Impress out of town friends during their Orlando Visit
When friends visit Orlando from out of town—especially from larger cities like New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles—there’s always that desire to really impress them by showing what Orlando has to offer beyond the theme parks. To be an expert local guide means showcasing the best Orlando has to offer. That doesn’t mean just taking them out for a nice dinner. It includes showing off our neighborhoods, which are rich in local businesses, sharing some of Florida’s natural beauty, and offering fun things to do that won’t break the bank, much like theme parks do. You can curate an authentic Orlando experience that proves Orlando can impress without the use of Mickey Ears. There are pockets of culture and creativity worth showing off.
Take them to one of our most beloved breakfast spots
Buttermilk Bakery
It’s a personal preference of mine to indulge in baked goods mostly at Buttermilk Bakery, a small family-owned bakery in Winter Park. From sweet to savory, as long as you get there early, you will have your pick of the best options. Some of my favorites are the Khachapouri Egg Croissant Tart, the Ham & Gruyère Croissant, any Pop-Tart in a seasonal flavor, and their chocolate and banana muffin. There is only seating outside, so you can brave the weather on that day, or take them to go.
Papi’s Burritos
You probably already have East End Market on your list to bring out-of-towners, but for breakfast specifically, stop by the Papi’s Burritos booth at the back of the market for Colorado-style breakfast burritos. Perfect for the meat-eater or vegan in the group.
J’Adore Bakery
If you are North of Orlando in the suburbs and want to impress your guests with a taste of authentic French pastries, take them to the unassuming gem hidden in Altamonte Springs, J’Adore Bakery. The couple that owns it moved from France, where they had a small bakery, and now import their ingredients, most importantly the flour, and wow us locals with their goods.
Want more breakfast options? Check out this Breakfast Guide.
Treat them to the best of Orlando’s coffee scene
Haan
Coffee is plentiful in the City Beautiful, but for exceptional coffee by local roasters you can trust, well, that narrows it down a bit. Haan is my current go-to for both coffee and matcha, depending on the mood that day. Their SJ Iced Latte and Seoul Iced Coffee are staples you can always get, but make sure to check out their seasonal menu. The only caveat to this spot is that, depending on when you go, there will likely be nowhere to sit. However, if you go early enough, you can snag a spot.
Zayn & Co
Depending on the day you are out exploring, you can take your guest to Orlando’s only Palestinian-owned coffee truck, Zayn & Co. The drinks are well-crafted by warm and welcoming owners. Their Baklava latte is one of my favorite drinks, but you can also try traditional Arabic coffee and grab one of their homemade baked goods. They are at Digress Wine in College Park on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday each week.
Águila Coffee
Orlando’s coffee scene continues to impress us locals and visitors alike because it embraces the diversity of our city. Águila is a Mexican-inspired coffee shop in Ivanhoe Village, owned by locals Artie and Antonio, who are bringing us great flavors in great coffee. Their Mex Mocha latte is one of my new favorites to get on the regular, and you can’t beat the location with beautiful Lake Ivanhoe right across the street.
Black Phin
If your guests love strong coffee and want to dabble in Vietnamese drinks, take them to Black Phin. The cafe is part of a space called the Harmon Collective that hosts a CrossFit gym and other businesses, but when you walk in, you’ll notice the open cafe space where you can sit and enjoy your drinks. There is a tiny menu for eats, which includes this delicious Viet Break Sandwich, which pays homage to the popular breakfast sandwich at Kasama in Chicago.
Want more coffee options? Here are more cafes to scope out for your friends and family.
Shop Local around our Main Street Districts
Orange Tree Antiques
Strolling through an antique mall used to be looking at old furniture and fine china, but now (depending on the mall) it can be filled with booths of your childhood and happy nostalgia. That can also mean the prices of your childhood treasures may cause your eyes to widen and a clenched fist to the sky that you discarded said item, but those emotions are all a part of the magic. Booths are now owned by your peers, not necessarily just your elders, so t-shirts, records, toys, and more await you at Orange Tree, which I believe to be our best antique mall, uniquely set in the city and not way out in the suburbs.
