24 Foodie Spots to Try Right Now in Orlando
Atlas Bakery
These cruffins were such a dream, and for locals who are closer to Winter Garden, this is an excellent option for fresh, small-batch baked goods. For now, you can only get these goods with an online order and pickup. The menu rotates seasonally, so follow their Instagram to make sure you don’t miss the goods.
Kurkuri Bhindi Bhel from Bombay Street Kitchen
My visit to the Bombay Street Kitchen over on OBT did not disappoint on any front. The stand-out dish of those I tried was the Kurkuri Bhindi Bhel. So full of different textures and flavors, it’s such an enjoyable plate. You get salty, crunchy, sweet, and bright spots full of Crispy okra, onion, tomato, sev, and then lightened with pomegranate seeds. It’s a perfect small plate to share for $6. You’d be safe getting anything here, but this dish was my favorite.
Hanalei Shaved Ice
You may think that shaved ice is just a summertime treat, but we can enjoy this dessert in Florida all year long. Over at Hanalei, the shaved ice creations are filling, especially when they are stuffed with ice cream. Owner Brandy is constantly coming up with new and out-of-the-norm flavor combinations. You better believe she has a whole fall menu too. Her spirit is just as sweet as her treats. As a retired Navy vet, she started the truck to show her children and community her Hawaiian roots. She often pop-ups at House on Lang but follow her to get all the deets on her schedule.
Rachey’s Kitchen
I found Rachey’s Kitchen while searching Instagram for food adventures. What caught my eye initially was the Korean Hot Dogs, but after taking a deeper dive into the menu, I placed a large order for dinner. My favorite was the wings (although I would prefer them a little crunchier) and the Bulgogi Beef Kimbap. In addition, I got a huge fried cheese stick which was delicious, but out of respect to my bowels, I probably won’t be ordering again. 😆
Order thru the website, pay through a cash app, and determine whether you want to pick it up in East Orlando or pay an extra fee for delivery!
The Bánh Mì at P’s Viet Mi
I LOVE an excellent Bánh mì, and this traditional Vietnamese sub can be found over on John Young + Sandlake at a spot, known for its Vietnamese and Mexican fusion. Like any classic Bánh mì, it's topped with pickled vegetables, cucumber, cilantro, jalapeños, and pork on an airy baguette. Pair it with their powerful Vietnamese coffee, and this is a seamless lunch experience loaded with flavor.
Ramen Tagaki
Over in Oviedo this small Ramen shop will not disappoint. The menu is simple, and focuses on a few options of ramen, and the two we tried were perfect. You can add a little more to your meal with an appetizer, like we did with the karaage and gyoza. The cafe is small, with a few tables and bar seating, but there is no outside seating.
DoshiBox
I still think about my first Doshibox and I truly wish the ghost kitchen where you pick it up from was closer to me. Packed full of fun flavors and textures this box can easily introduce a Korean cuisine novice to favorites or please someone who is already familiar with these foods. I would eat this weekly if I lived closer to the pick-up spot for sure. Order and pickup couldn’t be simpler, don’t be intimidated of ordering from these collaborative kitchens.
Black Magic Pizza
This pop-up pizza joint is currently one of my favorite places for a slice. They’ve become so popular they tend to sell out fast, so it can be a bit labor-intensive to get your hands on a pie, but I do believe it’s worth it. In all my pizza eating I’ve found it’s hard to get a pie with great crust AND flavorful sauce with just the right acidity plus a good cheese ratio. I dream that they find a brick-and-mortar spot where they can thrive in the AC that’s also close enough to me so I can get my hands on it when I crave it, which is often.
WA Sushi
WA Sushi has quickly become one of my favorite spots for sushi. I haven’t eaten inside their new location due to COVID, but it’s a takeout staple for us. Some of my favorite rolls include the Pina Colada, Sea Dragon, and Fuji. If you aren’t a sushi fan, their ramen is also a great option.
Antojitos Locos
The Birria taco trend may be dying down, but if you haven’t ventured to Winter Garden to try these, they are worth the trip. Personally, I’ve had several soggy and greasy Birria tacos that left me feeling gross and borderline ill. Still, Antojitos has all the flavor from the consume and doesn’t weigh the tortilla down with soggy meat. They just upgraded from a pop-up to a spot inside of a gas station on W. Colonial, so they should be easier to find.
Rincón Latino Restaurant & Café
As soon as you mention a Cuban sandwich, a debate ensues as to which is the best. I have my favorites in town, but I was blown away by the sandwich at Cafe Rincon on Forsyth. They offer the most generous portions of succulent pork, accompanied by the proper serving of ham and cheese and lots of pickles. Those slim little Cuban sandwiches around town may be good enough for some, but this sammy is a beast of flavor you have to try.
SmokeMade Meats
We’ve all become so cynical to food posts (thanks in part to disingenuous undisclosed sponsored posts) that sometimes hype turns us off. While I’m a firm believer everyone has a different palette and not everyone will like the same foods, I can’t imagine any carnivore consuming human not enjoying SmokeMade Meats. Tyler’s stuffed cheddar and jalapeno sausage is packed with smokey, spiced flavor and he turned what is often bland and forgotten turkey into main event. Not to mention his sides like the dill potato salad, and apple slaw which add such a nice lift to the heavier entrees. I haven’t been let down yet, and I don’t think you will be. You can find him at pop-ups and I highly encourage you to place a pre-order.
