Orlando 6

Chapter 10

Dining and Snacking

in Orlando

In This Chapter

Sampling Orlando’s eateries

Dining options for the budget-conscious

Exploring the best dining in Orlando

Sharing a meal with the Mouse and other characters

W

ith more than 5,000 restaurants in the Orlando area, there’s cer-

tainly no lack of dining choices. New restaurants are opening all

the time with just as many stale ones closing. Most are surprisingly decent

(Orlando is, after all, a city where food tends to be viewed merely as fuel);

though some of the more recent entries on the dining scene are definitely

making their mark. In this chapter, I offer general pointers about dining in

the land of Diz, explain the ins and outs of making reservations, provide

detailed reviews of the city’s best restaurants, and give you the lowdown

on Orlando’s most famous meal experience: character dining.

Getting the Dish on the Local Scene

Few people come to Orlando with fine dining on the mind, though it’s a

lot easier to find nowadays than it used to be. The city has its fair share

of fancier spots that can compete with the best in the country (Disney’s

Victoria & Albert, Emeril Lagasse’s two Universal Orlando restaurants,

Manuel’s on the 28th), but most visitors tend to dine at the chains,

which are seemingly everywhere you turn, or inside the theme parks,

where the food doesn’t often astound, but the atmosphere is right. In this

city, the emphasis tends to be more on the experience and the theme

than it is on the food (which, most restaurant execs appear to reason, is

used to generate enough kick to get through the attractions without your

tank getting empty).

With only a very few exceptions, if you want truly first-class cuisine with-

out having to take out a second mortgage, you have to get out of the

theme-park zones. Restaurants catering to locals (especially in the Dr.

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Chapter 10: Dining and Snacking in Orlando

Philips area and Winter Park, but also in Downtown Orlando) usually

offer excellent food and a sophisticated atmosphere at prices far less

daunting than inside the major tourist zones, with a small handful of

others located in downtown Orlando as well. I review a number of excel-

lent local restaurants in this chapter.

Most Orlando restaurants go out of their way to cater to kids, offering

children’s menus, diversions such as crayons at the table, high chairs,

and so on. The high kid-quotient generally means a higher volume level

and a more jovial atmosphere. Adults seeking a quiet, sophisticated, or

romantic night out do have options, however, and I note restaurants that

offer some respite from the kids on the “Good for Grown-ups” list found

on this book’s tear-out cheat sheet.

Orlando’s own tend to dine early (as do most visitors with kids). For a

more leisurely and relaxed meal, try to eat dinner after 8:30 p.m., but

don’t wait too late — except for a few fast-food joints, many restaurants

close between 10 and 11 p.m.

For more information on the types of Orlando cuisine, see Chapter 2.

Dressing down

Didn’t pack the tux this time around, or just not a fan of dressing for

dinner? The good news is the city’s casual attitude generally extends

to most of its restaurants, so you can leave the penguin suits and long

gowns at home. At the theme parks, nobody will look at you twice if you

walk in to an otherwise formal atmosphere in shorts and a T-shirt. That

said, there are a few high-end restaurants that do require formal or semi-

formal attire; if a coat and tie is called for at a restaurant, I note it in the

restaurant reviews in this chapter.

Lighting up

If you’re a smoker, don’t plan on lighting up over dinner. Effective July 1,

2003, a state constitutional amendment banned smoking in Florida’s

public workplaces, including all restaurants and bars that serve food.

Stand-alone bars that serve virtually no food are exempt, and so are des-

ignated smoking rooms in hotels and motels, but they are becoming

fewer and farther between.

Making reservations

Reserving a table is a wise idea for most of Orlando’s finest restaurants,

but in most cases, you can wait to make same-day reservations. You

will find, of course, some exceptions to this rule, and I note them in the

appropriate restaurant reviews.

Advanced Dining Reservations (previously known as Priority Seating)

is the only option available at most Disney properties. This practice is

Mickey’s way of saying that you get the next available table after you

arrive (at your pre-arranged arrival time). Understand however, you’ll

126 Part III: Settling into Orlando

probably still have to wait 10 to 15 minutes after you get to the restau-

rant before actually being seated. I recommend that you always call as

far ahead as possible to make an Advanced Dining Reservation. If you

try walking in off the street to find a table, you may not get one before

your stomach starts growling at you (if you get one at all). Call % 407-

939-3463 to stake a claim to a table at Mickey’s place. If you’re staying

at a WDW resort, you can make Advanced Dining Reservations at the

hotel’s Guest Relations desk, with the concierge, or dial % 55 from your

room phone and arrange it yourself.

