restaurant recomednations - Orlando/parks etc

[philv]

Hi,

looking for restaurant recomendations for orlando, florida.

On idrive, the disney parks sites, disney springs, universal studios, etc.

I'd like to book for evening meals, so any recomendations much appreciated.

Thanks

[hoegaardenruls]

As chain place's go Joe's Crab Shack would be worth a look - the one on I-Drive was pretty good as it had a kid's play area attached, and eating slightly later meant it was a pretty relaxed night. Probably no need to book unless it's peak season.

[AdamC28]

Tuskers House in Animal Kingdom is a great character dining experience. A reservation here will also provide you with reserved seating for the new River of Lights show.

[AdamC28]

Also the Planet Hollywood Observatory has recently been refurbished in Disney Springs which is worth a visit.

[toon10]

Orlando has a lot of generic steak houses and chains but I've had some nice meals here in the past. Not been disappointed with the food.
http://www.bahamabreeze.com/locations/all-location...

I've not come across any fine dining or anywhere that doesn't shovel ridiculous amounts of meat and BBQ sauce at you but that's not a bad thing from time to time. People raved about this place and as I normally stay near by, decided to give it a try.

http://www.mannyschophouse.com/

The acoustics are mental inside and I couldn't hear anyone properly. It was like being at a rock gig and I can't say the food was any better than Outback or similar but like I say, it normally gets a good review!

[tankplanker]

When you going? It can be hard to get reservations for the best Disney restaurants last minute if it is a busy time. Walk ups to the best Disney restaurants can be next to impossible. Outside of Disney it isn't a problem. Most of my choices below are Disney signature resturants, not cheap but among the best Disney has.

California Grill is at the contemporary resort, has a good mixed menu, go for an hour before the fireworks at Magic Kingdom and get one of the best views in the park.
Morimoto at Disney Springs has a good selection of East Asian food, you can get better but not at the parks
Tiffins at Animal Kingdom is really good African inspired food
Victoria & Albert's at the Floridian is probably the best restaurant ran by Disney, the menu is Sea food heavy though so not to everyone's taste
Brown Derby at Hollywood Studios is good, but the menu could do with a refresh
Le Cellier Steakhouse is good at Epcot, but they pack you in a bit to close to other diners even for Disney
Homecoming at Disney Springs is great for deep fried heart attacks

I personally do not rate Universal's food offerings in the park at all. At City Walk Antojitos is good value tex mex (La Hacienda de San Angel Dinner @ Epcot is better for more traditional mexican food) and Emerils is great if a bit pricey for what it is.

[danzltiu]

Would second Bahama Breeze, in my opinion best chain steakhouse is Longhorn, surprisingly Applebees can be very good with plenty of choice,Millers Alehouse. All reasonable and usually good quality. I wouldn't bother eating in Disney or Universal of an evening there is much better outside.

[surveyor]

Had one of my best ever steaks at the Hilton Orlando (off I drive near Aquatica/Sea World

[Buster73]

Been well impressed with quite a few on Epcots world showcase , saying that we were stopping at Disneys beach club and walked in most nights for dinner.

Wouldn't recommend driving in just to eat mind.

[spikedjack]

As mentioned already:

Millers ale house
Bahama breeze

And also:

KOBE Japanese tepinyaki
Longhorn steakhouse - the one just off the 192
Sports bar feel/quick food - Buffalo wild wings

[Berz]

tankplanker said:

When you going? It can be hard to get reservations for the best Disney restaurants last minute if it is a busy time. Walk ups to the best Disney restaurants can be next to impossible.

Hi,

Do you need a reservation? We're going in September but not planning to book tickets until closer to the time when we've decided which parks to go to. Even then we will probably not know where we will be until a day or two in advance as we'll be working around the weather. I suppose what I'm asking is: Say we turn up at Magic Kingdom with no notice, it gets to 5PM and we're starving, are we going to struggle to find somewhere to eat?

[philv]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies.

Going for 2 weeks in April, so one week will be very busy.

We will be staying on idrive, but sort of undecided whether to return to idrive, shower etc, before going to eat, or eat close to the parks.

Good suggestions above.
Looking forwRd to trying the seafood, japanese, etc.

Any cajun, exotic, great themed places off the parks?

Any great vegetarian places?

[barryrs]

House of Blues at Disney Springs was good and most restaurants can be booked online but only 48 hours or so before arrival.

Out and about i really like Logans Roadhouse for a steak.

[Robatr0n]

If you like your steak then Charley's Steakhouse near Celebration is genuinely lovely. Proper sit-down Disney restaurants can be phenomenal but they are very expensive and you have to book 6 months in advance, particular at places like 'Be Our Guest'.

[hoegaardenruls]

Another stak suggestion would be Shula's. I haven't been to the Orlando restaurant but some of the best steaks I've had have been from their other locations in Tampa and Naples - if you're feeling hungry try the 48oz challenge..

http://www.donshula.com/shulas-steak-house-orlando

[philv]

None of us eat dark meat.
Fish and poultry ok.

[VTECMatt]

Was there October, our favourites were Longhorn and Bahama Breeze. Sign up for discount codes. I avoided eating in Disney, Universal, expensive compared to what is available outside of the park and the quality average in most places.

Biggest bargain was Sissis, buffet Pizza, 4 of us filled up for $30, nothing special inside, just great value.

Edited by VTECMatt on Wednesday 15th March 21:53

[Sheepshanks]

Berz said:

I suppose what I'm asking is: Say we turn up at Magic Kingdom with no notice, it gets to 5PM and we're starving, are we going to struggle to find somewhere to eat?

Counter service will be fine, but you'll likely struggle for table-service restaurants. Even the buffets (such as Crystal Palace at MK) might have a long wait for "walk-ups".

[Sheepshanks]

philv said:

Any great vegetarian places?

You haven't given any indication of the sort of level of place you're looking for but Sweet Tomatoes is a mainly vegatarian buffet with a few locations in Orlando which is well thought of.

We like to go to Celebration and eat outside Celebration Town Tavern - there's some Boston connection there so plenty of fish - or at the slightly upscale Italian Cafe D'Antonio.

[Berz]

Sheepshanks said:

Berz said:

I suppose what I'm asking is: Say we turn up at Magic Kingdom with no notice, it gets to 5PM and we're starving, are we going to struggle to find somewhere to eat?

Counter service will be fine, but you'll likely struggle for table-service restaurants. Even the buffets (such as Crystal Palace at MK) might have a long wait for "walk-ups".

Excellent, cheers. Looking forward to it even more now; the thought of having to reserve food spaces as well as all the rides and things was putting a bit of a dampener on things. Holidays should be relaxing damnit!