Get To Know Your Orlando Foodie Influencers

ORLANDO’S FOOD SCENE exploded over the past decade, with a new generation of content creators there to document every opening, every dish, and every delicious (or sometimes not delicious) bite. These foodfluencers have become the trusted voices shaping where Central Floridians eat, what they order, and which new restaurants make it past their first year. With millions of combined followers across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, they’ve turned restaurant recommendations into a full-time career and helped put Orlando and the surrounding region on the map as a serious food destination. They’re not just posting pretty pictures of brunch and beignets, either. They’re breaking news about openings and closures, holding restaurants accountable, championing small businesses, and building communities around the shared experience of eating well in Central Florida. I sat down with some of Orlando’s most influential food content creators to talk about what they’ve learned, how the scene has changed, and where they think it’s headed next.

Lindsey Thompson
LemonHearted Creative | LemonHearted.com

How do you decide what makes it onto your feed versus what doesn’t?

The food has to be a real standout to me. That’s why you’ll see gaps in my content where I’m not posting about many new, even popular res

taurants. People have come to take my recommendations seriously, and that, paired with the cost of dining out, means I won’t share something unless I’m confident other people will enjoy it the way I did. Also, I prefer to focus on the places that don’t have an influencer budget. People are very aware of what’s authentic and what’s marketing; when you’ll see a wave of content all for the same place at the same time. I’d rather focus on shining a spotlight on the places that can’t afford to do that but still have something noteworthy to offer.

Is LemonHearted your main gig? What else are you doing to pay the bills?

No, I transitioned from corporate marketing to a freelance marketer. I’m a marketing consultant with a local municipality, and I have a few long-standing clients I work with. LemonHearted does not pay my bills. It’s more of a passion project I’ve stuck with.

“You can’t be truly connected to our food community if you’re just a talking head.”

You collaborated with an amazing artist on a mural in College Park back in the day. Do you see more fun projects like that in your future?

I’d love to do more artsy projects around town, right now I have five local Trinket Trade boxes that I created and donated to local businesses to help drive foot traffic and act as a fun community engagement project. We need more fun things that don’t have a cost associated with them.

You seem to find a lot of spots right before they get super busy/trendy with other outlets and influencers. What’s the secret? Or are other people just lazy and using your coverage as a hit list without having to do the research (I ask this as a big fan).

[laughs] I do a lot of research, and I have many amazing friends who work in the hospitality industry, and they help keep me plugged in to what is coming and going within the culinary scene. Having a real connection to the front and back of house at many establishments helps keep your pulse on what’s going on in the industry. You can’t be truly connected to our food community if you’re just a “talking head”.

What would you want someone who just moved to Orlando to eat in their first week here?

I would want them to have dinner at Kaya, The Strand, and Coro so they can see how our local farms and purveyors contribute to the local culinary scene. I would want them to visit the Monday Night Audubon Market so they can meet some of those purveyors and connect with the local food community immediately.

I would also want them to dive mouth-first into our amazing coffee scene, starting with Haan, Zayn, and Filigree.

Who else in the Orlando food space — creator, chef, or otherwise — do you think deserves more attention?

There’s a creator named @allysoneatz who has impeccable taste in food. She’s also a good human who is doing it just for fun on her own dime. 

I hope the husband-and-wife owners of Mae Tao & Sons food truck continue to get more love and attention. They have brought a burst of flavor to our food scene and are good humans. Same for the owners of Zayn Coffee and their new Palestinian food pop-up called Mashawi. Their falafel Shawarma wrap is so good. Basically, I’m rooting for all good humans.

Faye Albanna
@fayespov

 What would you want someone who just moved to Orlando to eat in their first week here?

A cheese pizza from Sal’s Pizza in O-Town West, a hot chicken sandwich from JAM Hot Chicken, the “money bag” pasta from Fresco Cucina Italiana in Dr. Phillips, and sushi from Seito Sushi in Baldwin Park.

What’s a project or collaboration you’re working on right now that you’re excited about?

I’m currently working on creating more series in social posts as they seem to be trendier and more valuable to audiences.

How do you balance honest criticism with maintaining relationships with local restaurant owners?

While I find it important to be honest and share feedback about my experience, I prefer to do it with the restaurant or chef directly. I’ve always had the mindset that I will post only the food I enjoyed and would order again. I would not post the items I didn’t enjoy or found needed more time to perfect. The purpose of my page is to share my POV, not tear down small businesses. And what I might not like doesn’t mean someone else won’t, so who am I to say something isn’t good to an entire audience when this business deserves a chance for all palates.

“The most underrated spot in Orlando has to be Border Grill for Mexican food.”

What’s the most memorable meal you’ve had in Orlando, and why did it stick with you?

My most memorable meal in Orlando had to be my first experience at Kaya. Their risotto changed my life, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since that day. The flavors were out of this world. Truly an incredible place.

