Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion.
The dining scene in Orlando was at one time epitomized by a plethora of fast-food fare, but there's been such an explosion of artisanal and locally sourced restaurants over the past five years that there are now seven local chefs and nine international celebrity chefs with James Beard Award nominations around the city. Some of the best restaurants in town can be found in resort hotels and theme-park complexes such as Disney Springs, but if you have the time, explore the local treasures beyond the resorts.
The signs of Orlando's dining progress is most evident in the last place one would look: Disney's fast-food outlets. Every eatery on Disney property offers a tempting vegetarian option, and kiddie meals come with healthful sides and drinks unless you specifically request otherwise. Chefs at Disney’s table-service restaurants consult face-to-face with guests about food allergies.
Around town, locals flock to the Ravenous Pig, the Rusty Spoon, Artisan's Table, and other gastropubs where the menu changes regularly; Luma on Park, a suave home of thoughtfully created cutting-edge meals; and any number of dining establishments competing to serve the very finest steak. Orlando's culinary blossoming began in 1995, when Disney's signature California Grill debuted, featuring farm-to-table cuisine and wonderful wines by the glass. Soon after, celebrity chefs started opening up shop. And in 2013, Disney completely revamped California Grill so it's a trendsetter once again.
Orlando's destination restaurants can be found in the theme parks, as well as in the outlying towns. Sand Lake Road is now known as Restaurant Row for its eclectic collection of worthwhile tables. Here you'll find fashionable outlets for sushi and seafood, Italian and chops, Hawaiian fusion and upscale Lebanese. Heading into the residential areas, the neighborhoods of Winter Park (actually its own city), Thornton Park, and Downtown Orlando are prime locales for chow. Scattered throughout Central Florida, low-key ethnic restaurants specialize in the fare of Turkey, India, Peru, Thailand, Vietnam—you name it. Prices in these family-owned finds are usually delightfully low.
Few snacks are so popular as to have spawned their own merchandise, but the Pineapple Float at Aloha Isle has done just that. Dole pineapple ice cream on pineapple juice is one of the iconic treats offered at the Magic Kingdom, and it can only be found at Disney or at the Dole Plantation in Hawaii. If pineapples aren't your thing, still line up to try a coconut or raspberry ice cream.
This complex of three restaurants is a haven of authentic Italian served up by two internationally known chefs (though the Disney "story" tells of an immigrant Italian couple who convert the Disney Springs Air Terminal into the eateries). Maria & Enzo's offers fine Italian cuisine in a sophisticated setting; neighboring Pizza Ponte has pizza by the slice, Italian pastries, and belly-filling sandwiches; Enzo's Hideaway, set in a former cast-access tunnel, serves classic dishes seldom seen in Florida, like fried artichokes and house-cured antipasti.
No Star Wars land would be complete without a kooky bar. Here you'll find a variety of beers on tap along with Star Wars--themed drinks such as the T-16 Skyhopper with vodka, melon liqueur, kiwi, and half-and-half; or the Dagobah Slug Slinger, made with tequila, curaçao, citrus, and ginger. Shareable snacks are available to enjoy while you take in the atmosphere. Fans of the former Star Tours attraction will appreciate the cantina's DJ, a familiar R-3X droid who previously piloted Starspeeders.
Assorted produce, tiny packs of oranges, and churros make this a great spot for an afternoon, pick-me-up snack. Featured craft beers, such as Kona's Longboard Island Lager or Schofferhofer Pink Grapefruit Hefeweizen can help calm you down after riding the Tower of Terror.
It's hard to miss this funky truck serving vanilla and chocolate ice cream in floats and sundaes.
Looking for a snack on the go? Auntie Gravity's Galactic Goodies offers milk shakes, smoothies, and floats that are easy to eat while walking.
This eatery re-creates a downtown Los Angeles corner pub, serving California wines and craft beers. Charcuterie boards featuring California cheeses and Bavarian pretzels with fondue are snackable highlights.
Perhaps the contemporary, upscale BOATHOUSE uses all CAPITALS in its name to draw attention not only to itself but also to its fresh seafood, raw bar, and premium steaks and chops—served dockside or in a classic boathouse setting. After dinner, indulge in dessert (Key lime pie in a Mason jar, maybe) and explore the restaurant’s impressive on-site fleet of classic boats. Not on the menu are guided tours by Amphicar, vehicles that drive like cars on land and glide like boats on water—they depart from the dock by the restaurant.
At Casey's Corner there are multiple ways to enjoy a classic American hot dog—complete with pulled pork or Chicago style. The corn-dog nuggets are a perfect snack to grab while waiting for the parade, and try a pressed penny silk pie for a taste of yesterday.
Superstar chef Art Smith, recognized by foodies for having worked for Oprah and cooked for heads of state, incorporates ingredients from nearby farms, ranches, and fisheries in this tribute to down-home Southern cooking. Having been a part of Disney's College program (the native of Jasper, Florida, started his career with a culinary internship here), he's returned to present dishes like his famous fried chicken, deviled eggs, shrimp and grits, pork chops, fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes, and Southern slaw. The portions are enormous, and the flavors are bold. Try the Jasper Board sampler—smoked fish dip, pimento cheese, Tasso hams, bread-and-butter pickles, candied pecans, and buttermilk crackers—for a taste of everything. Save room for the Moonshine Mash (there's a long list of cocktails) and Smith's signature hummingbird cake.
Those looking for their Starbucks coffee will appreciate the large space and quick-moving lines at this spot to the left of Spaceship Earth when you enter EPCOT. Disney-crafted bakery items change out regularly here, with some items inspired by whichever festival is happening in the park at that time.