Jeff’s Bagel Run
I will die on the hill that we had no delicious bagels in town until Jeff's Bagel Run graced us with his magical carbs. Jeff and his wife Danielle single-handedly gave every Florida resident that came from up North a taste of home, and for Southerners, a true testament of what the texture of a bagel should taste like. FYI, it shouldn't hurt your jaw to chew it. It's hard to believe he turned getting laid off into a money-making hobby, turned undisputed Bagel King of the west side, selling out just about every single morning. Support this new family business; you won't regret the carb intake.
Tabla Cuisine
Dare I say Tabla has some of the best Indian food you can find in the city. Not only is this a women-owned and led business, but you are getting some serious authentic Indian dishes and flavors; there are no imposters here. It’s the real deal. While it’s perfectly understandable to start with familiar dishes like Butter Chicken and Garlic Naan, you’re going to want to dive deeper into this menu as time goes on. Don’t leave flavors like this in the kitchen! Also, if you are dining with someone that isn’t a fan of Indian food, their menu also has select Chinese and Thai dishes.
Jam Hot Chicken
If you fancy yourself a hot chicken connoisseur add Jam Hot Chicken to your list. The Pizza Bruno alum turned Hot Chicken Chef has been handling pop-ups for the past year, but is currently working on opening his first restaurant in Winter Park. For now you can follow his Instagram for any pop-ups that may happen between now and the restaurant opening.
Zeytin Turkish Cuisine
Over in College Park you’ll find some really satisfying Turkish food. My go-to dishes include the Lavas Bread, lamb doner kebab, fresh humus, and a shepherd salad that is packed with fresh vegetables and parsley. There is no outside seating here, but the food holds up taking it to-go and they installed a pick-up window on the side of the building.
Deli Desires
If you ask me, Deli Desires can do no wrong. If you haven’t gone, you aren’t treating yourself right! Orlando severely lacks in spots to get breakfast (no First Watch doesn’t count), and while this deli isn’t exclusively a breakfast joint, I treat it as such. Every single sandwich I’ve tried is phenomenal, and don’t you dare miss the sides in the fridge that include potato salad, spicy pickles, and flavor-packed carrots that are among the very necessary handmade sodas. Also, if you can get your hands on their Challah loaf, do it.
Winter Park Biscuit Co.
Given the name of Mary’s restaurant, you would think I would post a picture of her biscuits. While they are delicious (I recently had awful vegan biscuits in Sarasota so I have a new found respect for hers) it’s this kale salad I crave so often. It’s still hard to believe this chick’n is vegan, and when it’s smothered with her Buffalo sauce it makes me rethink all my eating choices because I could surely be converted to a meat-free lifestyle when it’s this good.
Nomad Bakehouse
My first taste of Grace’s product were her amazing breads, but when I interviewed her over back in January 2020 I saw how she was going to start incorporating pastries into her arsenal and I was thrilled. Her weekly bakes sell out, and she’s gotten to expand her operations in her cottage bakery to provide us with her high-quality goods. She legitimately makes the best pastelitos I have ever been able to get my hands in in Orlando. Add her to your list if you haven’t had her blessed breads yet.
Cold Sesame Noodles at Mamak
I’m a big fan of Mamak, and I’ve always been perplexed that it doesn’t get more love. Their roti beats others in town (in my opinion), and their food has never disappointed me or, more importantly, it's never made me sick. However, while many tasty items are on the menu, the sesame noodles have a particular hold on me. It is lightly sweet and a bit savory with a creamy peanut butter sauce. I absolutely wish I could buy it in an entree size. This is the ultimate happy noodle pull.
Sugardough Bakehouse
Since Light on the Sugar opened almost two years ago, these baked goods have captured Orlando dessert lovers with a firm grip. Not only are their desserts delicious, but they are smart enough to consistently provide us with new items that pique our interest and make us purchase more sweets than we should on a monthly basis. The new sister concept is no exception, with lines out the door just during the soft opening. Yes, it’s worth it.
Mee Thai
I wouldn’t call Mee Thai a hidden gem, but it’s a spot that I find to be top tier, and I never hear anyone talk about it.
The Tom Kha is one of the most comforting dishes with a fragrant creamy broth of kaffir leaves, lemongrass, lime juice, and coconut milk. Also delicious are the waterfall beef salad, drunken noodles, and the laab. Matched with fresh rolls or cheese rolls, it’s for me the perfect at-home diner. Its modest home on Lee Road fetches good reviews online, so I suppose people are eating there, but it’s still feels a bit of an underground spot, probably because it doesn’t have an Instagrammable wall (insert eye roll).
Pass Progressive
The Pass Progressive has gotten a lot of love online due to the Birria taco craze. Over in Altamonte, you’ll find them in a strip of buildings that don’t exactly scream restaurant, but when you pick up your food, know you are in the right place. While the Birria tacos are good, I found myself loving their wings as well as their quesadillas (which you can also dip in consommé). The power of social media is evident when a restaurant literally off the beaten path with barely any signage can find its following.
Brad’s Underground Pizza
I don’t think I’ve ever heard so much hype about a pizza that you couldn’t get. I couldn’t help wonder if it was a marketing tactic or real excitement over fantastic pizza. Now that you don’t have to place an order by DM and hope to get a response, it’s much easier to order and pick up a pie over at the Collab Kitchen off Curry Road. The excitement seemed to be over the deep dish, and personally, not being a fan of the deep dish I had in Chicago, I opted for the thin crust. Besides the sauce being a little too sweet for my liking, the pizza was undeniably tasty with great flavor. I plan to investigate the deep dish another day, and if I lived nearby, the thin crust would probably make its way into a regular pizza night rotation, but since I don’t, I leave it in the hands of the locals to support Brad!
All this food was paid for personally, no comments are paid for, and no establishment is even aware of me creating this post at the time it was written.