highly recommended!!! we tried several things on the menu and everything was fantastic

I went in on a late Friday night. I was seated promptly because of my reservation at the bar. The restaurant is already very cozy, but being seated at the bar gave me a much more intimate experience. My server welcomed me and was great in helping me feel welcome as a solo diner. It was also very entertaining watching her and the other bartender whip up drinks in front of me. I ordered: Kinilaw - This is an elevated and more upscale take on the traditional dish. The hamachi was very fresh and the inclusion of the radish helped provide a change in texture. Despite all the fruit, it wasn't very sweet and the flavors of those and the coconut milk worked very well together. It tastes like kinilaw but it doesn't have the same "punch" or "impact" as the traditional one. But again, this is an upscale version and still tasted great otherwise. Crab Fat Shrimp - Shrimp cooked with a very creamy coconut milk sauce. I ordered this dish with the Sinangag garlic rice instead of having it with collard greens. Eating the shrimp with the rice is a great choice since the rice soaks up so much of the flavor from the sauce and the shrimp. Portion was surprisingly filling. Strawberry Basque Cheesecake - This was the best part of the menu! This portion was so generous and the dessert itself was sweet, but not sugary. The cheesecake was creamy and the roasted strawberries provided some acidity to cut through the richness. I had this with a salabat tea. Hot Salabat Tea - Ginger tea with lemon slices and a honey syrup. I loved how fresh the ginger was and it was a great way to end off the night. It felt very good for digestion. This is an upscale restaurant and therefore prices aren't very cheap. However, this is a restaurant to try at least once, especially for a special occasion. read more

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This place has everything a foodie would want. Great seasonal creative drinks, good service and quaint ambiance The place is small with some outdoor seating with a heater but without reservations there was a bit of a wait. You can squeeze in the bar if you don't have a reservation. Great food. Everything is pretty much good here. Drinks are all fabulous too read more

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The ambiance was great, especially with live music on a Friday evening. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, giving it that cozy, downtown mom & pop vibe. The place fills up quickly, so I'd recommend making a reservation if you can, but they do accept walk-ins. We arrived early for our reservation and were seated right away. The service was prompt, attentive, and very welcoming from start to finish. We tried several dishes, and our top favorites were the Lumpiang Shanghai, Bistek, Filipino Rigatoni (slightly on the sweeter side since it's made with banana ketchup sauce, but it tied everything together really well), shrimp toast, and of course, the garlic rice. Each dish brought a mix of flavors that really stood out. Everything was well crafted, balanced, and highlighted authentic Filipino flavors. read more

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Has been on my list for a while and I FINALLY got was able to have dinner here! Love trying new dishes and cultures and this Filipino inspired menu did not disappoint!! A bit on the upper price tag considering we shared smaller plates and the total came out to $220ish for 2 people - but please hear me, it was all worth it! Our anniversary dinner consisted of: - LUMPIANG SHANGHAI - yum! - PANCIT- this clam ragu was nice! - FILIPINO CESAR - was not expecting the floral taste to this but was very refreshing - FILIPINO RIGATONI - a sweeter version of what you're probably expecting - OXTAIL KARE KARE - I didn't think I would like this as much as I did!! With a side of their SINANGAG of course! :::;Star of the show:::: - BICOL EXPRESS MUSSELS, wow delicious!! My husband and I could have our own plates of these, we are already talking about returning and getting more of these! Ambiance was made to vibe with a cool music playlist, we sat outside with great weather and little lights above us. It was truly peaceful and perfect. The attention and service was also very pleasant and I would definitely recommend for a nice dinner date! read more

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Definitely can cross this one off my bucket list ! Great spot, different atmosphere and tastes from other sides of the world ! Really loved the Filipino twists and special items they had to offer from food to alcohol. I ordered the Ube that's good and that didn't disappoint . Great twist of sweetness, light and refreshing as well as visually appealing. Paired that with some spring rolls and noodles and ended it with sown pineapple donuts. All 3 were delicious and can't wait to come back and try all their other items on their menu read more

