“We’ve always believed that great dining should feel exciting and approachable, not intimidating,” chef Ryan Ratino once told me.
Ratino’s resume currently boasts five Michelin stars over four restaurants, one of which sits right here in town: Winter Park’s Ômo by Jônt.
It was the Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards’ Best New Restaurant in 2025, a place that had lots of laidback to go along with the luxe. All of which tracked when I heard that this year, Ômo would make its Magical Dining debut.
While its counter takes guests on an extended culinary odyssey — one that generally clocks in at $195 or $375 per person (how’s that for intimidating?) — Ômo’s cozy-but-no-less-comely salon offers several more affordable experiences with the same gracious service and micro attention to detail.
During Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining, however, guests can enjoy three courses here for $60. Quite the departure.
“That was definitely the fun part and the challenge,” says Ratino.
Ômo by Jont will present its Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining menu to guests in The Salon, a chic, living room-like space at the Michelin-starred restaurant in Winter Park. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
“Ômo is built around a progressive tasting experience, so we normally have a lot more interaction and a lot more courses throughout the meal. Taking the philosophy of what we do and translating it into three courses at a $60 price point meant we had to be very intentional.”
With a record-breaking 188 restaurants on deck, Magical Dining (Aug. 14-Sept. 30) has given them a wonderful opportunity to do so.
Sure, the program, now heading into its 21st year, was founded to help local restaurants get through a time of year when business often slows, but it has since evolved into the annual dine-for-a-cause event that fans practically gamify while planning their monthlong strategy.
Ômo by Jont sous chef Tanner O’Ben adds a finishing touch to a black cod dish with California sake, clams and turnips at the Michelin-starred restaurant in Winter Park. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
One dollar from every $40 prix-fixe menu and $2 from every $60 offering go directly to each year’s primary beneficiary, a nonprofit based right here in Central Florida.
In 2026, that’s OCA, which stands for Opportunity, Community, Ability. It’s an organization that provides programs and resources for individuals with autism and developmental differences and their families, and partners with other regional and national organizations.
Lizzy’s Live’s Magical Dining menu includes this ceviche dish as an appetizer option. (Courtesy Lizzy’s Live)
Matej says what makes Magical Dining so special is its three-part recipe, melding support for local businesses, wonderful experiences for the guests and the all-important charity element.
Ratino loves the way it cultivates participation by and for the restaurants involved, as well as how it gives back.
“Ômo is still a relatively young restaurant, and we’ve been fortunate enough to build a really special community around what we do,” says Ratino.
Ômo by Jont presents black cod with California sake, clams, and turnips, front; Hiramasa with tomato and gochujang, right; and kakigori, shaved ice with hazelnut, kinako and chocolate as part of Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining menu at the Michelin-starred restaurant in Winter Park. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
“Magical Dining gives us a chance to introduce that experience to even more people in Orlando who may not have had the chance to visit us yet. The program has such a strong following and I love the idea of being a part of something that celebrates the restaurant community as a whole.”
Ômo is one of 38 new participating restaurants this year.
It’s the only “star” but sits among 15 others you’ll find in the current Florida Michelin Guide, places like 1921 in Mount Dora ($60), Otto’s High Dive in Orlando’s Milk District ($40) and Primo by Melissa Kelly ($60) located inside the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes.
With live entertainment, Lizzy’s Live on Sand Lake Road offers something altogether different than the average Magical Dining experience. Pictured here, the miso-glazed salmon entree from their prix-fixe menu. (Courtesy Lizzy’s Live)
Lizzy’s Live may not be Michelin-recommended, but it, as well as venues like Jazz Tastings in Maitland, has something that might appeal even more to some Magical Diners: live entertainment.
It’s right in the name at the latter, but Lizzy’s features performers from a wide range of genres, serving up a $40 menu with items including miso-glazed salmon and chili-chocolate braised short ribs.
