Here are some of my favourite places to eat in the Orlando area.
Romano’s Macaroni Grill
This was recommended to us by a family who stayed at our villa. We had driven past it on many occasions but didn’t think it looked very exciting, and also thought that the name of it meant that we would be served only macaroni dishes. However, not wanting to ignore a recommendation we went in and how we wished we had discovered it sooner! The staff were welcoming and helpful, the menu was a very varied Italian mix and not just macaroni, macaroni and more macaroni, the atmosphere was lovely and the cost is reasonable. It is an ideal family restaurant as the table cloth is white paper and they provide you with pencils and crayons to decorate it in your own design during the meal. If you like Italian food this place is well worth a visit.
The Cheesecake Factory at the Mall at Millenia
If all you have time for is cheesecake it is definitely worth visiting here, but if you have time for a meal it is a great place to visit before, or after, the serious business of shopping at the Mall at Millenia. Every meal I have had there has been delicious and the service is always excellent. You can also just stop off and have a drink, but it would be a shame to pass up the chance of a tasty meal in a wonderful bustling atmosphere. They have fantastic salads, burgers, steaks, pasta and seafood and the portions are enormous.
Café Tu Tu Tango on International Drive
It is easy to miss this restaurant as it is set back from the road and slightly obscured, but it is well worth the effort to find it. It is similar to a tapas bar, where you order lots of small dishes and share them amongst your group, and it has the added attraction of having artists in residence demonstrating their work while you eat. All around the walls of the restaurant they have the work of a wide selection of local artists on display. The art work is available to buy if any particular piece takes your fancy. The staff are friendly, welcoming, helpful and knowledgeable.
Longhorn Steakhouse
I will admit that steak is not my favourite dish, but I do love the steaks which are served here at the Longhorn Steakhouse - particularly the melt in the mouth Flo’s Filet with baked sweet potato. Mmmmm, lovely. Although there is a great selection of steaks available, there are plenty of other things to choose from if you are not a lover of red meat. The portions are huge and it is quite a challenge to clear your plate. They also offer a good selection of appetisers and desserts.
Market Street Café, Celebration
This place is great at any time of the day – breakfast, lunch or evening meal – and is one of our favourites. It has a great location on the opposite side of the road from the lake and if it’s not too hot it is nice to sit at one of the outside tables for an even better view of the lake. The inside of the Café has a rather retro look, and feel, with a selection of tables or booths. The menu is varied and there is something on it for every one what ever time of day you choose to visit.
Romano’s Macaroni Grill
This was recommended to us by a family who stayed at our villa. We had driven past it on many occasions but didn’t think it looked very exciting, and also thought that the name of it meant that we would be served only macaroni dishes. However, not wanting to ignore a recommendation we went in and how we wished we had discovered it sooner! The staff were welcoming and helpful, the menu was a very varied Italian mix and not just macaroni, macaroni and more macaroni, the atmosphere was lovely and the cost is reasonable. It is an ideal family restaurant as the table cloth is white paper and they provide you with pencils and crayons to decorate it in your own design during the meal. If you like Italian food this place is well worth a visit.
The Cheesecake Factory at the Mall at Millenia
If all you have time for is cheesecake it is definitely worth visiting here, but if you have time for a meal it is a great place to visit before, or after, the serious business of shopping at the Mall at Millenia. Every meal I have had there has been delicious and the service is always excellent. You can also just stop off and have a drink, but it would be a shame to pass up the chance of a tasty meal in a wonderful bustling atmosphere. They have fantastic salads, burgers, steaks, pasta and seafood and the portions are enormous.
Café Tu Tu Tango on International Drive
It is easy to miss this restaurant as it is set back from the road and slightly obscured, but it is well worth the effort to find it. It is similar to a tapas bar, where you order lots of small dishes and share them amongst your group, and it has the added attraction of having artists in residence demonstrating their work while you eat. All around the walls of the restaurant they have the work of a wide selection of local artists on display. The art work is available to buy if any particular piece takes your fancy. The staff are friendly, welcoming, helpful and knowledgeable.
Longhorn Steakhouse
I will admit that steak is not my favourite dish, but I do love the steaks which are served here at the Longhorn Steakhouse - particularly the melt in the mouth Flo’s Filet with baked sweet potato. Mmmmm, lovely. Although there is a great selection of steaks available, there are plenty of other things to choose from if you are not a lover of red meat. The portions are huge and it is quite a challenge to clear your plate. They also offer a good selection of appetisers and desserts.
Market Street Café, Celebration
This place is great at any time of the day – breakfast, lunch or evening meal – and is one of our favourites. It has a great location on the opposite side of the road from the lake and if it’s not too hot it is nice to sit at one of the outside tables for an even better view of the lake. The inside of the Café has a rather retro look, and feel, with a selection of tables or booths. The menu is varied and there is something on it for every one what ever time of day you choose to visit.