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The 25 essential Orlando restaurants on Semoran you should've tried by now

By on Fri, Jul 20, 2018 at 10:07 pm

Everyday, thousands drive down Semoran/436 on their way to work, or more than likely to the airport, and while you may have a few favorite eateries on this main Orlando stretch, there's actually a ton of hidden gems worth your time. So, the next time you're traveling down this major Central Florida artery, stop in to one of these underrated spots.

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Kai Asian Street Fare 1555 State Road 436, Winter Park, (407) 821-3430 Kai Asian Street Fare's authentic Vietnamese menu is small but packs a lot of flavors. Try their fried chicken, garlic noodles, or wontons. There’s really no wrong decision. Photo via Kai - Asian Street Fare/Facebook

Kai Asian Street Fare

1555 State Road 436, Winter Park, (407) 821-3430
Kai Asian Street Fare's authentic Vietnamese menu is small but packs a lot of flavors. Try their fried chicken, garlic noodles, or wontons. There’s really no wrong decision.
Photo via Kai - Asian Street Fare/Facebook
Four Guys Pho 505 FL-436, Casselberry, (407) 755-6670 Created by four brothers, this Vietnamese restaurant specializes in not only pho but also traditional dishes to the culture. From egg noodle soup to vegetarian tofu dishes, there is something for everyone at this spot. Photo via clwarder/Instagram

Four Guys Pho

505 FL-436, Casselberry, (407) 755-6670
Created by four brothers, this Vietnamese restaurant specializes in not only pho but also traditional dishes to the culture. From egg noodle soup to vegetarian tofu dishes, there is something for everyone at this spot.
Photo via clwarder/Instagram
Pizza 1905 1555 Semoran Blvd., Winter Park, (321) 972-8838 For an authentic slice of New York pizza from Winter Park, Pizza 1905 serves up undeniably good pies. Not in the mood for pizza? Grab a calzone or one of their traditional Italian salads. Oh, and don’t forget a cannoli for dessert. Photo via PIZZA 1905/Facebook

Pizza 1905

1555 Semoran Blvd., Winter Park, (321) 972-8838
For an authentic slice of New York pizza from Winter Park, Pizza 1905 serves up undeniably good pies. Not in the mood for pizza? Grab a calzone or one of their traditional Italian salads. Oh, and don’t forget a cannoli for dessert.
Photo via PIZZA 1905/Facebook
La Hacienda Market and Taqueria 3090 Aloma Ave., Winter Park, (407) 673-7720 If you’re not careful you might miss La Hacienda the next time you’re in Winter Park. This grocery store/restaurant serves up double corn tortilla tacos topped with pickled radish and carrots. Photo via apmiller4696/Instagram

La Hacienda Market and Taqueria

3090 Aloma Ave., Winter Park, (407) 673-7720
If you’re not careful you might miss La Hacienda the next time you’re in Winter Park. This grocery store/restaurant serves up double corn tortilla tacos topped with pickled radish and carrots.
Photo via apmiller4696/Instagram
Royal Thai 1202 N Semoran Blvd., (407) 275-0776 At this Thai restaurant, the simple dish param was handled with such a deft touch that is remarkable. The light peanut sauce over the pan-seared tofu cubes and vegetables is a wonderful addition to the already wonderful array of flavors. Photo via archiefied/Instagram

Royal Thai

1202 N Semoran Blvd., (407) 275-0776
At this Thai restaurant, the simple dish param was handled with such a deft touch that is remarkable. The light peanut sauce over the pan-seared tofu cubes and vegetables is a wonderful addition to the already wonderful array of flavors.
Photo via archiefied/Instagram
Bonchon 5475 Gateway Village Cir., (407) 270-8565 Besides deliciously sticky Korean wings, Bonchon also features bibimbap bowls, fried rice, pork belly buns, Korean tacos, kimchi coleslaw and more. It is, without a doubt, the best Korean fried chicken chain there is. Photo via Bonchon/Facebook

Bonchon

5475 Gateway Village Cir., (407) 270-8565
Besides deliciously sticky Korean wings, Bonchon also features bibimbap bowls, fried rice, pork belly buns, Korean tacos, kimchi coleslaw and more. It is, without a doubt, the best Korean fried chicken chain there is.
Photo via Bonchon/Facebook
La Abundancia Bakery And Restaurant 1555 FL-436, Winter Park, (407) 671-0511 With plates filled to the edge and flavor to match, breakfast and lunch here are a must. You can’t go wrong with the Huevos con Chorizo or the long list of bakery items. Photo via gastroorlando/Instagram

