These small, easy-to-miss restaurants in the Orlando area definitely aren’t lacking in flavor. In fact, these spots are dishing up everything from authentic Mediterranean cuisine, to Asian street fare, to Caribbean eats. Use this list on your next foodie adventure for some undiscovered treats.
Bad As’s Sandwich
207 N. Primrose Dr., 407-757-7191
Despite its grammatical error, Bad As’s Sandwich is dishing up some bad ass sandwiches with a menu that changes based on ingredient availability. You are sure to be met with some of the freshest subs around.
Photo via Bad As’s Sandwich/Instagram903 Mills Market
903 S. Mills Ave., 407-898-4392
903 Mills menu is designed with our inner fat kid in mind. The NickGriddle (far from McDonald’s McGriddle) is plated up with sausage, egg and cheese pressed between two pancakes is truly for the most sinful at heart. Feeling a bit healthy? Try their lox and bagel topped with cream cheese, smoked salmon, red onion, tomato and capers.
Photo via wandering.and.lost/InstagramKing Bao
710 N. Mills Ave., 407-237-0013
King Bao is easy to miss but hard to pass up. Their steamed buns come filled with your choice of options, like the popular “hogzilla,” which is braised pork belly and try the firecracker shrimp that is marinated in chili lime.
Photo via tina_band/InstagramAntonella’s Pizzeria
360 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, 407-636-5333
This family-owned eatery is delivering New York-style pizza right to the heart of Florida. You can create your own savory pie or get their house speciality pizza. Either way, you’ll want to get here early and grab a spot because seating is pretty limited.
Photo via Rob BartlettThe Meatball Stoppe
7325 Lake Underhill Rd., 407-270-6505
The Meatball Stoppe is a Guy Fieri approved Orlando stop with their debut on “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.” This family-owned Italian restaurant serves meatballs countless of ways like the mac and cheese and gator meatballs.
Photo via officialfoodgroup/InstagramTurkish Bar and Grill
260 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, 407-869-5555
Turkish spices and flavors fill your taste buds at this eatery, with their homemade lamb and beef mix. The Doner gyro is among the chef specialties along with the Lahmacun, a carefully made and seasoned flatbread that sets the foundation for ground beef and sweet peppers.
Photo via Rob BartlettBagel King
1230 S. Lakemont Ave., Winter Park, 321-972-4267
Tucked away in a little strip mall, The King’s location may be small but the flavors are huge with their plethora of bagel sandwiches. Stop in on your way to work to try their savory and sweet breakfast options.
Photo via sanasanaessentials/InstagramHot Dog Heaven
5355 E. Colonial Dr., 407-282-5746
An Orlando institution, Hot Dog Heaven offers unique hot dogs like the Reuben dog, which is topped with Thousand Island dressing, melted swiss cheese and sauerkraut. This place is sure to satisfy your ballpark craving.
Photo via shellzambrano/InstagramMynt
535 W. New England Ave., Winter Park, 407-636-7055
Mynt serves contemporary Indian cuisine at its finest. This easy to miss Hannibal Square eatery is serving up traditional dishes like flavorful biryani rice, and of course, chicken tikka masala.
Photo via eatlando/InstagramMediterranean Street Food by Shishco
118 Lake Ave., Maitland, 407-661-1336
Once named Shish Co. Mezze and Grill, this quaint spot can be considered a food truck without wheels where you can walk up to a window and order authentic Mediterranean cuisine. From their falafel to the kebabs all the way to the gyros you won’t be displeased, so pull up a seat at the little red picnic table and feast.
Photo via lynnadelphia/InstagramNha Trang Subs
1216 E. Colonial Dr., 407-346-4549
It’s incredibly easy to miss, but Nha Trang Subs is probably one of the best spots in Orlando to get some serious bánh mì.
