Filipino restaurant lands on Yelp’s Top 10 best places to eat for 2025
Photo from Kaya – Orlando/Facebook
Kaya, a Filipino restaurant in Orlando, Florida, has ranked No. 10 on Yelp’s “Top 100 Places to Eat” in 2025, marking another breakthrough for Filipino cuisine in the US.
Known for eco-conscious dining and its modern take on Filipino classics, Kaya has earned a 4.8 rating from over 160 reviews, cementing its spot among the must-visit restaurants in the United States.
According to Yelp, their data science team analyzed data from community submissions, considering “both the rating and the volume of the reviews, while accounting for the overall restaurant activity in each business area.”
Yelp described its Top 10 as “a multicultural mashup, featuring Mexican, Mediterranean, Peruvian, Cambodian, Thai, Filipino and French cuisines.”
“It’s a new year with lots of foodie adventures to look forward to, and we’re here to get you started,” stated Yelp.
Nestled in Orlando’s Mills 50 district, Kaya recycles food scraps for vinegar and cocktail infusions — an eco-friendly practice that helped them earn Florida’s first Michelin Green Star in 2024.
Their mission, as stated on their website, is to “serve the food closest to our hearts while infusing our experiences, creativity, and warm hospitality to expand the love for Filipino cuisine.”
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Why Kaya stands out in Orlando
Keeping their offerings fresh, Kaya boasts a rotating tasting menu that includes specialties like cauliflower afritada, crispy pancit palabok and adobo risotto.
Their menu lineup changes daily, with updates posted every afternoon on their Instagram stories to keep diners in the loop.
The restaurant’s bungalow-style area adds to its charm, promising an intimate and immersive dining experience that blends tradition with contemporary innovation.
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Kaya’s accolades extend beyond Yelp. Last year, the restaurant was a finalist for the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant. This year, its chef-owner Lordlier Lalicon is a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: South.
Yelp Orlando has high praises for Kaya’s culinary excellence, writing in a social media post, “Big congrats to Chef Lo, Jami, and the entire Kaya team — you make this city shine, and we are so lucky to have you! 🇵🇭”
For those who want to get a taste of Filipino fusion with a modern twist, head to Kaya at 618 N. Thornton Ave., Orlando, Florida. Reservations are recommended.
