Somehow, we’re nearing the end of 2025 but the year is definitely not over yet. There’s plenty to do and plenty to look forward to before we even think about ringing in a new year, and that includes new eats and drinks all around town.

New restaurants and bars heading to Orlando before we cap out 2025 include elevated Italian-American endeavors, quick omakase-style spots, pickleball-inspired eateries and celebrity culinary concepts. 

Osteria Ester
629 E. Central Blvd., Orlando
Osteria Ester, an Italian-American concept from Good Salt Restaurant Group founders (and 2025 James Beard Award finalists for Outstanding Restaurateur) Jason and Sue Chin, is heading to Thornton Park. It will be a true neighborhood gathering place taking on a casual and communal feel when it opens mid-November. Michael Cooper, executive chef-partner of The Osprey (another Good Salt operation) will oversee kitchen operations at this restaurant named after his grandmother, and he has a very specific vision in mind. Credit: Google Maps

Neko San
8546 Palm Parkway, Orlando
Before the year is done, chef Lewis Lin will open the doors to Neko San, a quick-style omakase concept and sake bar next door to Susuru in Lake Buena Vista. “Neko” is the Japanese word for “cat,” a name he chose in memory of the felines that once patrolled the area behind the restaurant, and who held a special place in the hearts of Susuru’s workers. It’ll offer budget-friendly omakases and more. Credit: Make Design Studios

Walter’s Tavern
2105 N. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando
Pine Street Hospitality, the group that brought Orlando Bullitt Bar, McQueen’s, Sessions, The Basement, The Attic and Papi Smash’d Burger, will bring Walter’s Tavern, a 3,800-square-foot bar, to the Great Southern Box Co. Food Hall in the Packing District. The bar is named after Walter Phillips, son of Dr. Phillips, and will offer craft cocktails, live entertainment and an “elevated sports-viewing experience.”
Credit: Walter’s Tavern/Facebook

Hamlin House
231 W Grant St., Orlando
Orlando is getting a boujee new pickleball and social club concept in SoDo. Hamlin House, owned by the DeVos family, will be a 28,000-square-foot facility with three indoor courts and four outdoor courts (two covered and two not), in addition to a family room, full-service restaurant, café and outdoor patio. Chef John Fraser and his team curated the menu for the restaurant, which will be open for lunch and dinner. The café will serve all-day bites, smoothies and coffee. Credit: Hamlin House

Cowboy Curry
1110 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
After a series of pop-ups and trial runs inside Mills Market, Cowboy Curry, the Japanese beef curry house by Sorekara chef William Shen, is now open. The spot will specialize in scratch-made Japanese curry. Credit: via Mills Market

Still Lounge by Dre and Snoop
9101 International Drive #2210, Orlando
Still Lounge by Dre and Snoop will blend “West Coast swagger with Southern Soul” when it opens Oct. 16 at Live! at the Pointe Orlando. The club follows in the footsteps of The Spot by Dre and Snoop, a similar concept that opened in Nashville earlier this year. The latest collaboration between the hip-hop icons will showcase bespoke cocktails fashioned from their new spirit offering — Still G.I.N. by Dre and Snoop — and other top-shelf spirits for folks to get their drink on. Credit: Still Lounge

Johnny’s Diner
3335 Curry Ford Road, Orlando
Paulie Krasniqi, son of the original Johnny’s Diner owner, Johnny Krasniqi, will open Johnny’s Diner in the former home of Daybreak Diner this October. Daybreak Diner abruptly closed last month after 27 years in business. Credit: Johnny’s Diner/Facebook

Kappo Tsan
11815 Glass House Lane, Orlando
For nearly three years, David Tsan has been cutting fine figures at Norigami, his eight-seat sushi counter inside Winter Garden’s Plant Street Market. Now the 36-year-old Taiwan-born chef is partnering with James Beard Award-nominated restaurateurs Johnny and Jimmy Tung to open a full-fledged restaurant specializing in kappo-style dining later this year. It will present sushi and cooked dishes in both multicourse and à la carte formats. Its style will fall somewhere between the formal artistry of kaiseki and the casual spirit of an izakaya, allowing Tsan to showcase his culinary journey to guests. Credit: via Chef David Tsan

