Lamp & Shade Craft Kitchen and Cocktails

I dine often around the world and haven’t been as impressed with a restaurant in a while. Lamp & Shade is a perfect addition to the Orlando dining scene. There are lots of options for seating whether you sit at the bar, a table for two or lounge with a group. It has a great vibe and good music. Our server, Gabe, was so knowledgeable on the menu, it’s detailed ingredients and recommendations.

I started with the Mezcal Cocktail, Under The Same Sun. It was nice and smoky. We chose two apps from the HH menu (M-F 4-6p) - Duck Dumpling and Chili Bomb Hummus. They were both recs of Gabe and both excellent. I, especially, loved the red sauce in the hummus. We also ordered two tapas from the hot choices and two from the cold - Hasselback Potatoes, Squid Ink Calamari (I haven’t had a squid ink dish since visiting Croatia), Beet Salad and Jack’s Crispy Rice (delicious use of jackfruit). All were divine and had a great blend of flavors. I’m so impressed with the chef, Ryan Stewart, and team that create the menu. There were many Google review recs for the Japanese Purple Sweet Potato Cheesecake but since I’ve had ube many times and the Castella Cake was recommended by our server, we tried that instead. It’s a dense cake and the caramel ice cream combined with chocolate melts in your mouth.

They also serve brunch on Saturdays and Sundays so I’ll definitely be back to try that and the Tomahawk!

Edited to add the mussels in green curry (definitely sop up the sauce with bread) and the caesar salad bites that were both incredibly delicious.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This is a great place to visit if you are a small party. The food and drinks are great, and the restaurant is pretty. However, I STRONGLY advise you do not make large party reservations here.

I booked a party of 15 for my birthday over a month in advance. A little closer towards the date, I emailed them and changed the headcount to 19. I was told the tables would be a little separated due to the bigger party, which was totally fine. In my head, that sounds like it would be the two big high tops with space between for the server to pass through. I thought wrong…we got there and the tables were literally on opposite sides of the restaurant. Not to mention, a single high top had no way of comfortably seating 15 people alone, so this totally would have been the outcome regardless of the party size increase.

It ended up only being 17 people in my party, and we tried working with the manager and server to have them moved closer together. They moved them, but still extremely far apart for one party. The most frustrating part was that there was a party of 25 booked right next to us on a bunch of couches and lounge chairs. The server said if that party wasn’t there, they could probably shift the couches and have our tables pushed together.

What is a small restaurant doing booking two giant parties on the same night? It’s not that large of a space, so I’m a little confused as to why they thought that would work. Not to mention, the other party was preying on our tables so they could use them after we paid our bills and left.

Me and my friends are all positive and energetic, so we made the most of it. If I had my parents or older family members there, this wouldn’t have worked at all. I have no regrets because my birthday was spent around people I love, but they really should have declined my request to make a reservation of that size.

Again, it’s a great restaurant. But they need to either buy different furniture to arrange and chuck the couches, or learn to say no to big parties. There’s just no way it will work.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Caesar Salad Bites

I really enjoyed the atmosphere. It was a very cheerful experience. There were a lot of couples having a romantic dinner. The food was amazing. Our server Gabe she was outstanding. I recommend going there early before 6 o’clock to find parking. The parking is a little tough. There is a valet there to take advantage of which is what I did, but there is limited parking.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I tend to think that one of the primary reasons restaurants fail is poor customer service. My husband and I stopped in at 6:30pm on a Saturday night, and more than half of the restaurant was empty. We stated table for two please and also communicated that we didn’t have reservations. The host literally looked around and said they had no availability until 9:30pm. I said even with all the empty tables? She said yes. The whole experience was off-putting, especially since reservations get cancelled regularly. Needless-to-say, I am not interested in trying the restaurant, and will not return. If you decide too, even though nowhere does it state that reservations are required, I would suggest making one…

Service: 1

Nice spot. Super chill. Good food. Service was perfect. Thanks Nina.

The whole team came by to keep the table clean and run food.

No one was fake or salesy.

Good vibe.

(the pens sucked - that is my only negative) ?

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Stone Fried Rice, Castella Cake, Fried Rice with Egg, Spicy Noodles, Caesar Salad Bites, La Short Ribs

I’m a fan! So far I’ve tried the brunch and dinner menus. Dinner is my fave. The Sushi squares and Caesar salad bites are so good. Teddy was our waiter and was so nice and personable. He was patient and thoroughly explained anything we asked about. I’ll be back to try some additional things on the menu.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Caesar Salad Bites, Hasselback Potatoes, Squid Ink Calamari

Overall great experience. Service was great and quick. Staff recommended great food options. Went when DJ was present and I was extremely hard to hear. Would go again.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

We had a lovely cheesecake and cocktails on date night. The customer service stood out for being so attentive, upbeat and friendly. The venue is beautiful. Love our cool Mills50 neighborhood and can’t wait to return.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great vibes n DJ, best bartender Amanda! They gotta make the Holy Trinity drink permanent on the menu!

Excellent food and atmosphere! Amanda, the bartender, was amazing—friendly, sweet, and attentive. Please bring back the Holy Trinity on the menu!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Just wow. Finally a consistent posh place that is a guaranteed for a first date.
Service was amazing, food spectacular and well presented, cocktails balanced and creative.
Beautiful colorful and open atmosphere

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I went to Lamp & Shade last night with girlfriends and it was overall a 10/10. The menu is pretty extensive and is all tapas style as well. We ordered the caesar salad bites, squid ink calamari, burrata, carrots, hasselback potatoes and the spicy noodles. I would absolutely eat everything again - especially the carrots, burrata and caesar salad bites as do not miss items! The spicy noodles had good flavor and were spicy but overall everyone agreed the texture of the glass noodles were not for us - they are softer and although it was still good, that's an item I wouldn't miss.

We went at 5PM and stayed until 7:30PM and the vibe kept getting better as it got later and the sun went down. They have a bar area and different styles of tables (booths, high tops, low tables and I believe a few conversation type seating) plus a couple of TVs so earlier in the day we were able to catch some college football (without sound of course).

Service was excellent as well and we had several servers that seemed to be working together so at no point did we feel unattended to.

If you have not been here, it's a must try!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Bruschetta, Caesar Salad Bites, Hasselback Potatoes

Lamp and Shade is honestly one of the best new places in the area. Can we talk about the Caesar salad bites? I mean when you know you know. In all seriousness, this restaurant is all the things. Great ambiance, service, consistency in food and drink quality and just all around great people.

I would encourage you to also consider Lamp and Shade for catering and events. We have worked together now twice on events with the team they they just know how to do it!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Stone Fried Rice, Caesar Salad Bites, Shiitake Risotto, Deviled Eggs

Hidden gem in Orlando,I recommend ?

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

For a first time this place had a lovely atmosphere and great service. Savannah and Mindy were amazing!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5