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Categories: Videos and Video Game Rental, Coffee & Tea [Edit]
Neighborhood: Winter Park
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I am a fan of Stardust, and really happy to see a place that still serves coffee in Orlando, without the corporate affiliation. Stardust is one of my favorite places to hang out when I need to get work done, and am tired of staring at the inside four walls of my house. There are plenty of tables, a great menu with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian offerings, diverse coffee and tea options, a wide selection of craft, local, and import beers for sale, lots of working outlets, and best of all, free WIFI that never fails.
At Stardust, It's nice to see folks doing their thing, whatever 'their thing' may be. I like how I always overhear a really interesting conversation, see creative people meeting, get inspired by the art of local talent, or can rent a movie (although their awesome selection has dwindled to make way for a full-service bar).
If you haven't been yet, check it out. You'll find a great crowd of young and old hipsters, college students, creative-types, and interesting folks.
People thought this was:
I'm sitting next to Natalie Portman at Stardust Coffee & Video right now, which should tell you two things. One, this joint has Wi-Fi. And that this is the spot in town where celebs hang out. In fact, this past Friday, Jake Gyllenhaal sat at the table next to me. It's practically Orlando's answer to The Ivy.
Confession: No, not really. But, Stardust wins the award for most interesting crowd of people who look shockingly like celebrities. And if you're in the market for a programmer boyfriend, start here. There are more hipsters than you can shake a stick at, and now that Stardust has expanded its liquor license to "name your poison," it's also a great place to socialize after work (freelancers, yes, you can take that to mean beer at 4:30 p.m.).
The food's tasty, provided you don't feel weird about ordering a "concept waffle." The prices can offend those on a budget, but they offset the fact that this coffeehouse's loyal following (including yours truly) often settles in for the long haul and only needs one meatloaf sandwich per day. Other highlights: The veggie chili packs a satisfying punch (ask for the Asian chili sauce if you want to dial it up), as do the nachos, which seem pricey until you realize that one order serves two regular people, or nine hipsters.
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I have been living in Orlando now for 9 years, and did not hear about Stardust until a year ago working in the technology industry. A group of colleagues mentioned this was a great place to meet with a user group or to go and get work done.
It was time for me to try this place out, and wait, 5 min from my house? Even better! I pulled up and saw a comfortable spot to head to with my laptop. It was time to get some work done away from the office and away from any distractions at home. I then smell delicious goodness, and head over to counter to ask what type of food they had as I was unaware they served food. I went ahead and ordered a chicken sandwich that came with a salad (they also give you a bottle of their dressing to take with you). There are a variety of drinks to choose from - Teas, to Coffees, to Beer & Wine, anything you are in the mood for is right there.
Each time I go there I am there for hours and don't even notice. I put headphones on and zone out to get work done. My favorite time to come here is after work, after a good work out. This way I can relax, get something healthy to eat, and feel accomplished when leaving.
I recommend this place if you want to have a unique place to work from, surf the internet, or meet new people who come to hear the music on some nights.
Thank you Stardust for the free WIFI too! :)
People thought this was:
I think I'm totally with Vaughn's review on this one - it's a slightly pretentious hipster watering hole (but then again, what hipster watering hole isn't?).
It has a lot of potential but it's not executed very well and the staff (or maybe the owners?) seem too lazy to make improvements.
I went after hours when the place turns into a bar/lounge with live music. The AC wasn't working in the entrance and that's naturally the place where you have to wait in line for alcohol (which trailed almost outside on the sidewalk). You have to stand there for 15 minutes listening to other patrons complain about the line,the heat, or the music. It feels like no one wants to be there, yet it's still crowded with people.
Spend the time you have waiting in line to mull over what you want to try (their selection is very limited but eclectic) and get ready to order once you reach the register or you'll suffer the passive aggressive huffs and puffs of the hipsters behind you.
Stardust also serves up some veggie snacks and beverages but I think they stop serving food at 9pm or 10pm.
I liked the band that was playing that night (The Lost Woods) but I don't think I'll head back to the Stardust unless they have another interesting band playing or a special event.
