Great Ambiance at Maxine's.. delicious meals at Maxine's for dinner or brunch.. Very good service, mgmt and owners.. highly recommend

Great dinner in this neighborhood gem - took me a long time to come, but I'd love to be back. We dined on the eve of a hurricane and appreciated the welcoming staff and hosts. Corkage said $15 on menu but I was charged $20, so that was the only negative (still reasonable, but I called and confirmed the $15 price the day of the reservation). Hosts are a lot of fun and servers were enthusiastic and terrific. Seafood ravioli is highly recommended. read more

I've been wanting to try this place for quite some time. I've heard some good reviews, and was very excited to see what all the hype was about. I started a foodie group with a few other ladies and this is the spot we picked to try on a Friday, late morning. I will say that the hostess and the server were outstanding. The inside is extremely eclectic and has a very cool vibe. That's where three stars come from. Also, the Sangria was REALLY tasty! There were 4 of us, and not a one of us enjoyed our entree. The chicken and waffles were really bad. The ladies said the chicken, although presented beautifully, was very dry and hard to eat. The maple syrup was thin and tasteless. I had the quiche Lorraine, which was cold. It might've actually tasted pretty good if it was at least warm. The kale salad that came with it was pretty good, but needed more dressing on it. The other gal had the brie, shrimp and bacon omelette. She said it was tasteless too, and the omelette was rubbery. Overall thoughts on Maxine's is that while the presentation of the food is beautiful, and the overall vibe is pretty darn cool, the food itself is definitely not tasty. Our new foodie group is on a mission to try a different place every couple of weeks. This is a one and done for us. read more

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The food and the staff are amazing. The atmosphere inside and out side we always have a good time. Lots of laughs great food

Had a fantastic brunch here! Our server was incredibly attentive and made sure every detail was just right. The food came out quickly and was absolutely delicious everything was cooked perfectly and so flavorful. I tried the brisket and eggs, it was good. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, making it the perfect spot for a brunch. Highly recommend! read more

Maxine's On Shine - Brisket and eggs - New American Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Great place and ambiance.? Food is interesting and fresh. Cocktails very innovative and delicious.

The service is absolutely impeccable. The food is divine. The cocktails range from delightfully refreshing to complex and flavorful. The wine menu is impressive, and I highly recommend trying a few wines. Every bite of food, every sip of beverage is exquisite. And you're treated with such warmth by staff. The decor is beautiful and intriguing -- I spot something new and interesting every visit. This spot is, hands down, the best in downtown Orlando. Even just popping in for a cocktail is wonderful. I do not know the owners. I'm not getting paid for this review. I'm so serious. This place is amazing. read more

Maxine's On Shine - The bar... - New American Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Food server vibes =10/10!!! Would definitely go again. Great spot to bring friends for brunch

Maxine's is great for a fun, social night out. It's always lively and cheerful. The service is welcoming and the owners will usually be walking around chatting it up with their guests. This past time I went, they had partnered with Goodwill to decorate for Halloween and it was so eclectic and fitting for Maxine's typical vibe. The menu is broad and full of variety so you're sure to find something that interests you. Also, 100% check out their brunch. You won't be sorry. read more

What a wonderful quirky restaurant in the middle of a residential area. Small venue, with a little bit of outside seating and something interesting to look at anywhere you look. Gotta love the ecclectic decor and the art for sale on the walls. Found out about this place via a Michelin Guide search. I was smart enough to make reservations for brunch for us. Good thing because folks stand in line to get in here. Now that I have dined there I know why. For starters we had the fried green tomatoes. Four very large slices of tomatoes, perfectly breaded, slight crunch on the outside and warm soft green tomatoes on the inside. It comes accompanied by some dipping sauce and while different than what we were used to, it was simply delicious. One of the daily specials was a lobster omelet. My guest was hesitant to order it, but gave in to the temptation and was not disappointed. The huge omelet was chockful of lobster meat. As the waitress there was an entire lobster claw and a lot more in there. It also came with a side of potatoes and a biscuit. I opted for the Quiche Loraine, which usually comes with greens. However, today's greens turned out to be a kale salad and since I am NOT a fan of kale I was able to substitute fresh fruit. The fruit included berries, which is always a plus. The quiche was delicious and despite its small appearance rather filling. Let me make sure to mention my mimosa also. I 'just' got the small mimosa, which was more than you generally get elsewhere. I love that you have a lot of flavors to chose from. Highly recommend. Our server was sweet, efficient and very knowledgeable regarding the menu. She made great recommendation for us. The owner made sure to ask everybody how they are doing and if they are enjoying their visit. We had an awesome all around experience. read more

