We are visiting from out of town and made sure to make time to come here. What an amazing experience. From opening the door (Kat was amazing, we immediately knew it was good vibes only) Nika took care of us and was wonderful as well. the food was so good! They did an amazing job being creative but not loosing the familiar taste of the dish. We ordered the Bicol express mussels, lumpia Shanghai, Kare Kare, pork belly , grouper Sinigang , ube donuts and the pandan Silvanas. We loved the cozy atmosphere, the R&b vibe was clutch. The decorations , the piano setup with all the pictures and candles felt like I was at my Lola’s house. Definitely need to come back and sit at the bar! SALAMAT!

What a unique and memorable experience. Kaya lived up to all of the expectations! (disclaimer: I am not familiar with many Filipino dishes, so cannot comment on authenticity) The service was immaculate and the food tasted very very good. The flavors were incredibly unique, with lots of variety of taste and texture to try from. We ordered 2 NA drinks, 5 dishes, and 2 deserts. It was more than enough for 2 people imo, but there were a lot of items we wanted to try. The highlights for me were the Oxtail Kare Kare and Sizzling Sisig. And the garlic rice was delicious. A few notes on overall experience: some of the facilities and tables were not exactly what you would expect from a place with their price point. Also, you basically need a reservation to dine here on the weekends. At some point their website said walk-ins were welcome but I think they changed it to reflect that you should have a reservation or call ahead of time to avoid being disappointed. Still would definitely recommend this place to anyone. The food is awesome!

Undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Orlando for Filipino cuisine. I’ve been to the Philippines, and I can confidently say the food here is truly authentic and very well executed. The prices are raisonnable. They had a special Halloween menu, and we tried the scallop crudo, Bicol Express mussels, oxtail kare-kare, Iberico secreto, and the sizzling sisig. I also had the halo-halo for dessert. Every single dish was excellent. The restaurant is mentioned in the Michelin Guide, and the service matched that level. The food arrived quickly, and our waitress was fantastic—friendly, passionate about the dishes, and even shared the stories behind our cocktails, which we really enjoyed. I definitely recommend this restaurant. It’s not a fancy place, but it has a warm, welcoming vibe and outstanding food.

I can't express how delicious and flavorful the food was enough. I'll definitely be back. It was worth the price and difficulty finding parking. Service was also great. The only thing I wasn't impressed with was dessert and I'm a big dessert person so that was disappointing after having such delicious and savory food. But it's okay, I'd recommend just getting dessert elsewhere. The mussels are so delicious, omg. I'm going back soon just for them! I can say so much more but do yourself the favor and go here!

This quaint little house was converted into a restaurant. So at first glace it doesnt appear exceedingly impressive. But it turned out to be one of our favorite restaurants of all time! The bartender, Tim, explained to us that the idea was to give the customer the feeling of eating in a Filipino household. He + Renata guided us thru the drink + food menus tenderly suggesting some of their own favorite dishes. We landed on a Lumpiang Shanghai, which I can best describe that the freshest spring rolls I've ever tasted. They come straight out to the kitchen to your plate + they dont skimp on the filling one bit. Paired with the sweet thai chili sauce, they were delicious. We werent excessively hungry so we shared the Oxtail Kare Kare. My husband is Jamaican so he's no stranger to oxtail. I, on the other hand, have never been a fan. But when I tell you this was the most delicious + tender, buttery soft piece of meat I've ever tasted! Its no joke. Surrounded by a pool of delicious peanut sauce + paired with a turmeric infused rice, it was to die for! Renata helped me create a Negroni with a Filipino gin named Archipelago Botanical (it was the smoothest gin I've ever tried), the cocktail was phenomenal! For dessert, we ordered the Milo Silvana, words cant even describe how good it was! The perfect balance of cold filling, crunchy flakes crust, and not overwhelmingly sweet. Amazingggg! ** I almost forgot to mention the Filipini Ceasar Salad we ordered. Tasted nothing like a traditional Ceasar salad but it was incredible! The greens were so rich + fresh. And the dressing was like none other, definitely worth trying out. Best experience. A must try!

TLDR: feels like your at Grandma's house but grandma is a michelin star chef! Always a great experience! The service is excellent with all the staff being accommodating, efficient and kind. The food is some of the best fusion food you can try no wonder its won michelin stars. The cocktails are created and paired with flavors that you wouldn't think would work but are delicious and very imaginative. Loved the oxtail Kare Kare this visit. A great place to celebrate.

This is an elevated spot for Filipino food and they’ve definitely exceeded my high expectations. The winner of the night was the Adobo Squid Ink Pasta. It was light, flavourful with generous squid toppings. Sisig was a little chewy but yummy. Crab fat shrimp laing and adobo risotto were great! Lastly, you better save some room for the incredible oreo sylvanas with chocolate champorado center. The team was so friendly. Chef Lo came to check on us a couple times and generously gave me cooking tips. Loved this place and will definitely be back.

Spectacular new fine dining in Orlando! Took my mother for her birthday dinner. The tasting menu was flawless. 5 waves, some waves had as many as 3 dishes. We couldn’t believe how much we got to try. If you’re Filipino- you’ve never tried Filipino food like this before. If you’re not Filipino- this is simply an exceptional fine dining experience with flavors unlike any other restaurant. Cute little place. Feels very homey and the staff was the best ever. This is a true experience that you just don’t get in dining anymore! Next time we will check out the bar menu & more of those delicious cocktails!

Last night, I had one of the best meals of my life. Before saying more, I will note that this was a pricy meal (~$120/person without alcohol, but including tip and tax), so I realize that it’s a privilege that I could experience this. But damn, was it worth it. Kaya is a Filipino restaurant that opened in the space Dandelion Community Cafe occupied for many years, and I wasn’t sure if Kaya would offer any vegan options, something Dandy was well-known for. Once I learned Kaya did, it was a matter of time before we went. First off, the space is beautifully remodeled. They did quite a bit of aesthetic work and, while the footprint is obviously the same, it definitely has a stylish, more upscale feel to it, with an open kitchen, a cute small bar, and sweeping curvaceous walls. The all-vegan meal was five “waves” (as they call it) of food. Much of it is created with locally grown ingredients from awesome local farms such as Sugar Top Farms and Frog Song Organics. The mix of flavors, the eye-popping presentations, the service, and the amount of food was all awesome. I’m not able to walk you through all the dishes, because they don’t provide a menu, but I can assure you it was all incredible. While reservations are required for prix fix table seating, they do accept walk-ins for bar seating and offer a few vegan à la carte options. We can't wait to go back!

+6

Me and my wife just had dinner for our anniversary and had the most amazing time here. The service was fantastic, everyone was ridiculously nice and down to earth. We loved the little touches of someone's home in the decor, from the forks and knives that look like it came from my mom's kitchen to the family photos on the wall. Every course was fantastic. There wasn't anything we didn't thoroughly enjoy. My wife has a sensitivity to shellfish and they accommodated her perfectly without making us feel like we missed any part of the meal. We got the drinks pairing with our meal as well. Everything paired perfectly. At the end of our meal they gave us our kitchen ticket as a souvenir and a wonderful handwritten card. That was a beautiful personal touch. We loved every part of our evening and can't wait to come back!