La Abundancia Bakery And Restaurant

1555 FL-436, Winter Park, (407) 671-0511
With plates filled to the edge and flavor to match, breakfast and lunch here are a must. You can’t go wrong with the Huevos con Chorizo or the long list of bakery items.
Photo via gastroorlando/Instagram
Arepera La Nueva 29 S Semoran Blvd., (407) 482-0087 Known for fast service and delicious arepas, this Latin American food spot is a hit. Stuffed to the brim, the arepas are best when dipped in the garlic white sauce. Plus, you can’t go wrong with the great prices for a late-night snack. Photo via dantheman129/Instagram

Arepera La Nueva

29 S Semoran Blvd., (407) 482-0087
Known for fast service and delicious arepas, this Latin American food spot is a hit. Stuffed to the brim, the arepas are best when dipped in the garlic white sauce. Plus, you can’t go wrong with the great prices for a late-night snack.
Photo via dantheman129/Instagram
Bagel King 1455 Semoran Blvd., Casselberry, (407) 657-6266 Home to kettle-baked bagel, the finished product has a crunchy exterior with a deliciously soft inside, made to perfection. With an array of bagel flavors and both sweet and savory schmears, you’d think these masterpieces came straight out of New York. Photo via bagelking_fl/Facebook

Bagel King

1455 Semoran Blvd., Casselberry, (407) 657-6266
Home to kettle-baked bagel, the finished product has a crunchy exterior with a deliciously soft inside, made to perfection. With an array of bagel flavors and both sweet and savory schmears, you’d think these masterpieces came straight out of New York.
Photo via bagelking_fl/Facebook
Cafe Caobana 73 S Semoran Blvd., (407) 243-9140 If you’re craving a good Cuban sandwich, this restaurant is the place to hit. With outdoor seating and a bakery counter for a snack, you can either grab and go or sit and stay a while. Photo via himoverthere313/Instagram

Cafe Caobana

73 S Semoran Blvd., (407) 243-9140
If you’re craving a good Cuban sandwich, this restaurant is the place to hit. With outdoor seating and a bakery counter for a snack, you can either grab and go or sit and stay a while.
Photo via himoverthere313/Instagram
Cappadocia Turkish Cuisine 565 N Semoran Blvd., Azalea Park, (407) 985-2668 Look out, Orlando, here come the Turks! If you don’t like lamb, there are plenty of options with beef, chicken or salmon to consider. Our faves were the moist and pliant adana, as well as the tender cubes of shish. Photo via starship_poopers/Instagram

Cappadocia Turkish Cuisine

565 N Semoran Blvd., Azalea Park, (407) 985-2668
Look out, Orlando, here come the Turks! If you don’t like lamb, there are plenty of options with beef, chicken or salmon to consider. Our faves were the moist and pliant adana, as well as the tender cubes of shish.
Photo via starship_poopers/Instagram
Crazy Pollo 5756 Dahlia Dr., (407) 277-0926 Fresh, juicy and crisp, the fried yuca here is a must. You can’t go wrong with the mofongo or carne frita either. Photo via crazypollo.orlando/Instagram

Crazy Pollo

5756 Dahlia Dr., (407) 277-0926
Fresh, juicy and crisp, the fried yuca here is a must. You can’t go wrong with the mofongo or carne frita either.
Photo via crazypollo.orlando/Instagram
Garibaldi’s Mexican 925 N Semoran Blvd., (407) 275-5035 The selection of specialties is wide, but if you'd be happier with the standbys of tacos, burritos and enchiladas, there are 30 different combinations of same, along with chile rellenos and chalupas. Oh, and yes, a mariachi band does come to the restaurant so be sure to call ahead to make sure they’re playing during your visit. Photo via apparatusmag/Instagram

Garibaldi’s Mexican

925 N Semoran Blvd., (407) 275-5035
The selection of specialties is wide, but if you'd be happier with the standbys of tacos, burritos and enchiladas, there are 30 different combinations of same, along with chile rellenos and chalupas. Oh, and yes, a mariachi band does come to the restaurant so be sure to call ahead to make sure they’re playing during your visit.
Photo via apparatusmag/Instagram
Habaneros Mexican Grill 494 N Semoran Blvd., Winter Park, (407) 622-7466 This is the spot for great tacos, reasonable prices and speedy service. For an almost unbelievable deal, with the purchase of any drink, you can get $1 tacos on Tuesdays. Abandon your usual taco spot next Tuesday and give this place a try. Photo via barbienowick/Instagram

