The story
Tori Tori is a local Japanese pub in Orlando's Mills 50 district, the vision of chef/owner Sean "Sonny" Nguyen. Opened in 2019, the concept mashes up a modern cocktail bar with traditional Japanese pub food. The guiding philosophy is "ichigo ichie"—to live in the moment, as if it may never happen again. This approach, along with the cooking, has earned Tori Tori a spot in the Michelin Guide selection every year from 2022 through 2026.
The kitchen centers on a charcoal grill. Yakitori skewers feature chicken thigh, breast, skin, and oyster, plus a curry tsukune (chicken meatball) topped with beni shōga. Kushiyaki options range from Demkota-elite beef and Cheshire heritage-breed pork belly to king oyster mushroom, shishito peppers, and avocado. Bar food includes brussels okonomiyaki, blue crab and corn croquettes, chicken karaage, and crab fried rice—all designed to pair with drinks.
Tori Tori's cocktail program is built around the highball, a spirit lengthened with carbonated beverage that is ubiquitous in Japan. The bar offers classic highballs, specialty versions like the Berry with Haku vodka and raspberry, and craft cocktails such as the sesame fat-washed Toki whiskey Golden Hour. The sake list spans daiginjo, ginjo, and junmai styles, and a featured Yamazaki whiskey flight showcases the House of Suntory's Tsukuriwake Selection.
Tori Tori is walk-in only and 21+ after 9 PM, with a kitchen that serves until midnight or 1 AM depending on the night. It is a spot designed for the moment—skewers over charcoal, a proper highball, and the big city vibes of Mills 50.
Recognition
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