As a bonafide foodie living in Orlando, I’m always seeking out the best ingredients to enjoy. And for serious meat lovers, it doesn’t get much better than rich, heavily marbled wagyu beef. This Japanese beef is renowned for its succulent texture and saturated fat flavor that melts on your tongue. Once only found in fine restaurants, wagyu is now more accessible to home cooks. Here’s where to get your hands on the good stuff in Orlando.
What Exactly is Wagyu Beef?
Wagyu refers to four specific Japanese cattle breeds – Japanese Black, Japanese Brown, Japanese Poll, and Japanese Shorthorn. The term “wa” means Japanese and “gyu” means cow. Kobe beef is perhaps the most famous type of wagyu from the Tajima strain of Japanese Black cattle.
True Japanese wagyu like Kobe can only come from Japan. But you can find wagyu from cattle bred with Japanese genetics all over the world now including here in the U.S. This American wagyu still displays the rich marbling and flavor that makes the beef so coveted and costly.
Where to Buy Wagyu in Orlando
From neighborhood butchers to high-end grocery stores, here are the best spots to purchase wagyu beef cuts in Orlando:
The Butcher Shoppe
This local butcher with various locations around Orlando is my go-to for American wagyu steak, ground beef, and more at reasonable prices. Their 21-day dry aged ribeye is insanely tender and flavorful Call ahead for availability and custom orders
Fresh Market
Stop by the butcher counter at Fresh Market for rotating selections of Snake River Farms American wagyu steaks. I like picking up individual cuts like filet mignon and NY strip here for special dinners. Prices are on par with premium steaks.
Whole Foods
Check the meat case at Whole Foods for pre-portioned American wagyu options including ground beef and sliders for the grill. Their in-house butchers sometimes have wagyu steak cuts behind the counter as well. Just ask!
Paul’s Meat Market
This specialty market founded in 1947 carries wet-aged wagyu ribeyes sourced from Ohio. At under $50 per pound, it’s some of the most affordable steakhouse quality wagyu you can buy retail in Orlando. Definitely worth a try.
Lobster E Bisque
Stop by Baldwin Park’s Lobster E Bisque restaurant retail shop which stocks wagyu beef from Darling Ranch. You can pick up ground beef, ribeye, NY strips, and occasionally rare cuts like short ribs and cheek.
Wagyu Express
Florida-based Wagyu Express sells Snake River Farms wagyu online and at Orlando area farmers markets Watch for opportunities to sample and order individual cuts or bundles delivered to your door Their ground wagyu is very popular.
Kiwami Japan
This online retailer ships coveted A5 olive wagyu from Japan to the U.S. Be prepared to pay $200+ per pound, but it’s an unmatched splurge for beef nirvana. The site also has more affordable American wagyu options.
Best Orlando Restaurants for Wagyu Beef
While buying wagyu to cook at home is a singular joy, you can’t beat letting a talented chef work their magic. Here are the top Orlando restaurants for succulent wagyu experiences:
Christner’s Prime Steak & Lobster
Indulge in their 28 day dry aged artisan wagyu ribeye seared expertly over a 1700F infra-red broiler. Upgrade to the insanely marbled A5 Japanese wagyu strip for a showstopping splurge.
The BLVD Steakhouse
This upscale restaurant inside Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress wows with rotating wagyu specials like seared chili lime wagyu hangar steak with corn relish and chimichurri. Worth the drive from downtown Orlando.
Bull & Bear
The classic steakhouse inside the Waldorf Astoria regularly features Snake River Farms wagyu on the menu. Their wagyu surf and turf with lobster tail is exquisite.
Fonte Gourmet
At this cozy College Park spot, Chef Fontaine specializes in elevated gourmet takes on pasta. Watch for handmade squid ink cavatelli with wagyu beef ragu when available – total comfort food bliss!
The Edison
Disney Springs’ retractable roof Edison restaurant sports a vintage industrial vibe and indulgent food. Try their wagyu truffle sliders or filet mignon bites when available for a bite of beefy heaven.
Morimoto Asia
The famous Iron Chef’s Disney Springs eatery wows with stunning preparations of wagyu beef. Their signature A5 wagyu loin with Maui onions and wasabi peppercorn sauce is on another level entirely.
Victoria & Albert’s
Expect excellence and luxury at Disney’s premiere fine dining experience inside the Grand Floridian. Their chef’s tasting menus periodically feature an exquisite Kobe-style wagyu course befitting the white glove service.
Where I Buy A5 Wagyu (REAL PRICES)
FAQ
How much should you pay for Wagyu?
Is Aldi selling Wagyu beef?
Does Costco have real wagyu?
How much is 1 pound of Wagyu beef cost?
Where can I buy wagyu steak in Melbourne?
Wassi’s has been providing quality meats for 30+ years right here in Melbourne (same location). Check out our selection of choice, prime, domestic wagyu, Australian wagyu and A5 Japanese wagyu beef, all hand cut fresh never frozen. We also offer 35 day USDA prime dry aged steaks. Aged and handcrafted in house.
What types of Wagyu steaks are available?
Check out our selection of choice, prime, domestic wagyu, Australian wagyu and A5 Japanese wagyu beef, all hand cut fresh never frozen. We also offer 35 day USDA prime dry aged steaks. Aged and handcrafted in house. Come in discover all the cuts that you only read about elsewhere.
What kind of meats do you offer at Denver steak & Wagyu?
Come in discover all the cuts that you only read about elsewhere. For instance Denver Steaks (both Prime and Wagyu), Tri Tip (both Prime and Wagyu) and Picanha (both Prime and Wagyu) We also offer a variety of handmade in house specialty sausages as well as hand cut pork. Homemade sides, appetizers and pies.
Where do you buy Wagyu cattle?
We purchased our Wagyu stock from Gerry Pittenger’s Blue Rock Cattle Company in Washington State. Gerry worked closely with Washington State University to develop and improve the foundation of Wagyu cattle in the States. When you buy grass-fed Wagyu from our Florida farm, know that we stand behind the quality-breeding of our animals.