With three kitchens offering a range of American-, French-, and Asian-inspired dishes, there's something for everyone at this brightly covered eatery. Picky eaters can enjoy an American burger or chicken sandwich, while those with sophisticated taste buds can savor the French Bistro Burger or an Asian-inspired salad. Disney is working on expanding its plant-based offerings, shown here in the California Burger or Niçoise-style salad. And make sure to save room for dessert. The Liège waffle and Black Forest baumkuchen (tree cake) are both delicious!
Specialty hot dogs such as bacon, macaroni, and cheese or a California BLTA (bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado) make this a great stop for quick meal. In addition to vanilla and chocolate, shakes can be made with Baileys Irish Cream and Kahlúa liqueur, while the Minute Maid Frozen Lemonade adds Tito's Handmade Vodka.
Here you'll find small cups of mac 'n' cheese with or without pulled pork on top. Those looking for a true culinary adventure can try the pulled-pork jelly doughnut sandwich.
The whole family will love sharing a funnel cake with strawberry or cookies 'n' cream topping. Root beer floats come traditionally or with Stoli Vanil Vodka.
Unusual waffle bowls may not sound very California, but these tasty entrées can be a delicious meal or split as a snack for the whole group. The two soba noodle bowls are chock-full of veggies and give a welcome respite to the fried foods so often found in theme parks, while the Korean barbecue pork belly bowl is a delight. Kids will love the specialty drink with boba pearls.
This quick-service eatery is one of the park's relatively undiscovered gems; there's nothing fancy here, but you can dig into ribs, chicken, and pulled-pork sandwiches. Tables beneath intricately carved wood pavilions make great spots for a picnic, and they're not usually crowded.
If you're looking for a snack to satisfy even the most villainous of appetites, come to Gaston's Tavern. While you won't find his four dozen eggs on the menu, the warm cinnamon roll is big enough for an entire family to split, and you'll have chance to "try the grey stuff" in cupcake form. But the real star of the show—and the song—is, of course, LeFou, whose brew will have you raising a glass.
At this reproduction of the famous 1940s Hollywood favorite, the walls are lined with caricatures of old-time movie stars, and the specialty is a Cobb salad, which was invented by Brown Derby founder Robert Cobb and is still tossed table-side. Waiting for a table might take a while, so as an alternative, try the outdoor lounge, where you can order appetizers and drinks. Other menu choices include filet mignon and seafood cioppino. If you request the Fantasmic! dinner package, make a reservation for no later than two hours before the start of the show.
Be it for breakfast or a snack, stop here for a latte and danish to avoid the lines at the Starbucks on the other side of Discovery Island. In the afternoon, several tropics-inspired alcoholic beverages are available, but the ever-popular Island Cappuccino with Captain Morgan spiced rum is there all day.
Knife-wielding chefs prepare world-class sushi and sashimi, as well as other Japanese treats like soups and salads, at this sleek sushi bar, where bamboo-style floor tiles and dark teakwood furnishings set the scene. Popular items include the Dragon Roll (giant shrimp and tuna), Banzai Roll (spicy tuna, avocado, and krab), and Bagel Roll (smoked salmon, cream cheese, and cucumber). Cocktails are a draw, too, along with entertainment in the form of nightly karaoke.
Here you can order Norwegian treats such as kringla, a pretzel-shaped pastry with toppings; lefse, a soft flatbread with cinnamon, sugar, and butter; or a troll horn, a puff pastry filled with orange-marmalade cream. Wash it all down with a Nordic draft beer or a Viking coffee—hot or Elsa style (aka frozen).
On your way to Kilimanjaro Safaris in the morning, stop by this coffee shop to grab a colossal cinnamon roll or pistachio honey croissant to split while waiting in line. In the afternoon, the flatbreads are a refreshing choice to share.
If you're looking for a break from greasy vacation food, stop by The Land Cart for a fruit and cheese tray or a veggie plate. It's a short walk to benches where you can eat overlooking the upside-down water fountain by Journey in Imagination.
The Liberty Square Market is filled with all sorts of fruits, trail mixes, yogurts, and cheese. Those looking for a heftier option can pick up a turkey leg to enjoy with their orange. This place is located perfectly along the parade route: grab a spot in the shade, and send one adult over to pick up a few items while you wait.
The open-air Lotus Blossom Café offers authentic pot stickers and egg rolls, as well as entrées such as orange chicken with steamed rice, chicken fried rice, and a Mongolian combo. The Joy of Tea cart along the promenade serves hot and cold tea, plus trendy bubble milk tea, beer, and cocktails.
Along with foot-long hot dogs, the Lunching Pad serves up tasty pretzels, stuffed with warm cream cheese. This is also a good spot for a blue-raspberry slushy or a midafternoon cup of coffee. This location also serves breakfast bowls. If you're able to wait, head to Tomorrowland first thing in the morning, get in a ride on Space Mountain or Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, and then grab something to eat here.
Most people stop here on their way into the park—and end up waiting in their first long line of the day. Instead, return to the Main Street Bakery in the afternoon for a coffee and a delicious brownie. In addition to the usual Starbucks offerings, there are specialty cakes that kids will enjoy and giant cinnamon rolls that everyone can split.
Stop by the Milk Stand to grab a glass of blue milk, Luke Skywalker's favorite drink (green milk is available, too—who knew?). Both drinks are made with coconut and rice milk mixed with different fruits. Adults can have rum or tequila added to their beverage.
Housed in a paddleboat on Lake Buena Vista, this sophisticated seafood destination has multiple outdoor dining areas, where same-day, fresh-catch selections are presented in any number of ways, from raw bar delicacies to the traditional Gulf-shore jambalaya or the Build-Your-Own Seafood Boil. There are non-seafood dishes like filet mignon and pork chops, as well as vegetarian options. The casual rooftop bar offers views of the entire Disney Springs complex.
