Restaurants

It should come as no surprise that Orlando has something for everybody when it comes to pleasing the palate, ranging from fast food to five-star restaurants and everything in between. The Mouse's arrival launched an invasion of fast-food joints, a response to the number of families flocking to see Mickey, while theme restaurants, focusing on everything from race cars and rainforests to superheroes and sporting goods, weren't far behind. Today, the city overflows with more than 5,000 dining options, and while renowned for its numerous theme and chain restaurants (some admittedly more upscale than others), a small number of noteworthy eateries has managed to enter Orlando's dining scene in recent years.

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 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.

Note to parents: Keep in mind that most moderate to inexpensive restaurants have kids' menus ($5-$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 hello 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 information about area restaurants, visit www.visitorlando.com, www.go2orlando.com, or the websites in the listings that follow.

Special Delivery -- Gooding's Supermarkets (tel. 407/827-1200; www.goodings.com or www.goodingsdelivers.com) offers grocery delivery service to theme-park area hotels in Lake Buena Vista, Disney, Celebration, I-Drive, and Kissimmee. There is a $50 minimum, and a $25 service charge is added to all orders. You can order groceries (but no alcohol) online up to 48 hours before your requested delivery date. Delivery hours are 4 to 7pm. For details, see the website or call ahead. This is a great service if you are staying in a hotel room with kitchen facilities or if you want to stock up on snacks and supplies.

Hidden Mickey? -- All over the Walt Disney World Resort, you will find Mickey Mouse popping up in some rather interesting places. You had better take a good look at your food before you take a bite -- you might be surprised to find him staring back at you. Mickey can be found in pancakes, waffles, muffins, pastas, and pats of butter. He can be seen in fruits and cheeses, sandwiches, and sundaes. There are Mickey mashed potatoes, ice-cream bars, cookies, and cakes. Even cucumbers are grown (with a little help from a plastic mold) to look like the famous mouse.

On a Budget?

Magic Kingdom: Try a turkey leg from a cart ($7.59), fruit and snacks at the Liberty Square Market ($1-$3.50), a hot dog at Casey's ($5), pastries at the Main Street Bake Shop ($2-$6), or a frozen fruity treat at Aloha Isle ($3-$4).

Hollywood Studios: Grab a burger and fries at the Backlot Express ($8.50), sweets at the Starring Rolls Cafe ($1-$4), or fruit and snacks at Anaheim Produce ($1-$4).

Animal Kingdom: The egg rolls at Yak & Yeti's outdoor outpost ($4.50) are a good bet, as are the pizzas at Pizzafari ($8) and sweet treats at the Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery ($2-$4).

Epcot: Head to the Kringla Bakeri og Kafe or Boulangerie Patisserie for dessert ($2-$9), or snack on a bratwurst or apple strudel at Sommerfest ($4-$7).