Pointe Orlando
Pointe Orlando is quickly becoming the mecca of choice for great dining in Orlando. Located on International Drive, this chic dining location is host to a great choice of restaurants, offering foodies a significant selection of both fine and casual dining. A number of restaurants have claimed winners of the annual Foodie Awards in various categories and the lifestyle location has been dubbed the perfect place for those seeking a little more grown-up appeal on their Floridian travels by The New York Times. This trendy nook on International Drive is an ideal hub for wining, dining and socialising in style.
- Thursday - Sunday 6:00pm - Till Doors Close
Fat Fish Blue Pointe Orlando's newest entry is Fat Fish Blue, featuring Louisiana-Creole cuisine (such as gumbo, jambalaya, and etouffee) along with American favourites (try BBQ ribs, southern fried chicken, or pulled pork). Live music five nights per week.
Roscoe’s Road House Country And Western Dance Hall and Restaurant is expected to open in the former location of LuLu’s Bait Shack (on the upper level at Pointe Orlando), with live country music, bull riding, free line dancing lessons, and ‘food with a Texas flair’.
- Opening Hours 4pm-2am.
International Drive
Often called I-Drive, this emphatic road runs central through Orlando and is home to a huge variety of restaurants. For those that like their food in a 'big' way, I-Drive is heaven. You can have pancakes at breakfast at the International House of Pancakes, Italian for lunch at the Olive Garden and burgers and chips at Wendy's Diner for dinner. The choice of food on I-Drive truly is overwhelming, and in many of the restaurants you might find the portions just the same. Here you will find fast food restaurants, a selection of fine dining, cuisine from around the world, lobster and steak houses, entertainment dinners and much much more. International Drive is also home to the largest McDonalds in the world.
Dave and Busters: The national chain restaurant Dave and Busters features a menu of burgers, nachos, quesadillas alongside entertainment that comes in the form of a huge games arcade. Great for a rainy day or a break from the parks if you have high-energy children.
India Blue: Combine a London restauranteur with the Orlando dining scene, and the result is cosmopolitan India Blue, a suave new restaurant specialising in the finest Indian cuisine (and an impressive selection of beers and signature martinis). Most main courses can be tailored to your level of spice (from Gentle to Ouch!), and the variety of choice is spectacular. A great Vegetarian and Halal choice.
- Open 5pm-11:30pm, with daily Happy Hour from 4pm-7pm and 10pm-close.
Sand Lake Road
Sand Lake Road, located just off International Drive, is frequently referred to as 'Restaurant Row' and is home to the greatest selection of fine dining restaurants in Orlando. The row features restaurants with celebrity chefs, extensive wine lists, some of the world's tastiest cuisines and creative dining concepts. Foodies can enjoy the best sushi in Florida at Amura Sushi, live entertainment in Latin fusion restaurant Samba Room and gourmet Mexican at Cantina Laredo. Of course amongst all the fine dining the infamous American staples make their presence, you'll find Pizza Hut, Subway and Starbucks.
Big Fin Seafood Kitchen is a the perfect restaurant for a family night out. With a comfortable atmosphere and modest prices, the Big Fin Seafood Kitchen is a fantastic choice for seafood lovers - especially on Monday nights when they run their Whole Maine Lobster Dinner special for just $16.95. We have yet to try a less than stellar meal here.
- Open Mon-Thu,Sun 5pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 5pm-11pm
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar located right next door to Big Fin is the newest location of upmarket national chain, Fleming. Executive Chef Russell Skall has developed an innovative menu featuring aged prime beef, succulent chops, fresh seafood, and the sort of burger that makes you roll your eyes in delight. Fleming’s is also the winner of Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s Award of Distinction (2009) and Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence (2010). Go for the steaks and stay for the desserts - the Walnut Turtle Pie is amazing.
- Open Mon-Thu,Sun 5pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 5pm-11pm
Spencer’s New American Steak House in the Hilton Orlando near the Orlando Convention Center offers classic steak house style with an interesting twist. Dry aged steaks, chops, pork, chicken, lamb, veal, and a tantalizing raw bar are the main highlights, along with a superb selection of wines.
- Tues-Sat 5pm-10:30pm
Crave takes the place of the former Village Tavern, just outside the Mall at Millenia. Crave features a creative high-quality menu with all natural meats and locally sourced produce. Interesting combinations include Crab Crusted Filet Mignon, Grouper Fish and Chips, and Baked Truffle Macaroni. Pizzas, salads, pasta, sandwiches and soups all have that ‘something extra’ that makes Crave a delightful departure from the ordinary. Live music and Monday Night Wine Classes are worth seeking out.
- Open Mon-Wed 11am-11pm; Thu 11am-12am; Fri-Sat 11am-2am; Sun 10am-2am
Our much loved favourites
Asides from where's new to dine, it's important that you know where's best. We have collated a list of our much loved restaurants:
- Steaks - A Land Remembered in Rosen Shingle Creek Resort
- Seafood - The Oceanaire on I-Drive or Ocean Prime on Sand Lake Road
- Italian Cuisine - Maggiano's on I- Drive
- Chinese Cuisine - Ming Court
- Latin Cuisine - Cuba Libre at Pointe Orlando
- Pizza - Giordano's on Apopka Vineland Road or Ci-Ci's Pizza Buffet on I-Drive
- Special Occassions - Park Plaza Gardens in Winter Park and Brio at Dellagio
Our Long Time Favourite Restaurant award goes to Disney’s California Grill and our Overall Favourite goes to Emeril's Tchoup Chop at Universal Studios Royal Pacific Resort.
