Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month is back and is celebrating its 18th anniversary! This annual culinary event started on August 18, 2023 and runs through October 1, 2023 for 6 whole weeks filled with 45 delectable days. They’ve teamed up with over 100 of Orlando’s most acclaimed restaurants to bring you 3-course, prix fixe dinners for $40 or $60 per person!
Plus, you’ll be supporting a great cause as $1 per $40 meal and $2 from every $60 meal served will benefit one or more local nonprofits in Orlando. This year, the donated funds will focus on The Lifeboat Project — an organization that raises awareness about human trafficking and empowers the lives of survivors. Additional donations of $2,000 will be awarded to one local nonprofit, which includes Mustard Seed of Central Florida, Nuevo Sendero, One Heart for Women and Children, Salvation Army Orlando, Samaritan Village, and Wake Up Mentoring.
It’s a win-win situation whether you’re visiting and looking for affordable dining options in Orlando while you’re here. Or, if you’re a local and want to try a new restaurant that you haven’t before. Just keep in mind that the majority of these restaurants strongly encourage making reservations.
Keep reading to learn more about all of the phenomenal restaurants participating. We’ll be covering:
WHAT’S NEW FOR MAGICAL DINING IN 2023?
As you read above, the Magical Dining menus at each restaurant give you the chance to enjoy 3-course, prix fixe dinners for $40 or $60 per person! Selections typically include dishes already on the participating restaurant’s regular menu. However, you may find additional bonus offerings exclusively for the Magical Dining menu.
Before you dive in, you will notice there are now $40 and $60 options for 2023! This is based on the restaurant, meaning the restaurant you choose to visit will either have a $40 OR a $60 menu option. You can learn more below, on the Magical Dining website, or by downloading this guide.
For those of you who have partaken in this incredible dining affair, you’ll find even more places to check out — over 20 new restaurants, in fact! Here is just a sample of the first-time participants in 2023:
- AVA MediterrAegean ($60 menu)
- BACÁN ($60 menu)
- BR77 Brazilian Steakhouse ($40 menu)
- LakeHouse ($40 menu)
- MYlounge Orlando ($60 menu)
- Osphere Grill, Sushi and Bar ($40 menu)
- Park Avenue Tavern ($40 menu)
- Salt & The Cellar ($60 menu)
- The Palm Restaurant ($60 menu)
- The Wilson Cocktails & Seafood ($40 menu)
PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS NEAR DISNEY WORLD & THE BUENA VISTA AREA
While no actual venues at Walt Disney World are partaking in Magical Dining Month, you’ll find approximately 15 restaurants near Disney World or within Disney Springs participating. These restaurants include:
- Deep Blu Seafood Grille, $60 menu: Award-winning seafood at Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek
- Il Mulino New York Trattoria, $40 menu: Italian cuisine paired with exemplary service
- JALEO at Disney Springs, $40 menu: Spanish tapas, sangrias, and a selection of wines from Spain brought to you by James Beard award-winning chef José Andrés
- La Luce®, $40 menu: Napa Valley chef and restaurateur brings a combination of Italian tradition and Californian innovation to this modern Italian country kitchen
- Lakeside Bar and Grill, $40 menu: Feast on Florida specialty entrees created using the freshest local produce
- STK Steakhouse Orlando, $60 menu: One-of-a-kind, curated steakhouse experience at Disney Springs – the Lil’ Brgs are worth the upgrade!
- The Venetian Chop House, $60 menu: This upscale restaurant is the winner of the prestigious AAA Four-Diamond award — offering classic steakhouse and seafood traditions
- Todd English’s Bluezoo, $60 menu: Coastal cuisines from around the world crafted with the freshest seafood – not to mention you’ll be surrounded by awe-inspiring architecture
- Unreserved Food Bazaar, $40 menu: European-inspired restaurant where traditional and modern cuisine melds together perfectly
- Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill at Disney Springs, $40 menu: Here, you’ll find the best of Wolfgang’s signature dishes paired with Mediterranean influences
On top of these options, Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival won’t end until November 18, 2023!
PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS NEAR UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT
Are you staying near Universal Orlando, perhaps at the beautiful Vista Cay Resort? Here are 5 Magical Dining restaurants located just minutes away that we love!
- Amatista Cookhouse, $40 menu: Caribbean-inspired cuisine prepared in an open kitchen — located inside Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando
- Islands Dining Room, $40 menu: This Polynesian-inspired venue serves specialty Pan Asian cuisine with a twist — located at Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando
- Mama Della’s Ristorante, $40 menu: Authentic Italian cooking with hospitality that you won’t forget at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort
- The Kitchen, $40 menu: Known for their comfort food with a rock ‘n’ roll attitude — located at the Hard Rock Hotel
- The Palm Restaurant, $60 menu: Loved for its prime steaks, jumbo Nova Scotia lobsters and authentic heritage Italian entrees, you can’t go wrong here
Full List of Magical Dining Restaurants
The restaurants listed above are only the start! As you’ve seen, there are over 100 restaurants participating in 2023 throughout the greater Orlando area, and more venues may continue to join. We’re sure you will be satisfied with all of the spots listed above or if you choose to check out other areas like Winter Park, Restaurant Row, or Downtown!
You can search for restaurants based on a variety of preferences, like location and cuisine on the Visit Orlando Magical Dining website. Going here will really help you find what you’re looking for — including which restaurants offer vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free selections! Each listing even makes it easy to make a reservation, either through OpenTable or directly through the restaurant.
Reservations are 100% encouraged, but walk-ins who request a Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining menu will be accommodated like any other walk-in guest. And that brings us to our last tip about making sure you have the best experience: don’t forget to request the special menu when you arrive!
Where to Stay Nearby
Ready to experience this unique annual culinary event in Orlando, Florida? If you’d like to visit but want to avoid staying in a crowded hotel or resort, we’d love to help you plan your stay!
And, if the theme parks are on your itinerary, you also might be interested to know that we’re an authorized Walt Disney World Seller. Which means, we’re here every step of the way to help you have a magical time during your next visit!
You can start by browsing through our wide selection of vacation home rentals in Orlando, or feel free to reach out to our team directly with any questions you may have! We’re available 24/7.
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