Both neighborhoods are packed with restaurants, but which you choose has a lot to do with what you’re craving – hyperlocal flavor on the cheap or cha-ching! pampering. To the north, there’s Mills 50, a haven for mom-and-pop ventures, international eats and the hottest spots to find nom-nom-nirvana on a dime. To the south, International Drive has transformed itself from a tourist trap to avoid into a restaurant hub worth frequenting, especially on an expense account.
Orlando foodie district face-off: Mills 50 vs. I-Drive
By Orlando Weekly Staff on Sat, Jun 24, 2017 at 6:03 pm
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Mills 50
King Bao
You can eat an amazing dinner for less than $10 at King Bao. Two pillowy rice-flour buns stuffed with Korean fried chicken, braised pork belly or lobster plus a soft drink will only set you back about seven bucks.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
King Bao
You can eat an amazing dinner for less than $10 at King Bao. Two pillowy rice-flour buns stuffed with Korean fried chicken, braised pork belly or lobster plus a soft drink will only set you back about seven bucks.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
Mills 50
King Bao
You can eat an amazing dinner for less than $10 at King Bao. Two pillowy rice-flour buns stuffed with Korean fried chicken, braised pork belly or lobster plus a soft drink will only set you back about seven bucks.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
King Bao
You can eat an amazing dinner for less than $10 at King Bao. Two pillowy rice-flour buns stuffed with Korean fried chicken, braised pork belly or lobster plus a soft drink will only set you back about seven bucks.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
Mills 50
The Strand
If there’s one place on the Mills 50 strip for a fancy dinner, it’s the Strand. The pocket-sized restaurant and bar specializes in small-batch classic comfort food with a contemporary twist, so it’s not too far outside the comfort zone for less adventurous diners. The waitstaff will steer you to a killer bottle of wine within your budget.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
The Strand
If there’s one place on the Mills 50 strip for a fancy dinner, it’s the Strand. The pocket-sized restaurant and bar specializes in small-batch classic comfort food with a contemporary twist, so it’s not too far outside the comfort zone for less adventurous diners. The waitstaff will steer you to a killer bottle of wine within your budget.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
Mills 50
The Strand
If there’s one place on the Mills 50 strip for a fancy dinner, it’s the Strand. The pocket-sized restaurant and bar specializes in small-batch classic comfort food with a contemporary twist, so it’s not too far outside the comfort zone for less adventurous diners. The waitstaff will steer you to a killer bottle of wine within your budget.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
The Strand
If there’s one place on the Mills 50 strip for a fancy dinner, it’s the Strand. The pocket-sized restaurant and bar specializes in small-batch classic comfort food with a contemporary twist, so it’s not too far outside the comfort zone for less adventurous diners. The waitstaff will steer you to a killer bottle of wine within your budget.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
Mills 50
Pho 88
Sometimes only soup will do. Good thing Pho 88 has 40 different ones to choose from, all served in giant bowls with your choice of accoutrement – thai basil, bean sprouts, jalapeno slices and lime wedges. Vietnamese parents all swear by a big bowl of bun bo hue, a steaming, lava-red bowl of beef and noodles, for whatever ails you.
Photo via Instagram/j.coyne
Pho 88
Sometimes only soup will do. Good thing Pho 88 has 40 different ones to choose from, all served in giant bowls with your choice of accoutrement – thai basil, bean sprouts, jalapeno slices and lime wedges. Vietnamese parents all swear by a big bowl of bun bo hue, a steaming, lava-red bowl of beef and noodles, for whatever ails you.
Photo via Instagram/j.coyne
Mills 50
Pho 88
Sometimes only soup will do. Good thing Pho 88 has 40 different ones to choose from, all served in giant bowls with your choice of accoutrement – thai basil, bean sprouts, jalapeno slices and lime wedges. Vietnamese parents all swear by a big bowl of bun bo hue, a steaming, lava-red bowl of beef and noodles, for whatever ails you.
Photo via Yelp
Pho 88
Sometimes only soup will do. Good thing Pho 88 has 40 different ones to choose from, all served in giant bowls with your choice of accoutrement – thai basil, bean sprouts, jalapeno slices and lime wedges. Vietnamese parents all swear by a big bowl of bun bo hue, a steaming, lava-red bowl of beef and noodles, for whatever ails you.
Photo via Yelp
Mills 50
Hawkers Asian Street Fare
When chef and TV-host Andrew Zimmern came to Orlando, he couldn’t say enough good things about Hawkers Asian Street Fare. Same goes for the small plates at Mamak Asian Street Food. At these two Mills 50 restos, it’s encouraged to order a bunch of things and order progressively from the menu until you’ve reached your desired satiety.
Photo via Instagram/armando_abooboo_du_bois
Hawkers Asian Street Fare
When chef and TV-host Andrew Zimmern came to Orlando, he couldn’t say enough good things about Hawkers Asian Street Fare. Same goes for the small plates at Mamak Asian Street Food. At these two Mills 50 restos, it’s encouraged to order a bunch of things and order progressively from the menu until you’ve reached your desired satiety.
