The bustling Mills 50 is welcoming even more new neighbors this year. The community is loved largely for its nightlife, dining and entertainment options, which all intertwine with the area’s history of Asian-fusion influence and proclivity toward the locally owned.
With several new spots already newly opened (Jay Lucy’s, Catchè, Amp’d Guitar Den) and more on the way (Pomelo, Wavy Baby, Oza Izakaya, Udon Fifty, Robin’s Creamery, Rews on Mills), there’s a lot of new in the neighborhood. Here are the 22 new businesses and restaurants moving into Mills 50.
1016 E. Colonial Drive (not yet open)
The Mills neighborhood will soon be home to yet another matcha and tea purveyor when Uji Matcha Cafe opens along Colonial Drive. Credit: Uji Matcha/Instagram
1030 N. Mills Ave. (soft-open now)
A place that exclusively served plant-based burgers for more than four years is getting into the meat market. Team Market Group announced that their meatless burger concept, Plantees, was sold to a new owner who plans to move the brand to Arizona. But the group will rebrand the space into Jay Lucy’s, a joint specializing in grass-fed burgers, tallow fries and fun shakes. TMG executive chef Nick Grecco says Jay Lucy’s will griddle a steakhouse-style burger, but with a smashburger feel à la Au Cheval in New York City.
Credit: Chloe Greenberg
1632 N. Mills Ave. (not yet open)
Top Chef Season 3 champ Hung Huynh will soon showcase at his Mills Park venue Pomelo. It’ll be infused with Southeast Asian flavors and offer a menu of shareable plates and live-fire eats.
Credit: Bento Group
1503 N. Mills Ave. (open now)
Locally owned guitar shop Amp’d Guitar Den offers a curated selection of guitars, amps, pedals, repair services, books and even some vinyl (and coffee) to a neighborhood historically friendly to music and performance. In the coming months, staff at Amp’d plan to roll out instructional programming of all types, from pedalboard building to fret care. As well as in-store sessions with local players.
1486 N. Mills Ave., Suite 110 (open now)
Pilates studio Tremble opened in Mills 50 in July, offering locals a community-centered exercise spot to really break a sweat.
750 N. Thornton Ave. (open now)
Earth Grounds operates as a speciality coffee and matcha bar inside Spiral Circle bookstore. The new caffeine center offers organic ingredients and plenty of dairy free options.
1821 E. Colonial Drive (not yet open)
This modern take on Kyoto and Izakaya traditions already has a location along Central Florida Parkway, and will soon expand to Colonial Drive bringing eats like tsukune (Japanese chicken meatballs), smoked dashi ramen, hokage salmon and more.
912 N. Mills Ave. (not yet open)
With a location already established on Orange Blossom Trail, the Japanese-Latin fusion hotspot Koa Sushi and Poke is now gearing up for a expansion to Mills 50.
709 N. Mills Ave. (not yet open)
Owner Eric Jiang (Sushi Izuki, Jiang’s Kitchen) will also open this Chinese dessert and bao shop in the heart of Mills 50. The corner space will feature an inviting interior design with natural wood tones, open kitchen and “modern Chinese aesthetics.” Sweet dessert soups called tong sui will be the specialty here, as will bao both sweet (red bean paste) and savory (barbecue chicken). Credit: Fan Hwa/Instagram
709 N. Mills Ave., Orlando (open now)
Catchè, a dessert house specializing in Vietnamese dessert soups called chè, is bringing Mills 50 Vietnamese coffee, fresh juices and non-soupy desserts as well. Credit: Faiyaz Kara
713 N. Mills Ave. (not yet open)
Little Sister Dumpling, a fast-casual operation offering a wide variety of dumplings from the classics to modern twists to vegan options, will open next door to Tiger Sugar this year. Expect small plates and noodle dishes, as well as beer and wine options and late-night vibes on weekends. Credit: Google Maps
714 N. Mills Ave. (not yet open)
It’ll be another busy year for Lewis Lin. The Susuru and Juju chef will open Neko San this summer, but prior to that, he’ll bring this “omakase bento” store to the Royaltea space in Mills 50. Three different omakase bento boxes will be available to go, though an eight-seat counter inside will proffer more options. A ceremonial tea (ocha) experience will also be offered. Credit: Lewis Lin
1222 E. Colonial Drive (not yet open)
Sonny Nguyen — the man behind Domu, Tori Tori, GYukatsu Rose and Rion’s Ocean Room — will open Udon Fifty, an udon noodle shop in the old Dochi space. We’re on the hunt for more details when they’re available. Credit: Google Maps
831 N. Mills Ave. (open now)
This local Vietnamese deli is now open in the former Z Cafe space along Mills Avenue. The space is open Wednesday through Monday, from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
926 N. Mills Ave. (not yet open)
Robin’s Creamery, a halal-friendly ice cream shop also offering gelato, premium matcha, Dubai chocolate, boba tea, coffee and sorbet, will open in the old Smoker’s Safari space soon.
1110 E. Colonial Drive (not yet open)
William Shen — chef-owner of 2 Michelin-star Sorekara as well as Mills Market concepts Zaru, UniGirl, Cowboy Curry and Okonomi — will soon debut his konbini inside the bustling food hub that is Mills Market. Guests can expect to find an array of Japanese snacks and goods, plus freshly prepared to-go fare like tamago sandos, konbini fried chicken, bento boxes and everything in between. Credit: Mills Market
1242 E. Colonial Drive (not yet open)
The facade of the commercial strip of businesses anchored by Bb.q Chicken along East Colonial Drive in Mills 50 is getting a proper facelift and with it, some new culinary destinations. Wavy Baby, offering Filipino-inspired breakfast and lunch sandwiches, a pastry program and non-alcoholic beverages, will open later this year or early next in the old LA Boiling Seafood Crab & Crawfish space. Credit: Renderings by GDP Designbuild
1232 E. Colonial Drive (not yet open)
Nomori, a new concept by Akasaka/Tapanomi chef-owner Dong Shin, will open in the Old Saigon Market space along Colonial Drive. The restaurant will either serve Japanese cuisine or Korean tapas. Credit: Google Maps
1322 N. Mills Ave. (not yet open)
New cocktail bar Rews on Mills will open in Mills 50 early next year. The space, designed by GDP Design Build, is inpsired by the playful geometry of 1960s architecture.
618 N. Thornton Ave. (open now)
At Kaya, a modern Filipino restaurant, there’s a homey feel and a menu that deliberately tests any preconceived notions people may have of Filipino fare. The restaurant is now debuting its brand new daytime bakery which spotlights chef Clarice Lam’s pastry creations. The concept is open on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Credit: Kaya/Facebook
1110 E. Colonial Drive (open now)
After a series of pop-ups and trial runs inside Mills Market, Cowboy Curry, the Japanese beef curry house by Sorekara chef William Shen, is now open. The spot specializes in scratch-made Japanese curry. Credit: via Mills Market
1110 E. Colonial Drive (open now)
This 10-seat counter will offer its à la carte selection of sushi along with a semblance of serenity within the bustling Mills Market food hub. Credit: Matt Keller Lehman
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