Kaya - Filipino Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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This is a very cute, very tiny restaurant with outdoor seating under a tent. Our server was great. He was very knowledgeable and helpful. He paired a wine with my dinner beautifully. The food was sort of a mixed bag. The appetizer was amazing. The desserts were amazing. The main courses were just okay. I will probably go back at some point but I am not in a rush. read more

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Came a bit late to get some Filipino bake goods that they serve on the weekends. But we were able to get some focaccia- and it was delicious. Didn't make it to eat as we ate on the road. It was flavorful, crunch outside but soft inside. If you haven't tried elevated Filipinos food- this place is a must. read more

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Went to try Kaya's popup bakery treats the past weekend. I ordered the strawberry hibiscus fritter and the Filipino Cuban bear claw. Both super good and flavorful. I will say the bear claw stood out because it was stuffed! What a yummy surprise and super flavorful. Both were very fresh and delicious. Not pictured I also ordered the Turon cold brew. It was good. I will probably get the cold brew next time. Be prepared to wait in a line. They had water ready for guest waiting. That was a great surprise and super thoughtful. read more

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A quaint space that serves authentic Filipino food and has great service. They have a nice selection of cocktails and I had a very good old fashion. For appetizers they had a diverse selection for whatever your tastebuds might desire. We had the Lumpiang Shanghai. A surprising large three pieces and a sweet dipping sauce. For entree's we had the Filipino Rigatoni consisting of beef bolognese, spam, and 18 year old aged gouda. It was very good. Our other entree was Maranoa Rendang that is creekstone beef short rib, mindanao spices, coconut milk, lime and on a bed of Junky rice. It was exceptional. Took me back to my days in Manila and Mindanao. Dessert was Ube Mochi Donuts. Three balls of deliciousness stuffed with banana jam and a side of adobo caramel to dip in. Perfect size to share. The price was pretty hefty but I think you can say you get what you pay for. Service from the entire staff was on point. Jen our waitress was attentive but not intrusive and her teammates came by at just the right time to freshen drinks or clear a course. Music was a little loud but if we had sat on the patio we would have enjoyed the jazz being played live. read more

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AMBIANCE - 5/5 Walking in, you can feel how cozy Kaya is. It is not a huge restaurant so reservations are recommended. I didn't book far enough in advanced so I selected bar seating for my reservation. As much as I would have liked a table, I did love my bar experience! It was raining so I didn't get a peek of the patio but that is also a seating option. The inside is decorated with old photos, Filipino decor, and art as well. SERVICE 5/5 Sitting at the bar, we were served by bartender Daniel who was great. He answered any questions we had and I overheard him answering another couple's questions about the food as well. He told us he's been with Kaya since the opening and gave us a little background story of their beginnings (prompted by my questions and curiosity). He knew about the dishes, including the chefs' favorites. He also knew the wines well. My husband couldn't decide between two so he let him taste them. Hubs ended up having one before food and the other to go with food. FOOD - 5/5 Being Filipino with a mother who can really cook, I like to think I have a good palette when it comes to the flavors. Let me tell you, Kaya's chefs did a fantastic job. PANDAN CREAM SODA - refreshing and even better than I anticipated. You're first hit when the pandan and vanilla flavors, then the rice milk gives it an interesting bit not unpleasant texture and the shio koji ads a slight saltiness to balance and pull out more of the the pandan flavor HIRAYA (non-alcoholic drink) - I was lucky enough to try this drink. It is white peony and marigold tea, sichuan peppercorn, pineapple, and lime. It's cold, shaken, and delicious. Even my husband liked it and he's not big on florals. The layering of the flavors made it complex and so interesting to try. LUMPIA - a famous deep fried finger food in the Philippines, Kaya's version was surprisingly not very oily on the outside but somehow still crispy and delicious. It is definitely more elegant than other versions I've seen. The filling is well well balanced, not too salty but also not bland. I think the star of this dish though is their homemade hibiscus sweet chili sauce. Unlike regular sweet chili sauce, it has a pinker color due to the hibiscus it's not as viscous as what you'd buy in the store. The pepper flakes they use have a little more of a kick to them it's also a little more vinegary which I enjoyed! PORK BELLY HUMBA - the pork belly is super tender and plated really nicely. I really enjoyed the sauce which was bold and peppery from the fermented black bean and soy glaze. BISTEK (special) - Bistek is a Filipino dish typically with thinking sliced beef and cooked down onions in a soy/calamansi based sauce. The chef did a great job taking a traditional Filipino dish and elevating it. The Australian wagyu was thick cut and still held the traditional flavor of this dish. The flavor coated the outside while leaving you still able to enjoy the taste of the steak itself. The lightly caramelized sweet onions are reminiscent of the onions in traditional bistek but the addition of the pickled shiitake brought a slight sourness that cut through and balanced out the oils in the sauce. I really enjoyed this dish and was really excited to see they pulled off keeping the flavors traditional while will elevating it. GARLIC RICE - Filipinos eat rice with every meal and this garlic rice tasted like home. It paired perfectly with the main dishes and was a good size too split between 2 people. Overall, 5/5 across the board. This is a must try when visiting Orlando. If you're Filipino, you will not be disappointed! I only wish I had room for dessert and to also try their adobo risotto. Next time! read more