Don’t even think of showing up for a Disney character meal (see “Dining

with Disney Characters” at the end of this chapter) without an Advanced

Dining Reservation made far in advance if you want to ensure you get a

table. Some of the meals take Advanced Dining Reservations up to two

years ahead of time — and some of them book up within minutes.

You can also make Advanced Dining Reservations after you’re inside the

Disney parks — best done immediately upon your arrival. At Epcot, make

reservations at the Worldkey interactive terminals at Guest Relations in

Innoventions East, at Worldkey Information Service satellites located

on the main concourse to World Showcase, and at Germany in World

Showcase, or at the restaurants themselves. In the Magic Kingdom, you

can sign up at Guest Relations inside City Hall or at the restaurants. For

Disney–MGM Studios, reserve a table via Guest Relations just inside the

entrance or at the restaurants. At Animal Kingdom, reserve at Guest

Relations near the entrance.

Worried WDW can’t entertain your vegetarian taste buds? Looking for

kosher food? Disney can usually handle those diets and other special

ones (for people who need fat-free or sugar-free meals, or for folks who

have allergies or a lactose intolerance, for example), as long as guests

give Disney advance notice — usually no more than 24 hours. It’s a good

idea to discuss these requirements when you make your Advanced

Dining Reservation arrangements. Select counter-service eateries now

offer specialty food items on their menu (check your park map for

details on which ones and what they offer). If you’re not staying at

WDW, call % 407-939-3463.

Tipping and taxes in Orlando

Sales tax on restaurant meals and drinks ranges from 6.5 to 7 percent

throughout the Orlando area. (These taxes don’t apply to groceries.)

In addition, the standard tip in full-service restaurants is 15 percent, and

a 12 percent tip is usually warranted at a buffet where a server brings

your drinks, fetches condiments, and cleans the table. If you have a pre-

dinner drink, leave a small tip to reward the server.

Make sure that you carefully look over your check before coughing up a

tip because some restaurants have started automatically tacking a gratu-

ity onto your bill, especially for larger groups. There’s no sense doubling

a tip for routine service.

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Chapter 10: Dining and Snacking in Orlando

Trimming the Fat from Your Dining Budget

If you’re staying in the parks until closing, you may find it more conven-

ient to eat there, but you’ll probably pay an average of 25 percent more

than in the outside world. (Dinner for two at a sit-down restaurant in

WDW, including tax and tip, can cost $50 or more — sometimes, a lot

more especially if you add in appetizers, dessert, and drinks.) If you

don’t mind ditching Mickey every now and again, you can substantially

decrease your eating expenses.

Here are a few suggestions to get the most out of your dining dollars:

I won’t list all of them, but if you spend any time on International

Drive or U.S. 192/Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway between

Kissimmee and Disney, you’ll see all sorts of billboards peddling

all-you-can-eat breakfast buffets at chain restaurants for $4 to $7.

A buffet is a great way to fuel up for the day early and skip or, at

least, lighten up on lunch. The drawback: You loose valuable time

when the parks are less crowded.

Make sure you pick up all the free magazines and ad books that

you see everywhere in Orlando hotels, tourist information centers,

most convenience stores, newspaper racks, highway rest areas,

and so on. These publications include coupons good for a second

meal free, discount prices on entrees, or a free dessert, beverage,

or appetizer with a meal. Also, watch for ads from restaurants that

offer kids-eat-free specials or discounts for early birds.

Inexpensive (by now you know that’s a relative term) kids’ menus

(usually $7 and under) are common at most of Orlando’s moder-

ately priced and family-style restaurants. Many also offer place

mats with mazes or pictures to color.

If you enjoy a cocktail before dinner, don’t ignore places with

happy-hour specials, including two-for-one drinks — some at bar-

gain rates — usually from 4 to 7 p.m. Again, you can find listings in

the free area guides in hotel lobbies and other places throughout

Orlando.

If your vacation won’t be complete without trying at least one of

the sit-down theme park restaurants, consider scheduling your

meal at lunch instead of dinner, when prices are almost always

significantly cheaper.

If you’re on a tight budget and your room has a kitchen, or at least

a spot to sit and grab a bite, consider dining in a night or two and

saving a few bucks. Area grocers, many with delis that turn out

ready-to-eat treats, include Albertson’s, 7524 Dr. Phillips Blvd.,

(% 407-352-1552; www.albertsons.com) and Gooding’s at the

Crossroads Shopping Plaza in Lake Buena Vista, 12521 Hwy. 535/

Apopka–Vineland Ave., (% 407-827-1200; www.goodings.com),

with another location at 8255 International Drive (% 407-352-4215).

