The Cuban sandwich in Orlando is a battle-tested staple of the working day, defined by slow-roasted mojo pork, glazed ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and yellow mustard pressed into a crispy, flakey Cuban bread. While Orlando and Tampa often debate the inclusion of salami (Tampa includes it; Orlando traditionally follows the Miami style without), the true marker of quality here is the bread's "crack" when bitten. Order it as a **"Cubano"** (Cuban sandwich) and specify a "heavy press" if you want it extra thin. The trap is buying a pre-made, unpressed version in a theme park food court; a real Cuban must be pressed to order until the cheese is fully integrated into the pork.
Cubano (Cuban Sandwich) · say “Cuban Sandwich” ·
How this ranking works
Guide score ✕ verified reader stamps ✕ critic notes ✕ Google Maps signal. External reviews are linked, never copied.
What to order
·
Why locals care
The Cuban sandwich in Orlando is a battle-tested staple of the working day, defined by slow-roasted mojo pork, glazed ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and yellow mustard pressed into a crispy, flakey Cuban bread. While Orlando and Tampa often debate the inclusion of salami (Tampa includes it; Orlando traditionally follows the Miami style without), the true marker of quality here is the bread's "crack" when bitten. Order it as a **"Cubano"** (Cuban sandwich) and specify a "heavy press" if you want it extra thin. The trap is buying a pre-made, unpressed version in a theme park food court; a real Cuban must be pressed to order until the cheese is fully integrated into the pork.
Ranked Cuban Sandwich stops in Orlando
01
Black Bean Deli
★★★★★
Order:
Stamp available
0.00 stamped
“Consistently ranked as the city's premier Cuban sandwich. They use premium roast pork and a very traditional press that emphasizes the crunch of the local bread.”
The guide’s verdict · Mills 50
Queue:
Go: Weekday lunch (11:30–13:30); expect a queue but it moves fast.
Verdict:A local favorite famous for its "breakfast Cubano" and high-quality coffee. The bread is exceptionally buttery and pressed until the cheese is perfectly integrated. — Curry Ford
Queue:
Go: Breakfast (07:00–09:00) for the Cubano and café con leche.
Verdict:A legendary no-frills window known for massive portions and a deep, flavorful mojo pork. It is the closest thing to a Miami "ventanita" experience in Central Florida. — Casselberry
Queue:
Go: Mid-afternoon; the drive-thru can be backed up during peak lunch hours.
Verdict:A Puerto Rican-run bakery that makes some of the best Cuban-style bread in the region. Their sandwiches are massive and rely on the exceptional quality of their in-house baking. — Kissimmee
Queue:
Go: Morning (08:00–10:00) when the first batch of bread is fresh from the oven.
Verdict:A traditional family-run spot where the recipes have remained unchanged for decades. Their Cuban is a textbook example of the Miami style without any modern fusion. — East Orlando
Verdict:Known for its vibrant atmosphere and very affordable, consistently pressed Cuban. It's a key community gathering spot in the heart of Kissimmee's Latin district. — Kissimmee
Queue:
Go: Any time before 15:00; it's a high-energy hub that is always buzzing.
Verdict:A great introductory Cuban for travelers. The pork is tender, and they are particularly generous with the pickles and mustard, making it a reliable first stop in the city. — MCO / Airport
Queue:
Go: Perfect for a pre-flight lunch; only 5 minutes from MCO airport.
Verdict:A no-frills hidden gem in a strip mall. Their Cuban is praised by locals for the perfect balance of meat, cheese, and a very heavy, crispy press. — Kissimmee
Queue:
Go: Lunch; it's a small shop that fills up quickly with locals.
Verdict:While primarily a Colombian bakery, their pressed Cuban is excellent and features a unique house-made sauce that adds a subtle local twist to the sandwich. — Metrowest
Queue:
Go: Breakfast or mid-morning snack with a Colombian coffee.
Verdict:One of the city's oldest Cuban institutions. The sandwich is a time-capsule of 1970s Miami style, served in a space that feels like a classic Havana dining room. — SoDo
Queue:
Go: Lunch; they have a dedicated lunch menu that makes the sandwich a great value.
Verdict:Offers a more refined, consistent Cuban sandwich in a full-service setting. The ingredients are high-quality, and the presentation is consistently professional. — Hunter's Creek
Queue:
Go: Dinner; it's a full-service environment that is more comfortable for a sit-down meal.
Verdict:A modern, clean cafe serving a very solid traditional Cuban. It is one of the most authentic options within the primary tourism corridor of Lake Buena Vista. — Lake Buena Vista
Queue:
Go: Lunch; a much better and cheaper alternative to eating inside the nearby Disney parks.
Verdict:Known for its wood-fired and charcoal-grilled flavors, which give the roast pork in their Cuban sandwich a distinct smoky edge not found elsewhere in the city. — Holden Heights
Queue:
Go: Lunch; their charcoal-grilled meats are the specialty of the day.
Verdict:A cleaner, more modern take on the Cuban cafe. Their sandwich is precisely assembled and consistently good, making it a reliable choice for Lake Nona residents. — Lake Nona
Queue:
Go: Morning for a café con leche and a pressed sandwich; it's a bright, modern space.
Verdict:A tiny sandwich shop that prioritizes speed and crunch. Their Cuban is known for its exceptionally thin-pressed profile and very crispy bread. — Winter Park
Queue:
Go: Quick lunch; it's primarily a takeout-focused spot.