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Went here for the first time today and I LOVED it! These guys really know their food! Every single dish we had was delicious! I love lumpia and the hibiscus sweet chili sauce was the perfect accoutrement. The oxtail was my favorite dish. While it does look small in the picture, it's actually deconstructed and put together so there's no bone and all meat. I think the peanut sauce was so good, it can be served as a dish alone! LOL! The pancit noodle dish was also great! The handmade flat noodle was the perfect chewy texture. The chef shared that we were actually the first ones to try it since it premiered at lunar new year! He also shared that they learned to make it from a chef that... well I forget if he was native from or worked in Hong Kong! So the "biang biang" part of the descriptor comes from the sound they make when the noodles are being made/stretched. When it came to service, they were very attentive! I was firstly impressed that they were able to fit us in. We came hoping to get in but figured we may be enjoying a cocktail on the patio. However, we were given a table and were able to get in a quick dinner before another reservation came in. They were very clear about the timeline too. I appreciated the upfrontness with a smile. Every was so kind and happy to be there. I liked how each dish was explained (showing the care and thoughtfulness behind the menu). And wow! I don't think my water glass was ever empty. It is a little pricey but we knew that going in. It's locally sourced, low waste, and food inspired by traditional filipino cuisine. That sort of tag line will come with a cost (one of my dishes was $42!) but I think it's well worth it. I'm looking forward to seeing them (or their bar staff) at the Flora and Fauna event next week. My expectations are high! read more

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Place did not change, still great. The food choices is limited, but the quality is great. The pork belly Jim a is tender, and not the human that I'm used to. It's on the dry side. It the taste is the same. The Laing was really good. There was a slight kick to it. The rigatoni was classic Filipino taste. Sweet sauce. Service Was fast and very friendly. Place is clean and cozy. read more

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This is my favorite restaurant in Orlando HANDS DOWN! The food and service is exceptional every time. If you see something that scares you a little on the menu, just try it. It'll become your new favorite thing. I also love the cozy and homey vibe. My favorite dishes are the Kare Kare (oxtail), charred on the outside and tender on the inside, and the bolognese, sweet and hearty. Special recognition for the collard greens. read more

This place is an experience of epic proportions!!! The staff is the most attentive and friendly group of people I have ever met! Meticulously prepared and served...every stage -from the minute you enter this place! The ambience it open ...you can see the bar and kitchen like you are sitting around the kitchen table! the atmosphere is quaint, cozy and retro at the same time!! Now, the food and drinks take everything to another level, an experience...with every drink and plate! Perfect size shareable proportions! I was full before I could get to the dessert...I am going back just for a dessert round! The story of how and what they do is just the tip of the iceberg...and I don't mean lettuce! A five course meal of divine goodness! I cannot recommend this place enough! OH...and the Garlic Rice.... order 2! Thank me later!! read more

