Good Restaurants Close Proximity To Disney

[dtripli]

Hi Everyone

We will be heading to Disney in a couple of weeks. We are staying on property, but are renting a car to venture out. I was hoping to get recommendations for some good restaurants outside of Disney World (though not too far) Casual dining is fine(though Im not talking fast food).....Maybe throw in one that requires a dress. We like Italian, Mexican, American Fare...It will be me, my husband and two of our children ages 9 and 18. Please let me know how far outside Disney Resort as well if you can....I was thinking 15 20 minute drive at the most.

Thank You

 

[Praying Colonel]

Hi Everyone

We will be heading to Disney in a couple of weeks. We are staying on property, but are renting a car to venture out. I was hoping to get recommendations for some good restaurants outside of Disney World (though not too far) Casual dining is fine(though Im not talking fast food).....Maybe throw in one that requires a dress. We like Italian, Mexican, American Fare...It will be me, my husband and two of our children ages 9 and 18. Please let me know how far outside Disney Resort as well if you can....I was thinking 15 20 minute drive at the most.

Thank You

Where will you be staying? AKL is closer to 192, while OKW is closer to 535, so that might make a difference.

And where do you live? That might make a difference, too. For example, one of our family's favorite offsite Italian places is Giordanos for Chicago-style pizza, but if you live someplace you can get that every day it may not be for you.

We like Giordanos (as stated above--they have locations on 535 and 192) and I'll suggest a place that's a little different if you're feeling adventurous: Tropico Mofongo, a Puerto Rican/Latin-inspired restaurant on 535 in a little strip mall close to WalMart. Nothing fancy, just really good food: Pernil (roast pork), Mofongo, tostones, arroz con pollo, Cubanos, etc. Tasty and huge portions so 1 entrée will feed 2, easy.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Celebration off the 192 has some nice places such as Town Tavern, Cafe D'Antonio and Columbia. On 192 West you can find a lot of the normal ones such as Olive Garden, Longhorns (went at Christmas and really enjoyed this), Ale House etc.

Off the 535 is Bahama Breeze (we prefer this one) and it has a nice outside seating area. At the Mall of Millenia is the Cheesecake Factory, which is worth the drive although it is a bit farther.

 

[dtripli]

Where will you be staying? AKL is closer to 192, while OKW is closer to 535, so that might make a difference.

And where do you live? That might make a difference, too. For example, one of our family's favorite offsite Italian places is Giordanos for Chicago-style pizza, but if you live someplace you can get that every day it may not be for you.

We like Giordanos (as stated above--they have locations on 535 and 192) and I'll suggest a place that's a little different if you're feeling adventurous: Tropico Mofongo, a Puerto Rican/Latin-inspired restaurant on 535 in a little strip mall close to WalMart. Nothing fancy, just really good food: Pernil (roast pork), Mofongo, tostones, arroz con pollo, Cubanos, etc. Tasty and huge portions so 1 entrée will feed 2, easy.

We will be at CB. We live in eastern PA. That Chicago-style pizza is sounding very good! I think I'm hungry! lol...Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[dtripli]

Celebration off the 192 has some nice places such as Town Tavern, Cafe D'Antonio and Columbia. On 192 West you can find a lot of the normal ones such as Olive Garden, Longhorns (went at Christmas and really enjoyed this), Ale House etc.

Off the 535 is Bahama Breeze (we prefer this one) and it has a nice outside seating area. At the Mall of Millenia is the Cheesecake Factory, which is worth the drive although it is a bit farther.

I do remember visiting Celebration quite a few years back. It's about a 1/2 hour drive though isn't it? Great ideas....thank you

 

[halfpintpeggy]

Texas Roadhouse, Uno's, Carrabbas, Bahama Breeze, really all of the chains are there! House of Blues at DS is fun too. You'll have a car so no doubt, you'll come across loads of options!

 

[bbak30]

Our best meal of the week was at Lonestar. We are staying at Saratoga Springs and it was less than 2 miles.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

Our best meal of the week was at Lonestar. We are staying at Saratoga Springs and it was less than 2 miles.

We love Lonestar, a bonus is that on Tuesday nights kids eat free!

 

[BigredNole]

Lonestar is excellent. When we stayed at WBC, we were leaving MK trying to find a Disney place for a sit down meal. The only thing within reasonable distance was Tony's. We looked, but did not want to spend almost $40 a meal. We headed back to WBC and found Lonestar on the GPS. Went there and it was still Happy Hour. 3 adults and 1 child the bill came to $75 which include a $15 tip. They had a 6oz sirloin, 2 sides for something like $8 during Happy Hour. 3 were ordered and I ordered the 16oz ribeye. Margaritas and tall beer were BOGO. There were 4 margaritas and 2 beers in total and an appetizer. A meal that would not have been half as good, cost over 2x the amount, and no alcohol could have been had on property.

Seriously, you are much better eating off site. The quality of food is getting so low at WDW it is ridiculous. They use cheap grade flank stank and charge a fortune for it. Not that it taste bad, they just charge you filet mignon prices for scrap meat.

Another place to check out is Miller's Ale House. Typical ale house type place. Food is excellent, prices very reasonable, and a fin place to go.

