College Park’s denizens embody a strong sense of community and are as fiercely passionate about local businesses as they are about the housing developments newly intruding on their quaint bungalow-lined streets. But even change in the form of a much-contended new apartment complex (with a frankly hideous parking garage) can’t deter from this downtown district’s charming small-time feel. College Park’s walkability and bikeability are its primary assets, rendering the automobile virtually unnecessary when paying a visit to one of the many established shops, juice bars, coffee houses and restaurants along the neighborhood’s primary artery – Edgewater Drive.
EAT
K Restaurant
1710 Edgewater Drive, 407-872-2332, krestaurant.net
Kevin Fonzo's farm-to-table resto still sets the standard in College Park.
The Pie Orlando
2429 Edgewater Drive, 407-757-2426, thepieorlando.com
Families flock here for Roman-style pizzas fired in a wood-burning oven.
Doghouse
2527 Edgewater Drive, 407-412-5409, doghouseorlando.com
Dogs, tots and beers keep it simple but hearty in this nook of fun food; duck through the doorway to grab a milkshake next door at their sister spot, the Soda Fountain.
DRINK
New Moon Market
2314 Edgewater Drive, 407-440-8147, newmoonmarket.com
Eco-friendly juice bar squeezes out a variety of handmade juice blends.
Gratitude Coffee
175 E. Par St., 407-421-0681, instagram.com/gratitudecoffee
The mobile coffee truck parked in the lot of Daisy's Flower on Par Street has legit bean cred.
The Local Bar & Grill
3231 Edgewater Drive, 407-900-9005, facebook.com/localbarorlando
Pleasantly divey casual hang with a few upgrades: good jukebox, great karaoke night, no smoking allowed inside.
RusTeak
2625 Edgewater Drive, 407-540-1100, rusteakwinebar.com
It's no snub on the stellar food menu to point out that this is the best spot for craft cocktails in the 'hood.
SHOP
Shoppes of College Park
2308 Edgewater Drive, 407-930-2570, facebook.com/theshoppesofcollegepark
Clothes, jewelry, gifts and baked goods all under one roof.
Mr. Man Outfitters for Life
2302 Edgewater Drive, 407-692-3779, facebook.com/mrmanoutfittersforlife
Gadgets, clothing, and man-centric accessories in a full-service barbershop.
Apenberry's
3443 Edgewater Drive, 407-841-3088, apenberrys.com
Green thumbs head to this neighborhood garden center for all their nursery needs.
Foundation College Park
2529 Edgewater Drive, 407-502-8627, instagram.com/foundationcollegepark
A killer selection of LPs and vintage clothing – and they plan to start pressing records for local acts.
Naked Bar Soap Co.
1520 Edgewater Drive, 407-796-2225, nakedbarsoapco.com
Sustainable artisan soaps and body products made in-house pack powerful remedies in pretty, fragrant packages.
GO
Dubsdread Golf Course
549 W. Par St., 407-246-2551, historicaldubsdread.com
The oldest public golf course in the Orlando area is also home to a surprisingly good traditional taproom.
Jack Kerouac House
1418 Clouser Ave., kerouacproject.org
Once home to the Beat Generation's most famous novelist/poet, the house now serves as a center for a writers-in-residence program. But don't just knock on the door; check the website for upcoming events or to schedule a tour.
College Park Organic Farmer's Market
710 W. Princeton St., 407-276-0091, groundingroots.com
Put on by the folks who run the Grounding Roots juice bar, this Sunday market offers everything from fresh produce and dairy to organic donuts and bone broth.
