The most underrated restaurants in Orlando right now

By on Fri, Jul 14, 2017 at 7:54 pm

It’s no secret that Orlando is chock-full of fantastic eateries. However, while The City Beautiful comes into its own as a legit foodie town, there are a few places that don't always get the fanfare they deserve. We’re not sure why this is, because they’re some of our favorites. So here are a few hidden gems that you should check out.

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Aashirwad 7000 S. Kirkman Road | 407-370-9830 It’s hard to beat the cost and variety of favorite dishes in the daily lunch buffet, even if it’s not a quick stop. Dinner is pleasant and highlights the Northern Indian cuisine, but this strip-mall eatery is for filling up, not atmosphere. Photo via Aashirwad Indian Restaurant/Facebook

Aashirwad

7000 S. Kirkman Road | 407-370-9830
It’s hard to beat the cost and variety of favorite dishes in the daily lunch buffet, even if it’s not a quick stop. Dinner is pleasant and highlights the Northern Indian cuisine, but this strip-mall eatery is for filling up, not atmosphere.
Photo via Aashirwad Indian Restaurant/Facebook
Woodlands Indian Cuisine 6040 S. Orange Blossom Trail | 407-854-3330 Pure vegetarian Southern Indian delicacies hit every part of the tongue with equal splendor. Go straight for the thali specials for a bit of everything, or savor Tamil specialties like enormous, crispy, masala-stuffed dosas. The coconut chutney here is so good we once haggled (unsuccessfully) to buy a pint to go. Photo via james_strange_eats/Instagram

Woodlands Indian Cuisine

6040 S. Orange Blossom Trail | 407-854-3330
Pure vegetarian Southern Indian delicacies hit every part of the tongue with equal splendor. Go straight for the thali specials for a bit of everything, or savor Tamil specialties like enormous, crispy, masala-stuffed dosas. The coconut chutney here is so good we once haggled (unsuccessfully) to buy a pint to go.
Photo via james_strange_eats/Instagram
Antonella’s Pizzeria 360 W Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park | 407-636-5333 Pizza and pasta house run by the offspring of noted Italian restaurateur Stefano LaCommare is small in stature but grand in flavor. Traditional staples like the meatball parm and eggplant rollatini are plates of comfort, while New York-style slices are perfectly textured for the fold-and-scarf set. Stay for the cannoli. Photo via orlandodatenightguide/Instagram

Antonella’s Pizzeria

360 W Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park | 407-636-5333
Pizza and pasta house run by the offspring of noted Italian restaurateur Stefano LaCommare is small in stature but grand in flavor. Traditional staples like the meatball parm and eggplant rollatini are plates of comfort, while New York-style slices are perfectly textured for the fold-and-scarf set. Stay for the cannoli.
Photo via orlandodatenightguide/Instagram
Hot Krust Panini Kitchen 8015 Turkey Lake Road Suite 200 | 407-355-7768 Humble panini kitchen forgoes processed meats for in-house roasting, making for some of the most succulent beef, chicken and turkey sandwiches to be found. Veggie options, like the hummus-filled “Alibaba,” are equally impressive. Sides like sweet-and-spicy cactus chili and roasted sweet potato waffle fries are not to be overlooked. Photo via Hot Krust/Facebook

Hot Krust Panini Kitchen

8015 Turkey Lake Road Suite 200 | 407-355-7768
Humble panini kitchen forgoes processed meats for in-house roasting, making for some of the most succulent beef, chicken and turkey sandwiches to be found. Veggie options, like the hummus-filled “Alibaba,” are equally impressive. Sides like sweet-and-spicy cactus chili and roasted sweet potato waffle fries are not to be overlooked.
Photo via Hot Krust/Facebook
Jimotti’s Restaurant 2545 S. French Ave., Sanford | 407-952-3329 Humble izakaya does its part to diversify and elevate the palates of the good folks of Sanford with trad renditions of Japanese classics. Kurobuta and Sakura sausages are nothing short of Japanese guilty pleasures and the genteel broth teeming with gossamer-green cha soba noodles is simply outstanding. Photo via pintsizeeats/Instagram

Jimotti’s Restaurant

2545 S. French Ave., Sanford | 407-952-3329
Humble izakaya does its part to diversify and elevate the palates of the good folks of Sanford with trad renditions of Japanese classics. Kurobuta and Sakura sausages are nothing short of Japanese guilty pleasures and the genteel broth teeming with gossamer-green cha soba noodles is simply outstanding.
Photo via pintsizeeats/Instagram
Noodles and Rice Cafe 813 N. Mills Ave. | 407-895-8833 This modest spot features Hong Kong-style barbecue and, obviously, noodles and rice. Aside from classic Chinese favorites like fried rice and wonton soup, you can choose from noodle or rice platters (which come with a protein), noodle soups, or even create your own hot pot. But good luck with picking from the crazy-long list of broth flavors, proteins, veggies and noodles; you might end up wanting a little bit of everything. Photo via bruce1628/Instagram

