If Floridians know how to do anything, it’s sprawl and eat. So, Orlando citizens in the know know that sometimes finding the best food The City Beautiful has to offer requires pulling up next to vape shops and liquor stores. Here are 20 of the best bars and restaurants hidden in Orlando strip malls.

Dali’s Lao Thai Cafe 1181 Rinehart Rd., Sanford The absolute best Laotian food in the Orlando area is in a strip mall in Sanford. Photo via Google Maps
Hanamizuki 8255 International Drive This Japanese spot is well hidden, in a strip mall behind the Starflyer. Photo via Google Maps
Nile Ethopian Restaurant 7048 International Drive Nile makes every effort to overcome its nondescript surroundings on International Drive. Outside the store, you’ll find massive signage. Inside the store, you’ll find incredible food. Photo via Google Maps
Stardust Video 1842 Winter Park Rd, Orlando This hipster haven with notoriously indifferent staff is controversial, to say the least. But the folks who dig it really dig it. Photo via Google Maps
Lacomka Russian Bakery & Deli 2050 FL-436, Winter Park This Russian outpost is a triple threat, serving up baked goods and deli items while also offering imported foodstuffs. Photo via Google Maps
La Fiesta Mexican Grill 3000 Curry Ford Rd. It’s almost impressive how well hidden La Fiesta is. This Mexican restaurant is worth seeking out in its nook of a Winn-Dixie plaza off Curry Ford Road. Photo via Google Maps
Takumi 8933 W Colonial Dr, Ocoee Ocoee is about as far as you can get from the ocean in Florida, and it’s still not that far. So we feel no regret in spilling the beans on this top-notch sushi resto hidden in a shopping center. Photo via Google Maps
El Pueblo 7124 Aloma Ave., Winter Park Foodies in Winter Park know this tiny strip mall Mexican restaurant punches above its weight. Photo via Google Maps
Whippoorwill Beer House 2425 East South Street Another wonder that’s been camouflaged by its surroundings. If you’re willing to keep looking once you see the yoga studio and doggy day care, you’ll find an incredible bar at the tail end of this strip mall. Photo via Whippoorwill Beer House/Instagram
Antica Pizzeria 249 W State Road 436, Altamonte Springs This Altamonte Springs spot exudes Italian authenticity from its wood-fired pizzas and gorgeous salads on down to its limited hours. The shop is open from 3:30 to 9 p.m. every day but Sunday and it’s worth the trek. Photo via Google Maps
Pom Pom’s Teahouse 67 N Bumby Ave The exterior of this strip mall spot is deceiving. Inside of Pom Pom’s, Orlando residents can get incredible tea and sandwiches while surrounded by local artwork. Photo via Pom Pom’s Teahouse/Facebook
BBB Tofu House 5140 W Colonial Dr. This Korean spot is a standout, but it’s just one part of a great Asian shopping center in West Orlando. Photo by Joey Roulette
Taqueria Ameca (407) 852-0502, 3558 S Orange Ave This nondescript taqueria in a strip mall is lauded for its cheap tacos. Photo via Google Maps
Chubby’s Family Restaurant 10376 E Colonial Drive As the entire culinary world has coifed itself for the sake of Instagram and the price of everything has risen drastically, we’ve lost the sort of low-end places that exist to serve good food at decent prices to hard-working people. Luckily, Chubby’s holds on along E. Colonial, serving up gutbusting breakfasts every single day. Photo via Chubby’s Family Restaurant /Facebook
Wa Sushi 924 FL-436, Casselberry One of the city’s best sushi joints sits in a strip mall in Casselberry. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Deli Desires 715 N Fern Creek Ave This relative newcomer has been keeping Orlando fed with takeaway food served out of a strip mall whose most prominent other tenant is a vape shop. Photo via Deli Desires/Instagram
Inay’s Kitchen 1097 S. Clarke Road, Ocoee The stews at this Filipino hotspot are worth seeking it out in its out of the way location in Ocoee. Photo by Rob Bartlett
Axum Coffee Multiple locations You have to head out to Winter Garden (or Apopka) for this coffee shop. Do it to break out of the Foxtail rut. Do it to get out of town. Do it because it’s really, really good coffee. Photo via Axum Coffee/Facebook
Donut King Multiple locations This local chain of unassuming donut shops don’t go in for the Fruity Pebbles monstrosities that clog Instagram, but Orlandoans have dreams about their maple log donut. Photo via Donut King