Warm bread is not supposed to steal the show, yet one puffy round of pita did exactly that on a busy Florida road lined with chain eateries. I walked in expecting a quick plate of hummus and walked out planning my next visit.
Shawarma, smoky lamb, garlic sauce, and a room full of music turned an ordinary dinner into a small adventure. Here is why this Lebanese spot deserves a spot on your weekend list.
A Lebanese Table on Sand Lake Road
Orlando’s Restaurant Row is famous for glossy dining rooms and theme park crowds heading out for dinner. Right in the middle of it, at 7732 W Sand Lake Rd, sits Cedar’s Restaurant, a Lebanese kitchen that feels personal in a neighborhood built for big names.
The name nods to the cedar tree, the proud symbol on Lebanon’s flag. Inside, the menu reads like a tour of a Beirut family table, with mezze, grilled meats, shawarma, and sweets.
Fresh pita arrives warm, which sets the tone before your first dip of hummus.
Location matters here too. The restaurant sits in the Dr. Phillips area of southwest Orlando, close to the attractions corridor along International Drive.
That makes it a handy stop after a day at the parks or a relaxing alternative to the busy tourist strip.
Locals treat it as a reliable favorite, while visitors often stumble in by chance. One business traveler who visits Orlando several times a month says he has tried almost every Middle Eastern option near the airport and keeps coming back here.
That kind of loyalty usually means the kitchen is doing something right.
Charles and the Spirit of Lebanese Hospitality
Hospitality in Lebanon is close to a sacred duty, and guests are fed like long-lost cousins. That same instinct shows up at Cedar’s, where the owner, Charles, is often spotted moving between tables.
One guest described sitting down for a meal and ending up in a long, easygoing chat with him. She called him funny and friendly, and said he made her feel right at home.
Another couple noticed that the owner and staff checked on every party in the room, not just theirs.
That attention trickles down to the servers. Regulars mention names like Amine, Sergios, Sebastian, and Natalia with real fondness.
Amine in particular earns praise for spotting an empty bread basket or a low cup of garlic sauce before anyone asks.
A large group visiting on a Sunday shared that their server patiently explained the menu and offered smart suggestions. For first timers unsure of the difference between kibbeh and kafta, that guidance is gold.
Service can vary on hectic nights, as at any busy spot, but the overall feeling most guests describe is warm and welcoming, like being treated as part of the family.
Pita Straight From the Oven
Steam rises the second you tear it open. The pita at Cedar’s is baked in-house and often lands on the table still warm, soft, and slightly puffed.
Compare that to the stiff, papery rounds sold in grocery store bags, and the difference is huge. Fresh pita has a tender chew and a faint toasty flavor that makes hummus taste even richer.
Many guests start with hummus, tabbouleh, and a basket of this bread, and they rave about how fresh it all tastes.
Refills come easily too. One longtime guest remembered a server bringing a new batch the moment it came out of the oven, without being asked.
He even sent her home with a bag to go, which might be the most generous dessert in town.
Fun fact: pita puffs up because the hot oven turns moisture in the dough into steam, which inflates a pocket inside. Bakers in the Levant have relied on that simple trick for centuries.
Here, the bread acts as your spoon, your wrap, and your mop for every last streak of sauce. Pace yourself, because the main courses are still coming.
Shawarma Piled on Silky Hummus
Thin ribbons of spiced meat, shaved and still sizzling, make shawarma one of the most beloved street foods in the Middle East. At Cedar’s, one of the smartest ways to enjoy it is spread over a plate of creamy hummus.
The hummus with shawarma comes up again and again when guests talk about favorite orders. One diner called the shawarma hummus amazing, while another singled out the hummus with meat as a highlight.
The combination is simple: smooth chickpea purée, a pool of olive oil, and a generous pile of seasoned meat on top.
Scoop it with warm pita and you get every texture in one bite. Creamy, savory, a little crisp at the edges, and bright from lemon and garlic.
Quick history bit: shawarma comes from a word linked to turning, a nod to the slow rotation of meat on a vertical spit. Lebanon helped make it famous, and Lebanese families carried it all over the world.
Order it as a starter to share, or claim it as your own light meal. Either way, ask for extra garlic sauce, because that tangy white sauce ties everything together.
Lamb, Kebabs, and the Mixed Grill
Smoke and char are the real stars once the grill gets going. Lamb lovers, especially, will find plenty to celebrate on this menu.
The rack of lamb is one of the most talked-about dishes, with guests describing it as tasty and tender. Grilled lamb chops and the mixed grill also get high marks, often ordered together by groups who want to sample a bit of everything.
One excited diner simply wrote the word lamb in capital letters, which says a lot.
Kebab fans have options too. Chicken, lamb, and steak skewers all earn praise, and the kafta kabob, made from seasoned ground meat, stands out for staying juicy while keeping its natural flavor.
Years ago, one guest called the chicken kabobs perfectly cooked, with well seasoned veggies and flavorful rice.
Then there is the cedar chicken, a house specialty that one diner described as tender and full of flavor.
