An undeniable truth: Orlando is full of passionate, opinionated people who love to eat. The city is home to plenty of great eateries, but some spots have garnered a loyal, even cult-like following.
While we’ve lost some hometown favorites recently — Linda’s Winter Park Diner, for one — there are still lots of places backed by hordes of hungry locals.
Here are the popular local spots that draw the biggest crowds of loyal patrons.
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
1809 Winter Park Road, Orlando
With a Michelin star, a reservation required for dinner, and a secret menu, this sushi and sake bar is a hot commodity. There are only nine seats, and tickets range from $155-$175 for one meal, so this is not your go-to for a casual night out. But if you’re in the mood to splurge on some to-die-for sushi, Kadence might be calling your name. Credit: Photo via Kadence/FacebookBest 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 StaffPrato
124 N. Park Ave., Winter Park
Orlando Weekly readers’ “best Italian restaurant” three years in a row, Prato scores huge with Orlandoans for its authentic Italian dishes. You’ll battle crowds to get a seat at this loud Park Avenue “it spot,” but once inside, the rustic Italian creations will justify the body-checking. As you can read in our 2020 Prato review, “You’d be hard-pressed to find better meatballs in the city, seriously.” Credit:Photo via Prato/YelpKappy’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
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/FacebookGideon’s Bakehouse
3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando
This small local cookie bakery serves up big flavors and over-the-top creations. Known for from-scratch recipes and almost half-pound cookies and cake slices, as well as a certain whimsical dark humor, it’s not a spot any Orlando sweet tooth should pass up. Credit: Photo via Gideon’s Bakehouse/YelpCafe Tu Tu Tango
8625 International Drive, Orlando
The funky tapas spot offers creative food and drink specials every weekday, plus live music and relaxed patio seating, too. With tons of sharable plates to choose from, signature cocktails, and artists who paint while you eat, Cafe Tu Tu Tango is an attraction in itself. Credit: Photo via Cafe Tu Tu Tango/FacebookOtto’s High Dive
4.5 out of 5 stars, 33 reviews
2304 E. Robinson St.
“After weeks of driving by and feeling the FOMO, I finally sat down at Otto’s! So excited this gem is in our Milk District neighborhood. We got a reservation for 5pm (latest available when we checked at the time) but it was perfect in time for happy hour. We shared a few plates but the crab salad and oysters were definitely our favorites!” — Dorsa V.
Photo via Otto’s High Dive/Instagram Credit: Photo via Otto’s High Dive/InstagramEnzo’s on the Lake
1130 S. U.S. Highway 17-92, Longwood
Enzo’s on the Lake got its start in a humble Central Florida home in 1980. In the years, the restaurant has become the area’s go-to romantic date destination par excellence, serving Italian cuisine with a chic spin. Credit:Photo via Enzo's on the Lake/InstagramBlack Rooster Taqueria
1323 N. Mills Ave., Orlando
This taqueria offers a modern twist on authentic Mexican cuisine — and it’s delicious, so you can probably expect some lines. But with options like the shrimp and chorizo tacos, pozole verde bowl and classic tres leches cake and flan, it’s most definitely worth the wait. Credit: Photo via Black Rooster Taqueria/YelpKres Chophouse
17 W. Church St., 407-447-7950
Kres has an entirely separate vegan menu, allowing customers to choose from two appetizers, three entrees and two desserts to create a decadent three-course meal.
