It’s no secret that Mills 50 is teeming with restaurants that shock the tastebuds. A simple stroll down Mills Avenue and surrounding streets is sure to get you salivating, but there are so many choices that trying to pick just one spot can leave you fearing you’re missing out on something amazing. Here’s a little guide featuring new and old gems that you should be keeping track of on your “Must Eat” list.

Too Much Sauce 1430 N. Mills Ave. Suite 170 | 407-270-4777 The concept of former owner of Hot Krust Panini Kitchen in Dr. Phillips, Too Much Sauce serves a variety of roasted meats, seafood and veggies in fresh rice, quinoa and salad bowls – ready to be smothered in (too much?) homemade sauce, with choices including chimichurri and pineapple BBQ. Photo via Too Much Sauce/Facebook
Hawkers Asian Street Fare 1103 N. Mills Ave. | 407-237-0606 The Hawkers menu features an array of small plates with flavors of Malaysian, Chinese, Vietnamese and Indian dishes. This is a great place to come with friends and sip on one of the many craft beers available, but call ahead ’cause it can get real crowded. Photo via eathawkers/Instagram
Bites & Bubbles 912 N. Mills Ave. | 407-270-5085 Eddie Nickell and Nick Olivieri: two names in this city’s royal family of restaurateurs who have been responsible for such noted restaurants as the wine-centric Funky Monkey and Southwest-themed Prickly Pear. Their latest venture is housed inside the birthplace of the original Funky Monkey and was supposed to be about fulfilling Champagne wishes and caviar dreams, but the menu is a hodgepodge of French-inspired fare or, in the case of the raclette potatoes, Swiss-inspired. Photo via sooziethefoodie/Instagram
The Sanctum 715 N. Fern Creek Ave. | 407-757-0346 Big, colorful bowls of food brimming with veggies are abundant at this vegetarian, vegan-friendly restaurant. Sanctum serves organic and locally sourced items with greens, grains or gluten-free pasta, making healthy dieting pretty easy here. Photo via thesanctumcafe/Instagram
Anthony’s Pizza 1206 E. Colonial Drive | 407-898-7797 Sometimes you just want a genuinely delicious authentic slice of pizza to munch on. If you happen to be near Mills 50, Anthony’s is where you want to go. Wings, salads and classic red-sauce pasta entrees are abundant as well if pizza is too basic for you. Photo via anthonyspizzaorlando/Instagram
Anh Hong Restaurant 1124 E. Colonial Drive | 407-999-2656 Honestly, there are no wrong choices at Anh Hong. Vegetarians can get their fix with 21 different choices (try the fried tofu stir-fried with lemongrass and chili), and everyone can enjoy their smoothies made with exotic options like jackfruit, soursop, sapote and durian. Photo via thesaucestacheguy/Instagram
Bikkuri Sushi 1915 E. Colonial Drive | 407-894-4494 If you’re one of the approximately 80 billion people who uses East Colonial Drive for the daily trip home, you’ve no doubt noticed the poster-sized photo of the scrumptious-looking “Sky Tray” of sushi that graces the window of Bikkuri Sushi and wondered: Wouldn’t that be great for dinner? We say yes, it would be, for not only is the sushi affordable—like the 32-piece Rose Party for under 14 bucks—but it’s of much higher quality than what you find in the Japanese deli case near the produce section at your local grocery store. Photo via bearstravellife/Instagram
Black Bean Deli 1835 E. Colonial Drive | 407-203-0922 Black Bean Deli is a hipster’s paradise with its minimalist decor and calm atmosphere. This deli is a favorite for takeout, offering all of your favorite Cuban dishes such as papas rellenas, pan con lechon, and signature Cuban sandwiches. Photo via blackbeandeli/Instagram
Black Rooster Taqueria 1323 N. Mills Ave. | 407-601-0994 Tacos are carefully constructed and delicious. Settle down with a chicken tinga taco, wrapped in a hot and fresh housemade corn tortilla, or try the achiote bowl if you’re super hungry. Photo via blkroostertaco/Instagram
Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa 1326 N. Mills Ave. | 407-203-0866 Get your pork on at Pig Floyd’s. Go big with barbecued meat platters or take it a little easier with sandwiches like the Mills 50 cheesesteak or butter chicken taco, which are still pretty damn big. Photo via pigfloyds/Instagram
Chewy Boba 1212 E. Colonial Drive | 407-897-1377 Get your chew on with the plethora of bubble teas and boba at Chewy’s. Taro is a fan favorite, but we think you should give the tropical paradise with banana, strawberry and mango or honeydew-avocado a taste. They’ve also got macarons of all flavors for mass crunching. Photo via wildbinks/Instagram
Chuan Lu Garden 1101 E. Colonial Drive | 407-896-8966 Chuan Lu’s signature Sichuan dishes offer that numb-spicy heat you’ve been dying for. If you like it hot, try the cumin lamb or the potato hot pot. They also offer more mild and traditional options that might appeal to those who have acquired a taste for “American Chinese” food. Photo via hungryjustthesame/Instagram
King Bao 710 N. Mills Ave. | 407-237-0013 Bao so hard muthaf**kas wanna fine you at Mill 50’s royal establishment full of steamed buns slabbed with pork belly, short ribs and delicious slaws. There’s even a fried bao with bananas, Nutella and powdered sugar you have to leave room for. Photo via flexy_jessie/Instagram
Dandelion Communitea Cafe 618 N. Thornton Ave. | 407-362-1864 Eating healthy is never boring at Dandelion Communitea Cafe. Items like Bean There, Done That give you your daily dose of fiber while their Fluffer Nutter makes your sweet tooth squee. Photo via Dandelion Communitea Cafe/Facebook
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill 1562 N. Mills Ave. | 407-581-9861 This American restaurant and steakhouse is known for wood-fired entrees and steaks, but it’s also getting street cred as one of the coolest streetside bar setups on Mills Avenue. Happy hour just got real easy here with their large assortment of beers and cocktails. Photo via firebirdsgrill/Instagram
The Loving Hut 2101 E. Colonial Drive | 407-894-5673 This small, low-key building is bursting at the seams with vegan options you can’t always find downtown. With meals from both the Western and Eastern world, there’s always something new for you to try, like their family-sized platters of Lemongrass Delight or Ocean Delight. Photo via plantedinorlando/Instagram
Mamak Asian Street Food 1231 E. Colonial Drive | 407-270-4688 Mamak serves Malaysian tapas that show you a whole new world of flavors like roti, roast duck and kari meatballs. Noodle soups, rice and wok dishes are also available if you need something a little more familiar. Photo via mamakorlando/Instagram
Tako Cheena 932 N. Mills Ave. | 407-757-0626 Lines out the door are normal here but so worth the wait for these unique, Asian/Latin food creations. Try the Korean beef burrito if you don’t feel like eating again for a day or two. Photo via mi2nami/Instagram
Little Saigon 1106 E. Colonial Drive | 407-423-8539 Go ahead and use up all the hoisin sauce at this Little Vietnam staple. From Com Dia (rice plates) to Bo Xa Chanh (Basil Lime Beef), the menu is perfect for people who need options or want to go all out on a cheat day. Photo via biab.photos/Instagram
Shin Jung Korean Restaurant 1638 E. Colonial Drive | 407-895-7345 Shin Jung Korean Restaurant is a unique establishment in Mills 50 where customers get to grill their own meat BBQ-style. If you’re not into that, then try the tofu with kimchi or a hearty bowl of bibimbap. Photo via vill.jacqueline/Instagram
Ten10 Brewing Company 1010 Virginia Drive | 407-930-8993 The air inside Ten10 has that malty brewery smell, and there’s always a solid selection of beers brewed on premises, ranging from crisp golden ales to hoppy pale ales and dense stouts. But their food menu is nothing to be ignored. Go for the Coney Dog – which features beer cheese and stout chili if you prefer to eat your brew – or check back to see if they’ve added any especially adventurous hot dogs to the list for a limited time. Photo via ten10_brewing/Instagram
