Every city has restaurants to brag about and Orlando is no different. With millions of visitors each year and a booming local economy, Orlando offers fantastic dining options for both locals and guests. Theme park resorts and many fine hotels offer great dining, International Drive is full of family friendly dining, and many celebrated chefs have opened upscale eateries in this magic city.
The most important meal of the day just got better with Le Peep serving up its hardy menu of filling favorites. Located in the Universal Studios Resort®, Le Peep is a local favorite with its popular skillet dishes and its home spun breakfast banana split consisting of bananas, strawberries, blueberries, strawberry yogurt and granola. Bakely's Restaurant & Bake Shop in Winter Park is also a great place to start your day with its extra thick French toast and a tall cup of Joe.
Speaking of coffee, Orlando offers up some great coffeehouses for those looking for that quintessential morning pick me up. Check out Austin Coffee and Film or Palmano's Espresso Bar both located in Winter Park. Downtown also serves up great beans at Downtown Media Art Center where coffee becomes the medium art form. Those staying near International Drive will want to stop at Bad Ass Coffee for a tall cup of this beanery's Kona, Hawaiian blends.
Sunday mornings in Orlando should be reserved for the gospel Sunday brunch at the House of Blues® in Downtown Disney®. This house sets a spiritual mood with its enormous displays of folk art, over 6,000 original paintings and 60 sculptures from rural southern African-American artists. Heavenly sounds from live gospel entertainment and the all you can eat brunch make Sundays at the House of Blues a must.
Midday hungers can be squelched with Bubbalou's special, a combo of spare ribs, pork and chicken served with a mound of side orders at Bubbalou's Bodacious Bar-B-Que in Winter Park. Downtown's Baja Burrito Kitchen features Cal-Mex cuisine and deluxe burritos, while Ming Court on International Drive is creating incredible Dim Sum dishes.
Those spending their days at the theme parks will have an ample amount of lunch choices. Try The Earl of Sandwich at Downtown Disney® Marketplace for a hot sandwich with delicious bread baked to order and generous portions of sandwich fillings. Universal CityWalk® Orlando eateries offer numerous options for those visiting Universal Studios Florida® and Islands of Adventure®. Stop by Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville® for a cup of gumbo or the Hard Rock Cafe® offers great salads and lunch entrées.
Choosing where to dine in Orlando is just as difficult as deciding which dish to order once you're there. Luckily these are problems worth having and any choice you make is most likely going to satisfy your tastes. International Drive is full of options for families and couples looking for a night out. Cafe Tu Tu Tango is a great choice with roving musicians and artists creating art tableside. This world fusion restaurant has some tasty tapas to start your meal and amazing entrées blending flavors and cultures.
Visitors of Universal CityWalk® Orlando will yell a collective "BAM" if lucky enough to get into Emeril's Restaurant Orlando. The celebrity chef's Orlando eatery is wildly popular and for just reasons. Creative dishes and New Orleans cuisine are highlighted by the sophisticated atmosphere and attentive service making Emeril's Restaurant the essence of CityWalk® dining.
Romantics are going to find Victoria & Albert's in Walt Disney World® Resort's Grand Floridian hotel to be the perfect compliment to good company. Domed ceilings, marble columns and a plush interior combine style, sophistication and class. Chef Scott Hunnel's daily prix fixe menu offers unexpected flavors and dishes that are truly unique.
Late night diners will rejoice to find I-Drive's Bahama Breeze is open late and offers outdoor dining to boot. Steel drums and tiki torches keep the night alive as you feast on exotic island nosh. Wash it all down with a minty mojito or one of the many frozen specialty drinks available.
If you still have room you'll want to stop by The Dessert Lady Cafe where owner and head chef Patti Schmidt serves her incredible desserts featured in many posh Orlando restaurants.
Good company, coffee from Palmano's and a dessert from The Dessert Lady Cafe could be the perfect ending to your culinary exploration of Orlando.