Noodles and Rice Cafe

813 N. Mills Ave. | 407-895-8833
This modest spot features Hong Kong-style barbecue and, obviously, noodles and rice. Aside from classic Chinese favorites like fried rice and wonton soup, you can choose from noodle or rice platters (which come with a protein), noodle soups, or even create your own hot pot. But good luck with picking from the crazy-long list of broth flavors, proteins, veggies and noodles; you might end up wanting a little bit of everything.
Photo via bruce1628/Instagram
JJ’s Fusion Grille 2950 Curry Ford Road | 407-802-2947 Whether JJ’s brings a Med influence to fresh-Mex or a Mex influence to fresh-Med, most will agree that the burritos, rice bowls, pita sandwiches and tabbouleh bowls are equally worthy. Our fave combo was a lentil rice bowl with tabbouleh, sautéed eggplant, grilled onions and peppers, feta and tzatziki. A gracious and welcoming staff not only makes the fast-casual experience tolerable, but enjoyable. Photo via jjsfusiongrille/Instagram

JJ’s Fusion Grille

2950 Curry Ford Road | 407-802-2947
Whether JJ’s brings a Med influence to fresh-Mex or a Mex influence to fresh-Med, most will agree that the burritos, rice bowls, pita sandwiches and tabbouleh bowls are equally worthy. Our fave combo was a lentil rice bowl with tabbouleh, sautéed eggplant, grilled onions and peppers, feta and tzatziki. A gracious and welcoming staff not only makes the fast-casual experience tolerable, but enjoyable.
Photo via jjsfusiongrille/Instagram
Olea Mezze Grill 400 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland/1829 WP Ball Blvd., Sanford | 407-335-4958 (Maitland), 407-878-3579 (Sanford) Olea, a fresh-casual Greek joint, is part of the new breed of eateries bent on made-from-scratch offerings and superior customer service. Start with grape leaves imported from Greece and end with heavenly baklava from Hellas Bakery in Tarpon Springs. In between, take your pick from rice or couscous bowls, salad bowls or pita sandwiches. The trick is to temper your desire to top your bowl (or stuff your pita) with any and all available items. Photo via oleagrill/Instagram

Olea Mezze Grill

400 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland/1829 WP Ball Blvd., Sanford | 407-335-4958 (Maitland), 407-878-3579 (Sanford)
Olea, a fresh-casual Greek joint, is part of the new breed of eateries bent on made-from-scratch offerings and superior customer service. Start with grape leaves imported from Greece and end with heavenly baklava from Hellas Bakery in Tarpon Springs. In between, take your pick from rice or couscous bowls, salad bowls or pita sandwiches. The trick is to temper your desire to top your bowl (or stuff your pita) with any and all available items.
Photo via oleagrill/Instagram
King Cajun Crawfish 914 N. Mills Ave. | 407-704-8863 A host of seasoning choices, top-notch sides and cut-rate prices make this Cajun dive a real draw for diners craving crawfish boils. Other NOLA staples are hit (catfish po’boy) and miss (gumbo). End with a strong cup of Cafe? du Monde coffee. Photo via King Cajun Crawfish of Orlando/Facebook

King Cajun Crawfish

914 N. Mills Ave. | 407-704-8863
A host of seasoning choices, top-notch sides and cut-rate prices make this Cajun dive a real draw for diners craving crawfish boils. Other NOLA staples are hit (catfish po’boy) and miss (gumbo). End with a strong cup of Cafe? du Monde coffee.
Photo via King Cajun Crawfish of Orlando/Facebook
The Catfish Place of Apopka 311 S. Forest Ave., Apopka | 407-889-7980 Florida-style fish house is the place to go when you’re in the mood for down-home fried seafood. The boneless catfish is superb; the house-special coleslaw is crisp, sweet and tart; and the service is warm. Photo via jmznvs/Instagram

The Catfish Place of Apopka

311 S. Forest Ave., Apopka | 407-889-7980
Florida-style fish house is the place to go when you’re in the mood for down-home fried seafood. The boneless catfish is superb; the house-special coleslaw is crisp, sweet and tart; and the service is warm.
Photo via jmznvs/Instagram

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