cork&olive

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Community Staple, Rooted in Italian Tradition

Nestled in Lake Mary, Florida, cork&olive has spent over 16 years weaving itself into the fabric of its community. What began as a neighborhood gathering place has grown into an award-winning Italian restaurant celebrated for its warmth, craftsmanship, and genuine hospitality. The accolades speak for themselves: a Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence for 2025, an OpenTable Diner's Choice Award, and recognition from the Nextdoor App as the area's best local dining destination.

Italian Cuisine, Crafted with Care

At the heart of cork&olive is a deep commitment to authentic Italian cuisine. Every pasta dish is freshly made in-house — from silky Pappardelle in a Marsala Demi-Glaze to hearty Bucatini crowned with house-made meatballs and marinara. The kitchen also embraces inclusive dining, offering bespoke options for vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free guests without compromising on flavor or elegance.

Starters set a convivial tone: the Fiocchetti features braised pureed pear and Asiago cheese folded into delicate pasta, while Mama's Meatballs — grass-fed beef, veal, and pork with veal marrow reduction — pay homage to Sunday supper traditions. For those seeking lighter fare, the Buffalo Caprese with creamy buffalo mozzarella and Florida orange vinegar reduction is a local signature.

Main courses celebrate the canon of Italian cuisine with dishes like Chicken Parmesan served over fresh Linguini, and a vegetarian Eggplant Parmesan layered with Ricotta, fresh Mozzarella, and aged Parmesan. Desserts — from the chocolate-dipped Cannoli filled with a cork&olive signature cream, to the classic Tiramisu soaked in Kahlua-Espresso — close the evening on a memorably sweet note.

A Wine List Worth Celebrating

True to its name, cork&olive takes wine seriously. The cellar spans celebrated Italian varietals — Amarone, Barolo, Barbaresco, and Barbera — alongside exceptional bottles from Napa Valley, Tuscany, Burgundy, and beyond, including rarities like a 2013 Opus One and a 2009 Harlan Estates. This remarkable breadth and depth earned the restaurant its Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence, a recognition reserved for lists that offer serious depth across multiple regions and vintages.

Cocktails with Local Spirit

Beyond wine, cork&olive shakes up a spirited cocktail program that blends Italian classics — the Aperol Spritz, Limoncello Spritz, and Classic Negroni — with inventive house creations and lighthearted tributes to Florida's beloved university sports teams. It is a menu that captures the restaurant's personality perfectly: refined, yet refreshingly unpretentious.