Sorekara - Orlando, Florida

Eddie G.

We have been able to try various Omakase type chef selection restaurants throughout Asia and Europe. It is not the normal go to food choice for us but with that said for anyone who wants to experience something like this, Sorekara has put a lot of thought into making this place on par with some of the best around. The whole thing lasted just north of 4 hours (probably a bit too long) and I can not count the total number of small dish plates that were put before us. For the 5 or so home run small plates I always wish I could have a bit more to eat. Like I said this is not a normal type of dinning experience we prefer but for that special occasion Orlando is lucky to have Sorekara in our ever growing unique restaurant scene.

Christopher A.

Came here recently and was promised an amazing evening of wonder. Sorekara delivered on that promise. If you've never been to a two or three Michelin star restaurant, then you probably haven't ever experienced anything like this.

The ambiance on the outside is an unsuspecting, desolate corner of the strip mall with no branding of any kind on the outside. But once you get inside, you are instantly enveloped into a guided experience through several different rooms that were very reminiscent of my time in Japan last year.

Paper walls, stone-lined floors, an obvious affinity for beautiful, ancient trees. Ambiance is unparalleled. The best decor in any restaurant in Orlando.

Service is also out of this world. These fancy restaurants usually like to have their service choreographed and in sync. Sorekara was no different. It was awesome. Intentional in every move, but they also made it looks so effortless. You felt taken care of like you were royalty, but it wasn't pompous or anything. Especially with them all wearing white Nike kicks. Smart casual, as they say on their reservation reminders.

Food. Astronomical. I can confidently say that the only meal that I've ever had that even comes close was Alinea in Chicago. IYKYK. I won't go into detail. They wouldn't like that, and even if I did, they change their menu 72 times a year, so my description would be null and void by the time you got there.

But there are levels in the courses. Each one very extraordinary. You start off with magic trick snack courses, wondering, am I supposed to eat this? Is this edible? Yes, you are, and it is.

You then move into bites of food layered with so many strong, but natural flavors from all over Japan and all over the local farmers' markets. Every bite was memorable, unique, and interesting. Especially with the stories they weave for you with every course. You feel like a member of Chef's family by the end of the night.

You are then whisked away into the dessert room for the final few courses. More magic tricks. Yes, you are supposed to eat that, and they will be the best desserts you've ever had. Add on a nice, toasted green tea, and you'll wind down, wondering how you've actually been there for four hours! What a whirlwind.

A note. Their non-alcoholic pairing is on another level. First of all, I feel like places like this just started offering NA drink pairings. And I feel like this another example of the evolution and elevation of the NA game. No longer do we have to suffer through pretending different juices mixed together are good enough.

Sorekara used fermented teas, de-alcoholed champagne, and pickled fruit juices to deliver some mind-blowing sips that paired very well with the courses they were paired with. A truly unique experience that allows those to abstain to taste and pair and talk about drinks during dinner with everyone else they are dining with. Amazing.

Overall, some people would never ever eat at a place like this. But everyone should. The journey is so long and wonderful and unique, the message they are trying to impart upon you really hits home by the end of the evening. And these moments in time we experience are the only time we'll get to experience them, and we should enjoy and savor them as best we can.

Harry S.

Had the privilege to dine here roughly a month ago. I generally don’t write reviews but with the general lack of information about this restaurant & its recent inclusion on the Michelin guide, I hope the review below can help future diners:

For a start, there’s no sushi at all. The whole experience took me around 3-4 hours, in a good way. To me, this was an elevated Kaiseki experience, filled with a fusion of French cooking techniques (in a good way - a lot of restaurants go French and loses its core identity, this is not the case). Front of House Ms Tracy told me that Chef William was the ex sous chef for Jean-George (2 star French restaurant in NYC - which I’ve been, and in my opinion this was better than the experience I’ve had at Jean George) and you could see the influence it has on his cooking from molecular gastronomy to the overall fusion between Haute and Kaiseki cuisine. Though I would compare my experience at Sorekara closer to Chefs Table at Brooklyn Fare vs Jean George in terms of the ingredients and general style of cooking.

