20 hidden gem restaurants and bars only found in Orlando strip malls

Dali’s Lao Thai Cafe 1181 Rinehart Rd., Sanford
The absolute best Laotian food in the Orlando area is in a strip mall in Sanford.

Photo via Google Maps " data-title="

Dali’s Lao Thai Cafe

1181 Rinehart Rd., Sanford

The absolute best Laotian food in the Orlando area is in a strip mall in Sanford.

Photo via Google Maps
” itemprop=”image” />Hanamizuki 8255 International Drive
This Japanese spot is well hidden, in a strip mall behind the Starflyer.

Photo via Google Maps " data-title="

Hanamizuki

8255 International Drive

This Japanese spot is well hidden, in a strip mall behind the Starflyer.

Photo via Google Maps
” itemprop=”image” />Nile Ethopian Restaurant 7048 International Drive
Nile makes every effort to overcome its nondescript surroundings on International Drive. Outside the store, you’ll find massive signage. Inside the store, you’ll find incredible food.

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Nile Ethopian Restaurant

7048 International Drive

Nile makes every effort to overcome its nondescript surroundings on International Drive. Outside the store, you’ll find massive signage. Inside the store, you’ll find incredible food.

Photo via Google Maps

” itemprop=”image” />Stardust Video 1842 Winter Park Rd, Orlando
This hipster haven with notoriously indifferent staff is controversial, to say the least. But the folks who dig it really dig it.

Photo via Google Maps " data-title="

Stardust Video

1842 Winter Park Rd, Orlando

This hipster haven with notoriously indifferent staff is controversial, to say the least. But the folks who dig it really dig it.

Photo via Google Maps
” itemprop=”image” />Lacomka Russian Bakery & Deli 2050 FL-436, Winter Park
This Russian outpost is a triple threat, serving up baked goods and deli items while also offering imported foodstuffs.

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Lacomka Russian Bakery & Deli

2050 FL-436, Winter Park

This Russian outpost is a triple threat, serving up baked goods and deli items while also offering imported foodstuffs.

Photo via Google Maps
” itemprop=”image” />La Fiesta Mexican Grill 3000 Curry Ford Rd.
It’s almost impressive how well hidden La Fiesta is. This Mexican restaurant is worth seeking out in its nook of a Winn-Dixie plaza off Curry Ford Road.

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La Fiesta Mexican Grill

3000 Curry Ford Rd.

It’s almost impressive how well hidden La Fiesta is. This Mexican restaurant is worth seeking out in its nook of a Winn-Dixie plaza off Curry Ford Road.

Photo via Google Maps
” itemprop=”image” />Takumi 8933 W Colonial Dr, Ocoee
Ocoee is about as far as you can get from the ocean in Florida, and it’s still not that far. So we feel no regret in spilling the beans on this top-notch sushi resto hidden in a shopping center.

Photo via Google Maps " data-title="

Takumi

8933 W Colonial Dr, Ocoee

Ocoee is about as far as you can get from the ocean in Florida, and it’s still not that far. So we feel no regret in spilling the beans on this top-notch sushi resto hidden in a shopping center.

Photo via Google Maps
” itemprop=”image” />Thirsty Gator 3040 N Goldenrod Rd, Winter Park
Far from the ritzier side of Winter Park, this sports bar is a sure thing during oyster season.

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Thirsty Gator

3040 N Goldenrod Rd, Winter Park

Far from the ritzier side of Winter Park, this sports bar is a sure thing during oyster season.

Photo via Google Maps
” itemprop=”image” />El Pueblo 7124 Aloma Ave., Winter Park
Foodies in Winter Park know this tiny strip mall Mexican restaurant punches above its weight.

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El Pueblo

7124 Aloma Ave., Winter Park

Foodies in Winter Park know this tiny strip mall Mexican restaurant punches above its weight.

Photo via Google Maps
” itemprop=”image” />Whippoorwill Beer House 2425 East South Street
Another wonder that’s been camouflaged by its surroundings. If you’re willing to keep looking once you see the yoga studio and doggy day care, you’ll find an incredible bar at the tail end of this strip mall.

Photo via Whippoorwill Beer House/Instagram " data-title="

Whippoorwill Beer House

2425 East South Street

Another wonder that’s been camouflaged by its surroundings. If you’re willing to keep looking once you see the yoga studio and doggy day care, you’ll find an incredible bar at the tail end of this strip mall.

Photo via Whippoorwill Beer House/Instagram
” itemprop=”image” />Antica Pizzeria 249 W State Road 436, Altamonte Springs
This Altamonte Springs spot exudes Italian authenticity from its wood-fired pizzas and gorgeous salads on down to its limited hours. The shop is open from 3:30 to 9 p.m. every day but Sunday and it’s worth the trek.

