Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining, presented by Orlando Health, will reopen for its 21st year on August 14th with a record-breaking 188 participating restaurants and will run through September 30th.
The 38 new restaurants and 16 Michelin Guide-certified establishments will each offer a three-course prix fixe menu for $40 or $60 (tax and gratuity included).
In fact, star power is in the spotlight this year, with Winter Park’s OMO by Jônt offering a $60 menu option (perhaps the perfect excuse to add a star to your culinary portfolio), and two options at the Universal Helios Grand Hotel near the park offering magical diners the option of both live music and nightly fireworks.
“Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining is about more than just enjoying great food. It’s about bringing our communities together to make a meaningful impact,” Visit Orlando President and CEO Cassandra Matei told the Orlando Sentinel.
“This year’s record number of 188 participating restaurants not only speaks to the program’s immense popularity and impact on local businesses, but also continues our important tradition of supporting nonprofit organizations and helping them expand their footprint in meaningful ways.”
Having participants eat for a purpose is a key motivator for the program, which was originally conceived to help metro-area restaurants survive the traditionally slow months. In recent years, Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining has supported local nonprofit organizations by donating $1 for every $40 meal and $2 for every $60 meal to designated charitable beneficiaries.
this yearOCA (Opportunity, Community, Capacity) is a key element of the program. Beneficiary.
Magical Dining’s nonprofit focus: “This allows us to serve more communities.”
OCA is an organization that provides programs and resources to individuals with autism and developmental differences and their families, and partners with other local and national organizations. Funds raised will support therapy scholarships and programs that increase access to critical services and supports as well as help adults with special needs define their lives after high school with purpose, independence, and meaningful connections.
“Every investment in OCA helps create opportunities that can change the course of someone’s life,” OCA CEO Sylvia Haas said in a news release. “Being selected as Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining philanthropic beneficiary is an incredible honor and will help us expand programs that empower individuals with special needs while providing families with the support, resources and community they need to grow together.”
Visit Orlando will also award $3,000 donations to local nonprofit organizations in each of Orange County’s six commission districts. This year’s winners are Children’s Safety Village, The Daily Bread, Nathaniel’s Hope, NextStep Orlando, The Nurture Place, and Victim Service Center of Central Florida.
Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining has raised approximately $3.3 million for local charities since a philanthropic component was added in 2009.
In 2025, the program donated $398,307 to local charities. REED Charitable Foundation as the primary beneficiary; The organization aims to provide literacy experiences for students across Orange County and distribute books to help local families build home libraries.
The menu is live now at OrlandoMagicalDining.com, with filters based on location, price range, and food preferences. Dinner guests are encouraged to make reservations as early as possible.
This is Orlando Health’s third year as Magical Dining’s presenting sponsor, a role Eric Hawkins, the company’s chief financial officer and Visit Orlando board member, is proud of.
“Everyone who participates, from the local community to visitors from around the world, is making a powerful impact,” Hawkins said in a news release. “We are proud to continue partnering with local nonprofits on this program that expands the reach of local nonprofits and promotes a stronger, healthier Central Florida.”
Visit Orlando’s Magic Nights, an affiliate program of Visit Orlando’s Magic Dining, allows participants to extend their enjoyment by combining special offers and dining experiences at local properties including Evermore Orlando Resort, Grande Lakes Orlando, Hilton Orlando, Lake Nona Wave and Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek.
More hotel offers will be added in the coming weeks, but with 38 new restaurants already on board, planning your meals is getting more and more difficult.
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Alma Argentina ($40, Celebration), Conquistador Bar & Restaurant at Mission Resort + Club ($40, Howey in the Hills), Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse ($40, Lake Buena Vista), Estefan Kitchen ($40, Kissimmee), Daniel Gabor’s ($40, Ocoee), Fuji Sushi ($40, Altamonte) and restaurants from all over the metro are included in the newcomer mix. Springs), Jala Indian Cuisine ($40, Winter Park), Mordisco Steakhouse ($40, I Drive), Jazz Tasting ($40, Maitland), Lizzie’s Live ($40, Sand Lake), Manzzo Cuisine ($40, Windermere), Osteria Esther ($40, Thornton Park), Pisco Peruvian Gastrobar ($40, Lake) Mary), Simply Capri ($40, Winter Garden), Salt & Ember ($60, Mount Dora), Yao’s ($40, Oviedo).
“Having spent most of my career in Orlando’s hospitality industry, I’ve had the opportunity to watch Magical Dining grow into one of the city’s most popular dining events,” said George Yui, chef and partner at Yao’s. “This is more than just a promotion, it’s a celebration of the city’s restaurant community and an opportunity for chefs to share what makes their restaurants special.”
Yiu and the team are excited to debut on this year’s roster.
“Yao’s is a very personal project that reflects my family’s heritage and my journey as a chef,” he said. “Magical Dining gives us the opportunity to welcome new guests, share our stories and participate in programs that not only support local restaurants but also give back to the community.
“It’s something I’m proud to be a part of.”
Visit OrlandoMagicalDining.com to peruse the entire list of options and make reservations, complete with search filters such as location, price range, and food preferences.
Want to lend a hand? Find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram @amydroo or the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com. For even more foodie fun, join our Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group.