Photo via gofindmira/InstagramSapporo Ramen
5080 W. Colonial Dr., 407-203-6777
This little hole-in-the-wall has limited seating, so cross your fingers and hope that when you’re done ordering there are empty seats. Sapporo is known for their authentic ramen – tonkotsu, which is a fan favorite. Feeling adventurous? Try their octopus fritters, but pay close attention to the moving toppings on it.
Photo via miriiichan/InstagramKappy’s Subs
501 N. Orlando Ave., Maitland, 407-647-9099
This 1950s-style quick stop is the go-to place for a serious philly cheese steak sandwich.
Photo via zimzam21/InstagramNile Ethiopian
7048 International Dr., 407-354-0026
A rarity, this African restaurant is bringing some serious Ethiopian cuisine to Central Florida. Silverware is not necessary here, where you are encouraged to scoop up the lentils with Injera bread.
Photo via nomnomwithashleyrose/InstagramShiraz Market
185 S. Ronald Reagan Blvd., Longwood, 407-951-8084
This market is home to one of the best Mediterranean fare anyone can ask for, and the slow roasted kebabs are a Shiraz speciality. They say to never shop on an empty stomach so be sure to eat at this hole-in-the-wall joint before strolling through the aisles.
Photo via Rob BartlettKadence
1809 Winter Park Rd.
Kadence is incognito like a ninja, because there is no sign on the building you’ll want to look for a big black box. While on the topic of boxes, pre-order your chirashi bowl filled with sushi rice and your preferred toppings that comes in a nicely wrapped up container.
Photo via Rob BartlettTako Cheena
Multiple locations
Tako Cheena with its Asian-inspired fare mixed in with Latin flare is an eatery to visit on any occasion, especially late night. Their house “takos” are showcasing pad thai in a tortilla with their peanut chicken that has a mix of cabbage and crushed peanuts for that added crunch.
Photo via eats_plorers/InstagramWillie’s Pinchos Restaurant
1718 N. Goldenrod Rd., 407-601-3373
This little mom and pop shop was featured on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” for their plantain mofongo and jibarito, a sandwich that substitutes bread for mashed plantains and is topped off with pastrami and beef.
Photo via allysongregg/InstagramOrlando Meats
728 Virginia Dr., 407-598-0700
Carnivores rejoice, Orlando Meats offers a rotating menu that is based around their locally sourced proteins. Check out their mouthwatering “shake hands with beef” sandwich or their classic breakfast burger. They also offer a local beers on draft, if you’re looking to have a little afternoon siesta.
Photo via Rob BartlettTasty Wok
1246 E. Colonial Dr., 407-896-8988
Central Florida is filled with mediocre Chinese cuisine, however Tasty Wok is not one of them. This simple noodle joint is anything but basic and their sliced pork is delicious along with their barbecue meats and definitely is worth the stop.
Photo via weiwei501/InstagramMark’s Caribbean Cuisine
10173 University Blvd., 407-636-9290
If you find yourself by UCF, don’t skip past Mark’s. Start your meal off with a Jamaican patty (your choosing of meat fillings) and coco bread (made with a dash of coconut milk) and enjoy an entree of oxtail stew that comes with a side of rice, cabbage and plantains. Side note: ask for some additional oxtail gravy to pour over your rice.
Photo via anotherhighfoodie/InstagramTaste of Peru
9521 S. Orange Blossom Trl., 407-857-2734
Peruvian street food takes centerstage at this eatery with their anticucho – delectable meats on a skewer – from beef heart, chicken and beef brochettes marinated in spices and grilled over an open pit.
Photo via jeaneth_saskia/InstagramMediterranean Deli
981 W. Fairbanks Ave., 407-539-2650
Located in a little strip mall, this place is easy to miss, but should be on the top of your list of go-to international foodie spots. Greek and Lebanese fare are coupled with homemade delicacies from something as simple as hummus to their kibbeh, ground up lamb shaped into balls that are seasoned to perfection.
Photo via cjmask/Instagram
