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25 Orlando restaurants every new resident needs to try before calling themselves a local

By on Thu, Apr 25, 2024 at 6:40 pm

You don't truly know Orlando until you've eaten like a bona fide local. From teeny sub shops that have been around for decades to sparkling new sushi spots already grabbing Michelin nods, iconic Orlando restaurants take many forms.

So before you make the move to the City Beautiful, make sure you get to know all the most beloved eateries around town. Here are 25 Orlando restaurants every new resident needs to try before they can call themselves a local.
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Hammered Lamb 1235 N. Orange Ave., Orlando Open since 2013, this Ivanhoe Village staple has been pleasing Orlandoans with over-the-top brunch dishes, bloody marys and energetic events on their pleasant patio for more than a decade.
Photo via Hammered Lamb/Facebook

Hammered Lamb

1235 N. Orange Ave., Orlando
Open since 2013, this Ivanhoe Village staple has been pleasing Orlandoans with over-the-top brunch dishes, bloody marys and energetic events on their pleasant patio for more than a decade.
Pho 88 730 N. Mills Ave., Orlando The specialty at Pho 88 is the wide variety of cuts of meat available in the soup, from very rare eye round and brisket to tendon and tripe; nothing is wasted here. The restaurant is roomy, and it is made even more so by the great expanses of mirrors lining the walls.
Image via Google Maps

Pho 88

730 N. Mills Ave., Orlando
The specialty at Pho 88 is the wide variety of cuts of meat available in the soup, from very rare eye round and brisket to tendon and tripe; nothing is wasted here. The restaurant is roomy, and it is made even more so by the great expanses of mirrors lining the walls.
Prato 124 N. Park Ave., Winter Park Orlando Weekly readers' "best Italian restaurant" three years in a row, Prato scores huge with Orlandoans and visitors for its authentic Italian dishes. You’ll battle crowds to get a seat at this loud Park Avenue “it spot,” but once inside, the rustic Italian creations will justify the body-checking. As you can read in our Prato review, "You'd be hard-pressed to find better meatballs in the city, seriously."
Photo via Prato / Facebook

Prato

124 N. Park Ave., Winter Park
Orlando Weekly readers' "best Italian restaurant" three years in a row, Prato scores huge with Orlandoans and visitors for its authentic Italian dishes. You’ll battle crowds to get a seat at this loud Park Avenue “it spot,” but once inside, the rustic Italian creations will justify the body-checking. As you can read in our Prato review, "You'd be hard-pressed to find better meatballs in the city, seriously."
Linda's La Cantina 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.
Image via Google Maps

Linda's La Cantina

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.
Maxine's on Shine 337 Shine Ave., Orlando Maxine's on Shine offers regular live music, a hefty comfort food-filled menu, and a classic weekend brunch. It's the perfect for a relaxing or a romantic meal.
Photo via Maxine's on Shine/Facebook

Maxine's on Shine

337 Shine Ave., Orlando
Maxine's on Shine offers regular live music, a hefty comfort food-filled menu, and a classic weekend brunch. It's the perfect for a relaxing or a romantic meal.
Cuban Sandwiches to Go 1605 Lee Road, Orlando This walk-up restaurant is a perennial Best of Orlando winner for its traditional Cuban cuisine and unique efficiency. Even tourists know what's up.
Image via Google Maps

Cuban Sandwiches to Go

1605 Lee Road, Orlando
This walk-up restaurant is a perennial Best of Orlando winner for its traditional Cuban cuisine and unique efficiency. Even tourists know what's up.
Relax Grill 211 Eola Parkway, Orlando A Lake Eola Park staple, Relax Grill is an ideal spot for those looking to do just that: relax. No frills, no hustle and bustle, just casual patio seating and some classic American dishes and drinks.
Photo via Relax Grill/Facebook

Relax Grill

211 Eola Parkway, Orlando
A Lake Eola Park staple, Relax Grill is an ideal spot for those looking to do just that: relax. No frills, no hustle and bustle, just casual patio seating and some classic American dishes and drinks.
Susuru 8548 Palm Parkway, Orlando Chef Lewis Lin and managing partner Kenny Ly came together to create this "retro-themed izakaya" offering exquisite ramen, yakitori and takoyaki. Stuffed with Showa-era collectibles, Susuru is an experience and a dining destination all in one. Plus, the Japanese gastropub stays open late on the weekends to satisfy your slurping needs, both noodly and boozy.
Photo via Susuru/Facebook

