Where to Eat in Winter Park

Park Avenue in Winter Park is perhaps one of Central Florida’s finest ‘Main Streets’. Paved with bricks and lined with meticulously manicured trees and flower boxes bursting with pretty buds, Park Avenue is THE place for boutique shopping, park strolling, and latte sipping in quaint cafes. It also has one of the best collections of restaurants around packing everything from humble diners to posh eateries on it’s easily stroll-able avenue. Here’s a quick snapshot of Park Avenue’s most notable spots:

Briar Patch – head here for weekend breakfast but expect crowds; this place is not the best secret in town. Everyone loves breakfast at the Briar. The waffles are superb.

Hot Olives – technically Hot Olives is in Hannibal Square (west of Park Avenue on New England Avenue), but it’s totally worth the short stroll. Make sure to get a seat outside – the entire patio is hugged by soaring bamboo trees giving a sense of complete seclusion. It’s open for lunch on weekends but the place really is best at night when the whole patio glows with tiki torches.

The Wine Room – this serve-yourself wine bar has incredible cheese and snack plates to complement their expansive vino offerings. Skip the apps at nearby restaurants and stop here first for a drink and nibbles instead.

310 Park Avenue, Spice and Luma – all three of these restaurants are great if you like artsy but delicious food that can be a little on the pricey side. You’re paying for the great sidewalk real estate so try to get the biggest bang for your buck and arrive early enough for a street-lined spot.

Gurtzberry Yogurt & Peterbrooke Chocolatier – stop at the former for an absolutely delicious (and low fat) treat and then indulge your inner chocolate junkie at Peterbrooke Chocolatier where the chocolate covered popcorn is to die for!

Wazzabi Sushi – you’ll have to drive to this sushi joint but it will be worth every mile. Live acoustic guitar plays most evenings while diners sip wine and nosh on artful and adventurous sushi creations. I dream about their Buddha roll almost nightly.