The intersection of Mills Avenue and State Road 50, aka Colonial Drive.

Mills 50

One of Orlando’s oldest neighborhoods, Mills 50, just a mile northeast of Downtown Orlando, is known for its many bright and cheerful murals that pay homage to living in Orlando—more than any other district in the city.  Its name is derived from its main thoroughfares: Mills Avenue and State Road 50, aka Colonial Drive.  

Adjacent to Ivanhoe Village (both are Main Street America districts), you can be as relaxed as you want to be, thanks to Mills 50’s proliferation of spas and salons.

One of our favorites is The Salt Room, where Himalayan salt tiles provide relief for just about anything that ails you—stress, respiratory and skin ailments and poor sleep quality. Just lie down, breathe deep and reap the benefits. Massages, acupuncture and skin services are also available.

Mills 50 has an active Asian community and a diverse mix of Asian restaurants such as the Malaysian eatery Mamak, known for its Asian street food. At TORI TORI, Sean “Sonny” Nguyen built a concept around the Japanese term “ichigo ichie”—to live in the moment as if it may never happen again.

The cultural cornerstone of Mills 50 is the active Asian community. The neighborhood is home to many Asian markets and restaurants offering Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Korean and Vietnamese menu items. Their commitment to the area and consistent presence have helped enrich and maintain the district’s locally owned, culturally diverse business community.

Among the many Bib Gourmand and Michelin Guide-recommended spots found in the district are Z Asian Vietnamese Kitchen, Hawkers Asian Street Food, Tori Tori, King Bao and EDOBOY. In fact, Mills 50 has more Michelin-rated restaurants than any other district or town in Central Florida. 

Vegetarian and vegan options also abound in Mills 50. In addition to the aforementioned Z Asian and Hawkers, choices include The Moderne, Lazy Moon Pizza, TaKo Cheena, F&D Cantina and the popular Plantees, a 100 percent plant-based concept. 

You’ll also find hidden gems like Bites & Bubbles and The Strand serving sophisticated entrees and Black Bean Deli, Black Rooster Taqueria and Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa offering consistent counter items. Mills 50 District is also home to many unofficial Orlando landmarks, including Colonial Photo & Hobby Shop, Wally’s Mills Avenue Liquors, The Historic Cameo Theater and Track Shack. For those seeking out vintage threads, Out of the Closet Thrift Store is a must-stop.

We love the nightlife, and so does Mills 50. Dance to indie musicians, play pool and dive into the long beer list at Will’s Pub; discover mead (a gluten-free alcohol made from honey) at the Zymarium Meadery; and enjoy sustainable wines at Quantum Leap Winery. 

Main Street Orlando