10 exciting new Orlando restaurants that just opened

New year. New restaurants. So far, 2018 is off to a great start for new Orlando restaurants. Here's a handful of brand-spanking new spots worth checking out.

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Sticky Rice Lao Street Food

1915 E Colonial Dr, 321-800-6532
You can order the entire menu of Laotian delicacies for about $60 at this Mills 50 newcomer, but you'll do well to settle for just the standouts – lemongrass pork sausages, sesame beef jerky, street wings, papaya salad and oh yes, those pork tapioca dumplings.
Photo via Shayla Phillips

Try the grilled sticky rice chicken wings, best thing on the street.

Photo via Sticky Rice Street Food via Facebook

Calle 3 M3xican Str33t Kitch3n

1664 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Apopka; 407-703-2569
Never mind the annoying number jumbled in the name. What chef-owner Leo Santos and his wife, Shirley, bring to the streets of Apopka is a true taste of the calles of Ciudad de Mexico: elotes and papas fritas; slow-cooked carnitas served with pickled onions on homemade corn tortillas; flautas with potato and chorizo; homemade Mexican flan. Say it with me: road trip!
Photo via Shayla Phillips

Check out Tostada Thursday, where you can pick from choice of chicken tinga or asada tostadas and remember to get those free rice and beans. .

Photo via Calle 3 M3xican Str33t Kitch3n

Chela Tequila & Tacos

183 S Orange Ave, 407-985-5272
So the Bento Group (who run Bento Asian Kitchen, Avenue Gastrobar and Sticky Rice) decided their other concept Kasa, needed a rebrand, and so Chela Tequila & Tacos was born. Chela's Mexican fare is a whole lot less highbrow than the globally inspired small plates coming out of Kasa's kitchen but, hey, who doesn't love a good taco? Knowing the Bento guys, they'll do 'em right.
Photo via Rob Bartlett

Check out their Taco Tuesdays for $15 all-you-can eat tacos from 5 p.m. to midnight.

Photo via chelatacos/Instagram

The Edison

1570 E Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista, 407-560-9288
Another in a line of restaurants that was supposed to have opened last year, the Edison finally did this January and Disneyphiles have been relishing in the post-industrial, steampunk-themed surroundings of the Disney Springs eatery. And also that 28-day dry-aged prime rib.
Photo via Rob Bartlett

The Edison has some of the best bacon in town but the presentation is really what sets them apart.

Photo via vegan.latina4ever/Instagram

El Buda

116 W Church St. , 407-203-8171
Roberto Treviño, the man who battled Mario Batali on "Iron Chef America," opened his Nuevo Latino restaurant inside the Bumby Arcade on Church Street in December and his Latin-Asian fusion creations are simply stunning. The man has some serious kitchen cred, and two of his fusion creations – pork and sweet plantain dumplings and duck breast with honey-miso potatoes – are instant classics.
Photo via Rob Bartlett