ORLANDO, Fla. – People who magically dined in Orlando in August and September helped raise big money for charities in Orange County, Visit Orlando announced Friday.
The annual dining event, which featured prix fixe menus at participating restaurants around Central Florida, raised $269,272 this year, an increase of 44% from last year, the tourism agency said. In 2022, the Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining raised $186,805.
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The majority of the money this year went to The Lifeboat Project, a local group that raises awareness about human trafficking. Plus, six other charities that help survivors of abuse also got $2,000 each:
- Mustard Seed of Central Florida
- Nuevo Sendero
- One Heart for Women and Children
- Salvation Army Orlando
- Samaritan Village
- Wake Up Mentoring
During Magical Dining, restaurants set menus based on a price level of either $40 for a three or more-course meal or $60. $1 to $2 from each meal goes to charity. This year, 132 restaurants took part.
Visit Orlando said Seasons 52 in Orlando was the top-performing restaurant for the Magical Dining period. The Pinery in Orlando was the top new restaurant at the $40 menu level, while AVA MediterrAegean was the top new restaurant at the $60 menu level. The Nauti Lobstah in Apopka saw the largest increase in sales from 2022 to 2023.
Visit Orlando says Magical Dining will return for its 19th year next August.
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