It’s well-known that theme parks and Orlando are inextricably linked and, yes, if it wasn’t for Disney, an Eater Essential list for Orlando would be, well, it wouldn’t be. Nearly a quarter century ago, Disney made a conscious effort to offer tourists and Orlandoans alike fare a notch above the middling meals served at Olive Garden and Bennigan’s. They nurtured home-grown chefs and fostered a culture that, in the ensuing years, allowed Orlando’s restaurant scene to thrive and expand beyond the parks. Independent, chef-run boîtes and bistros added a layer of diversity; celeb cooks from Emeril to Morimoto brought a little glam; and Gen Xers and Millennials challenged Orlando’s culinarians to innovate.

This list is a reflection of all that Orlando has to offer – the legacy restaurants that legitimized the food scene, and those that helped give it some distinction. It’s a list across all price ranges, styles and neighborhoods, but one thing these restaurants all have in common is that the food-conscious denizens of Central Florida hold them in high regard.

New to the list this season are 1921 Mount Dora, Cress Restaurant, Highball & Harvest, Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Café, and Reyes Mezcaleria, while California Grill, Lee & Rick’s Oyster Bar, Norman’s, Rusty Spoon, and Viet Garden have departed.

Looking for the fresh faces on Orlando’s ever-evolving restaurant scene? Find them on the heatmap.

Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.