26 hidden gem restaurants to be found in Orlando strip malls

Boiled Fish 8910 Turkey Lake Road, Orlando The bright joint specializes in shui zhu yu, the Sichuan “water boiled fish,” though not all of the seven soupy delights blaze an infernal trail. The tomato sauerkraut fish soup is ideal for kids, while the rest veer toward the fiery. The best, according to critic Faiyaz Kara, may very well be the lemon sauerkraut fish soup. The restaurant is owned by a trio of women. Credit: Image via Google Maps

Koyla Pakistani BBQ 4990 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee Specializing in charcoal-grilled meats, chaats, rolls, burgers and biryani, Koyla Pakistani BBQ opened at 4990 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in the fall. It’s bringing the best Pakistani fare in the city, be it redolent nihari or charcoal-fired bihari kebab. Credit: Image via Google Maps

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

Redlight Redlight

2810 Corrine Drive, Orlando
“Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I walked into Redlight Redlight late one Sunday morning for a drink with a friend. They happened to be serving that most detestable of meals, brunch, but thanks to the twit-free environs and Tantalo’s cooking, it was a brunch we’d gladly brave again.” Read more here. Credit: Image via Google Maps

Yao’s

15 Alafaya Woods Boulevard, Oviedo
Yao’s in Oviedo offers authentic Shanghainese cuisine and French elements to bring Yao’s to the forefront of Orlando’s culinary scene. The menu includes bites like spicy cucumber spirals, Pel Pel’s wonton soup, D’s dumplings, firecracker chicken fried rice and more. Credit: Photo via Yao's/Instagram

M’ama Napoli Italian Bakery & Deli 965 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park M’ama Napoli Italian Bakery & Deli opened along Orlando Avenue in 2024, specializing in authentic Italian desserts and deli delights, like focaccia, sandwiches, homemade panettone, coffee and much more. Credit: Photo by Rob Bartlett

Mediterranean Deli 981 W. Fairbanks Ave., Orlando This deli is known for gyros, hummus and serving large portions of food so customers definitely get their money’s worth. Although a somewhat obvious choice, try the Greek salad and gyro. Credit: Image via Google Maps

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

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

Aladdin’s Cafe

1015 State Road 436, Casselberry
Aladdin’s Restaurant is one of the first family-opened Lebanese restaurants in Central Florida. The menu features an array of traditional, authentic Lebanese dishes. Credit: Image via Google Maps

Lam’s Garden

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/Facebook

Europol Polish Deli 3090 Aloma Ave., Winter Park Dive into traditional Polish cuisine with some of the many dishes at Europol Deli that won’t break the bank. Returning customers have complimented the Winter Park deli’s selection of Polish specialties, especially the house-made pierogis. Credit: Image via Google Maps

Best Cheesesteak

Winner: LaSpada’s Original Cheesesteaks and Hoagies
Finalists: Kappy’s Subs, Cavo’s Bar and Kitchen Credit: Photo via LaSpada’s Original Cheesesteaks and Hoagies/Facebook

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

Kai Asian Street Fare

1555 State Road 436, Winter Park
Kai Asian is known for their Korean-style loaded fries, topped with a helping of kimchi and bulgogi, but they have other Thai, Vietnamese and Korean-influenced dishes too. Read our food critic’s review of Kai Asian here. Credit: Photo via Kai Asian Street Fare/Facebook

Shiraz Market 188 S. U.S. Highway 17-92, Longwood This Middle Eastern market has a selection of grocery items as well as traditional Mediterranean treats. Yelp reviewers and our own dining critic, Faiyaz Kara, have raved about Shiraz’s falafel, Turkish delight and baklava among many, many other eats. Credit: Image via Google Maps

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 Maps

Selam Ethiopian & Eritrean Cuisine 5494 Central Florida Parkway, Orlando A traditional Ethiopian dining experience that has placed in Yelp’s national Top 100 Restaurants multiple years. Offering authentic Ethiopian cuisine, Selam Ethiopian & Eritrean Cuisine is known for its authentic food and friendly staff. Credit: Photo via Selam/Yelp

Bagel King 1455 Semoran N. Circle, Casselberry Bagel King is a go-to destination for bagel and breakfast lovers all over Central Florida. The casual, counter-serve spot has been operating since 1977 and is home of the “kettle-baked bagel.” The menu also features various soups, salads and sandwiches. Bagel King is open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Credit: Image via Google Maps

Hanamizuki

8255 International Drive, Orlando
Hanamizuki is a traditional Japanese hotspot along I-Drive that offers an abundance of sushi and ramen, grilled entrees, onigiri and more. It’s open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and again for dinner from 5 to 10:30 p.m. Credit: Image via Google Maps

Walala Asian Noodle House 5062 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando “Through that smudged glass, I witnessed a team of seven stretching, boiling, frying, searing, ladling and embellishing broth-filled bowls with said noodles. At times they preened and played for camera-ready onlookers, myself included, but their faces revealed a quiet delight once paying guests buried their heads and commenced slurping those tender, chewy squigglers.” Read the full review. Credit: Image via Google Maps

Maroush Shawarma and Grill

783 N. Alafaya Trail, Orlando
This Syrian stop in Waterford Lakes shaves some of the best shawarma in the city, according to Orlando Weekly food critic Faiyaz Kara. The spot just opened in 2024 and has already drawn in a sizable fanbase. Credit: photo by Matt Keller Lehman

No. 3: Coro Credit: Photo by Rob Bartlett

Flavors Nigerian Restaurant

3530 S. Orange Ave., Orlando
Specializing in authentic Nigerian cuisine, Flavors Nigerian Restaurant is owned by Ola Bello and her brother Zeke. In our 2020 review of the restaurant, Orlando Weekly commended the spot for its flavors and sense of community: “Grilled meat, be it kushiyaki, shish kebab, koobideh, satay, mishkaki or souvlaki, is common denominator cuisine — an accessible entry point into a culture’s fare.” Credit: Photo by Rob Bartlett

Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza

7541 W Sand Lake Road, Orland
Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza has opened a second Orlando-area location, this one in the old Chronic Tacos space at 7541 W. Sand Lake Road in the Fountains Plaza in Dr. Phillips. If you go, get the Coffee Paolo pizza. Credit: Photo via Google Maps

Chicken Fire

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

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