’s white tablecloth elegance with fire-kissed flavor and obsessive technique. A nod from Michelin feels overdue.
9. Hinckley’s Fancy Meats
Address: 3201 Corrine Drive, Ste 4, Orlando, Florida 32803
Hidden in East End Market, Hinckley’s is doing nose-to-tail butchery with uncompromising detail. Their sandwiches are legendary, but it’s the craftsmanship—the curing, aging, and spicing—that makes this a chef’s favorite. It’s meat-forward artistry Michelin shouldn’t miss.
10. Sampaguita Ice Cream
Address: 1233 East Colonial Dr., Orlando, FL 32803
A dessert shop with the soul of a fine-dining restaurant, Sampaguita celebrates Filipino flavors through stunning soft serves and pastries. The creativity and cultural storytelling here rival any tasting menu. It proves Michelin-worthy experiences don’t have to come with a white tablecloth.
11. Turci Pasta
Address: 2120 Edgewater Dr., Orlando, FL 32804
Phone: (407) 487-2015
Turci is handmade pasta, done daily, done properly, and always paired with heartfelt service. It’s the kind of neighborhood spot where a single bite of cacio e pepe reminds you why simplicity matters. If the Michelin Guide values authenticity, this one’s an easy choice.
12. Hunger Street Tacos
Address: 2103 W Fairbanks Avenue Winter Park, FL 32789
Phone: (321) 444-6270
These Mexico City-style street tacos are bursting with fire-roasted flavor and heritage-driven craft. What started as a humble walk-up has become a beloved institution. Michelin needs to get in line; the locals already know it’s five-star flavor in a paper tray.
13. Chatham’s Place
Address: 7575 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando, FL 32819
Phone: (407) 345-2992
Quietly iconic, Chatham’s has been delivering white-glove service and elevated cuisine for decades. It’s old-school in the best way: elegant, intimate, and deeply personal. In an era of trends, it’s the kind of timelessness that Michelin usually rewards.
14. Nile Ethiopian
Address: 7048 International Dr., Orlando, FL 32819
Phone: 407.354.0026
Orlando’s best-kept secret for communal, spice-rich meals, Nile offers an immersive cultural dining experience. Injera, lentils, and slow-braised meats served by hand on shared platters—it’s food that connects. Michelin would do well to recognize this cornerstone of East African cuisine.
15. Koko Kakigori
Address: 620 N Thornton Ave., Orlando, FL 32803
This Japanese dessert café specializes in kakigori, hand-shaved ice mounded with intricate toppings like miso caramel or matcha cream. But it’s more than just sweets; it’s art. Koko’s mastery of texture and flavor shows that even dessert can be deserving of recognition.
While Michelin’s choices often stir debate, one thing is certain: Orlando’s culinary identity is richer and more diverse than ever. Recognition or not, these restaurants have earned loyal followings by doing what Michelin should reward: cooking with heart, precision, and purpose. Maybe next year the stars will align.
