Orlando is home to some of the country’s biggest, most over-the-top places to eat. However, we also have quite a few small, under-the-radar restaurants serving some incredible dishes. What we’re talking about here is Orlando’s best tiny restaurants, where you can feel the heat from the kitchen, the tables are crammed too close together, and you can overhear every conversation from nearby tables. These Orlando restaurants may be small, but the flavor they serve on a daily basis is anything but.
Kadence
1809 E. Winter Park Road
From the trio that brought us Kappo comes Kadence, a nine-seat stunner serving superlative multicourse omakases. Ingredients are ever-changing and are flown in twice, sometimes thrice, weekly from Japan; what they do with them is why a visit here is a must for any Japanophile. Sushi-only lunches go for $61-$75 and feature 12 pieces, soup and dessert.
Photo by Rob BartlettKing Bao
710 N Mills Ave, Orlando, (407) 237-0013
This tiny restaurant packs a big taste and is the ideal lunch special for hungry customers ballin’ on a budget. If the variety of steamy, soft bun baos isn’t enough to satisfy you, the truffle tots definitely will. The owner, Vic Nguyen, was born and raised in Orlando and now serves locals with dishes that marry eastern and western flavors.
Photo by Rob BartlettKing Bao
710 N Mills Ave, Orlando, (407) 237-0013
There’s probably no better metaphor for Mills 50 than the Mr. Potato Head: a sweet-potato croquette topped with sour cream and roasted corn salsa, wrapped up in a soft, fluffy bao bun for $3.
Photo via Photo via King Bao/FacebookSticky Rice
1915 E. Colonial Drive, (321) 800-6532
Within the spectrum of flavors at the city’s sole Laotian eatery, you’ll find the familiar flavors of sweet and spicy along with flurries of funky, fermented and fishy. Popular dishes include pork tapioca dumplings, sticky chicken wings and lemongrass beef jerky; the cucumber salad and papaya salad offer a blast of umami courtesy fermented crab, crab paste and shrimp paste more suited to advanced palates. Can’t pass on the sticky rice – no Laotian meal is complete without it.
Photo by Rob BartlettVivi Bubble Tea
1111 E Colonial Dr, (407) 412-5224
Vivi Bubble Tea prides itself on providing the freshest taste possible and a variety of seasonal flavors in all of its tea choices from Taiwan. The inside of this tea spot is youthful and modern, making the small space feel refreshing and bright. Its mission it to create a “relaxing yet enjoyable experience” and to “become the icon of heedful technological tea drinking.”
Photo via vivibubbletea_mills50 /InstagramButtermilk Bakery
1198 N Orange Ave, Winter Park, (321)-422-4015
This cozy small-batch bakery is family owned by mother, daughter and son, and promises to satisfy your sweet tooth. Here, you can find an assortment of unique pastries, including matcha-almond croissant and cherry-orange oat cookies.
Photo via Buttermilk/InstagramButtermilk Bakery
1198 N Orange Ave, Winter Park, (321) 422-4015
The owners use “as-local-as-possible” ingredients and started off selling their pastries in farmers markets. Now, they serve made-in-house sweets to die for.
Photo by Rob BartlettBikkuri Sushi 1915 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, (407) 894-4494
Sushi and takeout might not always sound great together, but this little restaurant on Colonial specializes in sushi on the go, offering up fresh fish in place of settling for a microwave meal or monotonous salad for dinner. It also offers buy one, get one free margaritas on Mondays and other hot happy hour deals if you choose to dine in.
Photo via i.am.ingrid.b
/InstagramWillie’s Pinchos Restaurant
1718 N Goldenrod Rd, Orlando, (407) 601-3373
Location can make this Puerto Rican delicacy easy to overlook, but don’t. Burgers, meats and good eats with some Latin flavor sets this lunch and dinner spot apart from the everyday deli sandwich or soup. The owners love to chat with customers and provide excellent service, which doesn’t go unnoticed.
Photo via Willie’s Pincho’s Restaurant /FacebookGoff’s Drive In
212 S Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, (407) 286-3421
Many Orlando residents go to Goff’s not only for the ice cream but for the memories. This little walk-up ice cream stand has been around since 1948, and is still serving up the best sundaes on Sundays to this day.