What an absolute GEM of a dining experience here in Orlando! As sacrilegious as it may seem, I’m a Filipino boy who claimed for the longest time that I didn’t like Filipino food. In recent years I’ve tried to reconnect with my ethnicity and culture and since I’ve moved away from my Filipina mother’s cooking about 3 years ago, I found that it was something that I did in fact miss. My partner and I were celebrating a new career milestone and chose to celebrate at Kaya. Given the occasion we were excited to try something new While experiencing Filipino cuisine in a new, elevated light. We were greeted by Jami who was immediately warm and welcoming. Of course we chatted about family and I mentioned how I was excited to reconnect to my culture through food. Needless to say this lead to a night full of wonderful conversation and INCREDIBLE food. We did the 5-wave tasting menu and could not have left more satisfied from the food and the company. We had kinilaw, sinigang, mushroom adobo, pancit, and ginitaang (just to name a few. There was much more that I couldn’t remember or spell off the top of my head!) Needless to say, the ambiance, energy, warmth, and food quality were unlike anything else I’ve experienced in Orlando, and it truly made my little Filipino heart sing. Oh, did I mention how all the dishes are curated and made with local, seasonal produce in mind? Yeah. Pretty neat. Don’t miss out on this experience. Couldn’t recommend more! Can’t wait to go back 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭

+6

We had the tasting menu that consisted of 11 flawless courses. This isn’t your mom’s Filipino food (sorry mom!). This is a full sensory creative experience - from the plating, surprising flavor profiles, food introductions from the staff, and the picked-straight-from-the-home-garden ingredients. You’ve never had fine dining Filipino food– you might think you have, but you haven’t. Go to Kaya, you won’t be sorry.

So happy to have finally tried out Kaya! Snuck in by coming to their bar that is first-come first-serve. Everyone there takes care of you from the host stand, the bartenders, chefs and more (they make you feel like friends and family). Such incredible people with wonderfully delicious food and drinks! If you're new to Filipino cuisine or not, this place is worth it. I'm definitely planning all the ways I can go back for more. P.s. always order the garlic rice side.

Step into a contemporary carpenter repurposed historic home blending culinary comfort wizardry and friends atmosphere. You will spend with a cocktail and tips minimum $130 to go through waves of flavor of escalating nature. Be prepared to not be rushed, bring conversation and humor with your peers. We partaked 8pm-11pm on our 6 person journey. Arriving slightly early to enjoy cocktail 🍸 My only criticism of the build is the space is very loud inside. Would I go back? Definitely. Would I take anyone under age of 16, no. Squeamish eaters, no. That stated, they cater to allergies or preferences when notified ahead of dining. A new 💎 in Orlando culinary experiences.

+5

Fabulous! I have been twice and both experiences were unique and special. It is apparent that every dish is thoughtful and meant to invoke the essence of local seafood and produce. Wine and cocktail selection is the unique and I love having all my courses curated by the sommelier. Ambience is inviting. Great fun dinner!

+6

Kaya is one of my all time favorite restaurants in Orlando! I've been waiting to post this review so that I have enough time to try everything Kaya has to offer. I've done their chef tasting menu, a la carte menu, Kamayan Feast event, and other special Filipino events. I'll review each thing below. Chef tasting menu: It was a lot of fun and very unique, especially if you're not familiar with Filipino cuisine before (and I wasn't until Kaya opened up!). There were a lot of food, and if you don't finish no worries you can take leftover home. I'm not gonna describe everything I had because it's been months ago and the menu probably changed already. Overall, I highly recommend their chef tasting menu if you're not familiar with Filipino cuisine so you get to try a good variety. Although Kaya is Filipino fine dining place, the ambience inside is pretty welcoming & homie but also classy. You don't have to dress up like the typical fine dining, you can dress pretty casual. It's $120 per person (~$155 after tax & service charge). A la carte menu: I love stopping by Kaya for a la carte menu. They only do reservations for their tasting menu so not for a la carte. But you can walk in and depending on availability you may still get a table or sit at the bar or sit in their cute covered patio area. They switch up their menu pretty often but my favorite dishes that are always on the menu are: Kinilaw, Lumpiang, Chicharon, and any of their Adobo variations. Kamayan Feast: I was lucky enough to attend their first Kamayan Feast! I've always wanted to do one but never had the opportunity to until Kaya started doing it. It was so amazing to be able to see all the food in front of you all laid out so artistically over the banana leaves. Me & my husband shared the table with another couple (normally a table of 6 but the first one was just a table of 4) and it was so much fun! We ate with our hands and enjoyed enough other company and exchange food stories, it was great. There were so much food like after we stuffed ourselves, me & my husband still got about 4 to-go containers of leftover to take home. It was $95 per person ($125 after tax & service charge) so I think it was totally worth it for the experience and the massive amount of food. Special Filipino events: Kaya organizes quite a few special events to celebrate Filipino culture. The latest one I went to was the Filipino American Heritage Month - Fall Night Market. There were so many Filipino vendors AND also other Asian vendors. Many were food vendors and some not food related (like jewelry, stickers, magnets, etc). It was so much fun being surrounded by the community and celebrating Filipino culture. If you come here and love their food, I highly recommend following them on Instagram so you know of any upcoming events!

+6

My husband and I came here for a date night and had a wonderful experience. Every staff member we encountered was incredibly friendly and welcoming. We’re both vegan, and the staff was very knowledgeable and thoughtful when making recommendations, which made the night even more enjoyable. We truly felt taken care of.

The food here is excellent, the chef was awesome and took time to come out and talk to us. The only downside is this place is a little small and it gets very loud and it is hard to hear. The tasting menu with the wine pairing is a great option to get a taste of a lot of different things they have to offer.

+6

I recently arranged a group dinner to Kaya and everything was outstanding. The food is already phenomenal but the service and arrangements for our group really hit it out of the park. The planning was effortless, food was delicious and plentiful. They handled the multiple payments with ease. All the guests really loved the experience. Thanks Kaya!

This place is a gem. We visited orlando for a vacation and this is one of the top restaurants i have ever eaten at. The service was warm, personal and amazing. Our server dulce and the whole staff was knowledgable and welcoming. We got the chef tasting menu and i love how they took an innovative approach towards traditional filipino flavors. The drinks were fantastic! I also ordered an off menu drink, something like a spicy margarita and they were able to accommodate. My favorite dish was the ube flan and kinilaw. The crispy red snapper maintained its crisp texture despite being in a soup. Overall this is one of the best dinners ive had. The price was reasonable given the quality and the portions of the food. I hope they can branch out to newyork! 💯 recommend

+3

Found this on Google map and it turns out Michelin recommended, and it is fine dining Filipino food. I highly recommend you get the “Ube this is so good drink”. Food is delicious and really big portion, my favorite is ube crepe springs roll and the chicken adobo with mushrooms. Desserts are super delicious!! Service is super friendly and owner/chef will greet you and introduce himself to you. I just feel super satisfied and happy. The only thing if I have to complain is each course wait time is a bit long but totally worth it. For sure will be back.

+6

Wow! This place is amazing. Such a fun atmosphere, beautiful interior, lovely staff, and every bite was amazing. There’s really nothing like it, and we will definitely be back. On the tasting menu, from start to finish, I enjoyed every single bite. The garlic rice, soup, and the desserts were some definite standouts. As stated the staff was also so great and passionate about the food. It’s a gem of Orlando, and I’m so glad it’s here!

+3

I love Kaya, im looking forward to the next meal there! The food and drinks are absolutely delicious. Whether it’s a holiday cocktail or from their weekly menu, they don’t disappoint. They have mocktail options as well

+2

Loved our experience at Kaya! We were served by Daniel and Blake and they were incredible! We got great recommendations and the food/drinks were 10/10. We got the scallop crudo, the adobo risotto and the oxtail with garlic rice. Everything was great but our favorite was probably the risotto. Will absolutely be coming back and recommending to others. Thank you for a truly wonderful experience.

