The Strand

Our experience at the Strand was spectacular! While the interior is a bit small, it is furnished very well. Not too cramped and plenty of room to breathe. We didn't feel like we were overwhelmed with conversations of other guests. The music wasn't too loud and the sound of the kitchen cooking food for the guests was the perfect white noise to complete the ambience. While we waited for our food we ordered the Aperol Spritz, which was a good classic cocktail for our evening. Not as bitter as we were expecting with more focus on the citrus flavor and very enjoyable. We ordered the Creole Barbecue Shrimp for our appetizer. Everything about this item was phenomenal and it left us wanting more. We would love to learn how to make something similar for a meal at home. The gnocchi patty on the bottom is complimented very well with the sauce and the shrimp was seasoned to perfection. For our entrees we ordered the Seared Duck Breast and the Demi-glazed Short Rib special they had at the time. Our favorite of the two was the short rib which melted in our mouths. The duck was good as well and the sauce with both meals was what completed the experience. Whoever makes the sauces for the food items definitely knows what they are doing to ensure a proper pairing with each dish. To finish off our meal, we ordered the Tiramisu. We were expecting a more coffee-forward flavor but were pleasantly surprised when it had more of a focus on chocolate and hazelnut. The ladyfingers/breading wasn't too soaked and everything about this item was layered to perfection. One of the best tiramisus we have ever had! Our server Nick was phenomenal. He wasn't too overbearing and gave us plenty of time between check-ins. He was very knowledgeable of the menu and gave great recommendations. We look forward to coming back here again!

Excellent meal all around. Oysters, pork belly, snapper cakes, coffee rub new york strip, beef short rib... all fantastic. Service was attentive and friendly, loved the intimate atmosphere.

The Strand Orlando is a lovely neighborhood restaurant. Beyond the unassuming exterior awaits a cozy, intimate, relaxed dining environment. The staff are all friendly and attentive and the open kitchen allows you to see the kitchen team working non-stop to keep the delicious dishes of food coming. The pricing is reasonable and the menu offers a nice array of options to choose from. The restaurant did not have any reservations available on a Thursday evening, but they reserve the bar for walk-ins. I was seated quickly at the last remaining bar seat and quickly greeted by Kristen, who was a lovely server who provided an excellent review of the menu. The Old Fashioned was a solid accompaniment to the first course and the Jouves & Croisille Malbec de Soif Cahors was an excellent companion to the NY Strip. The food was outstanding. The Pasta Nero (housemade squid-ink past served cold with chunks of crab meat, fried scallions, and a creamy truffle sauce) was a unique entry point into the meal, all of the flavors really came together well in a creamy, earthy, combination. The coffee rubbed NY Strip was excellent, the coffee ground crust providing a textural and flavor component to a perfectly cooked steak. The pickled Zucchini provided a bit of acidity to complement the steak, while the aioli clad patatas bravas provided a starchy, roasted, creamy counterpoint. The Tres Leches was a lovely finish to the meal and stood out as one of the more interesting flavor combinations in a dessert in recent meals out. The passion fruit is sort of a syrup covering a creamy, moist Tres Leches cake, with crushed macademia nuts offering a nutty counterpoint to the habanero dust offers just the right amount of heat. All of the flavors came together in a delightful way to end a wonderful dining experience. Highly recommend The Strand for a nice evening out in Orlando - based on the reservation availability, probably important to plan ahead.

The Strand is located on the corner of Mills Ave and Park Lake St, where arriving early to find parking is definitely ideal. We got lucky with a curbside spot not even a block away and arrived at the restaurant about 10 minutes before our 5pm reservation. The doors were locked and did not open until a minute or two after 5pm; but once inside, we were were greeted by the friendly team and sat at a comfortable spot a few seats away from the entrance. It's a relatively small dining room that's got a great ambiance and decor. They might benefit from additional shades or screens for when the sun is starting to go down as it comes right in the glass doors and windows. We ordered several dishes to share including the pasta nero, mushroom burrata, and fish and short rib specials and found everything to be prepared well. Some of the flavors felt a little on the "safe" side for a Bib Gourmand restaurant, but that is really more a matter of personal preference and not a criticism. The only critique would be that the polenta for the short ribs was congealed rather than creamy. Otherwise, this is definitely a reliable and high-quality establishment, where you can trust that anything you try is going to be well worth it. We will be back to try more in the future!

A Perfect Evening at The Strand – Incredible Food, Service & Atmosphere We had an absolutely fantastic night at The Strand on a double date, and it was everything we could have hoped for—elevated yet welcoming, with an effortlessly cool atmosphere and top-notch service. We started with a round of small plates, each one better than the last. The snapper cakes were perfectly crisp on the outside and tender inside, packed with fresh flavor. The scallop crudo was delicate and bright, beautifully balanced with citrus and a touch of heat. The Brussels & apple salad was a refreshing surprise—crunchy, tangy, and just the right amount of sweetness. And the pate? Silky, rich, and expertly paired with accompaniments that made every bite exciting. For mains, each couple shared the snapper and the duck, and we were blown away. The snapper was cooked to perfection, flaky and flavorful with a vibrant sauce that tied everything together. The duck was equally impressive—tender, deeply savory, and beautifully plated. We couldn’t resist trying all three desserts, and wow—The Strand absolutely nails the sweet endings. Each one was thoughtfully composed and absolutely delicious, the kind of desserts you want to savor every bite of. From start to finish, the service was warm and attentive without being overbearing, and the energy of the space made for an effortlessly enjoyable night. The Strand is the kind of place that makes you want to come back again and again—thoughtful, delicious, and completely unpretentious. Can’t wait for our next visit!

There’s nothing bland about The Strand. This is easily one of best restaurants in the burgeoning Mills50 food corridor - and maybe one of the best kept secrets in the Orlando cuisine scene. First thing about The Strand is the atmosphere. This is an unassuming, almost minimalist joint with simple decor and a homey, “come-on-in-neighbor” feel. The bar is a little tight, but we’ve eaten at it before and had some great banter with the staff. The apps were incredible. We had these fried mushrooms that were simply from another planet, and pork bellies that swelled with crispy goodness. The service was amazing. Paul, our waiter, locked down the specials with deft delivery - and they were an easy sell. We had the shortribs and the yellowtail, and both were fantastic. The fish was accompanied by a coconut rice and was drizzled with a light curry sauce that will make your toes curl. Prices are a little on the high side, and exacerbated if you hit the cocktail menu (most signature drinks will run you around 15 or more). There are some staples on the menu, but they try inventive things on the regular, so be sure to ask about the specials. If you’re exploring the Mills50 area for something exciting but with a comfortable atmosphere for food and conversation, this place is hard to beat.

The vibe/ambiance of this restaurant is fabulous! The music, the decor, open kitchen, it was so cute. The service was incredible. Our server Luis, was attentive, gave awesome recommendations, and accommodated to my pregnancy restrictions. Thank you, Luis! Lastly, the food was delicious! It was refreshing to see creative, complex dishes in Orlando. We can’t wait to be back!

We were so delighted to find this Fantastic Neighborhood eatery!! This is a classic well run restaurant. the atmosphere was homey and welcoming and the service and attention to every plate was all you can ask for !! The Menu items and Specials provided great choices and flavors were expertly coaxed from every dish!