When is Orlando Magical Dining 2026?

Visit Orlando's Magical Dining runs August 14 through September 30, 2026, with a record 188 participating restaurants, including 38 new additions, offering three-course menus at $40 or $60.

What new restaurants have opened in Orlando in 2026?

Recent Orlando openings include Pierogi One (Polish comfort food), Bruder Restaurant & Brewery in Oviedo, Noods Thai Noodle Soul in West Orlando, Banh Mi Go in SoDo, Q Sushi omakase in the Milk District, Kitanda Espresso & Acai near UCF, and Thera Greek Frozen Yogurt at Waterford Lakes.

What new Orlando restaurants are coming soon?

Two to watch are Daje Pinsa, targeting a Fall 2026 opening in South Orlando with Roman-style pinsa, and Terra Modern American, collecting soft-opening RSVPs for its downtown Orlando location at Society Orlando.

Orlando · What's New

What's New in Orlando Right Now: 10 Spots and Experiences to Put on Your List

New restaurants, coffee stops, and experiences I am adding to my own list this month, from a creator who actually lives here.

By Janet
Updated August 2026 · 5 min read

Orlando has had a very busy summer. Between brand-new restaurants, coffee stops, wellness events, and a citywide dining event, there are so many reasons to get out and try something new. A lot of these just opened, so I want to be honest up front: I have not made it to every single one yet. This is my running list of the places I am most excited to try, and I am sharing it now so you can start your own list too.

Here are the Orlando-area spots and experiences I am watching right now.

Two things actually happening this month

Aug 14 to Sep 30 Visit Orlando's Magical Dining Magical Dining is back for its 21st year with a record 188 participating restaurants, including 38 new additions and several Michelin Guide names. Restaurants serve three-course prix-fixe menus at $40 or $60 (plus tax and gratuity), and a dollar or two from every meal goes to a local charity. Winter Park and Maitland highlights on my radar include Jala Indian Cuisine, Jazz Tastings, OMO by Jont, The Grove Bar & Grill, and Sushi Saint. It is an easy reason to finally try a place you have been meaning to get to. Menus and reservations are at OrlandoMagicalDining.com, and the popular spots book up fast.

Event · Aug 29 XYMOGYM's Grand Reopening: The New Era XYMOGYM, the strength and recovery studio in Southwest Orlando, has a free grand-reopening event listed for the morning of August 29, described as a wellness experience with a strength and conditioning class, local vendors, gift bags, giveaways, and a first look at what the studio is building. I would double-check the exact time on their event page before you go, but a free wellness morning with vendors and community energy is a fun one to keep on the calendar.

New restaurants going on my list

Now open · Attractions area Pierogi One Pierogi One recently opened its first Orlando location near the attractions area, and the menu is all handmade Polish comfort food: pierogi, schnitzel, kielbasa, potato pancakes, and red borscht. This is not something Orlando food content sees every day, which is exactly why I want to go.

Soft open · Oviedo Bruder Restaurant & Brewery Bruder soft-launched in June at Oviedo Mall with a concept that blends Colombian hospitality and German brewing: pub food and more than 15 craft beers. The food-and-beer pairing plus the unexpected combination make it a great group-night idea.

Now open · West Orlando Noods Thai Noodle Soul Noods opened in May bringing Thai street-food favorites to West Orlando, including Khao Soi, grilled pork skewers, noodle salads, and bold, bright flavors. This one is going to be so good to actually see in person.

Now open · SoDo Banh Mi Go Banh Mi Go is a newer family-owned Vietnamese spot in SoDo. Beyond banh mi sandwiches, the menu has pho, bao buns, spring rolls, boba, and mini banh mi sets. A perfect casual lunch-date kind of find.

Now open · Milk District Q Sushi Q Sushi is a newer omakase experience in the Milk District with an intimate eight-seat bar focused on seasonal fish and quiet craftsmanship. This is the one I would save for a special Orlando dinner night out.

Coffee and something sweet

Now open · near UCF Kitanda Espresso & Acai Kitanda is a newer Brazilian coffee and acai stop near UCF, serving coffee, acai bowls, smoothies, breakfast sandwiches, and Brazilian cheese bread. An easy morning or work-day stop, and a really pretty one to film.

Now open · Waterford Lakes Thera Greek Frozen Yogurt Thera opened in June at Waterford Lakes and is Orlando's first authentic Greek frozen-yogurt shop, with toppings like baklava crunch, pistachio, Biscoff, fruit, and seasonal flavors. Casual, cute, and made for a taste test.

Coming soon, worth following now

Fall 2026 · South Orlando Daje Pinsa Daje Pinsa is targeting a Fall 2026 opening in South Orlando with authentic Roman-style pinsa. I love following places before they open, so this one is already on my watch list.

Soft opening · Downtown Terra Modern American Terra Modern American is collecting soft-opening RSVPs for its downtown Orlando location at Society Orlando. A great pre-opening one to keep an eye on.

Orlando has had so many new spots pop up lately, and I am making it my mission to try them all. The question is just which one we go to first.

If I had to pick where to start, it is a tie between Pierogi One (because you almost never see Polish comfort food here) and Q Sushi for a special date night. Save this post so you have it ready the next time someone asks what is new to do or eat in Orlando, and follow along as I actually start checking these off.

Want my everyday Orlando and mom finds in one place? Everything I actually use and recommend lives on my Amazon storefront, and there are more Orlando guides over on the blog.

Details gathered from Visit Orlando's Magical Dining, Tasty Chomps' new-restaurant roundups, and each venue's own listings. New openings change fast, so hours and dates are worth confirming before you go.