Phenomenal all around. My husband brought me here for our 1 year wedding anniversary and we had a blast trying all the new foods! MJ was our server. So kind & every server that brought food informative with what the dish was and why they make it. We did the Sama Sama Set Menu. Loved that you could see right into the kitchen area, very open! The outside area is also very vibey and they mentioned they have karaoke out there on Wednesdays, so we will definitely be back for that! If you like Filipino food, or open to trying new things, I couldn’t recommend this place more!

+6

Amazing experience!! We had the chef’s dinner with signature drink pairing for my husband’s birthday. If you’re familiar with Filipino food, this is traditional with a modern and fresh twist. I loved every “wave” of food and the wine pairings with each were phenomenal. Food is locally sourced and seasonal. The kitchen is open with a full staff that is knowledgeable and very accommodating. Highly recommend if you love Filipino fare or are looking for something new and fresh in Orlando!

The restaurant is like a residence turned into a restaurant. It is a quaint hangout place. It is secluded and hidden from the street. Parking is limited, and street parking may be an issue, depending on the time of day. The restaurant fills up quickly, so arrive early and allow yourself plenty of time to find parking. The service is punctual and attentive, from the time we arrive to the time we leave. The waiter took the time to explain the menu to us, but the ambiance was a bit loud, and we couldn't catch everything he said. This is our first time trying Filipino cuisine, and we loved it. Our dinner was well prepared with many flavors and flair. We had the traditional Ox Tail Kare Kare; it is done differently than what we thought, but the meat melts in the mouth. We shared many appetizers, all of which proved to be tasty. The flan is very different than what we expect, so that adds a discovery for us. The coconut cake at the end tops off the dinner nicely. All dishes are presented beautifully and invitingly. There are many options for non-alcoholic drinks, but feel free to spice them up by adding recommended alcohol content. These mixed drinks are unique, featuring flavors of spices such as ginger, which is somewhat unusual for mixed drinks. That said, they are tasty in a different way. There is a small thing that I didn't care for, which was the red wine. It appears that the pour was the last of the bottle, resulting in a lot of sediment in my glass. Overall, we had a great outing, and we made the right choice going to Kaya. The dinner was a new experience worth the time and money. We appreciate the diversity of the food.

Kaya has been on our radar for many months and we finally got the chance to visit this evening! It is an absolutely spectacular high-end Filipino restaurant serving some of the most unique and flavorful dishes in all of Orlando! Everything we got here was amazing, from the drinks to the food - we got a variety of different things including two different non-alcoholic cocktails (maritas and honey ko - both excellent), a small bite-size pork belly dinuguan slider as well as chicken skin chicharron and garlic rice for appetizers, then wagyu a5 beef jerky, oxtail kare kare, lumpiang shanghai, and a prawn & pork belly coconut and collared green dish for entrees! Everything was so, so good - our favorites were the pork belly dinuguan slider, oxtail kare kare, lumpiang shanghai as well as the prawn dish, though we would happily order everything again. It was definitely on the pricier end so it’s a place you would go for a special occasion, but it’s definitely high on my list now for a future celebration. We had amazing service at Kaya this evening (the chef even came out to ask how we liked everything), and all in all just a wonderful experience! We will definitely be returning!

+5

Delicious, creative food and cocktails, open kitchen, friendly and knowledgeable staff, cool vibe, outdoor bar and live music. Special events.

+1

Another great spot to add to my list of top tasting experiences in Orlando! Kaya is a new tasting experience located in the Mills 50 district that offers the best Filipino dishes and cooking techniques using high-quality, local ingredients. They are a "casual fine dining" establishment where you can taste some of the best dishes Orlando has to offer in a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere. Instead of each separate, individual dish being served one at a time, this experience is separated into "waves" with between one and four dishes each, perfect for sharing with family and friends. Every dish, from the spectacular mushrooms to the mung bean glass noodles to the pork belly and garlic rice, was flawless, with an explosion of flavors and variety of textures. The cocktails and sodas I tried were also unique and refreshing, with flavors like cantaloupe and calamansi.  I can't wait to return, and to see what they have in store for their a la carte menu too!

+6

Wow, this was such an amazing dining experience and atmosphere. Great music and open kitchen concept. The 5-course meal was creative, filling, and delicious. The sinigang was a favorite, as well as the fourth course of different dishes served family style. We had shrimp, mushroom adobo, and pork belly - all incredible. The menu changes based on seasonality and availability of local produce, so you can anticipate new dishes with every visit. Very exciting to see Kaya putting a spotlight on Filipino cuisine and elevating it to a new level.

Service and attention were fantastic. All the food presentation and taste was outstanding. The Chef brought out a dish and talked to us for a bit. Karaoke was fun!

+6

Kaya is truly a 5 star experience. From being greeted by the hostess, our server explaining the sama-sama tasting experience, Chef Lo welcoming us and delivering the first tasting wave, our servers explaining each dish presented and never letting our glasses get empty, and Jamilyn stopping by to say hello and thanking us for visiting, it was all just an amazing evening. The food is absolutely delicious and artistically presented. It’s hard to pick a favorite because everything was so good. Maybe the pictures will speak for themselves. I totally recommend Kaya and make sure you go hungry, you definitely will leave fully satisfied!

+6

Best meal of my life! I enjoyed the vegetarian Sama Sam tasting menu last night. Kaya has such a homey, intimate vibe while still being classy and elevated. You can tell how well thought out every single dish was, showcasing locally sourced vegetables to create Florida-Phillipino fusion dishes. It was such a fun experience to try new foods and flavors. Chef Lo also took great care to ensure the meals do not feel lacking without meat/seafood, he was able to bring umami flavors derived from vegetables. All the cocktails we got were also so creative and tasty. The staff were all very kind and knowledgeable, taking care to make sure we had the perfect experience. The head chef even took the time to come speak with us. The extra price for the tasting menu is definitely worth it, I can't wait to try it again!

+4

Vegan-friendly modern Filipino food in a shareable small-plates format. I’d recommend 2-3 small plates or 1 small plus 1 large per person. The dishes are recognizably Filipino, yet Kaya has modernized them using current trends and techniques, such as turning the kinilaw’s marinade was turned into a citrusy coconut foam. The farm veggie sisig was phenomenal. It’s the kind of dish where you close your eyes and let the dish unravel in your mouth with each bite. The perfect seasoning and pop of acidity brought out the flavor of each vegetable, each cooked to retain a firm crunch. They even added cubes of agar to simulate the texture of pig skin and ears. This restaurant is a must-try for vegetarians and vegans. Filipino cuisine is so meat-centric that in most places the only veg options are garlic rice and pancit. Here, they’ve created thoughtful and creative veg-friendly versions of iconic dishes that go beyond mere ingredient substitutions.

+1

On a random Tuesday night while me and my sister are in town, as Filipinos, we decided to try Kaya. It has a nice outdoor area but it was full so we sat at the bar. That turned out to be the best thing that could have happened. Renate (the awesomest bartender ever) was very knowledgeable, fun, engaging, and just overall the coolest. She special made a drink for me by asking what kind of drink I typically like. What she concocted was perfect. Now let's talk about the food. Everything we ordered was delicious and flavorful. Not traditionally made Filipino dishes but tailor made with a modern twist and the perfect amount of underlying Filipino flavors. The pancit was full of flavor, the cod was delicious (Tanique Bistek), and the Wagyu tapa was soooooo delicious. I will dream about that wagyu tapa! It's a must try. The desserts were great. The silvana cookie is life changing (per Renate and she wasn't wrong). The kalamansi pie was refreshing and is a must have. We had a great time with the couples sitting at the bar. Renate made the experience extra special, extra fun. She made us a round of daiquri shots, let us taste the Filipino Kasama rum and we had an amazing dining experience! Service was top notch! We will definitely be back next time we're in town.