Another good antique mall, if that is what you are looking for, is Coop Antiques in Oviedo.
YAY! Tiny Shop
Bigger isn’t always better. Over at what is the smallest retail store in Orlando, you’ll find a wonderfully curated selection of items in the most whimsical of spaces. All curated by local Stacy Coon, who always has her pulse on what is hot and trending. The area surrounding Yay! has lots of other local shops to hit up, so this is a great home base for exploring local shops like Miscellaneous Market, Maffrey’s, Rock N Roll Heaven, and more!
Echo Base Collectibles
If there is a nostalgic toy collector in your group, take them to Echo Base. This shop looks small on the outside, but it’s full of cabinets filled with the memories of your 80s and 90s childhood. Prices are reasonable, and the owner is friendly and helpful.
Other good spots for toys and collectibles include ACME Superstore and Davey’s Toys, both in Longwood.
Given Orlando's size, our local shop scene is unbeatable. The Main Street Districts have so many locally owned shops that are often overlooked, as everyone focuses on the food scene. Shops like Good Crowd, House on Lang, Gold Dust, Lafayette & Rushford, HellCats, Owls Attic, Lady Luck, and Cami Monet can fill an entire afternoon and then some if you map them out and visit them all. That doesn’t even touch our record store or bookstore options from Park Ave CDs and New Romantics to Authentic Books, Remix Records, and Uncle Tony’s Donut Shoppe.
For a full list of our local shops check out this Shop Local Guide.
Add in a little Orlando Culture or Local Nature
Leu Gardens
If you have the ability for a day trip, there are so many options to explore the natural beauty of Central Florida. Many of them can be found here. However, if time or transportation is an issue, you can explore the beautiful park we have right in the middle of the city. The gardens span ~ 50 acres of lush, landscaped grounds with lakes, old oak trees, and a mix of temperate and tropical flora. Garden paths are mostly paved and accessible (wheelchair/stroller friendly); a good option for families or casual strolls. There is a cost to enter.
For a free option in the city, check out Mead Botanical Garden.
Winter Park Scenic Boat Ride
Since 1938, Winter Park’s World Scenic Boat Tour has been in operation, taking visitors and even us locals on the water through the canals of Winter Park. You’ll see beautiful homes on the water, the small canals that connect the lakes, all while a tour guide gives you a little local history. It’s something different to try, and it lasts about 45 minutes. The boats are not shaded, so wear a hat, bring your sunnies, and go in the cooler months if you can!
Orlando Art Museum
Orlando’s museum and art culture aren't as big as those in other cities, but that shouldn’t stop you from showing them off. The Orlando Museum of Art has rotating exhibits, and is small enough that it doesn’t take a whole day, allowing you to hit other local spots while carving out time for the arts. If your visitors are here in the summer, that’s an excellent time to check out the Florida Prize Collection, which usually runs from late May to the end of August. Otherwise, check the current exhibitions before deciding whether it’s worth the admission.
Other museums to check out include the Morse Museum, Maitland Art & History Museum, Orange County Regional History Center, Wells-Built Museum of African American History & Culture, among others.
Impress them with the Local Foodie Scene for Dinner
The Strand - First, you’ll need a reservation, so if you don’t want to plan ahead or sit at the bar, move along. If you are still reading, The Strand is a farm-to-table style restaurant with a small, focused menu. Thanks to the opening of their sister bar next door (d.b.a), you can now add a cocktail to your dinner if you wish, but they also have a beer and wine menu. They always have seasonal specials, which I think is where they really shine, but the standard menu, for as simple as it may look, has always delivered a comfort meal in a cozy upscale diner-style environment.
