Though the Orlando restaurant scene is without a doubt coming into its own, it’s the trailblazers that put our city on the map. While they vary in both age and level of formality, here are a few Orlando-area restaurants that continue to define our dining landscape.
Lee & Ricks Oyster Bar
Sidle up to the 50-person bar at one of Orlando’s most venerated dive spots, claim yourself a bottle of Tabasco and a bowl of sliced lemons, and you’re set to shuck.
5621 Old Winter Garden Road, 407-293-3587, $
Photo via losangelesnoir/InstagramThe Ravenous Pig
The little touches are as sophisticated as the main event at this, Orlando/Winter Park’s first gastropub. Diners swoon over the Gruye?re biscuits, plus whatever else is on the oft-changing menu. The only thing you absolutely know will always be present is creativity and talent in the kitchen.
565 W. Fairbanks Avenue, Winter Park, 407-628-2333; $$$
Photo via theravenouspig/InstagramThe Beefy King
An Orlando classic. Get a sandwich platter – any Beefy King sandwich plus Beefy Spuds (tater tots), coleslaw and a kosher dill pickle for less than a 10-spot – and you’ll probably have enough left over for a small milkshake.
424 N. Bumby Ave., 407-894-2241, $
Photo via munchies/InstagramGaribaldi Mexican Restaurant
Garibaldi’s is without a doubt an Orlando classic. This Semoran staple houses authentic Mexican fare, a great happy hour and even a Mariachi band.
925 N. Semoran Blvd., 407- 275-5035, $$
Photo via elenka_bobkova/InstagramChuan Lu Garden
Colonialtown’s Chuan Lu Garden employs plenty of fiery stimulants in their authentic, real-deal Sichuan fare. Must-try dishes: cumin lamb, laced with aromatic and mouth-numbing Sichuan peppercorns, and Lanzhou-style beef soup with hand-pulled noodles.
1101 E. Colonial Drive, 407-896-8966; $$
Photo via evan.molnar/InstagramThai House on Colonial
A longtime Orlando fixture, Thai House is definitely a thing in this city. Classic favorites like chicken pad Thai always get fanfare, but this place serves up that real flavor too. Try the mee krop appetizer — sticky, crisp rice noodles with a sweet/spicy tamarind sauce and shrimp — or the strong herbal Thai iced tea.
2117 E. Colonial Drive, 407- 898-0820, $
Photo via danielatravels/InstagramThe Donut King
Make your Instagram doughnut dreams a reality with a half-dozen (or dozen, we don’t judge) of Donut King’s airy, frosty dunkers with all the toppings.
3716 Howell Branch Court, Winter Park, 407-316-4817; $
Photo via Donut King/FacebookChef Eddie’s
At Chef Eddie’s, the moist, tender barbecued ribs come dressed with a mildly sweet mustardy sauce that had us reminiscing about our Carolina rib forays. This is a must-stop for meat lovers.
595 W. Church St., 407- 826-1731, $$
Photo via ferris_moola/instagramHot Dog Heaven
Pretty much a Colonial Drive staple (with one of the best signs in town), Hot Dog Heaven has been slangin’ dogs for quite some time and for good reason … they serve a hell of a tube steak.
5355 E. Colonial Drive, 407-282-5746; $
Photo via newxvision/InstagramPho 88
Specializing in gigantic, weirdly addictive bowls of very thin rice noodles and various cuts of beef submerged in delicately seasoned broth, they also serve the usual exotics of shrimp paste and grilled pork? – but the soup’s the thing.
730 N. Mills Ave., 407-897-3488, $
Photo via farahkaay/InstagramHollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe
Homey (or “gemutlichkeit”) gasthaus in Sanford’s historic downtown district offers bier, wursts, spaetzle, strudel and some of the finest sweet red cabbage you’ll eat, but the talent in the kitchen extends well beyond simply German food.
