Right in the heart of Orlando is a bustling main drag filled with traffic, lackluster sidewalks and noise pollution. But what makes it all worth it — and a local favorite — is its endless lineup of places to get some impressive bites.
Colonial Drive runs through the center of Orlando and houses iconic restaurants, quick-service eateries, bakeries, coffee shops and more. Many of its most beloved spots are places born from the region’s long-running Asian-fusion influence, but that doesn’t equate to a lack of variety.
Here are all the best hot dog stands, pho bars, Hawaiian diners, New York-style bagel houses, fried chicken spots and all the rest that can be devoured along Colonial.
1114 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Zaru’s intimate and striking 25-seat dining room features udon noodles made from Japanese flour sourced from Kagawa Prefecture, the birthplace of udon, and offered in both hot and cold options, with and without broths, along with freshly fried tempura and a host of add-ons for a custom-built bowl.
Credit: Zaru/Google Maps
5355 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
An Orlando staple, Hot Dog Heaven has been slinging authentic Chicago dogs since 1987, with an unwavering community following for this classic bite. Credit: Image via Google Maps
3122 E. Colonial Drive, 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: Kabooki Sushi/Google Maps
2217 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Hawaiian comfort food meets the classic American diner at this Colonial spot, with brunch and dinner options, plus desserts and drinks. Menu highlights include kalua barbecue pork handhelds, saimin noodle soups, shoyu chicken, ube haupia pie, spam musubi, poke bowls, burgers and more. Credit: Matt Keller Lehman
4721 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
This award-winning old-school eatery has been serving steaks since 1947. Decked out in classic checkered tablecloths and complete with a fireplace-adorned lounge, Linda’s La Cantina is Orlando staple. It’s not a stuffy place, but it’s so popular that reservations are a must. Credit: Image via Google Maps
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
3011 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Although locations of this bagel palace aren’t hard to come by in Central Florida, this newly opened location offers a centrally located Colonial Drive outpost that also serves as the chain’s only drive-thru option. The chainlet’s classic and more over-the-top bagel flavors continue to draw in the crowds; check their social media for weekly flavor specials. Credit: Jeff's Bagel Run/Facebook
700 Maguire Boulevard, Orlando
From the same team that came together to create the “retro-themed izakaya” Susuru, sibling restaurant Juju shares the same quirky decor and a similarly impressive izakaya menu. Credit: Chloe Greenberg
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
2425 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Established in 2019 as a food truck and then a pop-up shop, Chicken Fire quickly took Orlando’s foodie scene by storm. Their Nashville-style, soulful hot chicken can be enjoyed in five different heat levels.
2021 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
John Zhao, the restaurateur behind YH Seafood Clubhouse, established Bakery 1908 this fall, offering a rotating selection of dim sum items, coffee and boba. Zhao has partnered with the owner of a Taiwanese bakery that’s been in business since 1908, thus the name. And with a century-long pedigree, you can bet their cakes, sweets and honey fragrance (mi xiang) teas will draw a lot of interest. Credit: Bakery 1908/Facebook
1241 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
The Moderne is a contemporary cocktail bar serving up a rotating menu of both classic and reinvented beverages, plus tasty Asian-inspired tapas. Credit: Google Maps
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
1835 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
The long-lived Cuban spots in Mills 50 and Winter Park are perfect for a leisurely lunch (or a quick breakfast). Linger in the side room with their Cuban special: a half Cuban sandwich and a cup of black beans and rice for $10 (available until 3 p.m.). A regular Cuban sammie, pan con lechon, Cuban frita burger and more won’t cost you more than $14.
Credit: Black Bean Deli/Facebook
5310 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
This all-you-can-eat sushi and Korean barbecue restaurant is the perfect Colonial Drive stop to make on a very empty stomach. Take your pick of proteins and sushi and eat the night away. Credit: Izziban Sushi
1101 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Mills 50 Sichuan restaurant A Gourmet Chinese Cuisine (formerly Chuan Lu Garden) opened its renovated doors on Colonial Drive in 2025. Its Sichuan fare of the Chuan Lu Garden era now takes a backseat to some equally impressive and flavorful Cantonese cuisine. Credit: Matt Keller Lehman
3914 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
The building formerly housing chef Peter Liu’s Peter’s Kitchen (also recently, if briefly, known as Chuan Lu Garden) now holds Ming Garden, operated by the owners of Mills 50 mainstay Ming’s Bistro. Credit: Ming Garden/Instagram
1011 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Jumbo hand-tossed and customizable slices of pie, beer and plenty more to eat has been on offer at this all-day and late-night Mills 50 eatery for nearly 20 years. Credit: Lazy Moon
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
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
1233 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Sampaguita is serving up vibrant colors and flavors in the form of Filipino ice cream and sweets. It’s woman-owned and full of full foliage and neon signs, making for a perfect summer afternoon hangout spot. Credit: Photo by Rob Bartlett
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
1012 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
The indie chain from South Florida delivers impressive Vietnamese favorites to Colonial Drive, along with cocktails and outdoor seating, too. Credit: Pho Bar/Google Maps
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
1231 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Mamak serves Malaysian tapas that offer a whole new world of flavors with dishes including roti, roast duck and kari meatballs. Noodle soups, rice and wok dishes are also on the menu at this casual Colonial Drive spot.
1235 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando
This Korean-American-inspired coffee house pours classic and more creative caffeine creations, plus plenty of pastries (savory and sweet!) to round out your morning, afternoon or evening.
Credit: Haan Coffee/Google Maps