Orlando’s culinary community shined bright last night in a star-studded MICHELIN Guide ceremony. Visit Orlando worked with Michelin to bring the event to Orlando serving as the host city for this year’s announcement, with the ceremonyat the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort.
This marks the fourth year of the MICHELIN Guide in Florida, and we’re so proud to see Orlando’s culinary scene continue to reach new heights with the first-time recognition of a two-star restaurant and the second year in a row for the Michelin Outstanding Service award in our destination.
Now with 59 total restaurants earning Michelin recognition, our destination’s dining landscape reflects the rich diversity of our community, with chefs and restaurateurs who consistently push boundaries and deliver exceptional experiences.
Orlando chefs are awarded Michelin honors during the MICHELIN Guide ceremony.
The two new restaurants that received MICHELIN Stars—one of the most prestigious honors in the restaurant industry—and returning stars are:
Two MICHELIN Star
NEW for ‘25: Sorekara – Baldwin Park
One MICHELIN Star
NEW for ‘25:Ômo by Jônt– Winter Park
Soseki Modern Omakase – Winter Park
Capa Steakhouse & Bar – Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World® Resort
Camille – Baldwin Park
Kadence – Audubon Park Garden District
Natsu – North Quarter District
Papa Llama – Curry Ford West
Victoria & Albert’s – Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Bib Gourmand
The MICHELIN Guide Inspectors gave 15 Orlando restaurants the Bib Gourmand distinction, which recognizes eateries for great food at a great value:
The Ravenous Pig – Winter Park
NEW FOR ‘25: Smokemade Meats + Eats – Curry Ford West
Z Asian –Mills 50
NEW FOR ‘25: Bánh Mì Boy – Mills 50
Bombay Street Kitchen –South Orlando
NEW FOR ‘25: Coro –Audubon ParkGarden District
Domu –Audubon Park Garden District
Isan Zaap –Millenia
Norigami –Winter Garden
Otto’s High Dive –The Milk District
The Strand Food & Drink –Mills 50
Sushi Saint –City District
Taste of Chengdu –Baldwin Park
NEW FOR ‘25: UniGirl –Mills 50
Zaru –Mills 50
Visit Orlando President & CEO Casandra Matej with chef and owner William Shen of Sorekara, Orlando’s first Two MICHELIN Starred restaurant.
MICHELIN Special Awards
In addition to the Bib Gourmands and Stars, the Guide awarded the MICHELIN Outstanding Service Award to Austin Joseph of Sorekara.
Orlando also maintained a 2025 MICHELIN-Green-Starred restaurant for Kaya in the Mills 50 district, an award that highlights restaurants at the forefront of the industry in their sustainable practices.
This marks the fourth year of the MICHELIN Guide in Florida, and we’re proud to see Orlando’s culinary scene continue to shine with the first-time recognition of a two-star restaurant and the second year in a row for the Michelin Outstanding Service award in our destination.
Visit Orlando's publicity team hosts media from six countries for a culinary press trip.
At Visit Orlando, we’ve long been committed to showcasing the city’s award-winning culinary scene, and our efforts surrounding the Michelin event help extend that positive narrative to key audiences.
To leverage Orlando’s role as host city for this year’s announcement, Visit Orlando hosted a global culinary press trip, welcoming nine journalists from six countries, including key markets Canada, U.K. and Brazil. In addition to the Michelin event, they spent several days immersing themselves in Orlando’s culinary highlights.
Additionally, to further elevate perceptions of Orlando’s culinary community among meetings and convention audiences, we hosted a VIP FAM for key clients, including executives from Opus Agency, which books major events for companies like Salesforce and AWS; RIMS (Risk & Insurance Management Society), which is considering Orlando for its 10,000-attendee Risk World convention with an expected $28 million in economic impact; and IAAPA, whose annual November event brings $104 million in estimated economic impact.
Orlando’s dining landscape reflects the rich diversity of our community, with chefs and restaurateurs who consistently push boundaries and deliver exceptional experiences. From neighborhood gems to globally inspired menus, the city offers something extraordinary for every food lover, and we are so proud of our growing list of award-winning chefs and restaurants.
Data & Trends
Metro Orlando’s hotel occupancy rate for the week ending April 12, 2025, was 72.8% up 10.5% from the same week last year. The average daily rate for the week was $230.05, up 12.1% from last year. Room night demand surpassed the prior year by 11.2%.
Vote For Visit Orlando & Destination Hotels
Visit Orlando is honored to be nominated for a 9th Annual Stella Award by Northstar Meetings Group, recognized in the Best CVB/DMO in the Southeast category! Additionally, several of our destination's top hotels have also received nominations. Vote today and let event professionals know that our region delivers excellence every time.