Wish there were 10 stars on google because that’s how good the food and service was here! Truly amazing. With a tasting menu sometimes there are dishes that are outstanding and some that are just good but maybe not your favorite. Well here literally every dish was a 10/10. I don’t think I have a favorite dish because I really can’t choose. It’s fine dining at its best! I also love that the atmosphere is so intimate and has a local feel. No doubt this place will be if not already ranked among the top Orlando restaurants.

Went for brunch. They were able to seat us in a few minutes. Food was delicious with multiple vegetarian options. I had the adsilog which is vegetarian and very flavorful. Bread was amazing (pandesal)-a must have. Mango French toast was great if you want something on the sweeter side. The others in the group loved the tocilog. Service was friendly. Truly appreciate that they put the effort to make solid vegetarian options. The waitress also said they can make almost anything vegetarian. The vibe was laid back with a small cozy interior and tropical covered patio which reminded of Miami. Bloody Maria was delicious. I will definitely go back again!

We sat outside and had the best service we’ve had in a while. We walked in and they fit us in right away. Would get a reservation next time though. We got oxtail and the short rib dish. Food, drinks and desert we got the cheesecake so good!!!

Was in Orlando for a conference so stopped by Kaya after reading about the wonderful food and service, and they didn't disappoint. I did the Sama Sama set menu and then sat back for 5+ waves of delicious Filipino dishes (yes make sure to add the King Crab Garlic Rice). Apparently they change the menu often so I was served a number of dishes that refreshed for the summer. The presentation and flavor profile of the Kinilaw was unexpected while the taro-wrapped spring roll (Lumpian Sariwa) and Pancit Palabok were amazing. My favorite dish though was by far the Sinigang Na Isda with fresh halibut. I can go on about the menu but really, you just need to try it for yourself.

+5

Kaya is a beautiful restaurant that transports you far from Orlando from the moment you walk toward the adorable building set back just a bit from the sidewalk on Thorton Ave. The ambiance and decor is immediately striking and immersive, and the warm welcome we received from the Kaya team made us feel right at home. While they were out of tasting seatings for the evening, our waitress gave us great suggestions for items off the a la carte menu to combine for a cohesive dining experience. We got a few of the seasonal mocktails which were very good (and would've been easier to stir & drink with slightly less ice). Not being very familiar with Filipino cuisine, we got to try several dishes, preparations, and techniques for the first time. It was cool to get to watch the kitchen from our seats and see their expertise and skill in action. Everything was fantastic, and we look forward to returning to try the tasting menu in the future!

+3

Holy wow we were blown away! Kat was our sever and she was so fun and knowledgeable! Right when you walk in it is so beautiful and the food is even more gorgeous! My absolute fav was the kalamansi-misu and spaghetti! Chef’s Kiss!!!! Make sure to make reservations

+6

Hidden gem, delicious food and warm hospitality. You can feel the warmth of Filipino culture even before entering the place. Food drinks and service were out of this world. Worth the stop.

+3

First thing Im going to say is make your reservations NOW!! Kaya was an amazing experience. So much so we returned 3 days later just for their oxtail. The dining area inside isnt very big which is why I recommend a reservation especially for a weekend evening. The food was *chefs kiss* the oxtail was our favorite. the lumpiang and wings were fried to perfection. The staff were all so nice and welcoming. I felt like a Filipino auntie was bringing us into their home lol while I dont have much knowledge of Filipino food to say whether it is authentic or not its definitely a great introduction to Filipino food and their culture. Their menu is seasonal which means it will change but I still think its worth trying them out. Their bartenders/mixologist make some great drinks and mocktails, if you dont drink alcohol. Their set menu for drinks have plenty of options but the bartenders are knowledgeable enough to make you a custom drink as well. Overall great experience, we will be back again!

+6

Kaya reimagines Filipino food, keeping the traditional flavors but broadening its appeal for global diners. The standouts are the oxtail kare-kare (in the form of a terrine), pinipig-crusted snapper, sweet baby carrots, sinangag (garlic fried rice), and the silvanas for dessert. The seafood bringhe and crispy palabok are also worth trying. The atmosphere is communal, humble yet lively.

+5

Great for our group of 5 friends. Lovely outdoor seating. Knowledgeable and dedicated staff. Incredible and unique zero -proof and alcoholic drinks and delicious food for vegetarians, dairy-free and omnivores alike. A true Orlando gem. Already recommending widely to friends.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you're looking for a culinary adventure, look no further than Kaya! From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed with warmth and a vibrant atmosphere that perfectly embodies the spirit of "Bayanihan." The entire experience was nothing short of spectacular! We indulged in the A La Carte menu , and every dish was a delightful revelation. The Wagyu beef was absolutely divine, and the garlic rice paired perfectly with it! The spring rolls? Hands down the best I've ever had—sorry to my sister-in-law's family, but Kaya has taken the crown! 🌟 I was pleasantly surprised by the Filipino spaghetti; who knew spam could be so delicious? The unique Filipino Caesar salad was a must-try, and the sweet baby carrots were unlike anything I've tasted before—pure magic on a plate! 🥕✨ Chef Lordfer is not only incredibly talented but also humble and down-to-earth. Our server made fantastic recommendations that truly enhanced our meal. The entire team at Kaya radiates passion and friendliness, making us feel right at home. If you haven't visited Kaya yet, you’re definitely missing out! We can't wait to come back and dive into more of their amazing flavors. A true gem in the heart of Central Florida! 🍽️

+6

I travelled from out of state to dine here. The food, staff, and atmosphere all blended together to create an experience that felt like a fine dining restaurant merging with the comfort of home. During our meal, I learned of thoughtfulness and care taken in everything from the dishes they served on (made by a Filipino!) to their commitment to sustainability. We tried the tasting menu Pampanga and everything was so delicious, I really had to stop myself from licking the plates and bowls. We also happened to stop by on a night they were holding an event. Great fun with Karaoke and a number of vendors for shopping. There was even more food outside! (We were too full after dinner to try but everything smelled good. Seriously, if you look at my photos, don’t be fooled by the small portions. I didn’t even take pictures of everything because I was too busy enjoying but we were literally so full!) Outdoor seating area was super cute and overall we had a wonderful experience. I only wish we didn’t live on the west coast so that we could dine here more often!

+1

Fusion of Philippine and French cultures. There is the authenticity of taste from Filipino recipes, but a combination of spices found in others. The portions are that like a French dining experience. Not a problem for somebody watching their calories and health. It has won a Michelin Star, so you will know it'll be a scrumptious and upper level dining experience.

Everything about this place is beautiful! We came in on a whim for cocktails at the bar- not expecting to be able to sit on a Friday night without reservations. We were greeted promptly and led to a table while we were told they could make space for our party of 3 to eat! Jaimie, the owner, was so personable, accommodating, and pleasant! We ordered cocktails and a variety of plates from the menu- everything was exceptionally plated and delicious. Being Filipino, I was hesitant about the concept of “elevated Filipino food” but they really hit the mark with their offerings. Renate the bartender was fantastic, prompt service and great conversationalist, the chef even came out to have a shot with us! Our entire experience exceeded any expectations we had! Will definitely be back, and definitely recommend.

+2

I absolutely love this restaurant. First let me start with the service was fast, amazing, and top notch. Both owners happened to be there when I went on a Thursday and their passion and dedication for their business was phenomenal. Secondly, the food was absolutely delicious. So many flavors in each dish, cocktails were also very good and clever names. My favorite was the garlic rice, the kale/collard greens and the flan. But everything I had was honestly amazing. I would definitely revisit this restaurant (make sure you make a reservation).

