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.
The most underrated restaurants in Orlando right now
By Orlando Weekly Staff on Fri, Jul 14, 2017 at 7:54 pm
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Aashirwad
7000 S. Kirkman Road | 407-370-9830It’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 | 407-854-3330Pure 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 | 407-636-5333Pizza 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 | 407-355-7768Humble 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 | 407-952-3329Humble 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. | 407-895-8833This 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 | 407-802-2947Whether 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
King Cajun Crawfish
914 N. Mills Ave. | 407-704-8863A 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 | 407-889-7980Florida-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
Moor
6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee | 407-586-1101Fresh, sustainable food is what’s on tap at the Gaylord Palms’ newest restaurant. Look for the 60-foot-tall sailboat mast to find this “harbor of hip,” which features New World Floridian cuisine served by a chef from Key West who brings an island-style atmo.
Photo via bajebeauty/Instagram
Maxine’s on Shine
337 N. Shine Ave. | 407-674-6841Neighborhood jewel offers an eclectic Italian-esque menu in a casual, intimate atmosphere. Pasta and fish dishes are deftly executed; the nutrient-rich kale in the Cobb salad offsets the decadent bacon, egg and blue cheese. Wine list is ample and studied. Brunch is offered Saturday-Sunday; once in a while, the owner takes the mic for a song or two.
Photo via maxinesonshine/Instagram
The Waterfront
4201 S. Orange Ave. | 407-866-0468The Waterfront offers homestyle classics like burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, and fries, but also features fresh seafood appetizers and entrees like blackened catfish. Enjoy your meal while looking out across Jennie Jewel Lake, and wash it all down with a microbrew or cocktail.
Photo via The Waterfront Orlando/Facebook
Teak Neighborhood Grill
6400 Times Square Ave. | 407-313-5111This chill MetroWest hang developed a loyal following for its hefty half-pound burgers and craft brews, and it’s no wonder. Purists can indulge in the “Plain Jane” with American cheese, Bibb lettuce and tomato on a brioche bun, while braver souls can feel the heat with the peppery “Wholey Hell!!!”.
Photo via hungryfoodette/Instagram
North Quarter Tavern
861 N. Orange Ave. | 407-757-0930This North Quarter restaurant brings a relaxed attitude, good service and a food-focused ethic to downtown. It’s all about ticker-testing comfort fare, like the poutine with duck gravy or the bacon-wrapped chorizo-stuffed porchetta sandwich. Sunday brunch offers a wildly popular Bloody Mary bar.
Photo via northquartertavern/Instagram
White Wolf Café and Bar
1829 N. Orange Ave. | 407-895-9911With its quirky, romantic setting and easy pace, this antique-market-turned-bar-and-café is a landmark hangout on the cluttered strip of Orange Avenue that’s called Ivanhoe Village these days. The menu is eclectic as well, with vegetarian burgers, Middle Eastern fare and flatbreads, as well as entrees like lobster mac and cheese and cedar-plank salmon.
Photo via theinshapefoodie/Instagram
The Strand
807 N. Mills Ave. | 407-920-7744Cozy Mills 50 gem packs them in, thanks to a food-first ethic and dedication to local and seasonal sourcing. Enjoy a craft brew with the roasted red snapper hash, a breakfast item available as a dinner appetizer. More substantial items of note include the fried Cornish hen with mustard mashed potatoes and wilted greens, as well as the grilled mahi atop roasted-vegetable tabouli. The olive oil cake with mascarpone cream is already a fan favorite.
Photo via strandorlando/Instagram
Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa
1326 N. Mills Ave. | 407-203-0866Pig Floyd’s brings a sense of humor and quality barbecue to Mills 50. Everything from luscious brisket to succulent St. Louis-style ribs to flavorful pulled pork impresses; even moist spiced-rubbed chicken is worth coming back for. Given owner Thomas Ward’s Latin heritage, the sweet plantains, fried yuca, and rice and beans make sense (and don’t disappoint). Good beer selection.
Photo via Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa/Facebook
Taste of Yucatán
1375 S. Semoran Blvd. | 407-704-2248No-frills Mexican joint serves up a taste of Yucatán cuisine with a grand selection of tacos, salbutes (deep-fried tacos) and panuchos (salbutes stuffed with refried beans), as well as tortas, quesadillas and rice bowls. Fillings you’ll fancy: cochinita pibil, al pastor, barbacoa and vegetarian rajas poblanas.
Photo via chaliegal/Instagram
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