The Delicious Orlando You Never Knew: 5 Tips For Eating Outside Disney And Universal

In 2022, the esteemed Michelin Guide took on Florida, and the Orlando area is now heavily represented among its pages.

Orlando: Come for the theme parks, stay for the … dinners? On a recent trip to central Florida, my two young boys in tow, I found a rich dining scene. In 2022, the esteemed Michelin Guide took on the Sunshine State, and the Orlando area is now heavily represented among its pages, with 48 local restaurants recognized this year.

From the Mills 50 area to nearby Winter Park to distinguished hotels like the Four Seasons — where I spent two nights with my family — the city is fast becoming one of the country’s most interesting dining destinations, with plenty to offer besides the attractions at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort. Here’s what you should know about eating in and around Orlando.

Mills 50 Is A Must

Located just north of downtown Orlando, Mills 50 boasts more Michelin-recommended restaurants than any other area of the city. East Colonial Drive is the district’s main thoroughfare, and the restaurants that line this street are influenced by Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands. No trip to the area is complete without a meal at Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant Z Asian - Vietnamese Kitchen, where Vietnamese food arrives in a modern atmosphere.

At Kaya, Filipino cuisine takes center stage with a regularly rotating menu, highlighting Florida’s local produce through a five-course tasting menu. Chef John Calloway emphasizes Latin flavors and prioritizes sustainability at Black Rooster Taqueria. And at Edoboy, billed as Orlando’s first standing sushi bar, chefs Tyler Inthavongsa and Francis Varias serve aburi, traditional nigiri and temaki, along with decadent extras, like bumps of caviar.