Where to eat in Orlando
There are several areas of interest when it comes to eating, especially for me because eating is one of my favorite activities. Most of the restaurants within the Orlando area are grouped in sections, because they are traveled frequently or have group transportation to the area. Dining opportunities within Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld are included below under separate theme park headings.
To beat the crowds, eat either early or late. The dinner rush usually starts anywhere from 5:30 on and can last up to 8 p.m. With children in tow, it is always easier for us to plan on eating around 5 or earlier to enjoy our meal completely, especially because all of our family enjoys dessert. This ensures that we have a short wait, if any, and we secure a table to dine, relax, and not feel that our meal was rushed.
Smoking is legally prohibited in Orlando restaurants. There are some dining areas that have outdoor smoking sections, so take note of where these locations are, especially if someone in your party is a smoker, or needs to say away from secondhand smoke, of smoking locations.
Areas that offer a large selection in dining include: Celebration, Lake Buena Vista, I-Drive, and Sand Lake Road. There are also several Dinner Attractions that your family might enjoy attending.
This is just a sampling of restaurants that the area has to offer. We have many chains including Chili’s, Macaroni Grill, Red Lobster, Joe’s Crab Shack, The Olive Garden, and fast food restaurants including McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy’s, Chik-fil-A, Taco Bell, and so many options to choose from. I’m including a list of restaurants highly acclaimed, listed on the Zagat survey and just some of my all time favorites. Bon apetite!
Dinner Attractions
Arabian Nights
http://www.arabian-nights.com/
Dine while watching a fantasy tale full of wonder, horses, and of course, food. Includes salad, a choice of meat, vegetable, and dessert. Special meals can be requested when making reservations. Reservations can be made online, via telephone, or through a travel agent.
Capone’s Dinner Theater
Sit back, relax, and enjoy a blast from the past. The Capone’s Dinner Show is a Broadway style musical comedy that includes an Italian/American style buffet. Discounts are available at the website listed.
Dixie Stampede
http://www.dixiestampede.com/generalinfo.htm
Dolly Parton’s dinner adventure includes an old fashioned style horse show. Watch the battle between north and south, that includes 32 horses and a dinner to fill any belly. The four southern meal includes drink, soup, meat selection, vegetables, bread, and dessert.
Medieval Times Dinner Show
http://www.medievaltimes.com/
A classic show filled with knights as they stampede through an arena and fight upon their horses. Dine on a selection of tasty meats, vegetables, and dessert.
Pirates Dinner Adventure
http://www.piratesdinneradventure.com
The Pirates Dinner Adventure starts with a pre-show and appetizer buffet. The show includes an array of meal selections from chicken to beef, ends with dessert and will dazzle your senses as you embark on a sailing adventure filled with pirates, good and bad. After the show, stay and join in a pirate adventure that includes music, fun, and beverages.
Celebration Market Street Dining
http://www.celebrationfl.com/market_street/dining.html
Along Market Street there are several restaurants to catch any food lover’s eye.
Boston Garden
(407) 566-2526
Open exclusively for dinner, the Boston Garden offers flown in fresh seafood and steaks. Reservations recommended.
Café D’Antonio
(407) 566- 2233
Offering authentic Italian food, Café D’Antonio was awarded the Zagat, given exclusively to restaurants of incredible cleanliness, service, and high quality foods.
Celebration Town Tavern
(407) 566-2526
A classic New England Tavern offering fish �n’ chips, seafood dishes, steaks and more.
Columbia Restaurant
(407) 566-1505
Known as Florida’s oldest restaurant, you will find classic Spanish-Cuban cuisine. Columbia offers live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as a cigar bar.
Market Street Café
(407) 566-1144
This 50’s style diner offers a wide selection of foods from burgers and fries, salads, to home style meals, and of course a dessert selection.
Seito Japanese Restaurant
(407) 566-1889
Seito has a full-service sushi bar as well as sit down contemporary dining.
Market Street also has several quick service locations including Upper Crust, Herman’s Ice Cream shop, Sherlock’s, and Barnie’s Coffee.
I-Drive Restaurants
I-Drive is a very long strip in Orlando with many family attractions and restaurants. I have included information on unique restaurants located on I-Drive. Feel free to browse this listing for restaurant chains.
http://www.internationaldriveorlando.com/dining.htm
Bahama Breeze
Phone: (407) 248-2499
The highlight of Bahama Breeze is their Carribean style food, especially their jerk flavored chicken and meat. They have an excellent selection of food from pizza’s to chicken dishes, ribs and other specialties. They offer a high quality drinks, desserts, and service. This is a great place to go with your family, or out with friends. A great feature of Bahama Breeze is that they have patio dining where you can enjoy entertainment, appetizers and drinks. This is great if you do end up dining late with children, or just want to enjoy dinner on the patio.
Café Tu Tu Tango
Phone: (407) 248-2222
A unique atmosphere with entertainment from belly-dancing, to painting and pottery. The surroundings will interest any guest. The menu is based on tapas that can be individually ordered, or a variety of them can be shared by the group, the recommended style of eating at Café Tu Tu Tango. The menu includes dips, breads, soups, salads, pizzas, ribs, seafood, quesadillas, and much more.