205 E. First St., Sanford, 407-321-2204, $$
Photo via jakejnewbold/InstagramSapporo Ramen
Banish all thoughts of salty plastic-wrapped bricks: It isn’t that kind of ramen. This West Colonial noodle house dishes up richly flavored bowls of tonkotsu, shio, miso or shoyu ramen. Udon and soba noodles are also offered, as are curries and gyudon, both of which are worth ordering.
5080 W. Colonial Drive, 407-203-6777; $
Photo via ashleyvrose/InstagramLinda’s La Cantina
No matter how you slice it, Linda’s La Cantina serves a superb steak and has been doing so for more than a half-century. Sit in the Fire Fountain Lounge sipping a grasshopper while you’re waiting for your checked-tablecloth digs in the dining room – and keep in mind that on most nights, reservations are recommended. All steaks are cut in-house, including the monster 2-pound T-bone.
4721 E. Colonial Drive, 407-894-4491; $$$
Photo via olivierlacan/InstagramTako Cheena
Tako Cheena is a combination of “food truck meets restaurant,” according to their Facebook, but the combination that we most notice is the burritos combined with Pan-Asian fillings. The Thai chicken peanut taco here is king. So yeah, we’ve said all we need to say. A late-night lifesaver.
932 N. Mills Ave., 407-757-0626. $
Photo via jessicaturnblah/Facebook4 Rivers Smokehouse
It’s all about the smoked-to-perfection Angus beef brisket at this popular Texas-style smokehouse; but be prepared to wait in line. Heady sides set this barbecue joint apart from the rest: smoked corn relish, sweet and meaty baked beans, and cream-cheese-stuffed jalapeños wrapped in bacon.
Multiple locations, 4rsmokehouse.com; $$
Photo via 4riverssmokehouse/InstagramLoving Hut
The tiny building is a sparkling-white temple of oddly delicious vegan dining. The environmentally friendly Loving Hut offers a win-win proposition: Along with more typical Asian options like “noble rice” and “saintly stir-fry,” the menu is stocked with snacks like cheesecake, “golden nuggets” and “happy dogs,” but it’s all vegan.
2101 E. Colonial Drive, 407-894-5673; $
Photo via rebootrachel/InstagramMi Viejo San Juan
A popular family-run establishment, Mi Viejo San Juan serves up a nice spread of seafood and Puerto Rican fare. This locals’ favorite is also a habitual stop for visiting politicians looking for the Latino vote.
7229 E. Colonial Drive, 407-380-2061; $$
Photo via Kenya C./YelpGringos Locos on Robinson
For many Orlando late-night boozers, Gringos Locos 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.
2406 E. Robinson St., Orlando, 407-896-5626; also 22 E. Washington St., 407-841-5626; $
Photo via kimminzu/InstagramWoodlands
This Indian restaurant on South OBT is a great place to get a masala fix (and we can’t recommend the coconut chutney highly enough). The atmosphere falls somewhere between fancy and casual — no need to dress up, but you won’t be chasing your chickpeas around the plate with a plastic fork, either. The fact that Woodlands is purely vegetarian is a big plus, too.
6040 S. Orange Blossom Trail, 407-854-3330, $
Photo via mynameisavni/instagramNile Ethiopian Restaurant
Ethiopian food is fantastic, and this cozy restaurant in the heart of the tourist strip is the best (only?) place it town to try it. Order a combo platter (meat or veggie) and scoop it with spongy injera bread instead of utensils. First-timers may want to go easy on the kitfo, a spicy steak tartare.
7048 International Drive, 407-354-0026, $$
Photo via droolius/InstagramGoff’s Drive In
Many Orlando residents go to Goff’s not only for the ice cream but for the memories. This little walk-up ice cream stand has been around since 1948, and is still serving up the best sundaes on Sundays to this day.
212 S. Orange Blossom Trail, 407-286-3421, $
Photo via Goff’s/FacebookCafe Tu Tu Tango
This tourist district spot serves tapas in an art-filled atmosphere. Here you’ll find tango dancers, opera singers, pretty much anything that falls under the category of “art.” This place is an experience in itself.
8625 International Drive, 407- 248-2222, $$$
Photo via 413.2776/Instagram
