If you’re heading to the land of the Mouse, you’re probably going on vacation and you’re going to need to know where to eat in Orlando. And if you’re heading to Walt Disney World, you’re definitely going to want to know what your options are outside of the Disney bubble.
When we first starting visiting Disney as regulars back in 2010, we were completely entranced by the magic and by what we call the Disney bubble. We arrived at the airport, took a Magical Express to a Disney resort, hopped on the buses to the theme parks and back “home” again, all while using our Magic bands and never having to open a wallet.
But after a few trips, you realize that the buses are slow and unpredictable, the food isn’t always magical, and the prices are really high, even when you just want a simple meal.
I’m here to tell you that you can leave the Disney bubble for places to eat and you won’t regret it one bit. If you’re looking for where to eat in Orlando, here are a few dining options I recently discovered while on a quick getaway to the Kissimmee area.
Where to Eat at Promenade at Sunset Walk
Technically, Promenade at Sunset Walk is in Kissimmee and it’s just 4 short miles away from the nearest theme park (which happens to be one of my favorites, Disney’s Animal Kingdom). This is a shopping complex in the “campus” of the Margaritaville Resort in Kissimmee. Like Disney Springs, it’s full of shopping and dining experiences without the crowds!
Here are a few of my favorites worth trying:
Ford’s Garage
“Beers, burgers, and bathrooms” is what we were told people rave about at Ford’s Garage. And they were right to rave about all three.
It is the Ford namesake from the Ford Motor company so if you’re a love of cars, especially historic ones, you’ll love the attention to detail when it comes to the theme inside and at the table. And yes, in the bathroom.
After checking out the bathroom, I figured the beers and burgers would be worthwhile too and they were. All Ford’s Garage Burgers are 1/2 pound USDA Black Angus Beef, made fresh to order, never frozen! And if 1/2 pound is too much for you, you can go with a Roadster (which is what I ordered) offering a mere 1/3 pound.
If you’re not a meat eater or you’re just not in the mood for beef, they also have excellent salads and offer veggie burgers as a substitute for any offering.
Yeoman’s Cask & Lion
When you head to Florida for vacation, you immediately think “British pub”, right? Okay, maybe not. But we do actually love the Yorkshire County Fish Shop, a walk-up stand for amazing fish & chips at Epcot. But when we’re not in the park, we still love some good pub food.
Yeoman’s Cask & Lion is a British pub located near Margaritaville. Stop by and grab a picture in a red telephone booth and head inside for a a smattering of delicious fare.
We sampled everything from mac & cheese to fish & chips to bangers & mash to UK meatloaf. Oh, and shepherd’s pie! All the classics! And in keeping with the British tradition, you can order a good pint of ale or have an inspired drink like a Pimm’s Cup.
Where to Eat at Disney Springs
If you’re looking to eat outside of the parks (where the food is often less than stellar), don’t be afraid to venture over to Disney Springs for a huge variety of dining options, from quick service to sit down meals, from kid-friendly to adult fine dining.
Over the years we’ve eaten at such a large variety of places that I love to discover something new every time I go. Here’s how I recommend planning a day of eating at Disney Springs.
Chicken Guy!
Start here for lunch. Trust me – these aren’t just chicken fingers! Chicken Guy! is a quick service restaurant known for Guy Fieri’s chicken tenders and sauces. And neither disappoints. They make 22 sauces each day from scratch and it’s worth getting the chicken just as a vehicle for the sauce.
But you have other options as well: chicken salad, loaded mac & cheese, chicken sandwiches, lots of kids meal options, and to-die-for milkshakes to top it all off.
Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar
If you’re not in the mood for a meal and just want some drinks and snacks, Indiana Jones fans will love Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar right on the water. Hang out with some drinks or local brews, and nosh on nachos and charcuterie pretzels. And if you’re lucky, you can enjoy it from the “boat” docked off of the side.
Come for the food and drinks but be sure to walk into the bar area for an immersive experience making you feel like you’re on set.
City Works Eatery and Pour House
If you’re dying to catch the game but still keep the family happy, head over to City Works for 90 beers on tap and good food to accompany it. You can go for sliders or a chicken sandwich or get some comfort food like pork chops. I went for the cedar plank salmon and loved it! And the interior is full of large screen TVs with something for everyone to watch.
Dining In – Two Chef Mission
One thing we rarely do when we’re on vacation is go out to breakfast. We’re not morning people so we don’t often get up and out early. Honestly, this is becoming more of a problem as my teenage son wakes up RAVENOUS. So we usually keep some food at the ready.
A new options I recently discovered involves having a freshly prepared meal delivered directly to your vacation place from Two Chef Mission. Tony and Melissa are the two chefs (and also husband and wife!) that started this personal chef service in the Orlando area.
They freshly prepare and deliver a custom order for you and your family (this is NOT just takeout!). Since we were hosting an event, Tony actually came to our vacation home to prepare us breakfast. While he was cooking an amazing french toast plate, we let us feast on fruit and Mickey beignets!
If breakfast isn’t your thing, head back to wherever you’re staying and let Two Chef Mission deliver a fully prepared dinner. All the flavor of fine dining without the fuss of going out. And it’s a cost savings as well!
Other Options in Orlando
When we head to Orlando, we’re usually heading to Disney. On property, our favorite restaurants include Boma and Jiko, both at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Sometimes we hit a chain restaurant like Chuy’s for some simple Mexican.
Or sometimes we explore Disney Springs and eat at places Raglan Road and Morimoto.
This most recent trip has opened my eyes to all of the options for where to eat in Orlando area, specifically in Kissimmee. If you have a car, get out and explore and if you don’t, most things are just a short Lyft away!
If you like to travel AND eat, be sure to check out some of my other where to eat posts to get your mouth watering and your feet moving!