+4

We had the tasting menu, which they told us had recently been changed to celebrate cuisine from Pampaga, an area north of Manila. Everything we ate was amazing. Every dish we tasted became our favorite. We would each declare 'this one' as our favorite and then the next dish would come and that was our new favorite, and it just kept happening. The staff was also super friendly and welcoming and I love the storytelling with each dish. It was a beautiful, tasty, and immersive experience.

+5

What a treat! This restaurant is situated in the heart of a semi-urban area near downtown Orlando with plenty of street parking. The decor is a stunning mix of vintage Filipino art and photographs. Every table provides a clear view of the chef working in the kitchen. Diners without reservation are invited to wait at the beautifully decorated bar with comfortable armchairs and thematic artwork. The five course dinner offers a wide variety of delicious and mouthwatering dishes all inspired by the owners homeland with fresh locally sourced vegetables and fish. You can feel the server and owners enthusiasm when they present each dish, as they take time to go over every item in detail. I added a photo of their pottery used to served the second course. The pottery was handmade locally just for the restaurant. The owners have added such details to every part of the restaurant. I certainly will make an extra trip to Orlando just to dine with Kaya again. It was a pleasure meeting the chef and owner as they stopped by the table to say hello and to introduce the main course and the dessert courses. It was a culinary adventure I’ll never forget.

+6

An amazing Filipino restaurant with delicious food and great service. Josh and Chris are very personable bartenders and helped make evening enjoyable. It is easy to tell that the staff thoroughly enjoy being there, and that is a key contribution to the fantastic ambiance, service, and food. I will definitely return to Kaya for more enjoyable experiences.

+2

We went for magical dining month and sat at the bar. It was absolutely amazing! Every drink we had was incredible and the food was out of this world. The adobo rissotto and sizzling sisig were out of this world! And since we sat at the bar they gave us free “snac-quiris” (small snack daiquiris). Everyone was a delight and super knowledgeable and friendly!

Had a great date night at Kaya on Sunday! We sat at the bar and loved the warm, welcoming atmosphere. The bartenders were friendly with great recommendations. The NA cocktail was perfect, and every dish — scallops, salad, shrimp, and mushrooms was fresh and delicious. Love their use of local ingredients and composting practices. Fair prices and we’ll definitely be back!

Best food I have ever had in my life! My boyfriend (who sticks to chicken tenders and fries) was so skeptical. He loved every single thing put in front of him, even flavors that were unfamiliar to him! The food felt like a hug, and each dish was so unique. Perfect portions and timing between each dish. You never felt too full for the next portion, and you end the meal feeling fully satisfied. The restaurant has such a homey feel to it. Every member of the staff is phenomenal! Incredibly friendly and well educated on each dish. The chef is very kind and interacts with customers when he can. Worth the trip and every penny! Dining at its finest!!! Amazing amazing job chef and staff! I will definitely be visiting again.

+5

I had the most incredible experience with my friends when we decided to give Filipino cuisine a try. It was absolutely mind-blowing! The atmosphere of the restaurant was so vibrant and inviting, and the service we received was nothing short of spectacular. I must mention Kelsey and Daniel, who were our servers - they were incredibly friendly and went out of their way to assist us in choosing the perfect dishes. I am already counting down the days until I can return for another visit. Thank you once again, Kaya restaurant, for making my day!

+2

I was really grateful to get a table for one in the outdoor bar on a Friday evening. The hostess and serving team were incredibly friendly throughout the meal. MJ and Tim were the primary team out at the bar and were lovely, really engaged and thoughtful in their care. The outdoor bar was a wonderful spot to hangout for a couple of hours, with incredible food, outstanding cocktails, friendly staff engagement, and wonderful music from BJ Orbase. I would come back every Friday if I could! The mixology here is excellent; Tim was an artist with the garnishes and the drinks were creative and well-balanced. I had the Danny's Beet and a second cocktail whose name I cannot remember (probably whiskey or Mezcal based). The food was incredible. The Ensalada was fresh and vibrantly colored and a really wonderful start to the meal. The Lumpiang Shanghai springrolls were a delight with a really nice chili sauce for dipping. The Ox Tail Kare Kare was one of the best dishes I have had in a long time, crispy, fall apart oxtail in a delicious peanut butter sauce/stew. Everything was working in this dish, it was outstanding! The Silvana cookie was a singular dessert, it was so enjoyable Malina who brought out some of the dishes, including dessert, recommended that I get the ice cream to go along with the Silvana cookie, which was an incredible addition! She stopped at the end of the meal and offered some recommendations for other great restaurants to try in the area (Coro was an incredible recommendation!!). This restaurant is deserving of all of the acclaim; an across the board excellent experience which I highly recommend!

+6

We did the Sama Sama set menu testing and it was a great experience. The staff are all so welcoming, friendly, and knowledgeable. The ingredients are all from farmers and local markets/businesses which I love. Needless to say, the ingredients were all fresh! I appreciate the little details like the awesome plates, silverware, and decor. The vegetarian sig sig was so delicious and so was the halo halo. The dishes are an elevated and modern take on Filipino dishes. Definitely a must try!

+5

Hands down, a true gem. From the moment you step in, you can feel the warmth and pride they have for Pilipinas and what the country values the most — family. The creativity and passion that went into every dish are exceptional. The attention to detail, from the craft drinks, table set up, to the plating, is impeccable. And the staff are genuinely lovely and welcoming! Makes me want to work there honestly. It was truly a heartfelt experience. Chef Lo and Jamie made sure we felt right at home. If you’re in Orlando, Kaya is a must-visit for an unforgettable dining experience that beautifully celebrates Filipino culture! Don’t miss it!

This Filipino casual fine dining restaurant is amazing. The ambiance laid back and chic. I thought the design was thoughtful & quite intentional for the type of place this is. The service was excellent & the dishes were each described in detail and also how it fit into Filipino culture. They were all very knowledgeable & friendly. The bar was lively and the drinks were great. We ate the chefs tasting menu which was locally sourced seafood and veggie focused & really good. Apparently, the bar serves a completely different menu and it’s a la carte. I highly recommend this place

+6

My next stop on Magical Dining was at Kaya. This is a Filipino restaurant located in a Kaya is a charming bungalow in Orlando’s Mills 50 district. Walking up to Kaya after you park. You can smell various dishes which has you wonder what's waiting for you. For appetizers, we ordered the Tuna Kinilaw and the Filipino Caesar Salad. This was my first time at a Filipino restaurant, so the way the appetizers were prepared with the various flavors set the tone for the evening. Our entrée was the Crab Fat Shrimp which was very different than I'm used to because it is the entire shrimp. The crab fat sauce was a game changer and mixed very well with the rice. For dessert, we had the Halo Halo Flan and the Banana Cassava Brulee. Both were beautifully plated and very satisfying. Whether you’re exploring Filipino cuisine for the first time or returning for a second time, Kaya offers a blend creativity and hospitality.

+6

Great experience at Kaya! The service was fantastic—our server took the time to explain Filipino cuisine and made us feel welcome. Loved the Tuna Kinilaw (super fresh and bright) and the Pork Belly Sisig (crispy, flavorful, and addictive). Presentation was beautiful, and everything felt thoughtfully done. Definitely worth a visit!

