Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining returns Aug. 18 with new pricing feature

Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel
·2 min read

Start making those lists, Magical Dining fans, as Visit Orlando‘s annual program — now in its 18th year — returns Aug. 18, with this year’s participating restaurants numbering north of 115.

Also new, notes Visit Orlando president and CEO Casandra Matej, is the introduction of a two-tiered menu and pricing system that will feature three-course prix fixe dinners available at either $40 or $60. The program will run through Oct. 1.

“Orlando’s culinary scene has grown and evolved in recent years, and the time has come to expand Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining. The introduction of two menu tiers allows the program to celebrate an even wider range of restaurants,” Matej told the Orlando Sentinel. “Additionally, one dollar from each $40 menu and two dollars from each $60 menu will be donated to The Lifeboat Project (thelifeboatproject.org), allowing for Magical Dining to continue to make a major impact on the local community.”

Based in Apopka, The Lifeboat Project raises awareness about human trafficking and provides lifelong support to victims, empowering their lives through short- and long-term aftercare, residential programs and education.

“One dollar from each $40 menu and $2 from each $60 menu will offer the opportunity for Magical Dining to have an even greater impact on our community,” Matej said in a news release.

Additionally, Visit Orlando will also award a $2,000 donation to one local nonprofit in each of Orange County’s six commission districts that provide services and resources to survivors of abuse in Central Florida. These include Mustard Seed of Central Florida, Nuevo Sendero, One Heart for Women and Children, Salvation Army Orlando, Samaritan Village and Wake Up Mentoring.

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Since 2009, the Magical Dining program has raised more than $2 million for local organizations. This year’s newest participating restaurants include Amare at Swan Reserve ($40), Bella Tuscany Ristorante Italiano — Ocoee ($40), Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ — Orlando and Flaming Crossing locations ($40), LakeHouse ($40), MYlounge Orlando ($60), North Italia ($40), Salt & The Cellar ($60) and The Wilson Cocktails & Seafood ($40).

Venues recognized by The Michelin Guide will doubtless prove hot again this year. These include newcomers AVA MediterrAegean ($60), BACÁN at the Lake Nona Wave Hotel ($60) and The Pinery ($40), as well as returning favorites Kabooki Sushi ($40), Maxine’s on Shine ($40), The Ravenous Pig ($40) and Z Asian Vietnamese Kitchen ($40).

Menus are now live at OrlandoMagicalDining.com, as well as the opportunity to book reservations and sort participating restaurants by cuisine, location, dietary preference and menu tiers. Visitors can also explore hotel offers as part of Visit Orlando’s Magical Nights program.

Additional menus and hotel deals will be added in the coming weeks.

Want to reach out? Find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram at @amydroo or on the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com. For more foodie fun, join the Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group.