Orlando's Walkable Arts District Is A Kaleidoscope Of Subcultures With Food, Murals, And Shopping

Orlando may be known as the "Theme Park Capital of the World," but this city has a few surprises in store for anyone who explores beyond the rollercoasters, waterslides, and giant drops. While most visitors head to the parks, locals tend to seek out entertainment and culture elsewhere. That's where enigmatic neighborhoods like the Milk District come in.

Named for the historic T.G. Lee Dairy factory that sits in its northwest corner, the Milk District has grown into a walkable cultural hub. Today, the eight-by-four-block neighborhood is home to community-driven restaurants, cafés, art galleries, bars, and various other local hangouts. The Milk District is away from the more touristic parts of Orlando, but it's a convenient 2 miles from the Central Business District and just over 10 miles from the iconic theme parks. 

The area has also attracted talented artists and artisans, as well as regular food trucks for gourmet street eats. In fact, the Milk District hosts one of Orlando's largest art and food festivals, a quarterly event called the Milk Mart. From 12 p.m. until 6 p.m., more than 300 chefs, artists, and makers are on display in the neighborhood, including food trucks selling global delicacies, from fresh pasta dishes and Swedish meatballs to authentic Mexican tacos and Cambodian-Lao fusion sandwiches. You can also shop for unique souvenirs like ceramics, plants, original artwork, vintage clothing, soap, and homewares.

Don't fret if you miss the Milk Mart — the Milk District has numerous foodie staples to choose from. Stasio's Italian Deli and Market, located on the corner of East Robinson and North Bumby, has a 4.8-star rating from Google and almost 2,000 reviews. It sells a range of deli sandwiches, as one customer writes, "I ordered the meatball breakfast sandwich, a cup of escarole soup, and a coffee, and every single bite was perfection."

If you need a caffeine fix, the Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar can sort you out. People appreciate the quiet and relaxed atmosphere. The menu is vegan-friendly, and the setting suits the neighborhood's culture with walls lined with artwork and creative floor and ceiling detailing. For something stronger, head to Whiskey Lou's Lounge, a local favorite and an LGBTQ+ friendly spot to enjoy draft beer and cocktails, good music, and a round of pool. Next door, you'll find Black Magic Pizza, which uses fresh whole milk mozzarella on most of its deliciously rich pies.

As you walk around the Milk District, keep an eye out for the various murals and street art installations. These paint a clearer picture of the local culture, history, and artistic talent. The murals are typically on the sides of local businesses, such as the PBR Cows at Sportstown bar, the image of Guy Fieri at Se7enBites, and a milk-carton R2-D2 at Minuteman Press Orlando. Don't miss the iconic Dairy Cows on the wall of the T.G. Lee factory either. For even more local Floridian street art, you can check out Lake Placid, an underrated "town of murals" in the heart of Florida (although it's about a two-hour drive away).

The shopping in this neighborhood is slightly grungier and more unconventional than most other Orlando outposts, like the boutiques in Lake Mary, a sunny Florida suburb. But like Lake Mary, there's a distinct feeling of local support and connectivity for small businesses in the Milk District. Etoile Boutique sums up this vibe perfectly. The vintage clothing store has enough secondhand clothes and accessories to fill multiple wardrobes, while also selling jewelry, art, bath products, and goods handmade by locals.

As the name suggests, Retro Records is a shop content with existing in a different century. You could spend hours combing through the extensive selection of vinyl records, CDs, and VHS tapes, spanning various genres and artists. Don't leave the Milk District before catching some music at The Plaza Live, a former cinema-turned-performance venue one block from the T.G. Lee milk factory. The venue hosts multiple local and touring performers, from Gaelic and rock groups to blues singers, stand-up comedians, and tribute bands.

You can drive to the Milk District in less than 10 minutes from Downtown Orlando, depending on traffic. To embrace the town's walkability, you can also catch a bus from downtown, which takes around 15 minutes. If you have time after exploring the Milk District, walk 30 minutes to South Eola, another thriving Florida treasure stuffed with shops and good bites.