Selva Rosa Cocina & Bar
901 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
Selva Rosa Cocina & Bar will be an “elevated-casual space where people can hang out, enjoy good drinks and have fun,” says Heidy Cuevas, a spokesperson for the restaurant. Selva Rosa will feature three distinct areas: the main dining room, a sushi bar and “El Patio Rosa.” The menu, Cuevas says, will blend Mexican, Latin American and Asian flavors to create a unique  Credit: photo by Faiyaz Kara

Harlow Grove
186 S. Main St., Winter Garden
Look for Harlow Grove, a two-story restaurant space billed as Winter Garden’s “premier full-service restaurant and lounge,” to open this fall in the Smith & Main complex. The restaurant will comprise a “dynamic” first-floor lounge, an upstairs dining room and a veranda terrace under the shade of a century-old oak tree. Credit: via Smith & Main/Google Maps

Babbi Babbi Korean Kitchen
10799 Moss Park Road, Lake Nona
Babbi Babbi Korean Kitchen will open its third area location later this year, this one in Lake Nona. It offers a comfortable dining environment and plenty of traditionally inspired Korean eats. Credit: BaBbi BaBbi Korean Kitchen/Facebook

Vicky Bakery
334 N. Alafaya Trail, Orlando
Look for Miami-based Vicky Bakery to open its second Orlando location, this one at 334 N. Alafaya Trail in the old Smashburger space across from Waterford Town Center.  Everything from Cuban pastelitos and croquetas to medianoches and café con leche will be served. Vicky Bakery also has a location at 4556 S. Semoran Blvd. near Pershing Avenue. Credit: Vicky Bakery/Google Maps

Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream
3801 W. Lake Mary Blvd., Lake Mary
Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream will open its seventh freestanding parlor (and 50th operation, when you include the ones inside Foxtail Coffee) at 3801 W. Lake Mary Blvd. before the end of the year. Credit: Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream/Facebook

Buffalo Boss
333 N. Orange Ave., Orlando
Jay-Z’s cousin Jamar White has opened Buffalo Boss, a late-night wing joint with a hip-hop vibe downtown at 333 N. Orange Ave. next to Tacos El Rancho. The only other Buffalo Boss is located in the Barclays Center in, of course, Brooklyn. Credit: Google Maps

Tamara Lake Mary
1541 International Parkway, Orlando
Tamara Lake Mary, a sister operation to Tamara Modern Indian Cuisine in the Cambria Hotel near Universal, has opened at 1541 International Parkway in the space that housed The Nine Heathrow Thai Grill & Kitchen. The menu features Indian, Thai and Chinese dishes. Credit: Google Maps

Peruvian Chicken
5420 Deep Lake Road, Oviedo
The simply named Peruvian Chicken, offering pollo a la brasa as well as a host of other Peruvian delights, has opened at 5420 Deep Lake Road in Oviedo. Credit: Google Maps

Mamazzita Gastrobar
1949 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando
Mamazzita Gastrobar, a Peruvian/Latin restaurant that transforms into a nightclub with bottle service at night, has opened near the Florida Mall at 1949 W. Sand Lake Rd. in the same plaza as Viet Thai Cafe. Credit: Mamazzita Gastrobar/Facebook

Taffer’s Tavern
9101 International Drive #1204, Orlando
affer’s Tavern, a full-service restaurant and bar concept by Bar Rescue host Jon Taffer, is newly opened on Orlando’s International Drive. The new outpost, which is the chain’s very first Florida location, offers signature drinks, comfort food and tavern classics, and an “inviting and warm ambience.” Credit: Taffer’s Tavern/Facebook

Pho 813
4724 Millenia Plaza Way, Orlando
Pho 813 has reopened at a new location under new ownership, serving much of the Vietnamese flavor its dished out in the past. Credit: Google Maps

El Cilantrillo
431 S. Chickasaw Trail, Orlando
Local Puerto Rican chain El Cilantrillo will open a location this fall in the Rio Pinar Plaza. The 4,470-square-foot space will feature a tropical bar and live music nights. The restaurant is from the same owners as Turull’s Kitchen & Bar. Credit: El Cilantrillo/Facebook

Jam Hot Chicken
426 W. Plant St., Winter Garden
Another Jam Hot Chicken outpost is set to open in the former Hunger Street Tacos stall inside Plant Street Market in Winter Garden. Credit: Jam Hot Chicken/Facebook

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