Photo via Google Maps " data-title="

Antica Pizzeria

249 W State Road 436, Altamonte Springs

This Altamonte Springs spot exudes Italian authenticity from its wood-fired pizzas and gorgeous salads on down to its limited hours. The shop is open from 3:30 to 9 p.m. every day but Sunday and it’s worth the trek.

Photo via Google Maps
” itemprop=”image” />Pom Pom’s Teahouse 67 N Bumby Ave
The exterior of this strip mall spot is deceiving. Inside of Pom Pom’s, Orlando residents can get incredible tea and sandwiches while surrounded by local artwork.

Photo via Pom Pom’s Teahouse/Facebook" data-title="

Pom Pom’s Teahouse

67 N Bumby Ave

The exterior of this strip mall spot is deceiving. Inside of Pom Pom’s, Orlando residents can get incredible tea and sandwiches while surrounded by local artwork.

Photo via Pom Pom’s Teahouse/Facebook” itemprop=”image” />BBB Tofu House 5140 W Colonial Dr.
This Korean spot is a standout, but it’s just one part of a great Asian shopping center in West Orlando.

Photo by Joey Roulette " data-title="

BBB Tofu House

5140 W Colonial Dr.

This Korean spot is a standout, but it’s just one part of a great Asian shopping center in West Orlando.

Photo by Joey Roulette
” itemprop=”image” />Taqueria Ameca (407) 852-0502, 3558 S Orange Ave
This nondescript taqueria in a strip mall is lauded for its cheap tacos.

Photo via Google Maps " data-title="

Taqueria Ameca

(407) 852-0502, 3558 S Orange Ave

This nondescript taqueria in a strip mall is lauded for its cheap tacos.

Photo via Google Maps
” itemprop=”image” />Chubby’s Family Restaurant 10376 E Colonial Drive
As the entire culinary world has coifed itself for the sake of Instagram and the price of everything has risen drastically, we’ve lost the sort of low-end places that exist to serve good food at decent prices to hard-working people. Luckily, Chubby’s holds on along E. Colonial, serving up gutbusting breakfasts every single day.

Photo via Chubby’s Family Restaurant /Facebook" data-title="

Chubby’s Family Restaurant

10376 E Colonial Drive

As the entire culinary world has coifed itself for the sake of Instagram and the price of everything has risen drastically, we’ve lost the sort of low-end places that exist to serve good food at decent prices to hard-working people. Luckily, Chubby’s holds on along E. Colonial, serving up gutbusting breakfasts every single day.

Photo via Chubby’s Family Restaurant /Facebook” itemprop=”image” />Wa Sushi 924 FL-436, Casselberry
One of the city’s best sushi joints sits in a strip mall in Casselberry.

Photo by Rob Bartlett " data-title="

Wa Sushi

924 FL-436, Casselberry

One of the city’s best sushi joints sits in a strip mall in Casselberry.

Photo by Rob Bartlett
” itemprop=”image” />Deli Desires 715 N Fern Creek Ave
This relative newcomer has been keeping Orlando fed with takeaway food served out of a strip mall whose most prominent other tenant is a vape shop.

Photo via Deli Desires/Instagram " data-title="

Deli Desires

715 N Fern Creek Ave

This relative newcomer has been keeping Orlando fed with takeaway food served out of a strip mall whose most prominent other tenant is a vape shop.

Photo via Deli Desires/Instagram
” itemprop=”image” /> Inay’s Kitchen 1097 S. Clarke Road, Ocoee
The stews at this Filipino hotspot are worth seeking it out in its out of the way location in Ocoee.

Photo by Rob Bartlett " data-title="

Inay’s Kitchen

1097 S. Clarke Road, Ocoee

The stews at this Filipino hotspot are worth seeking it out in its out of the way location in Ocoee.

Photo by Rob Bartlett
” itemprop=”image” />Axum Coffee Multiple locations
You have to head out to Winter Garden (or Apopka) for this coffee shop. Do it to break out of the Foxtail rut. Do it to get out of town. Do it because it’s really, really good coffee.

Photo via Axum Coffee/Facebook " data-title="

Axum Coffee

Multiple locations

You have to head out to Winter Garden (or Apopka) for this coffee shop. Do it to break out of the Foxtail rut. Do it to get out of town. Do it because it’s really, really good coffee.

Photo via Axum Coffee/Facebook
” itemprop=”image” />Donut King Multiple locations
This local chain of unassuming donut shops don’t go in for the Fruity Pebbles monstrosities that clog Instagram, but Orlandoans have dreams about their maple log donut.

Photo via Donut King " data-title="

Donut King

Multiple locations

This local chain of unassuming donut shops don’t go in for the Fruity Pebbles monstrosities that clog Instagram, but Orlandoans have dreams about their maple log donut.

Photo via Donut King

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