Orlando, no doubt, is among the most visited cities in the US, and because of that, there is a range of restaurants catering to every tourist’s unique demand for dishes. Whether you like Italian food, Japanese food, or are simply a fan of traditional American food, you’ll find it in Orlando.
In this post, I come up with some of the most underrated hidden gem restaurants in Orlando, rather than the most famous ones that always remain overcrowded. In this guide, the restaurants shared below offer a perfect mix of ambiance and food selection that you’d surely like.
Table of Contents
1. Sear + Sea Woodfire Grill
Location: 14900 Chelonia Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32821
If you want to have a fine dining experience in Orlando, then Sear + Sea Woodfire would be a place you don’t want to miss out. This restaurant often goes unnoticed, considering it’s part of the JW Marriott hotel, but this restaurant is not like a typical boring hotel restaurant; it offers an experience that’s one of the best in town.
The first thing that struck me the most was how classy the interior is, and everything is just so perfectly set up. Be it lanterns, dining tables, sofas, or lighting, everything is carefully set up, which makes the experience of eating here one of a kind. Not to forget the food presentation, which is also something that I really liked about this place. And because it’s a steakhouse, you will find a solid variety of steak options, along with seafood.
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2. Chatham’s Place
Location: 7575 Dr Phillips Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819
For couples looking for a romantic place to eat in Orlando, should simply head to Chatham’s Place. This place has an interior and ambiance that is genuinely classy for a romantic dinner date.
As you go inside, you will see a classic dining area with wooden chairs and a white tablecloth. The overall atmosphere is quite cozy, with dim lights making the experience of eating here even better. The restaurant also has a private dining option.
On the menu, the variety of options is also worth appreciating. The lobster bisque here is a must-try dish, along with other quality items like smoked salmon carpaccio, Chatham’s special house salad, Louisiana spicy chicken, duck breast, rack of lamb, mushrooms, soups, and a variety of desserts.
3. Deep Blu Seafood Grille
Location: 14651 Chelonia Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32821
Deep Blu Seafood Grille is a hidden gem restaurant in Orlando that often goes under the radar despite offering such delicious seafood and a high-quality dining experience.
As you enter, you’ll surely feel the coziness in the atmosphere. The dining area is super comfortable with open spaces, dim lighting, and a chandelier on top, making the overall look of the restaurant top-notch.
On the menu, they offer a variety of seafood options, like crab cake, shrimp, mussels, tuna, lobster ravioli, blu crab crusted grouper, salmon, and swordfish. Not to forget, they also offer non-seafood options like sushi, roasted chicken, steak, grilled asparagus & béarnaise, fried yucca & garlic aioli, and different dessert options.
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4. A Land Remembered
Location: 9939 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819
A Land Remembered is an underrated fine dining restaurant in Orlando. If you are a fan of traditional American interiors, you should definitely visit this restaurant.
As you go there, you will see a dining area outside, but the real class is inside. Paintings, showpieces on the wall with decorative designs on the ceiling are the main highlights that make the interior look stunning.
Not to forget, the dining area inside is pure classic American with wooden chairs and a white tablecloth. There are also sofas available, if you like to sit there. Overall, the vibe inside is warm and inviting, which I am a big fan of.
On the menu, you will get a range of options to choose from. Crab cake, lobster bisque, mac n cheese, lamb chops, beef wellington, wagyu ribeye, and dry-aged steak are most customers’ favorites, while sea bass, salmon, shrimp, and a variety of soups are the options that are worth trying here.
5. BiCE Orlando
Location: 5601 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819
If you are looking for an off-the-beaten-path Italian restaurant in Orlando, then BiCE Orlando is a place you should look up to. Not only food, but the vibe of eating here also gives you vibes of eating in Italy.
The location of this restaurant offers perfect views of the lake on one side, which is why most customers like to sit outside to enjoy the views. On the inside, the restaurant has that very clean and comfy vibe, with some paintings on the wall, comfortable chairs, and big lanterns, which is rare to find.
If I talk about the menu, you will have options like Beef carpaccio, crab and potato balls, linguine with clams, pasta, ravioli, soups, salmon, tuna, sea bass, Milanese-style veal chop, sliced beef, risotto, and a wide variety of dessert items.
6. The Boheme
Location: 325 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801
For those looking for a classy fine dining place to eat in Orlando, The Boheme is a solid choice that often gets underrated in the list of fine dining restaurants in Orlando.
The classic black and white box floor and interior is so eye pleasing and comforting, along with the piano, which makes the experience of eating here even better. Along with that, the designs on the ceiling, chandelier, and most importantly, the dining area, specifically the seats, are super comfy and stylish. The type of place that is perfect for couples to have a romantic dinner.
On the menu, you will be choosing from an extensive list, which will include options like beef tartare, oysters, lobster bisque, steak, filet, truffle fries, and various other options.
7. Mikado Japanese Steakhouse
Location: 8701 World Ctr Dr, Orlando, FL 32821
If you are looking for an underrated Japanese restaurant in Orlando, then simply head to Mikado Japanese Steakhouse. The restaurant offers food in hibachi style as well, which is the favorite of almost every customer who comes here.
