Downtown Orlando’s dining scene has a special destination for food lovers looking for an intimate, chef-driven experience. Leiah Restaurant, located at 409 N. Magnolia Avenue, brings together Mediterranean, Caribbean, and American influences through seasonal menus, handmade dishes, and an award-winning wine program.

Led by Chef and Owner Omar Torres, Leiah offers everything from Orlando’s best power lunch (located right next to the Orange County Courthouse) featuring one of Orlando’s most talked-about Wagyu pastrami sandwiches to elegant multi-course chef’s tasting dinners highlighting premium ingredients, creative techniques, and beautiful presentations.

Named after Chef Torres’ daughter, Leiah is a deeply personal restaurant inspired by his family’s heritage, traditions, and love of hospitality. The restaurant’s design, atmosphere, and menu reflect those family connections, creating a dining experience that feels both sophisticated and welcoming.

Meet Chef Omar Torres

Chef Omar Torres brings decades of culinary and hospitality experience to Leiah, having held leadership positions with The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Waldorf Astoria, Hilton, and Marriott’s Autograph Collection.

What began as a college job eventually became a successful culinary career, earning him recognition through the American Culinary Federation and opportunities to work alongside some of the industry’s respected chefs.

After years of developing restaurant concepts and leading culinary teams, Chef Torres returned to Orlando to create Leiah, a restaurant combining his professional experience with his family’s culinary traditions. His philosophy emphasizes cooking from scratch, respecting seasonal ingredients, and building relationships with responsible farmers, fishermen, and artisan producers.

Experience Leiah’s Chef’s Tasting Menus

One of the best ways to explore Chef Torres’ cooking is through Leiah’s Chef’s Tasting Menu, available for both lunch and dinner.

Each experience showcases seasonal, scratch-made dishes inspired by ingredients available throughout the year. Guests can select from different tasting menu lengths, with optional wine and wine-based cocktail pairings designed to complement the courses.

The dinner tasting menu emphasizes refined preparations and artistic presentations, featuring ingredients such as premium Wagyu beef, fresh seafood, handmade pastas, black truffles, and seasonal produce.

Depending on the current menu, dishes may include Lobster Crema, handmade Tortellini with aged Parmigiano Reggiano, Wagyu Potato Foam, Sea Bass, Filet Mignon, and thoughtfully prepared desserts.

For guests with specific dietary needs, Leiah also accommodates vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary restrictions with advance notice, making the tasting experience accessible to a wider range of diners.

Leiah’s wine program is another highlight. The restaurant received Wine Spectator’s 2026 Award of Excellence, recognizing its thoughtfully assembled wine selections and commitment to pairing wines with its cuisine.

Don’t Miss the Wagyu Pastrami and Truffle Parmesan Fries

While the evening experience leans toward elevated dining, Leiah’s lunch menu takes a more relaxed, bistro-inspired approach featuring the same quality and attention to detail.

One of the biggest standouts is Chef Torres’ Wagyu Pastrami Sandwich, made with American Wagyu brisket brined for an entire week to develop its signature tenderness and flavor.

The pastrami is served with mustard and pickled onions on sourdough-ciabatta bread from Sullivan Street Bakery, founded by James Beard Award-winning baker Jim Lahey.

Chef Torres says guests have even compared the sandwich favorably to the legendary Katz’s Delicatessen in New York City, high praise for any pastrami sandwich.

And don’t skip the fries! Leiah offers fresh, hand-cut fries cooked in Wagyu beef tallow, giving them a rich flavor and crispy texture. Guests can also upgrade to the Truffle Parmesan Fries, finished with fresh winter black truffles and Parmigiano Reggiano aged for 40 months.

Together, the Wagyu pastrami and fries offer a more casual way to experience Chef Torres’ approach to cooking, where even familiar comfort foods receive the same attention to ingredients and preparation as the dinner tasting menu.

Menu Highlights

Lobster Bisque: Rich and creamy Maine lobster bisque made with a concentrated lobster reduction, cream, culantro, and coral oil.

Wagyu Pastrami Sandwich: American Wagyu brisket brined for seven days, served with mustard and pickled onions on sourdough-ciabatta from Sullivan Street Bakery, founded by James Beard Award-winning baker Jim Lahey.

Truffle Parmesan French Fries: Hand-cut fries cooked in rich Wagyu beef tallow, topped with fresh winter black truffles and 40-month-aged Parmigiano Reggiano.

Farrotto: Chef Omar Torres’ take on risotto, featuring tender farro, spinach, sweet potato, seasonal squash, and 40-month-aged Parmigiano Reggiano. A comforting, savory dish with a slightly nutty flavor.

Leiah’s Donut: A creative dessert featuring espresso and Puerto Rican cacao, combining rich coffee and chocolate flavors.

Housemade Sangria: Leiah’s refreshing housemade sangria, a wine-based drink that pairs beautifully with the restaurant’s seasonal dishes.

GIVEAWAY: Win a Chef’s Tasting Dinner for Two ($200 Value)

We’re partnering with Leiah Restaurant to give one lucky winner the opportunity to experience Chef Omar Torres’ cuisine!

One winner will receive a Chef’s Tasting Dinner for Two at Leiah Restaurant, valued at $200.

The experience offers the chance to explore a selection of Chef Torres’ seasonal dishes in Leiah’s downtown Orlando dining room.

Giveaway Prize: Chef’s Tasting Dinner for Two

Total Value: $200

Alcohol: Not included

Giveaway entry instructions, deadline, and winner announcement details to be added.

Visit Leiah Restaurant

Leiah Restaurant

409 N. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801

Located on the ground floor of the Hilton Garden Inn in Downtown Orlando.

Phone: (321) 247-5578

Website: www.leiahrestaurant.com

Reservations: Available through the restaurant website.

Whether you’re planning a date night, celebrating a special occasion, or simply looking to explore something different for lunch, Leiah offers the opportunity to experience Chef Omar Torres’ cooking through both casual favorites and multi-course tasting menus.