Local Food Choices in Kissimmee: Where Locals Actually Eat
When guests book Magic Moments, one of the first things I get asked is, “Where do locals eat in Kissimmee?” It’s a great question — because while Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld get all the attention, the truth is that Kissimmee has quietly built one of the most exciting little food scenes in Central Florida. Costa Rican coffee. Cuban sandwiches the size of your forearm. Colombian empanadas pulled out of the oven warm. And it’s all a short drive from your villa.
This is my updated guide to the best local food in Kissimmee — the spots my family actually goes to when we want to escape the theme parks, slow down, and eat like we live here.
A quick update for longtime readers: The Flower Cafe at the Promenade at Sunset Walk has closed. Susana’s Cafe in Downtown Kissimmee has officially taken its place as my new favorite morning spot — and honestly, it’s an upgrade.
(Photo by Juan Pablo Lara on Unsplash)
#1: Susana's Cafe — Downtown Kissimmee's Best Breakfast
📍 18 S Orlando Ave, Kissimmee, FL 34741 🕒 Open daily, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. ☎️ (407) 201-2627 🌐 susanascafe.com
If you only have time to try one place from this list, make it Susana’s Cafe. This Downtown Kissimmee gem has racked up an almost impossible list of honors: #1 restaurant in Kissimmee on TripAdvisor, Orlando’s Best Breakfast for both 2024 and 2025, a TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award, a 4.9-star Google rating from over 7,900 reviews, and Best of Downtown Kissimmee 2025 for both Customer Service and Overall Business. Their head barista was also crowned Osceola County’s #1. (photo from google maps)
Why I love it
For my morning pick-me-up, Susana’s hits every note. Vacationing with large groups can sometimes result in sensory overload (at least for me!), and some mornings I just want to slip away with a quiet coffee — or sneak off with one of my kids for a little one-on-one time. Susana’s gives me exactly that. It’s about 25 minutes from Magic Moments, but the drive is part of the charm — you cross into the historic part of Kissimmee where things slow down, the streets are walkable, and the coffee smells better.
What to order at Susana’s Cafe
- Costa Rican Specialty Coffee (Olui beans) — Susana’s uses 100% Costa Rican beans, including the cup that scored an astonishing 93.62 at the 2024 Cup of Excellence. Order a pour-over and watch the barista do their thing.
- The Cuban Sandwich — pressed, golden, and genuinely one of the best in Central Florida.
- Venezuelan Empanadas — crispy, hot, and packed with savory fillings. Get two. Trust me.
- Mini Arepas — perfect for sharing with kids or for a lighter breakfast.
- Seasonal Drinks & Fresh Pastries — the rotating menu means there’s always something new.
Photo by kayla phaneuf on Unsplash
Travel tips for visiting Susana’s
- Parking: Free street parking on Orlando Ave and on the surrounding Downtown Kissimmee blocks. Easy.
- Best times to visit: Weekday mornings before 10 a.m. are the calmest. Weekends fill up fast — go early or be ready to wait a few minutes for a table (worth it).
- Pair it with: A stroll through Downtown Kissimmee’s historic Broadway Avenue, or a walk to the Kissimmee Lakefront Park just minutes away.
- Hosting an event at the villa? Susana’s runs a mobile Coffee Bike and a full catering service — call (407) 860-7589 or email susana@susanascafe.com if you want them to bring fresh-pulled espresso to your group.
4 More Local Kissimmee Cafes Worth the Drive
Susana’s is the headliner, but Kissimmee’s local food scene runs deep. Here are four more locally-owned favorites I send guests to depending on what they’re craving.
Buchito Cuban Cafe
131 Broadway Ave, Kissimmee, FL 34741 
Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Sat 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., Closed Sunday
Just a few blocks from Susana’s, Buchito is the kind of cheerful, no-frills Cuban deli you stumble into once and remember for years. Their Cuban sandwich is famous for a reason — pressed thin, hot, and bursting with mojo-marinated pork. But the real ritual is their Café con Leche and Cortadito — strong, sweet, and the most authentic Cuban coffee experience in town. Save room for the flan.
Best for: lunch, a quick Cuban coffee, or a late-morning sandwich run.
