This might be the most interesting neighborhood in Florida
Just minutes from Orlando’s theme parks, Mills 50 was built by Vietnamese immigrants in the 1970s. Today, it’s home to multiple Michelin stars, a diverse community, and creative arts scene.
Just a few streets over from Downtown Orlando is the thriving neighborhood of Mills 50, built by Vietnamese immigrants and now a foodie mecca. The neighborhood has become so popular that its restaurant scene has garnered multiple Michelin nods, including the city’s only Michelin Green Star for its sustainable practices.
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The fall of Saigon’s impact on Orlando
“50 years ago this year was the fall of Saigon, which is the end of the Vietnam War,” says Ricky Ly, founder of Orlando’s TastyChomps.com, and all-around Orlando food expert. “After the collapse of the South Vietnamese government, many Vietnamese in the south became refugees, [and] many settled in Orlando.”
As Vietnamese immigrants built a community in Orlando, they also began opening grocery stores like Tien Hung Market (now Mills Market), which also houses Tien Hung Jewelry Store. And while the market is now a food hall, the jewelry store still stands in its original spot, owned by Cecilia Nguyen, a former Miss Vietnam Florida pageant winner.
“In the 80s, more Vietnamese started moving in, but there’s obviously Chinese and other folks too, who opened up restaurants and markets to serve the community, and it’s kept growing. And then, in the past several years, you see Mills 50 transforming again as that first generation starts to retire and the second and third generation come up and bring their own flavor to the district,” says Ly.
Mills 50 neighborhood today
Today, the Mills 50 neighborhood is known for its culinary scene, which Ly can pinpoint back to the original markets of the late 70s. In fact, his family would drive from West Palm Beach, Florida, to spend the day at Magic Kingdom, before driving about 20 minutes to Mills 50 to buy banh mi sandwiches to bring home.
Now, the neighborhood has multiple Michelin nods, including Orlando’s first green star at Kaya, plus dozens of other Michelin Bib Gourmands and recommended restaurants like Bánh Mì Boy, Zaru, EDOBOY, Shin Jung, Tori Tori, and Sticky Rice.
But what makes Mills 50 truly special is its diversity. “It’s a testament to the people of the area, and not just the Vietnamese, but of Orlando itself,” says Ly.
Besides being a hub for Asian cuisine and culture, there’s also a large LGBTQ+ and creative arts presence. The murals around the neighborhood are part of the city’s goal to bring more art to public places, and they can be viewed everywhere from the sides of buildings to traffic count boxes.
Where to eat and drink in Mills 50
Mills Market: Formerly Tien Hung Market, the now bustling Mills Market food hall currently houses five Asian pop-up restaurants, including the Michelin Bib Gourmands UniGirl, Bánh Mì Boy, and Zaru. You can’t go wrong with anything here, but UniGirl’s crispy fried chicken thigh onigiri is a comfort meal wrapped in nori.
Pigzza: Sourdough pizzas and fresh pasta grace the menu at this Mills 50 hot spot. The spicy sausage rigatoni features house-made spicy Italian sausage with a savory vodka sauce that will keep you diving in for more. And when it comes to pizza, the classic pepperoni is a must-get, featuring cupped pepperoni that blankets the entire top of the pie, plus smoked mozzarella for more flavor.
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Tori Tori: Tori Tori is the place to see and be seen in Mills 50. The cocktail bar and Japanese pub serves up classic highball cocktails, including a refreshing citrus highball with Suntory Toki Japanese whisky, ginger, lemon, and Fever Tree ginger beer. All of the food is shareable small plates, with delightful options like chicken oyster yakitori, shoyu marinated quail eggs, and blue crab and corn croquettes.
Sampaguita: This Filipino-American-owned spot dishes out creative flavors like pineapple cake, jackfruit-chili nut, and ube latte.
Haan Coffee: Next door to Sampaguita is Haan Coffee, a Korean coffee shop where seasonal offerings and menu staples bring in droves of people from around the city. One of the most popular options is the SJ Iced Latte, which isn’t overly sweet with warm cinnamon notes.
Zymarium Meadery: Mead is an often misunderstood drink, but Zymarium Meadery is making the honey-based beverage approachable and fun. The bar features black leather seats and gold accents that resemble honeycomb. No matter when you visit Zymaraium, you’ll have the chance to try rotating flavors and fan-favorites since there are always 20 or more on tap.
What to do
Latte art class at Qreate Coffee: If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to make gourmet coffee drinks at home, then Qreate Coffee is the spot to learn. Throughout the year, the coffee shop hosts Latte Art Workshops. During the two-hour class, you’ll learn how to steam milk and pour it into drinkable pieces of art from a Specialty Coffee Association barista.
Art classes at The House on Lang: Every month, The House on Lang hosts a variety of art classes, from happy hour record painting and make your own pottery to shirt embroidery and calligraphy. The monthly calendar of events is always posted on the shop’s website. Each class has a different cost, but all supplies are included.
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