This year, I picked Kaya for one of my Magical Dining meals. They had one of the six best menus out there, and I couldn't wait to try it. The place is small small, so you gotta get on that reservations button early. We booked a table for four, found a couple of friends, and got ready for a great night. Ambiance was exceptional. One of those little restaurants that's inside a house, so it's very quaint, but inside was very upscale. An excellent bar, a great open kitchen, very comfortable seating inside, and a beautiful patio outside. Such a pretty little place. Service was perfect. Our server were perfectly attentive, our drinks were flowing all night long. And the way they elegantly pointed out the highlights of our dishes, you could tell that were were used to explaining a tasting menu. Just lovely lovely service. As for the food, Apps Lumpiang Shanghai (pork & chicken springrolls, sweet chili sauce). These were excellent. Mega crispy, mega long lumpia, stuffed to the brim with the pork & chicken filling. With an obviously homemade sweet chili sauce. Very solid start. Tuna Kinilaw (Hawaiian Big Eye tuna ceviche, coconut leche de tigre, seasonal fruit). This was excellent. Very finely cut tuna, all completely lathered in that leche de tigre. Served with two giant shrimp chips for that texture. Very good. Just beware those little red pepper pieces. They're hot. Mains Sizzling Sisig (Creekstone pork belly, red onion, black garlic aioli, hibiscus, poached egg, garlic rice). Wow, what a dish! Pork crispy in a way only cast iron can do, red onion for a nice little bite, black garlic that adds a unique umami, and an egg in the middle with a perfectly gooey yolk that ties it all together. Best bites of the night for me. Crab Fat Shrimp + Laing (Cape Canaveral white shrimp, frog song greens, coconut cream, bagoong, pickled jalapeño, garlic rice). This was a fun little dish. Huge, plump shrimp, perfectly cooked. Green sauteed in the cream sauce, very thinly sliced jalapeno, for that kick. And bagoong, I've never had it before, that adds that little tiny background funk. Very unique dish. Finally, Dessert Kalamansi-Misu (lady finger cake, kalamansi cremeux, toasted meringue, pinipig crunch, matcha). Incredible. The cake was So moist, not too sweet. The pinipig crunch added a nice, sweet crunch texture. And the matcha added just the right touch of earthiness. Very well thought out dessert. Halo Halo Flan (ube flan, pandan meringue kisses, horchata granita, ube marshmallow, coconut sago, cornflake crunch, jackfruit, blueberry peach jellies). The most fun dish of the night! So many components. Definitely get a little taste of each, and then mix it all together like a bibimbap and see what happens. Very good. Overall, wow! No one in Orlando is doing good like Kaya. No one. Elevated vs authentic is a debate that will go on forever, but getting Filipino flavors into the mouths of unsuspecting patrons is good for the culture, and good for everyone. I loved it here, and I can't wait to come back.

+2

Completely worth the hype as far as the quality of the food and drinks go and as if that weren’t enough, the staff went above and beyond to offer suggestions and were so hospitable and warm including one of the owners who checked on us several times. We’ll definitely be back and will highly recommend it to folks in the meantime. Some of our faves were the ube cocktail, the lumpiang, crab fat shrimp & liang and Sisig.

Blown away! I must say I tried calling and I was put on the waitlist which I completely understand being a last minute idea. The host was super helpful trying to accommodate us so 10/10 for hospitality to her. The bartenders very very helpful when ordering drinks while we waited to be seated both very kind and attentive and The cocktails were delicious. Once seated our waitress was very helpful with the menu and explaining the prefix vs. the à la carte. 10/10 Now the food is a review in its own, everything tasted exceptional, from presentation to taste it was like no other Asian food I’ve had before. You can tell Chef and his culinary team are very talented at creating and executing dishes that will blow you away, the Shrimp Crab was phenomenal with that beautiful sauce that pairs perfectly, and I’m a sucker for Asian pork belly so I gave that a go, and it’s rich and hearty with a beautiful sauce. The rolls are also the best Rolls I have EVER had in my life so thank you for that. I wish I would’ve took pictures but I was too blown away by the culinary experience. Kudos to Chef L and the entirety of his restaurant team.

What an amazing experience! The hype is real at this modern Filipino resturant and I could not recommend it enough. First, the food. Exquisite, fresh, locally harvest ingredients. This is everything you could ask for with any restaurant. The oxtail and lumpia were my personal favorites, but the wings are on a whole another dimension of amazing and are a MUST order. You will NOT regret it. The staff and service? Too notch. Friendly, inviting, and very observant. Hats off too the owners and staff for a excellent job. The atmosphere is also amazing. A outdoor area that is very cozy for dining, the inside very open and modern. I can definitely say this restaurant is on my top 10 places in the entire central Florida area. We WILL return, sooner than later. Thanks Kaya!

+6

My first fine dining and tasting menu experience was here and Kaya is incredible. The space is so welcoming with karaoke nights on Wednesdays and I never felt bad once for asking a question. The food was beautiful and delicious and abundant and the staff made me feel at home. Their infectious excitement for their art bubbles over! Everything down to the handmade ceramic plates the food is served on is curated with such care and just makes me think of abundance, generosity, creativity and family. Don't miss this place when you're next in Orlando!

+2

My favorite part about my experience here was that I felt like I was being brought into Filipino culture for the night. The staff was so kind and helped educate us on everything that we were being served and how it was prepared. All of the food was to die for! Our favorites were the mushroom dish and the dessert. We were recommending the additional juice pairing, and this helped enhance our experience. This dinner taught us a lot about Filipino culture and cuisine! I would love to come back sometime soon!

We went to celebrate my wife's birthday. We sat at the bar. Both bartenders were friendly, knowledgeable, and provided great recommendations. The food was fresh, made to order and delicious. At the end of the evening they gave my wife a birthday card. Definitely recommend for a date night or relaxing with friends.

A wonderful spot for a great birthday celebration! My wife and I loved the food. I recommend the scallops for a fresh started.

+1

My husband found this restaurant on the internet. Since I am Filipino, he thought I would be really happy to know about this place. And he was absolutely right! We decided to try it out and we were both amazed. The ambiance of the restaurant was quite homey and it really reminded me of the Philippines. Every dish we tried was fantastic! They added their own twist to the flavors and paid great attention to detail. The drinks were also great, and they had funny names (which, if you're Filipino, you'll understand). I particularly loved the Ube cocktail I had! The service from everyone was excellent, and they were all very nice and welcoming. My husband is already planning to come back here when we visit Orlando again. Kudos to the owner/owners and all the staff! What an excellent experience!

+2

Wow, we had an amazing experience, super friendly from all the staff, knowledgeable about the food, which was incredible! Their menu changes all the time, but i am sure it is always top-notch. We did family style and just got a huge variety of dishes, they were all excellent and cooked to perfection.

+4

Ariadna Gonzalez

The food was delicious, nunca había probado este tipo de comida y volveré sin duda (sin porciones pequeñas). El servicio excelente, el lugar es pequeño y acogedor. También tienen un patio con karaoke

Ana Galvao

¡Qué experiencia única e inolvidable! Kaya superó todas mis expectativas. (Nota: No conozco muchos platos filipinos, así que no puedo opinar sobre su autenticidad). El servicio fue impecable y la comida estaba exquisita. Los sabores eran increíblemente únicos, con una gran variedad de gustos y texturas para probar. Pedimos dos bebidas sin alcohol, cinco platos principales y dos postres. En mi opinión, era más que suficiente para dos personas, pero nos quedamos con ganas de probar muchas cosas. Lo que más me gustó fue el Kare-Kare de rabo de buey y el Sisig chisporroteante. El arroz con ajo también estaba delicioso. Algunas observaciones sobre la experiencia en general: algunas de las instalaciones y mesas no eran exactamente lo que uno esperaría de un lugar con ese precio. Además, es prácticamente imprescindible reservar para cenar aquí los fines de semana. En algún momento, su sitio web decía que aceptaban clientes sin reserva, pero creo que lo cambiaron para indicar que es necesario reservar o llamar con antelación para evitar decepciones. Aun así, sin duda recomendaría este lugar a cualquiera. ¡La comida es increíble!