128 Part III: Settling into Orlando

Cutting food costs inside WDW

Eating at Disney parks can set you back more than a few bucks. For example, a 20-

ounce bottle of cola or spring water is $2.50 or more. To save money, buy a bottle (or

six-pack) of water from a local grocery costing far less, (freeze it the night before to

keep it really cold) and take it with you to the park, refilling it at water fountains

throughout the day. Also, in Animal Kingdom, you can belly up to the bar at the

Rainforest Cafe, order a soda for $2.50, and get a free glass of water. If you’re eating

lunch, the average price per person is barely under $10 if you eat at the counter serv-

ice–style fast-food areas, but it’s much less expensive than at the full-service eater-

ies. One of the cheapest entrees at the parks is a smoked turkey drumstick for $4.75

(and they’re huge!). You also can get a pineapple float for around $2.75.

Most of the resorts at Disney offer a refillable mug, which is good for refills there for the

duration of your WDW visit (the mugs must be used at the resort in which they were

purchased). The cost for the glass in most of the resorts is $12. At most resorts, the refills

are free (with a list of select beverages), although a few of them charge $1. The price may

seem steep, but if you consider that most sodas cost around $2 or more individually and

you take into account how much you’d drink during your stay, it’s actually a good deal.

Some of Disney’s water parks have refillable glasses, but refills are limited to the day

you’re in the park. For more information, call Disney at % 407-934-7639.

Gooding’s also offers a delivery service — visit the Web site or call

for details. You can find even more options in the Orlando Yellow

Pages under “Grocers.”

Purchase discounted gift certificates to many Universal Orlando/

International Drive area restaurants from Clear Channel of Orlando’s

Dining Deals Web site (http://halfprice.ccorlando.com). The

selection varies per radio station per week, but the average deal is a

$50 certificate for $25. You can also bid to win dining certificates to a

variety of Orlando area restaurants via IBidUSA (www.ibidusa.com)

and Restaurant.com (www.restaurant.com). Bids of $3 to $5 have

been known to win $25 gift certificates at some of the city’s best

restaurants.

Orlando’s Best Restaurants

In this section, I review, in alphabetical order, what I think are some of

Orlando’s best restaurants. I also throw in some handy indexes at the

end of the chapter to help you narrow down your choices by category.

Because you may spend a lot of time in the Walt Disney World area, I’ve

given special attention to choices there. Don’t worry, though. I haven’t

forgotten to toss in plenty of worthwhile restaurants outside of Disney’s

domain — including a handful of Universal Orlando’s latest entries (you

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Chapter 10: Dining and Snacking in Orlando

can find in-park dining options for the Universal theme parks in

Chapters 18 and 19) and some of the favorites elsewhere around town.

Sit-down restaurants in the WDW theme parks (not their resorts) require

admission, with one exception: the Rainforest Café at Animal Kingdom.

Unless you are a Disney resort guest, all of the Disney theme-park

restaurants will also set you back $8 in parking fees (the same goes for

Universal Orlando’s restaurants, unless you arrive after 6 p.m., when

parking becomes free). And keep in mind, too, alcohol isn’t served in

Magic Kingdom restaurants, but liquor is served at Animal Kingdom,

Epcot, and Disney–MGM Studios restaurants, and elsewhere in the

Disney domain, as well as at the other major theme parks.

Dining in Orlando constitutes your biggest vacation expenditure. To

make it easy for you to recognize expensive versus moderately priced

restaurants, each of the following entries includes one or more $ sym-

bols, based upon the average price of an adult dinner entree and one

non-alcoholic drink. For the meaning behind the dollar symbols, see

Table 10-1.

Table 10-1

Key to Restaurant Dollar Signs

Dollar Sign

Price Range

$

Less than $10

$$

$11–$25

$$$

$26–$50

$$$$

$51 and up

Arthur’s 27

$$$–$$$$ Lake Buena Vista INTERNATIONAL

Come first for the 27th-floor sunsets and spectacular view of Disney’s

sparkling fireworks display. (You can get a much cheaper look from the

Top of the Palace Lounge, next door.) Beyond the long distance visuals,

the atmosphere is romantic and mellow. It has the elegant feel of a 1930s

supper club, filled with intimate alcoves, but minus the clouds of cigarette

smoke. You can choose from selections such as herb-crusted rack of lamb

or pineapple and soy glazed duck, though the entrees aren’t always as

impressive as the price may indicate. Overall, portions lean toward the

small size. Select four- and five-course meals are also available. The wine

list is commendable but priced well above retail.

See map p. 130. 1900 Lake Buena Vista Drive, in the Wyndham Palace Resort & Spa.

% 407-827-3450. Reservations recommended. Main courses: $31–$51; fixed-price

menu $68–$74. No kids’ menu. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Open: Daily 6–10 p.m. Jacket sug-

gested for men.