Habaneros Mexican Grill

494 N Semoran Blvd., Winter Park, (407) 622-7466
This is the spot for great tacos, reasonable prices and speedy service. For an almost unbelievable deal, with the purchase of any drink, you can get $1 tacos on Tuesdays. Abandon your usual taco spot next Tuesday and give this place a try.
Photo via barbienowick/Instagram
Hotto Potto 1700 N Semoran Blvd., (407) 930-5366 This Asian fondue that incorporates different spice levels for various broths is not only an experience of atmosphere but flavors as well. The ingredients are fresh and the atmosphere is quite unique. Photo via snacksalldayeveryday/Instagram

Hotto Potto

1700 N Semoran Blvd., (407) 930-5366
This Asian fondue that incorporates different spice levels for various broths is not only an experience of atmosphere but flavors as well. The ingredients are fresh and the atmosphere is quite unique.
Photo via snacksalldayeveryday/Instagram
Jamaican Cuisine Jerk Spot 2050 State Road 436, Winter Park, (407) 681-0403 With curried and jerk flavored Caribbean meals, dining at this Jamaican-style spot is a must. They offer great happy hour menu items and deals that could bring any customer back wanting more, especially when paired with the truffle carbonara and chicken skewers. Photo via Jamaican Cuisine JERK SPOT/Facebook

Jamaican Cuisine Jerk Spot

2050 State Road 436, Winter Park, (407) 681-0403
With curried and jerk flavored Caribbean meals, dining at this Jamaican-style spot is a must. They offer great happy hour menu items and deals that could bring any customer back wanting more, especially when paired with the truffle carbonara and chicken skewers.
Photo via Jamaican Cuisine JERK SPOT/Facebook
La Granja 490 N Semoran Blvd., Winter Park, (407) 250-6050 There's a drive-through window, but go inside to see what people are packing away: large plates of spit-roasted chicken, grilled steak and pork accompanied by large helpings of white rice, black or red beans and french fries. Photo via gini1221/Instagram

La Granja

490 N Semoran Blvd., Winter Park, (407) 250-6050
There's a drive-through window, but go inside to see what people are packing away: large plates of spit-roasted chicken, grilled steak and pork accompanied by large helpings of white rice, black or red beans and french fries.
Photo via gini1221/Instagram
Lacomka Russian Bakery & Deli 2050 FL-436, Winter Park, (407) 677-1101 The Lacomka Bakery & Deli in Winter Park is serving up potato dumplings and borscht worthy of a stay at the Summer Palace. Born in Georgia in the Ukraine, Luboi Vyazhvich is eager to serve up her handmade cakes or wrap up whole smoked herrings so tender that they spread like pate. Photo via Lacomka Russian Bakery and Deli/Facebook

Lacomka Russian Bakery & Deli

2050 FL-436, Winter Park, (407) 677-1101
The Lacomka Bakery & Deli in Winter Park is serving up potato dumplings and borscht worthy of a stay at the Summer Palace. Born in Georgia in the Ukraine, Luboi Vyazhvich is eager to serve up her handmade cakes or wrap up whole smoked herrings so tender that they spread like pate.
Photo via Lacomka Russian Bakery and Deli/Facebook
Lechonera El Barrio 435 N Semoran Blvd., (407) 384-3145 Serving up traditional Puerto Rican and Dominican food, meals range from arroz con gandules and pernil, to chicken and pasteles. Don’t forget the tres leches for dessert. Photo via mr_mrsm0/Instagram

Lechonera El Barrio

435 N Semoran Blvd., (407) 384-3145
Serving up traditional Puerto Rican and Dominican food, meals range from arroz con gandules and pernil, to chicken and pasteles. Don’t forget the tres leches for dessert.
Photo via mr_mrsm0/Instagram
Oh Que Bueno 1125 S Semoran Blvd., (407) 447-5026 Housed in a small, nondescript fast-food makeover off fast-traveled South Semoran Boulevard, this spot offers a fare amount of meals and flavors. Start with the camarones al ajillo or bandeja campesina and finish with the fried sweet plantains and you’ll certainly want to come back for seconds. Photo via catafonsil/Instagram

Oh Que Bueno

1125 S Semoran Blvd., (407) 447-5026
Housed in a small, nondescript fast-food makeover off fast-traveled South Semoran Boulevard, this spot offers a fare amount of meals and flavors. Start with the camarones al ajillo or bandeja campesina and finish with the fried sweet plantains and you’ll certainly want to come back for seconds.
Photo via catafonsil/Instagram
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