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Had I reviewed Stardust a few years back I would have given it 5-stars. Their movie selections were rare and refreshingly unknown. It was a great place to hang out and get away from the mundane normalcy of corporate Disney Orlando, FL. Friends could sip on coffee and smoke a cig while discussing books and films. The latter half you can still do for the most part, but the video selection has plummeted to the pure crapness of Blockbuster. Now, I am finding more teens hanging out at a table right in front of a shelf. I find it hard to look for anything when little kids are lip locking in front of a French film I am dying to watch. Stardust and Enzian share a similarity in that these are some of the very, very few places you can go to that are so-called Inde hangouts. Once again, I have been to better places in Virginia and New York, but if you are looking to just hang out with some friends then pay this place a visit.
People thought this was:
Cool place but not executed particularly well. The service was spacey, the space cool but the vibe overall lacking. I went on an afternoon to read and it was very loud with several patrons playing their music on their computers and kids running rampent.
The bathrooms were particularly gross and the a/c was not working. Fix these things and it could be a great place!
Stardust I miss you!!! Come to Seattle!!!
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Great food, awesome beer selection and decent coffee. I don't really know what the hell is going on in Orlando. Orlando has some of the best coffeehouses in country, no really! Stardust, Austins, and Drunken Monkey are fantabulous places. If Orlando keeps it up they might actually be know for something other then the 2nd best NBA team, LOL.
...yawn...
Pretentious for difficult to discern reasons and sorta like a faux hipster club house. They used to have lots of rare and hard to find movies but um...not so much now it seems.
Ok..the hummus is decent and I can appreciate free Internet but really, I have NO business in a place like this. And if you get bored easily, neither do you.
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I think Charles R said it best below.
5 stars because it's the only place in Orlando where I can see a show, eat a plate of hummus, surf the internet, drink a St. Peter's Golden Ale, smoke a cigarette and rent a good movie all at the same time.
P.S. They organize their movies by directors, and don't forget to check out the sleeper section.
People thought this was:
Long before Stardust there was a place called Movie Market in its place. I liked Movie Market because it was the only place in town where a 14 year-old could rent Faces of Death and not get chided for it. Movie Market was awesome.
Now Stardust stands in the wake of the glorious Movie Market. Part music venue, part cafe, part video store, part library, part study hall and full time bar; I guess one could call Stardust somewhat of an anomaly. It has quickly morphed into one of the best neighborhood 'hangouts' in Orlando.
I really like Stardust for the calm atmosphere and consider it one of the better places in Orlando to have a beer. The selection is way above the average and the prices are fair. If you order a Bud Light or Corona here, you are going to be missing out. The folks behind the counter are more than happy to steer you towards a choice if you're unsure. If you're looking for someplace wild to dance to some electro-clash and slam down Sparks tallboys, this is not your place.
It's a shame that they decided to expand the seating inside by removing the old labyrinth of used doors with video boxes stuck on them. Half the fun of going to Stardust was browsing with nothing in mind until something 'spoke' to you. Now the interior looks more like a cafeteria, albeit a nice one. Speaking of eating, the food is pretty good here and the portions are rather large. One tempeh quesadilla can feed two people.
5 stars because it's the only place in Orlando where I can see a show, eat a plate of hummus, surf the internet, drink a St. Peter's Golden Ale, smoke a cigarette and rent a good movie all at the same time.
People thought this was:
Best place to grab an iced tea, hummus plate and search the web for free.
Large tables. Lots of places to plug in.
Open Mic night.
Rare beer.
Cheap.
Great place!
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Stardust has AWESOME music if you are a 80's alternative rock fan. I AM.
FREE and SUPER FAST and RELIABLE WIFI. Fantastic selection of coffee, tea, Italian sodas, some beer, and high end tequila and other spirits.
There are three rooms: 1) The artsy cave like with stage room. Tables are actually glass covered doors. It works. Most tables are near outlets. Lighting is subdued and not the greatest for computer work. 2) The reception area has a few tables near the door. 3) Another large room contains tables and this room looks like a library. It is more dimly lighted than the artsy room. There are also tables and chairs outside to delight in the fresh air, or for smokers polluting it.
People came and went or stayed, and everyone was mellow. Good place.
Try the Italian line of syrups with soda water. The raspberry rocks!
I gave this place 4 stars because the bathroom is a total dump and I met the hugest, ugliest cockroach there. Scared the hell out of me. Everything in the bathroom needs a renovation.
Enjoyed hanging out here for hours and hours... got a lot of fun on the FREE WIFI.
