Get Set For More Magical Dining

By Susan & Simon Veness

Attention anyone heading to Orlando from August 14 to September 30: You will be in for a culinary treat of the tastebud-tantalising kind, thanks to a bumper crop of Magical Dining opportunities that have been lined up for this year’s restaurant fest.

Yes, the time of year that is ear-marked for gourmets and gluttons alike is set for a truly wondrous outing of prix fixe meals from a record-breaking number of venues in 2026, building on 20 years of foodie frenzy, and last week saw the special media event to launch this year’s presentation.

As well as a slightly extended programme (48 nights this year, up from 47 in 2025), this latest outing of our favourite fine dining extravaganza will feature its very first Michelin-starred restaurant, in addition to a bevy of new options. From downtown Orlando to Disney and Universal, this is a cross-section of the city’s rich and growing tradition of memorable mealtimes.

What IS Magical Dining?

Created by the tourism office of Visit Orlando, Magical Dining (presented by Orlando Health) is an imaginative way to sample a wide variety of the higher-class dining options in town effectively at a discount. Some foodie cities offer a Restaurant Week, but Orlando wanted to be different. Instead, they created a whole Magical Month back in 2005, and have since expanded it to include part of August as well, hence it is just called Magical Dining. This year, there are fully 38 restaurants that are new to the programme, including the fabulous Bar Helios at Universal Orlando’s swish Helios Grand Hotel and the sensational steak and seafood cuisine of Salt & Ember in Mount Dora.

The essential idea is that all Magical Dining restaurants offer a set three-course menu alongside their regular a la carte version for a fixed fee of $40 or $60 per person, depending upon the regular price point. There are more than 120 options in the $40 category and a further 60-plus of the crème-de-la-crème version. Most notable are the superb Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse on International Drive, the spectacular Eddie V’s Prime Seafood on Sand Lake Road, and our regular special night out choice of the Chef’s Table at The Edgewater in Winter Garden.

The top-of-the-range choice means that a truly upscale three-course dining experience like Norman’s in the Dellagio complex just off Sand Lake Road could easily be $90 on the regular menu, but will save a couple $60 during Magical Dining. It could be closer to $100/person at Eddie V’s, which makes for an even bigger saving for a one-off special occasion dinner. It’s also worth noting that this special dining “season” is aimed equally at locals as well as visitors, hence it needs to be good value.

What’s new in 2026?

New additions this year include for the first time ever a Michelin-starred restaurant in the form of Japanese exemplar ÔMO by Jônt (the $60 menu, naturally), two options at the superb Helios Grand Hotel, live music and dinner with a $40 menu at a cozy jazz club, a rooftop restaurant with nightly fireworks views and even a private pickleball club restaurant opening to the public exclusively for Magical Dining.

“This is shaping up to be the biggest year in the history of Magical Dining,” said Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando. “What makes this programme so special is that everyone benefits. Diners can enjoy exceptional meals at a great value, local restaurants welcome new and returning customers, and every meal helps support non-profits that are making a difference in Central Florida. Few events create this kind of positive impact for restaurants, diners and our community all at the same time, and Visit Orlando is proud to bring this signature event to life each year.”

The inclusion of ÔMO by Jônt is a major coup for Visit Orlando, as this supreme example of high-end Japanese cuisine in Winter Park has earned rave reviews and fully justified its Michelin honour, while Daniel Gabor’s adds fine German cuisine to the mix. Jazz Tastings and Lizzy’s Live are both completely original additions to the magic, offering a classy live musical entertainment element and supper club style to go with the fine dining experience.

The most unusual new entry for 2026, though, must go to Hamlin House in the south downtown (SoDo) area. This is Orlando’s newest pickleball club, but it is WAY more than that as it adds a club-style dining experience. Usually open only to private members, it will be open to all-comers especially for Magical Dining in their elegant dining room, where they promise “exceptional cuisine, classic cocktails and unforgettable company.” Count us intrigued!

This year’s good cause

Of course, Magical Dining isn’t just about good food. Oh no. Each year a number of local charities are nominated to receive a share of the $1 for each $40 meal and $2 for each $60 meal that every restaurant tots up for the non-profit fund, with one main charity receiving the lion’s share. Last year’s event raised a whopping $398,307 for good causes, with REED Charitable Foundation being the primary beneficiary.

For 2026, the chosen cause is OCA (Opportunity, Community, Ability), an organisation that provides programmes and resources for individuals with autism and developmental differences and their families, and partners with other regional and national organisations. Funds raised support therapy scholarships, increasing access to critical services and support, as well as facilities that help guide adults with special needs in defining life after school with purpose, independence and meaningful connection.

“Every investment in OCA helps create opportunities that can change the course of someone’s life,” said chief executive Silvia Haas. “Being selected as a charity beneficiary of Magical Dining is an incredible honour that will help us expand programmes that empower individuals with special needs while providing families with the support, resources and community they need to thrive together.”

Visit Orlando also awards $3,000 donations to local non-profits in each of Orange County’s six districts. This year’s recipients are Children’s Safety Village, The Daily Bread, Nathaniel’s Hope, NextStep Orlando, The Nurture Place and Victim Service Center of Central Florida. Since the charity component was added in 2009, Magical Dining has raised nearly $3.3million for local charities.

For all the details of this year’s dining programme, visit www.magicaldining.com.

PS: The media preview for Magical Dining was accompanied by some sweet treats from The Pinery restaurant in downtown Orlando. And, if their desserts are anything to go by, this will be a really popular choice this September!

Simon and Susan Veness are Orlando-based travel experts and guidebook authors writing exclusively for Debbie’s Villas.