Kaya
618 N Thornton Ave, Orlando
(407) 627-9117
Recent Reviews
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My husband and I went for our anniversary. The waitress was amazing, and the food was great. The waitress told us all about the food and what the origin was. We felt very comfortable and truly enjoyed ourselves. Will recommend! The chiefs are really working hard because NOTHING was left on our plates.
Great food, service and atmosphere would definitely visit again
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Finally got to try Kaya during magical dining! It exceeded my expectations. Every person we encountered was so kind and professional. We sat at the bar where Daniel and MJ took care of us. The drinks were unique and refreshing. The food was so wonderful and innovative. The whole experience was top notch and I hope to go again soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Made a reservation for 1 and sat at the bar by myself. Wasn't sure what to expect. I ended up having Daniel as my bartender. It was an incredible experience. The food and drinks were top notch and the conversation with Daniel was just what I needed. Eating alone in a crowded space can feel odd the first few times you do it but having a great conversationalist to chat with makes it super easy. 10/10 recommend the Shanghai Lumpia and the Oxtail Kare Kare.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dining at Kaya Restaurant was nothing short of magical. From the moment we sat down, it felt like more than just a meal—it was an experience of connection, gratitude, and mindfulness. Knowing that every dish was carefully and sustainably sourced elevated the entire evening, allowing us to really appreciate where our food came from and the care that went into preparing it. This rings true even more when we were there to celebrate my wife’s last cancer treatment. Jami was so wonderful to spend time educating us about their food and philosophy.
The flavors were vibrant, fresh, and deeply satisfying, but what made it truly unforgettable was the philosophy behind it. Kaya reminded us how urgent and important it is that we repair our soil, air, and water—for our health, our communities, and our future. You can taste that mission in every bite.
It’s no wonder Kaya has received so many national accolades. Orlando is lucky to have such a special place leading the way in food, sustainability, and soulful dining. I can’t wait to return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent food and service! Loved the atmosphere, too. We will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Impressed by the service and dishes!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is truly my favorite restaurant of all time, and every visit reminds me why. From the moment I walked in, I felt genuinely welcomed and cared for. On my very first visit, Yami came around to personally greet each guest with warmth and kindness. There was even a celebratory toast where everyone was offered a complimentary drink, with thoughtful non-alcoholic options available. It was such a lovely surprise and set the mood for an unforgettable evening.
Every dish I tried brought happiness with each bite. What made the experience even more special was my server, who thoughtfully shared the background and history behind each dish as it was served. It added so much meaning to the meal and turned dinner into a beautiful and flavorful story.
I left feeling not just satisfied but truly appreciated. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The staff is very welcoming and nice. The food is a little overcharged. Needed a little bit more ac inside.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Wonderful date night with my wife enjoying magical dining at Kaya and WOW was I impressed! Amazing flavor of authentic Philippine cuisine and the family atmosphere made the evening more special… highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A five-star experience to start off Magical Dining month! I made a reservation and two of my friends came in from Cape Canaveral on Saturday to dine here. They remember the place previously as the Dandelion Cafe, and once we got there, they could tell a major renovation took place in establishing the Michelin Green Star restaurant called Kaya.
It is a small restaurant, but lively and nicely remodeled. As other reviewers pointed out, it has a very family-oriented vibe with an extremely welcoming environment. The hostess greeted us warmly and showed us to our seats. I'm so glad I reserved bar seats because the two bartenders that served us contributed immensely to this five-star rating. Daniel and Renate were fun, engaging and on top of everything from start to finish. (I highly recommend bar seats to get a truly excellent experience if this is your first time coming to Kaya.) Daniel made sure our waters were always filled and brought me a glass of ice cubes after my first request and had it filled a second time without me even asking. Renate explained various drinks she prepared, the use of various bitters to enhance a cocktail and their Old Forester bourbon infusion process (ask about it!) She kept us entertained and laughing throughout our meal. She was a total gem!
We selected various items off the Magical Dining menu. If an item was no longer available (our reservation was for 8:45pm), she had substitutions available from the regular menu. We chose the following items. Starters - Lumpiang Shanghai (pork and chicken spring rolls with sweet chili sauce; excellent with the sauce having a nice kick) and Scallop Crudo (a substitution, consisting of kalamansi leche de tigre, pear, cucumber and orange. The presentation was beautiful and was matched by the flavor of this item.) Entree - we all three selected a substitution as our initial selections were not available. We received the Fresh Catch, which was Tilefish, a meaty fish in a heavenly coconut crusted coating. It was extremely tasty and filling! A bowl of delicious rice also accompanied this selection. Dessert - we tried all three desserts on the Magical Dining menu. The Corn Cassava Brulee (with caramel and mango), the Halo Halo Flan (which had various items separately presented in a bowl, which you mixed together to make something like an ice cream treat) and the Kalamansi-Misu (a lady finger cake described as a white tiramisu). All were good, but the Kalamansi-Misu with its delicate white lady finger cake, toasted meringue and matcha was the hit of the selections. Kaya also has a Happy Hour drink menu all night Tuesday-Thursday and 9-10pm Friday and Saturday. We definitely took advantage of that and had several delicious rum daiquiris!!
A final shout out to the Manager and part owner, Jamie. She came by to explain the dishes, the spices and sauces, Filipino culture and cuisine and to answer any questions. She can talk (LOL!- but in a good way!) as she makes you welcome as if you are family and entering her home. She is the cherry on top of the five-star rating! Jamie, congratulations on running an outstanding establishment and thank you for inviting us into your world. What also impressed the three of us was the price of the meal. The Magical Dining price was only $40 but could easily have been $60. What a great bargain to try out this place for the first time if you are interested in experiencing a culinary masterpiece of Filipino food. Magical Dining lasts through September 30 so here's your chance to experience the magic! Reservations are HIGHLY recommended, and bar seating is the bomb! Enjoy!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kaya is absolutely incredible. The atmosphere inside is super chill and welcoming, and everyone we met was beyond friendly. My very first interaction was an employee noticing my Kain Na shirt—they loved it, which instantly made me feel at home. Now, the food… is there even a word better than “delicious”? Because every single thing we ordered was exquisite. My wife fell head over heels for the Sisig, my kid devoured the Filipino spaghetti, and the Kalamansi-misu for dessert was the perfect sweet finish. The Kare Kare was so tender the oxtail literally fell apart as soon as we tried to pick it up, and that sauce? Absolutely to die for. I’ve had most of these dishes before, but one thing I’d never tried was the Adobo risotto—and wow. It left me speechless. Truly incredible. The best part? Kaya made my family feel like part of their family. The whole experience felt like being at a Filipino family gathering—minus the karaoke (which we found out they actually do on Sundays!). When we packed up our leftovers, we discovered a sweet surprise: a little postcard explaining Kaya’s story, plus two stickers—one with a handwritten note thanking us for making them a stop on our Orlando trip. Thank you, Kaya, for the warm welcome, the amazing food, and for making us feel right at home. We can’t wait to come back and try even more!
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
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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