People thought this was:
Another coffee shop in town that screams character...Stardust Video & Coffee. This place definitely stands out among the rest not only in appearance, decor and employees, but also in that they have a pretty big video collection from which you can buy or rent (I think). You can find some main stream, well-know videos, as well as independent, uncommon titles.
As far as their coffee goes, I'm a fan. I haven't had the opportunity to try their food yet, but I hear it's not the best. Perhaps they should stick to coffee and forget about the food then. The seating area is small, but cozy. A perfect place to read book, chat with friends or simply relax for a bit. The decor is not my favorite, mainly consisting of a hodge podge of colors and decorative items with no pattern or thought to the madness...or at least it seems that way.
The staff are okay, not the nicest people I've met. Every time I've been here the person behind the counter seems to be having a bad day...and they very well may be, but at least pretend you're happy. The clientele of this place is quite diverse. Being that they are in Winter Park, very close to Baldwin Park and in the center of many homes, they are frequented by everyone from socialites to teenagers and kids to people on their way to work or moms on the go. At night however, it tends to be a younger "unique" crowd. They host unusual, fun, random events here from time to time. You can usually turn to their blog or the sign in front of the shop of info on dates and times.
Overall, not bad, but not my favorite hang out.
Eclectic was the very first word that came to my mind upon walking into Stardust. It's a very funky and unique coffee shop--unlike any other I have been to in the Greater Orlando vicinity. And not only because they offer movies and have doors as tables. The décor, the menu, the setup and the music playing, all add to its distinctiveness.
I appreciate that it is not a cookie cutter café and the fact that they've been around since 1970. The walls are made of concrete and are decorated with pictures of random people. Some famous and some not. It's clean yet very simple. There is a stage and an old school photo booth if you are feeling frisky. The pieces of artwork that are on display are also for sale which is a neat thing--supporting local artists always impresses me.
The menu looks pretty snazzy as well and had I been there around a meal time, I would have ordered the 5 Easy Pieces Sandwich--buffalo mozzarella, tomato, eggplant, roasted red peppers and pesto. The pastries and breakfast items, neatly displayed when you walk in, also looked very appetizing. I also noticed that many of their food items could be "vegantized" if you happened to follow that diet. A nice perk for people who enjoy an animal free lifestyle.
I did order their coffee which comes from the Batdorf & Bronson Roasters, a company who produces their product through 100% renewable energy. My cup of joe had great flavor and was gone before I knew it.
One of the cooler venues in Orlando to stop in and have a beverage and meet with friends...
This place rents out tons of obscure movies, and features a full liquor bar and many interesting beers. They also have a kitschy menu with waffles, cuban sandwich, hummus, tater tots and other things to knosh on. You can enjoy the wi-fi and sit back and watch some of the more interesting locals drop in and out. You might even "prop a cid" while you wait for your chips and salsa to come out.
Outdoor seating and plenty of tables and chairs inside to bring a group of friends. There's almost always a couple Vespa's parked out there. It's that kind of place. The staff is generally helpful, and one girl who works there is super cute. Another girl (shaved head) is mega nice and this one cook is a drummer in Freddie's band.
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The atmosphere really makes this place great: It's a spacious place with little nooks and crannies and simple--but well-designed--touches. I loved the tables so much I asked where I could buy one...turns out the owner made them.
The only reason it's not 5-stars is that the dessert case was rather luckluster, which is too bad for a good coffee shop. I've heard, however, that their "real" food is very good.
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Amazing teas, beers, and salads. A very laid back and eclectic atmosphere. I love to go there grab some lunch and set up my laptop and work the afternoon away while listening to music chosen by those who tend bar and kitchen. Everyone is so sweet and welcoming there. Indeed do try the 5 easy pieces :)
*the most cozy shack in town with live music and indie flix
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I have yet to find a place like this in another city. Find films you can't rent elsewhere. Check out the funky, fun, slightly grungy decor. Get a good drink and some food. Maybe even catch some live music.
There should be a requirement that every city have a Stardust.
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Stardust is a quaint little place that I never knew Orlando had to offer! My first experience there was great! All the staff members were really friendly and the service was speedy [basically counter service, but still!]. I can see myself sitting here all day just sipping on either a coffee, tea or beer and just surfing the net. A much better alternative to the ever ubiquitous Starbucks! Besides, Starbucks doesn't have beer! So come on down to Stardust!