Susuru

8548 Palm Parkway, Orlando
Chef Lewis Lin and managing partner Kenny Ly came together to create this "retro-themed izakaya" offering exquisite ramen, yakitori and takoyaki. Stuffed with Showa-era collectibles, Susuru is an experience and a dining destination all in one. Plus, the Japanese gastropub stays open late on the weekends to satisfy your slurping needs, both noodly and boozy.
High Tide Harry’s 4645 S. Semoran Blvd., Orlando This decked-out fish spot boasts longtime local ties, fervent fans and a laid-back, "no frills" approach to simple seafood. Since 1995, High Tide Harry’s has been serving burgers, ribs, shrimp, lobster, fresh fish and more.
Image via Google Maps

High Tide Harry’s

4645 S. Semoran Blvd., Orlando
This decked-out fish spot boasts longtime local ties, fervent fans and a laid-back, "no frills" approach to simple seafood. Since 1995, High Tide Harry’s has been serving burgers, ribs, shrimp, lobster, fresh fish and more.
Gabriel’s Submarine Sandwich Shop 3006 Edgewater Drive, Orlando These iconic sandwiches have been a College Park favorite since 1958. The shop serves up authentic American food like wings, subs and curly fries. Be prepared, it tends to fill up with students from nearby Edgewater High at lunch and after school.
Photo via Google Maps

Gabriel’s Submarine Sandwich Shop

3006 Edgewater Drive, Orlando
These iconic sandwiches have been a College Park favorite since 1958. The shop serves up authentic American food like wings, subs and curly fries. Be prepared, it tends to fill up with students from nearby Edgewater High at lunch and after school.
Pom Pom's Teahouse & Sandwicheria 67 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando This beloved local sandwich salon features themed gourmet sandwiches and unique salads, with an entire menu under $15. Go crazy with one of their beefier pressed sandwiches like the Big Daddy's Triple Decker, keep it light with The Cobb or indulge your sweet tooth with a Colossal PB&J. Late-night hours on the weekend.
Photo via Pom Pom's Teahouse and Sandwicheria/Facebook

Pom Pom's Teahouse & Sandwicheria

67 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando
This beloved local sandwich salon features themed gourmet sandwiches and unique salads, with an entire menu under $15. Go crazy with one of their beefier pressed sandwiches like the Big Daddy's Triple Decker, keep it light with The Cobb or indulge your sweet tooth with a Colossal PB&J. Late-night hours on the weekend.
Beefy King 424 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando This Central Florida meaty institution has been filling hungry Orlandoans' stomachs with the best roast beef (and turkey, ham or pastrami) sandwiches since 1968. Beefy King also offers milkshakes and their own spin on the classic tater tot, Beefy Spuds. You wouldn't want to deny this City Beautiful classic to the out-of-towners.
Photo by Orlando Weekly Staff

Beefy King

424 N. Bumby Ave., Orlando
This Central Florida meaty institution has been filling hungry Orlandoans' stomachs with the best roast beef (and turkey, ham or pastrami) sandwiches since 1968. Beefy King also offers milkshakes and their own spin on the classic tater tot, Beefy Spuds. You wouldn't want to deny this City Beautiful classic to the out-of-towners.
Enzo's on the Lake 1130 S. U.S. Highway 17-92, Longwood Enzo’s on the Lake got its start in a small Central Florida home in 1980. Over the years, the restaurant has become the area's go-to scenic dining destination, serving Italian cuisine with a chic spin. It's an odds-on bet you'll see an anniversary dinner, a first date or a proposal at a nearby table.
Photo via Enzo's on the Lake/Facebook

Enzo's on the Lake

1130 S. U.S. Highway 17-92, Longwood
Enzo’s on the Lake got its start in a small Central Florida home in 1980. Over the years, the restaurant has become the area's go-to scenic dining destination, serving Italian cuisine with a chic spin. It's an odds-on bet you'll see an anniversary dinner, a first date or a proposal at a nearby table.
Lee and Rick’s Oyster Bar 5621 Old Winter Garden Road, Orlando You can't get more Florida than a seafood spot shaped like a boat and covered in taxidermy fish. Located right here in Orlando, Lee and Rick's Oyster Bar first opened back in 1950 with just nine seats and an oysters-only menu. Now the family-run local favorite offers plenty of seafood and ample seating to enjoy it in.
Photo via LeeandRicksOysterBar.com

