Dining in Orlando Florida?

Question

We are going to Orlando next week. I haven't made advanced dinner reservations because we aren't all that interested in the Disney resturants. We'd rather go off the resort to have dinner. Since next week is so busy, will we be in trouble without reservations? I guess we'd be looking for something along the lines of Samari/Famous Daves/Outback. Middle of the road fare. Any suggested favorites?

Answer 1

At CityWalk, you can find Margaritaville (my favorite), the World's Largest Hard Rock and on I-Drive they a bunch of stuff like Uno's, Buffalo Wild Wings...those are all good. Margaritaville has live music and the schedule's listed on their website.

Answer 2

I would recommend staying on Disney Property. There is an Outback(I believe in Downtown Disney) and other nice, casual restaurants in Downtown Disney and the resorts. If you really want to go off property there is not much to close to Disney, maybe about 30 minutes off. Some of the best restaurants in Orlando reside at Disney World. I would try looking at the different dining options at Disneyworld.com! You can put in your age group and then they will list some restaurants that fit your desciption. If you are worried about kids that is the way to do it. Plus, you will be tired from all day at the parks and most likely will not want to go off property. Good Luck! Hope this helps!

Answer 3

I know you are asking about stuff out of Disney (and I'll get to a couple suggestions soon). But as someone who feels that most of Disney's food is overpriced and overrated, I really want to make one suggestion. I'd go for at least one meal at The Brown Derby at MGM. The food is the best in the all the parks IMHO. They make the original Cobb Salad from the old Brown Derby in Hollywood and I don't usually cheer salads on let alone crave them, but it is out of this world (if you don't know chopped greens with rows of Chicken, avocado, eggs, bacon, blue cheese I always leave off and dang I'm forgetting one). But it is to die for. And I've had various appetizers and desserts there that all are top restaurant quality. So I would seriously consider at least one meal there. It is light years better than all the regular chains IMHO.

Now forgive me these recommendations since I don't know the names of the places. Last trip I first went to Disney with a friend, then I stayed a long weekend with friends who live in Kissimmee. We went to a couple places that were really good. I don't recall the names but I can try to describe them and the location. One was a funky, sort of southwestern looking theme restaurant that served Tapas style....lot's of little to mid-sized servings of all different types of food. I know it was on the same block and not far from the upside down building. I think it was blue outside with sort of a mexican look. Reasonably priced and very good.

The next I would think would be easy to look up. I met my friend for lunch there. I think it's in Orlando. It is associated with a culinary school. The advanced students, with their their training chef, do a very reasonably priced an supurb buffet. You won't find it advertised...but the locals all go as it is a great deal with cheap prices. I would think a web search or asking some locals might get you the info. It was modern decor, light and bright. They only do limited meals but darned if I recall if it's lunch only or certain days only. Just know my friend said we couldn't miss it and they weren't open all the time.

Last vague thought....There was a pretty good Japanese steak house that cooked at the tables in Kissimmee. I believe it was on the beeline (spelling?), but might have been the Orange Blossom Trail as I confuse those roads. There was a Krispy Kreme a block or so away. I know because I had never had one at that point, so that was a major siting. I recall they had a buy one get one free coupon in the local coupon guide (the ones that are free in all the stores), so with that it was not only good but a good deal.

If there was time I'd call my friend for you, but usually it takes us about a week to catch up, and given when you were going felt good hints would be more useful.

My personal feelings are to go to restaurants I can't eat at when home whenever possible. I remember going to the Rainforest Cafe one trip because a friend REALLY wanted to, and all I kept thinking was, "I could eat this at home why do it here?" And I know the ones I suggested beyond the Brown Derby might take a little exploring, but I think they are worth it...especially that buffet by the student chefs. Why not have superb food and service for less than a mediocre chain meal??!

Hoped this helped. And I know I've seldom had trouble getting in anywhere without a reservation (even on park...just walk up and ask, and you can generally get in especially if you go either early or late for the meal). But there are a gazillion places so am sure you will get in somewhere. Personally I'd consider staying more on property, because is it really worth spending about an hour total to go to a mediocre, overpriced restaurant. The parks have some decent ones that fit that bill. Here's one last tip, eat at least one dinner in the Magic Kingdom at the Tomorrowland Terrace, off main street in Torrowland. You can get a table with one of the best views in the park of the fireworks, and they have a combo sandwich that is awesome and tastes like real food. Can't beat the view/the price/the food!

Have fun!!!!

Answer 4

in case you're staying in the parks, in all honesty, be arranged to spend approximately $10 consistent with individual consistent with meal, even for the "quickly" stuff...a take a seat eating place will value you between $20 - $30 - in the parks and in the hotels. in case you're staying on globalpersistent in Orlando (the main considerable drag close to widely used Studios, Sea worldwide, not too some distance from Disney, moist-N-Wild) there will be a lot of places you may walk to. there is likewise a trolly that runs up and down I-power that's the two unfastened or very affordable (like $a million.10) to journey. have relaxing!

Answer 5

TGIF is very close to Downtown Disney, you might also like Rainforest Cafe at Downtown Disney and Ale House also has the middle of road type fares (they have the BEST chicken wings in Central FL!)

Answer 6

I live in Orlando and Outback is one of my families favorites also, u kind find them just about anywhere, Kirkman Rd (by Universal Orlando) and Orange Blossom Trail (by Florida Mall)! You might also try Universal's City Walk & Downtown Disney, they have several nice mid range restaurants.

Answer 7

The Outback down there is pretty good, not quite sure exactly where one is, but if you can change your view for one night if you go into Disney Village you can go to the Rainforest Cafe and if you haven't been there before, the first time is pretty cool. Pretty good food but your paying more for the restaurant.

Answer 8

You will have no shortage of places to dine at while on vacation. If you are on the main hwy in Kissimmee (HWY 192) you can dine at the Outback, TGIF, Cracker Barrell, Roadhouse Grill, Longhorn Steak house, Carabas, Applebee's etc.
I would like to recommend that while you are here, you make reservations at Emerils or Emerils other restaurant Tchop Tchop. They are located on the property of Universal Studios Resorts.
Enjoy your trip

Answer 9

You will not need reservations for Outback or any resturant along those lines

Answer 10

Mideval Times has a great dinner show.