The Orlando Neighborhood With More Michelin-recommended Restaurants Than Anywhere Else in Town

For many, Orlando is synonymous solely with theme parks. And while the city is home to more major parks than anywhere else in the world, its culinary scene goes beyond turkey legs and chicken nuggets. Nowhere is that more evident than in the Mills 50 district, a vibrant neighborhood in the heart of Orlando with more Michelin-recognized spots than any other part of town. “Mills 50 is home to Florida’s largest Vietnamese community, with local markets, restaurants, and businesses, as well as an eclectic mix of popular bars and gastropubs,” says Ricky Ly, founder of local Orlando food guide Tasty Chomps and author of the “Food Lovers’ Guide to Orlando.” “One of my fondest memories of Orlando as a kid growing up and after a long day at the theme parks was dropping by Mills 50 to pick up Asian groceries and maybe a bag of banh mi for the two-hour road trip home to South Florida.”

“Mills 50 has always been known as Orlando’s hub for Asian restaurants and shopping. It’s located in the city center close to downtown, and home to many locally owned businesses rather than large developers,” says Johnny Tung, founder of Mills Market. One of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, the area developed around the intersection of Mills Avenue and Colonial Drive (State Road 50), earning it the name Mills 50.

The district began evolving into an Asian cultural and business center after the Vietnam War, when Orlando saw a significant arrival of Vietnamese immigrants and refugees in the 1970s. Many of these new residents contributed to the neighborhood’s character by opening grocery stores, restaurants, and businesses reflecting their heritage. “A lot of Orlando’s most successful concepts got their start here. It has a distinct charm—built on immigrant history—and remains a place where culture and community thrive,” says Tung. 

Best Hotels & Resorts

The Alfond Inn

The Alfond Inn sits just 10 minutes north of Mills 50, in neighboring Winter Park. The 183-room boutique hotel is owned by Rollins College, with all net profits going toward funding scholarships for students at the school. Art lovers should join the Happy Hour Art Tour, a guided walk through selections from The Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art, with more than 140 pieces displayed throughout the property.

Grand Bohemian Orlando, Autograph Collection

The Grand Bohemian is an artsy, upscale escape in the heart of downtown Orlando and a couple of miles from Mills 50. The lobby is lined with original artwork by local artists. The best part? In case you fall in love with anything, it’s all for sale. Cool off in the rooftop pool or catch live jazz at The Boheme, the property’s lobby bar.

Best Things to Do

Stroll through Leu Gardens.

Minutes from Mills 50, the Harry P. Leu Gardens is spread across nearly 50 acres of lush landscapes. Wander through rose gardens, bamboo groves, an edible garden with more than 800 varieties of fruits and vegetables (nearly all of which is donated to local food banks), and a butterfly garden filled with species that attract other pollinators and hummingbirds.

Spot some street art.

You’re going to need to work up an appetite to eat your way through Mills 50, and what better way to do that than by walking around the neighborhood to admire some murals. The project, which began as a community-driven effort from local artists to celebrate the neighborhood’s cultural diversity, now attracts creators from across the world. Bonus? The masterpieces also make an incredible backdrop for photos of all of your snacks.

Go bar hopping.

In addition to stellar dining choices, the bars in the neighborhood offer some of the most creative cocktails and mocktails in town. Death in the Afternoon specializes in all things absinthe. “For late-night bites, check out Tori Tori, the Japanese gastropub up the street known for its crab fried rice and yakitori skewers, paired well with its extensive list of Japanese whisky highballs,” says Ly. For something a little more laid-back, catch a show at Will’s Pub or play a round of darts and grab some drinks at beloved dive Wally’s Bar and Liquors.

Best Restaurants

Mills Market

While there were plenty of Orlando-based winners at this year’s Michelin award ceremony, one place that stood out was Mills Market. This converted supermarket was recently reimagined by Johnny Tung and now features four restaurants recognized by the guide. It would be entirely possible to spend a week in Orlando, eat only at Mills Market, and leave perfectly content. “We envisioned small-footprint, chef-driven stalls where you can bounce from one spot to the next, trying different flavors and cuisines from all over Asia. I was inspired by the kinds of urban markets you find in big cities—fast, casual, and packed with personality,” says Tung. “Beneath the surface, it’s also deeply personal: It’s about family legacy, honoring our roots, and creating something Orlando can be proud of. We took over in 2024—my wife has owned the jewelry store inside Tien Hung for 20 years. When the original market owner decided to retire, we didn’t want to see the space just fade away. I grew up coming here, so I wanted to keep the original charm, but give it new energy—somewhere warm, approachable, and community-focused.”

