New rooftop Mexican-inspired restaurant Ceiba debuts at the newly opened Conrad Orlando

Situated atop Orlando's newest luxury hotel, Conrad Orlando, the stunning Ceiba brings contemporary Mexican cuisine to Orlando’s dining scene.

Conrad Orlando announces the opening of Ceiba, the hotel’s highly anticipated rooftop dining venue, celebrating the regional nuances of Mexican cuisine.

Helmed by Director of Culinary, Chef Stephen Ullrich, and supported by Chef D’Cuisine, David Merlo, the restaurant reflects a contemporary expression of Mexican cooking and pays homage to curated ingredients that tell the story of the country’s treasured dishes and artisan purveyors.

Through its selection of meticulously chosen produce, crafted selection of salsas, alluring ambiance and agave-forward cocktail program, Ceiba invites diners to experience an epicurean journey through Mexico in new and unexpected gastronomical ways. 

“Our commitment to authenticity and honoring the culinary tradition of Mexico through our modern take on cuisine offers a dining experience unlike any other,” says Joshua Murray, director of food and beverage, Conrad Orlando. “We’re excited to have locals and guests alike enjoy their journey at Ceiba, from the tortillas crafted in-house every day and dishes brimming with aromatic spices to the curated cocktail program using quality, agave-based spirits. It’s truly an experience that can’t be missed while in Orlando, especially thanks to its expansive views of the sunset over Evermore Bay and the nightly fireworks from our nearby parks.”

SELECTIVELY SOURCED, ARTFULLY PREPARED

At the core of Ceiba’s story is the artful preparation of ingredients used to craft each dish reflecting the thoughtful partnership with Hilton’s award-winning Mexican chefs to bring this menu to life, including work with Hilton Los Cabos’ Executive Chef, Mauricio Lopez. Heirloom masa, exotic spices, bean varieties and premium cuts of meat are brought together to create a menu of “botanas,” or snacks, to start the meal, while hearty “platos fuertes”, main dishes, are served alongside a variety of elevated taco selections.

Corn tortillas prepared in-house can be paired with a variety of salsas, including a smoky Molcajete, blending Chile serrano, tomato, garlic, onion and cilantro; or zingy X’nipek, incorporating the bright flavors of the Yucatan with red onion, habanero Chile and sour orange juice; each of which highlights the layered flavors Ceiba’s menu best showcases.

Providing a flavorful introduction to the meal are dishes like Tetela de Tinga, a take on the traditional Oaxacan snack, featuring chipotle braised chicken tucked inside corn masa and topped with mole rojo, crema and queso fresco, along with Sopes de Chorizo, featuring a masa cake, house made chorizo and refried black beans accompanied by avocado, salsa tatemada, crema and queso fresco.

Gourmet tacos include an achiote marinated Al Pastor pork variety with cilantro roasted salsa roja, or a Quesabirra with Chile ancho braised brisket, Oaxacan cheese, salsa de chipotle and a classic consommé dip. Sharables include Barbacoa de Cordero with braised lamb shank or Pescado Zarandeado, featuring a whole “fish of the day” as main courses.

The eye-catching Maiz dessert, made with freeze-dried sweet corn and a yellow chocolate glaze, or Taco Maracuja, combining passion fruit jelly, passion fruit creameux and white chocolate grape seed crumble within a passion fruit chocolate taco shell, end the meal on a sweet note.

ALL ROADS POINT TO AGAVE

Ceiba’s thoughtful food offerings are further enlivened by a beverage program ideated by Beverage Director Miguel Angel Sanchez Borrego, inclusive of zero-proof drink choices, an extensive selection of Mexican and South American wines and an artisanal agave tasting menu, providing a one-of-a-kind experience in Orlando.

Classic cocktails, such as the tried-and-true Negroni, Old Fashioned and Manhattan, are created using agave spirits, while non-agave-based cocktails receive the Ceiba touch, with the incorporation of Mexican-based ingredients and garnishes. Careful consideration was taken when sourcing each agave spirit offered at Ceiba, with many rare and small batch distillers highlighted on its menu and more than 100 varieties available to sample through tasting flights.

