Cocktail bar$$downtown
Hanson's Shoe Repair in downtown Orlando is a rooftop tiki speakeasy hidden behind a Prohibition-style shoe-repair facade on East Pine Street, daily password.
Why locals love it: A rooftop tiki speakeasy hidden behind a Prohibition-style shoe-repair facade on East Pine Street, with a daily Instagram password to enter.
Tip: Follow @hansonsshoeshop on Instagram for that day's magic word before you go.
Cocktail bar$$mills-50
Wallys Mills Avenue Liquors is a 1954 Mills Avenue dive bar with vintage wallpaper and a back-room crowd that has not changed since the Disney boom.
Why locals love it: An enduring 1954 dive bar on a Mills Avenue corner, with vintage wallpaper and a back-room crowd that has not changed since the Disney boom.
Tip: Cash works best; the wallpaper murals are documented historical artifacts.
Steakhouse$$mills-50
Linda's La Cantina is a 1947 family-run steakhouse on east colonial drive that survived the disney era unchanged, with hand-cut steaks and house garlic bread.
Why locals love it: A 1947 family-run steakhouse on East Colonial Drive that survived the Disney era unchanged, with hand-cut steaks and house garlic bread.
Tip: Reservations help; the dining room still uses the original red booths.
American diner$$mills-50
Beefy King is the 1968 roast beef counter on north bumby avenue, with six counter seats, the original blue logo and a third generation behind the slicer.
Why locals love it: The 1968 roast beef counter on North Bumby Avenue, with six counter seats, the original blue logo and a third generation behind the slicer.
Tip: Order the King with Spuds curly fries and a side of Beefy Sauce.
Steakhouse$$icon-park
Christner's Prime Steak and Lobster is a steakhouse room in Icon Park. Book the chef's counter for a view of the dry-aged ribeyes hitting the grill.
Why locals love it: A family-run independent steakhouse on Lee Road since 1993, with USDA Prime cuts and a Wine Spectator-award wine list nobody talks about.
Tip: Book the chef's counter for a view of the dry-aged ribeyes hitting the grill.
New American$$mills-50
The Strand on North Mills Avenue is Alda and Joe Reess seasonal American room; a tight changing menu and an excellent burger anchor the program.
Why locals love it: Alda and Joe Rees's seasonal American room on North Mills Avenue, with a tight changing menu and an excellent burger lurking under the Mills 50 noise.
Tip: The burger and the cocktail list are the through-line; the rest rotates.