Orange juice. Key lime pie. Seafood. Cuban sandwiches. Barbecue. Margaritas.
There are a handful of foods and drinks Florida is known for doing right. And if you want a true taste of what Florida has to offer, check out these five restaurants in Orlando that are distinctly delicious and Floridian.
[Image: Zaza New Cuban Diner/Facebook]
At Zaza New Cuban Diner, you’re treated like family. They use only the freshest ingredients and carefully prepare each dish. From their personal blend of fresh roasted Cuban coffee to sweet quesitos, classic Cubanos and more, everything on Zaza’s menu is authentically Cuban. Their comforting, homemade food will make you feel like you’re in your mother’s kitchen.
2. Two Chefs Seafood Oyster Bar
[Image: Two Chefs Seafood Oyster Bar/Facebook]
Located in North Quarter, this seafood joint delivers up tasty oysters in every way possible. Whether you want yours baked, on fire, fried in a sandwich, on a traditional po’boy or on a half shell, they’ve got you covered. Even if you’re not an oyster fan, these two chefs serve other scrumptious seafood and land options. Two Chefs Seafood Oyster Bar is closed on Mondays, but they’re open the rest of the week and offer specials each day.
[Image: Teak Neighborhood Grill/Facebook]
On a hot Orlando day, which is many days out of the year, a good burger and a cold brew really hit the spot. The Drunken Monk 13 is a local favorite, and many also suggest the locally brewed pineapple beer. It’s sweet, but not overpowering like you might expect. Like other area restaurants, Teak Neighborhood Grill also uses fresh, local and organic ingredients as much as they can. So come for a good, filling meal, and stay for the wide variety of drinks and relaxed Florida vibe. There may even be some live music to add an even better ambience to your meal.
[Image: Singh’s Roti Shop & Bar/Facebook]
Being so close to the Caribbean—you might even be in Orlando to leave for your Caribbean cruise—it only makes sense to have a Caribbean-style family restaurant on this list. Singh’s Roti Shop & Bar caters to all your island cravings, with foods like cowheel soup, shrimp fried rice, pepper beef stir fry, dhal soup and much more. Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, take yourself on a Caribbean adventure without having to worry about motion sickness.
[Image: 4 Rivers Smokehouse/Facebook]
With a couple locations in Orlando, you know 4 Rivers Smokehouse has made a name for themselves as the best barbecue eatery in the city. What’s their go-to meat? Hands down it’s their tender, juicy brisket. But the burnt ends and brontosaurus beef rib are both mouth-wateringly delectable as well. Make sure you save room for dessert—cakes, cookies, cupcakes, bread pudding, fried Oreos just to name a few—and grab one of their brisket rubs so you can take a little taste of Florida back home to your kitchen.
After you fill up on Floridian food, get a good night’s sleep at the Holiday Inn in Orlando so you can be ready for another day of fun and more food.