The unique “dust cutter” menu, featuring beverages made with whiskey, bourbon and scotch, named for the days of cowboys visiting saloons in Mexico and throughout the Midwest, provides additional options to imbibers seeking other spirits.

A eye-catching Pinata Margarita, made with Komos Añejo Cristalino Tequila, pineapple, citrus, orgeat and Mezcal Pearls stars as a traditional margarita option. A select zero-proof cocktail menu, along with authentic “café De ”lla" Mexican-style coffee, prepared tableside with cinnamon and Mexican sweetener piloncillo, provide an equally elevated experience for those interested in non-alcoholic drink offerings.

DESIGNED FOR THE SENSES

Upon entering Ceiba through the crafted cast bronze door, the eye is immediately drawn toward the wrap-around windows offering full views of the surrounding resort and crystalline lagoon during the day, and evening fireworks from nearby theme parks at night.

A chandelier of glass flutes layered like jungle leaves shimmers overhead and, at the center of the room, the spotlight shines on the main bar, drawing inspiration from agave leaves and accented with dozens of artistic spirit bottles.

A mesmerizing backdrop for a series of smoky glass bulbs, the bar is accessorized with playful iguana statues situated within a decorative terrarium to greet Ceiba visitors. Sunset tones of burnt orange and garnet are splashed along the ceiling, walls and throughout the seating areas to create a play of light and shadows, unveiling a layered experience with rich textures and patterns.

The outdoor eating area, covered by a retractable roof to allow for comfortable al fresco cocktails and light bites year-round, is accented with lounge-style seating, bringing in a coastal-inspired vibe for anyone enjoying a balmy Florida evening.

The private dining area, set against a backdrop of gold-tones, is perfect for groups of 10-30 people and allows for intimate gatherings and an ideal location for creating close connections among guests.

Ceiba is located at 1500 Eastbeach Way and is open Wednesday through Sunday from 5 pm until 10 pm for both hotel guests as well as Orlando visitors and locals.

Reservations for Ceiba can be made online through Open Table HERE or by calling 407-387-2000.

For more information, please visit the Conrad Orlando website.

Nestled within Evermore Orlando Resort’s sprawling 1,100-acre property less than three miles from oneWalt Disney World, the 433-room Conrad Orlando features five distinct dining venues; the serene Conrad Spa Orlando and Water Garden; Evermore Bay, an 8-acre crystalline lagoon and expansive pool complex; and more than 65,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space.

A Natural Oasis

Drawing inspiration from Florida’s more than 1,000 natural springs, the largest concentration of springs in the world, and the 500-acre nature preserve adjacent to the property, Conrad Orlando’s design synchronizes with the area’s natural landscape to create an indoor-outdoor environment that inspires harmony between relaxation and rejuvenation.

Designed by global architecture firm HKS and interior design firm Anderson/Miller, the hotel transports guests to the tropics with a bold, modern design unlike any other in Central Florida’s luxury hotel scene. A contemporary reflection of land and sea, Conrad Orlando embraces the use of organic shapes and fluid lines to emulate the flow of water, while natural wood tones and use of regional materials, such as limestone, create the tie back to land. 

Upon entering the lobby, guests pass below an art installation inspired by a robust wooden Chris-Craft boat and are immediately greeted by unobstructed views of the contrast between the emerald green garden and the crystal blue lagoon. Conrad Orlando’s guest rooms, public areas and meeting spaces balance calming color palettes with eye-catching paintings and sculptural installations, inspired by water-themed artwork from local artisans as an ever-present reminder of Florida’s natural wonders.

Rooms Made For Relaxation

No details were spared in creating Conrad Orlando’s 433 luxurious guest rooms and suites. In-room amenities provide sophisticated comforts of home, including oak flooring, plush beds outfitted with Frette linens, built-in closets, well-appointed bathrooms with marbled double vanities and Byredo bath products, stocked minibars with Nespresso machines, and in-room dining offerings.