There’s no point in me name dropping dishes as their menu rotates often reflective of the 72 micro seasons in Japan. This was a technically clinical experience but conveyed with emotion and storytelling. A highlight for me was the squab dish conveying the importance of preservation in Japan’s culture (reminded me of the opening dish I had at DiverXO in Madrid). You can only do that when the food itself is good, fortunately this was the case. That said, a few courses I had lacked the complexity and balance of flavor (particularly a few with various white fishes, which has very delicate flavors - the dressing was overall a little overpowering, to my palate); other than a few small misses, everything else were sensational. The balance between French and Japanese cuisine was interpreted extremely well by Chef William for what he is trying to portray in his cooking.

The service was also the best I’ve experienced in Orlando. Attentive but never intrusive.

Long story short, to my palate after trying more than 40 Michelin star restaurants and 6 of 7 in Orlando, this restaurant deserves a Michelin star, a little fine tuning would easily grant them two. If I had to bet my money on the first restaurant in Orlando to earn two stars, it’ll be Sorekara. All the hardware is there: talented chef, amazing service, arguably the most beautiful ambiance in any restaurant in central Florida; I’m sure a little more experience (they’ve only been opened for around a little under a year if I’m not mistaken) and tweaking will lead them to the heights they deserve.

Special shoutout to the Pastry Chef and his desserts, on par with what I had at the dining room but with his own flair.

I also had the non alcoholic drink pairing. One of the best I’ve had and paired well with the food served. Although the drinks on its own were excellent, I would say a few tea-based drinks were a little overpowering (a little too sweet, a little too sour) and was a little hard to taste the underlying tea notes (maybe the pairing will suit the palate of the general American palate better - but then what’s the point of putting Asian tea in drinks).

Very happy to have a restaurant of such caliber in Orlando, a blessing! Definitely go!

sandy C.

i am not going to post more photos because the chef would prefer it that way and i want to respect that. i was a little hesitant to book because of this but dont be! its a phenomenal experience. u dont know whats coming but you wont leave disappointed. some really innovative dishes, pushing the limit from a “regular” fine dining dinner. you can really feel the love and see the intensive thought processes that goes into each dish. good explanations on the courses and inspiration. good pacing and even though its a long dinner it did not feel that way. the entire space is beautiful and the rooms are very well done.

Joshua B.

Everyone at Sorekara truly made my wife and I’s anniversary one of the most special nights of our lives. The food is incredibly innovative, balanced, and flavorful. The staff were so helpful and kind. From the wonderful service they provided us, to special deserts, hand written cards, and more, they made our anniversary so incredibly special. This is hand down one of the best dining experiences in all of the country, let alone Orlando. If you are thinking about booking, don’t hesitate. Sorekara is worth every single penny it costs, and more. To Chef William, Tracy, Austin, Josue, Jason, and every single staff member that helped us, thank you for making our 10 year anniversary so special. Sorekara is truly an unforgettable experience, and I would recommend every single person goes.

Anthony N.

This is hands down the best restaurant I've had a pleasure to dine at. From the service and atmosphere to the wide array or flavors, everything was fine tuned to perfection.

There are many dishes and experiences that I would love to post about, but it would be a lot better if you went in blind so that you can enjoy the show.

All in all, Sorekara has definitely been a magical experience.

stephany G.

it was truly an ethereal experience. The entire team went above and beyond to make us feel so special. Chef William, and his team have crafted a culinary haven that exceeds expectations in every way. The mocktails were mind-blowing, and the food was exceptional. Shoutout Josue, you’re an absolute genius. I’m still thinking about the coconut mango mocktail. Sorekara’s attention to detail was truly impressive. Every element, from the decor to the dishes, was thoughtfully considered to create a memorable experience. We’re still in awe and wondering how we’re supposed to move on with life. Sorekara, thank you for making my boyfriends birthday so incredibly special.

P.S. The playlist was so soothing, I’m pretty sure it’s the same one I use to read all my fantasy books.

Jeselle G.

My husband surprised me with dinner at Sorekara to celebrate my birthday. All of our friends who had been spoke highly about their visit, so we were thrilled to attend. It was, without question, the best dining experience I’ve ever had. From the moment we arrived, it was clear this wasn’t just a dinner—it was a unique experience. Every dish was a delightful surprise, crafted with incredible skill, and presented beautifully. The entire team, led by Chef William, was warm, attentive, and worked seamlessly together to elevate every moment.

The food itself was extraordinary; each course was distinct and memorable, making it impossible to choose a favorite. By the end, we left fully satisfied, completely amazed, and already planning our next visit. This was a night I will cherish for years to come. Congratulations to this wonderful team for their creativity, harmony, and vision!