Orlando Restaurants

One of the best fast-casual restaurants in all of Walt Disney World Resort is at Pandora – The World of AVATAR in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. It’s also one of the best places to eat in Orlando, period. What makes it so stellar? Well, for starters, you can’t beat the atmosphere. Themed as a former RDA (Resources Development Administration) mess hall, Satu'li Canteen is surrounded by an AVATAR-inspired tropical paradise. Their signature offering is a “Create-Your-Own-Bowl,” with options ranging from light and healthy to rich and comforting. Add on one of their brightly coloured speciality drinks in a souvenir Na’vi flute cup and you’ve got yourself the perfect pick-me-up to fuel your expedition through the Valley of Mo’ara.

The BOATHOUSE® is an upscale steak and seafood restaurant located on the waterfront in Disney Springs. It’s one of the best restaurants in Orlando for those who want a fine dining-quality meal, but a do-it-your-way ambiance. The cathedral ceiling, rich wood accents, and nautical theme give the place a refined, yacht club vibe, but there’s no dress code enforced here. You’ll see some guests dressed to the nines, but plenty of folks in their Disney duds, too. As for the menu, it’s composed of simple American standbys (burgers, fish tacos, filet mignon) executed flawlessly.

This fast-casual pizza joint, located in the Disney Springs outdoor shopping complex, is a convenient place to stop in for a quick bite. Its name is a nod to how quickly your artisanal, thin-crust pie is cooked in their open-flame oven (about three minutes). You can order off the menu or choose create-your-own style, great if you have picky kids in tow. Gluten-free crust and vegan cheese are available, as well as salads and desserts. The indoor dining area is clean and comfortable, but many guests prefer to sit on the patio and take in the awesome waterfront views.

Word has definitely gotten around that Maggiano’s is one of the best restaurants in Orlando, so be sure to make a reservation. This semi-upscale chain serves up classic Italian-American dishes in a comfortable yet elegant space. Patrons gush over the family-style menu in particular, which offers unlimited refills of appetisers, salads and entrees. For those with allergies or gluten sensitivity, almost every item on the menu can be modified to accommodate your needs. There’s also an extensive wine list, through which the well-trained wait staff are more than happy to guide you.

There are quite a few buffet-style restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort, but this one is a consistent favourite. That’s chiefly because of the diversity and reliably high quality of dishes on offer. Located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, the menu features an array of American and African cuisine, including adventurous options as well as familiar favourites. Wanna try out authentic South African flavours? Sample the corn beef bobotie, a spiced minced meat. Even if you prefer sticking to the tried and true, you oughta have a bite of the much-hyped Zebra Domes dessert. A slightly fruity, caramel mousse, coated in ganache, sits atop a white cake base. Mmmmm.

There’s no better place to indulge in “nostalgic Southern comfort food” than this cosy, down-home bakery in the heart of Orlando’s Milk District. Favourites include the vanilla bean bourbon bacon moon pie and their sumptuous chicken pot pie (you’ll dream about the flaky, buttery crust for days afterwards). Even Guy Fieri is a fan: he featured the shop on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2017. If you want to try that chicken pot pie, observe the “early bird” adage and arrive by 11:30, when they’re pulled from the oven.

Keke’s is a classic American diner that serves breakfast and lunch staples. The breakfast menu, which is available until 2:30, is the real star of the show. Treat yourself to a confection-laden waffle or pancake, or select something from their exhaustive egg dish menu. No matter which rich, scratch-made entrée you choose, you’ll receive dangerously generous portions. You may have to roll yourself out the door, but hey, you’ll burn it off at the theme parks later.

Foodies, this stylish Winter Park gastropub is for you! Run by husband-and-wife chefs James and Julie Petrakis, Ravenous Pig specializes in inventive New American fare, house-brewed beer and craft cocktails. The menu is constantly evolving to take advantage of seasonal local ingredients, but is always innovative and complex. The homemade charcuterie, one of the few menu fixtures, is a great way to start your meal. Rely on your well-versed server to guide you if you’re struggling to choose an entrée, but rest easy in the knowledge that you really can’t go wrong. And leave room for dessert! The selections are as thoughtful as the rest of the menu.

Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is the place to have an opulent dining experience you’ll never forget. This upper-tier celebration destination boasts exquisitely presented prix fixe New American cuisine in a romantic Victorian setting. Seats can fill up nearly six months in advance, so plan your visit well ahead of time (send your suit jacket to the cleaner’s while you’re at it). You’ll be feted with your choice of a seven - or 10-course tasting menu. Opt for the wine pairing add-on to take the sublimity to even greater heights.

