Favorite Restaurants within 15 mins of Disney

[GettinReadyforDisney]

We will have a rental car on our first day and thought it might be nice to eat somewhere off property that night. We love Bonefish Grill and our closest one is 1.5 hrs away from us. I know there is one within 15 mins of Disney.

Any other suggestions? What are your favorite off site restaurants? It will be me, DH , DS10 and DD6, but my kids are not picky eaters and do love seafood.

 

[skylynx]

We love Bahama Breeze for the great theming and interesting menu. It is reasonably priced, has fantastic microbrew beer called Aruba Red, and kids menus/crayons and placemats. We have one close to us in the Chicago burbs but still visit BB sometimes if we are eating at WDW off property. It's located just opposite Crossroads (on the other side of I-4 in a cluster with a Golden Corral and another restaurant.) You'd pass it if you were going to the Premium Outlet Mall next to the big church. In Crossroads is a cute themed restaurant called Jungle Jim's which has a vast menu and hangs cute little plastic monkeys on the drink glasses. It gets obscenely crowded on weekend nights, so beware! Both of these are less than five minutes from DTD.

 

[Keacc]

We always go to Logan's Roadhouse on 192, just east of 417. Great steaks, ribs, chicken and peanuts. We also like Cabrarra's just west of WDW on 192. They have great Italian food.

 

[ChristmasElf]

We love Bahama Breeze for the great theming and interesting menu. It is reasonably priced, has fantastic microbrew beer called Aruba Red, and kids menus/crayons and placemats. We have one close to us in the Chicago burbs but still visit BB sometimes if we are eating at WDW off property. It's located just opposite Crossroads (on the other side of I-4 in a cluster with a Golden Corral and another restaurant.) You'd pass it if you were going to the Premium Outlet Mall next to the big church. In Crossroads is a cute themed restaurant called Jungle Jim's which has a vast menu and hangs cute little plastic monkeys on the drink glasses. It gets obscenely crowded on weekend nights, so beware! Both of these are less than five minutes from DTD.

No more crowds at Jungle Jims. Orange County shut that place down a few months ago as there were continuous problems with obnoxious patrons on weekends and Monday nights. Pebbles has also closed and will eventually be a Sweet Tomatoes restaurant.

The Crossroads Plaza has a TGIFridays, Red Lobster, Perkins, Pizzeria UNO, Taco Bell, McDonalds,there is also an ice cream place in there as well as a sub shop. An Indian themed restaurant as well.

Next to Crossroads to the left is a Dennys, Black Angus and an Olive Garden.

Make a right on Palm Parkway and on the left is a Pizza Hut and a Chinese Restaurant. Further down is another steakhouse and a CiCi's Pizza.

Back on SR535 is a Joes Crab Shack, A Macaroni Grille and a Chilis. Closer to DDD across from Dennys is an IHOP.

Making a right out of DD, get in the left lane and just after you go under the I4, Bahama Breeze is on the corner of SR 535 and Vineland. Next to Bahama is a Golden Corral. Head down Vineland and you can't miss the Dixie Stampede which is a dinner show and an awesome time. Further around that corner is a PUBLIX shopping plaza that has a sub shop as well as another Chinese Restaurant. There is an Outback as well as a McDonalds in the front of this plaza.

Back out on SR535 past the I4 underpass is a Landrys Seafood on the left as well as a Lonestar Steakhouse.
On the opposite side of 535 is a Wendys, Chik Fil A, and a Benigans.

If I haven't covered any of the chains or other restaurants you might be looking for, I will be happy to tell you where others are located as there are a few good ones over on Sand Lake that are just a few minutes drive away as well.

 

[TotoToo]

Back on SR535 is a Joes Crab Shack, A Macaroni Grille and a Chilis. Closer to DDD across from Dennys is an IHOP.

On the opposite side of the street in the plaza is Giordano's - a must try deep dish (they have thin crust too) chicago Pizza place. One store down is Steak & Shake, one more a Mexican Place, two more a Chinese Buffet. Plenty just on that one block!

Oh yeah, back near the corner is an Orlando Ale House, Sizzler, Schoneys and Dunkin Donuts for the coffee crowd.

 

[Lisa BC]

We LOVE Maggiano's. The one in Orlando recently opened. If you plan to eat dinner there, please call ahead several days for reservations so that you don't have to wait so long.

While it is a little pricey, it is an exceptionally excellent Italian restaurant - very attentive service and the food is fabulous. (But business casual dress is just fine..)

Pointe Orlando is near the Orange County Convention Center on I-Drive.

Lisa

 

[GettinReadyforDisney]

Thanks everyone for these great ideas . . . I think you have covered all of the possibilities pizza to pasta, italian to indian and everything in between!!! I truly appreciate your responses.

 

[perdidobay]

I second the recommendations of Giordano's and Bahama Breeze

 

[*disgal*]

Pebbles has also closed and will eventually be a Sweet Tomatoes restaurant.

What!!?? That is awesome!! Well..........I hate to see a restaurant close, but we LOVE Sweet Tomatoes but wanted one closer to WDW. That is great news.

Do you know when it is scheduled to be open?? Thank you.

 

[UKDEB]

One of our favourites is Old Hickory Steakhouse at Gaylord Palms which is literally just offiste, east of Pop on the Osceola Parkway. However, it's fairly upscale and your kids might prefer Sunset Sam's Fish Camp (one of the other two restaurants there), especially as you mention they like seafood. If you don't already know, Gaylord Palms is a huge themed hotel with three distinctive areas depicting the Florida destinations of Key West, The Everglades and St Augustine, all under a glass dome. Sunset Sam's is partly onboard a 60ft sailboat moored in a harbor within the glass enclosed atrium.

We also love Salt Island Chophouse and Fish Market on International Drive, just south of Sand Lake Road (where Bonefish Grill is located). It's a stunning space and the food is fab.

 

[SusanDK]

For something a little different, Cafe Tu Tu Tango is on International Drive, not far from Sea World.

Susan

 

[maraca]

Sweet Tomatoes! The closest one to where I live is six hours away so I'm hoping to go a few times. Amazing salad bar, fantastic soups, delicious muffins with honey whip butter. I'm getting hungry...

 

[madcoco]

For something a little different, Cafe Tu Tu Tango

Thumbs Up.

15 minutes away is Restaurant Row on Sandlake Rd. You can always find a great spot to eat there. There is also a Golden Arches Bistro(No joke. Not your standard burger and fries MickeyDees)You can also enjoy a cup of java and relax at Barnes and Noble afterwards.

 

[toledo13]

This isn't really.... off property... but to me it seems like it kinda is. We LOVED going to the ESPN restaurant on the Boardwalk. The food was GREAT and the prices were very reasonable. We'll be going back!!!!

 

[Jason71]

What!!?? That is awesome!! Well..........I hate to see a restaurant close, but we LOVE Sweet Tomatoes but wanted one closer to WDW. That is great news.

Do you know when it is scheduled to be open?? Thank you.

Would be interested in confirmation of this as well. I do miss Pebbles, but a Sweet Tomatoes without having to fight north I-Drive traffic might just make up for it.

 

[4Seasons]

I have to add in Chevy's Tex Mex, right next to where Jungle Jims used to be. It is a chain restaurant, but we've always had great service and the food is good.