Otto’s High Dive — Restaurant in Orlando

This review is not safe for children

I thought I knew who I was as a person. Then, I ate at Otto’s High Dive. Allow me to recount my metaphysical and erotic experience course by course.

1.) Being greeted, escorted to my table, presented a birthday card, and treated like a long distance friend picking up right where we left off.

2.) I only drink water, on the rare occasion I eat out, I order a sweet tea. Otto’s does not have sweet tea to order off the menu. My server for the evening tapped the shoulder of their mixologist and brought back the most exquisite and refreshing glass of sweet tea.

3.) The explanation of the menu, seasonal dishes, and fan favorites was brief, honest, and efficient. Followed shortly by genuine endorsement of what myself and my two other friends ordered, as we ordered.

The rest of this review is rated R

My appetizer was foreplay in the form of beautifully played dip and pita. I will gladly have my mouth filled with that seafood dip, profoundly swallow, stick my tongue out, and beg for more.

The entree grabbed me by my waist, threw me against the wall, and slapped my taste buds. It was like being taken rough and feeling safe and warm at the same time. My eyes rolled back every time I put a bite of that great serving size rice with sauce and meat inside of me. I must have moaned loudly, because I was brought a larger cup of that sauce and I felt the southern portion of my body quiver. I wish I could fill a bathtub with that sauce and get baptized in it.

I was the Flan I had for dessert to literally impregnate me. I am going to think about that Flan for the rest of my life equivalently to reminiscing on a passionate love from youth. The light flaky salt atop the smoothest texture of the perfect combination of sweetness and richness is the reason I will have to wash my sheets every morning after dreaming about it.

Our server for the evening was Leslie. And I’m not totally convinced she isn’t a siren or a sorceress. Her smile is worthy of wars to be fought, her gaze could melt steel better than President Bush in 2001, her hair flowed like a weeping willow tree in autumn during golden hour, and her voice is the peaceful balance of joy and grace.

The ambiance is dim, and elegant, like the mood was purposely set to prepare you for pleasure in ways your significant other could never fulfill.

I walked in a heterosexual male, I am now imagining a life with two disposable incomes along side a man who can/will eat at this establishment until it becomes our very religion. I was people to be concerned for my mental state as a direct result of my obsession with Otto’s High Dive Restaurant.

Food is ruined for me for the rest of my life. I will never experience or view love without a direct comparison to my meal this evening.

I started writing this as soon as I got home from the restaurant, and even with how full I am from their generous portion sizes, I am touching my inner thighs way too much trying to come up with any/every reason to reserve a table as soon as possible.

Otto’s High Dive, you can have my first born child, the deed to my house, and I’ll sign my soul away with blood, just keep feeding me your beautifully plated nectar of the gods.

I called my therapist and let her know I no longer need her services. My trauma has been remedied by Orlando’s best food and service.

To the surrounding restaurants in the greater Orlando area, you have a new standard to strive for. Good luck.

Thank you Otto’s staff and leadership, and a special thanks to Leslie for blessing our evening with a level of stunning that...

