Show your friends the local side of Orlando
Living in one of the most visited cities in the world means a rotating door of friends and relatives coming to crash at your place and asking how to get cheap park tickets. Lately, tho, Orlando has become better known for the locals-only parts of the city, and while we may never beat out a theme park-driven trip, more and more people are venturing out of tourist traps and want to see the “real Orlando.”
This list might be handy if you want to impress out-of-town guests with an authentic Orlando experience that you curate just for them. You can show them our vibrant neighborhoods, lush natural escapes, and foodie experiences that might have them questioning how much unseasoned, overpriced theme park food they consume on their trip.
This list is not all-inclusive but is a starting point. My blog contains recommendations to help you discover all Orlando offers. Also, this is a personal list. No matter how popular a place is, if I’ve experienced bad service, bad food, toxic ownership, or it’s difficult to find parking (and I might get towed), chances are I’m not taking my friends.
COFFEE
Haan Coffee
Stemma
Deeply
Coterie Coffee
Lineage
Qreate
Cups and Pups
Piccolo
BARS
Sunroom
Courtesy Bar
Matador
Otto’s High Dive
The Neighbors
Hanson’s Shoe Repair
Redlight Redlight
Whippoorwill
NEW - Permanent Vacation
LOCAL EATS
Edoboy
The Strand
Bombay Street Kitcen
Reyes Mezcaleria
Overrice
Doshi
Deli Desires
Kaya
Lotte Market Food Court
Juju/Susuru
Zeytin
Shiraz Market
Ramen Takagi
Nile Ethiopian
Black Rooster
Jam Hot Chicken
Jeff’s Bagel Run
Taco Fiesta
Red Panda Noodle
Rincon Latino
For MY vegan friends
Veggie Garden
Winter Park Biscuit Co.
Plantees
TREATS
Sampaguita
DG Doughnuts
Hanalei Shaved Ice
Light on the Sugar
Sugardough Bakehouse
Sister Honey’s
Buttermilk Bakery
Nomad Bakehouse
Midnight Sun
Matcha Maiko Cafe
Dochi
Gideons
Valhalla Bakery
Chiffon Culture
BOBA Shops
Spring Tea
iTea
Tan-Cha
Krave
Boba Queen
Sago Tea
Dang Boba and Musubi House
Meet Fresh
PLACES
Orange Tree Antiques
Rollins Art Museum
Leu Gardens
East End Market
Gatcha USA
Player 1
Winter Garden or Downtown Farmers Market
Kings Landing
Artifact Candle
Morse Museum
Orange County History Center
Orlando Art Museum
Winter Park Library
Winter Park Boat Tour
local shops
Miscellaneous Market
Gasp
Piante
Gold Dust Home
Park Ave CDs
Smarkpunk Records
YAY! Tiny Shop
House on Lang
Etoile Boutique
Owl’s Attic
Acme Superstore
Good Crowd
Echo Base
Maffrey’s
The Lovely
tourist traps
192 Flea Market in Kissimmee
Putting Edge
Disney Springs Lego Store
Lake Eola Swan Boats
Ripley’s Mirror Maze
Universal Cabana Bay