25 Orlando hole-in-the-wall restaurants everyone needs to try

Wa Sushi

1285 Seminola Blvd., Casselberry, 407-636-3251
One of the city’s best sushi joints sits in a strip mall in Casselberry – a bit of a surprise, but many culinary gems reside in nondescript locales. Weekly deliveries from Tsukiji Fish Market highlight the grand sashimi moriawase, a chef’s selection of 16 cuts. If you’re lucky, scorpion fish, goatfish and madai will make the list. Hushpuppy-like takoyaki and a deconstructed sunomono are worthy options, but bluefin otoro flecked with gold leaf may be the ultimate indulgence.

Photo by Rob Bartlett

Taste of Chengdu

2030 W. Colonial Drive, 407-839-1983
Sichuan specialties keep things appropriately fiery at this comfy West Colonial Drive restaurant, but it’s the skill of chef-owner Xiong “Tiger” Tang, former executive chef of Zen at the Omni Orlando Resort, that has Chinese food enthusiasts abuzz. What to order? Really, anything – but the pan-fried pompano concealed under a heap of triple chili pepper, peanuts and a five-spice sauce, or the spicy whole lobster hacked and reassembled with its carapace adorned in an alluring mix of chilies, peppercorns, garlic and cilantro are both great places to start.

Photo by Rob Bartlett

Inay’s Kitchen

1097 S. Clarke Road, Ocoee, 407-601-2126
The women jockeying the stoves at Inay’s Kitchen deliver a brand-new food experience to those of us not versed in Filipino cooking. Thick, hearty stews are brightened up with expert use of vinegar, and pork and chicken skewers are lacquered with sauce and grilled until the sauce becomes candy – add a third flavor layer with a dip in that vinegar again. The takeout-friendly Inay’s can be hard to find on a dimly lit road in Ocoee, but persevere; it’s worth the search.

Photo by Rob Bartlett

Chef Wang’s Kitchen

5148 W. Colonial Drive; 407-930-3188
Beijing-born chef Jian Hua Wang serves some of the best Chinese food in the city. In addition to Northern Chinese and Dongbei specialties, Wang serves Sichuan classics – don’t pass on an infernal bowl of “water boiled spicy fish filet” or the veg-friendly “spicy napa heart wok.” A plate of Japanese eggplant, peppers and potato proffers a taste of the north. Other hits: beef chow fun and sturdy pan-fried beef knishes – dumplings reminiscent of Shanghainese sheng jian bao.

Photo by Rob Bartlett

Hot Dog Heaven

5355 E. Colonial Dr., 407-282-5746
An Orlando institution, Hot Dog Heaven offers unique hot dogs like the Reuben dog, which is topped with Thousand Island dressing, melted swiss cheese and sauerkraut. This place is sure to satisfy your ballpark craving.

Photo by Holly V. Kapherr

903 Mills Market

903 S. Mills Ave., 407-898-4392
903 Mills menu is designed with our inner fat kid in mind. The NickGriddle (far from McDonald's McGriddle) is plated up with sausage, egg and cheese pressed between two pancakes is truly for the most sinful at heart. Feeling a bit healthy? Try their lox and bagel topped with cream cheese, smoked salmon, red onion, tomato and capers.

Photo via 903 Mills Market/Facebook

Kappy’s Subs

501 N. Orlando Ave., Maitland, 407-647-9099
This 1950s-style quick stop is the go-to place for a serious philly cheese steak sandwich.

Photo via Kappy's Subs/Faceook

Mediterranean Deli

981 W. Fairbanks Ave.,407-539-2650
Located in a little strip mall, this place is easy to miss, but should be on the top of your list of go-to international foodie spots. Greek and Lebanese fare are coupled with homemade delicacies from something as simple as hummus to their kibbeh, ground up lamb shaped into balls that are seasoned to perfection.

Photo via Travis J./Yelp

Mynt

535 W. New England Ave., Winter Park, 407-636-7055
Mynt serves contemporary Indian cuisine at its finest. This easy to miss Hannibal Square eatery is serving up traditional dishes like flavorful biryani rice, and of course, chicken tikka masala.

Photo via Mynt/Facebook

Nhatrang Subs

1216 E. Colonial Dr., 407-346-4549
It's incredibly easy to miss, but Nha Trang Subs is probably one of the best spots in Orlando to get some serious bánh mì.

