Orlando’s dining scene is closing out the year strong, with a wave of new openings hitting the city this December. From Peruvian comfort food and Vietnamese pho to Cuban pastries, toasted sandwiches, and crispy chicken fingers, there’s plenty to explore before the year ends. Here are five real spots to add to your must-try list this month:
1. Chabuca Peruvian Restaurant (Avalon Park)
📍 Downtown Avalon Park – 12001 Avalon Lake Dr, Suite H, Orlando, FL 32828
Beloved local favorite Chabuca is opening a second Orlando location in Downtown Avalon Park, bringing ceviches, lomo saltado, and other Peruvian classics to East Orlando. A soft opening is slated for early December, with a full grand opening celebration planned for mid-month.
2. City Pho & Grill – Lake Nona
📍 Lake Nona – 10799 Moss Park Rd, Ste 104, Orlando, FL 32832
Maitland favorite City Pho & Grill is heading south with a brand-new Lake Nona location targeted to open as early as December 2025. Expect steaming bowls of build-your-own pho, vermicelli bowls, clay-pot curry chicken, and other Vietnamese comfort dishes in a casual, neighborhood-friendly setting.
3. Vicky Bakery – Alafaya Trail (Second Orlando Location)
📍 East Orlando/UCF area – 334 N Alafaya Trail, Orlando, FL 32828
Miami’s iconic Cuban bakery is expanding again with a second Orlando shop on North Alafaya Trail, aiming to open sometime in December 2025. Look for strong cafecito, pastelitos, croquetas, and classic Cuban sandwiches—perfect fuel for holiday shopping runs and late-night study sessions near UCF.
4. Potbelly Sandwich Works – Gateway Village
📍 Near Orlando Intl. Airport – 5455 Gateway Village Cir, Orlando, FL 32812
Potbelly is bringing its toasted sandwiches, soups, and shakes to a new spot at Gateway Village, just minutes from the airport. The first Orlando-area shop at this address is opening in late fall, with a grand opening event scheduled in early December 2025—ideal for a quick bite before or after holiday travel.
5. Raising Cane’s – New Orlando Location
📍 Orlando (exact address TBA)
Fried chicken fans have a big reason to celebrate: Raising Cane’s is including Orlando in its December 2025 “blitz” of 14 new U.S. locations. National coverage notes that the chain’s December openings kick off in Orlando on December 2, bringing their Cane’s sauce, Texas toast, and chicken finger combo meals to a brand-new Central Florida restaurant.
🍽️ Orlando’s December Flavor Forecast
Whether you’re craving Peruvian comfort food, steaming bowls of pho, Cuban pastries, toasted subs, or fast-casual chicken, these December openings showcase how quickly Orlando’s food scene is evolving. Use this list to plan a month of “first visits” and be among the earliest guests at some of the city’s newest tables.