Dan Marino’s Town Tavern
Phone: (407) 363-1013
At Dan Marino’s Town Tavern, experience a dinner in a structure the shape of a football and dine on a football player’s feast, filled with very hearty appetizers and meals.
The Mercado is located on I-Drive and within this center are several restaurants including: I Drive’s Food Court and Arcade, Divino’s Italian Restaurant, Charlie’s Lobster House, and several others. Visit the Mercado’s website for a complete listing of dining options.
http://www.themercado.com/dining.html
Ming Court Wok & Grill
Phone: (407) 351-9988
A classic style Chinese restaurant filled with a menu of food to match, from chicken and rice cooked in lotus leaves, and mouth watering main courses.
Vito’s Chop House
Phone: (407) 354-2467
Vito’s Chop House is known for their fish and steak dinners, accompanied with an assortment of salad choices and vegetables, this meal is sure to please the seafood/meat lovers’ belly.
Lake Buena Vista
Bahama Breeze, listed above in International Drive section.
Landry’s Seafood
8800 Vineland Ave.
Orlando, FL 32821
Phone: (407) 827-6466
Known for their fresh seafood and unique style. They have a wide variety of seafood from across the United States, not just local fish and seafood. Also the owners of Joe’s Crab Shack, The Crab House, and Rainforest Café.
Pebbles
12511 S.R. 535
Lake Buena Vista, FL
407-827-1111
Pebbles is known for their casual dining and excellent selection of menu. This is a very kid friendly location where you can sit and enjoy a meal on cloth napkins, but not miss out on quality, flavor, or service. The menu includes soups, salads, meat selections, pastas, and an excellent dessert tray.
Sand Lake Area
Anaelle & Hugo
7533 West Sand Lake Road
Orlando, FL 32819
Phone: (407)996-9292
Enjoy Euro-American fine dining at Anaelle and Hugo. Their menu selection ranges from decadent soups of cream of squash, refreshing salads of Arugula and frisee lettuce, main dishes to please meat lovers and vegetarians alike, a dessert menu that will tempt you before you even start dinner, and a wine list that perfectly compliment any meal.
Carriera’s Cucina
7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd
Orlando, Fl 32819
My favorite Italian Restaurant in the Orlando area by far. Carriera’s offers a very homey environment with all of the classic Italian meals your heart desires. Along the walls you will find pictures of guests that have dined within the restaurant, locals and celebrities alike. Save room for dessert of either tiramisu or a great slice of chocolate cake. My favorite.
Chatham’s Place
7575 Dr. Phillips Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32819
407-345-2992
Chatham’s Place is a fine dining establishment much like Pebbles listed above. A great location to relax and enjoy a good meal.
Melting Pot of Orlando
7549 W Sand Lake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
Phone: (407) 903-1100
The Melting Pot offers a wide selection of fondue and dipping accessories. This is a fun dining experience for families young and old, getting together with friends, or even for business dinners. You make all of your food selections from the extensive menu, cook your meal at your table, and enjoy. Reservations are required.
Moonfish
7525 West Sand Lake Road
Orlando, Florida 32819
407-363-7262
Moonfish is best known for their wide selection of fresh seafood. Moonfish has pre-designed menus that include four courses, soup, salad, main course, and dessert. Moonfish is a fine dining establishment and reservations are highly recommended.
Morton’s, the Steakhouse
7600 Dr. Phillips Boulevard
Orlando, FL 32819
407-248-3485
Morton’s offers a fine dining experience filled with a hearty selection of appetizers, steaks, other meats, desserts, and fine wines. The service at Morton’s is impeccable. Reservations are required.
Roy’s
7760 W. Sand Lake Road
Orlando, FL 32819
407-352-4844
Roy’s offers a unique Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine that is blended with classic European sauces and Asian spices. Seafood is readily available on the menu fitting in with the Hawaiian mix. Menu’s often change daily based on market availability and chef’s choice.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
7501 Sand Lake Road
Orlando, FL 32819
407-226-3900
A steak lover’s second home. Ruth’s Chris is best known for their mouth watering steak selections, although they do have an array of other menu selections. Fine dining, but bring your bibs.
Samba Room
A Cuban Bar and Latin Café with a menu to beat. The menu includes classic Cuban favorites. Samba room is well known for their bar and selection of beverages. Samba Room offers a very fun environment, sure to capture your attention.
Seasons 52
7700 Sand Lake Road
Orlando, FL 32819
407-354-5212
From Darden Restaurants, well known to most of us as the owner’s of Red Lobster and The Olive Garden, comes Seasons 52. Best described as a sophisticated fresh grill and wine bar, the restaurant features seasonal menu’s, often changing weekly to offer guests only the freshest healthful foods. This is a prime adult spot to relax and enjoy a meal. The menu selections are above and beyond, as well as the wine selections.