Plates come with sides like rice and grilled vegetables, so you rarely leave hungry. If you are dining with friends, ordering the mixed grill to share is an easy way to taste several cuts without making tough choices.
Mezze Worth Lingering Over
Small plates are how Lebanese meals really begin, and the mezze list at Cedar’s could easily become dinner on its own.
Babaganoush, the smoky roasted eggplant dip, is a big favorite. One guest dining with her dad named it the best thing she tried.
Tabbouleh, the bright parsley and bulgur salad with lemon and tomato, adds a fresh, zippy contrast to richer dishes.
Falafel draws praise as well, along with cheese plates and assorted starters that guests happily share around the table. Baked kibbeh, a layered dish of spiced meat and cracked wheat, gets a nod for being really good.
For adventurous eaters, kibbeh nayeh, a traditional raw preparation popular in Lebanon, also shows up on the menu and in conversation.
A clever approach is to order three or four mezze for the table and pass them around. That way everyone tastes a little of everything, and the meal turns into a relaxed, social event.
Diners with food sensitivities will appreciate one helpful detail. A guest with a gluten allergy shared that allergens were listed right on the menu, which made ordering much less stressful.
Knefeh, the Sweet Lebanese Finale
Golden, gooey, and dripping with syrup, knefeh is the dessert that Lebanese families crave for breakfast, celebrations, and everything in between.
At Cedar’s, the knefeh earns a seal of approval from someone who knows it well. A Lebanese guest with a self-described picky palate called it really good and very authentic, and recommended it highly.
Coming from a person raised on the real thing, that is high praise.
For newcomers, knefeh is a warm pastry made with a layer of soft, mild cheese topped with semolina or shredded dough. It is baked until crisp, soaked with fragrant sugar syrup, and often sprinkled with pistachios.
The result is sweet, salty, crunchy, and stretchy all at once.
Fun fact: in Lebanon, knefeh is sometimes tucked into a sesame bun and eaten as a morning treat from street bakeries.
Even if you feel full after mezze and grilled meats, save room for at least a few shared bites. It pairs nicely with a cup of strong coffee or tea, and it rounds out the meal on a cozy, comforting note.
Belly Dancing Nights and a Lively Room
Drums start, the lights feel warmer, and suddenly dinner turns into a show. Some nights at Cedar’s feature live belly dancing, and guests say it adds real energy to the evening.
Live music pops up too, and one visitor described the entertainment as lively and fun. A frequent business traveler called the belly dancing the cherry on top of a great meal.
The dining room itself gets compliments for being clean, well kept, and comfortable.
Outdoor seating is another draw. Many guests enjoy sitting on the patio on mild Florida evenings, and the outdoor area is also where hookah is offered, so plan accordingly if you prefer a quieter table inside.
So who will love it? Couples looking for a special date night fit right in, and several guests have celebrated birthdays and anniversaries here.
Large groups are welcomed warmly, and families can easily share platters. Folks who have moved from Middle Eastern food hubs like Detroit say the flavors remind them of home.
If you want a calm, hushed meal, aim for an early lunch on a weekday. For a festive night out, weekend evenings bring the buzz.
Hours, Parking, and Planning Your Visit
Timing your visit right makes the whole experience smoother. Cedar’s opens at 11:30 AM Monday through Saturday and at noon on Sunday.
Monday to Thursday, doors close at 9:30 PM. Friday stretches until 10:30 PM, and Saturday runs all the way to midnight, which makes it a great late option after a long park day.
Sunday hours run from noon to 9:30 PM.
Getting there is easy. The restaurant sits at 7732 W Sand Lake Rd in Orlando’s Dr. Phillips area, a short drive from International Drive, Universal, and the Orange County Convention Center.
Coming from the airport takes roughly half an hour depending on traffic.
Weekend nights can get busy, especially when entertainment is scheduled, so reserving ahead is smart for groups. If you want an outdoor table, ask about patio seating when you book, since that space can fill quickly.
For a relaxed first visit, try a weekday lunch. You can explore the mezze menu without the crowd, then return later for a lively Saturday dinner.
Spring and fall bring the most pleasant patio weather in Central Florida, so this weekend could be perfect timing.
Why the Drive Is Worth It
One family drives 45 minutes each way just to eat here, and after a single meal, that choice makes perfect sense.
Cedar’s is not the flashiest spot on Sand Lake Road, and that is part of its charm. What it offers instead is honest Lebanese cooking, bread that arrives warm, and a host of servers who seem to genuinely enjoy taking care of people.
Add a smoky rack of lamb, a plate of shawarma over hummus, and a slice of syrupy knefeh, and you have a meal that lingers in your memory.
Like any busy restaurant, the experience can depend on the night and the crowd. Still, most guests leave talking about fresh flavors, friendly faces, and plans to return for another birthday or date night.
For Florida day-trippers, it is an easy add-on to a theme park visit or a convention trip. For locals, it is the kind of dependable favorite you recommend to friends without hesitation.
Bring an appetite, share a few mezze, and ask for more garlic sauce. Chances are you will start planning your next visit before the check arrives.