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29 Orlando restaurants with cult-like followings

By on Fri, Oct 6, 2023 at 6:16 pm

An undeniable truth: Orlando is full of passionate, opinionated people who love to eat. The city is home to plenty of great eateries, but some spots have garnered a loyal, even cult-like following.

While we've lost some hometown favorites recently — Linda's Winter Park Diner, for one — there are still lots of places backed by hordes of hungry locals.

Here are the popular local spots that draw the biggest crowds of loyal patrons. 
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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 wait in line 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 wait in line here.
Pom Pom's Teahouse & Sandwicheria 67 N Bumby Ave., Orlando This 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.
Photo via Pom Pom's Teahouse and Sandwicheria/FacebookPhoto via Pom Pom's Teahouse and Sandwicheria/Facebook

Pom Pom's Teahouse & Sandwicheria

67 N Bumby Ave., Orlando
This 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.
Kadence 1809 Winter Park Road, Orlando With a Michelin star, a reservation required for dinner, and a secret menu, this sushi and sake bar is a hot commodity. There are only nine seats, and tickets range from $155-$175 for one meal, so this is not your go-to for a casual night out. But if you're in the mood to splurge on some to-die-for sushi, Kadence might be calling your name.
Photo via Kadence/Facebook

Kadence


1809 Winter Park Road, Orlando With a Michelin star, a reservation required for dinner, and a secret menu, this sushi and sake bar is a hot commodity. There are only nine seats, and tickets range from $155-$175 for one meal, so this is not your go-to for a casual night out. But if you're in the mood to splurge on some to-die-for sushi, Kadence might be calling your name.
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.
Photo via OW 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.
Prato 124 N. Park Ave., Winter Park Orlando Weekly readers' "best Italian restaurant" three years in a row, Prato scores huge with Orlandoans 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/Yelp

Prato


124 N. Park Ave., Winter Park
Orlando Weekly readers' "best Italian restaurant" three years in a row, Prato scores huge with Orlandoans 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."
Kappy's Subs 501 N. Orlando Ave., Maitland If you're looking for a new 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) across 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 new 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) across a good old-fashioned all American diner counter.
Kabooki Sushi 7705 Turkey Lake Road, 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.
Photo via Kabooki Sandlake/Facebook

Kabooki Sushi


7705 Turkey Lake Road, 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.
Gideon’s Bakehouse 3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando This small local cookie bakery serves up big flavors and over-the-top creations. Known for from-scratch recipes and almost half-pound cookies and cake slices, as well as a certain whimsical dark humor, it's not a spot any Orlando sweet tooth should pass up.
Photo via Gideon’s Bakehouse/Yelp

Gideon’s Bakehouse


3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando
This small local cookie bakery serves up big flavors and over-the-top creations. Known for from-scratch recipes and almost half-pound cookies and cake slices, as well as a certain whimsical dark humor, it's not a spot any Orlando sweet tooth should pass up.
Cafe Tu Tu Tango 8625 International Drive, Orlando The funky tapas spot offers creative food and drink specials every weekday, plus live music and relaxed patio seating, too. With tons of sharable plates to choose from, signature cocktails, and artists who paint while you eat, Cafe Tu Tu Tango is an attraction in itself.
Photo via Cafe Tu Tu Tango/Facebook

Cafe Tu Tu Tango


8625 International Drive, Orlando
The funky tapas spot offers creative food and drink specials every weekday, plus live music and relaxed patio seating, too. With tons of sharable plates to choose from, signature cocktails, and artists who paint while you eat, Cafe Tu Tu Tango is an attraction in itself.
Otto’s High Dive 2304 E. Robinson St., Orlando What's not to like about a neighborhood rum bar? Otto's is oozing midcentury Cuban charm and has a lively conviviality without the deafening clamor and clang. Aside from experienced bartenders shaking and stirring rum-based cocktails, there's a focused selection of Cuban fare to boot.
Photo via Otto’s High Dive/Instagram

Otto’s High Dive


2304 E. Robinson St., Orlando What's not to like about a neighborhood rum bar? Otto's is oozing midcentury Cuban charm and has a lively conviviality without the deafening clamor and clang. Aside from experienced bartenders shaking and stirring rum-based cocktails, there's a focused selection of Cuban fare to boot.
Enzo's on the Lake 1130 S. U.S. Highway 17-92, Longwood Enzo’s on the Lake got its start in a humble Central Florida home in 1980. Over the years, the restaurant has become the area's go-to romantic date destination par excellence, serving Italian cuisine with a chic spin.
Photo via Enzo's on the Lake/Instagram

