{"id":339861,"date":"2026-07-14T18:07:10","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T18:07:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/339861\/"},"modified":"2026-07-14T18:07:10","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T18:07:10","slug":"record-breaking-188-restaurant-roster-set-for-magical-dining","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/339861\/","title":{"rendered":"Record-breaking 188 restaurant roster set for Magical Dining"},"content":{"rendered":"

Visit Orlando\u2019s Magical Dining<\/a>, presented by Orlando Health, returns Aug. 14 for its 21st year with a record-breaking 188 participating restaurants and runs through Sept. 30.<\/p>\n

Thirty-eight new restaurants and 16 Michelin Guide-recognized establishments will each offer three-course, prix-fixe menus priced at $40 or $60, plus tax and gratuity.<\/p>\n

Star power, in fact, is in the mix this year as Winter Park\u2019s OMO by J\u00f4nt will offer a $60 menu option (perhaps the perfect excuse to add a star to your own culinary portfolio) and out by the parks, two options at the Universal Helios Grand Hotel will give Magical diners options for both live music and nightly fireworks.<\/p>\n

\u201cVisit Orlando\u2019s Magical Dining is not only about enjoying a great meal. It\u2019s about bringing our community together to make a meaningful impact,\u201d Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando, told the Orlando Sentinel.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year\u2019s record 188 participating restaurants not only speaks to the tremendous popularity of the program and its impact on local businesses, but it also continues an important tradition of supporting nonprofit organizations and helping them expand their footprint in a meaningful way.\u201d<\/p>\n

That participants dine for a cause is a prime motivator for a program initially inspired to help restaurants around the metro make it through traditionally slow months. For several years now, Visit Orlando\u2019s Magical Dining supports local nonprofits by donating $1 for each $40 meal and $2 for each $60 meal to designated charity beneficiaries.<\/p>\n

This year,\u00a0OCA (Opportunity, Community, Ability)<\/a> will be the program\u2019s primary\u00a0beneficiary.<\/p>\n

Magical Dining\u2019s nonprofit focus: \u2018It has allowed us to serve more of the community\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n

OCA is 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. Funds raised will support therapy scholarships, increasing access to critical services and support, as well as programs that help guide adults with special needs in defining life after high school with purpose, independence and meaningful connection.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery investment in OCA helps create opportunities that can change the course of someone\u2019s life,\u201d said Silvia Haas, CEO of OCA, in a news release. \u201cBeing selected as a charity beneficiary of Visit Orlando\u2019s Magical Dining is an incredible honor that will help us expand programs that empower individuals with special needs while providing families with the support, resources, and community they need to thrive together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Visit Orlando also awards $3,000 donations to local nonprofits in each of Orange County\u2019s six commission districts. This year\u2019s recipients are Children\u2019s Safety Village<\/a>, The Daily Bread, Nathaniel\u2019s Hope<\/a>, NextStep Orlando<\/a>, The Nurture Place<\/a>, and Victim Service Center of Central Florida<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"LakeLake Mary residents won’t have to stray far for new Magical Dining options in 2026. Pisco Peruvian Gastrobar sits right in their backyard. (Courtesy Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining)<\/p>\n

Visit Orlando\u2019s Magical Dining has raised nearly $3.3 million for local charities since the charity component was added in 2009.<\/p>\n

In 2025, the program donated $398,307 to local charities, with\u00a0the REED Charitable Foundation<\/a> as the primary beneficiary, enabling\u00a0the organization to deliver literacy-rich experiences to students across Orange County and distribute books to help build home libraries for local families.<\/p>\n

Menus are now live on OrlandoMagicalDining.com<\/a>, with filters for location, price point and dietary preferences. Diners are encouraged to book reservations as early as possible.<\/p>\n

This will be Orlando Health\u2019s third year as Magical Dining\u2019s presenting sponsor, a role its chief financial officer and Visit Orlando board member, Eric Hawkins, takes pride in.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone who participates \u2026 from our local community to visitors from around the world, is making a powerful impact,\u201d Hawkins said in a news release. \u201cWe\u2019re proud to continue partnering on this program, which is helping our local nonprofits expand their reach and promoting a stronger, healthier Central Florida.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"LeftFrom left to right: Philip Koovakada, senior vice president for Orlando Health’s South Florida Region and president of Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital; Jerry Demings, Orange County mayor; Jamie Dozier from REED Charitable Foundation; Jennifer Knopf, president of REED Charitable Foundation; Casandra Matej, Visit Orlando president & CEO and Barb Bowden, Visit Orlando board chair. The Visit Orlando program has raised nearly $3.3 million for local nonprofits since 2009. REED was the program’s primary beneficiary in 2025. (Courtesy Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining)<\/p>\n

Visit Orlando\u2019s Magical Nights, the companion program to Visit Orlando\u2019s Magical Dining, allows participants to extend the fun by pairing their dining experiences with special offers at local properties, including Evermore Orlando Resort, Grande Lakes Orlando, Hilton Orlando, Lake Nona Wave, Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek and more.<\/p>\n

More hotel offers will be added in the coming weeks, but with 38 new restaurants already in the mix, planning your meals is getting increasingly challenging.<\/p>\n

Our 2026 Foodie Award winners list revealed \u2014 see who won<\/a><\/p>\n

Restaurants from all corners of the metro are in the newcomer mix, including Alma Argentina ($40, Celebration), Conquistador Bar & Restaurant at Mission Resort + Club ($40, Howey in the Hills), Delmonico\u2019s Italian Steakhouse ($40, Lake Buena Vista), Estefan Kitchen ($40, Kissimmee), Daniel Gabor\u2019s ($40, Ocoee), Fuji Sushi ($40, Altamonte Springs), Jala Indian Cuisine ($40, Winter Park), Mordisco Steakhouse ($40, I-Drive), Jazz Tastings ($40, Maitland), Lizzy\u2019s Live ($40, Sand Lake), Manzzo Cuisine ($40, Windermere), Osteria Ester ($40, Thornton Park), Pisco Peruvian Gastrobar ($40, Lake Mary), Simply Capri ($40, Winter Garden), Salt & Ember ($60, Mount Dora) and Yao\u2019s ($40, Oviedo).<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve spent most of my career in Orlando\u2019s hospitality industry, so I\u2019ve had the opportunity to watch Magical Dining grow into one of the most popular dining events in the city,\u201d said George Yiu, chef\/partner of Yao\u2019s. \u201cIt\u2019s become more than a promotion; it\u2019s a celebration of the city\u2019s restaurant community and a chance for chefs to share what makes their restaurants special.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yiu and the team are excited to make their debut on this year\u2019s roster.<\/p>\n

\u201cYao\u2019s is a very personal project that reflects my family\u2019s heritage and my journey as a chef,\u201d he said. \u201cMagical Dining gives us the opportunity to welcome new guests, share our story and be part of a program that not only supports local restaurants but also gives back to the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s something I\u2019m proud to be a part of.\u201d<\/p>\n

Visit\u00a0OrlandoMagicalDining.com<\/a>, which features search filters for location, price tier and dietary preferences, to peruse the entire list of options and make your reservations.<\/p>\n

Want to reach out? Find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram\u00a0@amydroo<\/a>\u00a0or on the OSFoodie Instagram account\u00a0@orlando.foodie<\/a>. Email:\u00a0amthompson@orlandosentinel.com<\/a>. For more foodie fun, join the\u00a0Let\u2019s Eat, Orlando Facebook group<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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