Kai Kai serves dim sum and Cantonese food like roast duck bao, soy sauce chicken, and a garlic rice you’ll dream of for days. UniGirl is helmed by William Shen, the chef behind Orlando’s only two-Michelin-starred restaurant, Sorekara. While you wait your turn on the rumored 12-month-long waitlist, don’t miss the freshly filled onigiri.

Bánh Mì Boy, one of the original tenants in the market, is now operated by Top Chef winner Hung Huynh. It serves a menu of classic favorites with elevated twists, like a French dip banh mi with a side of pho broth. Sharing the same block as Mills Market, Zaru is a Japanese udon spot serving freshly made and chewy udon noodles. Tung’s picks? “The Pick 3 at Kai Kai—roast duck, char siu pork, and crispy pork over garlic rice. The tan tan and beef sukiyaki onigiri from UniGirl. The Bánh Mì Boy special with a Vietnamese iced coffee. And for dessert, ube snow from Saigon Snow.” Be on the lookout for two new concepts coming to the market soon, Cowboy Curry and Okonomi.

EdoBoy

If you want to get into Edoboy, you’ll need to plan ahead: The Michelin-recommended standing-room-only sushi bar has room for eight, and when time slots drop each Monday at noon, they fill up nearly instantaneously. Diners can order up to 12 pieces of nigiri and temaki during their one-hour time slot (think torched salmon with Kewpie and bluefin tuna brushed with kabayaki sauce.

Kaya

Walking into Kaya almost feels like coming home—maybe it’s the warm hospitality from the front-of-house team or the fact that the Filipino restaurant is housed inside a cozy bungalow down a quiet street. In addition to their Florida-focused spin on traditional dishes like pork sisig and the slightly sweet Filipino spaghetti, the space frequently hosts guest chefs and bartenders from local and national restaurants. It sources the majority of its produce from Florida farms and is the state’s first venue to be awarded a Michelin Green Star for sustainability. Try to save room for dessert and pop in the backyard to Koko Kakigori, a small shop serving shave ice and sweets, like mango and sticky rice donuts.

Black Rooster Taqueria

Run by a husband-and-wife team, Black Rooster serves “farm-to-taco” Mexican food in a vibrant space. Best of all? The corn tortillas are made in house and freshly griddled to order. According to Tung, “Black Rooster has some of the best tacos around.” While the achiote pork slow roasted in banana leaf and pulled chicken tinga in a smoky chile chipotle sauce are can’t-miss items, don’t sleep on the pozole.

Best Shopping

Sampaguita

Sampaguita is the perfect place for an after-dinner treat. The small-batch ice cream shop spins up scoops inspired by classic Filipino flavors, including as Ube Cookies & Cream, Jackfruit Chili Nut, and Keso Guava Cheesecake. Can’t make up your mind? The shop offers a flight so you don’t have to.

Haan Coffee

Haan is a specialty coffee roaster and cafe that sells freshly roasted beans and handcrafted drinks with ever-rotating seasonal specials, like matcha lemonade and a lychee and yuzu spritz. The space is aesthetically pleasing and prioritizes fostering community and conversation by noting some tables as “laptop-free” zones.

Gold Dust Home

Gold Dust Home is a boutique run by two sisters, offering a curated selection of home decor, design-forward kitchen essentials, and thoughtful gifts. Housed in a beautifully restored 1930s bungalow, the shop is as charming as its inventory, and it’s all too easy to walk out with your suitcase fuller than planned.

The House on Lang

The House on Lang is part vintage shop, part community classroom. Expect to find one-of-a-kind pieces you didn’t know you needed (I’m looking at you, rainbow-crocheted tank top) and sign up for everything from happy hour yoga to a perfume-making workshop.

How to Get There

Orlando is a major tourism destination, making it easy to reach via air, car, or train. Flying can be faster and more affordable than driving, depending on where you’re based. Orlando’s major airport (MCO) is less than a 30-minute drive from Mills 50, and the city has a Brightline station there as well, so it’s a breeze to arrive via train, too. Once you’ve reached Orlando, you can either rent a car, use a ride-share service, or take the public bus.

How to Get Around

Renting a car is the easiest way to navigate Orlando. Although the traffic can be challenging during certain times of day, the city is fairly easy to get around, and parking isn’t too difficult to find in most neighborhoods.

Orlando’s public bus, Lynx, operates a number of routes that connect Mills 50 with SunRail stations and other area attractions. Fairs are $2 per ride, and all-day passes are available for $4.50.

The SunRail is Orlando’s commuter rail, and the closest station to Mills 50 is AdventHealth, approximately a 15-minute walk or a quick bus ride via the Lynx. Ticket prices start at $2 each way, depending on which zone you board at.