Francesco's Ristorante

The Write-Up

The full story

Francesco's Ristorante in Maitland serves Sicilian rooted Italian cooking in a warm, open kitchen room where guests feel like family. Hand rolled pastas, wood blistered Margherita pizzas, and gnocchi Siciliana lead the menu, with the grilled octopus and chicken parmigiana drawing regular praise. Guests call it the best Italian in Orlando, portions run generous enough for leftovers, and the room books out, so regulars plan ahead.

District Stories

Orlando's long memory

The guide keeps the long memory of Orlando's districts in one place: the names, the plats and the stories behind the streets.

Browse the district stories →

Similar Feel

More places with this feel

Matched by vibe, not by neighborhood: the places across Greater Orlando closest in spirit to Francesco's Ristorante.

Antonio's Market & Cafe

Italian · Maitland · $$

Downstairs, the casual half: a cafe and boutique Italian market under the same roof as the upstairs dining room.

611 S Orlando Ave, Maitland, FL 32751

Maggiano's Little Italy

Italian · Pointe Orlando · $$

Family-style Italian at Pointe Orlando, built for the table that cannot agree on one dish.

9101 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819

Antonio's

Italian · Maitland · $$$

Upstairs at Antonio's, Maitland's old-school special-occasion room has white tablecloths overlooking Lake Lily.

611 S Orlando Ave, Maitland, FL 32751

Maitland Social

Markets & shops · Maitland · $$

Locals treat this food hall like a neighborhood living room, made for lingering with friends.

Maitland Social, 360 E Horatio Ave, Maitland, FL 32751-4517, United States

Peperoncino

Italian · Dellagio · $$

Tiny and homey by the Dellagio fountain, this Italian spot has guests saying it feels like Italy.

7988 Via Dellagio Way Ste 108, Orlando, FL 32819

Jeremiah's Italian Ice

Sweets · Orlando · $

Bright, Orlando-born walk-up stand in Waterford Lakes where the Gelati layers Italian ice with creamy soft serve.

877 N Alafaya Trl, Orlando, FL

Keep Going

More in Maitland

Other places in Maitland, closest to Francesco's Ristorante first.

Lukes Kitchen and Bar

American · $$$

From the team behind Luma on Park and Prato, this Maitland spot does playful American cooking with an open kitchen and praised patio.

Luke's Kitchen and Bar, 640 Orlando Ave S, Maitland, FL 32751-5612

Antonio's

Italian · Italian Restaurant · $$$

Upstairs at Antonio's, Maitland's old-school special-occasion room has white tablecloths overlooking Lake Lily.

611 S Orlando Ave, Maitland, FL 32751

Antonio's Market & Cafe

Italian · Italian Market · $$

Downstairs, the casual half: a cafe and boutique Italian market under the same roof as the upstairs dining room.

611 S Orlando Ave, Maitland, FL 32751

Boku Sushi

Japanese & sushi · Sushi · $$

Calm and inviting behind warm wood and stone, this is the Maitland sushi room neighbors fold into their routine.

Boku Sushi, 140 Independence Ln, Maitland, FL 32751-5603, United States

Maitland Social

Markets & shops · Food Hall · $$

Locals treat this food hall like a neighborhood living room, made for lingering with friends.

Maitland Social, 360 E Horatio Ave, Maitland, FL 32751-4517, United States

Lim Ros Thai Restaurant

Noodles & Southeast Asian · Thai · $$

Lim Ros, meaning to taste in Thai, serves modern, northern-leaning Thai cooking in an elegant, warm Maitland dining room.

Lim Ros Thai Restaurant, 933 Orlando Ave S, Maitland, FL 32751