Sandra Mc

Sin duda, uno de los mejores restaurantes de Orlando para disfrutar de la cocina filipina. He estado en Filipinas y puedo afirmar con seguridad que la comida aquí es auténtica y está exquisitamente preparada. Los precios son razonables. Tenían un menú especial de Halloween y probamos el crudo de vieiras, los mejillones Bicol Express, el kare-kare de rabo de buey, el secreto ibérico y el sisig chisporroteante. De postre, pedí halo-halo. Todos los platos estaban deliciosos. El restaurante aparece en la Guía Michelin y el servicio estuvo a la altura. La comida llegó rápido y nuestra camarera fue fantástica: amable, apasionada por los platos e incluso nos contó las historias de nuestros cócteles, lo cual disfrutamos mucho. Recomiendo este restaurante sin duda. No es un lugar elegante, pero tiene un ambiente cálido y acogedor, y la comida es excepcional.

Isaac

En resumen: te sientes como en casa de la abuela, ¡pero la abuela es una chef con estrella Michelin! ¡Siempre una experiencia fantástica! El servicio es excelente; todo el personal es atento, eficiente y amable. La comida es una de las mejores fusión que puedes probar; no es de extrañar que haya ganado estrellas Michelin. Los cócteles están creados y combinados con sabores inesperados, pero son deliciosos y muy originales. Me encantó el Kare-Kare de rabo de buey en esta visita. Un lugar ideal para celebrar.

Gianni Jasper Dazo

Este es un lugar de alta cocina filipina y definitivamente superó mis expectativas. El ganador de la noche fue la pasta con tinta de calamar en adobo. Ligera, sabrosa y con abundantes aderezos de calamar. El sisig estaba un poco duro, pero delicioso. ¡El laing de camarones con grasa de cangrejo y el risotto en adobo estaban buenísimos! Por último, mejor reserven espacio para las increíbles galletas Oreo Sylvanas con centro de chocolate y champorado. El equipo fue muy amable. El chef Lo vino a vernos un par de veces y me dio consejos de cocina con generosidad. Me encantó este lugar y sin duda volveré.

Shoutout to the man behind the bar Tim and the whole crew for an amazing service! Everyone genuinely felt buzzing to be there. Had the chef’s special tilefish soup and mussels. Jazz out in the garden was a nice way to round out the Wednesday evening. Certainly coming back again for the oxtail!

visit: sept 23 tried Kaya since you can barely find good filipino food in orlando -as this place was well-reviewed, gf and i had high hopes (we're from toronto). this place does not serve a lot from the menu but specific and tweaked dishes made to feel more, upscale! (filipino foods i dont recall seeing from the menu: adobo, kaldereta, menudo, sinigang, bulalo, nilaga, inihaw na liempo or bangus, lechon kawali, crispy pata, turon, etc) tuna kilawin was good, its a good starter, flavor and all. lumpia was not greasy, well made. they have a good recipe for it, highly recommended. the rest didnt make an impression, i had the sisig, gf had the shrimp. and the halo-halo is.. different! not bad.. but, will not remind you of the ph! decor, seating, was a little.. weird. the tables and chairs arent fine dining but the plating and service are.. so, mixed vibes. walk ins are welcome but place has very limited seating, and parking may be difficult if you come late. they reserve seats and refuse to give them up for walk ins, so call ahead. daniel was great (so was the other guy with him whose name i couldnt catch)

This is located where Dandelion used to be. I came in with some girlfriends for a magical dining special. The food was good, but honestly not thrilled by it; I guess I had higher expectations for the price. Drinks were okay, but sadly I don’t think I would be coming back for the food. However, the service was outstanding.

Some of the dishes really stood out while others weren't super great but they're always changing up their menu so that's awesome. I cannot get enough of the oxtail stew so i hope it's staying forever. The tilefish in coconut milk and marinated steak was amazing as well. I didn't love the mung bean noodles (it had a weird bitter/smokey taste) or the fried fish (boring, nothing special) and wouldn't get them again. I enjoyed the ube flan dessert though it was a bit too sweet, and the silvana cookie was phenomenal. PLEASE try it you won't be disappointed. Oh, and the cocktails were so yummy!

+6

Writing from the perspective of a plain vanilla midwesterner who loves new cuisine and experience, this is a pretty good way to introduce yourself to Filipino (yes, that's spelled right!) food and service ethos. I'm also married to a filipina and have traveled there many times, so I do have a base to judge from. We're from south Florida, which has a huge Filipino community, and were just visiting after great reviews on Kaya's brunch. Our group of four adults and two kids had the brunch, so the dinner menu goes unexplored. The "silogs" are the combinations of garlic rice, fried eggs, and some form of protein of your choice on the side. The crisped Wagyu beef in their "Tapsilog" was raved over by my son-in-law. My "Eggs Imelda" was a seasoned hollandaise over eggs on Pan de Sal with two huge, tasty shrimp which I loved. Pan de Sal is a soft, tasty bread roll I recommend an order of, including for coffee dunking. Also the glutinous rice pancakes with a cream, ube (purple sweet yam) and diced mango topping were a heck of an invention. Flavorings and herb choices are top notch for all dishes! Service was kind and attentive, without exception. The only disappointment was the "adsilog," or what should have been pork adobo but was unclearly described on the menu and turned out to be a vegan version using mushrooms instead of meat. The taste was right on, but that texture was not for any of us. Management took our suggestions on re-labeling that sincerely to heart. Some room for improvement stood out. The inability to reserve tables for brunch made us nervous, as did the lack of menus. They change menus often, so I understand but the fact that many reviews WRONGLY claim the set cost for brunch is $120 made us nervous. PRICES ARE REASONABLE, though the owner cannot change the references to these high prices online. Also, they readily admitted that some ingredients which should be readily available in Florida were not authentic, such as using collard greens instead of 'laing' or stewed taro leaves as a green, orange juice marinades instead of sour 'kalamansi' limes which grow prolifically in Florida ALSO: NO COFFEE! (??!!!?!) At brunch, no less??? Filipinos definitely are coffee drinkers, and this oversight left me scrambling across the street to Lineage Coffee for my wife's (excellent) brew. The free standing bungalow has been creatively and pleasantly decorated with local crafts and memorabilia, and collections of entertaining modern novels by and about the Philippine Islands are within reach...and worth a browse, actually. One of the owners chatted with us as we waited for our party to arrive, and she is extremely collegial and knowledgeable about the Philippines cuisine and culture. I'd guess she was born here, and it shows in how accessible this place feels to all new guests, regardless of whether you know the food or not. Please do yourself a favor and stop by this unique, welcoming, and homey restaurant.

+2

On a quick trip to Orlando and having dinner on a No Meat Friday. Excited to explore some delicious meatless options while we're here. My wife and I ordered and shared the following: Madai Kinilaw - fresh and vibrant ceviche featuring madai paired with the sweetness of strawberries, complemented by a creamy coconut leche de tigre. Delicious! We could definitely eat more! Brussel Sprouts Binagoongan - features brussel sprouts sautéed in a savory blend of bagoong (fermented shrimp paste). Pancit Palabok - Shrimp, corn, onion marmalade, peas, fried mung bean noodles, and shrimp bisque. A bit too rich for my taste. Calamansi would have enhanced the rich flavor. Seafood Binghe - Filipino take on paella, featuring a medley of shrimp, clams, and scallops all cooked to perfection in a savory blend of spices. Great food and excellent service though the portions are on the smaller side for the price.