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I was in town for spring break (I'm a teacher) visiting family in Florida and spent some time in Orlando. It also happened to be our anniversary week, so we knew we had to celebrate at Kaya--and I'm so glad we did. From the moment we walked in, the space felt warm, intimate, and welcoming. It's a smaller, homey restaurant that instantly makes you feel comfortable, like you're being invited into someone's home rather than dining out. The vibe was relaxed but still special enough for a celebration, which made it perfect for our anniversary dinner. The food was incredible. My other half is Filipino, and he's always excited to find authentic Filipino food--and this definitely delivered. Everything tasted fresh, flavorful, and made with care. You can really tell there's heart behind the cooking, and that made the experience even more meaningful for us. Overall, such a memorable meal during a special trip. If you're in Orlando and want something cozy, delicious, and full of culture, Kaya is a must. read more

This is the BEST restaurant I have ever been to. Everything was perfectly curated and well presented. From the outside, you wouldn't think this restaurant is as exquisite as it is but man oh man when you walk in-- the service, decoration, drinks, food-- everything tells a story. We started off with the parol from the holiday menu and it was incredible. Even the garnish was sooo tasty. Definitely hand crafted to perfection. We then share a Bicol express mussel for appetizer and I was in awe at the explosions of flavor. The mussel tasted fresh. We then ordered our main dish which we had crab fat shrimp with fried rice. Again, explosive. We ended the night with coquito, which was served in this Christmas mug that had a story to it as well. This place is my favorite restaurant in all of Orlando thus far! read more

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I had researched this restaurant for over two months watching every YouTube video and reading all the reviews. We knew we were coming to Orlando for a visit and made this one of our stops. Reservations were made far in advance and I'm glad we did. From the moment we walked into the restaurant, we were treated as if we were going to our aunt and uncle's house. Everybody was warm. Everybody was friendly. Everybody wanted to tell us how delicious the food was. meeting the chefs, and the owner just made it even better it was icing on the cake . Our waiter took the time explained each dish to us several times even when we asked five times he came back, all dishes were intriguing delightful different delicious and exploded with flavor. The uniqueness of the food had me smiling like we were at Disney for the first time . Eating here definitely had me in my happy place Wish we lived closer read more

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This was my third time visiting Kaya and as usual, it did not disappoint! We got there during happy hour and had some delicious natural wines to start off. It was Jazz & Wine night which made it an even better evening for us to celebrate our anniversary. We had our favorites for dinner: Filipino rigatoni, Pork Belly Humba, & Oxtail Kare Kare. We also tried the Adobo Risotto for the first tome and my goodness, was that good!! We closed the evening with the Silvana Alaska which was also delicious (they even added a candle on top to celebrate us). We couldn't have asked for a better anniversary dinner! read more

Kaya - Silvana Alaska - Filipino Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Amazing from food to service! I loved everything I ordered, just wow! I never tried Filipino food before and glad I did! read more

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Exceptional food with a creative twist on Filipino cuisine. I knew coming in I wanted a full experience of Kaya. I ordered a mocktail and the kinilaw appetizer to start with. The kinilaw was delicately was a refreshing start of our meal. It was almost like a ceviche with crisped rice. Our main, we ordered the Kare kare, adobo risotto and garlic rice. The Kare kare oxtail was cooked to perfection and pairs well with the garlic rice. It was delicious and comforting. My only regret is not ordering another bowl of garlic rice! The adobo risotto was a creative take on a popular Filipino dish. The lions mane was crispy and a great complement to the risotto. I think I would like to see a version with Chicken or pork one day. We ended our meal with tea and the basically a pandan Alaskan. I still think about the dessert to this day! Probably one of the best desserts I've had in awhile. It was the right amount of sweet and the pandan was the highlight of the dessert. Everything was delicious and carefully plated artfully. I would definitely go back. read more

