Four Orlando Restaurants gain Michelin Stars, including Victoria & Albert's at last!

The 2024 selection of the MICHELIN Guide Miami, Orlando and Tampa has been announced, with nine restaurants joining the sought-after group of MICHELIN-Starred restaurants in Florida.

The Michelin dining guide has officially announced its award winners for the third edition of its Florida Michelin Guide at a glittering ceremony Thursday night, April 18 at the Tampa EDITION hotel.

In total, 26 restaurants made the list (14 in Miami, 7 in Orlando, 5 in Tampa), with the addition of 9 new One Star Restaurants this year, with four from Orlando, three from Miami, and two from Tampa.

Orlando's flavor-packed class of new Stars are Camille (Vietnamese cuisine) featuring Chef Tung Phan's ten-course Vietnamese-French tasting menu, and Papa Llama (Peruvian cuisine) with husband-and-wife duo Kevin and Maria Ruiz's Peruvian-Japanese fusion plates.

Natsu (Japanese cuisine) features four mouth-watering dishes from Chefs Stone and Sky, and rounding out the list is Victoria & Albert’s (Contemporary cuisine) who have finally been given a nod from Michelin. Nestled within Disney’s crown jewel, the Grand Floridian Resort, this restaurant is a worthy winner.

This year also saw the debut of the Michelin green star award, an award which highlights a restaurant at the forefront of sustainable practices, with Orlando's Kaya, winning a Green Star.

Kaya was awarded a green star as more than 90% of its produce comes from Florida farms; sourcing produce and seafood from local suppliers with the intention of improving the local restaurant-farmer-community ecosystem; minimizing waste through intentional and creative utilization of byproducts.

Thirty-three restaurants received a Bib Gourmand distinction, which recognizes great food at a great value, with four new entries this year, including Sushi Saint and Zaru in Orlando.

In addition to the Star and Bib Gourmand awards, Michelin also announced its Special Awards which highlight the skillful professionals from the industry.

In Orlando, Justin Levaughn of Otto's High Dive won Exceptional Cocktails Award, with Israel Perez of Victoria and Albert, was awarded the Service Award.

Victoria & Albert’s is Disney’s first restaurant to receive a MICHELIN Star, and the first restaurant owned and operated by a U.S. theme park destination to have the distinction.

“Since the arrival of the MICHELIN Guide to Florida in 2022, there has been significant growth in the state’s local culinary scene, proving Florida is a leading gastronomic destination for travelers near and far,” said Gwendal Poullennec, the International Director of the MICHELIN Guides. “In addition to the nine new restaurants awarded one MICHELIN Star, we are thrilled to announce Green Star restaurants in the selection for the first time, showcasing these restaurants’ commitment to a more sustainable gastronomy.”

Here is the new MICHELIN-Starred restaurants in Orlando, with inspector notes from each.

Camille (Vietnamese cuisine)

Chef Tung Phan has taken the pop-up and given it permanence at this space just off Lake Baldwin. Seats at the counter feature the ten-course Vietnamese-French tasting menu, while booths offer an abbreviated version. Rooted in French techniques, Vietnamese flavors are given a refined twist here. The Dungeness crab curry arrives with a tartlet shell, filled with crab meat and mixed with lime, served atop the lid, which when removed, reveals a deliciously hearty curry. Salmon over king trumpet noodles in a tamarind and pineapple sauce is creative, but the best may be saved for last. The sweet potato brioche topped with a “gold” chocolate ice cream and Vietnamese coffee sauce is an elegant finale.

Natsu (Japanese cuisine)

At Natsu, there are just two seatings a night at this intimate omakase where a 10-seat counter dominates a spartan-styled room. Meals begin with four dishes from Chefs Stone and Sky, including chawanmushi and truffle kampachi, served with crispy potato straws and a yuzu truffle vinaigrette for an unexpected flavor combination that is especially memorable. The sushi is impressive and doesn’t gild the lily, as in skin-on barracuda with a dynamic char or soy-marinated salmon that finishes ever-so-sweetly. Supremely buttery toro needs no flourish and is melt-in-your-mouth tender. It all rounds out with a hand roll and ice cream.

Papa Llama (Peruvian cuisine)

Husband-and-wife duo Kevin and Maria Ruiz prepare modern Peruvian cuisine full of bright ingredients with a bit of polish, and the multicourse tasting menu is an approachable (and affordable) way to sample their sincere cooking. Nigiri kicks off the meal with a smart nod to the Peruvian tradition of Japanese fusion, delivering dialed-in flavors with confidence. Bok choy is elevated with bold, contrasting textures, while chicken thigh roulade with aji amarillo aioli is simply spectacular. For dessert, sweet potato donuts over a blueberry compote seal the deal.

Victoria & Albert’s (Contemporary cuisine)

Nestled within Disney’s crown jewel, the Grand Floridian Resort, this restaurant is by no means an easy reservation. The setting is intimate, and the pacing is that of a leisurely, three-hour waltz orchestrated by a gracious brigade of veteran servers. Chef Matthew Sowers cooks with contemporary verve and draws on influences spanning from Asia to the Nordics. Think delicate tarts set with New Zealand langoustine, striking “sandwiches” made with venison carpaccio and red cabbage, and bold sauces like cherry-cola bordelaise. Other details like water lists, an ornate coffee and tea service, and a serious wine program further impress.

Here is the MICHELIN Bib Gourmand Winners in Orlando. (Good quality, good value cooking)

Bombay Street Kitchen
Domu
Isan Zaap
Norigami
Otto's High Dive
Strand
Sushi Saint (new)
Taste of Chengdu
The Ravenous Pig
Z Asian
Zaru (new)

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