Today’s travel tip sheet includes information on unique Orlando dining angles – from new celebrity chef establishments and the most Insta-worthy desserts to Thanksgiving dining offerings - along with details on a contest to win a trip to Walt Disney World Resort for 50 people. For interviews and media info: media@visitorlando.com.
In this Issue:
-
Orlando’s Most Magical Gathering Contest – win a trip for 50 people
-
Dine with the stars: Orlando’s TV Chefs
-
Dessert gone viral: Orlando's hot spots
-
Thanksgiving dining options
-
What’s New This Month
-
DYK? Orlando is a top foodie city
Win an Orlando vacation for 50 people with Visit Orlando’s Most Magical Gathering Contest
Visitors have the chance to win the trip of a lifetime as Visit Orlando’s Most Magical Gathering Contest reunites one winner and up to 49 friends and family at Walt Disney World Resort to celebrate the theme park’s 50th anniversary. The vacation celebration includes airline tickets, Walt Disney World theme park tickets, accommodations at a Disney Resort hotel for a three-night, four-day stay, and two private catered group celebrations at Walt Disney World Resort planned by a Disney event specialist. For contest rules, restrictions and more information, go to VisitOrlando.com/50.
Dine with the stars: Orlando’s TV chefs
From Top Chef winners to Emmy Award-Winning television hosts, Orlando’s diverse dining scene continues to grow and expand, showcasing brand new, innovative restaurants from celebrity chefs.
Now Open
-
Celebrity chef restaurant, Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips, which features fried favorites including shrimp, chicken, sausage and a variety of “dirty” chips, opened its first location outside of Las Vegas at ICON Park Orlando in summer 2021.
-
Knife & Spoon, a steak and seafood restaurant headed by four-time James Beard Award semifinalist for “Best Southwest Chef” and two-time contestant on Bravo's "Top Chef," John Tesar, opened at The Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes.
Coming Soon
-
AVA MediterrAegean, a Mediterranean restaurant and lounge from executive chef Hung Huynh, Top Chef’s season 3 winner, is slated to open early 2022 on Park Avenue. The menu will feature Mediterranean and Cycladic Islands cuisine.
-
The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress will open a new restaurant concept by Richard Blais, the first winner of Bravo’s Top Chef All-Stars. The tropical concept, opening later this year, will offer nightly dinner and brunch on Sundays.
Additional information on Orlando’s celebrity chefs can be found here.
Dessert gone viral: Orlando's hot spots
From croissant muffins to natural Greek doughnut holes, Orlando offers an endless variety of trending desserts, including these new sweet treat hot spots that will satisfy any craving – or Instagram feed:
-
Pattie Lou’s Donuts, a new doughnut shop located in downtown Orlando, offers freshly made doughnuts to build-your-own delicious creation in three steps: pick it, dip it and top it. The Pattie Donut, which is dipped in chocolate, marshmallows and graham crackers, is one of the shops signature flavors.
-
Mr. Puffs Dessert Bar, a Montreal-based company located at The Florida Mall, offers hot and fresh Greek doughnut “Puff” holes that are all-natural, vegan and can be glazed with a variety of toppings such as honey cinnamon, caramel, strawberry and more. Along with their famous Puffs, Mr. Puffs serves a variety of desserts including milkshakes, ice cream cones dipped in chocolate and hot or iced specialty coffees.
-
Sugar Dough Bakehouse in Audubon Park offers scratch-made, Asian-inspired French pastries, including its signature “cruffins” (croissant muffins) and “cruffles” (croissant-waffle hybrid). Flavors range from sesame to white chocolate and Oreo, along with Japanese milk bread; savory and cream-filled croissants; Danishes; cookies; Portuguese egg tarts and more.
Additional information on delicious desserts in Orlando can be found here.
Thanksgiving dinner in Orlando
From chef inspired feasts to takeout offerings, Orlando’s restaurants are cooking up delicious offerings for visitors planning a Thanksgiving weekend getaway:
Near the theme parks
-
Cityworks Eatery & Pourhouse will offer special dinner offerings including Thanksgiving-day favorites such as herb roasted turkey, creamy mashed potatoes and more.
-
The Capital Grille will offer in-person and to-go offerings, including a Chef’s exceptional turkey and classic sides, starting at $43 per adult and $15 for children.
-
Rodizio Grill will offer an expanded holiday menu featuring traditional Thanksgiving favorites including turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes and more, starting at $49.99 per person. Each guest will also receive a special coupon offer for a free meal in 2022.
-
At Universal Orlando Resort, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel will offer a Thanksgiving Day Buffet in Trattoria del Porto, plus Holiday Harbor Nights on the Harbor Piazza featuring live music and a tree lighting ceremony on November 26. Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando will feature a Thanksgiving Day Buffet in The Kitchen and Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando will include a Thanksgiving Day Buffet in Islands Dining Room.
Local Neighborhoods
-
The Alfond Inn will offer a chef inspired Thanksgiving feast featuring selections such as roasted whole turkey, braised short rib, grilled swordfish, herb crusted chicken and more. The buffet offerings start at $69 per adult and $29 per child.
-
Aurora at the Celeste will offer a three-course Thanksgiving menu featuring Thanksgiving favorites along with vegetarian-friendly dishes at $40 per adult. The menu will also feature a white chocolate version of their signature Supernova dessert.
Additional information on Thanksgiving dining options in Orlando can be found here.
What’s New in Orlando this Month?
Stay up to date on Orlando's most recent announcements and openings - from accommodations and attractions to restaurants and events - available here.
Did You Know?
Orlando is the No. 2 Best Foodie City in America, according to a study by WalletHub, based on 29 key indicators of foodie-friendliness including cost of groceries, affordability and accessibility of high-quality restaurants to food festivals per capita.