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The food and drinks were incredible! Went here for my birthday and the staff treated us really well. I'm usually a skeptic on Filipino food since my family makes it well, so this restaurant really impressed me! Would 100% come visit here again. read more

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I could talk about how amazing Kaya is all day. Such a cute tucked away venue with such charm inside and outside. The staff is incredibly friendly and accommodating. The food is so delicious and you can just tell every single dish is so well thought out and inspired. The sauce on the crudo was so good we literally drank it after. The pork belly had the perfect kick to it, and wow the risotto with the coconut milk made it sweet and savory and I need more. I want to come here way more!!! read more

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Life changing. Started with the spring rolls and they were stuffed and full of flavor. My friend did the rigatoni which was a surprise to see on the menu but excellent. I did the chefs choice of pork with garlic fried rice. Both were sooooo good. Wish I lived here so I could come back! read more

Kaya - Filipino Near Me - Orlando, Florida

We try to go to Kaya whenever we can. The service here is always really good, and it genuinely feels like a neighborhood gathering spot, but the star is really the food. With their rotating menu, I never really know what I'm going to get until I get there and see the menu. Last Friday, they had an awesome Iberico pork that I just couldn't resist. It was a tender and juicy chop served with a flavorful sauce and some broccolini. We are also big fans of the garlic fried rice. For just $5, you really can't go wrong. I really wanted to try the beets too, but I was so full with the pork that I figured I'd save it for next time. I've loved literally every dish I've ordered at Kaya. Their kinilaw is always incredible, anything oxtail is always amazing, and I love any fish they do crusted in pinipig. I'm becoming a big fan of Filipino food, especially with how Kaya does it. I can't wait to come back for more! read more

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My sister and I came here to enjoy the magical dining menu because it looked unique from others we saw. And the food certainly was unique. We started with the tuna kinilaw. The tuna melted in my mouth, but the star of that dish was the coconut leche de tigre. I honestly can't describe it, but it was delicious. For an entree, I ordered the adobo risotto and my sister got the sisig. I enjoyed the taste of sisig I got, especially when you cracked the egg on top, but I will say I thought the meat was a bit overcooked, and the garlic rice was not as garlicky as expected. My adobo risotto though was the absolute best bite of the night. For being a vegetarian dish, I found it very filling and didn't miss having meat one bit. All around amazing flavors. For dessert, we ordered the halo halo flan and the cassava brûlée. I wasn't a fan of the cassava dessert, but I found the halo halo flan, and the accompanying parts of the dish, to be not only a delicious mix of flavors, but very fun and interactive to eat. Service was fantastic. From the minute we entered to the minute we left, we were given the best hospitality. My only comment was that with the design of the restaurant, I found the tables to be a bit too close together and the overall ambiance to be a bit too noisy. We had a hard time holding a conversation without feeling like we were yelling. I would love to come back though and try some of their other unique dishes. Glad I found a place that is a bit out of the ordinary. read more

Kaya - Filipino Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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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. read more

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Kaya was very welcoming and their staff works as a team to serve you. Their food was phenomenal and I'm glad to have experienced their food. Their Catch of the Day was my favorite followed by the Oxtail. The fish was decadent with an extremely satisfying crunch. We were told that it was broken-down that morning. And the oxtail was mouthwatering tender. Lastly, the Sizzling Sisig, was hearty. Be sure to get their Garlic Rice since it pairs will with the entrees. Congrats to them on their three-year anniversary. read more

Kaya - Catch of the Day - Filipino Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Kaya Natin - which means We Can Do It in Tagalog - indeed did it. We made reservations at Kaya months in advance of our trip to Orlando... it just show happened that we visited during Magical Dining, which is like Restaurant week for about 6 weeks in the Magic City. We opted to try their prix fixe menu, which offered 3 courses for $40, with drink pairings available for additional cost. Every dish was nuanced, with flavors that blended harmoniously... just looking back at these pics is making me hungry! Highlights of our meal: the pork belly sisig was crispy, and flavor depth was exceptional. The crab fat shrimp + laing was chef*s kiss, probably the best meal I had all week. The recognition from Michelin and James Beard that this place has received is well-deserved! Cannot wait to return. Mabuhay! read more