Terracotta Cafe & Bakery
53 13th St, St. Cloud, FL 34769 (about 20 minutes from Downtown Kissimmee) Mon–Sat 6:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Sun 7:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (photo by Louis Hansel on Unsplash.)
A short drive into neighboring St. Cloud takes you to this family-owned Colombian bakery and café. Everything is baked from scratch in-house: warm Pan de Bono (cheesy Colombian bread puffs), beef empanadas with their signature house sauce, and Tolimense tamales wrapped in banana leaves. They open at 6 a.m., which makes them my secret weapon for early-bird theme park days when you want real food, not a granola bar.
Best for: breakfast pastries, an early start, or stocking up on baked goods to take back to the villa.
The Wharf at Sunset Walk
The Promenade at Sunset Walk, Kissimmee, FL Brunch served Saturday & Sunday, 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
For guests who want something close to Magic Moments without leaving the Sunset Walk neighborhood, The Wharf is your weekend brunch answer. Casual seafood-forward dining with a full brunch menu, mimosas, and a relaxed waterfront vibe. It’s a great pivot for anyone who used to drop by the Flower Cafe — same area, very different (but lovely) experience.
Best for: a relaxed weekend brunch with the family, post-theme-park recovery, or grown-up cocktails.
Woodsby’s Cafe
4515 S Orange Blossom Trl, Kissimmee, FL 34746 Mon–Fri 7:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m., Sat–Sun 7:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
If your group is craving classic American diner comfort — pancakes the size of your plate, fluffy omelets, and big hearty breakfasts — Woodsby’s is the move. This family-owned countryside cafe has been quietly serving generous all-day breakfast (plus burgers, sandwiches, and full dinners) to locals for years. No frills, no fuss, and the pancakes? Worth the drive on their own.
Best for: hungry kids, big family breakfasts, or anyone who just wants a real American diner without the chain-restaurant vibe.
Tips for Visiting Kissimmee’s Local Cafes
A few things I’ve learned from sending guests around town:
- Weekday mornings beat weekend mornings. Locals love these spots, and so do other travelers in the know. If your schedule is flexible, go early or mid-week.
- Driving from Magic Moments: Most of these spots are 15–30 minutes from the villa. Downtown Kissimmee is the furthest, but the most rewarding for food variety in a single walkable strip.
- Cash isn’t usually needed — all five accept cards, and most have online ordering through Toast or their websites.
- Take photos and tag them. Most of these are small family businesses. A tag on Instagram (@susanascafe, @woodsbys, etc.) goes a long way.
Frequently Asked Questions
(photo by Alem Denbiri)
Where do locals actually eat in Kissimmee? Locals consistently rank Susana’s Cafe as Kissimmee’s #1 restaurant, followed by other family-owned spots like Buchito Cuban Café, Woodsby’s Cafe, and Terracotta Cafe & Bakery in neighboring St. Cloud. These are the places you’ll see filled with locals, not tour buses.
What is the best breakfast in Kissimmee? Susana’s Cafe was voted Orlando’s Best Breakfast in both 2024 and 2025. Their Costa Rican specialty coffee, Cuban sandwich, and Venezuelan empanadas are the must-orders. They’re also #1 in Kissimmee on TripAdvisor.
Are there good local restaurants near Disney World in Kissimmee? Yes — Kissimmee sits right next door to Disney and has its own thriving local food scene. Downtown Kissimmee (about 25 minutes from the parks) is the heart of it, with Sunset Walk closer in for casual dining and weekend brunch.
Is Susana’s Cafe kid-friendly? Yes. The atmosphere is family-friendly, the menu includes lighter options like mini arepas and pastries, and the location in Downtown Kissimmee makes it easy to pair with a walk afterward.
Does Susana’s Cafe do catering or events? Yes — they offer both full catering and a mobile Coffee Bike that brings fresh barista-pulled coffee to weddings, parties, and corporate events. Contact (407) 860-7589 or susana@susanascafe.com.
Plan Your Stay at Magic Moments
All of these local Kissimmee food spots are an easy drive from Magic Moments at Windsor at Westside — our owner-managed Disney-area villa. If you’d love to spend your mornings sipping Costa Rican coffee at Susana’s and your afternoons by the pool, book your stay directly with us — and I’ll send over more local tips before you arrive.
I’d love to hear from you. Drop me a note about your favorite local food in Kissimmee — I’m always adding to the list.
