Orlando Health announced the magical meals in Orlando celebrate 20 years in 2025 and are back to seduce the city’s gourmet food with a record 160 restaurants with a programme that will be held from August 15th to September 30th.
The extensive list includes 24 newcomers and 15 Michelin Guide-Recognized Options, each offering a three-course Prix Fixe menu priced at $40 and $60, plus taxes and tributes.
We will also continue our mission to give back to our community.
A portion of all meals sold — $1 from the $40 menu, $2 from the $60 offering — benefits the Reed Charitable Foundation, a local nonprofit specializing in early childhood development and literacy.
Nonprofits in each of the six Orange County commissioned districts will also benefit from the program.
An impressive roster of participants visited Orlando’s president and CEO, Cassandra Matege, who told the Orlando Sentinel:
“For many years, the program has raised nearly $3 million in donations to nonprofit organizations in our community,” says Matej. “This year’s charity beneficiaries are an organization that is committed to empowering children through literacy and providing support and resources to dyslexic students and families.”
For restaurant owners like Kaya’s Jamilyn Salonga Bailey, it is also an exciting way to expand their customer base. 2025 marks the first year of the acclaimed Mills 50 restaurant. For $40, guests can enjoy three courses in the award-winning space.
“We want more and more people to learn about Filipino cuisine and experience Kaya. There’s no better way to support our city and take part in the legendary magical dining program,” she said.
“This has been a great way to strengthen the local economy since it was a long time ago, and as it is a small restaurant, it is important to have as many people as possible in their seats.
They’ll want to come back. Because I just spyed on Chef Lordfer Lalicon’s exemplary Adobo Risotto as an appetizer option with local Fungi Jon Mushrooms (seriously get those reservations!).
Other newcomers this year include Barcada and Grappolo Kuchina Italiana in Winter Park, Palea Greece Taberna in Maitland, High Dive in Otto in Orlando, and Highball & Harvest Restaurant in Ritz-Carlton. Guests will also be captivated by Ava Mediterraegean, Bacan and Ravello, who return Michelin-recommended costumes.
Additionally, some restaurants will offer limited edition dishes that mark the program’s 20-year milestone. It could be an appetizer, an appetizer, or a dessert.
Diners can make it overnight with the Magic Night: Dinner + Stay program. Hotel deals and art/culture pairings allow you to turn dinner into a summer stay in a package.
In 2024, Magical Food raised over $350,000 for an Orange County nonprofit, including Central Florida mustard seeds, the leading beneficiary of 2024.
Magical Food raises record volumes of charities in Orange County
“We’re looking forward to seeing you in the world,” Orlando Health’s Chief Management Officer Eric Hawkins said in a news release.
“As a Visiting Orlando official health and wellness partner, Orlando Health is proud to sponsor a program that gives back to organizations working to support our cities and serve our communities.
Salonga Bailey remembers the early days of the programme, which helped to break the city’s reputation as just a hub for chain restaurants.
“At the time I thought it was a great way to try out a local independent restaurant,” she recalls. “It was a fun time to look through the list and see if there were any restaurants I wanted to try and if there were anything they had on the menu.”
It is a tradition that holds many of the city’s foodies eager to sample things like Michelin and James’ beard-recognized restaurants.
Visit orlandomagicaldining.com, which features search filters for location, price tier and diet preferences, to peruse the entire list of options and make a reservation.
Do you want to reach out to me? Find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram @Amydroo or the Osfoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com. Join Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook Group for more foodie fun.
