It should come as no surprise that Orlando has something for everybody when it comes to pleasing your palate, ranging from fast food to five-star restaurants and everything in between. The city overflows with more than 5,000 dining options, though it's usually noted for its many theme and chain restaurants. The arrival of the Mouse in Orlando launched an invasion of the area by fast-food joints, mostly in response to the number of families now flocking to see Mickey. Theme restaurants, focusing on everything from race cars and rainforests to superheroes and sporting goods, weren't far behind.
The local dining scene doesn't compare to that found in such metropolitan foodie hot spots as New York, San Francisco, or Las Vegas, but there are certainly more than a few places here that could easily hold their own against the competition (disbelievers can grab a chair at Emeril's at CityWalk, Victoria & Albert's at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, or Norman's at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes, among others). That said, keep in mind that Orlando is the undisputed king of U.S. family destinations, and restaurants generally do their darnedest to cater to their target audience.
As so many of Central Florida visitors spend the biggest chunk of their time at Disney, a good deal of this section deals with the restaurants and eateries at Disney. For those of you who find yourselves beyond the boundaries of Mickey's doorstep, there's no need to worry: I also cover what's cooking at Universal Orlando's best restaurants, the hottest dining spots on International Drive, and a fair share of other area dining rooms.
Note to parents: Keep in mind that most moderate to inexpensive restaurants have kids' menus ($4-$9), and many offer distractions, such as coloring books and crayons, in the hopes it will keep your little ones otherwise occupied until their dinner arrives. If you go to a place catering to children, expect the noise level to be high. They don't take a vacation from squeals of joy or fits of temper, so you shouldn't expect to either. On the plus side, if it's your kids who tend to turn up the volume, it's far more likely that their antics will go unnoticed when there are others around doing the very same things.
If dining with kids isn't your cup of tea, steer clear of any restaurant where Mickey and Minnie stop by to say "hi" during the meal. Character meals, no matter what restaurant they are in, are guaranteed to be filled with families, making them, at times, excruciatingly loud and almost unnerving to those not used to dining in a room full of children. As a general rule, the more expensive your meal, the less likely you'll be dining with a lot of little ones around. So if you prefer to dine in peace -- and can afford it -- consider a meal at some of the more expensive restaurants in the resorts, on International Drive, or around Orlando proper. Tip: Parents in need of a night off from the kids can arrange for in-room babysitting or supervised child care so they too can indulge in one of the area's finer dining options.
For additional online information about area restaurants, visit www.orlandoinfo.com or www.go2orlando.com.
Bargain Buffets -- I won't list them all, but if you spend time on International Drive or U.S. 192/Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway between Kissimmee and Disney, you'll see billboards peddling all-you-can-eat breakfast buffets for $5 to $8. This is a good way to fill your tanks early and skip or at least go easy on lunch, especially if your day is in the theme parks, where lunches are overpriced. Note that you won't find award-winning cuisine here, except perhaps for the highest concentration of grease! Those with kids will, however, appreciate the inexpensive and kid-friendly fare -- especially over some of the high-priced restaurants at the resorts.
Breakfast buffets are served by Golden Corral, 8033 International Dr. (tel. 407/352-6606); Ponderosa Steak House, 6362 International Dr. (tel. 407/352-9343), and 7598 U.S. 192 W. (tel. 407/396-7721); and Sizzler Restaurant, 9142 International Dr. (tel. 407/351-5369), and 7602 U.S. 192 W. (tel. 407/397-0997). The latter two are the better bets.
