places to eat in orlando florida?

Question

we r goin in november n thre is 6 kids from ages11 -18 n 2 adults so i need to find places to eat that are good value and family friendly and provide good service

Answer 1

If you belong to AAA you should get a guidebook for the state of Florida, it's free.

Outside the parks food is definitely cheaper. For value & quality put together you'd have to ask a local. There are TONS of chain restaurants down there, as a general rule they have huge waits for food that isn't worth the wait even if it was free. A local will let you know about a mom & pop place off the beaten path.

If you are eating in the parks, food is going to be more expensive (I wouldn't be surprised if the parks break even on admission and make all their profit from food & souvenirs).
But a HUGE part of the Disney experience is the food (provided that you know where to go). A good sit down meal breaks up the day real well.

Lunch sit downs are often a lot cheaper than the dinner ones (for often the same food). And Morocco the lunch is actually superior to the dinner since with a lot fewer people the ambience is much better and they don't have the lights turned up too much.

If you are there before the 11th the Food & Wine festival is in Epcot, where they sell sample size portions of food from all over the world. Can be pricey if you attempt to make a meal out of it, but can be a good way of have something different as a snack. Epcot in general has the best food inside the parks. Germany has a pretty decent buffet (and has entertainment).

And Epcot has 'Club Cool', where they have FREE tastings of soft drinks from around the world (avoid the 'Beverly'). I've walked in there several times in a trip just to wet my whistle real quick.

But if you don't mind spending about $26 per person (including dessert and all beverages except coffee, tea, and alcohol), Boma over at the Animal Kingdom Lodge has a GREAT buffet. And the AKL has it's own little savannah of animals to look at, separate from the Animal Kingdom park.

Below I have the link to the AllEarsNet page for Disney dining. Not everything is supercurrent but you can get a pretty good picture of what prices are in the parks for food.

But in general, food outside is definitely cheaper than inside, but if you want to (or have to) eat inside, check the allears pages and see what you think might justify the extra cost.

But one more thing about value: Even in the off seasons, you are better off getting to the parks when they open (don't stroll in at 11 or later). You'll get more stuff done. (Have breakfast items in your room and eat before you leave). Then, when the park starts to fill up, it's easier to leave the parks and eat in an outside cheap place if you want to, swim & nap at the hotel, then come back at night.

Answer 2

We have just moved to Orlando from the UK and have three children (3, 5 and 6). For an all day breakfast go to Denny's - its really cheap and will keep you full for ages. Try not to eat at Disney if you can help it - we spent nearly $30 on pastries and drinks for five the other morning at MGM when we could have had a huge breakfast at Denny's for the same price. For lunches try Subway - it's very competitively priced and a healthier alternative to burgers - the meatball marinara sub is very filling (also a favourite of Joey from Friends!). If you do go to McDonalds there is a huge one on Sand Lake Road which is the largest in the world and has a deli counter, pastas, burritos and stir-frys. If you like Italian food and pizzas go to Olive Garden (there's plenty on 192, International Drive and one opposite the Millenia Mall and Florida Mall) - their portions are massive and they bring out a huge complimentary bowl of salad and breadsticks. At Universal there's Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. based on the film Forrest Gump. Chilis and Ruby Tuesdays are a good alternative to TGI Fridays. Also, try Dave n Busters - it's a restaurant and arcade area for the whole family. There are also plenty of themed dinners to go to but they tend to be expensive. Don't forget when you eat out your tip is not included in the bill - usually add on 15%. Enjoy your holiday.

Answer 3

Orlando huh? Well Texas de Brazil like they recomended below is expensive, and somewhat not really fun. : / Disneyworld like they said below is an obvious. Other restaurants that are great for kids are Medieval Times, which is a dinner show, and costs around 55, but it's highly recommended. Dolly Partons Dinner Show you can look up also. There is also the pirate dinner show and the Arabian Knights show that's awesome. Check them all out, and if your looking for just food, then there are more places than you can imagine everywhere in Orlando, just try something new and have fun.

Answer 4

the best place in the entire world 2 eat is the rainforest cafe. there's one in downtown disney and in animal kingdom. its kinda pricey, but they have great food, and the best enviornment of all orlando!!!! its designed just like a tropical rainforest w/ sound effects and everything!!! if u dont wanna do that then theres the always wonderful hard rock cafe, but thats still not nearly as good as the rainforest cafe!!!! also if u go inside the magic kingdom, then there's cinderella's castle....but you have 2 have a reservation like a 6 months in advance. if youre looking 4 something 4 younger kids, then the garden grill in epcot is rly good and the tables are on a platform that slowly rotates. they also have characters like pluto, mickey, chip and dale walking around to see the little kids. my top recomendation: rainforest cafe
also if you wander around through downtown disney, then your sure 2 find something good!!!!! but you have 2 make a reservation at least a day or 2 in advance!!!!
good luck!!! =)

Answer 5

In Walt Disney World there are tons of great places to eat. If they're wordly, try someplace in Epcot - Morocco is my favorite. If they're still kids in a lot of ways, try Rainforest Cafe, which is in Animal Kingdom as well as one in Downtown Disney. If they're relatively mature, Tony's Town Square Restaurant in Magic Kingdom. If they want to see all the characters, go for Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary Resort.

Don't forget to make reservations! If you call the hotline (on the website posted by another answerer), the person you speak to will give you a LOT of helpful suggestions. After all, that's what they're trained for!

Have a magical day!!
~S (LoL, sorry, used to work at Chef Mickey's, hehe)

Answer 6

For kids 11 - 18 i think everyone would enjoy Kobe's steakhouse. The meal goes from $15-$20+ depending on what you get. It includes a salad, soup, vegeables, noodles, rice and your order of meat/seafood all cooked right infront of you. Each table sits 10 so everyone can enjoy all together. Kobe's Japanese steakhouse is a tepanyaki restaurant where the chef cooks right infront of you and does some tricks to keep you entertained.. There's one very close to disney and another right across Universal Studios.

Answer 7

Depends where in Orlando you will be.
If at Disney, there are many options. You don't need to just eat at McDonalds.
Try Chick-Fil-A -- best chicken sandwiches, wraps, salads.
International Drive has many good restaurants and more are opening.
If you can travel, try High Tide Harry's on rte 436 just north of Colonial Drive (rte 50).
Very child friendly and they have great, fresh seafood.

Answer 8

there is this mcdonalds in orlando its shaped like a box of french fries and is one of those bistro mcdonald too so food for kids and adults the bonus is the huge arcade they have upstairs and down.My kids really enjoy it , another good choice is the ponderosa on i drive and universal all you can eat and something for every one . and look for your 10% off coupon they have them all over orlando. If you are on I drive there are like hundreds of places to eat ... enjoy your vacation , Try not to eat @ the parks its rediculously expensive and the food isnt very good at all ,

Answer 9

This is a very good one for teenagers, Disney World ! Just make the reservations early because otherwise they will be already taken ! For all the choices of restaurants go to the website under this message !

Answer 10

If you like Italian food (real italian food that is)... there is a family owned authenitic placed called Sicialians thats a great place to take the kids and will not kill your purse....located on Lee rd, maybe a half mile from interstate 4 (winter park)