Curry Ford Road, in the colorful city of Orlando, Florida, is a culinary gem for all lovers of Latin food. This is quite possibly the most exciting dining street in the Mission, featuring some of the most outstanding Latina-influenced eateries that serve the delectable flavors of Latin American food culture. From mouth-watering and spicy Colombian cuisine to delicious and dense Puerto Rican dishes, Curry Ford is a delightful journey hiding in plain sight.
If you are an Orlando native, always looking for the perfect restaurant corner where you can grab a bite or a tourist who wants to try the Latin flavor in Orlando restaurants, Curry Ford Road has a restaurant that will meet your expectations. Every restaurant seems to have its own character – classic recipes with a touch of contemporary ideas introduced by the owners who have inherited the secret family recipes and modern techniques. This article will guide you through the five best Latina restaurants in Curry Ford Road where every food experience is exceptional.
1. Mecatos Bakery and Café – Curry Ford Road
First on the list is Mecatos Bakery and Café which has grown to be a favorite amongst many people in search of traditional Colombian foods. As soon as you enter you are met with the warm and inviting aroma of freshly baked bread, which gives a feeling of being in one of the local Bogotá bakeries. The traditional and the contemporary are blended well in the café so that when one enters the place, one feels like having a cup of coffee at home in Colombia or discovering something unique.
Mecatos is not only a bakery but it has a lot more than that. The true magic is that it has the potential to bring the true essence of Colombian cuisine to the table. It is not just a snack that they sell in the form of pandebonos, almojábanas, and empanadas but rather delicious creations of love and authenticity. Every single pastry is made from scratch and baked to perfection making it have the flavor of traditions from generations. The crispy skin of an empanada with seasoned meat or cheese inside it, a delicious and soft pandebono, or the irresistible cheesiness of an almojábana is enough to make you want more with every visit.
But it is not only the food that makes it unique to be a Mecatos. This Latin restaurant also specializes in the best cup of Colombian coffee, made from the finest beans imported from the Colombian coffee zone. It is not just an ordinary beverage that you get but a cup of brewed coffee that takes you through the adventurous journey of Colombian coffee. It is a coffee that does not only make you wake up but also helps you open up your senses and get a truly Colombian experience.
Whether you’re grabbing a cup of coffee in the morning, downing sandwiches for lunch, or just looking for a place to relax and not spend a fortune, Mecatos assures you that you will not forget the experience. If you’re looking for directions to the restaurant, it’s conveniently located, making it an easy find for those seeking an authentic taste of Colombia. For this reason, it is not just a restaurant but a culinary experience that takes the diners to Colombia, the country famous for its richness and warm-hearted people, right in Orlando. With simple instructions to reach the Latin restaurant, it is among the best places for the people who want to try the Latin cuisine on the Curry Ford Road.
Location: 2904 Curry Ford Rd, Orlando, FL 32806, United States
2. Cafe De Colombia Bakery
For those searching for a more authentic Colombian restaurant experience, the Cafe De Colombia Bakery located on Curry Ford Road is worth trying. This family-owned bakery takes pride in its authentic Colombian dishes with a welcoming atmosphere and a very friendly vibe. Whether you’re stopping by for breakfast, lunch, or a quick snack on the go, Cafe De Colombia offers a rich and diverse menu packed with flavorful, homemade dishes that transport you straight to the heart of Colombia.
Their most popular dish is bandeja paisa which is a hearty and flavorful platter with beans, fried pork belly (chicharrón), fried plantains, and avocado. It is a meal that is fulfilling and at the same time traditional when it comes to Colombian cuisine. It is a wholesome dish that is also classic in the context of Colombian fare. In addition to bandeja paisa on their menu, there are a variety of delicious foods such as arepas, buñuelos, and patacones perfect for those who would like to explore diverse flavors of Colombian food.
Cafe De Colombia Bakery also has a good menu with delicious bakery products; most importantly, the pan de queso and pandebono are specialties here. You could have any of these with a nice hot cup of coffee, preferably Colombian to kick start the morning. One thing that sets the bakery apart from the other Latin restaurants in Orlando is the bakery’s focus on the use of authenticity and quality ingredients.