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ECLECTIC is the word that best describes Maxine's on Shine! I am fascinated with the art and colors all over the restaurant. We had reservations for my husband's birthday. Every employee made him feel special! The music was groovy !!! I had Bon Jovi's fancy Hampton Water rosè wine and Birthday Boy enjoyed his Bloody Mary! I then had a pomegranate mimosa- YUM! Quiche was delicious. My husband bragged about how amazing the Lumberjack was! Stout braised brisket, andouille sausage, bacon, bell pepper medley and cheddar... !!! Shoutout to our server Ms. Kathy! Courteous and friendly! (Nice smile, by the way!) We'll be back for dinner... read more

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Maxine's is in a quaint part of downtown Orlando in a residential neighborhood setting. Today was a community event celebrating the joy of dogs, with well behaved dogs, and vendors catering to furry friends. Maxine mingled with guests and, as always, the food was very good including brunch and traditional lunch items. It was a 90 plus degree day, but we sat comfortably outside with fans blowing. Our server, Shelley, was working on her very first day, but Maxine certainly recognized her talent and personality and her willingness to answer questions about ingredients in some of the dishes. Great enthusiasm and so pleasant. We only had one food issue, the kitchen got a little heavy handed with the salt on the steak fries. But Shelly graciously exchanged them for us with an unsalted version. It was a fun day and we enjoyed our visit and meal. read more

This was a very cute restaurant and a nice neighborhood. Sat outside and we had a lovely time. The food is good and the service was great. read more

Maxine's On Shine - Chicken and waffles - New American Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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I went here for the Friday brunch. I ordered the crab cakes Benedict and an iced tea. The reason I mention the iced tea is that it was the best part of the meal. My Benedict came out without any hollandaise so I had to send it back. When it came back out it was just so so. Nothing to write home about. I had high expectations for this place based on friend's' reviews. Sadly I was very disappointed. I'm willing to try it again but maybe not for brunch. read more

My gf & I found out about this place by somebody on Facebook. Around this time we also have magical dining so of course we would love to give it a try since we love trying different things & supporting locals. Our reservation was at 6:15pm and we arrived 5' late so it took us until 7pm to be seated. I don't blame anyone, however, just want to let you know this restaurant is small with limited seats. The restaurant - I couldn't tell if I like the atmosphere or not, but if you're a fan, you're a fan. To be fair, I think the owners make it looks like how it looks because they want to tell people who they are, and what are they representing for. And of course, I got to respect that! The service was outstanding! I saw our waitress was giving her best. Food was serving fast either. About the food, mostly we were happy with everything that we ordered. Too bad that my gf really want to try the chocolate mousse cake, but it wasn't available at the time. Might come back for it! One thing that I couldn't make it 5 stars because of the payment. We got confused, but our waitress explained it. If you're paying credit card, you're going to get charged for a transaction fee. Our bill was $95 (with taxes), and we were charged for almost $5 extra because we were using a credit card. I haven't seen anything like this at anywhere so idk lol if it's right! Overall, I would like to recommend this place, especially around this time, because magical dining isn't that great like it used to be anymore, and they're still serving their items like how they're always which is a good thing. The lady boss told me that they're going to increase the sizing of their restaurant so I just want to say good luck with everything. We enjoyed the time! Thank you! read more

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It's Magical Dining time!! This was the best place to start! I love Maxine's On Shine the service and food is always good! After carefully studying the menu I selected the Maxine's Mushroom & Brie Soup, 10oz New York Strip Streak with mashed potatoes and asparagus followed by a piece of tiramisu. Everything was full of flavor and delicious!! read more

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Maxine & Kirt have created an amazing confluence of ambiance, community and a most excellent selection of delicious creations to choose from. From their eclectic drink menu to the personal visits from the both of them making sure everything is to your satisfaction, you'll feel as if you've been invited into their home for a Thanksgiving dinner every time you visit. It is our favorite place to dine in downtown Orlando. Order the Lobster Roll. You're welcome! read more

Amazing service, great good and super cool vibe! We love coming to Maxine's for brunch, it never disappoints!

