Nami

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Contemporary Japanese Table Inside Orlando's Most Innovative Hotel

Positioned within the Lake Nona Wave Hotel — billed as the world's most technologically advanced hotel — Nami brings a contemporary Japanese dining concept to Orlando that is as precise as it is alive. The dining room blends modern sophistication with a warm, welcoming feel: clean lines, thoughtful lighting, and refined details that set the tone without demanding attention. By late evening, an in-house DJ shifts the energy, and the space evolves into something more electric.

The recognition Nami has earned reflects a genuinely exceptional debut. Alongside the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, the restaurant was named #1 Best New Restaurant in Orlando and ranked among the Top 15 Best New Restaurants in America in 2024 — and the MICHELIN Guide has recognized it for passion, precision, and artistry.

The Team Behind the Plates

Nami is a collective concept built around two distinct culinary voices. Culinary Director Chef Freddy Money — a Michelin Star chef trained within the Alain Ducasse Group — brings a rich background in innovative presentation, shaping dishes that tell a story through ingredients, origin, and texture. Day-to-day, Executive Chef Jason Beliveau leads the kitchen with a philosophy rooted in sustainability, seasonal sourcing, and a global perspective shaped by his Southern California roots. Every plate, in his own words, tells a story.

The Chef's Counter Experience

The most intimate way to experience Nami's contemporary Japanese cooking is at the Chef's Counter, where Chefs Money and Beliveau personally guide guests through an 18-bite tasting menu — a fusion of European heritage and Japanese technique, available with wine and sake pairings. Seats are limited and coveted; the format allows for genuine conversation with the chefs about each course's inspiration, flavors, and methods.

Drinks as Seriously as the Food

Nami's beverage program is as considered as the kitchen. The wine list — earning its Wine Spectator recognition — draws from prestigious producers worldwide, with every selection described as artist-grade quality. The sake program spans savory Tokubetsu Junmai to fruit-forward Junmai Daiginjo, alongside an extensive Japanese whisky collection and precisely crafted cocktails that lean on Japanese spirits, botanicals, and citrus. A zero-proof menu ensures the same level of craft extends to every guest at the table.