As we head into the country’s 250th year, we thought it essential to celebrate all the communities, traditions and people that make the U.S. the delicious melting pot it is — and always will be. We’re a nation built by immigrants, and luckily for Orlando, the city’s culinary landscape reflects that.
Here are 28 of the area’s best international restaurants dishing out truly authentic flavors from Nigeria, Ethiopia, Mexico, Turkey, Poland, Vietnam, The Philippines, Cuba and way, way beyond.
6096 E. Colonial Drive, Azalea Park
This Mexican eatery is just one of several conjoined spaces that include the sit-down restaurant, a supermarket, a tortilleria and bakery, and a paleteria all dishing out traditional flavors and goods along Colonial Drive.
2415 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Located inside the Colonial Drive iFresh Market, Meng’s Kitchen is a hidden gem serving up sizable plates of Southeast Asian comfort foods for $15 or less. Credit: Meng's Kitchen/Facebook
2840 Curry Ford Road, Orlando
This tiny and unassuming Peruvian spot has a Michelin star and features live-fire cooking and an impressive tasting menu in a warm, inviting atmosphere. They recently launched The Takeaway, a takeout pop-up inspired by the ritual of a family meal. Credit: Photo via Papa Llama/Google Maps
3586 Aloma Ave. #7, Winter Park
Currently only open Thursday through Saturday, Anna’s Polish Restaurant delivers authentic dishes in an intimate locally owned Winter Park space.
Credit: Anna's Polish/Google Maps
1216 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
This Mills 50 mainstay dishes out flavorful Vietnamese staples in a casual space along Colonial Drive. Credit: Pho Huong Lan
1124 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Authentic Vietnamese flavor is the specialty of this Colonial Drive and Mills 50 mainstay. It’s family-owned and nearly 30 years old, and hasn’t wavered in serving flavorful classics, including its beloved “Seven Courses of Beef” and endless authentic entree options. Credit: Google Maps
12140 Collegiate Way, Orlando
The Dough Show may have several locations across North and Central Florida, but no less care is taken in crafting an authentic Middle Eastern eatery experience at each location. Orlando’s location opened in 2023 and has continued to impress diners with its in-house made dough and traditional meals since.
Credit: Photo by Rob Bartlett
2956 S. U.S. Highway 17-92, Casselberry
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: Google Maps
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 to 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
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: Google Maps
2030 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Bib Gourmand restaurant Taste of Chengdu dishes out authentic Sichuan cuisine with an expansive menu of flavor combinations and traditional eats. Credit: Google Maps
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: Korea House/Google Maps
5494 Central Florida Parkway, Orlando
A traditional Ethiopian dining experience that has placed in Yelp’s national Top 100 Restaurants for multiple years. Offering authentic Ethiopian cuisine (traditionally eaten with the hands), Selam Ethiopian & Eritrean Cuisine is known for its excellent food and friendly staff. Credit: Photo by Rob Bartlett
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 Credit: Google Maps
15 Alafaya Woods Blvd., Oviedo
Yao’s in Oviedo offers authentic Shanghainese cuisine and French elements that bring it to the forefront of Orlando’s culinary scene. The menu includes bites like spicy cucumber spirals, Pei Pei’s wonton soup, D’s dumplings, firecracker chicken fried rice and more. Credit: Yao's/Facebook
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. Credit: Photo by Rob Bartlett
201-205 E. First St., Sanford
Hollerbach’s offers German classics like schnitzel and wurst, plus plenty of beer and regular live music — all making for a friendly, fun atmosphere. Credit: Photo via Hollerbach's/Facebook
618 N. Thornton Ave., Orlando
At Kaya, a modern Filipino restaurant, there’s a homey feel and a menu that deliberately tests any preconceived notions people may have of Filipino fare. Credit: Kaya/Facebook
719 Good Homes Road, Orlando
Owned by the irrepressible Joshua Johnson, Seana’s specializes in authentic, upscale Caribbean soul food and big flavors in West Orlando. Credit: Seana's/Facebook
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: Google Maps
501 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
A past finalist and winner of Orlando Weekly’s Best Indian Restaurant readers poll several times over, Tamarind Indian Cuisine is lauded for its menu full of both North and South Indian favorites. Credit: Tamarind Indian Cuisine/Facebook
10173 University Blvd., Orlando
Mark’s offers authentic island food that’s good for your body and your soul, the restaurant says. Dine in or take out all the food you can handle. Credit: Photo via Mark's Jamaican Bar and Grill/Instagram
7501 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Newly opened and the very first location of the mega-popular Asian market and food hall, H Mart is sure to have something for even the pickiest of out-of-towners. There are Asian (and Asian-fusion) vendors like U Chun, Jaws Tapokki, Chidon, Myung Ga, Paik’s Noodle and Oh K-Dog & Egg Toast, plus additional restaurants onsite like Coffee & Co, Dabang, Kung Fu Tea and an outpost of international bakery Paris Baguette. Credit: Matt Keller Lehman
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 pierogi. Credit: Google Maps
1015 State Road 436, Casselberry
Delightful Turkish delights including vibrant Turkish breakfast plates, soups, pide, borek, bagels, fresh-baked breads and lahmacun greet guests to this charming Casselberry eatery. Warm carrot baklava filled with ice cream? Yes, please. Credit: Cafe De Wan/Instagram
1110 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
This Colonial Drive Asian eats hub has captured the tastebuds of Orlando, and offers several options for both budget-friendly and more elevated bites: Unigirl, Bánh Mì Boy, and Kai Kai BBQ and Dumplings, Saigon Snow, Cowboy Curry and Okonomi are all the eateries ready to fuel Orlando’s hungriest. Credit: Mills Market
4311 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
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. Credit: Photo by Rob Bartlett
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.
