Florida has long had a reputation for its Latin flair and vibe, due primarily to the proximity of the Spanish-speaking Caribbean, Central America and countries such as Colombia, Venezuela and Peru. The various cultures, music and, more importantly, food have all become Sunshine State staples, dating back to the 19th century.
But there hasn’t been a concerted effort for much of that time to pull together a comprehensive Latin foodie experience that ties these various influences into a single entity. Until now. So, step forward the new Latin Culinary Trail in partnership with Atlas Obscura, and get ready to give your tastebuds a full workout from a wide range of vibrant Hispanic sources.
From bustling food trucks to cherished family-owned restaurants and fine dining foodie culture, this unique experience is designed for visitors who really want to get under the skin of this fascinating destination and soak up some of the substance that underpins the theme park magic.
The Experience Kissimmee tourist organisation – which is already known in the UK for its sponsorship of Brighton’s Premier League football team – has collaborated with the Atlas Obscura travel group to highlight a series of dining opportunities that are representative of the rich Hispanic and Latino heritage of Osceola County, which acts as the gateway to Disney and Co for many UK visitors.
As keen travellers ourselves, we fully recognise that many people now visit Central Florida to seek out authentic experiences as well as the theme parks, and there are few better ways to do it than through the lens of local cuisine, looking for genuine flavours that tell the story of a destination. The Latin Culinary Trail brings together restaurants, cafés, food trucks and bars, giving visitors an immersive taste of Kissimmee’s dynamic culinary scene.
DT Minich, the President and CEO of Experience Kissimmee, explained: “With more than 55 per cent of Osceola County identifying as Hispanic or Latino, our community’s culture and cuisine are central to the Kissimmee experience. Partnering with Atlas Obscura allows us to shine a spotlight on these traditions, showcasing hidden gems and culinary destinations that tell a larger story.”
The Latin Culinary Trail launched in October with 20 carefully curated restaurants and food venues representing countries such as Mexico, Colombia and the Dominican Republic, as well as the US territory of Puerto Rico, giving travellers and residents alike a deeper understanding of the people, traditions and flavours that have shaped Kissimmee’s rich food landscape.
Some featured locations include:
- Food Trucks Heaven - A vibrant food truck park on Highway 192 with fully 50 trucks offering a variety of international and Latin-inspired cuisines.
- Susana’s Cafe - Housed in a charming historic downtown Kissimmee home, this café serves dishes from across Latin America in a cosy indoor and outdoor setting.
- El Cilantrillo - A family-owned restaurant at the Old Town attraction known for its authentic Puerto Rican dishes and generous portions – perfect for sharing.
- La Mexicana Restaurant - A women-owned Mexican restaurant and grocery store serving classic cuisine in a welcoming environment for food enthusiasts.
- Perico Ripiao Latin Food - A locally-owned and operated Caribbean restaurant offering a wide variety of delicious dishes of classic Dominican food.
The stories highlighted on the Latin Culinary Trail celebrate the individuals who bring Kissimmee’s rich culinary and cultural heritage to life, creating memorable experiences through food and tradition. One such is Susana's Café, a charming downtown spot located in a beautifully preserved 100-year-old Craftsman home. Celebrated for bringing Costa Rican coffee culture to the city, the café serves delicious artisanal coffee brewed with traditional methods alongside an array of tempting Latin dishes.
“Opening Susana’s Café was about more than serving food and coffee,” explained owner Susana Martinez. “It was about preserving a piece of Kissimmee history and sharing the richness of Latin flavours with our community. We do everything with love – every cup, every dish is made to slow down, savour and celebrate the culture we cherish.”
Atlas Obscura selected these 20 locations based on their ability to tell a bigger story through food, whether highlighting under-represented communities, using local resources in unique ways, or revealing hidden culinary gems with fascinating histories.
“Food has the power to tell stories that go beyond the plate,” said Louise Story, CEO of Atlas Obscura. “Through this partnership with Experience Kissimmee, we enjoyed uncovering these hidden gems and are excited to highlight these restaurants and culinary experiences that reveal the rich history, culture and creativity of the local Hispanic and Latino communities. These small businesses are the heartbeat of the city, and the Latin Culinary Trail is simply not to be missed."
In addition to the interactive online map, the partnership will also feature extended content throughout the year, including recipes from the Culinary Trail’s highlighted restaurants, spotlights on culinary innovators, a video series and a podcast episode, all combining to give audiences an even deeper look into the many facets that go into creating the Kissimmee area and its exciting food culture.
Having been local residents for more than 20 years, we can definitely attest to the valuable, flavourful nature of the area’s vast array of Latin dining influences and the only thing that surprises us about the Latin Culinary Trail is that it took until now to create it!
We have long been advocates for highlighting some of these locals’ hot-spots, and we’re delighted to see the likes of Susana’s, El Cilantrillo and Estefan Kitchen, not to mention the many, many food trucks that now dot the area, all getting their due. We could add several more of our own favourites to the Trail – notably Sofrito Latin Grill and fab 1908 Bakery in Lake Buena Vista, Melao Bakery near the Florida Mall and the delicious coffees and pastries of the growing area-wide Colombian phenomenon of Mecatos Bakery & Café.
There is SO much authentic food and beverage to taste, you just need to follow the Trail!
Have you tried any of the Latin flavours of Orlando and Kissimmee? Tell us about it on the friendly AttractionTickets.com Community Facebook page, on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram.
