A hip space nestled in a former private house off Colonial Drive, Kaya gives traditional dishes from throughout the 7,000 islands of the Philippines inventive new angles. Though pricey, the "five-wave Sama Sama Tasting Menu" is truly memorable—what should be a standard dish, the yam noodle pancit, becomes extraordinary, and California long-grain sushi rice is transformed into a revelatory fried-garlic-infused plate with locally grown squash, eggplant, and lion’s mane and oyster mushrooms. Indeed, chef Lordfer Lalicon, who honed his craft at the famed Blue Hill at Stone Farms, takes local sourcing very seriously.

Filipino cuisine doesn’t catch the spotlight nearly as often as Thai, Vietnamese, and other Asian cuisines. So we love that there’s a delicious spot to try it at this casual restaurant in Orlando’s Mills 50 neighborhood. By the same owners as Japanese heavy hitter, Kadence, Kaya blends fresh Florida ingredients with the owners’ love for Filipino food in a menu that changes daily and might feature dishes like mung bean noodles with mushroom jus, pork belly sliders with puto cakes (steamed rice cakes) and adobo risotto.

No one will give you the side eye here for wearing a T-shirt, but it is the type of place where you need a reservation. Come here for a nicer date night and focus on the chef’s nightly menu: five courses that might include adobo with local mushrooms or fried fish sinigang in a clay pot whose lid, coated with tamarind miso paste, becomes the bowl. If you can’t get in, they do reserve a couple of tables for walk-ins where you can order a la carte and have Happy Hour specials Tuesday through Thursday from 6-7pm.

Now, the neighborhood has multiple Michelin nods, including Orlando’s first green star at Kaya, plus dozens of other Michelin Bib Gourmands and recommended restaurants like Bánh Mì Boy, Zaru, EDOBOY, Shin Jung, Tori Tori, and Sticky Rice.

Rounding out the selection is Green Stars Kaya (where more than 90% of produce comes from Florida farms) and Los Felix/Krüs Kitchen (where initiatives like eliminating the use of seed oils and fostering milpa centers have taken root).

Casual fine dining is the bill of fare at this stunning Filipino newcomer, presenting lustrous and ornate dishes in a funky and whimsical dining room. The heartfelt vision of chef Lordfer Lalicon and general manager Jamilyn Salonga Bailey, Kaya uses fresh Florida ingredients — especially vegetables and seafood — to craft multi-course feasts (a la carte options are also available). Menus change often, but some examples include mung bean noodles with Italian brown mushrooms, fried tilefish with tamarind green goddess, and smoked seafood sausage in spicy coconut sauce.

Other Orlando accolades: Chichi Spanish steakhouse Capa, along with omakase houses Soseki and Kadence, retained their one Michelin star rating; chichi, not-so-Spanish steakhouse Knife & Spoon lost theirs; Kaya received a special "Green Star Award" for local sourcing and sustainability; Justin Levaughn accepted the "Exceptional Cocktails Award" for Otto's High Dive; and Israel Perez, restaurant manager and sommelier for Victoria & Albert's, was handed the "Service Award.

While the owners of Kaya will tell you themselves that this isn’t a spot offering the most traditional Filipino dishes, it is heavily influenced by “bringing the food closest to our hearts while infusing our experiences, creativity, and warm hospitality to expand the love of Filipino food and culture.” You’ll see items like pancit that you will recognize, but this elevated but comfortable menu is worth visiting. Their Michelin Green Star proves it.

Nestled in Orlando’s bustling Mills 50 district of Orlando, the MICHELIN Recommended Kaya is a vibrant Filipino restaurant that brings together the best of Florida’s freshest ingredients with the heart and soul of Filipino cooking. Kaya is more than just a restaurant — it’s an experience that will take your taste buds on a journey through the vibrant and colorful flavors of Filipino cuisine. Discover: Things to Do in Orlando’s Mills 50 District

Chef Lordfer Lalicon and General Manager Jamilyn Salonga Bailey are the masterminds behind this modern Filipino restaurant, Kaya. Housed in a renovated Florida-style bungalow, the atmosphere is casual and inviting. The menu, which reflects Chef Lalicon’s Filipino heritage with a Florida twist, features a set menu highlighting local and seasonal ingredients like tilefish, oysters, tiger prawns, and datil peppers.

Kaya is a standout in Orlando’s dining scene, earning its place in the Michelin Guide for its dedication to showcasing the best of local and regional ingredients. The restaurant’s menu is inspired by the flavors of the Philippines, with dishes that are both bold and comforting. The chefs at Kaya are known for their skillful use of spices and their ability to create dishes that are rich in flavor yet balanced.

Let me start by saying that Kaya truly lives up to its reputation as one of the best filipino restaurants in Orlando. As soon as I stepped foot inside, I was greeted by the friendly staff and owners, who were more than happy to guide me through my dining experience. The menu at Kaya is a culinary journey through the flavors of the Philippines, and each dish I tried was a delightful surprise.

Chef Lordfer Lalicon dreamt up the menu for this modern Filipino restaurant he co-owns with general manager Jamilyn Salonga Bailey. Find Kaya inside a renovated Florida-style bungalow that feels casual and neighborly. The menu translates the chef’s Filipino roots through a distinctly Florida lens.

We experienced their incredible Sama Sama tasting menu the week they opened and are dying to go back to try out their a la carte menu, available for walk-ins at the bar, as well as one of their special events. We love everything Chef Lo does!. Book events and the Sama Sama tasting menu on Tock.

This restaurant is unique because it offers two different dining experiences. Step inside the restaurant for a carefully curated chef’s experience bursting with Filipino flavors and heritage. You can also grab a table on the patio for a more laid back a la carte experience!

Additionally, Kaya — which landed among the Michelin-recommended at last year’s soiree in Miami — has been awarded the Green Star. Introduced in 2021, the Green Star recognizes restaurants with outstanding eco-friendly practices.

This Filipino newcomer offers casual fine dining in a funky cool space. They use fresh Florida ingredients whenever possible. The menu changes often and each dish is better than the next!

Michelin Green Star, which recognizes exceptional sustainable dining that doesn’t sacrifice flavor, to the Michelin Recommended Kaya, led by Chef Lordfer Lalicon

- Rating: 4.8/5 (155 reviews)- Price level: $$$- Address: 618 North Thornton Ave. Orlando, Florida - Categories: Filipino, Bars- Read more on Yelp