Orlando Spotlight: Kaya

Kaya in Orlando, Florida is a Filipino neighborhood restaurant and bar that aims to offer a casual fine dining experience rooted in community and traditional Filipino cuisine, often with a modern spin.¹

What Makes it Unique

• Filipino Casual Fine Dining: Kaya’s mission is to change the perception of Filipino food by presenting it in a fine-dining yet welcoming and community-driven setting, embodying the spirit of “Bayanihan” (Community Spirit).
• Focus on Local & Sustainable: The restaurant emphasizes sustainability and using local ingredients, including Central Florida produce and local seafood, often sourced from community partners like Frog Song Organics and Kelly Seafood.² This commitment to local sourcing helped the restaurant earn a MICHELIN Green Star.

   

• The Bayani Bar: The establishment features the “Bayani Bar” and an outdoor patio and garden space, offering a laid-back, tropical environment for patrons.³

   

History and Ownership

Kaya is owned and operated by Chef Lordfer “Lo” Lalicon and General Manager Jamilyn Salonga Bailey, along with Lo’s wife Julie Anne and investor partners Johnny Tung and John Rife III.⁴ Chef Lalicon brings Michelin star experience to the restaurant.

Highlight Menu Items and Cuisine

The menu is often dynamic and changes slightly daily based on available seasonal produce and seafood.⁵ The cuisine offers a modern interpretation of classic Filipino dishes.⁶

Noteworthy Menu Items (may be seasonal):

• Tuna Kinilaw: Hawaiian Big Eye tuna ceviche with coconut leche de tigre.⁷

   

• Sizzling Sisig: Creekstone pork belly, red onion, black garlic aioli, hibiscus, poached egg, served with garlic rice.⁸

   

• Adobo Risotto: Koshihikari rice, fungi jon mushrooms, vinegar, soy sauce, and coconut milk.⁹

   

• Filipino Cesar Salad:¹⁰ Frog Song Farms kale, tinapa aioli, cured egg, pandesal crumble, and kalamansi gelee.¹¹

   

• Desserts: Items like Halo Halo Flan (ube flan, pandan meringue, horchata granita) and Kalamansi-Misu (lady finger cake, kalamansi cremeux).¹²

   

• Craft Cocktails: The bar offers a unique cocktail menu with drinks like the “Ube, That’s Good” and “Game Na”.¹³

   

Customer Feedback

• Positive Feedback: Customers frequently praise the dishes as “exceptional” and “delicious,” highlighting the quality of the food and the unique flavors of the Filipino cuisine.¹⁴ Reviewers often mention the “impeccable service,” the feeling of being “completely welcomed,” and the overall “exquisite” experience.¹⁵ The presentation of the dishes and the attention to detail are also commended.

   

• Dining Format: The restaurant has offered a multi-course “waves” tasting menu, which some reviews deemed worth the price for the quality and experience. The option to enjoy an “a la carte” menu and drinks at the bar (Bayani Bar) is also noted as a great alternative.¹⁶

   

• Vibe: The setting is described as having a “quirky charm” and a “laid back vibe” despite the fine-dining focus.¹⁷

   

Significant Events

Kaya hosts a variety of special events over the years, including:

• Themed Evenings: Events like Karaoke Night, Mahjong, and Live Music.¹⁸

   

• Guest Chef Collaborations (Popups): Collaborations with other chefs and restaurants, such as a MUSANG X KAYA COLLAB and a KOREAN X FILIPINO FEAST COLLAB.¹⁹

   

• Mercado (Market) Events: Recurring market-style events, often themed around the moon cycle, like the Muerto Mercado + Undas and LEO NEW MOON MERCADO.²⁰

   

• Annual Celebrations: The 4th annual FILIPINO FREEDOM FEST is an example of a recurring cultural event.

Location and Contact Information