Discover top Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebrations in Orlando.
Orlando is a melting pot of cultures, and this May, we’re highlighting the best ways to get involved during Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. From award-winning cuisine and cultural hotspots to special events and exhibits, here are some of the best ways to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month in Orlando.
Discover: AAPI History & Culture in Orlando
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AAPI History & Landmarks in Orlando
Celebrate and experience Asian American and Pacific Islander culture and contributions in May and all year long by visiting distinct Orlando neighborhoods and landmarks with strong AAPI influences.
Mills 50® / Little Saigon
Shaped by Vietnamese immigrants in the 1970s, Mills 50® is one of Orlando’s most buzzworthy neighborhoods. The roots here run deep, as evidenced by Mills Market, a third-generation dining collective established as Tien Hung Market in 1986. The former Vietnamese market — one of the oldest in Orlando — now houses MICHELIN Guide restaurants UniGirl, Kai Kai BBQ & Dumplings, Bánh Mì Boy, and Zaru, plus even more tasty offerings.
Discover: Things to Do in Mills 50
Continue your foodie adventure with Filipino-owned Sampaguita Ice Cream, standing sushi bar Edoboy, or MICHELIN Green Star honoree Kaya, just to name a few tasty options, or stroll to discover the full range of Indian, Japanese, Thai, Laotian and Korean restaurants available nearby.
And global cuisine is just the beginning of all this multifaceted, entrepreneurial neighborhood has to offer. For over a decade, the district has hosted the award-winning Central Florida Dragon Parade in partnership with numerous AAPI community organizations. It’s also home to the Asia Trend Center, an organization that hosts cultural festivals and events throughout the year.
Lake Eola Park
Sister cities in Japan, Taiwan and China have left their mark on Orlando over the years, particularly in downtown Orlando’s Lake Eola Park. Relax and enjoy the lake views in a beautiful red ting (similar to a pagoda) gifted by the city of Guilin, China — a city which, incidentally, shares Orlando’s nickname of “The City Beautiful” — then continue your stroll to a beautiful Japanese rock garden and bridge gifted by Tainan City in Taiwan.
Discover: Things to Do in Thornton Park
Chinatown
Located 15 minutes west of downtown, Orlando’s small but mighty Chinatown offers authentic restaurants, specialty retailers, and a grocery store packed with exotic, mouthwatering eats. The area’s centerpiece is a traditional Chinese arch known as a paifang or pailou. Enjoy all-you-can-eat noodles at MICHELIN Recommended Walala Hand-Pulled Noodle House, explore traditional fare from authentic mom and pop shops, or stock up on hard-to-find treats and unique ingredients to create a special meal at home. We’ve rounded up a few must-visit spots below to help you plan for your visit.
Discover: Chinatown Culinary Guide
AAPI Heritage Month Events & Cultural Celebrations
Orlando celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage all year long, and visiting during AAPI Heritage Month offers several opportunities to connect and dig deeper. Explore global flavors, celebrate music and culture, and learn more about the people and stories that helped shape our city at these special AAPI Heritage Month events.
Discover: Orlando Events
Lunch & Learn: Lue Gim Gong: A Chinese American Pioneer and the Citrus Wizard of Florida
May 1, 2026
Explore the contributions of Chinese immigrant Lue Gim Gong during a tasty lunch and learn at the Orange County Regional History Center. Gong moved to Central Florida in the late 19th century and later developed a cold-resistant orange, furthering the citrus industry and earning himself the designation of a “Great Floridan” over 100 years ago.
East Meets West: Orlando Asian Food Festival
May 1 – 2, 2026
Savor authentic Asian flavors during East Meets West, a delicious new food festival hosted in our vibrant Lake Nona neighborhood. Take time between courses to browse the specialty marketplace and shop for handcrafted goods, artwork and other unique souvenirs.
Orange County Asian-Inspired Art Exhibition
May 2026
The Orange County Asian Committee will host an Asian-Inspired Art Exhibition in downtown Orlando throughout the month of May, featuring works from Central Florida artists in a variety of mediums. Stop by the Orange County Administration Building weekdays from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. to witness AAPI history and heritage through the eyes of our local community, and don’t miss a special awards ceremony for the top-rated pieces on May 26, 2026.
Orange County's Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Celebration
May 6, 2026
The committee will also host their annual Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Celebration in downtown Orlando. Join the free festivities to enjoy a cultural performance, art exhibition, light bites, and themed activities including origami, henna, Vietnamese handicraft, a Japanese tea ceremony, and music and dance.