Photo viaGitto’s Pizza
120 S Orange Ave, Orlando, (407) 203-8889
Gitto’s is small, but will make a big difference on how you feel at the end of the night, which is full. Gitto’s is one of those shining gems of Orlando that stays open until 5 a.m. for those doing the late night stroll from Wall Street foraging for drunk food. Plus, they put a free garlic knot on your pizza – the work of true angels.
Photo via Gitto’s Pizza /FacebookKai Asian Street Fare
1555 Semoran Blvd, (407) 540-0555
After months of perfecting their recipes in a test kitchen, engineers Isra Sunhachawi and Quan Van opened Kai and were ready to debut their food creations to the masses. Kai offers Asian street food and some savory favorite, including the “K-Pop and Lock” — hand-cut fries topped with bulgogi, kimchi and spicy mayo. Other options include wontons, crispy Korean and Vietnamese fried chicken wings, soups, garlic noodles, loaded fried and fried rice.
Photo via kaistreetfare /InstagramKing Cajun Crawfish
914 N Mills Ave, Orlando, (407) 704-8863
We may be landlocked here in Orlando, but King Cajun is all about bringing the freshest seafood with a New Orleans twist to the City Beautiful. The owner is a NOLA native and still insists on flying in crawfish in from Louisiana, picking them up from Orlando International Airport every other day just in time for the lunch time rush.
Photo via King Cajun Crawfish /FacebookValhalla Bakery
2603 E South St, Orlando, (407)-613-5968
Located at Market on South, this bakery has got a rebellious, yet magical feel to it (maybe it’s just the donuts talking). Valhalla is small but ever expanding, and the bakery also offers one-of-a-kind specialty cakes, including wedding cakes. The menu offers a rotation of sweet depending on the season, so don’t limit yourself to one trip.
Photo by Rob BartlettDharma Southern Kitchen
2603 E. South St., 407-613-5968
Market on South also houses Dixie Dharma. It’s hard to find a table at certain times but stick around because this food is worth the effort. The vegan mac & cheese is gooey, garlicky and a comforting side to the “meaty” Carolina BBQ pulled jackfruit sandwich, served on buttery (in a vegan way) Texas toast graced with shavings of preserved lemon. Cheesy homies and smoky Brussels sprouts are also a hit
Photo via Market on South/FacebookMynt
535 W New England Ave, Winter Park, (407) 636-7055
Mynt may be small, but it is far from any “hole-in-the-wall joint.” This Indian restaurant offers the pleasures of a more upscale aesthetic without the loud, intruding and impersonal vibes of a larger space. The plates are pretty and the food is unique. It’s a good place to be if you want to try Indian food in a nicer setting.
Photo by Rob BartlettMediterranean Deli
981 W Fairbanks Ave, Orlando, (407) 539-2650
Mediterranean Deli is a lunch time favorite among many Orlandoans. This is your place if you’re looking for cheap that doesn’t taste cheap. The hummus is made fresh daily and the gyro sandwich is a must-try. It serves gyros wrapped or open-faced and savory, flavorful dishes that locals love.
Photo via Mediterranean Deli /FacebookPom Pom’s Teahouse and Sandwicheria
67 N Bumby Ave, Orlando, (407) 894-0865
This funky little wall-filled space provides sandwiches, pastries, and an assortment of loose leaf teas as authentic as the art found throughout the space from local artists. Pom Pom’s owner is originally from Thailand and has a degree as a pastry chef, so you know her stuff has got to be good.
Photo via pompomsteahouse /InstagramTako Cheena
932 N Mills Ave, Orlando, (407) 757-0626
Tako Cheena is a combination of “food truck meets restaurant,” according to their Facebook. We’ll happily munch anytime on one of the innovative fusion-flavor folds Edgardo Guzman’s team has dreamt up. Late-night patrons happily scarf the spicy-sweet Korean beef taco, filled with bulgogi, kimchi and cilantro.
