Orlando Florida, August 27, 2025
News Summary
Magical Dining in Orlando marks its 20th anniversary with over 160 restaurants offering special prix-fixe menus. Running from August 15 to September 30, diners can choose from two price tiers, and a portion of each meal supports local charities. The event showcases a variety of cuisines, encourages culinary exploration, and aims to promote both local eateries and charitable contributions.
Orlando
Magical Dining marks its 20th year in Central Florida with more than 160 participating restaurants offering special three-course, prix-fixe menus from August 15 to September 30, 2025. Diners can choose from two price tiers — $40 or $60 per person — with tax and gratuity not included. A portion of proceeds from each meal will support local charities via the REED Charitable Foundation, which focuses on literacy and reading instruction.
Key details
The event features more than 160 restaurants across Central Florida, including over 24 new establishments and 15 restaurants recognized in the Michelin Guide. Each participating restaurant is offering a fixed menu that includes an appetizer, an entrée, and a dessert. For every $40 meal sold, $1 is donated to charity; for every $60 meal sold, $2 is donated. Since 2009, the program has raised nearly $3 million for local causes, including $352,218 raised last year.
What diners can expect
Menus span a wide range of cuisines, from Italian and Filipino to Mediterranean and sushi, often featuring local ingredients and regional flavors. Sample items highlighted in the lineup this year include seafood vol-au-vent, hand-rolled sushi, and a flambeed Halloumi cheese followed by Melopita cake at a Mediterranean restaurant. The offerings are designed to let patrons experience higher-end dining at more accessible price points, encouraging culinary exploration among residents and visitors.
Restaurant and community impact
Participating restaurants benefit from increased sales and visibility as diners are more likely to try new spots during the event window. The program also creates seasonal buzz that can help both newly opened locations and established favorites. In addition to direct sales, the event includes hotel deals and arts-and-culture pairings for consumers seeking an extended experience beyond dining.
Reservations and participation
Reservations can be made through OpenTable where accepted or directly with restaurants that do not use that platform. Menus and availability vary by location; diners should confirm pricing, tax, and gratuity policies with their chosen restaurant when booking. Participating restaurants create a unique Magical Dining menu consisting of an appetizer, entrée, and dessert specifically for the event.
Charitable contributions and history
A set portion of proceeds from each prix-fixe meal supports local charities. The REED Charitable Foundation, which focuses on literacy and reading instruction, is the primary beneficiary named for this year’s program. The event has a documented charitable record dating back to 2009, with cumulative contributions approaching $3 million and notable annual totals such as $352,218 raised in the previous year.
Context and significance
Celebrating two decades, the program highlights Orlando’s growing reputation as a foodie destination and aims to draw both locals and visitors to explore the area’s culinary diversity. The combination of price-tiered menus, expanded restaurant participation, and charitable giving are presented as mechanisms to support the local hospitality sector while increasing access to upscale dining experiences.
Event timeline
Start: August 15, 2025
End: September 30, 2025
Price options: $40 or $60 per person (tax and gratuity additional)
Donation per meal: $1 from $40 menus; $2 from $60 menus
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Magical Dining run?
The event runs from August 15 through September 30, 2025.
How much do the prix-fixe menus cost?
Menus are offered at two price points: $40 or $60 per person. Neither tax nor gratuity is included in these prices.
How are charitable donations handled?
For each $40 meal sold, $1 is donated to charity; for each $60 meal sold, $2 is donated. The REED Charitable Foundation is identified as the beneficiary focusing on literacy and reading instruction.
How many restaurants are participating?
More than 160 restaurants across Central Florida are participating, including over 24 new restaurants and 15 Michelin Guide-recognized locations.
How do I make a reservation?
Reservations can be made via OpenTable where accepted or directly with restaurants that do not use the OpenTable system. Confirm menu availability and booking policies with each restaurant.
Are there special pairings or other deals?
Exclusive hotel deals and arts-and-culture pairings are available as part of the broader event offerings for diners seeking extended experiences.
Simple feature chart
The chart below presents key numerical features of Magical Dining 2025.
| Total participating restaurants | 160+ | |
| New restaurants | 24+ | |
| Michelin-recognized locations | 15 | |
| Event duration (days) | 47 | |
| Total raised since 2009 | ~$3M |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Orlando’s Magical Dining Celebrates 20th Anniversary
Central Florida Tourism Industry Achieves Historic Economic Growth
Orlando Celebrates 20 Years of Magical Dining
Orlando’s Magical Dining Celebrates 20th Anniversary
Orlando’s Tourism Industry Achieves Record Economic Impact
Orlando’s Food Scene Expands with New Dining Concepts
Orlando’s Magical Dining Month Celebrates 20 Years
Orlando Welcomes 20th Annual Magical Dining Festival
Orlando Hosts 1 Million Meals Packing Event to Combat Food Insecurity
Additional Resources
- Visitor Orlando: Christina Petsos’ Magical Dining Picks
- Florida Politics: Orlando’s Magical Dining Underway
- WESH: Magical Dining Celebrates 20 Years
- Orlando Date Night Guide: Magical Dining
- News 13: Magical Dining Marks 20th Anniversary
- Wikipedia: Magical Dining
- Google Search: Orlando Restaurant Deals
- Google Scholar: Orlando Dining Events
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Orlando, Florida
- Google News: Orlando Food Events
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