Photo via Instagram/armando_abooboo_du_bois
Mills 50
Hawkers Asian Street Fare
When chef and TV-host Andrew Zimmern came to Orlando, he couldn’t say enough good things about Hawkers Asian Street Fare. Same goes for the small plates at Mamak Asian Street Food. At these two Mills 50 restos, it’s encouraged to order a bunch of things and order progressively from the menu until you’ve reached your desired satiety.
Photo via Instagram/30seattravellove
Hawkers Asian Street Fare
When chef and TV-host Andrew Zimmern came to Orlando, he couldn’t say enough good things about Hawkers Asian Street Fare. Same goes for the small plates at Mamak Asian Street Food. At these two Mills 50 restos, it’s encouraged to order a bunch of things and order progressively from the menu until you’ve reached your desired satiety.
Photo via Instagram/30seattravellove
Mills 50
Mamak Asian Street Food
When chef and TV-host Andrew Zimmern came to Orlando, he couldn’t say enough good things about Hawkers Asian Street Fare. Same goes for the small plates at Mamak Asian Street Food. At these two Mills 50 restos, it’s encouraged to order a bunch of things and order progressively from the menu until you’ve reached your desired satiety.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
Mamak Asian Street Food
When chef and TV-host Andrew Zimmern came to Orlando, he couldn’t say enough good things about Hawkers Asian Street Fare. Same goes for the small plates at Mamak Asian Street Food. At these two Mills 50 restos, it’s encouraged to order a bunch of things and order progressively from the menu until you’ve reached your desired satiety.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
Mills 50
Mamak Asian Street Food
When chef and TV-host Andrew Zimmern came to Orlando, he couldn’t say enough good things about Hawkers Asian Street Fare. Same goes for the small plates at Mamak Asian Street Food. At these two Mills 50 restos, it’s encouraged to order a bunch of things and order progressively from the menu until you’ve reached your desired satiety.
Photo via Instagram/sherryjiaa
Mamak Asian Street Food
When chef and TV-host Andrew Zimmern came to Orlando, he couldn’t say enough good things about Hawkers Asian Street Fare. Same goes for the small plates at Mamak Asian Street Food. At these two Mills 50 restos, it’s encouraged to order a bunch of things and order progressively from the menu until you’ve reached your desired satiety.
Photo via Instagram/sherryjiaa
Mills 50
Lam's Garden
There’s no rule that says Saturday and Sunday mornings are just for bacon and eggs; Mills 50 folk go for dim sum instead. Sit down at Lam’s Garden, Chan’s Chinese Cuisine or Ming’s Bistro – after you’ve waited in line a bit – to feast on dumplings, chicken feet and roasted pork.
Photo by Aldrin Capulong
Lam's Garden
There’s no rule that says Saturday and Sunday mornings are just for bacon and eggs; Mills 50 folk go for dim sum instead. Sit down at Lam’s Garden, Chan’s Chinese Cuisine or Ming’s Bistro – after you’ve waited in line a bit – to feast on dumplings, chicken feet and roasted pork.
Photo by Aldrin Capulong
Mills 50
Chan's Chinese Cuisine
There’s no rule that says Saturday and Sunday mornings are just for bacon and eggs; Mills 50 folk go for dim sum instead. Sit down at Lam’s Garden, Chan’s Chinese Cuisine or Ming’s Bistro – after you’ve waited in line a bit – to feast on dumplings, chicken feet and roasted pork.
Photo via Instagram/smwongo_
Chan's Chinese Cuisine
There’s no rule that says Saturday and Sunday mornings are just for bacon and eggs; Mills 50 folk go for dim sum instead. Sit down at Lam’s Garden, Chan’s Chinese Cuisine or Ming’s Bistro – after you’ve waited in line a bit – to feast on dumplings, chicken feet and roasted pork.
Photo via Instagram/smwongo_
Mills 50
Ming's Bistro
There’s no rule that says Saturday and Sunday mornings are just for bacon and eggs; Mills 50 folk go for dim sum instead. Sit down at Lam’s Garden, Chan’s Chinese Cuisine or Ming’s Bistro – after you’ve waited in line a bit – to feast on dumplings, chicken feet and roasted pork.
Photo via Instagram/keshiaislove
Ming's Bistro
There’s no rule that says Saturday and Sunday mornings are just for bacon and eggs; Mills 50 folk go for dim sum instead. Sit down at Lam’s Garden, Chan’s Chinese Cuisine or Ming’s Bistro – after you’ve waited in line a bit – to feast on dumplings, chicken feet and roasted pork.
Photo via Instagram/keshiaislove
Mills 50
Chuan Lu Garden
Orlando’s only authentic Sichuan-style restaurant, Chuan Lu Garden, started out as a run-of-the-mill hibachi hut, but soon the owners learned we couldn’t get enough of those numbing peppercorns and turned the whole place into a veritable sweat lodge where patrons slurp dan-dan noodles and spicy hot pots.