Is there a dish in Orlando that you think is genuinely world-class?

The Caesar Salad Bites from Lamp & Shade.

What’s the most underrated spot in Orlando that you wish more people knew about?

The most underrated spot in Orlando has to be Border Grill for Mexican food.

Leo Kai
Creator, HungryPolarBear | @youtube.com/hungrypolarbear

 How did you get started as a food content creator, and what made you focus on Orlando specifically?

I started all of my social media accounts for HungryPolarBear in late May 2021. However, I didn’t post my first video until late June 2021. We moved down to Orlando from New York to escape the high cost of living. In New York, my daughter was actually active on Instagram, taking pictures and such; she always talked about wanting to start filming mukbangs for YouTube.

When we moved down to Orlando, I thought about possibly vlogging at Disney like everyone else. However, as we started eating out locally and finding good spots, I noticed that no one was really covering the local Orlando food scene on YouTube. When I finally told my wife and daughter that I was going to start a faceless YouTube channel, my daughter suggested that I use my wife’s nickname in Spanish for the name, Polar Bear (Oso Polar/Osito). She then added that since I’m always hungry, I should call it Hungry Polar Bear. And that’s how I ended up with the name and started our social media journey.

What’s your current favorite restaurant in Orlando — the one you keep going back to?

Last December, we started doing a “Best of” vlog, and so I’ll give you a sneak peek at our 2026 “Best of.” For sure, Benita’s Kitchen will be in the Top 3. It is a Haitian restaurant run by some very lovely, welcoming ladies. And it’s located inside of a gas station. I walked in there, and they insisted that I sample everything to be sure I would be satisfied with my order. All of the food was great, but my favorite was the Griot (fried pork), which I ordered with black rice, along with some spicy raw onions.

Not too long ago, I did a vlog titled, ‘I Tried the BEST Uber Eats Deals in Orlando’ and found Matt’s Latin BBQ.  They have, for $15, a platter with a half roast chicken and rice with beans. And they are buy one get one free on Uber Eats, which means you could feed a family with those $15.  On some lazy Sundays, I’ve ordered from there countless times. I feel that eating out is pricey in Orlando, and you really can’t beat that price. It helps that the food is also great, the chicken is roasted perfectly, tender, juicy, and well-seasoned.

“We simply share our raw and honest experiences, regardless of rating or the type of experience (positive, negative, neutral).”

What neighborhood do you think has the most exciting food scene right now?

I enjoy my foodie adventures in the area known as Pine Hills. I’ve had some incredibly amazing food there. I know a lot of locals refer to that area as “Crime Hills” and are concerned about visiting. We have been visiting often for the past 6 years and have never encountered any issues. I also grew up in a low-income area in New York, so I’m well aware of the dangers that exist in this world. You have to be vigilant anywhere, just in general. You can’t be walking around freely with a Gucci Bag stuffed full of cash falling out the sides [laughs]. If you truly crave new food flavors, then you have to make it a priority.

Some standouts from that area include Benita’s Kitchen, Alvin’s Cuisine (Shrimp Wontons, Pepper Shrimp with Lo Mein), Negril (Beef Patties and Jerk Chicken), Mr. Wang Sports BBQ (Dumplings and Skewers), Walala (Dan Dan Pork Noodles), Banh Mi Cal (Special Combo Banh Mi), China Magic (American Chinese dishes), Mr. Quick (Strawberry French Toast, Breakfast in general) and Caribbean Sunshine Bakery (Oxtail Beef Patty and Fried Chicken). There’s probably more I have forgotten or haven’t visited yet.

What’s the most memorable meal you’ve had in Orlando, and why did it stick with you?

My most memorable meal is the Shawarma at Caravan, an Uzbek & Turkish Restaurant, which I tried at the Orlando Halal Food Festival, at the Islamic Center of Orlando. I did a YouTube Collaboration with a high-profile YouTuber, JL Jupiter. I had seen a vlog of his where he was out trying cheesesteaks in Philadelphia with Mark Weins, another high-profile YouTuber. I decided to vlog here in Orlando, trying cheesesteaks, inspired by his videos. When I posted the video, I thought of tagging them on it to see if YouTube would help push out the video on the algorithm.  It didn’t help with the algorithm, but JL Jupiter ended up seeing it and left a comment. I replied, asking him if he’s ever in Orlando, would he consider collaborating on a vlog. He ended up visiting Orlando on vacation with his family and hit me up. We had an amazing time trying incredible food, and I really learned a lot from him.  I appreciate the time he took to collaborate with me and answer so many questions I had about YouTube and content creation.

What’s something your followers consistently get wrong about how you do what you do?