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Pros: They participate in Magical Dining! I love when restaurants do, because that shows their support for our great city. Ambiance was very cute. It was like walking into someone's house. A classy bar, an open kitchen. Very comfy seats. Service was great. We kept on getting drinks, the food was well-paced. No concerns there. The food was next level. Very Filipino, but it was elevated to the next level. Very delicious. Cons: No cons at all. A very lovely meal. Tips: If you're doing Magical Dining, get the fresh fish app, the shrimp, and the halo halo. The best version of halo halo I've ever had! read more

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As you head into the mills district I would definitely say that Kaya is a spot worth stopping by! Although all of their portions are pretty small with prices a bit on the higher side, the flavors and the complexity of the dishes make it worth it WITHOUT A DOUBT! The decor, the staff, the attention to detail in the experience as a whole was above par and the food was absolutely delicious! I think my favorite bites from the night would be the lumpia and the pork belly bites, both out of this world in their own way. No worries though, if you want something to quench your thirst a bit I would recommend the alleged Negroni (and yes that's what it's called haha) because it taste like paradise! read more

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We dined for the first time at Kaya to celebrate my mom's birthday! We made a reservation for 6:30 on a Friday, and were seated immediately when we arrived. The restaurant wasn't too busy at this time, and I noticed some bar seating available for walk ins. From the minute we walked in, we were treated with incredible hospitality. I would come back to Kaya for the service alone! It's a small, cozy restaurant with a beautiful outdoor seating area and a perfectly designed dining room. Between the music and the fellow diners, the restaurant was a little loud at times, making it hard to converse, but it didn't take away from our experience. The food was, as expected, PHENOMENAL. Same with the drinks. My mom's favorite dish from the Philippines is Kare Kare, so when she tried Chef Lo's she was blown away. She couldn't believe how he was able to elevate the dish, and raved about it the whole night. Chef Lordfer stopped by our table a couple of times, which made the experience extra special for my mom! Thank you to the Kaya Pamilya for the most wonderful evening read more

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Went here previously for an anniversary and loved it then. Wanted to try their magical dining menu and was not disappointed. Their PINOY style ceviche and lumpia were mouth watering. Hubby enjoyed their take on the traditional pork sisig and the pinipig crusted snapper over a bed of laing was amazing. Perfectly crispy and flaky at the same time. The calamansi coconut pie probably was my favorite, so flavorful. Perfect mix of sweet and sour. But the ambience and service was also not to be ignored. Renata and Blake were excellent servers and bar tenders, attentive and a delight to talk to. Good job on the Tagalog Renata! Enjoy your trip to the Philippines! We were very impressed and pleased with the night overall. read more

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I recently was able to drag myself out of bed (my partner dragged me out of bed as if I would get up early on a weekend) to go to Kaya for their new regular breakfast bakery offerings on Saturday mornings. Very cutely called Kape Kaya, kape which translates to coffee in Tagalog and kaya which translates to capable. So they're coffee capable, which is great for me because I'm not capable of anything without coffee. Kaya during regular hours is a green star Michelin restaurant, and the only Michelin restaurant I have ever been to. Located on 618 N Thornton Ave, Orlando, FL 32803 in the Mills district where lots of new food restaurants have appeared in the last 7 years. vouch so hard for Kaya and was proven that the tire company does actually have some merit and say so in the food community. The line was long when we got there and several items had already sold out. However, we got there and persisted. The staff and owner was extremely nice coming in and out to greet people and make sure everyone was warm. She also took orders in advance as opposed to ensure no one who got to the front was disappointed for waiting and not getting the item they wanted. For food, we got the hojicha egg custard tart, ensaymada cruffin, the Filipino Cuban bear claw. For drinks, we got the Hong Kong milk tea and the ginger kalamansi tea. Both drinks were served warm, which is nice during this crazy cold front that Florida got. The egg custard tart is a 10/10 and had an amazing hojicha flavor and was topped with lychee which complimented how buttery and rich it was. The ensaymada cruffin was also 10/10, I don't think you can ever go wrong with ensaymada anything. I mean is basically cream cheese sugar filling. Delicious. The Filipino Cuban bear claw was filled with housemade longansia, spam, Gouda, cornichons, and Dijon mustard. This was 10/10 and honestly amazing to see such a fusion that just makes sense. The Hong Kong milk tea was nice and a 10/10, no real notes and I don't think Florida really has anything like this currently where it's a black tea roasted and steeped in milk and sweetener that's warm and not cold. I am probably wrong, but I at least haven't seen it phrased like that anywhere. The ginger kalamansi tea was really nice and herbal and a 9/10. The owner did offer to add more kalamansi honey into my tea, which I definitely asked for. Overall, the meal was about $40 in total. I do believe worth the wait, the hype, and standing in the cold line. Also an opportunity to try Kaya in a more casual setting for breakfast. We even got Chef Lam's cookbook and got it signed by her. She is the one behind all of the baked goods and sweets for Kaya. I was absolutely floored. I'll be back another day! read more