Around the Destination
Register For Visit Orlando’s Travel & Tourism Event
Mark your calendars for Visit Orlando's Travel & Tourism Event on Thursday, May 8, at the Orange County Convention Center. We’re celebrating National Travel & Tourism Week and recognizing our industry’s critical role in powering economies, communities and connections, with an industry update and great networking opportunities for professionals, business leaders, and community members. You’ll hear from Mitch Mitchem, CEO of HIVE Interactive, who will deliver a keynote on how AI is shaping industries and empowering individuals. Additionally, the Blue Man Group will take center stage, bringing their iconic energy to our luncheon with a special performance. For corporate table purchases, email Kelly Kinney.
Celebrity chef Norman Van Aken prepares his signature dish as attendees look on during Visit Orlando’s Member Meet-Up at Norman’s Orlando.
Visit Orlando's Member Meet-Up
Visit Orlando’s membership team hosted a Member Meet-Up at Norman’s Orlando. Attendees enjoyed a special demonstration by celebrity chef Norman Van Aken, who prepared his famous Key West yellowtail snapper from start to finish. The sold-out event drew 100 attendees. Members connected with Visit Orlando’s membership and member sales teams, along with fellow member attendees to exchange ideas, share insights, and expand their networks. Special thanks to our event sponsor, Destination MCO Transportation Logistics & Management.
FIFA Club World Cup Trophy Tour
Ahead of this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ matches in Orlando, the iconic FIFA trophy will be on display and accessible to the public for photo opportunities. Join us at ICON Park on Friday, April 25, from 5–7 p.m. for the trophy tour event and enjoy live entertainment, score exciting giveaways, and celebrate as we count down to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ debut on U.S. soil—where Orlando will take center stage as the only city hosting games in two stadiums (Inter&Co Stadium and Camping World Stadium). Free parking is available.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announces the early opening of I-4 congestion relief lanes, part of the Moving Florida Forward initiative, during a press conference this week.
Moving Florida Forward
Governor Ron DeSantis announced this week that the I-4 congestion relief lanes—stretching between US-27 and World Drive—will open eight months ahead of schedule, with both directions set to be operational in about two weeks. This milestone is part of the broader Moving Florida Forward initiative, which is projected to bring over $13 billion in economic impact to the I-4 region alone.
As one of the most traveled corridors for both locals and tourists, this infrastructure improvement is a significant step forward for Central Florida. Faster, more efficient travel helps support the tourism industry by enhancing the visitor experience, improving access to major attractions, and keeping our region moving.
The Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando 2025 Ignite Luncheon
Visit Orlando team members Danielle Hollander, Ian Suarez and Kristin Westover, attended IGNITE, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando’s signature event honoring eight remarkable community leaders who are helping strengthen and uplift our region. The event featured an inspiring keynote address by Dr. Kathleen Plinske, President of Valencia College, who shared powerful insights on leadership and its impact across Central Florida. Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees, including our tourism industry colleague Ilia Torres of Universal Destinations & Experiences, for their outstanding contributions to our community!
Visit Orlando Engaged!
L to R: Jason Siegel, Greater Orlando Sports Commission; Joe Jablonski, AAU; Visit Orlando President & CEO Casandra Matej; AAU President & CEO Jo Mirza; Darcy Frappier, DF Meetings; Todd Frappier, Rosen Hotels
95th AAU Sullivan Award Ceremony
Visit Orlando attended the AAU’s 95th AAU Sullivan Award ceremony on April 15 at the New York Athletic Club. The AAU Sullivan Award honors the most outstanding collegiate, Olympic or similar level athlete in the United States. The event has been held annually since 1930 as a salute to founder and past president of the Amateur Athletic Union, and pioneer in amateur sports, James E. Sullivan. The Amateur Athletic Union's (AAU) hosts its Girls' and Boys' Junior National Volleyball Championships in Orlando, that brings approximately 300,000 attendees. Congratulations to all nominees and to this year’s award recipient Lexi Rodriguez (Volleyball, Nebraska).
Visit Orlando’s Kristin Westover joins WEC representatives and attendees for a panel on growth and opportunity in the Orlando region.
Women’s Executive Council Panel
This week, Kristin Westover, Visit Orlando’s director of community relations and external affairs, joined a dynamic panel hosted by the Women’s Executive Council (WEC) to discuss growth and opportunity in the Orlando region. WEC is dedicated to recognizing and inspiring women leaders and students who serve the Central Florida community.
Moderated by Reshell Smith of AMES Financial Solutions, the panel also featured Michele Daugherty, president & CEO of the Associated Builders and Contractors. Kristin shared insights on her role in fostering strong relationships with local leaders, government officials, and community partners to champion the region’s tourism industry. She emphasized tourism’s powerful $78 billion economic impact in Orange County and highlighted Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining, presented by Orlando Health, which has raised over $2.9 million for local nonprofits since 2009.
