Eddie's Orlando Survival Guide
Food Scene
Leaving a little heavier and happier.
TORI TORI
720 N Mills AveBest yakitori in town. Gluten-free friendly. Love this neighborhood.
One of my favorites for contemporary style food with a few twists. Gluten-free friendly.
29 locals recommend
Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants
8005 International DrOne of my favorites for contemporary style food with a few twists. Gluten-free friendly.
Best bang-for-your-buck pho spot in town. Pro-tip: Get the fried garlic with the pho. Gluten-free friendly.
34 locals recommend
Pho 88 Vietnamese Restaurant
730 N Mills AveBest bang-for-your-buck pho spot in town. Pro-tip: Get the fried garlic with the pho. Gluten-free friendly.
Best tamales in town, amazing Mexican food, great corner to grab a beer on, brewery is nearby. Most of the tamales can be done gluten-free.
7 locals recommend
Tamale Co. Mexican Street Food Hourglass
2411 Curry Ford RdBest tamales in town, amazing Mexican food, great corner to grab a beer on, brewery is nearby. Most of the tamales can be done gluten-free.
Food from all over the world. Delicious and fun spot. Gluten-free friendly.
70 locals recommend
Café Tu Tu Tango
8625 International DrFood from all over the world. Delicious and fun spot. Gluten-free friendly.
Best spot for some delicious Brazilian food, decently priced, and filling. Gluten-free options.
11 locals recommend
Boteco do Manolo
7653 International DrBest spot for some delicious Brazilian food, decently priced, and filling. Gluten-free options.
All you Dragon Ball Z / pho hybrid lovers will not be disappointed. Gluten-free friendly.
Would recommend going during off-hours. This place gets packed.
13 locals recommend
Soupa Saiyan
5689 Vineland RdAll you Dragon Ball Z / pho hybrid lovers will not be disappointed. Gluten-free friendly.
Would recommend going during off-hours. This place gets packed.
Out of this world creamery. Seasonal flavors and gluten-free friendly.
17 locals recommend
The Greenery Creamery
420 E Church StOut of this world creamery. Seasonal flavors and gluten-free friendly.
Best Colombian food, great price, gluten-free friendly.
6 locals recommend
Super Rico Colombian Bistro
57 West Central BoulevardBest Colombian food, great price, gluten-free friendly.
Quick, healthy, and delicious. This is a favorite near the house. The sweet potato noodles are to die for. Listed gluten-free options.
13 locals recommend
Fresh Kitchen
2855 S Orange AveQuick, healthy, and delicious. This is a favorite near the house. The sweet potato noodles are to die for. Listed gluten-free options.
If you are from out of the country/or in, and have not had Chick-fil-A before, I highly recommend getting a chicken sandwich from this spot.
17 locals recommend
Chick-fil-A
4752 S Kirkman RdIf you are from out of the country/or in, and have not had Chick-fil-A before, I highly recommend getting a chicken sandwich from this spot.
Beer and food trucks? Sign me up. Not really gluten free friendly but depending on the cart, may get lucky.
16 locals recommend
À La Cart
609 Irvington AveBeer and food trucks? Sign me up. Not really gluten free friendly but depending on the cart, may get lucky.
Sightseeing
The other oddities around.
This quirky entertainment park and shopping center has a special place in my heart. Also near a food truck spot.
621 locals recommend
Old Town
5770 W Irlo Bronson Memorial HwyThis quirky entertainment park and shopping center has a special place in my heart. Also near a food truck spot.
The most tranquil place in the center of the city. Highly recommended for the best, Orlando has to offer all within walking distance.
376 locals recommend
Lake Eola Park
The most tranquil place in the center of the city. Highly recommended for the best, Orlando has to offer all within walking distance.
The Wheel and surrounding park are a must. Beautiful views and amazing food around the area.
794 locals recommend
The Wheel at ICON Park
8375 International DrThe Wheel and surrounding park are a must. Beautiful views and amazing food around the area.
Nightlife
Hang-over unfriendly.
My starting spot. Move through the connected doors for different bars and experience downtown Orlando.
17 locals recommend
Aero Rooftop Bar & Lounge
60 N Orange AveMy starting spot. Move through the connected doors for different bars and experience downtown Orlando.
Walk through at least 4 bars to get to the rooftop. My favorite place to end the night.
25 locals recommend
Chillers
33 W Church StWalk through at least 4 bars to get to the rooftop. My favorite place to end the night.
Neighborhoods
For the chill Sunday drive vibes.
Marvel on the brick roads of beautiful houses along lakes. Great neighborhood near Downtown.
Lake Davis/Greenwood
Marvel on the brick roads of beautiful houses along lakes. Great neighborhood near Downtown.
The tree-lined streets and brick roads are some of the best to enjoy while strolling around with some ice cream.
63 locals recommend
Thornton Park
The tree-lined streets and brick roads are some of the best to enjoy while strolling around with some ice cream.
Amazing Asian food dominant neighborhood. Some of my favorite places to eat are here. Known as Mills 50.
50 N Mills Ave
50 North Mills AvenueAmazing Asian food dominant neighborhood. Some of my favorite places to eat are here. Known as Mills 50.
City/town information
The other beauties of Florida.
Looking for a weekend getaway to one of the most beautiful and old cities in the country? Look no further but a 2 hour drive to St. Augustine.
821 locals recommend
St. Augustine
Looking for a weekend getaway to one of the most beautiful and old cities in the country? Look no further but a 2 hour drive to St. Augustine.
The springs are crystal clear and cold. It's a beautiful place to relax on a hot day or go for a pleasant stroll.
256 locals recommend
Wekiwa Springs
The springs are crystal clear and cold. It's a beautiful place to relax on a hot day or go for a pleasant stroll.
This place has seashell beaches and frequent manatee sightings. One of my favorite beaches. There are also nice tiki bars along the coast.
66 locals recommend
Anna Maria
This place has seashell beaches and frequent manatee sightings. One of my favorite beaches. There are also nice tiki bars along the coast.
City advice
Don't miss
#1 Rule in Orlando
Please, do not only go to the theme parks. While they are a must, Orlando is a vibrant and amazing city. It is called "the City Beautiful" for a reason.
Getting around
Traffic
The city can get wildly congested during rush hour. I recommend taking the toll roads during rush hour and the non-toll roads during other time periods. Taking backroads through Orlando is normally better than major roads during rush hour as well.
Book before you go
Consider renting a car
Public transportation is unfortunately not the best in Orlando. While it is possible, travel times will probably increase significantly. Also, Ubers are expensive in the Orlando metropolitan area.