Diljit Dosanjh at Kia Center
May 13, 2026
Indian singer, actor and television presenter Diljit Dosanjh will bring his Aura World Tour to Kia Center in downtown Orlando’s Parramore district. Diljit is known for his unique blend of Bhangra, pop and traditional Punjabi folk music. He has collaborated with artists like Diplo and Sia and became the first Punjabi artist to perform at Coachella in 2023.
Discover: Things to Do in Parramore
Asian Cultural Festival
May 17, 2026
Hosted annually by the Asian American Heritage Council of Central Florida, the Asian Cultural Festival is a free outdoor celebration featuring cultural performances, shopping and mouthwatering flavors. Discover vendors, artists, chefs and more of Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Taiwanese, Thai and Vietnamese descent.
KPop Demon Hunters Dance Party & Sing Along at The Abbey
May 17, 2026
Show your crew how it’s done, done, done at this all-ages celebration of the Netflix film KPop Demon Hunters. Costumes are encouraged, so dress to impress and channel your inner idol with a live DJ, open dance floor, onscreen lyrics and more.
Sensory Sunday: Summer Soiree at Orange County Regional History Center
May 24, 2026
Offered on select dates throughout the year, Sensory Sunday is a special event designed for visitors with autism spectrum disorder and other sensory sensitivities. Their Summer Soiree will also celebrate AAPI History Month and the blending of cultures with a free day of family-friendly fun.
World Music Festival: Liquid Reality at Timucua Arts Foundation
May 29, 2026
Indian musician and composer Anupam Shobhakar will wrap up AAPI Heritage Month with Liquid Reality at Timucua Arts Foundation. Part of the foundation’s World Music Festival, the concert will feature classical Indian raga music performed with a double-neck guitar and a dynamic, melodic tabla. The 100-seat venue offers a truly unique and intimate setting for cultural immersion.
Discover: Timucua Arts Foundation
Where to Eat: Asian & Pacific Islander Restaurants in Orlando
Whether you’re looking for year-round eats or an especially tasty way to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, these Orlando eateries with strong Asian American and Pacific Islander influences are sure to satisfy your cravings. TastyChomps.com founder Ricky Ly agrees, noting that “new generations from Vietnam, China, the Philippines, India and more have left an indelible mark on the food scene, winning MICHELIN Guide awards and James Beard nominations and bringing Orlando worldwide acclaim.”
Discover: Must-Try Restaurants for AAPI Heritage Month
In fact, over half of Orlando’s MICHELIN Guide restaurants are Asian-owned or inspired. Ly continues, “It is a testament to the strength of our Orlando community, diversity and commitment to continue to build and dream big, where the impossible is possible, where the American dream lives on.”
Here are some of the tastiest spots to visit during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and all year long.
MICHELIN Guide Restaurants
Dive into Orlando’s award-winning culinary scene with a medley of flavors at our MICHELIN Guide restaurants. You’ll find everything from budget bites to fine dining representing traditional and modern methods of cooking. Orlando MICHELIN Guide restaurants that are Asian-owned or inspired include:
Domu: Ramen, noodles and small plates at East End Market (Audubon Park Garden District)
Edoboy: Eight-person standing sushi bar with seasonal omakase and a la carte options ordered directly from the chef (Mills 50)
Kabooki Sushi - Colonial Drive: Contemporary Japanese cuisine and sushi from a James Beard nominated chef (The Milk District)
Kaya: Casual Filipino fine dining with fresh, seasonal ingredients, an ever-changing menu and a MICHELIN Green Star (Mills 50)
Nami: Contemporary Japanese restaurant with a chef’s counter experience at the Lake Nona Wave Hotel (Lake Nona)
Ômo by Jônt: One-MICHELIN-Star progressive dining experience with Japanese and French influences (Winter Park)
Soseki Modern Omakase: 10-seat omakase experience with locally sourced ingredients and a global sake and wine program (Winter Park)
Tori Tori: A modern izakaya with craft cocktails, skewers and Japanese pub food (Mills 50)
Bombay Street Kitchen: Indian street food prepared from scratch (Mills 50)
Camille: Vietnamese French cuisine with chef’s tasting menus and wine pairings (Baldwin Park)
Chuan Fu: Authentic Szechuan cuisine (Winter Park)
Gyukatsu Rose: Breaded beef cutlets inside East End Market (Audubon Park)
Isan Zaap: Thai cuisine with Laotian influences (Mills 50)
JUJU: Japanese izakaya with a seasonal menu, craft cocktails and a six-seat kappo bar with omakase (The Milk District)