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant provides a wine-driven, upscale, casual dining experience inspired by Napa Valley’s wine country. Given that, it tends to be the backdrop to lively conversations, laughter and good times between friends. The menu features fresh American cuisine with an international twist – wasabi-buttered mashed potatoes, for instance. Can’t decide? Their shrimp and scallop risotto earns rave reviews. From appetisers to desserts, each menu item is listed with a suggestion for the ideal wine match. Cheers!

Meat lovers pig out at this legendary BBQ spot. 4 Rivers has a casual, familial vibe thanks to its long, communal dining tables and solicitous service (Want to sample something? No problem). They offer a plethora of meats, but the best of the bunch are the brisket and “burnt ends,” a combo of shredded brisket and pulled pork smothered in sauce and resmoked. The sides aren’t slackin’ either, and a vegetarian could easily fill up on homestyle comfort foods like mac ‘n’ cheese, collards, coleslaw and bread pudding.

Yellow Dog Eats is an eclectic, casual family-owned café on the fringes of Orlando, and it’s one of the few joints worth travelling off the beaten path for. It’s situated in the Brockman House, a historic building that resembles a rustic country inn. The menu is anything but quaint, however. While it features primarily sandwiches and wraps, the results are prepared by a Culinary Institute-trained chef and might be straight out of the pages of Saveur. Try the Retriever’s Roast, made with mid-rare roast beef, fresh tomatoes, smoked gouda, cranberry-horseradish-jalapeño mayo (!!!) and thick-sliced homemade bread. Woof, now that’s a sandwich.

Fragrant spices, twin wood-burning stoves, and a vault’s worth of South African wine will transport you to the motherland…not to mention the zebra, giraffes, and gazelle roaming outside. Jiko – The Cooking Place is a resort-casual fine dining restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. The safari theme makes many elegant nods to African culture, such as a warm lighting layout that mimics a Saharan sunset. It’s that attention to detail, which extends from the décor to the dishes, that makes this restaurant so special. Its menu blends traditional African, Indian and Mediterranean cuisine, with plenty of bold, flavourful dishes to please carnivores (Moroccan lamb tagine, oak-grilled filet mignon) and vegetarians (West African Koki Corn) alike. Make a visit to Jiko – The Cooking Place for a memorable Disney date night.

Make a reservation now and count down the days ‘til you get to dine at this scenic Disney seafooder. Narcoossee's, an upscale fine dining eatery, is perched on the shoreline of the Seven Seas Lagoon at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, overlooking the Magic Kingdom Park and Cinderella Castle. You’ll want to wear something befitting of the elegant setting (the minimum dress code is business casual). Choose from an innovative selection of seafood from local waters and around the globe — the whole-steamed Maine lobster is very popular. For land-based fare, pick the succulent, attractively plated pork tenderloin. Schedule your dinner for around nine PM and you’ll have waterfront seats for the nightly Magic Kingdom Park fireworks show. What could be more romantic than that?

The best restaurant in Orlando for authentic Tex-Mex is this casual Austin-based chain. Its playful, zany atmosphere makes it highly appropriate for a city known for its theme parks: bright colors abound, and kitschy decorations hang from every available surface. One dining room even has a hubcap ceiling, ‘cause why not? The food is just as bold. Hand-rolled tortillas come stuffed with zesty sauces and tender, juicy meats. Go all out and order a Chuy’s Brew to drink, which combines their refreshing frozen lime margarita with a seven-ounce Coronita.

Ethos is an inviting, full-service vegan restaurant and bar in a laidback, loft-like space with a patio. You’ll find that Ethos’ following extends far beyond health nuts, which speaks to their philosophy that plant-based food can be hearty and delicious, too. Most items are prepared from scratch, and about half are organic. The dishes are simple and homespun, and their minimalist-chic presentation reflects that. The coconut curry wrap is a flavourful crowd-pleaser. Walnuts add a pleasant crunch, and the curried Vegenaise is addictively delicious. When you’re seriously hungry, the “Yo Mama’s Lasagne” hits the spot, with five lavish layers of pasta, mozzarella, marinara, and veggies, plus an ample portion of garlic bread.

This Barcelona-inspired café is a delightfully bohemian, artistic space, from the ever-evolving murals on the walls to the beautifully presented, creative tapas. It’s not uncommon to spot an artist at work as you and your crew nibble your way through Asian, Caribbean, Latin, and Middle Eastern inspired small plates. On weekends, you’ll catch funky live entertainment like belly dancers and tarot readers. If you’re feeling daring, order the spiced alligator bites, which are actually quite tasty. The dynamite shrimp, goat cheese flatbread, and Moroccan cauliflower are heavy hitters, too. Whatever you choose, it’s hard not to have a good time in this vibrant, festive setting.