Photo via Nhatrang Subs/Facebook

Orlando Meats

728 Virginia Drive, 407-598-0700
Part butchery, part eatery, this Virginia Drive meat house offers all the interesting cuts flesh-starved gastronomes crave, as well as a menu showcasing locally procured meats. Burger purists ought to try their hefty medium-rare burger (the juice will fly), while sausage hounds will have a field day with any of the available offerings, be it the currywurst, chicken nugget or, our fave, twin venison sausages stuffed inside a New England roll. Bonus: They open for breakfast too.

Photo by Rob Barlett

Peter’s Kitchen China Bistro

3922 E. Colonial Drive, 407-895-8174
From the man that brought us Tasty Wok and Ming’s Bistro comes Peter Leung’s namesake house of Hong Kong delights. Dim sum is a popular draw on weekends, but dim sum items can also be ordered daily for lunch: chicken feet, turnip cakes, custard buns or stellar eggplant stuffed with fried shrimp. Can’t-miss items: butter lobster and beef chow fun, though less adventurous palates will gravitate toward buzzy orange chicken.

Photo by Rob Bartlett

Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwiches

67 N Bumby Ave; 407-894-0865
Surrounded by local art, guests can enjoy a variety of teas and sandwiches. On Sundays a mojito sake is meant to liven up your brunch. Enjoy a Spicy Elvis with bacon, banana, strawberry jelly and Cayenne peanut butter or a classic tuna melt. You can build your own salad or sandwich, too, if you aren’t feeling their selections.

Photo via Pom Pom's/Facebook

Sapporo Ramen

5080 W. Colonial Dr., 407-203-6777
This little hole-in-the-wall has limited seating, so cross your fingers and hope that when you're done ordering there are empty seats. Sapporo is known for their authentic ramen – tonkotsu, which is a fan favorite. Feeling adventurous? Try their octopus fritters, but pay close attention to the moving toppings on it.

Photo by Rob Bartlett

Selam Ethiopian & Eritrean Cuisine

5494 Central Florida Parkway, 407-590-4571
The city’s second Ethiopian restaurant offers diners another option to get handsy with their food. Of note is an explosive doro wat, a thick crimson stew reddened by the addition of berbere, a potent powdered spice blend and staple of Ethiopian cooking. Tear off pieces of spongy injera and enjoy. Ye beg tibs (a sauté of lamb) and raw beef kitfo heavily essenced with cardamom are two others to pay heed to. There are plenty of options for veg diners. Pair it all with tej, a sweet honey mead beverage.

Photo by Rob Bartlett

Shiraz Market

185 S. Ronald Reagan Blvd., Longwood, 407-951-8084
This market is home to one of the best Mediterranean fare anyone can ask for, and the slow roasted kebabs are a Shiraz speciality. They say to never shop on an empty stomach so be sure to eat at this hole-in-the-wall joint before strolling through the aisles.

Photo via Shiraz Market/Facebook

Taste of Peru

9521 S. Orange Blossom Trl., 407-857-2734
Peruvian street food takes centerstage at this eatery with their anticucho - delectable meats on a skewer - from beef heart, chicken and beef brochettes marinated in spices and grilled over an open pit.

Photo via Taste of Peru/Facebook

The Ramen

486 North Orange Avenue, 407-233-4801
This hole-in-the-wall ramen experience was opened by Chef Suichi Tanida, a former Disney Epcot chef who worked at the Mitsukoshi restaurant in the Japan Pavilion. Start off with Takoyaki, a.k.a octopus ball, or edamame before moving to a variety of rice bowls or selections of ramen such as tofu ramen or shoyu ramen. Finish with mochi ice or dorayaki, a Japanese pancake.

Photo by Rob Bartlett

Tortas El Rey

6151 S Orange Blossom Trl, 407-812-8334
Let these double corn tortillas envelop you in their love. Operating out of a remodeled Checkers drive-thru, Tortas El Rey is perhaps best known for their heavenly carnitas torta, but don't sleep on their carne asada tacos. The deliciously marinated steak taco with chopped cilantro and onion is mouthwatering on its own – pair it with the salsa roja for an added kick in the throat.

Photo by Monivette Cordeiro

Turkish Bar and Grill

260 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, 407-869-5555
Turkish spices and flavors fill your taste buds at this eatery, with their homemade lamb and beef mix. The Doner gyro is among the chef specialties along with the Lahmacun, a carefully made and seasoned flatbread that sets the foundation for ground beef and sweet peppers.

Photo by Rob Bartlett