Photo via Instagram/derek77june
Chuan Lu Garden
Orlando’s only authentic Sichuan-style restaurant, Chuan Lu Garden, started out as a run-of-the-mill hibachi hut, but soon the owners learned we couldn’t get enough of those numbing peppercorns and turned the whole place into a veritable sweat lodge where patrons slurp dan-dan noodles and spicy hot pots.
Photo via Instagram/derek77june
Mills 50
Chuan Lu Garden
Orlando’s only authentic Sichuan-style restaurant, Chuan Lu Garden, started out as a run-of-the-mill hibachi hut, but soon the owners learned we couldn’t get enough of those numbing peppercorns and turned the whole place into a veritable sweat lodge where patrons slurp dan-dan noodles and spicy hot pots.
Photo via Orlando Weekly
Chuan Lu Garden
Orlando’s only authentic Sichuan-style restaurant, Chuan Lu Garden, started out as a run-of-the-mill hibachi hut, but soon the owners learned we couldn’t get enough of those numbing peppercorns and turned the whole place into a veritable sweat lodge where patrons slurp dan-dan noodles and spicy hot pots.
Photo via Orlando Weekly
Mills 50
Noodles & Rice
Noodles, be they hot, cold, soupy or stir-fried, are the, ahem, mein attraction at this Mills Avenue resto – whether it’s ramen, udon, soba, pad thai, chow fun or lo mein that bubbles your bowl, you’ll find it all at Noodles & Rice. Or try the Hong Kong style barbecue (duck is surprisingly absent) or snag a hot pot table.
Photo via Instagram/alnemy
Noodles & Rice
Noodles, be they hot, cold, soupy or stir-fried, are the, ahem, mein attraction at this Mills Avenue resto – whether it’s ramen, udon, soba, pad thai, chow fun or lo mein that bubbles your bowl, you’ll find it all at Noodles & Rice. Or try the Hong Kong style barbecue (duck is surprisingly absent) or snag a hot pot table.
Photo via Instagram/alnemy
Mills 50
Noodles & Rice
Noodles, be they hot, cold, soupy or stir-fried, are the, ahem, mein attraction at this Mills Avenue resto – whether it’s ramen, udon, soba, pad thai, chow fun or lo mein that bubbles your bowl, you’ll find it all at Noodles & Rice. Or try the Hong Kong style barbecue (duck is surprisingly absent) or snag a hot pot table.
Photo via Instagram/alistairpaulm
Noodles & Rice
Noodles, be they hot, cold, soupy or stir-fried, are the, ahem, mein attraction at this Mills Avenue resto – whether it’s ramen, udon, soba, pad thai, chow fun or lo mein that bubbles your bowl, you’ll find it all at Noodles & Rice. Or try the Hong Kong style barbecue (duck is surprisingly absent) or snag a hot pot table.
Photo via Instagram/alistairpaulm
Mills 50
Black Rooster Taqueria
John and Juliana Calloway create Black Rooster Taqueria to fill a need – an elevated, authentic Mexican taco stand. Since the storefront opened in 2015, it’s become a neighborhood must-visit. Come for the tacos, but stay for the pork pozole verde and chocolate-chipotle flan.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
Black Rooster Taqueria
John and Juliana Calloway create Black Rooster Taqueria to fill a need – an elevated, authentic Mexican taco stand. Since the storefront opened in 2015, it’s become a neighborhood must-visit. Come for the tacos, but stay for the pork pozole verde and chocolate-chipotle flan.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
Mills 50
Black Rooster Taqueria
John and Juliana Calloway create Black Rooster Taqueria to fill a need – an elevated, authentic Mexican taco stand. Since the storefront opened in 2015, it’s become a neighborhood must-visit. Come for the tacos, but stay for the pork pozole verde and chocolate-chipotle flan.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
Black Rooster Taqueria
John and Juliana Calloway create Black Rooster Taqueria to fill a need – an elevated, authentic Mexican taco stand. Since the storefront opened in 2015, it’s become a neighborhood must-visit. Come for the tacos, but stay for the pork pozole verde and chocolate-chipotle flan.
Photo by Rob Bartlett
Mills 50
Tasty Wok
If you’ve ever walked Main Street in Flushing, Queens, you’ll recognize the roast whole ducks and five-spice aroma wafting from Tasty Wok. You can still find kung pao and orange chicken here (done better than most NY-style spots, too), but the stars are the whole sole with black bean sauce and beef with pickled vegetables.
Photo via Instagram/michellina
Tasty Wok
If you’ve ever walked Main Street in Flushing, Queens, you’ll recognize the roast whole ducks and five-spice aroma wafting from Tasty Wok. You can still find kung pao and orange chicken here (done better than most NY-style spots, too), but the stars are the whole sole with black bean sauce and beef with pickled vegetables.
Photo via Instagram/michellina
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