Photo via Tako Cheena /InstagramTako Cheena
932 N. Mills Ave., 407-757-0626
Tako Cheena’s Latin-Asian tacos and burritos quell hunger pangs and desktop lunchtime boredom in Mills 50. Pick up the three-taco special – choose from Thai peanut chicken, panko-crusted cod, Asian braised beef, tom yum mojo shrimp and Indian curry-dusted crispy tofu.
Photo via Tako CheenaLaSpada’s Philly Cheesesteaks
1010 Lee Rd, Orlando, FL, (407)-539-0067
Originally from Chester, PA, this little hoagie and cheesesteak joint will take your tastebuds straight to the City of Brotherly Love with their melty, greasy goodness. LaSpada’s also claims they have “The best damn hoagies in town,” so don’t go there if you’re looking for a salad.
Photo via LaSpadas/FacebookThe Donut King
3716 Howell Branch Ct, Winter Park, (407) 316-4817
Make your Instagram donut dreams a reality with a half dozen, (or dozen, we don’t judge) of Donut King’s airy, frosty donuts with all the toppings. The Donut King is a family-owned business, and the donuts are handmade fresh every day. It also offers a New Orleans-style lunch and dinner menu, including Gumbo, Jambalaya, and beignets.
Photo via The Donut King /FacebookTrevi Pasta
2120 Edgewater Dr, Orlando, (407) 985-2577
If you’re tired of Italian restaurants overcharging you for pasta straight from a box, then make your way to Trevi Pasta, where they literally cut the fresh pasta right in front of you when you order. Don’t fall too hard for one dish though, Trevi Pasta updates their menu daily.
Photo via Trevi Pasta /FacebookTeriyaki House
5600 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, (321) 281-8088
This lively yet unassuming little Teriyaki restaurant offers up truly authentic Taiwanese dishes. Whether you’re looking for a flavorful Hibachi steak or a big bowl or fried rice, Teriyaki House is the place for true Taiwanese food in Orlando.
Photo by Jason GreeneDrunken Monkey
444 N Bumby Ave, Orlando, (407)-893-4994
Swing over to Drunken Monkey Coffee for some piping hot Joe in this artsy little hole in the wall on Bumby. The vibe is bohemian-comfy, with vintage sofas and découpaged tables that what little space is available in the vegan coffee joint.
Photo via Drunken Monkey/InstagramThe Soda Fountain
2525 Edgewater Dr, Orlando, (407)-540-1006
This cute little ice cream joint has that 50’s soda shop vibe that makes it the perfect oasis during a warm afternoon in Winter Park. They’ve even got a nutella milkshake called “The Elvis,” so feel free to wear your best greaser jacket when you go.
Photo via The Soda Fountain/FacebookVietnamese Cuisine Restaurant
1224 E Colonial Dr., (407) 228-7053
It’s a tiny, tucked-away Southeast Asian spot on the south side of the street, but Vietnam Cuisine has killer banh cuon – slippery rice crepes folded over pork and shrimp – that bely the humble digs. Get some with a Vietnamese iced coffee to shake off that hangover.
Photo by Jessica Bryce YoungGringos Locos on Robinson
2406 E Robinson St, Orlando, (407)-896-5626
For many Downtown Orlando late-night boozers, Gringos Locos in the Milk District is more than just a great neighborhood taco place. Gringos is the savior after a night of drinking, a safe haven filled with guac and cheese while you wait for your Uber, a comfort more satisfying than drunk dialing your ex at the end of the night.
Photo via Gringos Locos/FacebookZiggie’s Pizza
603 Virginia Dr,
One half of Perla’s opened up this pizza stand in the former home of that Ivanhoe Village pizzeria.
Photo via Ziggie’s Pizza/InstagramWinter Park Biscuit Co.
3201 Corrine Drive
Soul food doesn’t have to mean eating something capable of consciousness. These meatless takes on Southern breakfast are drawing crowds to this tiny, vegan diner.
Photo by Rob BartlettSoseki
955 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park
407-984-7869
This 10-seat omakase has been the buzzy place to be seen since its opening, so plan ahead to grab a seat.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