Photo via Kres Chophouse/Facebook Credit:Photo via Kres Chophouse/FacebookDomu
3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando, and 7600 Dr. Phillips Boulevard, Orlando
Domu is an Asian fusion restaurant with heavy hip-hop inspiration, according to the restaurant’s owner, Sean “Sonny” Nguyen. The restaurant offers exciting twists on noodles, specialty cocktails and small Asian plates. Credit:Photo via Domu/WebsiteThe Ravenous Pig
565 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park
Using sustainable food methods and cooking with ingredients sourced close to home, The Ravenous Pig asks that you make reservations because there’s often a wait to get into this foodie heaven. The stylish gastropub and beer garden offers inventive New American eats, an in-house taproom and hand-crafted cocktails, all definitely worth the splurge. Credit:Photo via The Ravenous Pig/FacebookSusuru
8548 Palm Parkway, Orlando
Lewis Lin of College Park’s Jade Sushi & New Asian and managing partner Kenny Ly came together to create a “retro-themed izakaya” offering exquisite ramen, yakitori and takoyaki. Inspired by Showa-era style, this Japanese gastropub stays open until as late as midnight on the weekends to satisfy your slurping needs, both noodle and boozy. Credit: Photo via Susuru/FacebookValkyrie Doughnuts
12226 Corporate Blvd., Orlando
Whimsical unicorn murals adorn the walls of this vegan doughnut and sweets shop (also owned by Celine Duvoisin of Valhalla Bakery!). Valkyrie is known for its Instagrammable plant-based doughnut creations made from scratch. Credit:Photo via Valkyrie Doughnuts/Facebook
100 S. Eola Drive, Orlando The Stubborn Mule is in high demand for its creative twists on American cuisine. Locally sourced food options and craft cocktails, beer and wine makes this eatery a popular stop for local and tourist foodies alike. Credit: Photo via The Stubborn Mule/Facebook
617 N. Primrose Drive, Orlando Known for Southern-style food and incredible baked goods, the line at Se7en Bites is always out the door on weekends. It’s for a good reason, too. The spot is perfect for brunch, with its menu of tasty pastries, biscuits and gravy, primavera Benedict and meatloaf sandwiches. Credit: Photo via Se7en Bites/YelpLee 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
720 N. Mills Ave., Orlando Tori Tori is both a modern cocktail bar and a hotspot to grab some traditional Japanese pub food in Orlando’s Mills 50 district. From the mind of Domu’s Sean “Sonny” Nguyen, the spot offers classic and creative cocktails, sake, beer and wine, and eats like scallop crudo and wagyu gyoza. Credit:Photo via Tori Tori/FacebookThe Tennessee Truffle
125 W. First St., Sanford
Upscale Southern cuisine and comfort can be found at the Tennessee Truffle in Sanford. The restaurant offers a southern-fusion menu that uses fresh ingredients, aiming to support local farmers and the community. Credit:Photo via The Tennessee Truffle/FacebookHigh Tide Harry’s
4645 S. Semoran Blvd., Orlando
This decked-out fish spot boasts longtime local ties, fervent fans and a laid-back, “no frills” approach to simple seafood. Credit:Photo via High Tide Harry's/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/FacebookBest 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/FacebookPizza Bruno
3990 Curry Ford Road, Orlando
The line is usually out the door at this pizza establishment known for its legendary garlic knots and scrumptious pizza. Get a glass of beer or wine, because there will probably be a wait — but it’s totally worth it. Cooked in a wood-fired oven for 90 seconds at 1,000 degrees, Pizza Bruno’s notorious char-spotted pizza represents true Neapolitan-style pie-fection. Credit:Photo via Pizza Bruno/FacebookHunger Street Tacos
2103 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park
Hunger Street Tacos offers Orlandoans fresh, authentic and creative Mexican-style street food at its flagship Winter Park location. You’ll spy the Fairbanks location by the iconic “Planting Dreams, Harvesting Hopes” mural by Lapiztola on the side of the building. Credit: Photo via Hunger Street Tacos/FacebookNorigami
426 W. Plant St., Winter Garden
It’s no wonder a seat at this eight-person sushi bar is one of the hardest to come by in Orlando. Chef David Tsan’s menu offers seafood gems like geoduck, needlefish and blackthroat sea perch – all wrapped up in on an ambient, intimate dining bar. Credit: Photo by Rob BartlettMaxine’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
