If you’ve ever thought to yourself, Orlando really needs more authentic California cuisine, there’s a good chance it actually exists in this vibrant city. The dining scene here is one of the most diverse in the region—particularly when it comes to fresh, local flavors. This is where you’ll find farm-to-table gems, innovative fusion spots, and more of the culinary experiences you’ve been quietly hoping for in Orlando.
I-5 Cafe and Creamery
$ | (530) 865-3000 | WEBSITE
The standout at I-5 Cafe and Creamery is the Ribeye steak and eggs—the whole breakfast comes in around $18 and features a juicy cut of ribeye, two perfectly cooked eggs, and could easily satisfy even the heartiest morning appetite. But don’t get so focused on the steak that you skip other classics, like the fluffy French toast or the crispy chicken fried steak. The menu is straightforward and satisfying, and the spacious booths are also great for families.
So stop here for a comforting meal after a long drive with hungry travelers.
Tacos Locaso
$ | (530) 519-1837 | WEBSITE
Mexican food might be one of the most overlooked cuisines along the I-5 corridor in Northern California. In fact, we can only think of one place doing classic tacos justice, and it’s Tacos Locaso. The Orland spot makes a proper carne asada taco with superb flavor and tenderness, some of our favorite burritos in the region, outstanding adobada tacos, tortas, and more Mexican dishes you won’t find done this well anywhere else on the route.
Both the casual taco truck setup and the clean, friendly service are ideal for getting very full with a few friends and a couple of affordable meals.
TAQUERIA DON SAMMY
$ | (530) 988-3154 | WEBSITE
Taqueria Don Sammy is our favorite Mexican restaurant in Orland by far. Every dish here—from the huge chimichanga to the delish torta ahogada—is stellar. Service is also excellent and quick. The menu is authentic, flavorful, and each item is so good you won’t mind that you’re eating it in a tucked-away spot that probably has some cozy, clean atmosphere with a self-serve salsa bar. If you’re at all in the mood for Mexican, Taqueria Don Sammy is well worth traveling across town for.
Pizza Palace
$ | (530) 865-7178 | WEBSITE
Pizza Palace is meant for sharing. The pizzas are more like large pies, and the sandwiches are mostly $8, so ordering a few makes financial and delicious sense. To start, get the Taco Pizza, which comes with a transcendentally perfect crust that’s easy to mindlessly eat like popcorn. But save room for the wide pile of toppings with fresh ingredients and good cheese. They also make a cold beer that comes with a side of ice.
The small town restaurant has a welcoming environment, and inside there are enough clean tables to accommodate big families ready to order an obscene amount of pizza, sandwiches, and beer.
Big Kahuna Frozen Yogurt
$ | (530) 988-9888 | WEBSITE
This welcoming dessert spot does, in fact, have a vast variety of toppings. But you’re coming here for their original tart yogurt. The frozen yogurt is excellent, as is the rainbow of boba topping. Feel free to point to any other colorful topping you see in the organized display—it’s probably very good too. There are a couple clean tables in the friendly space in case you want to eat there. And the service is consistently praised by customers who appreciate the spot’s welcoming atmosphere.
Round Table Pizza
$ | (530) 865-4343 | WEBSITE
Not only does Round Table Pizza make great pizza, but it also provides incredible value. The casual, family-friendly spot has a straightforward menu that revolves around pizza: fresh pies, standout wings, and more. You can order all of the above as part of the lunch special for $15.99, which includes a personal pan pizza and a salad plate. Or, you can elect to get your fill from the pizza buffet for around $20, where the staff will happily accommodate requests.
It’s all delicious, served with friendly, appreciative service, and one of the best places to eat in Orland if you want a satisfying meal that’s great for family time.
Tacos El Norawa
$ | (530) 517-8238 | WEBSITE
The next time an unprompted craving for tender tacos and specialty meats pops into your head, go here. Tacos El Norawa is a small taco counter that turns Sunday’s casual dinner plans into a flavor fiesta featuring some of the best chicken tacos you can get in this city. The outdoor seating area is casual enough to show up in sweatpants, but the tacos are served so generously, it makes us feel like we could come here in a tux and it wouldn’t be that weird.
