The Palm Orlando
National Chain Steakhouse with Expected Wine Playbook
International Drive · Orlando · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed February 27, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The Palm Orlando rolls out the corporate steakhouse wine playbook: a leather-bound list heavy on recognizable Napa Cabs and safe Italian reds. It's designed for expense accounts and tourists who want familiar names, not wine adventures. You know what you're getting before you open the cover.
Selection Deep Dive
The list leans hard into California heavyweights—Caymus, Silver Oak, Duckhorn—alongside predictable Italian entries like Antinori and Ruffino Chianti. You'll find some Bordeaux at the higher end and a token Malbec or two for variety. What's missing? Natural wines, interesting Loire whites, anything from Oregon or Washington, or any producer under the radar. This is wine for people who want to recognize the label from the grocery store, just at triple the price.
By the Glass
By-the-glass selections stick to the script: a Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay, a Josh Cabernet, maybe a Whispering Angel rosé in summer. They're poured in standard stemware, nothing varietal-specific, and rotations are glacial. The bartenders pour them confidently enough, but don't expect deep knowledge or personalized recommendations beyond "the Cab pairs great with steak."
Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon — $48
Washington Cab that drinks clean and fruit-forward without the Napa tax—if they have it, it's your best bet under $50
Planeta La Segreta Rosso
Sicilian red blend that most skip for Tuscan names, but offers dark fruit and herb notes that cut through ribeye fat better than over-oaked Cabs
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Marked up to $140+ for a bottle you can find at Total Wine for $85—the markup here is pure brand tax
Masi Costasera Amarone + Veal Parmigiana
The dried-grape richness and sweet spice of Amarone mirrors the tomato sauce sweetness and stands up to the breading without getting lost
✔️ The Bottom Line
The Palm Orlando won't surprise you, and that's kind of the point. It's a solid corporate steakhouse with a wine list built for safety over discovery—fine for a client dinner, forgettable for anyone chasing interesting bottles. Order the steak, keep your wine expectations modest.
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