The best way to get in with the locals is to eat like the locals. Sure, the tourist corridor is fun — but there’s nothing more impactful to the city than the people who make it run, and what better way to keep a city moving than with food? From quick bites to sandwich shops and stand-alone spots to Asian cuisine hubs, there’s a slice of everything waiting for you to taste.
Ánh Hồng Restaurant
1124 E. Colonial Drive
Over 200 traditional Vietnamese dishes can be found on the menu at this Orlando mainstay. Ánh Hồng serves authentic banh mi sandwiches, invigorating pho and great vegetarian dishes all in the heart of Mills 50. With several foodie awards under its belt, Ánh Hồng Restaurant is a can’t-miss Vietnamese delight.
Art’s Sandwich Shop
1018 S. Orange Blossom Trail
This beloved family-owned sandwich shop located on Orange Blossom Trail has been a local fan favorite in Orlando since 1972. Serving up hot and cold subs, hot dogs, salads and homemade desserts, Art’s Sandwich Shop is a great sit-down restaurant to make you feel right at home.
Beefy King
424 N. Bumby Ave.
Serving Central Florida since 1968, Beefy King slings some of the best roast beef sandwiches Orlando has to offer, along with turkey, ham and pastrami. Paired with some of their beefy spuds (a wonderful take on tater tots) and fresh-baked cookies — all at prices that won’t shatter your wallet — this is a spot you won’t want to miss.
The Briarpatch Restaurant
252 N. Park Ave., Winter Park
Located in the heart of downtown Winter Park, the Briarpatch has been a prime breakfast destination for many, many years. On their menu, you’ll find made-from-scratch American cuisine, fluffy pancakes and specialty handcrafted cocktails. The Briarpatch Restaurant fulfills all your breakfast and brunch needs.
Cafe Tu Tu Tango
8625 International Drive
A blend of art and cuisine, Cafe Tu Tu Tango offers a wide variety of shareable plates like croquetas, brick-oven pizza and tacos. Cafe Tu Tu Tango also features art-themed drinks, with names referencing artworks and artists like The Starry Night and the Warhol Wake Up, perfect for fusion cuisine lovers and aesthetes. Not to mention the busy calendar of shows and entertainment.
Domu
3201 Corrine Drive
With two Orlando locations, Domu is best known for the homemade noodles filling its famous bowls of ramen. The original location was awarded a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand in 2022 and featured in Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil, so Domu’s reputation more than speaks for itself.
Enzo’s on the Lake
1130 S. U.S. Highway 17-92, Longwood
Along with your meal at Enzo’s on the Lake comes a gorgeous view of Lake Fairy. Cooking up traditional Italian dishes, Enzo’s on the Lake offers note-perfect date night dining, with specialty dishes to spare.
Flavors Nigerian Restaurant
3530 S. Orange Ave.
Flavors brings some of the most popular Nigerian dishes to the heart of touristy Orlando. Dishes include egusi soup, meat pies, pounded yam and jollof rice — all cooked from scratch. Absolutely essential.
Kappy’s Subs
501 N. Orlando Ave., Maitland
Highlights of their menu include made-to-order cheesesteaks, specialty burgers and sandwiches, and Phat Ash Bakes Cookies. Serving the community since 1967, Kappy’s offers indoor and outdoor seating, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a cool milkshake.
Lee and Rick’s Oyster Bar
5621 Old Winter Garden Road
Opened in 1950 as a nine-stool restaurant and a menu of only oysters, Lee and Rick’s Oyster Bar has expanded to serve 50 guests at a time with an array of seafood, including shrimp, crawfish, gator bites and mussel buckets. Now run by Lee and Rick’s oldest son and his family, they maintain the tradition of family-focused service.
Mills Market
1110 E. Colonial Drive
Featuring seven different eateries within (with more coming soon), Mills Market is fast becoming Orlando’s hub for Asian cuisine. Whether it be Korean BBQ, Vietnamese coffee, Japanese curry, sushi or udon noodles, Mills Market is sure to satisfy all your Asian cuisine cravings.
Susuru
8548 Palm Parkway
Stuffed to the gills with Japanese pop-culture ephemera, Susuru serves traditional Japanese snacks, sides and bowls, along with themed cocktails, sake and beer. With cocktails based off Astro Boy and Godzilla, this Japanese eatery is a treat for the eyes and the mouth.
The Strand
807 N. Mills Ave.
Created and operated by Joe and Alda Rees, The Strand is a Orlando-focused restaurant in Mills 50 that serves classic dishes in memory of the Rees’ childhood. With a menu full of fresh, seasonal ingredients, The Strand gives visitors a taste of Orlando through its scratch kitchen.
Tori Tori
720 N. Mills Ave.
Another Michelin Guide 2026 restaurant, Tori Tori serves Japanese food and drink such as yakitori, wagyu gyoza, kushiyaki, Japanese whiskey and sake. With a great cocktail program to boot. Be patient in your search for seating or space at the bar; this is a bustling spot.
White Wolf Cafe and Bar
1829 N. Orange Ave.
This family-owned cafe has been serving Ivanhoe denizens hearty breakfasts and lunches since 1991. Offering build-your-own breakfasts, traditional American cuisine and their beloved jumbo cinnamon rolls, White Wolf Cafe and Bar is the perfect spot to sate your home-cooked cravings and be part of the family.
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This article appears in July 1-7, 2026 — Newcomers Guide.