The atmosphere of this restaurant has a very cozy and warm vibe, considering the interior offers an ideal combination of Japanese and American designs, which was so nice to see. Most of the designs on the wall and pillars are of woodwork, and they also offer dining in the gallery, with outside views.
On the menu, they offer various Japanese food items, including fried rice, a variety of noodles, sushi, teppanyaki, steak, filet, shrimp, dumplings, hibachi-style vegetables, California roll, and different dessert items.
8. Jack’s Place
Location: 9700 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
Jack’s Place is another underrated fine dining restaurant in Orlando that you should definitely check out. As you go inside, you’ll feel that classic elite fine dining vibe, which most restaurants don’t seem to have nowadays.
Walls are filled with photographs, while a chandelier and onyx backlighting on the built-in shelving unit made the overall atmosphere quite cozy with dim lights. This is also one of the ideal spots for a romantic dinner in the town. For dining, the seating area is super comfy with upholstered dining chairs.
On the menu, you are going to have a fine list to choose from. Some must-try dishes from Jack’s Place are crab cake, meatballs, ribeye steak, New York strip, rotisserie half chicken, lobster, grilled swordfish, salmon, pasta, shrimp, and mushrooms.
9. TodoVos
Location: 6001 Destination Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32819
If you are looking for a college cafe-style restaurant, then TodoVos is a place you don’t want to miss out. This restaurant has a very lively college vibe that I personally liked.
As you go inside, you’ll surely like the wooden floor with different paintings and pictures on the wall, making the overall interior look even better. The seating options are mainly dominated by molded dining chairs, which give the restaurant a modern look and feel.
If I put some light on their menu, you will get a range of options which include options like chicken flautas, shrimp, soup, chicken tinga, fish, quesadillas, enchiladas, burrito, steak, dessert, and various other options.
10. Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood
Location: 1001 W Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
For those looking for a restaurant with a modern and futuristic interior with rooftop dining, Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood is a restaurant that you should definitely check out in Orlando.
As you go inside, you’ll surely be impressed by the interior and design on the walls and ceiling, along with chandeliers and artificial trees inside. The dining area also has a variety of options, including chairs and sofas, which was a good thing.
On the menu, they offer a range of items like steak, filet, savory churros, octopus, grilled lamb, dessert, and various other options.
11. Solorzano’s Pizzeria & Poolside Bistro
Location: 5145 City St, Orlando, FL 32839
If you are looking for a pizza restaurant with a solid range of varieties and specialties, then look no further than Solorzano’s Pizzeria & Poolside Bistro. The vibe of this place is on another level.
From the inside, you will see the walls filled with different pictures. But the real fun is outside, which is super lively. Not only does the place have an outdoor seating area, but it also has a pool for you to enjoy, which was my favorite part of the place.
If I talk about the menu, you will get several flavors of pizza, from Greek to margharita and pizza with a fusion of different flavors. Not only pizza, you will also get salad, subs, and pasta options here as well.
12. Nile Ethiopian
Location: 7048 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
For African food lovers, especially Ethiopian food lovers, Nile Ethiopian is like a must-visit restaurant in Orlando. This underrated restaurant not only has an ambiance like a traditional Ethiopian place, but also has a wide range of traditional Ethiopian items on the menu.
The restaurant has that pleasing vibe with woodwork and especially the hut designs on the wall, along with different artifacts and cutlery, which make the overall look of the place even better. The seating option is also comfortable, which is mainly wooden chairs with foam on top.
Their menu is extensive, with a range of traditional Ethiopian dishes. Some of the top items from their menu include tomato fitfit, lamb tibs, azifa (Ethiopian salad), sambusak, Ethiopian alicha wats, steak, beef tibs, gored gored, tikel gomen, and kik alicha.
13. The Palm Restaurant
Location: 5800 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819
The last place you should definitely visit on this underrated restaurant list of Orlando is the Palm restaurant. Upon entering the restaurant, you’ll get a vibe like you’ve entered the 90s era.
Every space on the wall has a celebrity sticker and some comic designs, along with some vintage photographs and some documents, which made the vibe quite cozy and warm inside. The seating area has both options of sofa and a chair, so you can choose what fits you best.
On the menu, you are going to have a range of options, including meatballs, calamari, crab cake, prime New York strip, Boneless ribeye, wagyu pappardelle bolognese, chicken parmesan, mac & cheese, burger, fries, pasta, soups, and a range of dessert options.
FAQ’s
Are these hidden gem restaurants suitable for families or date nights?
Yes, they are. Every restaurant shared above is ideal to go with family or on a date.
Do these restaurants cater to dietary preferences like vegan or gluten-free?
It depends on restaurant to restaurant; you have to contact them directly to get the best answer.
Are reservations recommended for these hidden gems?
100% recommended, especially in the fine dining restaurants.
What’s the average price range at these restaurants?
Well, it’s difficult to give a specific range because every restaurant has a different price range, with fine dining restaurants being even more expensive.
Do these restaurants offer outdoor seating or private dining?
Yes, most of the restaurants shared above do offer outdoor seating areas as well as private dining.