My girlfriends and I came for magical dining and we're not disappointed. We sat outside and even on a warm day in August it was comfortable. All of the food was delicious and we plan on returning for their regular menu. The service was just just fine, nothing too special. read more

Great food, great atmosphere, great service, what else do you need! Love the NY strip!

If you are going on the weekend, make a reservation! This is a small local spot that will fill up. Great breakfast/brunch options and great service. The food is great and I've not had a bad meal. I'm a big fan of the quiche!! This unique spot is nestled in a neighborhood but the personality shines through! Art on the walls from locals, sometimes they have events with local businesses. read more

My husband got the duck and loved it! I don't eat duck, but tried the beans it was served on and they were incredible. I got the Chicken Maxine, which was very good but just a tad too salty (and this is coming from a major salt lover)! The service was great, and we got to meet Mr. Maxine who was very warm and welcoming. We love the local vibe, you can definitely tell there is Orlando pride here! read more

We had a fun time at this eclectic restaurant! The magical dining experience offered beautiful, creative and delicious dishes with thoughtful service. We went for my husband's birthday and the staff was extra considerate. Maxine came and checked on us multiple times, she is such a bright light. We are enjoyed caviar appetizers, the lobster roll is excellent, the caprese salad could benefit from a little balsamic. The entrees included a crispy duck, savory NY strip, and a modified Maxine's chicken Marsala (they took off the mushrooms and tomatoes per our request). The key lime pie and kalhua chocolate mouse are made in house and divine. read more

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The Mimosa had more than enough liquor to keep me tipsy, but the food was nothing to write home about. Don't get me wrong, it's good. The sexy setting is cool and I see what they're trying to do. Our server was good but the young lady, Ciara, (I hope that's how you spell it) that was bussing tables was beyond IMPRESSIVE! We saw her alot more than our own server. I'll maybe give this place another shot for a dinner. read more

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First visit this morning for late breakfast and we loved Maxine's from the moment we walked in. We were a party of 5 and our server was wonderful. We ordered a Fried Green Tomato Benedict and also Chicken & Waffles ($18). The Chicken and Waffles has scrambled eggs on the side and a light sausage gravy over the Chicken & Waffles. This was the best Chicken and Waffles I've ever experienced and the sausage gravy was light and soooo flavorful. Even the scrambled eggs were tasty and more flavorful than I've ever experienced at any restaurant. The Fried Green Tomato Benedict was ok but we probable should have ordered the Lobster Benedict. We also ordered an Irish coffee and four mimosas (orange, grapefruit, pumpkin and cranberry. All of the drinks were pretty strong and tasty. We highly recommend this really charming and tasty restaurant.....we almost went back for dinner today...we will be back for another visit soon. read more

Maxine's On Shine - Chicken & Waffles with scrambled eggs - New American Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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Eclectic, sexy, delicious! Maxine's is a local favorite that I feel absolutely blessed to have had the chance to dine there. This spot really shows the true Orlando style that I have come to love since moving here in 2021. You'll find yourself greeted by eclectic, funky decor, an expert bar, and adventurous yet hearty eats. Every bite I had was exquisite. The food is full of flavor with choice ingredients and preparations, but in a way that remains humble. I love the neighborhood feel of the service and staff, layout of the dining room and patio, and the music and ambience. You come to Maxine's for the relaxed but delicious experience. It is a gathering place for the city that I will surely return to as soon as I can. If you are a fan of fish, you must try the most divine stuffed trout dinner. read more

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Awesome place with a great atmosphere! The food is delicious, and the fried green tomatoes are a must-try--unique and full of flavor. Highly recommend! read more

Such a cute, fun local restaurant! I love the intimate vibe. The food is incredible!! We had to wait a bit for service, but once they realized the owner herself came over to apologize and gave us complimentary champagne. Once assigned a waitress she was helpful and kind. Will definitely be going again! read more