Kaya - All the items we got, including the cookbook. - Filipino Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Such a fun little place to visit! We made reservations far in advance since we knew when we would be in town and good thing we did! Our server was so friendly and welcoming and great to chat with. The food was spectacular, I'd make sure I always visit Kaya every time we are in the area. The shrimp with crab butter is to die for! read more

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Service, ambiance, food, presentation, quality...attention to detail always 10/10. I cannot recommend this place enough. Some of my favs were the lumpia, oxtail tostada and crispy fish. Absolutely Delicious!!!! read more

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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. read more

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The food was delicious!! The servers were very friendly and enthusiastic :) the Filipino rigatoni was good! It's sweet because of the banana ketchup, which isn't my preference so I probably wouldn't get it again. The mussels themselves were nothing special to me but the bread was amazing!!! I would order that bread alone! The oxtail kare kare was nice and tender. The peanut sauce is not my favorite but I still enjoyed. The dessert was incredible! I would definitely get it again. It's pretty sweet but all those textures together is so good!!! I loved the pandan milk read more

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Such a wonderful place to celebrate my birthday. Had a cool vibe, wonderful service, and super delicious Filipino food. We're no stranger to Filipino food having had it many times and this has been the very best. True attention to balancing tangy, salty, and sweet. Our standout favorites from the dishes we had were the pork sisig, the pancit (complex flavors and varied textures), the lumpia, and the strawberry dessert. We were not disappointed by anything we ordered...all so good. Recommend making a reservations far in advance, but it's worth the wait! The Kaya team is truly talented and special. Recommend bringing them a bottle for the kitchen and front of house staff like we did, they deserve it! read more

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Last night, I had the absolute pleasure of dining at Michelin star restaurant, Kaya. From the moment I walked in, I felt immediately at ease. The hostess was so kind and thoughtful especially in the way she chose my seat at the bar, just so I can have a view of the kitchen. I became quick friends with the bartender, Brennan? (i am so so sorry if that's not your name, I am TERRIBLE with names), he's such a sweet guy and very knowledgeable on the happenings of Orlando :) I started off with the Otso Otso, which is a very refreshing cocktail and you can taste the coconut lightly. The appetizer I chose was the Lumpia, very crispy and the meat inside was seasoned perfectly! The dipping sauce was fragrant and complimented the lumpia nicely. I then proceeded to the Crab Fat Shrimp! & OMG! THE BEST THING IVE PUT INTO MY MOUTH ALL YEAR! The sweetness of the corn danced on my tongue!!!!!! I finished off with the Halo Halo, & typically i'm not a fan, but this one. This one was SO SO GOOD! the lil meringue bites were so light and airy. The coconut sago was delicious and the cornflakes were such a nice touch. Kaya is well worth the money. The food is locally sourced and made with intention. You can taste it in every bite. 10/10, I can't wait to eat here again! read more

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