 

[bbak30]

Lonestar is excellent. When we stayed at WBC, we were leaving MK trying to find a Disney place for a sit down meal. The only thing within reasonable distance was Tony's. We looked, but did not want to spend almost $40 a meal. We headed back to WBC and found Lonestar on the GPS. Went there and it was still Happy Hour. 3 adults and 1 child the bill came to $75 which include a $15 tip. They had a 6oz sirloin, 2 sides for something like $8 during Happy Hour. 3 were ordered and I ordered the 16oz ribeye. Margaritas and tall beer were BOGO. There were 4 margaritas and 2 beers in total and an appetizer. A meal that would not have been half as good, cost over 2x the amount, and no alcohol could have been had on property.

Seriously, you are much better eating off site. The quality of food is getting so low at WDW it is ridiculous. They use cheap grade flank stank and charge a fortune for it. Not that it taste bad, they just charge you filet mignon prices for scrap meat.

Another place to check out is Miller's Ale House. Typical ale house type place. Food is excellent, prices very reasonable, and a fin place to go.

Yep. I didn't used to mind the higher prices for Disney food, but the quality isn't there anymore. Something about spending $150 for a crappy dinner just doesn't excite me.
Tony Roma's was really good as well.

 

[JaxDad]

Tropico Mofongo, a Puerto Rican/Latin-inspired restaurant on 535 in a little strip mall close to WalMart. Nothing fancy, just really good food: Pernil (roast pork), Mofongo, tostones, arroz con pollo, Cubanos, etc. Tasty and huge portions so 1 entrée will feed 2, easy.

Mmmmm...Love Tropico Mofongo!

 

[janicept]

I love Sweet Tomatoes; there's one not too far from Disney Springs. It's a buffet place, mostly vegetarian. Everything is made fresh. You can sign up for their emails on line and get a really cheap family of four dinner price. My husband is a big meat eater so it's not his favorite. When we go I usually ask him if he wants to go to the all you can eat sundae place. They have the best soft serve ever. My husband said they also have the best mac & cheese he's ever had.

https://sweettomatoes.com/menu/

Another place is Ichiban on 192 toward Kissimmee. It's an Asian buffet place that has fresh sushi and made to order hibachi. Like any buffet it's better when busy. They have these really good cooked mussels and chicken dumplings. There's a really good soy dipping sauce next to the dumplings that is better than the plain soy. Sometimes the fried stuff is cold but I guess that could happen anywhere. If you order sodas they have coupons in most tourist books for a small discount but it's pretty cheap anyway. You pay when you leave and the dinner price starts at 3:30 I think and they're pretty strict about it. If you go for dinner don't bother with the upcharge for crablegs. They bring out one small pan at a time then don't bring more for another 15 minutes. My husband had them once and said they were mussy and not worth the extra.

As you can see we love buffets. I also love Golden Corral but I'm sure you know about those.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

I do remember visiting Celebration quite a few years back. It's about a 1/2 hour drive though isn't it? Great ideas....thank you

I suppose it depends where you are coming from and traffic depending. From MK I would say it would be around 15/20 minutes which I don't think is bad. We always have a car and enjoy going to different places although we do a mix of staying on-site and off.

 

[NH-to-FL]

Another vote for Miller's Ale House. Good food and reasonable prices. From CBR you are probably closer to the one on 535.

DW likes Sweet Tomatoes so a vote there as well.

 

[powellrj]

Crossroads is across the road from Disney Springs and has lots of places and if you want to travel a little farther out, Dr Phillips has lots of nice places.

 

[scottandtisha]

Miller's Ale House is a must-do for our family! Reasonable prices, great service and good food.

 

[Monykalyn]

Another vote for Miller's Ale House. Good food and reasonable prices. From CBR you are probably closer to the one on 535.

Miller's Ale House is a must-do for our family! Reasonable prices, great service and good food.

Since we always have a rental car Miller's Ale House (the 535 one) has become a first night Orlando vacation tradition for us! Somehow it isn't "vacation" until our dinner here Plus happy hour has great prices for apps/drinks-does get busy though.

 

[kamikazecat]

We are suckers for a dining experience. I really love Melting Pot and Texas de Brazil. Both are pricier but within the range of what you would pay for a character buffet at Disney but much higher quality.

 

[Woodview]

Drive towards A.K. but turn Left & join Hwy 192 ..... Then Turn Right .

Within 2 miles there are many good eating places .

On your Right will be Millers Ale House , Logans , Texas Roadhouse ,& a few Fish places & More

On Your Left ( Target ) entrance is Longhorn Steak House , Behamia ( ?) Breeze , Sweet Tomatoes.

Further down Hwy 192 is Manny's Chop House.

Casual Dress Required & Good Prices ( Under $ 30 per person )

You can Call Ahead for booking otherwise there could be a Q of 20 min + wait time to be seated

NOTE

As you join Hwy 192 you will see & Pass ..... various eating places & Cracker Barrel ...( worth a visit )

 

[SHammett]

Flipper's Pizza is right across from the Disney entrance closest to Downtown Disney AND they deliver to Bonnet Creek if you don't want to drive. Excellent pizzas, breadsticks are divine, good wings, salads and pasta dishes as well. We seriously eat there 3-4 times every trip, you won't be disappointed!