8 Best Places To Eat In Orlando, Florida

1. Nile Ethiopian

The only Ethiopian restaurant in central Florida, Nile Ethiopian doesn’t disappoint. Getting its name from the Blue Nile River which courses through the heart of that African country, Nile Ethiopian serves up traditional Ethiopian dishes that will leave your mouth yearning for more even as your belly expands. From doro wat to tibs to their locally famous Moocow special, all served on some of the best traditional injera this side of the Atlantic, this is one restaurant you won’t want to miss.

Nile Ethiopian

Address: 7048 International Drive, Orlando; 407-354-0026

Website: Nile Ethiopian

2. Valhalla Bakery

Valhalla Bakery, the brainchild of Celine Mariah Duvoisin, bakes fresh, homemade donuts, muffins, scones, and other pastries, as well as decadent cakes, cupcakes, brownies, cookies, pies, tarts, and everything in between. Valhalla bakes with the idea that everyone should be able to indulge in these extravagant sweets. Valhalla uses no eggs and no dairy in any of its delicacies. Still, these are not tame, healthy desserts. They are baked goods that will send your tastebuds to heaven.

Valhalla Bakery

Address: Market on South; 2603 E. South St., Orlando; 407-613-5968

Website: Valhalla Bakery

3. Soco

It’s Sunday morning and the whole family wakes up late from a long day spent at the Magic Kingdom. Time to indulge in one of Orlando’s best brunches at Soco Thornton Park. The open dining room affords guests the opportunity to watch the kitchen as meals are prepared with the finest ingredients, the way you might in your own home. Executive Chef Greg Richie cooks up contemporary Southern cuisine with a flair towards turning Grandma’s favorites (like shrimp and grits) into a gastronomic experience your palate and your belly will not soon forget.

Soco

Address: 629 E. Central Blvd., Orlando; 407-849-1800

Website: Soco

4. Beth's Burger Bar

Some days you just want to enjoy a good, greasy burger, fries and a beer. To satisfy that craving in Orlando you need not look further than Beth’s Burger Bar. Since the age of sixteen, Beth has been devoted to perfecting the burger, and her Burger Bar is the culmination of that lifelong dream.

Voted one of the best burger joints in Orlando by locals, this a place to get your feedbag on. Big, juicy burgers are cooked to order and served with a heaping portion of hand cut, freshly made french fries. Enjoy it with a cold Pabst Blue Ribbon or local craft beer and you will leave satisfied.

Beth's Burger Bar

Address: 24 E. Washington St., Orlando; 407-650-4950

Website: Beth’s Burger Bar

5. King Bao

For a delightful twist on an old favorite, try the new King Bao located in the Mills 50 district in the heart of Orlando. The bao is basically a flat steamed Chinese bun, folded like a taco, and filled with an array of both traditional Asian delicacies and modern American proteins and veggies. A blend of both Eastern and Western cuisines, the bao is like a cross between a taco and a sandwich. They’re small and cheap enough to have as an afternoon snack or have two or three for a full meal. Accompany yours with another old favorite: tater tots dressed up with flavors that kids and adults will love.

King Bao

Address: 710 N. Mills Ave., Orlando; 407-237-0013

Website: King Bao

6. Red Mug Diner

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Red Mug Diner, the only 24-hour breakfast-all-day diner in downtown Orlando, serves up huge breakfast platters from locally sourced ingredients. Monday through Thursday, it is a breakfast and lunch only diner, catering to the local nine-to-fivers working downtown. But come Friday and Saturday, this retro 50s diner turns into an all day, all night breakfast, lunch, and dinner feast. Featuring traditional fare like eggs, omelettes, pancakes, and waffles to savory Southern style biscuits and gravy to brie grilled cheese, this is a diner that will satisfy your every craving.

Red Mug Diner

Address: 63 E. Pine St., Orlando; 407-734-5065

Website: Red Mug Diner

7. Tamale Company food truck

Seekers of truly authentic Mexican cuisine need not look for a bell or for a themed restaurant. You only need to look for the black truck parked on the corner. There, the Tamale Company serves up delicious homemade tamales made fresh and just for you.

The tamale is a traditional Mexican dish made of masa flour, filled with everything from meats and cheeses to fruits and vegetables, wrapped in a corn husk, and steamed to perfection. Served with a generous dollop of one of Tamale Company’s signature sauces, this is a treat your mouth will thank you for. The Tamale Company food truck travels around Orlando, lifting its awning almost every evening.

To find out where they are tonight, visit them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter. Then go find them. This is a dish you won’t want to miss.

Tamale Company food truck

Address: Varies

Website: Tamale Company Food Truck

8. Better Than Sex

There’s no better way to end a romantic evening out on the town than with…dessert. Better Than Sex is the only dessert-only restaurant in Orlando where mystery, romance, and food get wrapped up in a decadent dining experience. Paneled in red, with soft lighting, almost every table is privately screened by walls and velvet curtains to give each dining couple the privacy to indulge in their most intimate desires.

Try a Cookie Nookie Pie or the white chocolate mousse topped Money Shot and you’ll know why so many couples come to this romantic hideaway for a romantic evening. Plan ahead. Seating is limited and reservations are recommended.

Better Than Sex

Address: 1905 N. Orange Ave., Orlando; 407-761-8949

Website: Better Than Sex

Foodie paradise

With everything from tamales to burgers and doro wat to dessert, Orlando is a foodie paradise with something to please every palate and every budget.