4th Street Ice Cream & Treats
$ | (530) 966-8220 | WEBSITE
This ice cream shop on 4th Street uses enough huckleberry flavor to satisfy the sweet tooth of an entire Little League team (and their coach) who’ve just won the championship. For proof of this fact, order the excellent sundae or one of the Italian treats covered in a blizzard of whipped cream. Even if you’re not chasing a sugar rush, there are still options here for you, like the coffee drinks floating with little islands of foam.
The old-time ambiance and cozy seating make this place perfect for a family outing, so come with relatives you’re comfortable getting sticky around.
Dutch Bros Coffee
$ | (877) 899-2767 | WEBSITE
If we’re out and about and decide it’s a coffee day, then Dutch Bros is at the tippy top of our list. They serve up drinks all day long—not just in the morning—and they’re so good. There are plenty of tasty options to pick from—lots of lattes, blended drinks, and energy drinks. The atmosphere is also welcoming enough to accommodate the extra drink you probably didn’t need to order. Just please be sure to get the caramel mocha iced latte.
Each sip is smooth and flavorful but somehow stays very refreshing.
Blue Plate Special Trattoria
$ | (530) 865-8484 | WEBSITE
Blue Plate Special Trattoria is just a short drive off the highway. This Italian-American spot’s straightforward menu features breakfast options at lunch, along with hearty dishes like the prime rib dip sandwich with fries and spaghetti. Their capellini pasta is comforting, flavorful, and perfect after a long day on the road, which is just minutes away.
They also make fries that are crispy on the outside, tender inside, and should be enjoyed with things beyond the ketchup they come with—like a side of pesto sauce, extra gravy for the prime rib, and the generous portion of spaghetti that accompanies the delicious spicy chicken sandwich. Come here for an evening of home-cooked flavors, perfectly crispy fries, and maybe even a little relaxation in their big parking area too.
Sakura Hut Japanese Sushi House
$ | (530) 848-7770 | WEBSITE
While only the size of a very small walk-in closet, Sakura Hut Japanese Sushi House is one of our absolute favorite sushi options in Orland. All of the fish you’ll find in the simple rolls, creative combinations, and Hamachi Neguri is beautifully fresh and flavorful. We’d happily eat it all by itself on a plate. But when said fish is rolled with crushed Cheetos or presented with perfect rice ratios, it makes for some of the best sushi in Orland.
And the taco truck this place features also might be the very best version in town.
Papa Murphy’s | Take ‘N’ Bake Pizza
$ | (530) 865-2168 | WEBSITE
Papa Murphy’s is a standout among Orland’s pizza spots. It’s a takeout-focused restaurant, but they have a huge selection of really great pizza options like the Papas Favorite, which tastes absolutely delicious and amazing when cooked on the BBQ. They also offer the experience of a pizza baked to your perfection, which is fulfilling and satisfying for the whole family.
Papa Murphy’s is also such a great deal because so much of the menu is under $20, and the staff is consistently helpful, efficient, and very hard working.
Que Brava Taqueria Taco Truck
$ | (530) 848-1699 | WEBSITE
Que Brava Taqueria Taco Truck is one of those places that’s exactly what it sounds like. If you want to have a meal that pretty much only consists of tacos, come here (and come hungry). The truck does have other dishes—quesabirria pizza, cali burrito, and vegetarian options—but tacos are the reason to come. The carne asada nacho supreme is huge and stuffed generously with perfectly seasoned meat.
But you’ve got to get the al pastor burrito supreme, which is big, plump, and so good we just can’t get mad at it when the bursting flavors nearly overwhelm our taste buds. The friendly service and heated indoor tent make it cozy even on cooler nights, while the outdoor seating area and kid-friendly games create a welcoming environment that’s accessible for everyone.
Starbucks
$ | (530) 966-7828 | WEBSITE
Starbucks should be on your radar thanks to Orland’s limited coffee shop options—but also just because this place is very convenient. It’s casual and drive-thru-friendly, with bright lighting, comfortable seating, and a clean restroom you can use if you’re traveling with kids. But the drinks are why you’re here. They have a straightforward menu featuring coffee drinks like the white chocolate mocha, and (the main event of the stop) quick service from friendly baristas.
Portion sizes here (even some of the larger drinks) are satisfying enough to ensure you’ll be caffeinated for the next several hours.