The hotel’s tasteful accommodations include 61 elegant suites ranging from one to three bedrooms, all with exclusive amenities, such as standalone soak tubs and outdoor living space. Ten spacious Family Suites offer a private bedroom along with a full living room featuring a comfortable pullout sofa and two twin bunkbeds, able to be tucked away behind pocket doors. Just under 2,000 square feet, Poolside Suites and Guest Rooms act as an extended cabana for travelers looking to relax in style, while four Deluxe Water Garden rooms offer a secluded patio and special access to the Water Garden, for those seeking the ultimate wellness experience.

In Conrad’s Premium Suites, discerning guests can enjoy gourmet kitchens, dining areas, with the Conrad Suites and Presidential Suites offering unobstructed water views during the day, along with views of theme park fireworks at night.

Dining For Every Occasion

Conrad Orlando’s five dining experiences are designed to satisfy every craving. Options include Sophia’s Trattoria, celebrating the diverse culinary traditions of Southern Italy with a wide range of cooking styles, traditional recipes, and seasonal ingredients. Adjacent to Sophia’s is Apéro, Conrad Orlando’s lobby bar, providing a Riviera-inspired cocktail lounge experience with piazza-style dining and a spritz-forward beverage menu. With beverage programs crafted by renowned bar consultant Giancarlo Mancino, both Sophia’s and Apéro are hubs of conviviality offering prosecco by the glass, large-format shareable cocktails, refreshing wine selections and effervescent drinks. 

The Polynesian-inspired Papaya Club delights guests by bringing the taste and feel of the Pacific islands to Orlando. Exotic fruits, spices and rum infuse a lively slice of the South Pacific into the beverage menu of beautifully garnished Polynesian cocktails created by Paul McGee, the famed mixologist known for his award-winning bars and tropical influences. A traditional food menu of Asian-inspired dishes can be enjoyed via tableside service or delivered directly to guest cabanas and lounge chairs. 

For casual all-day dining needs, Little Spoon takes inspiration from European cafés. From pastries and gelato to sandwiches and snacks, Little Spoon offers what the moment requires.

Rounding out Conrad Orlando’s array of dining venues is the property’s crown jewel Ceiba, offering contemporary rooftop dining, rooted in Mexican tradition with a focus on heirloom ingredients and agave-forward spirits.

A Paradise For Meetings

Sitting within the heart of one of the top meeting destinations in the U.S. and beyond, Conrad Orlando is home to ample meeting and event spaces. With a wide variety of possible configurations, the hotel’s 65,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor technology-focused group space consists of two dedicated ballrooms, seven divisible meeting rooms with natural light, two expansive terraces, the Lotus Boardroom and the multipurpose, turfed 9,000 square-foot Lyonia Lawn. Drawing into the theme of dynamic nature seen throughout the hotel, event spaces prioritize natural light, feature sophisticated yet bold color palettes, and are each named after native flowering trees and plants from the area.

Additional elegant design details, such as the signature staircase spanning the two floors of event space or access to additional venues at Evermore Orlando Resort like the lagoon-side Boathouse, ensure that Conrad Orlando is also a choice destination for weddings and social celebrations. 

Unwind at Conrad Spa 

Conrad Spa Orlando and Water Garden leans into its natural surroundings by providing a curated selection of rituals centered around water, sound and locally sourced Florida flora and minerals. With saunas, steam rooms, a Serenity Lounge, 11 interior treatment rooms and stations for manicures, pedicures, hairstyling and recovery, the spa allows guests and visitors alike to recuperate, reconnect and reenergize.

Outdoors, the 12,000 square-foot Water Garden features a cold plunge, vitality pool and hot plunge available to all spa guests, along with four private treatment tubs and sound bath stations. The Conrad Spa is proud to be the exclusive spa partner of Noble Panacea, the only Nobel Laureate created skin care brand in the world, backed by scientific research and created by hand in small batches using clean formulas and sustainable packaging. Additional spa partners include Lotus Wei, providing customized elixirs made from Florida flowers, and Medicine Springs, harnessing the healing power of minerals from Florida springs to create sprays and oils used within treatments.

Conrad Orlando is located at 1500 Eastbeach Way, Orlando, FL 32836. To make a reservation, please visit Hilton.com or call +407-387-2000. 

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