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5 of the best local restaurants in Orlando that aren't a tourist trap

5 of the best local restaurants in Orlando that aren't a tourist trap

Lauren Edmonds

A picture shows downtown Orlando and Lake Eola Park.Gina Pricope/Getty Images

I lived in Orlando, Florida, for more than two decades.
First-time visitors can avoid popular tourist traps by patronizing other affordable, delicious options.

I'm a first-generation Floridian who lived in the Sunshine State for more than two decades.

A photo of me during autumn in Florida. Lauren Edmonds/Insider

Most of my family resides in the Northeast, but my parents ditched the snowy winters for Florida's beautiful year-round weather in 1988.

I was born and raised in Orlando before moving to Tallahassee for college, so I've had the opportunity to try many local restaurants from the Orlando area.

Visiting tourists may get swayed towards popular chain restaurants like Johnny Rockets because they're a hop away from the amusement parks, but there's a plethora of options that provide a more authentic Orlando experience, in my opinion.

Here are five restaurants in Orlando that aren't a total tourist trap.

Johnny's Fillin' Station is a hometown favorite among locals and has been there for years.

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If you like good food and a heavy pour at a fair price, I suggest stopping at Johnny's Fillin' Station in Orlando's Wadeview Park neighborhood. As someone who grew up very close to Johnny's – as it's often called – I watched nearly every weekend as families and tipsy bar-goers crowded the restaurant like a beloved local watering hole.

Johnny's Fillin' Station is known for its delicious burgers, wings, and other bar bites, with prices anywhere from $5 to $15. I used to be faithful to the restaurant's chicken quesadilla as a kid, but these days I enjoy the bacon cheeseburger and key lime pie for dessert. My father's a big fan of Johnny's Famous Patty Melt and the swiss mushroom burger.

In addition to lunch and dinner, Johnny's has a brunch menu with cocktails alongside items like drunken french toast and pancake tacos.

Right across the parking lot is an expansion of the restaurant called Johnny's Other Side, which also serves American-style food on a patio bar that often has live music. Johnny's Other Side has extensive beer, wine, and bourbon options.

Hawkers Asian Street Food serves everything from Korean Twice Fried Wings to Sichuan Wontons.

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Hawkers Asian Street Food is nestled in Mills 50, a neighborhood in Orlando that was previously dubbed "Little Vietnam" due to the array of Vietnamese stores and eateries. The area has grown a lot since I was a kid, now encompassing a diverse selection of food spots, but Asian restaurants still reign supreme, and Hawkers Asian Street Food is an excellent example of that.

Hawkers Asian Street Food sells street food like Chinese BBQ Pork Baos, Korean Twice Fried Wings, and Pad Thai Lettuce Wraps, to name a few. I always order the roti canai when I visit, but my main course changes depending on my vibe. Somehow, though, I always end up with an order of Singapore Mei Fun. This restaurant has something for everyone and doesn't break the bank. Small plates can cost as little as $3.50, while a dish with noodles costs around $9.

The N. Mills Avenue location is the eatery's flagship location and the chain has a total of 13 restaurants in eight states.

Beefy King has delicious food that attracts locals and celebrities.

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Calling all the meat lovers! Beefy King might look unassuming on the outside, but its raging bull-themed logo is well-known for attracting locals and celebrities alike.s

Orlando Magazine noted that Shaquille O'Neal, a former Orlando Magic star, often visited the restaurant for jumbo hot dogs, and Jimmy Fallon caused an online frenzy when he posted about Beefy King in 2013.

Beefy King is a local staple best known for sandwiches – especially the roast beef sandwich – and spuds (tater tots). One of the stand-outs about Beefy King is that it's both tasty and very cheap, with a junior sandwich costing just $4, a regular sandwich priced at $5, and an extra-large at $6.

Se7en Bites on Primrose Drive sells southern comfort food with a flair.

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Se7en Bites is found in Orlando's Milk District and specializes in southern comfort foods with a modern twist. The restaurant, which opened in 2013, was featured on an episode of Food Networks' "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" hosted by Guy Fieri.

Unlike the other restaurants on this list, Se7ven Bites only serves breakfast, brunch, and lunch options, so make sure to get there while you can. The restaurant is open Thursday through Monday, closing at 3 p.m. from Saturday to Sunday and 3:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Main meals at the restaurant can cost anywhere from $7 to $16.

Like Fieri, I'd point to the chicken pot pie as a starting point for curious eaters before pivoting to some of Se7en Bites' desserts made from scratch, like the cheesecake or biscotti.

Yellow Dog Eats is home to unique bites like The Holy Crap and What the Fig.

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Technically Yellow Dog Eats is in Gotha, located about 15 minutes west of Orlando, but it deserved a spot on this list. Like Beefy King, Yellow Dog Eats has several BBQ and pulled pork sandwich options but offers more variety on its menu. There's a list of tantalizing signature sandwiches, wraps, tacos, nachos, salads, and vegetarian bites. Most items cost around $12, but customers get more than enough bang for their buck.

Personally, I've always been a fan of The Holy Crap, which stacks roasted turkey atop pecan-smoked bacon, goat cheese, red onions, and basil mayo served on multigrain bread.

Another fact that sets Yellow Dog Eats apart is that the restaurant is settled inside an actual house, The Brockman House, meaning guests can order in the living room before making their way upstairs or to the backyard space.