This Orlando Neighborhood Is a Hidden Gem for Food Lovers-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 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. "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."

"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."

Mills 50 sits at the intersection of Mills Avenue and Colonial Drive and functions as a central culinary and cultural neighborhood in Orlando. The area hosts Florida's largest Vietnamese community, offering markets, restaurants, and locally owned businesses alongside bars and gastropubs. The neighborhood's transformation began after the Vietnam War when Vietnamese immigrants and refugees established grocery stores, eateries, and shops that shaped its character. Mills 50 contains more Michelin-recognized spots than other parts of the city and preserves an immigrant-rooted charm that sustains community life and distinct culinary offerings beyond theme-park dining.

Read at Travel + Leisure