Kadence: One-MICHELIN-Star omakase experience with only eight seats (Audubon Park)
Kai Asian Street Fare: Thai, Vietnamese and Korean specialties (Mills 50)
Kai Kai BBQ & Dumplings: Cantonese dumplings, barbecue, noodles and dim sum (Mills 50)
Morimoto Asia: Pan-Asian cuisine from Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto (Disney Springs®)
Norigami: Eight-seat sushi bar inside Plant Street Market (Winter Garden)
Shin Jung: Korean barbecue joint with a tabletop grill and an interactive, cook-it-yourself experience (Mills 50)
Sorekara: Two-MICHELIN-Star restaurant serving contemporary Japanese cuisine (Baldwin Park)
Sticky Rice: Laotian street food with budget-friendly pricing (Mills 50)
Sushi Saint: Japanese temaki bar with sushi, hand rolls and small plates (Parramore District)
Taste of Chengdu: Szechuan cuisine crafted with bold spices (Baldwin Park)
Twenty Pho Hour: 2D noodle bar specializing in pho and Asian fusion cuisine (International Drive)
YH Seafood Clubhouse: Cantonese and dim sum (Restaurant Row)
Walala Hand-Pulled Noodle House: Lanzhou-style hand-pulled noodles made fresh daily (Chinatown)
Zaru: Udon noodle shop with fully customizable bowls (Mills 50)
Z Asian: Vietnamese kitchen with traditional favorites, and modern, street food-inspired fare (Mills 50)
© Seito Sushi
More Asian American and Pacific Islander Flavors
You can also discover a world of flavor throughout the destination, from fusion and pan Asian eats near theme parks and attractions to sushi, Filipino ice cream and family-owned eateries in Orlando’s vibrant neighborhoods.
Bend the Bao: Casual bao bun walkup with globally inspired flavors at Universal CityWalk (Universal Orlando Resort)
Benihana International Drive & Benihana Lake Buena Vista: Japanese steakhouse with a classic hibachi experience for dinner and a show
Dragonfly Robata Grill & Sushi: Contemporary Japanese restaurant specializing in robata‑grilled dishes, sushi and craft cocktails (Restaurant Row)
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Flamingo Crossings & Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Orlando: Authentic Japanese yakiniku experience with a fun grill-it-yourself approach (Winter Garden & Restaurant Row)
illume: Japanese-inspired restaurant and rooftop lounge with fireworks views at the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa (Disney Springs area)
Islands Dining Room: Pan-Asian cuisine served for breakfast, lunch and dinner at Loews Royal Pacific Resort (Universal Orlando Resort)
Kabooki Sushi – Sand Lake: Contemporary Japanese cuisine and sushi from a James Beard nominated chef (Restaurant Row)
Kimonos: Lively sushi bar and Japanese restaurant at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort (Walt Disney World® Resort)
Kobe Japanese Steakhouse: Traditional teppanyaki experience with hibachi-style cooking (International Drive)
Nine Dragons Restaurant: Contemporary Chinese cuisine served in an ornate dining room at EPCOT® (Walt Disney World)
Salt & the Cellar By Akira Back: Mediterranean Asian fusion cuisine at the One-MICHELIN-Key ette hotel (Kissimmee)
Seito Sushi Sand Lake & Seito Sushi Baldwin Park: Upscale sushi restaurant serving classic Japanese fare and unique, Asian-inspired dishes
Sushi Pop Oviedo: Sushi crafted with ingredients sourced weekly from the Toyosu Fish Market in Japan (East Orlando)
Teppan Edo: An entertaining teppanyaki experience at EPCOT® (Walt Disney World)
The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar: Unique fusion concept serving sushi, burgers and “burgushi” at Universal CityWalk (Universal Orlando Resort)
X Sushi: Elevated sushi restaurant offering 15-course omakase and 10-course wagyu omakase experiences (Winter Garden)
Yak & Yeti: Themed restaurant serving Pan-Asian cuisine inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park (Walt Disney World)
Yamasan Sushi and Grill: Sushi, hibachi and Japanese cuisine (Mills 50)
Zeta Asia: Contemporary Asian & Pacific Rim cuisine inside Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek (Disney Springs area)
Wa Sushi: Modern Japanese, sushi and fusion fare (Casselberry)
eet by Maneet Chauhan: Casual, globally inspired Indian fare from celebrity chef Maneet Chauhan (Disney Springs)
Mamak Asian Street Food: Malaysian restaurant inspired by street food stalls, serving dishes like roti canai, laksa and noodle plates (Mills 50)
Ming’s Bistro: Mom and pop eatery serving classic Chinese cuisine and dim sum (Mills 50)
Sampaguita Ice Cream: Filipino ice cream parlor with unique options like Buko Pandan, Halo Halo and Soy Sauce Butterscotch ice cream (Mills 50)
Yesake: Customizable poke bowls, Japanese fried chicken, boba and more in a casual walk-up setting (Disney Springs)
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