BEST OF ORLANDO® READERS' CHOICE NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN!

The essential restaurants in Lake Nona you should try right now

By Orlando Weekly Staff on Fri, Apr 15, 2022 at 9:42 pm

Lake Nona's restaurant scene is heating up! Whether you call the Lake Nona area home, or are just passing through, check out these Lake Nona restaurants.

What was once the Wild West of Orlando's food destinations, the planned community of Lake Nona has become a new frontier for culinary experiences. With more to offer foodies than ever before, you can make Nona a destination for lunch or dinner. Included are the best places for dine-in, take-out, and fine-dining experiences in and around Lake Nona, Orlando.

Tags:

Scroll down to view images

Arepa Burger

8101, 10727 Narcoossee Road, 407-675-0613
This simple and stylish Latin American restaurant serves authentic and creative Venezuelan food packed with flavor. This quick-serve outlet is known for their meaty arepa selection, burgers and other Venezuelan street eats such as, cachapas, pepito, paticon and antojos.

Photo via Arepa Burger/Instagram

Armando's/Instagram

Armando's

10775 Narcoossee Road
Can you even call yourself a real neighborhood without a killer Italian restaurant?

Maki Hibachi/Instagram

Maki Hibachi

11954 Narcoossee Rd

This Japanese sushi and hibachi restaurant did well enough in Lake Nona to warrant an expansion into Mills 50. Can't beat the original, though.

Don Julio Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar

9770 Eagle Creek Center Blvd., 407-930-3735
Behind that slick, modern-day aesthetic, Don Julio's has always been a place to revel in vivid heaps of salsa-slathered food and "festive ambience." As for the Mexican cuisine – the burritos, chimis, enchiladas, fajitas and whatnot –they do it right, and nights here are typically packed with revelling patrons fueled with tortillas and margaritas.

Photo via Don Julio Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar/website

Sweet Mama's Restaurant

10743 Narcoossee Road, 407-282-7737
Another hole in the wall, home-style restaurant with momma’s cooking and small town vibes. Anything you order off the menu will bring comfort for the days you just aren’t sure what to eat. It seems at Sweet mama’s you just can’t go wrong with their family recipes and fresh baked pies.

Photo via Sweet Mama's Restaurant/sweetmamasrestaurant.com

888 Chinese Restaurant

8412 2188, S. Chickasaw Trail, 407-382-2129
Here’s another chinese take out restaurant, or have them deliver your late night dinner straight to the door without ever leaving the house or changing into something other than your pajamas. Like most Chinese restaurants, 888 has its own modern swing on the traditional recipes.

Photo via 888 Chinese Restaurant/888chineseorlando.com

Tacos El Rancho

2194 S Chickasaw Trail, 407-482-8545
Tired of Taco Bell and looking for authentic Mexican food in the Lake Nona area? Then check out the warm and homey Tacos El Rancho. Their tacos, tamales, fajitas, and enchiladas are prepared daily and like any authentic Mexican eatery, they serve horchata, tamarindo, jarritos, Mexican beer and margaritas.

Photo via Tacos El Rancho/Instagram