Enzo's on the Lake

1130 S. U.S. Highway 17-92, Longwood
Enzo’s on the Lake got its start in a humble Central Florida home in 1980. Over the years, the restaurant has become the area's go-to romantic date destination par excellence, serving Italian cuisine with a chic spin.
Black Rooster Taqueria 1323 N. Mills Ave., Orlando, and 3097 Curry Ford Road, Orlando This taqueria offers a modern twist on authentic Mexican cuisine — and it's delicious, so you can probably expect some lines. But with options like the shrimp and chorizo tacos, pozole verde bowl and classic tres leches cake and flan, it's most definitely worth the wait.
Photo via Black Rooster Taqueria/Yelp

Black Rooster Taqueria


1323 N. Mills Ave., Orlando, and 3097 Curry Ford Road, Orlando This taqueria offers a modern twist on authentic Mexican cuisine — and it's delicious, so you can probably expect some lines. But with options like the shrimp and chorizo tacos, pozole verde bowl and classic tres leches cake and flan, it's most definitely worth the wait.
Kres Chophouse 17 W. Church St., Orlando The focus on bringing in a ritzy clientele has left the interior of this downtown Orlando restaurant feeling like a time warp — back to when going to get a nice steak was the finest thing a discerning eater could do for themselves.
Photo via Kres Chophouse/Facebook

Kres Chophouse

17 W. Church St., Orlando
The focus on bringing in a ritzy clientele has left the interior of this downtown Orlando restaurant feeling like a time warp — back to when going to get a nice steak was the finest thing a discerning eater could do for themselves.
Domu 3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando, and 7600 Dr. Phillips Boulevard, Orlando Domu is an Asian fusion restaurant with heavy hip-hop inspiration, according to the restaurant’s owner, Sean “Sonny” Nguyen. The restaurant offers exciting twists on noodles, specialty cocktails and small Asian plates.
Photo via Domu/Website

Domu

3201 Corrine Drive, Orlando, and 7600 Dr. Phillips Boulevard, Orlando
Domu is an Asian fusion restaurant with heavy hip-hop inspiration, according to the restaurant’s owner, Sean “Sonny” Nguyen. The restaurant offers exciting twists on noodles, specialty cocktails and small Asian plates.
The Ravenous Pig 565 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park Using ingredients sourced close to home, The Ravenous Pig offers inventive New American eats, an in-house taproom and hand-crafted cocktails. The stylish gastropub (with adjoining beer garden) asks that you make reservations because there’s often a wait to get into this foodie heaven — definitely worth the splurge.
Photo via The Ravenous Pig/Facebook

The Ravenous Pig


565 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park Using ingredients sourced close to home, The Ravenous Pig offers inventive New American eats, an in-house taproom and hand-crafted cocktails. The stylish gastropub (with adjoining beer garden) asks that you make reservations because there’s often a wait to get into this foodie heaven — definitely worth the splurge.
Susuru 8548 Palm Parkway, Orlando Chef Lewis Lin and managing partner Kenny Ly came together to create a "retro-themed izakaya" offering exquisite ramen, yakitori and takoyaki. Stuffed with Showa-era collectibles, this 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 a "retro-themed izakaya" offering exquisite ramen, yakitori and takoyaki. Stuffed with Showa-era collectibles, this Japanese gastropub stays open late on the weekends to satisfy your slurping needs, both noodly and boozy.
Valkyrie Doughnuts 12226 Corporate Blvd., Orlando Whimsical unicorn murals adorn the walls of this vegan doughnut and sweets shop (also owned by Celine Duvoisin of Valhalla Bakery!). Valkyrie is known for its Instagrammable plant-based doughnut creations made from scratch.
Photo via Valkyrie Doughnuts/Facebook

Valkyrie Doughnuts

12226 Corporate Blvd., Orlando
Whimsical unicorn murals adorn the walls of this vegan doughnut and sweets shop (also owned by Celine Duvoisin of Valhalla Bakery!). Valkyrie is known for its Instagrammable plant-based doughnut creations made from scratch.
The Stubborn Mule 100 S. Eola Drive, Orlando The Stubborn Mule is in high demand for its creative twists on American cuisine. Locally sourced food options and craft cocktails, beer and wine makes this eatery a popular stop for local and tourist foodies alike.
Photo via The Stubborn Mule/Facebook

The Stubborn Mule


100 S. Eola Drive, Orlando The Stubborn Mule is in high demand for its creative twists on American cuisine. Locally sourced food options and craft cocktails, beer and wine makes this eatery a popular stop for local and tourist foodies alike.
Se7en Bites 617 N. Primrose Drive, Orlando Known for Southern-style food and incredible baked goods, the line at Se7en Bites is always out the door on weekends. It’s for a good reason, too. The spot is perfect for brunch, with its menu of tasty pastries, biscuits and gravy, primavera Benedict and meatloaf sandwiches.
Photo via Se7en Bites/Yelp

Se7en Bites


617 N. Primrose Drive, Orlando
Known for Southern-style food and incredible baked goods, the line at Se7en Bites is always out the door on weekends. It’s for a good reason, too. The spot is perfect for brunch, with its menu of tasty pastries, biscuits and gravy, primavera Benedict and meatloaf sandwiches.
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.
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