One great thing about living in a foodie-centric city is not only the sense of community that comes with it, but the sheer inability of locals to gatekeep the best spots. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.

What follows are some of Orlando’s best culinary hidden gems; whether they be in hard-to-find locations or are just generally no-frills, these spots manage to fly just under the radar, despite garnering hungry followings.

Here are 26 of Orlando’s best under-the-radar eateries and watering holes. 

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

Best Phở


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

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
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

Toshka Syrian Street Food

1520 S. U.S. Highway 17-92, Longwood
This Longwood-parked food truck appropriately named Toshka Syrian Street Food serves nothing but Syrian street food staples, as you probably could have guessed. There’s chicken shawarma, sujuk sandwiches, falafel and plenty of pita on offer here. Credit: photo by Rob Bartlett
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 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

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

Mediterranean Street Food by Shishco

118 Lake Ave., Maitland
This casual, quick-serve Mediterranean destination offers shish kebabs, gyros, falafel and more, plus a small patio for on-site dining. Credit: Image via Google Maps

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
Kaleidoscope 712 E. Washington St., Orlando Kaleidoscope, a restaurant and bar offering breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, is now open in the old Garden Bistro/Island Time space in Thornton Park. The spot is currently in soft-opening mode through November. Credit: Photo via Kalaidoscope/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
Gnarly Barley 1407 N. Orange Ave., Orlando This no-nonsense sandwich shop and bar offers a sizable selection of brews and specials, plus plenty of hangover destroyers like the Johnnie Mac n’ Cheese sandwich. Credit: Image 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
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
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
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: Photo via Bagel King/Facebook

Tako Cheena

932 N. Mills Ave., Orlando
Tako Cheena is a combination of “food truck meets restaurant,” according to their Facebook. We’ll happily munch way at their outdoor dining area on one of the innovative fusion-flavor folds any day. Late-night patrons happily scarf down spicy-sweet Korean chicken taco, African beef and quinoa burritos, and Chinese sausage “Japadogs.” 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
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 Credit: Photo via Kai Asian Street Fare/Facebook

Art’s Sandwich Shop

1018 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando
This family-owned sandwich shop has been supplying Orlando with hearty and tasty subs since 1972. Credit: Photo via Art's Sandwich Shop/Instagram
Fish on Fire 7937 Daetwyler Drive, Orlando Fish on Fire is a rustic Orlando seafood spot and fish camp. The restaurant, open since 2004, boasts fresh seafood and frequent live music and lively events. Credit: Image via Google Maps
Irregular Smash 1300 Alden Road, Orlando “We had the chance to try Irregular Smash food truck during a visit to Ivanhoe Park Brewing. The owner was so friendly, and the food was really great. We tried the OG Smash Burger and The Beast, which is essentially loaded fries on steroids. The burger was huge, with a double smashed patties, pickles, cheese and a special sauce. The Beast is basically loaded fries meets deconstructed smash burger and is a guilty pleasure meal that we genuinely enjoyed. This would be the perfect late night indulgence, and I can almost guarantee the beast would cure a hangover.” — Jenna H. Credit: Photo via Irregular Smash/Google Maps
Death in the Afternoon 930 N. Mills Ave., Orlando This “friendly neighborhood absinthe house” launched late 2023 in the former spot of Retromended Vintage and Fashion store. The concept comes from Julian Burgos, the co-owner of the Sanford tiki bar Suffering Bastard and former dive bar Bitters & Brass. Like Suffering Bastard, Death in the Afternoon’s name comes from the Ernest Hemingway-created drink made with champagne and absinthe. Expect a moody, speakeasy ambience and stiff drinks. Credit: Photo via Death in the Afternoon/Instagram

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