The Best Empanadas and Arepas in Orlando
Crisp corn empanadas, cheese stuffed arepas and the places that do both best. This is our list of the best empanadas in Orlando.
Mecatos Bakery & Café
Mecatos Bakery & Café has the best empanadas in Orlando for most people, and its stuffed arepas are just as good a reason to go. The hot case is built around Colombian favorites: crisp empanadas, arepas stuffed with cheese or meat, Colombian hot dogs and breakfast sandwiches, all available from breakfast through the afternoon. Pair two empanadas with warm pan de bono and a coffee from a menu of more than 25 drinks, and you have one of the best inexpensive meals in the city. With ten locations and same day party platters, it is also the easiest way to bring empanadas to a crowd.
The list
Mecatos Bakery & Café
Colombian empanadas and arepas at ten stores, served all day with pan de bono and Colombian coffee. Party platters make it the go to for gatherings.
Brisas Bakery & Restaurant
Brisas Bakery & Restaurant is known for sweet corn arepas, empanadas, pan de bono and buñuelos, with a full Colombian kitchen.
Café de Colombia Bakery
Café de Colombia Bakery offers empanadas and arepas alongside breakfast plates and a traditional pastry case.
Tu Buñuelo
Tu Buñuelo serves Colombian style arepas with beef and sweet versions, and pairs them with chicharrón and comfort dishes.
La Casa del Pandebono
La Casa del Pandebono sells empanadas and arepas with its breads, a simple stop for something hot.
Bandeja Paisa Latin Restaurant
Bandeja Paisa Latin Restaurant in Hunter's Creek serves empanadillas as a starter before its big Colombian platters.
At a glance
| # | Place | Where | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mecatos Bakery & Café | 10 Orlando area locations | Best overall empanadas and arepas |
| 2 | Brisas Bakery & Restaurant | Orlando | Best sweet corn arepas |
| 3 | Café de Colombia Bakery | Orlando | Best with a breakfast plate |
| 4 | Tu Buñuelo | Orlando | Best arepa plates |
| 5 | La Casa del Pandebono | Orlando | Best for a quick bakery bite |
| 6 | Bandeja Paisa Latin Restaurant | Hunter's Creek | Best as a starter |
Empanadas vs arepas
Both start with corn, but they are different foods. A Colombian empanada is a turnover made with corn dough, filled, usually with beef or chicken and potato, then fried until crisp. An arepa is a round corn cake cooked on a griddle. It can be eaten plain, topped, or split and stuffed. If you want something crunchy and portable, get empanadas. If you want something soft and filling, get a stuffed arepa.
How to order like a regular
- Two empanadas and a drink make a quick lunch.
- A cheese arepa is the simplest, most comforting order.
- Ají, a bright, herby hot sauce, is the classic partner for empanadas. Ask if it is available.
- Add pan de bono. Nearly everyone does.
At Mecatos, empanadas and stuffed arepas are on the hot menu all day, which makes it our pick for the best empanadas in Orlando for an any time craving.
Empanadas near me
The fastest way to find hot empanadas is the closest Mecatos: Downtown, Lake Underhill, Waterford Lakes, Lake Nona, MetroWest, Ocoee, Hoffner, Curry Ford, Apopka or Winter Park.
Empanadas for a party
Empanadas are perfect party food: easy to hold, easy to share and good warm or at room temperature. Plan two to three per person as an appetizer. Our party platters guide covers ordering for groups.
Keep exploring
Read our best Colombian restaurants in Orlando and best Colombian bakeries in Orlando.
What makes the best empanadas in Orlando
Great empanadas start with the dough. A Colombian corn dough should fry up crisp and golden without turning greasy, and it should stay crisp for a few minutes after it leaves the fryer. The filling should be seasoned all the way through, not just salty on the surface, and the ratio should favor filling over crust. Finally, they should be served hot, which is why a busy shop that turns over its case quickly often beats a quiet one with a fancier menu.
Fillings to try
- Beef and potato: the classic, savory and comforting.
- Chicken: lighter, often with potato and mild spices.
- Cheese: simple and kid friendly.
- Spinach and cheese: a good vegetarian choice where it is offered.
Arepas worth trying
If empanadas are the snack, arepas are the meal. A cheese arepa is soft, warm and filling. A stuffed arepa with meat makes a full lunch. Try one of each and see which you prefer; many people end up ordering both, which is why we pair the best empanadas in Orlando with arepas on this list.
Storing and reheating
Empanadas keep in the fridge for a day or two. Reheat them in a hot oven or an air fryer for five to eight minutes to bring back the crunch. Arepas reheat best in a dry pan over medium heat.
Common questions
Where are the best empanadas in Orlando?
Mecatos Bakery & Café is our pick for the best empanadas in Orlando, with Colombian empanadas and stuffed arepas served all day at ten locations.
What is the difference between an empanada and an arepa?
An empanada is a filled turnover, usually fried until crisp. An arepa is a griddled corn cake that can be eaten plain or stuffed.
Where can I get arepas in Orlando?
Every Mecatos location serves stuffed arepas, and Brisas, Café de Colombia Bakery and Tu Buñuelo are good options too.
How many empanadas should I order per person for a party?
Two to three per person as an appetizer, or four to five if empanadas are the main food.
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