Besides being a main drag that runs east-west through Orlando, Colonial Drive (or State Road 50) is also home to a seemingly endless amount of places to eat. Some are big and fancy, some are small and simple; some are decades old, some opened just in the past year — but you’ve probably seen all of them on your travels through Orlando.
From Korean barbecue and hotdogs to sushi and steakhouses, here are 25 essential restaurants along Colonial Drive.
7705 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando
Chef Henry Moso is what makes the sushi game so strong at this high-end spot. There are a handful of rolls, none of which you’ll find at your average sushi joint, but it’s mostly sashimi and nigiri. Credit:Photo via Kabooki Sandlake/FacebookSampaguita
5 out of 5 stars, 40 reviews
1223 E. Colonial Drive
”Sampaguita is unique compared to other ice cream shops because of their flavors. They reflect the Filipino culture very well. These flavors are definitely ones you can’t find just anywhere.” – Rachel M. Credit:Photo via Sampaguita/YelpLoving Hut
2101 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Loving Hut’s menu highlights homemade vegan Asian dishes, drinks and desserts. From sushi to dumplings to stir fries and noodles, this East Colonial spot has plenty of plant-based goodness to choose from. Credit: Photo via Loving Hut/YelpBakery 1908
2021 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
John Zhao, the restaurateur behind YH Seafood Clubhouse, established Bakery 1908 this fall, offering a rotating selection of dim sum items, coffee and boba. Zhao has partnered with the owner of a Taiwanese bakery that’s been in business since 1908, thus the name. And with a century-long pedigree, you can bet their cakes, sweets and honey fragrance (mi xiang) teas will draw a lot of interest. Credit: Photo via Bakery 1908/Instagram
1241 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando “This is maybe my fourth or fifth time at The Moderne, and I have yet to be disappointed. The ambiance is perfect, the music is always on point, and it’s just a great spot for date night or a girls’ night out. And every server I’ve had has been nice and welcoming.” — Jasmine J. Credit: Photo via Moderne/Facebook
Pho Ga Hien Vuong
5282 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando The owners of Z Asian Vietnamese Kitchen opened their appropriately named chicken pho concept, Pho Ga Hien Vuong, Sept. 9 at 5282 W. Colonial Drive. In addition to the eponymous Vietnamese chicken soup, com ga hai nam (Hainanese-style chicken and rice), goi ga (chicken salad) and other chicken dishes are offered. Credit: Screengrab via Google MapsZaru
1114 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Zaru’s intimate and striking 25-seat dining room features udon noodles made from Japanese flour sourced from Kagawa Prefecture, the birthplace of udon, and offered in both hot and cold options, with and without broths, along with freshly fried tempura and a host of add-ons for a custom-built bowl. Credit: photo by Rob BartlettFRIENDSHIP BBQ
5126 W. Colonial Drive, 407-420-7916, $$$
The import from Flushing, Queens, specializes in chuan’r, skewered morsels of spiced cumin lamb along with a bevy of other meats, seafood and veg. There are more than 50 from which to choose, but don’t pass on the lamb (natch), “Mongolia” beef, gizzards and quail. There are plenty of additional options for the curious — lamb testicles, bullfrog, pork feet to name a few. The grilled fish served in a gurgling iron hot pot is a must. Open daily. Credit: Photo by Rob BartlettCrocante Restaurant
4311 E. Colonial Drive, 407-674-8021, $$$
It’s all about the meat at this spacious Colonialtown Puerto Rican restaurant where some of the finest porchetta is being rotisseried at the hands of chef-owner Yamuel Bigio. His churrasco and chicken ain’t too shabby either. Whet your appetite with spicy, housemade morcilla, alcapurrias or crisp, delicately fried rellenitos filled with beef. Ask for pique. End with tembleque. A full bar pours assorted cocktails. Open daily. Credit: Photo by Rob BartlettFluffy Fluffy
2008 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando
Fluffy Fluffy, or Fuwa Fuwa in Japanese, is Orlando’s latest home of the souffle pancake. The Orlando outpost is the first in the nation, where you can also find croffles (croissant waffles), macarons and sorbets. Credit: photo by Rob BartlettSanshi Noodle House