We visited Kaya on a Friday for dinner. Although parking was limited, we managed to find a spot. Upon entering, we were greeted by the outdoor seating area, which already had guests enjoying their meals. Inside, there was a bar and several tables. We had made a reservation for indoor dining and were promptly seated. Since it was Lent, we ordered their seafood options. We started with the Madai Kinilaw, which was by far the highlight of the meal, it was absolutely delicious! Next, we tried the Brussels Sprouts Binagoongan. While I prefer my veggies half cooked, I felt that the Brussels sprouts could have been cooked longer so that the bagoong could blend in better. It was just okay. Our next favorite dish was the Seafood Bringhe. This is a staple in my hometown during fiesta, and Kaya's version was even better, it was full of flavor. Lastly, we had the Palabok. While I enjoyed it, it felt like it was missing something, a calamansi or lemon. I only realized this after we finished. Overall, it was a great experience although the portions were a bit on the smaller side. Kaya offers a fresh take on Filipino cuisine, so don't expect your usual Lola's cooking, but definitely expect a flavorful fusion of traditional dishes.

+4

I have been here twice. The food is extremely unique though the second time I was not impressed with my meal, I consumed it due to lack of food all day. The drinks were beautiful but very tiny and priced moderately. My meal for one rung up a $100 with an appetizer, entree and two drinks- likely both visits. I was not a fan of the smell of the shrimp paste and I understand why they serve it on the side. The service is phenomenal and this place is always packed so I don’t feel alone. I’ll be back and hope to change my rating on the food.

+6

If you were just walking by, you’d think Kayla was someone’s house. The inside is cozy and you can tell they put a lot of thought into decor with many of them having traditional roots. We did the tasting menu for 95$, which consisted of 5 rounds (some rounds had multiple dishes). The rice and savory dishes course was my favorite!! Personally I think their drinks are a bit overpriced and too mild in flavor. I appreciated they had the option of still or sparkling water. The owner is extremely hospitable and comes around to each table to chat with you and get to know you. I’d recommend this place to anyone who wants a higher end Filipino experience! Def not your mom and pop store flavors

+6

Food was good! But it was very noisy and we could barely hear the waitress. I went there on a group of 4 and we all did the pre fixed menu. There were some dishes we had to share and I would have preferred not to do the family-style dinner specifically because of the price ($120 pp). Besides that, the ambiance was great and drinks too!!

For a Michelin recommendation restaurant, we had higher expectations. The biggest letdown was their new $55 3-course menu. What was included in the menu selections for this price was really underwhelming. All the traditional Filipino dishes that you crave were an outrageous up charge. So just be prepared to spend twice that amount, or have just an okay meal. The hostess left a really bad impression with the attitude that she had the moment that we had questions about the dining process. Thankfully our server and food runner made up for it with their kindness. The food that we ordered was delicious. It’s always great to see unique flares when it comes to Filipino food. The only letdown was that I could’ve eaten my dessert in a single bite. I probably wouldn’t go back again, but I’m happy that I got to try it.

+2

This is a Filipino fine dining experience with a twist. Please keep in mind it is a small place, and parking can potentially be awful depending on when you book. They have outdoor and indoor dining, and we chose indoor. We were immediately greeted by a very friendly and helpful hostess, and were taken to the bar to enjoy excellent drinks prior to our reserved table being ready. The decor is unique and beautiful. The kitchen is open, yet doesn’t have strong odors permeating throughout, and our clothes didn’t stink afterwards from it. The waitress was delightful, well versed, and walked us through our multi course dinner very well. We ordered the top chefs tasting plus the king crab fried rice add on which came out to around $150 per person. They serve their courses in “waves” which is interesting, as each wave consists from anywhere from 1 course item to like 5. This is where is started getting weird for us, as we found pacing to be erratic, and difficult to predict and went from waiting 30 minutes for a little item that didn’t help much with hunger to waiting another 30 minutes for a giant wave and vice versa. We found that this restaurant is most certainly not traditional Filipino, which is perfectly fine for us. This is more Filipino inspired hybridized cuisine, and I thought that was delightful and creative in its own right. The reason for our 3 star rating was strictly because some items were absolutely 10/10, and some we literally didn’t eat as it didn’t sit well with us. We both strongly disliked the sisig for example, yet absolutely loved the appetizers, especially the fermented rice/fish item, WOW. The we either loved it or pushed it aside (probably 40%) and that’s not typical for us at a chefs tasting, and also not typical for Filipino cuisine as well. We will give this place another try, but next time we will not do a tasting, but rather ala carte selections and will see what happens. Btw the king crab garlic fried rice was fire.

+6

Stepping into this Filipino gem, you're immediately welcomed by a cute ambiance that feels like a cozy nook in Manila, complemented by outstanding customer service that makes you feel right at home. It's clear they pay meticulous attention to food preparation and presentation, with each dish being a visual feast. However, when it comes to taste, the experience doesn't quite hit the mark. The flavor profile of the food was quite average; the pancit was overcooked, and none of the dishes really left a lasting impression. It seems as though the authentic robustness typically expected from Filipino cuisine was dialed down, resulting in a somewhat bland experience. It's a lovely spot with potential, but the culinary execution needs a bit more tweaking to truly shine.

+6

Prices here are at a fine dining level, yet the ambiance, service, and overall vibe are very casual. The food was largely disappointing for the price. The Oxtail Kare Kare ($42) just tasted like dry short rib drenched in a sugary peanut butter sauce definitely not an oxtail. The Scallop Crudo ($19) in persimmon sauce was underwhelming, and while the sauce on my wife’s Fresh Catch ($35) was tasty, the fish itself had way too much breading. Drinks were just okay; the only thing I would actually recommend from what we tried were the mussels. Overall, the food is at most average—definitely something you can get much cheaper at a mom-and-pop Filipino restaurant. What really tipped me over the edge was the payment process. There was already an included gratuity of 20%, yet the screen prompted for an additional suggested tip of 18%, 20%, or 25% on top of that. It is completely outrageous to ask for a total tip in the 38-45% range when 20% is already included. The server presents a tipping screen directly in front of you at your table, which is extremely uncomfortable. When did this become a norm ? Tipping used to be optional based on the service provided; now it’s mandatory in almost predatory fashion.

The food was mediocre at best, definitely not true Filipino food. Filipino food is known for its amazing flavor leaving you wanting more unlike this that left you wanting the door. How this restaurant got a Michelin star is beyond me, maybe the one who gave it the star never had Filipino food before or only focused on the look of the plates because it was definitely not taste. Very underwhelming, better Filipino food at Jollibee. The presentation was good, the look of the establishment was nice but it always comes down to the taste of the food and this place is lacking.

Called before coming. Could not get any one to answer. Recording stated go online to make a reservation or walk ins welcome. Was not any slots available to make a reservation so we decided to walk in. Woman at the front stated they had one spot outside but we and I quote “ only have 1 hour to eat because of that spot was reserved for 730”. It was 630. I said to the woman “ are you going to ask me to leave mid meal if it’s 730? She didn’t answer my question only stated again we had to be off the table by 730. We were hungry. So we said ok we will take it. We stepped outside out of the way “because the waiting area is TINY, and proceed to watch the woman seat one party that came behind us. Then another party…… the table we were supposed to be seated at was clear and clean I feel we should have been seated especially since we had a time limit to eat. I would have rather the woman say “ hey I’m really sorry we are completely booked this evening. Or hey it’s gonna be an hour-2 hour wait Was just very rude and not a good representation of the Filipino culture. I will not be returning and would not recommend this place to any one