The Short List
Where a local sends you first
Every guide has a long answer. This is the short one: the places that come up when a local is asked, with no time to think, where they would send a friend first. Tap any card for the place itself, its story, and what people are saying about it.
Local PickAVA MediterraneanA glamorous Greek agora on Park Avenue, sophisticated and high-energy from the moment you sit down.View placePhoto: AVA Mediterranean
Local PickQuesaLocoBirria country on Fairbanks Ave, in a colorful room with Dia de los Muertos murals and the joyful chaos of its food truck days.View placePhoto: QuesaLoco
Local PickRusteakOn the Lake Eola corner in Thornton Park, a neighborhood spot cooking like it has something to prove, polished, relaxed but never stiff.View placePhoto: Rusteak
Local PickFogo de Chão, Vineland PointeBrazilian churrasco staged tableside at Vineland Pointe, where gaucho chefs carve fire-roasted cuts one slice at a time.View placePhoto: Fogo de Chão
Local PickThe GuesthouseMills 50's plant-filled living room, greenery trailing over white walls around a square bar.View place
Local PickFixtion Restaurant & BarOn Orange Avenue, comfort food and huge comfy booths early, club energy after dark, shape-shifting through the day.View place
Local PickWall Street PlazaOne downtown block holds the whole crawl: eight bars and patios that, on a big night, turn into a single street party.View place
Local PickElixir Kitchen and BarA rustic-hip gastropub in one of downtown's original buildings, and very much the neighborhood's spot.View placePhoto: Elixir Kitchen and Bar
Local PickIron CowPart hi-fi sushi lounge, part underground club, the Milk District's good contradiction.View place
Local PickTom's Watch BarOn International Drive, a sports bar built like a stadium, with an oversized screen and screens wrapping the room so every seat faces the action.View placePhoto: Tom's Watch Bar
Local PickBaires GrillThe parrilla decides everything at this Argentine steakhouse just off International Drive.View placePhoto: Baires Grill
Local PickBoxi Park Lake NonaShipping containers stacked into an open-air food park in Lake Nona, with a stage, a dog park, and stalls to wander.View placePhoto: Boxi Park Lake Nona
Local PickDisney SpringsDisney's open-air waterfront promenade, no park ticket and no turnstile, just an evening on the water.View place
Local PickEvermore Orlando ResortThe centerpiece is Evermore Bay, a crystal lagoon with its own beach that leaves guests saying the resort feels like it is out of the country.View placePhoto: Evermore Orlando Resort
Local PickOrlando Vineland Premium OutletsMinutes from Disney, a Mediterranean-inspired outdoor outlet village anchored by Prada, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Gucci and Tory Burch.View place
Local PickBlack Hammock RestaurantAn Old Florida fish camp on Lake Jesup, where the menu leans into the setting: gator bites, fried gator tail, catfish nuggets, a gator burger.View placePhoto: Black Hammock Restaurant
Local PickThe Imperial on ParkPark Avenue's neighborhood bar, warm and laid back, with boutique wines, craft beers and cocktails built on Winter Park Distillery spirits.View placePhoto: The Imperial on Park
Local PickPratoItalian the Park Avenue way: rustic yet upscale, exposed brick and warm light, house-made pastas and wood-fired pizzas.View place