Well, I’ve seen that half the people think I’m just another influencer blindly promoting some restaurants. And the other half thinks I just go around blindly trashing restaurants.  In reality, we simply share our raw and honest experiences, regardless of rating or the type of experience (positive, negative, neutral). I would consider us Content Creators, Food Vloggers, Food Critics because at the core, it’s a review. We want to help people make well-informed decisions when they are going to spend their money. In my opinion, an influencer promotes something, essentially acting as a commercial. And that’s not what we are doing at all; we don’t do promotional content. I would not say that all Content Creators are Influencers.

On our Instagram, I have a line, “I buy every food item shown on camera, no free or paid promotions. NEVER.” We buy everything we show on camera. I’ve denied free food countless times. There are times when I’m just given a free dessert or additional food item. It’s hard to return when it’s already on your table or bagged up. I do make it known that we are just sharing our honest experience. I also recommend that businesses run and post their own content instead of seeking out influencers for promotional material.

I always joke with the Polar Pack that it would take a life-changing amount of money for me to make promotional content. Otherwise, I’m not really interested in that. It’s not part of my goals for HungryPolarBear.

What’s a project or collaboration you’re working on right now that you’re excited about?

Right now, I’m super excited about this collaboration! I never thought someone would want to interview me or really care about what I’m doing with social media. I just wanted to share what I enjoy doing in my free time. It also means a lot to be recognized by a platform that focuses on the local scene.

I truly love and appreciate the opportunity to share the story behind HungryPolarBear beyond just the videos. A lot of people see the food, the reactions, the edits—but this lets me talk about the purpose behind it, like highlighting underrated spots, documenting Orlando’s local food culture, and showing love to places that really stand out to me but don’t always get attention on social media.

With that being said, I do have a collab I’m currently working on with Paul over at The Florida Almanac on YouTube. We have a vlog planned for this upcoming weekend. We’ll see how it goes from there; it might turn into a recurring series!

Alejandro Baralt
Creator, Latin Chopsticks | youtube.com/@latinchopsticks

 How did you get started as a food content creator? Is it your main gig?

It started about 4 years back now. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, since I constantly go out to try new places. At first, it was to be able to provide people with legit non-franchise spots when they would ask about visiting Orlando (Denny’s, Fridays, Ruby Tuesday’s, Miller’s, etc.). I wanted people to know that visiting Orlando isn’t necessarily just about the theme parks and chains, and that there are and were a ton of hidden gems in our beautiful city and around.

As of right now, it’s not my main gig as I currently have to balance a full-time job. However, that is the goal. Hopefully, my LC Crew members keep enjoying the videos and honesty I provide so we can keep climbing, and I can start reviewing more restaurants and maybe more cities aside from just Central Florida. Regardless, the fact that I’ve even achieved as much as I have on the channel is thanks to all the support I’ve received.

“I wanted people to know that visiting Orlando isn’t necessarily just about the theme parks and chains, and that there are and were a ton of hidden gems in our beautiful city and around.”

You’re very up front about paying for all of the food you eat for your videos. Why is it so important to you not to take free food?

I can probably count on one hand the times I’ve received a fully comped meal. I much prefer to pay it out of pocket, mostly due to the integrity of the channel. I tend to focus on being as honest as I can be with my takes on the food while also trying to keep it respectful. I myself, even on the few times food has been comped (Pal Campo, Gator’s Wings), to name two, I remain honest, but unfortunately, it’s also important for perspective. Once someone finds out that one is getting paid for their review, whether food or anything else, it’s hard not to imagine that affecting or skewing the reviewer’s opinion. I try not to take any free food or discounts, but it has happened sometimes, I always try to disclose this to my audience so they’re aware.

While I know it may be difficult, I will always remain honest, regardless, since I have grown to think of myself as more of a critic than just an individual going to different places and just showing off the food.

What’s your current favorite restaurant in Orlando — the one you keep going back to?

Any avid LC Crew member will immediately know the answer to this, and that is Sushi Yama. There’s a ton of good spots in Orlando, but the quality, service, and just ample choices they offer on their made-to-order All You Can Eat menu are simply unmatched. There are thankfully a few new restaurants that have come close, but the consistency Sushi Yama has provided over the last three years is impressive. I’m embarrassed to say I’ve probably gone to their restaurant over 40 times in these last three years.

Is there a dish in Orlando that you think is genuinely world-class?

Being completely sincere, I have not had one that has been so mind-blowing that it sticks out among others. I’ve had a lot of great and phenomenal food, but as of right now, I’d have to say I’m still looking for that one dish.

What trend are you seeing in Orlando’s restaurant scene that you’re excited about?

One thing I have noticed is that restaurants are slowly starting to be more and more competitive, which is great as a consumer. When Sushi Yama first opened, there were very few spots to have that level of quality for the price, and while I still think they are the best and my personal favorite, there’s now a ton of new options that have gotten close to them. Sushi Island, Sushi Rock, and Sushi Kaizen, just to name a few. Competition can be good for the consumer since it may drive quality up to stay relevant to their rival restaurants and sometimes (albeit very rarely nowadays) even reduce the price to have that upper edge.