You don’t truly know Orlando until you’ve eaten like a bona fide local. From teeny sub shops that have been around for decades to sparkling new sushi spots already grabbing Michelin nods, iconic Orlando restaurants take many forms.

So before you make the move to the City Beautiful, make sure you get to know all the most beloved eateries around town. Here are 25 Orlando restaurants every new resident needs to try before they can call themselves a local.

Hammered Lamb

1235 N. Orange Ave., Orlando
Open since 2013, this Ivanhoe Village staple has been pleasing Orlandoans with over-the-top brunch dishes, Bloody Marys and energetic events on their decked-out covered outdoor seating area for more than a decade. Credit: Photo via Hammered Lamb/Facebook

Best Phở


Winner: Pho 88
Finalists: Viet-Nomz, Little Saigon Credit: Image via Google Maps

Best Date Restaurant


Winner: Prato
Finalists: Christner’s Prime Steak and Lobster, Maxine’s on Shine Credit: Photo via Prato/Facebook

Best Steakhouse


Winner: Linda’s La Cantina
Finalists: Christner’s Prime Steak and Lobster, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar Credit: Image via Google Maps
Maxine’s on Shine 337 Shine Ave., Orlando Maxine’s on Shine offers regular live music, a hefty comfort food-filled menu, and weekend brunch perfect for a relaxing meal after the Thanksgiving chaos. Credit: Photo via Maxine's on Shine/Facebook

Cuban Sandwiches to Go

1605 Lee Road, Orlando
This walk-up restaurant is a perennial Best of Orlando winner for its traditional Cuban cuisine and unique efficiency. Even tourists know what’s up. Credit: Image via Google Maps

Relax Grill

211 Eola Parkway, Orlando
A Lake Eola Park staple, Relax Grill is an ideal spot for those looking to do just that: relax. No frills, no hustle and bustle, just casual patio seating and some classic American dishes and drinks. Credit: Photo via Relax Grill/Facebook

Susuru

8548 Palm Parkway, Orlando
Chef Lewis Lin and managing partner Kenny Ly came together to create this “retro-themed izakaya” offering exquisite ramen, yakitori and takoyaki. Stuffed with Showa-era collectibles, vintage ads and decorations, Susuru is an experience and a dining destination all in one. Credit: Photo via Susuru/Facebook

Best Seafood Restaurant


Winner: High Tide Harry’s
Finalists: The Nauti Lobstah, The Current Seafood Counter Credit: Image via Google Maps
Gabriel’s Submarine Sandwich Shop 3006 Edgewater Drive, Orlando These iconic sandwiches have been at College Park since 1958. The shop serves up authentic American food like wings, subs and curly fries. Credit: Photo via Google Maps

Best Teahouse


Winner: Pom Pom’s Teahouse and Sandwicheria
Finalists: Infusion Tea, The Tea Lizard Credit: Photo via Pom Pom's Teahouse and Sandwicheria/Facebook
Best Curbside Service 1st: Beefy King, beefyking.com 2nd: Tijuana Flats, tijuanaflats.com 3rd: Miller’s Ale House, millersalehouse.com All Best of Orlando® 2022 winners posted on 8/31/22 Credit: Photo by OW Staff

Best Longwood Restaurant


Winner: Enzo’s on the Lake
Finalists: Mykonos Authentic Greek Cuisine, Pickles Authentic New York Delicatessen Credit: Photo via Enzo's on the Lake/Facebook
Lee and Rick’s Oyster Bar 5621 Old Winter Garden Road, Orlando You can’t get more Florida than a seafood spot shaped like a boat and covered in taxidermy fish. Located right here in Orlando, Lee and Rick’s Oyster Bar first opened back in 1950 with just nine seats and an oysters-only menu. Now the family-run local favorite offers plenty of seafood and ample seating to enjoy it in. Credit: Photo via LeeandRicksOysterBar.com
Kappy’s Subs 501 N. Orlando Ave., Maitland If you’re looking for a new low-key sub shop, Kappy’s Subs is your answer. Family-owned since 1967, the eatery serves classic American fare (like subs, burgers and dogs) across a good old-fashioned all American diner counter. Credit: Photo via Kappy's/Facebook

Nile Ethiopian

7048 International Drive, Orlando
This cozy restaurant in the heart of the tourist strip is one of the best places in town to enjoy Ethiopian food — or try it for the first time. 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. Credit: Photo via Nile Ethiopian/Yelp

King Bao

710 N. Mills Ave., Orlando
This Mills Avenue mainstay specializes in diminutive steamed Asian buns stuffed with creative and delicious mixes of proteins and veggies. Credit: Image via Google Maps

Chuan Fu

1035 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
Chuan Fu is a Sichuan restaurant by the owners of Chuan Lu Garden and U and Me Revolving Hot Pot in Winter Park. Its menue is mostly mala-coded — the fiery, numb-spicy Sichuan specialty — but fine dishes of the not-hot variety are available too. Credit: Chuan Zeng
Briarpatch 252 N. Park Ave., Winter Park One of Winter Park’s most iconic and long-standing breakfast joints serves up contemporary American cuisine and brunch daily. With breakfast goodies like blueberry stuffed pancakes and raspberry-and-brie stuffed brioche french toast, it’s not hard to find a reason to wait in line here. Credit: Photo via Briarpatch/Yelp
Camille 4962 New Broad St., Orlando The real draw at this new Baldwin Park spot is chef Tung Phan’s creative and unconventional spins on Vietnamese dishes, all punctuated with classical French flourishes — dishes like Vietnamese coffee-crusted Wagyu with potato pâvé; espuma of pho; and green papaya with salmon and nước chấm. Credit: Photo by Rob Bartlett

Hot Dog Heaven on a Sunday

Hot Dog Heaven is in fact not open on Sundays and Mondays. You’ll have to find your dog fix elsewhere. Credit: Image via Google Maps
Black Bean Deli 1835 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando This long-lived Cuban spot in Mills 50 is perfect for a leisurely lunch (or a quick breakfast). Linger in the side room with their lunch special: a half Cuban sandwich and a cup of black beans and rice for $9. Credit: Photo via Black Bean Deli/Facebook

Kabooki Sushi


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/Facebook

Chatham’s Place

7575 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando
Chatham’s Place has been part of the Orlando community for more than 30 years. Chef Tony Lopez, creator and owner of the restaurant, showcases locally grown produce and fresh ingredients in the eatery’s dishes. Credit: Photo via Chatham’s Place/Yelp
Domu 3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando, and 7600 Dr Phillips Blvd., Orlando With two locations in town, Domu offers double the opportunity to relish in these delectable noodles and Asian fusion treats. Credit: Photo via Domu/Facebook

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