Cheryl Rodewig
Contributor
Cheryl is a lifestyle journalist and editor who’s been covering food and travel for the past 15 years. Her work has appeared in USA Today, The Guardian, AARP, the London Evening Standard, and all over cherylrodewig.com.
ORLReview
You’ll be reeled into Otto’s for the drinks. They have over 30 cocktails like the Chancleta made with mezcal and hibiscus, and we love the Happy Hour highballs. But you should also order some of their Cuban food and linger in the often-bumping dining room. They do a great ropa vieja that’s particularly cinnamon- and ancho pepper-forward, and a perfectly moist guava and cheese pastelito. You might even see them roast a pig on the patio, which they use in the medianoche, a sandwich that’s essentially the same as the Cubano, except the pork is flanked by some sweeter bread. It’s our favorite place to have a fun dinner out with friends, or sit at the bar solo and watch the bartenders shaking up orders like they’re Energizer bunnies.
Orlando is a city of excellent sushi, Vietnamese, and tons of exciting new spots.
Try to snag a reservation at Soseki, a 10-seat omakase spot doing edo-style nigiri and creative small plates in Winter Park.
Stop by these spots when you need a bite—and a break from the Disney theme parks.