Location: 2512 S Semoran Blvd, Orlando, FL 32822, United States
3. ZaZa Cuban Comfort Food – Curry Ford Road
If you’re in the mood for some Cuban or Latin American food, then ZaZa Cuban Comfort Food is the place you should be. The food at this place is splendid, and the main focus is on home-style Cuban foods that will bring an enjoyable Cuban ambiance to Orlando. ZaZa’s menu boasts of classic Cuban recipes, which are both tasty and culturally significant, such as ropa vieja, lechón asado, and picadillo.
The restaurant interior is contemporary whilst still maintaining a homely feeling, giving the customer a calm and comfortable atmosphere in which to dine. The moment you sit down, the smell of grilling meat and strong Cuban coffee overwhelms the senses. They offer a great Cuban sandwich which can be ordered with tender and juice-soaked roast pork alongside ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard with Cuban bread for the bun. It is highly recommended to anyone who is going to try Cuban food for the first time.
It’s also perfect for breakfast with their tasty guava pastries called pastelitos de guayaba and the café con leche that makes you feel like you’re in Havana. The blend of Cuban dishes, adherence to the traditional recipes, and welcoming atmosphere make ZaZa a popular place among Cubans and tourists.
Location: 3500 Curry Ford Rd, Orlando, FL 32806, United States
4. Oh! Que Bueno Restaurant Grill and Bar
Oh! Que Bueno Restaurant Grill and Bar is a vibrant and family-oriented restaurant that focuses on Colombian and other Latin American cuisine. Popular for portion sizes and spiciness, this restaurant is particularly popular with people who like to have their food filling and hot. The selection of the dishes is vast and includes the best of grilled meats, seafood, and soup that is traditional to Colombia.
One of the most memorable meals at Oh! Que Bueno, is the sancocho, a Colombian stew made with beef, chicken, or fish with potatoes, plantains, and corn. It is a great comfort dish to have especially on a cold day. The restaurant also has a variety of parrilladas which consist of grilled meats and bandejas that are served with rice, beans, and plantains.
Besides that, Oh! Que Bueno has a full bar with a range of Latin influenced cocktails fit for purchase. Whether it is to enjoy a refreshing mojito or a tropical piña colada, one will find the vibrant restaurant environment fitting for a night out with friends or even family.
Location: 1125 S Semoran Blvd, Orlando, FL 32807, United States
5. Lechonera Latina #3 Curry Ford Road
If you want to taste Puerto Rican food then Lechonera Latina #3 is the restaurant for you. This restaurant is famous for its flavorful juicy and tender lechón (roast pork) and other staple of Puerto Rican cuisine. The lechón at Lechonera Latina is slow-cooked to perfection, bringing in meat that is juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. It is a food that is the essence of Puerto Rican food and certainly one worth trying for any food lover.
Lechonera Latina #3 has other Puerto Rican delights as well such as mofongo which is mashed plantains with garlic and pork, arroz con gandules which is rice with pigeon peas and pernil which is roast pork shoulder. Every meal is seasoned with Puerto Rico’s traditional spices and cooked to meet the traditional methods, thus giving you the true taste of Puerto Rico’s feel.
The portions are large and the flavors are quite intense making Lechonera Latina #3 a restaurant of choice for takeout as well as dine-in. Whether you’re grabbing a quick meal or sitting down for a family feast, the restaurant’s welcoming atmosphere and delicious food will make you feel right at home.
Location: 3806 Curry Ford Rd, Orlando, FL 32806, United States
A Flavorful Journey on Curry Ford Road
Curry Ford Road is not just a street; it is Latin America’s culinary hub that specializes in providing delicious dishes. Each of these five restaurants provides different dining experiences ranging from the small, cozy, and cafe-like atmosphere of Mecatos Bakery to the more homey and family-oriented restaurant of Oh! Que Bueno, and the rich Puerto Rican flavors at Lechonera Latina #3.
When you walk into these Latina restaurants, you will find out that each meal has a story to tell about tradition and passion. In the mood for some Colombian comfort food, Cuban classic dishes, or Puerto Rican cuisine? Curry Ford Road has it all! So come savor the delights of this tasteful street and discover the most delicious Latin food in Orlando!