Best offsite nonchain restaurants?

[hardhead]

We are not doing the dining plan this trip and we r getting a car looking for some good local restaurants close to wdw. Dont want to do any chains since i know how they r i have them near my house already

 

[auger]

I know you asked for close, but if you are willing to drive (and if you like seafood), it is soooooooo worth the drive to Titusville to go to Dixie Crossroads!!!!
We love to go there whenever we're in Florida.
My parents got us hooked on it years ago, and we look forward to eating there still!!

 

[JimMIA]

Here's a link to some restaurants in Celebration -- our favorite offsite dining venue: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34956129&postcount=463

Celebration is just a short drive from WDW and has some unique places. After dinner (or before), the lakeside area of downtown Celebration is a very pleasant place for a leisurely stroll.

Columbia is a legendary Spanish (not Cuban) resturaunt from the historic Ybor City area of Tampa. They have several other locations in Florida, but it's unlikely that you've ever dined at Columbia.

They have a wide variety of menu items. We've eaten there dozens of times, tried most things on the menu, and everything we've ever ordered has been excellent. The ambiance is a little upscale, and so is the service, but the pricing is moderate.

One MUST at Columbia is the famous 1905 Salad, which is tossed at your table. They have an entree size and we have had it for DINNER. Best salad anywhere...period.

Kilwin's is a chain well worth visiting. It's a store-made chocolate and ice cream place just around the corner from Columbia. Their Roasted Cocunut ice cream is so good that we pack some in ice and bring it home with us! Great place for dessert.

There are numerous other places on that list. We've also eaten at the Old Town Tavern and found it good. Others have posted good reviews on most of the other places on that list.

Enjoly your offsite dining -- you'll probably never go back to the assembly-line food and exhorbitant prices of Disney Dining.

 

[vicki_c]

Echoing Jim, Kilwin's has the best ice cream we have one in Annapolis.

Still sad that we cancelled our reservation at Columbia this year. We just weren't up for the drive to Celebration that night and stayed at Disney. Next time.

 

[Christine]

Here's a link to some restaurants in Celebration -- our favorite offsite dining venue: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34956129&postcount=463

Celebration is just a short drive from WDW and has some unique places. After dinner (or before), the lakeside area of downtown Celebration is a very pleasant place for a leisurely stroll.

Columbia is a legendary Spanish (not Cuban) resturaunt from the historic Ybor City area of Tampa. They have several other locations in Florida, but it's unlikely that you've ever dined at Columbia.

They have a wide variety of menu items. We've eaten there dozens of times, tried most things on the menu, and everything we've ever ordered has been excellent. The ambiance is a little upscale, and so is the service, but the pricing is moderate.

One MUST at Columbia is the famous 1905 Salad, which is tossed at your table. They have an entree size and we have had it for DINNER. Best salad anywhere...period.

Kilwin's is a chain well worth visiting. It's a store-made chocolate and ice cream place just around the corner from Columbia. Their Roasted Cocunut ice cream is so good that we pack some in ice and bring it home with us! Great place for dessert.

There are numerous other places on that list. We've also eaten at the Old Town Tavern and found it good. Others have posted good reviews on most of the other places on that list.

Enjoly your offsite dining -- you'll probably never go back to the assembly-line food and exhorbitant prices of Disney Dining.

I just wanted to add that we love dining in Celebration.

We haven't hit all the spots there yet but we've done the New Market Cafe two times. This place is like a diner and we've been happy with every meal we've gotten there.

On our 2009 trip we dined at D'Antonio's and that was very good also.

I tried to have some ice cream at Kilwyn's but I was just too stuffed but it looked wonderful in there.

I also enjoy the "low stress" factor of Celebration. The easy parking and the ability to stroll around after a meal.

 

[MND]

We are not doing the dining plan this trip and we r getting a car looking for some good local restaurants close to wdw. Dont want to do any chains since i know how they r i have them near my house already

I like the Steak N' Shake near DTD.

 

[gatorfreud]

Cafe TuTu Tango on I-drive.

 

[KodakFigment]

Sort of a chain...locally, Orlando Ale House. One near DTD, one out on 192 near Windsor Hills. Most of the restaurants near DTD are chains.

If you want to travel a bit then then try Dr. Phillips or Winter Garden areas. LOTS of great locally owned places. Best meal I ever had was at the Chef's Table in Winter Garden.

 

[hardhead]

Thanks for the info. Looks like it pretty much all chains near wdw. I am going to give tu tu tango a shot i think

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Please see the posts about Yellow Dog Eats and 4 Rivers BBQ they are great! I have been to TuTu and I was not too too impressed. Others seem to like it though. When I was there there was so much cigar smoke it made eating unenjoyable.

 

[earthfaries]

Two really great local restaurants are:

Three Nenas Bakery and Deli

and

Bamboo Wok

They are both located at Berry Towne Center in the Four Corners area of Davenport, which is where you will find most of the vacation home rentals.

It's not even 10 miles from Disney, just down 192W, on US 27.

​

 

[Portugal1000]

Just back from our 9th trip and for the first time we discovered Toojays in Dr Phillips, just off Sandlake.

We are form UK so not sure if its a chain. Anyway in 3 weeks we went 9 times. Great breakfast lunch and dinner. I didn't think we have ever visited the same restaurant more than 3 times on a holiday before so this definitely is our favourite now. Very extensive menu and portions enough to share if you want to . Staff are lovely.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Off-Site Recommendations:
. . . Café D'Antonio - Celebration, Casual Italian
. . . Oceanaire - International Drive, Really Fresh Seafood
. . . Norman's, - Orlando Ritz Hotel, Fine Dining
. . . Venetian Room - Caribe Royale Hotel, Fine Dining
. . . Vito's - International Drive, Steaks and Chops

 

[henrymilathy]

If have your own car then why you are asking for the near by restaurants.??.Because it is the best opportunity of long drive with your family..There is Steak N' Shake near DTD...And you won't believe but it is one of the best place to visit..You should try it once..

 

[mrsklamc]

A chain, but only in FL and Chicago- Giordano's cheese stuffed pizza.

 

[Crank]

4 Rivers has the best BBQ. Toojays is good too.