Have you had the chance to check out any of Universal’s newer offerings? Magical Dining is a great excuse to hit up the Universal Helios Grand Hotel for Bar Helios’ $60 menu. It’s their first year as part of the program. (Courtesy Visit Orlando)
“Components like live music make Magical Dining like dinner and a show, a great option for a big group of friends to treat it like a dinner club,” says Matej. “It’s very exciting.”
So, too, are options like Bar Helios at the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews property.
“We just had the one-year anniversary of Epic Universe,” Matej notes.
And if you’re among those still waiting to experience the park, Bar Helios can at least get you ringside for its nightly light show. A circular bar is the central feature of the rooftop venue, where an open-air terrace affords impressive views.
Matej offers tips to those looking to time their reservations.
“I would say the sweet spot is around the 8 o’clock hour.”
The Universal Celestial Goodnight times out with the park’s closing, 9 p.m. on standard nights. Its synchronized lights, lasers and fireworks come without park admission at Bar Helios.
Best New Restaurant: Chef Ryan Ratino’s Ômo by Jônt is a star-powered stunner
While some Magical Diners enjoy hitting up their favorites for dishes they love at a discount, others tap restaurants they’ve been curious about but haven’t managed to visit yet.
“More often than not, when I’m talking to people, this is what I hear,” Matej tells me. “They’re using it as an opportunity to try new restaurants, visit new areas … it’s an opportunity to try different types of food. There’s an incredible range of cuisines from around the world represented.”
Restaurant staffers love the opportunity to do so while meeting new guests that might become familiar.
“It’s one of the most special things about Magical Dining,” says Ratino. “It gets people actively participating in the restaurant community rather than just going to the same places they already know…. It’s a great opportunity to try something outside of your comfort zone.”
Kyleigh Sprigle adds kinako to a Kakigori, a shaved ice dessert created in The Salon space at the Michelin-starred restaurant in Winter Park. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
At Ômo, that might be Hokkaido scallop with almond, rice vinegar and pluot. Or hazelnut kakigori with hazelnut, kinako and chocolate.
“There are a lot of things on this menu I’m really excited about,” Ratino says, noting there’s also a peach version of the kakigori, a Japanese shave ice dessert that’s one of my favorite things in the world. Especially this time of year.
“[The different versions] give us a chance to play with something that’s very refreshing and texturally different to finish the meal…. Hopefully, guests find something that surprises them.”
Of course, old favorites are nice, too.
Among Matej’s favorites: Kabooki Sushi, which offers Magical Dining menus in both its locations. Same goes for its multi-year James Beard finalist chef, Henry Moso’s newest concept: Mosonori. She also gives a shout-out to Ilume at the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek.
“You can tell I love sushi,” she laughs. “But this venue has indoor and outdoor seating and is another where you can see Disney fireworks. I really enjoy that.”
She hasn’t been to Ômo by Jônt yet, though. So that’s on her 2026 list, too.
I’d get a reservation post-haste.
A Michelin-starred meal for $60 is not something that happens every day. I’d get a reservation post-haste.
“I think that constraint actually pushed us creatively,” Ratino confesses. “It made us ask ourselves what are the things that really represent Ômo and how can we communicate that through a three-course format.”
Want to reach out? Find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @amydroo or on the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com. For more foodie fun, join the Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group.
If you go
Ômo by Jônt: 115 E. Lyman Ave, in Winter Park
1921: 142 E. 4th Ave. in Mount Dora
Otto’s High Dive: 2304 E. Robinson St. in Orlando
Primo by Melissa Kelly: 4040 Central Florida Parkway in Orlando
Lizzy’s Live: 7722 W. Sand Lake Road in Orlando
Jazz Tastings: 164 Lake Ave. in Maitland
Kabooki Sushi: 3122 E. Colonial Drive in Orlando and 7705 Turkey Lake Road in Orlando
Mosonori: 1100 S. Orlando Ave, Suite A, in Winter Park
Ilume: 14900 Chelonia Parkway in Orlando