You might be surprised by the breadth and depth of Orlando’s cuisine scene.
If your idea of Orlando dining is of the fast food Turkey Leg, Dole Whip, and Butter Beer variety of the theme parks, you’ve got a lot to learn about this city brimming with innovative chefs, Michelin-starred restaurants, and unassuming haunts, too, that go all in on flavor and fusion.
From fine dining spots at five-star resorts near Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando that have earned their Michelin stars to hideaways in the city’s Mills 50 district–a hotbed for Southeast Asian and omakase–it’s all about being surprised by the breadth and depth of Orlando’s cuisine scene.
Make sure to depart the tourist corridor for restaurant hopping in leafy downtown neighborhoods like Thornton Park and College Park, which harbor a far more local scene. Set your sights on the tony lake-lined nearby town of Winter Park, too, where pedestrian-friendly Park Avenue has vibes that feel borderline European and is lined with great little cafes, bars, and boutiques.