Yard House is located in I-Drive 360, a seven-hectare entertainment and dining complex that’s also home to the Orlando Eye observation wheel, Madame Tussaud’s Orlando Wax Museum and Sea Life Orlando aquarium. With that said, this high-end sports bar chain is a destination in itself. It features a huge menu of New American fare as well as an extensive list of draft beers. If abundant options leave you paralyzed with indecision, try the lamb burger with truffle fries: it’s decadent and seasoned impeccably. The chicken nachos and fried mac ‘n’ cheese are yummy appetizers to share. And check out their Chalkboard Series, a rotating selection of unique and complex draft beers, like a stout with “smoky, campfire flavours” or a wheat brew with “a healthy dose of raspberries.” 

Inspired by the fabled gastrobars of Spain, this casual, contemporary tapas bar specialises in made-to-order sangrias, plus Spanish and Catalan small plates. Bulla (pronounced “boo-ya”) has earned a reputation for its convivial, communal atmosphere, creative cocktails, and modern spin on Spanish classics. The huevos bulla, a savoury Spanish comfort food made with eggs, homemade potato chips, Serrano ham, potato foam and truffle oil, is a marquee dish. The paellas and sangria are equally phenomenal. 

As their website boasts, Seito are “artisan in approach and traditional in technique.” Restaurant impresario Jason Chin sources fresh local provisions and uncommon exotic ingredients to create dishes that reflect traditional coastal Asian cuisine as well as the innovative New Japanese movement. You don’t have to be an Izakaya expert to appreciate this authentic eatery, however. Anyone with tastebuds will drool over the melt-in-your-mouth chimichurri-torched wahoo, served over a wasabi-avocado puree. Patrons also rave about the homemade noodles and rich tonkotsu broth of the ramen dishes. Settle in with a Japanese whiskey in front of the sushi bar and prepare for a lesson in why Seito’s been a local favourite for over 15 years.

Charley’s is a classic chophouse known for the distinctive flavoring imparted by their citrus and oak wood pit. It’s a sophisticated space, but you’ll feel perfectly appropriate in resort casual attire. There’s a wide variety of steaks to choose from, including organic, bison, and Kobe meats. Fresh, flavorful poultry and fish options are available as well. Service is attentive, but unobtrusive: your waiter will be sure you never run out of warm garlic bread, for instance, but won’t interrupt your mealtime conversation unnecessarily.

Complimentary valet parking will make you feel special before you even walk in the door of this upscale-casual venue. MoonFish is known for their creative fusion fare, which draws upon Pan Asian, Cajun, and Creole influences. Sushi fans won’t find fresher than their Gulf-harvested offerings. Plus, if you come by for Happy Hour between 4:30 and 6:30 PM, rolls are half off! Meats are flame-grilled over a 649° Florida citrus and oak wood-burning pit–the blackened swordfish and lamb chops are showstoppers. Set off your meal with their excellent cantaloupe martini — it comes with real cantaloupe juice, and is expertly balanced.

Plan a celebratory dinner at Eddie V’s, a posh fine-dining chain famous for their seafood, steak, and live jazz. The outer façade is eye-catchingly glamorous, while indoors, it’s all chic elegance, from the pristine white tablecloths to the lakeside views. USDA prime beef and fresh seafood are cooked to perfection, with memorable touches of Asian and Latin flavour to brighten things up. Case in point: the Tartare of Pacific ahi tuna, an awe-inspiring blend of sriracha oil, tart grapefruit, sweet mango and creamy avocado. When you can’t eat another bite, head to the V Lounge for a handcrafted cocktail and a serenade.

Kabooki is a hidden gem tucked away in a drab strip mall across from Orlando Fashion Mall. Inside, you’ll find an intimate, cosmopolitan space, warmly lit by paper globes. Chef Moso’s menu is a meld of global influences, pan-Asian as well as Mexican, French and American. Consider the Smoking Double T roll, which features tender spicy tuna, avocado, blowtorch-warmed escolar, and prettily delicate slices of jalapeño. Not into raw fish? Chow down on a thick cut slab of kurabuta pork belly, served on premium Tamaki sushi rice with a sweet-crunchy tempura shallot on top.

It’s always a fiesta at this casual family-friendly establishment, serving contemporary Mexican and Tex-Mex. Make the most of a warm summer evening by dining on their lovely outdoor patio. Their homemade guacamole and generous blueberry margaritas will get the party started. As for entrées, the fresh-from-the-sea ceviche and mouth-watering carnitas earn superlatives. Little amigos dine for just $5.50, and have their choice between simple Mexican dishes (tacos, quesadillas, burritos) or American finger food (namely, cheeseburgers and chicken tenders).