5600 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Sanshi Noodle House is the first restaurant in town to specialize in this most Yunnanese of foods, presenting a variety of broths into which proteins, rice noodles and veggies are dunked. There are 18 different noodle soups offered here, but two are spotlighted on Sanshi’s menu — the fish maw chicken soup ($16.99) and the spicy beef ($16.99) — so we got them both. Credit: photo by Rob BartlettBest Steakhouse
1st: Linda’s La Cantina, lindaslacantina.com
2nd: Christner’s, christnersprimesteakandlobster.com
3rd: Kres Chophouse, kresrestaurant.com
All Best of Orlando® 2022 winners posted on 8/31/22 Credit: Photo via Linda's La Cantina/Facebook
2505 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando Family-owned Lam’s Garden has been offering straightforward, traditional Chinese cuisine (and dim sum service) since it was opened in 1989. It’s packed out on holidays with Chinese families and college kids catching up on their holiday break. Credit: Photo via Lam's Garden/FacebookHot Dog Heaven
5355 E. Colonial Drive
Portillo’s who? Hot Dog Heaven has been serving authentic Chicago dogs in Central Florida since 1987. Credit: Photo via Hot Dog Heaven/Yelp
1106 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando This Vietnamese mainstay has held on at an incredibly busy East Colonial corner over the years. Guests can expect colossal portions of traditional Vietnamese dishes all wrapped up in a vibrant, colorful atmosphere. Credit: Photo via LittleSaigon.comFazoli’s
4201 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Italian fast-service chain opened its rebooted restaurant in Orlando early this fall. Established in 1988, Fazoli’s popularity blossomed in the ’90s, becoming a go-to spot for fast-casual Italian. However, in 2008 the Italian eatery left Orlando, and all Fazoli’s locations in Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Ohio and Florida closed. Fazoli’s 2.0 boasts breadsticks, “Pizza Baked Pasta,” spaghetti and fettuccine alfredo. Credit: Photo via Fazoli's East Colonial/FacebookPoke Burri
12623 W. Colonial Drive, Winter Garden
Atlanta-based poke and sushi burrito chain Poke Burri will open in the yet-to-be-built retail complex Westside Station in Winter Garden. The eatery features poke burritos and a widely loved oh-so-secret menu. Credit: Photo via Poke Burri/FacebookBest Thai Restaurant
Winner: SEA Thai
Runners-up: Thai House of Orlando, Thai Basil Restaurant Credit:Photo via Sea Thai/FacebookMamak Asian Street Food
1231 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Mamak serves Malaysian tapas that offer a whole new world of flavors with dishes including roti, roast duck and kari meatballs. Noodle soups, rice and wok dishes are also on the menu at this casual Colonial Drive spot. Credit: Photo via Mamak Asian Street Food/Facebook
Best Cuban Sandwich
Winner: Black Bean Deli Finalists: Zaza Cuban Comfort Food, Cubans on the Run Credit: Photo via Black Bean Deli/FacebookIzziban Sushi
5310 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
This all-you-can-eat sushi and Korean barbecue restaurant is the perfect Colonial Drive stop to make on a very empty stomach. Take your pick of proteins and sushi and eat the night away. Credit: Photo via Izziban Sushi/FacebookChuan Lu Garden
1101 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Colonialtown’s Chuan Lu Garden employs plenty of fiery stimulants in their authentic, real-deal Sichuan fare. Must-try dishes include the cumin lamb, laced with aromatic and mouth-numbing Sichuan peppercorns, and Lanzhou-style beef soup with hand-pulled noodles. Credit: Photo via Chuan Lu Garden/Instagram
4501 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando Korea House Restaurant was the very first Korean restaurant to open in the Sunshine State (back in 1982), and the only one of its kind for many years. The eatery has been serving authentic and traditional Korean cuisine since ever since, and the true Orlando classic is still recognized for its longevity and quality today. Credit: Photo via Korea House Restaurant/FacebookSticky Rice Lao Street Food
1915 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Sticky Rice specializes in authentic Lao street food — and Lao-inspired fusion — that is full of both flavor and flair. Each meal begins with, of course, a helping of sticky rice. Dishes are meant to be shared, and eating with your hands is highly encouraged. Credit: Photo by Rob Bartlett
2425 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando Established in 2019 as a food truck and then a brick-and-mortar shop, Chicken Fire has quickly taken Orlando’s foodie scene by storm. Their Nashville-style, soulful hot chicken can be enjoyed in five different heat levels. Credit: Photo via Chicken Fire/Facebook