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I think Vaughn B. nailed this one. I went thinking it was a video store, a place where I could rent some hard to find films, or maybe just the popular crap, but I figured that videos where a main part of the business. Not so much. They seem to be more of an afterthought at this point. From reading other reviews I guess back in the day this place was pretty kick ass. Now it's just... I dunno. Might be cool if you are looking for a coffee shop or a place to hang, but I was out for movies.
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I'm glad that this video store/coffee house has lasted as long as it has. It is quite surprising that it has given that it is in Orlando. They have an expansive selection of hard to find movies that you surely can't find anywhere else.
The downside to this place is that parking is at a premium since the lot is so small. I don't go there much anymore because I got tired of jockeying for a parking space, and then having to fight my way through the crowd of people who were taking up space on the sidewalk.
Videos and coffee and beer and food and people and everything that could make you happy. I miss Stardust and Stardust people so much.
And if you feel a bit put off the first few times you go, like you are out of place and people are aloof, don't let that dissuade you. Keep going and eventually you will find that all of your favorite people are there and there will always be someone to talk to when you go alone.
Order the nachos or the 5 Easy Pieces and confront more food than god intended a single person to eat at once. Then eat it all because it's delicious. Get the best iced tea in Orlando (unsweetened, too!) Or a St. Bernardus on tap. Or, if they still have it and you're adventurous, get the Rhodehamel waffle and see what's in the kitchen that day, because that's what will be on your waffle.
EDIT: I forgot how good the iced tea is. God it's so good. And with a brownie? Amazing. Two things you might not normally put together, but they were meant to be.
There is plenty to like about Stardust and I probably can't say it any better than others who have already reviewed this funky jewel. But one of my favorite aspects of Stardust is their approach to re-using and re-purposing. The most obvious: old doors as tables. More subtle: bulk food cans as plant pots.
People thought this was:
I used to go here just to rent really obscure movies I couldn't find at ballbuster video and that weren't on netflix and are VHS only or really hard to find like "the year my voice broke" the prequel to "flirting". Now they are more focused on wifi, food beer and drinks which is great because they say they still have the same amount of videos for rent. Full Liquor, all kinds of exotic and cool beers and it's very close to a hip music store park ave. cds. So go here and then go buy the latest cd at park ave and then go down the street to rainbow snow cones.
People thought this was:
Had I reviewed Stardust a few years back I would have given it 5-stars. Their movie selections were rare and refreshingly unknown. It was a great place to hang out and get away from the mundane normalcy of corporate Disney Orlando, FL. Friends could sip on coffee and smoke a cig while discussing books and films. The latter half you can still do for the most part, but the video selection has plummeted to the pure crapness of Blockbuster. Now, I am finding more teens hanging out at a table right in front of a shelf. I find it hard to look for anything when little kids are lip locking in front of a French film I am dying to watch. Stardust and Enzian share a similarity in that these are some of the very, very few places you can go to that are so-called Inde hangouts. Once again, I have been to better places in Virginia and New York, but if you are looking to just hang out with some friends then pay this place a visit.
People thought this was:
Coolest place in Orlando. Nice ramshackle coffee house with sofas and I believe they still have occasional live music, plus the best indie video rental collection south of the Manson-Nixon line.
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Stardust is the best place in town. With great food (try the Rob Reiner), eclectic music, a quiet setting and lots of time and space to unwind, Stardust is my home away from home. The place is chill and is pretty much awesome in every way imaginable.
Good coffee, amazing video selection... definitely a diamond in the rough chain-store metropolis of Orlando.
People thought this was:
A great place to go to get some work done or hang out, eat some good food. The food is really quite outstanding, their teas are great, and so is the beer selection -- plus lots of cute hippie chicks. It used to be really cramped and hard to find seating, but they removed probably 2/3 of the movies and added a bunch of tables, and now it's easy to find a place to sit. (Although the movie-room, where all the new tables are, kinda smells funny). All kinds of eccentric performances can be found there on some nights.
Ah, the places I used to go before I had a toddler. This was one of my favorites. Very funky and cool and a great place to hang out with friends.
my favorite place in all of orlando. great selection of movies. seriously, they have "Werner Herzog eats his shoe"
Neighborhood: Winter Park
Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Colonialtown South
Category: Coffee & Tea
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Bookstores
Orlando, FL
Category: Music & DVD's
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Libraries
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