Been here a few times but only ever for brunch. If you haven't heard of Maxine's at this point, I'd be surprised. They get talked about for good reason! They have a very laid back atmosphere with a decent amount of outdoor seating. Don't worry, they have little fans outside for the florida heat. They also have some indoor. Parking is street parking so just be prepared for that depending on how busy they are. Their brunch plates are so good. I came here in 2019 and i don't remember what the plate was but i think it was pork belly. I do remember it being delicious. Recently i had the brisket plate and it didn't disappoint. It was flavorful and super tender. The biscuits was sturdy enough to hold the juices from the briket. I loved it all. Their mimosas are also really good....and strong. Don't ask me to explain that piece. Check them out!! read more

Maxine's On Shine - Brisket - New American Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Went for Magical Dining, food was great. My wife enjoyed the trout lox , she is not a fan of mustard but the she liked the mustard sauce on the trout. Service was very good considering how busy the restaurant was. My suggestion is to make a reservation, call instead of Yelp . Yelp showed a time we wanted as unavailable but when I called they had seating. Overall very good experience and will visit again. read more

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I haven't been to Maxine's since pre-covid. The experience was completely different in a good way. We came for Saturday Rejuication brunch and got to sit outside in a "private" patio/gazebo. It was hot! But there were fans all around to make it a little cooler. Our server had an amazing personality and was attentive even though she was super busy. The staff seemed to be in sync with helping each other. I started with a Bloody Mary-delicious and not smoky then got the seasonal salad + crab cakes for my meal. The salad was light and perfect for summer- kale. Strawberries, kiwi, pumpkin seeds with a lemon vinegarette. Crab cakes were delicious, but I've noticed photos with a remoulade that was sadly excluded from mine. read more

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I love coming to Maxine's on shine! The food is always its own experience which is what I love and the customer service never disappoints. Love the fact that Maxine and Kirt take time to greet their guest. Came today for me and my husbands anniversary and got a toast from Kirt which was so lovely and made are night so special. The ambience is also great, such a great vibe. The cherry on top was being greeted by Lucinda read more

Maxine's On Shine - New American Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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My husband and I decided to have a date night before the end of Magical Dining. We had a wonderful time at the restaurant! The location is perfect - just off the busy part of downtown. The ambiance inside was great - it felt very intimate. All the staff was kind, and we could tell they cared about their customers. We even had the chance to meet Maxine! We started our meal with the mushroom and brie soup, which was delicious. We also tried the caviar and chips, which were equally impressive. My husband ordered the NY Strip for his entree, and I couldn't help but feel a bit envious - it was such a great steak! I opted for the lamb ragu, which was outstanding. This was my second time having a dish with squid ink linguine, and it did not disappoint. Their wine selection was also very impressive. Overall, we had a wonderful dining experience and cannot wait to return! read more

What a terrific atmosphere for a casual evening with friends. The food is slightly eclectic but scrumptious. The presentation of the appetizers ( fried green tomatoes and caviar crepes) as well as the entrees ( stuffed trout, Maxine's chicken and zucchini zoodles with vegetarian meatballs) teased our taste buds with their deliciousness. We can't wait to go back. read more

Fun ambiance with great brunch offerings! Service attentive and knowledgeable Nice covered area outdooo read more

I'd heard about Maxine's on Shine for awhile, but hadn't made the trek to Downtown Orlando for it. I secured a brunch reservation well in advance and we went on a Saturday. It happened to be a bit rainy that morning, but it didn't damper our spirits. We stood in a short like to check in and were greeted by Maxine herself! She was the hostess (with the mostest). She was super friendly, jovial, and welcoming. They have great indoor and outdoor seating, but we chose indoors since it was our first visit and it was a bit wet out (although their outside tables are covered). Maxine's husband, Kirt, was passing by and greeted everyone in line, too (including the furry guests!). He was behind the bar later, chatting everyone up. Our server Lesley was fun, energetic, and informative. She gave us the rundown on all of the specials of the morning (besides what was on the menu). We ended up ordering the crab bruschetta with pesto as a starter. It was amazing and piled high with crab. I ordered the Brie Shrimp and Bacon omelet as my entree. It was a delicious combination of flavors and came with a side of freshly sliced, homemade breakfast potatoes, as well as a flaky biscuit. Lesley constantly checked on us and refilled our coffees. The atmosphere inside is very fun and eclectic. The large outside seating area looked amazing, too, and was filled when we left, despite the rain showers. It's a great place to go for a night out, for brunch, and to bring out-of-town guests looking for something unique and non-touristy. read more