Lee and Rick’s Oyster Bar

5621 Old Winter Garden Road, Orlando
You can't get more Florida than a seafood spot shaped like a boat and covered in taxidermy fish. Located right here in Orlando, Lee and Rick's Oyster Bar first opened back in 1950 with just nine seats and an oysters-only menu. Now the family-run local favorite offers plenty of seafood and ample seating to enjoy it in.
Kappy's Subs 501 N. Orlando Ave., Maitland If you're looking for a storied but low-key sub shop, Kappy's Subs is your answer. Family-owned since 1967, the eatery serves classic American fare (like subs, burgers and dogs) from a good old-fashioned all-American diner counter.
Photo via Kappy's/Facebook

Kappy's Subs

501 N. Orlando Ave., Maitland
If you're looking for a storied but low-key sub shop, Kappy's Subs is your answer. Family-owned since 1967, the eatery serves classic American fare (like subs, burgers and dogs) from a good old-fashioned all-American diner counter.
Nile Ethiopian 7048 International Drive, Orlando This cozy restaurant in the heart of the tourist strip is one of the best places in town to enjoy Ethiopian food — or try it for the first time. Order a combo platter (meat or veggie) and scoop it with spongy injera bread instead of utensils. First-timers may want to go easy on the kitfo, a spicy steak tartare.
Photo via Nile Ethiopian/Yelp

Nile Ethiopian

7048 International Drive, Orlando
This cozy restaurant in the heart of the tourist strip is one of the best places in town to enjoy Ethiopian food — or try it for the first time. Order a combo platter (meat or veggie) and scoop it with spongy injera bread instead of utensils. First-timers may want to go easy on the kitfo, a spicy steak tartare.
King Bao 710 N. Mills Ave., Orlando This Mills Avenue mainstay specializes in diminutive steamed Asian buns stuffed with creative and delicious mixes of proteins and veggies.
Image via Google Maps

King Bao

710 N. Mills Ave., Orlando
This Mills Avenue mainstay specializes in diminutive steamed Asian buns stuffed with creative and delicious mixes of proteins and veggies.
Chuan Fu 1035 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park Chuan Fu, a Sichuan restaurant by the owners of Chuan Lu Garden and U and Me Revolving Hot Pot, opened this year in Winter Park. Patrons at Chuan Fu can expect "very special" and "very different" Sichuan dishes including some that "have not been seen in town," all prepared by chefs hailing from Sichuan Province.
Photo via Chuan Zeng

Chuan Fu

1035 N. Orlando Ave., Winter Park
Chuan Fu, a Sichuan restaurant by the owners of Chuan Lu Garden and U and Me Revolving Hot Pot, opened this year in Winter Park. Patrons at Chuan Fu can expect "very special" and "very different" Sichuan dishes including some that "have not been seen in town," all prepared by chefs hailing from Sichuan Province.
Briarpatch 252 N. Park Ave., Winter Park One of Winter Park's most iconic and long-standing breakfast joints serves up contemporary American cuisine and brunch daily. With breakfast goodies like blueberry-stuffed pancakes and raspberry-and-brie stuffed brioche french toast, it’s not hard to find a reason to bring the family here.
Photo via Briarpatch/Yelp

Briarpatch

252 N. Park Ave., Winter Park
One of Winter Park's most iconic and long-standing breakfast joints serves up contemporary American cuisine and brunch daily. With breakfast goodies like blueberry-stuffed pancakes and raspberry-and-brie stuffed brioche french toast, it’s not hard to find a reason to bring the family here.
Camille 4962 New Broad St., Orlando Recently handed a Michelin star after opening just last year, Camille is now a Baldwin Park staple. The real draw at this spot is chef Tung Phan's creative and unconventional spins on Vietnamese dishes, all punctuated with classical French flourishes — dishes like Vietnamese coffee-crusted wagyu with potato pâvé; espuma of pho; and green papaya with salmon and nước chấm.
Photo by Rob Bartlett

Camille

4962 New Broad St., Orlando
Recently handed a Michelin star after opening just last year, Camille is now a Baldwin Park staple. The real draw at this spot is chef Tung Phan's creative and unconventional spins on Vietnamese dishes, all punctuated with classical French flourishes — dishes like Vietnamese coffee-crusted wagyu with potato pâvé; espuma of pho; and green papaya with salmon and nước chấm.
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