Home to theme parks like Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, the second-largest convention center in the United States, and more, it’s no wonder why Orlando, Florida, sees more than its fair share of tourists year after year. In fact, the city welcomed 75 million visitors in 2018 alone.
Where do all of these tourists go to eat during their stay in the Sunshine State, you ask? Chances are most of them stick with tried-and-true chain restaurants or grab a quick bite to eat at theme park concession stands in between rides.
They’re missing out, but you don’t have to! Orlando is home to an eclectic assortment of restaurants specializing in everything from breakfast staples to traditional African cuisine.
If you want your taste buds to have as much fun as you are during your next Orlando vacation, check out this list of some of the best restaurants in Orlando.
Chatham’s Place Restaurant
Promising a fine-dining experience sure to please even the most discerning diner, Chatham’s Place Restaurant has cemented itself as one of the best restaurants in Orlando since they first opened their doors in 1988.
The upscale menu at Chatham’s Place is seasonally inspired, featuring fresh herbs, vegetables, and fruits harvested from executive chef Tony Lopez’s organic farm. This delicious produce is incorporated into American and Italian dishes such as spicy chicken Louisiana and rich filet mignon Bolognese lasagna.
Those planning to visit the Orange County Convention Center while in Orlando will be glad to hear that Chatham’s Place is located less than a 10-minute drive away.
Mrs. Potato
Also located just minutes from the Orange County Convention Center is one of the funkiest places to eat in all of Orlando.
As the name suggests, Mrs. Potato the is perfect place for those obsessed with all things potato; low-carb dieters, not so much.
From crispy French fries to jumbo baked potatoes, Mrs. Potato serves up the hearty vegetable in a variety of delicious ways. One of their most unique potato preparations is a giant made-to-order hash brown fritter stuffed with a mix of savory ingredients, called a rosti.
Keke’s Breakfast Cafe
Keke’s Breakfast Cafe is another one of Orlando’s best restaurants, and it’s also located near the Orange County Convention Center. You definitely don’t have to travel far for good food while you’re at this convention center, that’s for sure!
At Keke’s they’re dedicated to providing customers with an outstanding breakfast experience; it’s in their name, after all.
On the menu at Keke’s you’ll find both sweet and savory breakfast offerings, including waffles topped with fresh fruit and omelets filled with classic combinations like ham and cheese.
If you’re not much of an early bird or don’t consider breakfast to actually be the most important meal of the day, Keke’s also features a lunch menu with burgers, sandwiches, salads, wraps, and more.
Black Bean Deli
One of the best-kept culinary secrets among Orlando locals is Black Bean Deli. This restaurant is located near the Seminole County Softball Complex and Sanlando Park. They’ve been serving mouthwatering Cuban comfort food in a casual lunch-counter setting for over 15 years.
Black Bean Deli’s menu features traditional dishes made with recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation, including ropa vieja, empanadas, hot-pressed sandwiches, and more.
If you’re craving an authentic taste of Cuba during your stay in Orlando, you’re guaranteed to find it at Black Bean Deli.
Hunger Street Tacos
With a menu as colorful and creative as the murals that adorn the restaurant’s vibrant interior and exterior, Hunger Street Tacos is an adventurous eater’s paradise. It also happens to be close by the Seminole County Softball Complex and Sanlando Park.
From tacos filled with fragrant sautéed hibiscus and fresh guacamole to a chicken tinga tostada, it seems as if there’s no limit to the creative twists they’re incorporating into south-of-the-border favorites.
By the way, don’t be surprised if there’s a line out the door when you arrive; the food’s just that good.
Jiko – The Cooking Place
If these restaurants aren’t exotic enough for you, Jiko – The Cooking Place definitely will be.
Located on the premises of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge just minutes from the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Jiko whisks diners away on a culinary journey of Africa.
Changing seasonally, the menu at Jiko showcases fresh, delicious ingredients elevated by aromatic spices. On the menu you’ll find flatbreads baked to perfection in crackling wood-burning ovens, oak-grilled steaks, artisanal cheeses, and more. Warm lighting invokes the majestic serenity of an African sunset, providing the perfect complement to the rich, earthy notes found in many of the dishes there.
Domu
Domu, one of Orlando’s newest, trendiest, and all-around best restaurants, brings a taste of traditional Japanese ramen stateside.
Their menu includes a wide variety of distinct ramen creations, with the Richie Rich ramen being the most popular among them. True to its name, this ramen features pork belly, mushrooms, and a soft-boiled egg, all submerged in a rich miso shoyu pork bone broth.
Also on the menu are small plates perfect for sharing, such as chicken wings doused in a flavor-packed kimchi-butter sauce.
Kabooki Sushi
An Orlando strip mall probably isn’t the first place you’d expect to find an exceptional sushi restaurant. But maybe it should be, since that’s exactly where you’ll find Kabooki Sushi.
Despite its unassuming digs, Kabooki Sushi offers a gourmet dining experience helmed by celebrated executive chef Henry Moso. Through his passion for Japanese culture and years spent honing his craft in some of Orlando’s best restaurants, chef Moso has forged a menu that features inventive sushi rolls and other scintillating Japanese dishes.
Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria
If you’re tired of the same old sandwiches, try something new and exciting at Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria.
They offer many different kinds of sandwiches at Pom Pom’s, ranging from the Asian-inspired, pulled pork-filled Fu Man Chu to the Spicy Elvis, piled high with fresh sliced bananas, crispy bacon, strawberry jelly, and cayenne peanut butter. Wash it all down with a cup of handcrafted, artisanal tea to fully understand why this charming little sandwich shop is such a popular hangout among local foodies.
Yellow Dog Eats
Although it’s located a few miles outside of Orlando in nearby Gotha, a meal at Yellow Dog Eats is well worth the drive.
The aroma of bacon, pork, and other delicious meats smoking over a bed of applewood greets patrons even before they walk through the door; a sign of good things to come. After being smoked to savory perfection, these meats are then piled high on funky signature sandwiches like The Rufus.
One of Yellow Dog Eats’ bestsellers, The Rufus features tender pulled pork, thick-cut brie, cherry pepper rings, Fish’s Gold BBQ Sauce, and a drizzle of their famous raspberry Melba. Sure, it might sound crazy, but it totally works; just like everything else on the menu there.