Two neighboring Orlando districts, about 21 miles from Lake Nona, known for independent restaurants, a food hall and some of the city's best Vietnamese food.
Mills 50 and the Audubon Park Garden District are neighboring dining districts north of downtown Orlando, about 21 driving miles from Lake Nona Town Center. Mills 50, centered on Mills Avenue and Colonial Drive, is Orlando's Vietnamese district and has many Asian-owned restaurants, bakeries and markets. Its Vietnamese community took root in the 1970s and 1980s, after the Vietnam War. Audubon Park's East End Market is a food hall and market of local food businesses that opened in 2013. Both districts are known for independent, locally owned businesses rather than chains.
Lake Nona Town Center has plenty of good restaurants, but some of Orlando's most interesting food is in older districts north of downtown. Mills 50 has the city's best-known cluster of Vietnamese restaurants, and nearby Audubon Park has a food hall and a string of independent shops and cafes.
This guide is for Lake Nona residents who like to eat well. It covers how far the two districts are and what to try there.
How far are Mills 50 and Audubon Park from Lake Nona?
Both districts are about 21 driving miles from Lake Nona Town Center, just north and northeast of downtown Orlando.
The usual route takes SR 417 north and the East-West Expressway (SR 408) west, both toll roads, then local roads north. The two districts are a few minutes apart by car, so they are easy to visit together. Parking is mostly in small restaurant lots and on the street.
| Distance from Lake Nona Town Center | About 21 miles |
|---|---|
| Mills 50 | Mills Avenue and Colonial Drive; Vietnamese and pan-Asian food |
| Audubon Park Garden District | Corrine Drive area; East End Market food hall |
| Best for | Lunch, dinner, food shopping |
What is Mills 50 known for?
Mills 50 is Orlando's Vietnamese district, known for pho, banh mi, bakeries and Asian grocery markets, along with Thai, Chinese, Korean and other restaurants.
Vietnamese refugees began settling here in the 1970s and 1980s, and the district is still defined by Asian-owned businesses, many of them family-run. Colorful murals and utility-box art line the streets. For a first visit, a bowl of pho, a banh mi and a stop at an Asian bakery or grocery make an easy afternoon.
What is East End Market?
East End Market is a food hall and market in the Audubon Park Garden District, home to local food vendors, a restaurant and small food businesses, which opened in 2013.
It is a good place for a casual lunch, coffee or picking up local food products. The surrounding Audubon Park Garden District has independent shops, cafes and bars along Corrine Drive, and the neighborhood has long held a weekly community market. Check East End Market's website for current vendors and hours.
How should you plan a food trip from Lake Nona?
Pick one district for a meal and the other for coffee or food shopping, since both are small and a few minutes apart.
Lunch in Mills 50 and an afternoon coffee at East End Market is a simple plan. Restaurants in both districts are often small and popular, so go outside peak hours or expect a short wait. Businesses change over time, so check reviews and hours before you go.
Is Mills 50 near other Orlando attractions?
Yes. Mills 50 is close to Loch Haven Park's museums, Leu Gardens and Lake Eola, so a meal there fits easily into a day in central Orlando.
See our guides to the Orlando Museum of Art, Harry P. Leu Gardens and Downtown Orlando.
How do these districts fit alongside Lake Nona's own dining?
Lake Nona covers everyday dining close to home, while Mills 50 and Audubon Park are worth the drive for food you won't find in a newer planned community.
For restaurants close to home, see our Lake Nona restaurants hub. For more of Orlando, see the Explore Orlando hub.
Pros, Cons and Our Take
Pros
- Some of Orlando's best Vietnamese and pan-Asian food.
- Independent, locally owned businesses rather than chains.
- East End Market for coffee, lunch and local food products.
- Close to the Loch Haven Park museums and Leu Gardens.
Cons
- About 21 miles each way, with tolls.
- Small parking lots and limited street parking.
- Popular restaurants get busy at peak times.
- Businesses change, so check before you go.
Our Take
For Lake Nona residents who love food, Mills 50 and Audubon Park are the most rewarding eating trips in central Orlando. Go for a bowl of pho or a banh mi in Mills 50, then finish with coffee at East End Market, and combine the trip with a museum or Leu Gardens nearby.
What the Neighbors Know
Lake Nona's own dining keeps growing, but many residents still make the drive to Mills 50 for Vietnamese food and to Audubon Park for its food hall. Our Lake Nona restaurants guide covers what is close to home.
Official Sources
Buying or selling in Lake Nona? Call/Text David Myers at 407.801.3286 or use the contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Mills 50 from Lake Nona?
About 21 driving miles from Lake Nona Town Center, north of downtown Orlando at Mills Avenue and Colonial Drive.
What is Mills 50 known for?
Mills 50 is Orlando's Vietnamese district, known for pho, banh mi, bakeries, Asian markets and other Asian-owned restaurants.
What is East End Market?
East End Market is a food hall and market in Orlando's Audubon Park Garden District, home to local food vendors and small food businesses. It opened in 2013.
Are Mills 50 and Audubon Park close to each other?
Yes. The two districts are a few minutes apart by car, north and northeast of downtown Orlando, so they are easy to visit together.