Coro - If you are an adventurous eater who loves interesting small plates that are full of ingredients (some of which you might need to Google), this place will wow you. It’s very creative, and for real open-minded foodies, it’s one of the most refreshingly innovative spots we have. Chefs, even the owner, serve the tables and describe each dish in detail. You’ll nod your head, wondering what that long list of ingredients they just rattled off was, but you’ll learn to trust their small but mighty kitchen staff right after the first bite. If that doesn’t sound like you, I don’t recommend it (but I still recommend it).
Kaya - Kaya holds the state’s only Green Michelin star, but don’t let that culinary nod make you think it’s upscale and too expensive to enjoy. There are layers to how you can enjoy a night at Kaya whether you indulge in the whole experience of the Sama Sama Set Menu, or you opt for a more casual experience and order off their A la Carte menu at the bar inside or the Bayani Bar, you can enjoy arguably one of the best restaurants in the city on your staycation.
Sparrow - If drinks and small plates in a dark and romantic environment is alluring to you, check out Sparrow. This is more than a wine bar with a small bar menu with heavy flavor hitters like the Short Rib Ragu, Caesar Carpaccio, Sole Meuniere, and a Mushroom Pate. Not a wine drinker? That’s ok, they have a cocktail menu that will satisfy, and I would suggest the Tomato Gimlet. As the night goes on, the disco ball will start swirling as the room darkens, while a great playlist flows at the perfect tone so you can still hear your dining companion. We don’t have a lot of spaces that feel sultry and comfortable at the same time, but Sparrow gives us just that. Reservations are highly suggested.
Zaru - At Zaru your group can indulge in a hearty lunch or dinner of Sanuki-style udon noodles and other Japanese comfort food. After you’ve selected your base bowl, you can choose add-ons (I opted for an Onsen Egg, shrimp, and sweet potato tempura). To truly feast, you can also share Zensai or appetizers like Gyoza or Yaki Nasu (grilled eggplant). If you can handle another coffee for the day, I’d highly recommend the Japanese Viet Iced Coffee with roasted espresso and sesame foam.
If friends or family are in town for a special celebration, check my list of recs here for more options.
A Bar Crawl for All
Throw a rock on Mills 50, and you will hit a bar, so Sunroom doesn’t have to be the move, but if it’s a move you make, it’s a good one. As the sun sets, the whole bar is cloaked in light, creating a dreamy mid-century modern tiki bar vibe with potent craft cocktails. If a bar crawl is something you’ve been wanting to do, you’re in the perfect place to hit up some of the city’s most popular watering holes. You can walk next door to The Guesthouse, Lil Indies, or Death in the Afternoon, and the list goes on.
Outside of that drinking bubble, you can visit Forward/Slash, a local distillery, Otto’s High Dive, which has an award-winning cocktail program, or an immersive experience over at Permanent Vacation. If your friends are more into wine, take them to Quicksand Wine Bar.
Late Night Fun
Orlando is more than food and theme parks, so make sure to have a night out for music or an artsy movie night. Some of these will require advanced planning.
Jazz Tastings - In Maitland, hidden in a small strip center, you can listen to live music Tuesdays - Saturdays. There is a $12 entertainment fee on Fridays & Saturdays from 6 pm-9:30 pm. After 9:30 pm, there is no cover charge! There is also no cover charge on Tuesday-Thursday. Catch a Jam Session or a local artist and enjoy one of the few venues dedicated to live music in town.
Judson’s Live - As a part of the Dr. Phillips Center downtown, this smaller entertainment venue offers live acts, some local, some traveling, in a classy and upscale setting. Tickets need to be purchased in advance, and some 7 pm showtimes will require an early or late dinner. Depending on the schedule, there are later shows.
The Enzian - Enzian is Central Florida’s only full-time independent cinema. It makes for a great date night on its own, but if you can find a later showing that coincides with your staycation, it’s a wonderful end to a day exploring and supporting all things local.
For more ideas check out other blog posts for Things to do in Orlando.