The Orlando Real - restaurant

Pho on the Go: A Taste of Vietnamese Cuisine at Pho Drive Thru

By Roger Jimenez

Where a popular restaurant chain once stood, Wendy’s, a new Vietnamese restaurant has emerged and taken over to offer Orlando locals some of the best Vietnamese cuisine that can be found in town, both in store and on the go!

Where is it?

Just south of the heart of Orlando along South Orange Blossom Trail, Pho Drive Thru has just recently opened and transformed an old fast food drive thru into a haven for Pho lovers, boba tea drinkers, and fans of all things Vietnamese.

Image by Pho Drive Thru

Decorated with bright hues of red and yellow, the inside is playfully colorful and inviting. But where Pho Drive Thru definitely doesn’t play around is with their immense menu. They even have a dessert case to order from after you…

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Sapporo Izakaya & Ramen in Metrowest

By Holley Long

Orlando recently gained a new restaurant offering ramen and other traditional Japanese dishes. Sapporo Izakaya & Ramen is located on the west side of Orlando in Metrowest, and it’s definitely worth a visit if you find yourself on this side of town.

The Restaurant

Sapporo Izakaya & Ramen opened this spring in MetroWest, near Orlando’s Chinatown shopping center. Previously, the shopping center was the location of Sapporo Ramen, a well-loved eatery offering authentic Japanese noodles and other traditional dishes, before the restaurant closed in 2019. 

The restaurant is named after the city in Japan where it was founded - Sapporo. This is the largest city north of Tokyo, and the largest city on Hokkaido, which is the…

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Orlando Brunch Spot Brings 'Egg-Celente' Bites to I-Drive

By Yasmene Warren

Orlando’s tourist hot spot International Drive is serving up brunch excellence, and we’ve got the scoop on why they put the “egg” in Egg-Celente. Let’s check it out!

What is Egg-Celente?

Egg-Celente is a breakfast and brunch spot on I-Drive in Orlando that seeks to take your taste buds on an invigorating culinary journey first thing in the morning.

This restaurant takes Spanish-American flavors and turns them into one-of-a-kind dishes that make our mouths water!

Egg-Celente makes it their mission to ignite your senses and inspire your palate, so if you’re feeling creative and want to take on feast-worthy flavors yourself, stop by from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday, or 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays! 

What We…

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The Robinson in Downtown Orlando

By Yasmene Warren

Have you ever had a hankering for coffee and cocktails simultaneously? Well luckily, Downtown Orlando offers the perfect place for you to get your fix: The Robinson. Let’s check it out!

All About The Robinson

The Robinson is a bar and café in Downtown Orlando located on East Pine Street that sells coffee, drinks, pastries, and food.

This place brings you calm vibes by day and fun sips by night, and if you’re hungry, there’s plenty of delicious bites to choose from.

The Robinson is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Dining at The Robinson Coffee Room

Unlike the rest of the building, the Robinson Coffee Room is bright white with brown and modern accents. For…

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Filipino Dining at Kaya Orlando in Mills 50

By Roger Jimenez

Located within Orlando's exciting Mills50 district, Kaya is a Filipino casual fine dining destination, captivating the senses with a culture of flavors and stories. This restaurant transcends the ordinary, merging Filipino culinary techniques and ingredients with the freshest offerings from Orlando’s best.

Kaya's Story

Rooted in the Filipino language, the name “Kaya” translates to "capable," embodying a spirit of resilience and determination. "Kaya natin," translating to "we can," signifies unity and shared strength.

Image by Kaya Orlando

Beyond crafting remarkable culinary creations, Kaya's essence also revolves around nurturing a sense of community, caring for their dedicated team, and crafting transformative…

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Maple Street Biscuit Company Now Open in the Hamlin Town Center

By Holley Long

Breakfast just got a little more interesting in Winter Garden with the opening of Maple Street Biscuit Company. The restaurant, which opened in July, will proudly serve the people of Hamlin in Winter Garden, and those who visit this area. Read on to learn more about the restaurant, its signature dishes, and the village it now calls home.  

The Restaurant 

The Maple Street Biscuit Company got its start in 2012, when it opened the doors of its first restaurant in Jacksonville, Florida. Since then, over 50 locations have opened throughout the country, with 17 in Florida alone. With the addition of the one in Winter Garden, there are now 4 locations around Orlando including in Oviedo, Celebration, and Doctor Phillips.

The…

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Norman's Offers Fine Dining in Doctor Phillips

By Roger Jimenez

Orlando is home to some of the finest dining around and Norman’s is no stranger to being at the top of countless “best restaurant” lists. Norman's stands as an exceptional culinary destination, offering a fusion of gourmet flavors, impeccable service, and an elegant ambiance that collectively create an unparalleled dining experience in the Doctor Phillips area.

The History of Norman's

Norman's was founded by renowned celebrity chef and restaurateur Norman Van Aken, who is often referred to as the "Father of New World Cuisine" after being the first to coin the term “fusion cuisine” back in 1989. The restaurant is known for its innovative fusion of Latin, Caribbean, and Asian flavors, which is a hallmark of Chef Norman Van…

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California-Based Restaurant Lazy Dog Now Open in Kissimmee

By Holley Long

The west coast has come to Orlando in the form of Lazy Dog! This laid back restaurant is a unique addition to Irlo Bronson Highway, an area that is continuing to see major revitalization. Follow along for more info about this new eatery - it just might become your new favorite dinner spot. 

Lazy Dog’s Story 

Inspired by small town vibes in the Rocky Mountains, Lazy Dog first opened its doors in California, but since then over 50 locations have opened across the country (with 25+ in CA alone!). According to the restaurant chain’s website, Lazy Dog was created to call to mind “unplanned adventures, an enduring love of food and fireside conversations.” 

Opening of the new Lazy Dog Kissimmee location

The Kissimmee location,…

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Teak Neighborhood Grill in Metro West and Maitland

By Yasmene Warren

Are you looking for a place to grab some grub from the comfort of your neighborhood? Well you can do just that at Teak Neighborhood Grill! Let’s check it out.

All About Teak Neighborhood Grill

Teak Neighborhood Grill is a bar and grill located in MetroWest in Orlando on Time Square Avenue. They opened their doors back in April of 2010, with a second location in Maitland at the Village of Lake Lily in 2017.

Teak Neighborhood Grill is more than just a restaurant, it's incorporated right into your neighborhood, hence the name. It’s the perfect place to go for a chill, laid back bar scene where you can watch sports and listen to live music while enjoying quality food, all just a short walk away from home.

You can stop by…

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Puerto Rican Specialties and More at Café Coquí in Avalon Park

By Yasmene Warren

Do you want to hear the sounds of Puerto Rico while enjoying a tasteful dish? Well, the good news is you don’t have to travel there to do so! Avalon Park’s Café Coquí is based on and themed around the native amphibian on the beautiful island that is Puerto Rico - the Coquí. 

What is it?

Café Coquí is a Puerto Rican café in Orlando located on Avalon Park East Boulevard in East Orlando. This spot is known for serving some of the best authentic Puerto Rican desserts and sandwiches in town!

Café Coquí gets its namesake from the species of frog that is endemic to Puerto Rico. These frogs make a very loud, unique call at night, which you can hear when sitting at certain spots in the restaurant thanks to a special little coquí…

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