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Came for the Magical Dining, opted to add the wine pairing. It was great! The ambiance is also lovely and chill. Would absolutely come back to try out their regular menu. read more

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This was my second time at Maxine's but first time for brunch. It was my friend's first time ever coming to Maxine's and we were both so happy with our orders! I love the décore of Maxine's and feels like it creates this one of a kind ambiance. They also have a super cute patio space but we opened for indoor seating because Florida heat was just too much that day. I couldn't decide between the chicken biscuit and gravy or the brisket but our waiter had said the brisket was a huge winner so of course, I opted for that one but got a side of just biscuits and gravy with cheese. Lucky for me, I had received the last bit of the brisket! My friend got the special of the day: crab cake Benedict. My brisket was just absolutely delicious, as were the sides it came with (potato wedges, veggies, biscuit, and scrambled eggs). I think because I got the last bit of brisket, it had been soaking up the juices so it was a bit too salty but it balanced out well with the eggs and potatoes (I also just love salt)! The biscuits and gravy was mouth watering and even taken home as left overs, still tasted amazing. The poached eggs on the Benedict had the perfect jiggle with amazing flavor as well! We both also got a watermelon mimosa which we weren't a huge fan of. It seemed to lack the watermelon flavor. Our server was also very attentive and gave great recommendations! Aside from the mimosa (which I think we just picked the wrong juice), this place is a must try in downtown! read more

Maxine's On Shine - Brisket and biscuits and gravy with cheese - New American Near Me - Orlando, Florida

This place is tucked away in a quiet neighborhood in DT Orlando. The atmosphere in and out are terrific and the staff is attentive, polite, and committed to being present without being over bearing. That's the great part. The not so great part unfortunately was the food. I'd been wanting to try this place for a long time and magical dining was the perfect excuse. Ordered a glass of Sangria. it was pictured with fruit and expected to be refreshing but the wine was a bit dry and no fruit as pictured. We requested wine pairing but never noticed that it did not come but that's okay. Starter was the Green Turtle Cay Conch Chowder and the Lobster Roll Half - House Roll. The soup was okay but was a bit over seasoned but it be just be that way. The lobster roll was delicious, cool, light and tasty. The main course was 10oz NY Strip Steak and the Chef's selection Wahoo with seafood stuffed manicotti over red tomato sauces. The steak tasted like meat. There was no seasoning to speak of and the temp was right and the meat was tender it just lacked flavor and I probably could have had some steak sauce (but a good steak wouldn't need that). The mashed and asparagus were also okay but this was nothing special, a let down. The Wahoo Chefs special was over cooked and the green was extremely salty. The center of the fish was more flaky and delicate but too chewy. The manicotti was not hot, likely plated before the rest of the meal was ready. Desert. Kahlua Chocolate Mousse and Key Lime Pie. The pie was good though the crust had too much moisture so it had trouble retaining its structure. The mousse was okay, nothing really special with bits of chocolate mixed in that threw it off since a great mousse is a silky smooth texture enveloping the palate. Wife did not finish it. Towards the end of the meal the waiter notice the sangria not really touched and replaced the drink. Final thoughts: 2/5 for food; service 4/5 (a little slow but could have been busier than appeared); and atmosphere 5/5. We really wanted to love this place but left felling under whelmed and disappointed. Also, this is not a chain and though we could have asked to redo items or changed we didn't because honestly, we just wanted a relaxed and uneventful time. We may give it a chance in the future but likely not for a good while. This experience was really surprising given the high reviews. Maybe it was an off night. read more

Put Maxine's on Shine on your Bucket list and go! It's a Michelin Star restaurant and so worth the visit! We did brunch but totally plan to go back for happy hour and dinner another time! The owner is so real and friendly stopping by to visit tables and chat! The mimosas are strong but HELLO!! They are so good!! Pomegranate and cranberry are what we had. Crab cakes and fried green tomatoes for an appetizer, chicken and waffles for the hubby and Quiche (vegetarian ) with an excellent salad for me and we shared a sea salt caramel cheesecake! Every single bite was seriously scrumptious!!! The decor was fun, even in the restrooms and the staff... amazing! #FoodieAdventures #ourfloridalife #michelinstarrestaurant read more

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