We did not have reservations (that was our fault, NOT the restaurant) so we anticipated having to wait = No Problem. A hostess informed us it would be an hour, so we added our name to the list and left. When we called for an update 20 minutes later, we were told a text had been sent 10-15 minutes after we joined the list, and our table was no longer available. When I asked, why was I told it would have been an 1-hr wait … no explanation was provided. We did not receive the text at the number provided (again my fault, NOT the restaurant), so we provided a different number. A subsequent text was sent that our table was ready, but upon arrival, we were told that the table (for 2 people) lacked sufficient chairs – Seriously? BTW, envision the hostess (who appeared totally uninterested and indifferent) with a grin, resting her chin on the back of her hand as she twiddled her fingers while we communicated the issue. A supervisor offered us a table that was reserved, which we declined, as we felt it would unfairly inconvenience that party. We waited until seating at the bar opened up. THE DRINKS: Bartender Brandon: He started off rough (as if he did not want to be there), but after he overheard our conversation (i.e., “Hopefully the food makes up for it [see “The Hostess”] then he spoke with a manager to determine what we were speaking about. His attitude shifted dramatically, becoming engaging and genuinely focused on improving our visit, which he successfully did. We are very grateful for his efforts. RECOMENDATIONS: We recommended the squash & burrata salad, which was a pleasant surprise. The combination of roasted squash + burrata was so good it did not require any additional seasoning (neither salt nor pepper). The sous-chef deserved a commendation. Dessert: Tres Leches and Toasted Coconut Rum Cake were very good. Eating either in their entirety would likely lead to immediate diabetes. We recommend that you get both. We appreciated the presentation of the rum cake. The pastry chef knows what s/he is doing. Finally, the cappuccino was good on its own, but we highly recommend adding some coquito for an enhanced experience. Thanks to Brandon, we were happy to pay for our two complimentary drinks, we added their cost to his tip, resulting in a 61% gratuity. THE FOOD: Supposedly, this is a Cuban-inspired restaurant. Automatic Tip for a Party of 2: 18% tip was automatically included, which tends to impact the quality of service one receives at a restaurant (which may explain Brandon’s initial posture), but the automatic tip is still less than what we normally tip, so the 18% was not an issue, per se. APPETIZER: The white fish / smoked fish dip is unsalvageable. Regardless of how much black pepper or salt (within reason) we added, it remained flavorless (do not order it). It is terrible. o ACME’s pre-packaged white fish (from COSTCO and/or BJ’s) taste better. Waaay better. ENTRE:  Mojo Chicken: The chicken was worse than the fish dip. The white rice was appropriately white. I don’t expect a lot of flavor from white meat, but this chicken was tough, bland, and almost flavorless.  Lechon Asado: Simply not good. I have had Cuban sandwiches at gas stations that tasted better than this.  The beans were the second-best-flavored food (behind the salad), despite being slightly undercooked.  The chimichurri was a respectable third. Without it, no need to order the pork. Correction, don’t order the Lechon Asado period! Had it not been for Bartender Brandon, this review would have had...

A Five-Star Experience at Otto's High Dive – Where Hospitality Shines Bright

From the moment we walked through the door at Otto’s High Dive, we knew we were in for a special night. Located in a vibrant part of town, Otto’s has a cool, elevated charm that hits you right away—the kind of place that feels like a well-kept secret, even though it's buzzing with life. But what truly set the tone for our incredible evening was Megan, the hostess, whose warmth and energy immediately made us feel like we were VIP guests.

Megan greeted our group with a genuinely welcoming smile and an effortless enthusiasm that’s become increasingly rare in the hospitality world. She didn’t just ask how many were in our party and escort us to a table—she took a moment to engage with us, ask about the occasion for our night out, and feel out the kind of experience we were looking for. That little extra effort made all the difference. After chatting with her briefly, she suggested we sit at the bar rather than a standard table, promising us an even more engaging and personalized experience. And wow—she was absolutely right.

Enter Daniel, our bartender for the evening. Sitting at the bar turned out to be the highlight of our entire night, and Daniel was a major reason why. From the moment we took our seats, he brought a level of hospitality and professionalism that was truly impressive. Daniel wasn’t just slinging drinks; he was curating an experience. He asked us about our flavor preferences, recommended cocktails based on our tastes, and explained the stories and ingredients behind each drink with a passion that showed his deep knowledge and love for the craft.

Every cocktail Daniel made felt like a masterclass—carefully balanced, beautifully presented, and uniquely delicious. We tried several drinks throughout the evening, and each one was better than the last. The flavors were inventive and fresh, often incorporating unexpected ingredients that surprised and delighted our entire group. You could tell this wasn’t just a job for him; Daniel was clearly someone who took pride in his art and genuinely enjoyed sharing that with others.

Beyond the drinks, sitting at the bar allowed us to interact not only with Daniel but also with other guests and staff, giving the evening a lively, communal feel that elevated the whole experience. It felt intimate and exciting, like being part of something special—exactly the kind of atmosphere you hope for on a night out.

Throughout the night, Megan checked in on us as well, always with the same warm energy and big smile that kicked off our evening. She didn’t need to, but she made a point to make sure we were still having a great time. It’s those small, thoughtful touches that turn a good restaurant visit into a memorable one.

To put it simply, Otto’s High Dive nails every aspect of what a top-tier dining and drinking experience should be. The food was fantastic, the ambiance was relaxed yet refined, and the cocktails were next-level—but it was the people, especially Megan and Daniel, who turned our evening into something truly special.

If you're thinking about visiting, take Megan’s advice and sit at the bar. Let Daniel walk you through the menu and trust his recommendations—you won’t regret it. This place is a gem, and with staff like Megan and Daniel at the helm, it’s easy to see why Otto’s is quickly becoming a favorite for those who value not just great food and drink, but also genuine hospitality.

We’ll definitely be back. Five stars,...