The Strand 807 N. Mills Ave. | 407-920-7744 The Strand makes some of the best brunch around with ingredients from local food partners the Olde Hearth Bread Co. and Wild Ocean Seafood. Some of our favorite dishes here are the creamy ricotta pancakes and savory snapper cakes. Photo via strandorlando/Instagram
King Cajun Crawfish 924 N. Mills Ave. | 407-704-8863 It’s a guarantee that a King Cajun meal will leave your fingers stained with cayenne and drenched in spicy buttery garlic. The crawfish rules these lands, but a bowl of gumbo is another great option. Photo via King Cajun Crawfish of Orlando/Facebook
Pho 88 Noodle Restaurant 730 N. Mills Ave. | 407-897-3488 Though it’s named after the uber popular pho, this restaurant serves so many more Vietnamese goodies, like the classic banh mi subs, rice platters and rice vermicelli dishes with grilled meats on top. Photo via saikiko/Instagram
Lac Viet Bistro 2021 E. Colonial Drive | 407-228-4000 Twinkling lights and lion statues embrace you as you enter this elegant establishment adorned with scenic views of Vietnam. While the atmosphere is a gem, the food is the real draw. You can’t go wrong with their beef pho, vermicelli platters and cool crunchy salads. Photo via gastromancer_nomad/Instagram
Pop Thai Restaurant 1227 N. Mills Ave. | 407-203-5088 Pop Thai’s got you covered with fresh, fast authentic Thai food. Pick up the crispy duck panang curry if you want to get slam-dunked with flavor. Finish off a delectable meal with some cool coconut ice cream. Photo via popthairestaurant/Instagram
Ming’s Bistro 1212 Woodward St. | 407-898-9672 Ming’s Bistro is serving up some of Orlando’s best dim sum no matter time it is. From sticky rice inside a lotus leaf to shark fin dumplings and fan favorites of shu mai and chicken feet, you’ll probably have to come multiple times before feeling satisfied. Photo via kayleale/Instagram
Yamasan Sushi & Grill 1606 N. Mills Ave. | 407-228-1730 Yamasan’s super cheap happy hour menu is worthy of rushing out of work a tad early to catch. We recommend the Unforgettable Roll, but if you’re not in the mood for sushi, then the hibachi munchies will leave you unfastening that top button. Photo via charitylcraig/Instagram
The Brass Tap 1632 N. Mills Ave. | 407-270-9538 Take a course in “beerology” at the Brass Tap, where you can find just about any craft beer from around the globe. They’ve also got lambic, perry, hefeweizen and gueuze on tap, but if you’re not feeling crafty, then feel free to order an ice-cold domestic brew. Photo via The Brass Tap – Mills Park/Facebook
Thai House 2117 E. Colonial Drive | 407-898-0820 This isn’t some recombinant Viet-Thai, sushi-Thai, nouveau-Asian amalgam cuisine. The items on Thai House’s extensive menu are authentic, from the mee krop appetizer – sticky, crisp rice noodles with a sweet/spicy tamarind sauce and shrimp – to the strong herbal iced tea with half-and-half. This spot won “Best Thai” in this year’s Best of Orlando Reader’s Poll for a reason. Photo via livincomidaloca/Instagram
Tasty Wok 12446 E. Colonial Drive | 407-896-8988 Adventurous foodies will have a field day at Tasty Wok with dishes offering duck feet, jellyfish and beef tendon congee. This cozy space offers Sino-American staples like General Tso’s chicken, so scaredy-cats can leave those crazier dishes for others in the party. Photo via bignick516/Instagram
Banh Mi Nha Trang Subs 1216 E. Colonial Drive Ste. 9 | 407-346-4549 The subs at Banh Mi Nha Trang are as authentic as it gets with 22 different banh mi. We recommend giving the pork liver pâté and Vietnamese ham subs a try if it’s your first time checking this staple out. Photo via grilledcheesesocial/Instagram