Places to eat ouside Seaworld?

[disneystacy]

We are ending our trip with Seaworld and would like to go to a nice dinner before we leave Orlando. Where do you suggest? Theme restaurants are ok, but want to stay away from common ones (Chili's, Outback, etc). Something fun for kids, but still has good food or just a place with good food. Thanks!

 

[WiganTony]

I can't recommend anywhere in the vicinity, but I found a website for Interational Drive that allows you to search restaurants by the I-RIDE Trolley stops - may be worth looking at. See http://www.internationaldriveorlando.com/

 

[Jason71]

Bahama Breeze is a chain, but a good one, very family-friendly. You could fight your way up I-Drive to one location, or drive south on I-Drive and turn right on Apopka-Vineland (by the Walgreens/Publix) to get to the other.

I'm with WiganTony, tho, really nothing worth recommending in the immediate Sea World area--you're going to have to drive at least 5-10 minutes.

 

[DixieDolphin]

Agreed, the immediate Sea World area is crap for food.

Orlando is stuffed full of chain restaurants, so it's always going to be a drive to find anything unique or even somewhat uncommon.

I-Drive is a mess to drive down most of the time, the traffic is erratic and crazy. So I don't go down there much and can't personally recommend too many places there. The only places I ever eat at on I-Drive are a couple of excellent Indian restaurants, but not all that kid-friendly. It's mostly one big tourist trap, though.

The area around the Bahama Breeze mentioned previously is probably your best bet. There are a handful of decent places over there. There's also some place over there called "Jungle Jim's" that looks very kid-friendly and unique, but I've never been there myself.

Also, down on Sand Lake Road there are some nicer, classier restaurants in the Dr. Phillips area. Some are quite expensive, but there are also some more moderately priced places and some smaller franchises (like Moe's and such) there as well.

You can get there by heading towards West I-4 when leaving Sea World, then staying RIGHT at the big exit fork (don't get on I-4) and RIGHT onto Turkey Lake / Palm Parkway. Take that a mile or two, then turn LEFT onto Sand Lake Road. They're down that way.

=)

 

[OlderMan]

We like Thai Thani in a strip mall on the east side of I-Drive just south of Central FL Parkway.

It's a bit expensive but VERY good, if you like Thai food.

I agree with the PP about 'restaurant row" on Sand Lake. If you can't find something there, you're probably too picky!

 

[DixieDolphin]

I agree with the PP about 'restaurant row" on Sand Lake. If you can't find something there, you're probably too picky!

Yes, yes!

I LOVE "Cedars" down there. Some of the best Lebanese food I've found in town!

Ooh, and the Melting Pot fondue! And Mortons Steakhouse! And First Watch is my favorite breakfast place ever.

Mmm... Sand Lake Road food.

 

[Jason71]

There are a handful of decent places over there. There's also some place over there called "Jungle Jim's" that looks very kid-friendly and unique, but I've never been there myself.
=)

Jungle Jims would have been my first recommendation, but it closed like two years ago. A shame, it was a fun place. Yes, the sign is still up, tho.

The downside to Sand Lake Road is that, other than some fast casual chains--Moes, Panera--I'm scratching my head to think of a "kid-friendly" restaurant there. Maybe Pup's Tasty Dogs or Too-Jays deli. Most of the places are decidedly "kid-unfriendly" (Seasons 52, for example, doesn't have highchairs or a kids menu).

If you hang a left on Turkey Lake, you can also get to Joe's Crab Shack, among the hundred other chain outlets. Obviously a seafood place, worth noting mostly for the playground outside.

 

[DixieDolphin]

Jungle Jim's is gone? Dang. I never even got to check them out. Their website is still up, though. Huh.

 

[Jason71]

Jungle Jim's is gone? Dang. I never even got to check them out. Their website is still up, though. Huh.

Not surprised, you can still see the sign from I-4.

Too bad you missed it, it was cheesy fun before it went downhill fast (heck all three of them were, but you really need the way-back machine for that). They catered to adults as much as kids, you used to get little plastic animals on your drinks. Lot of good times there.

 

[Kristina]

I believe there was a shooting near or inside Jungle Jims. I've never been there but I remember reading something about that. We always visit Chevy's Fresh Mex which is also in the Crossroads but I believe, across the huge street from where Jungle Jim's was. We really love Chevy's and walk there from DTD on the last evening of our trip each time we visit the world .

I listen to the Dis Podcast and recently they mentioned that a restaurant called Texas De Brazil. Apparently it is really lovely food like Ohana's but besides skewers they have an amazing buffet. Now that sounds like my kind of place !

 

[dolphingirl47]

Texas de Brasil is wonderful, but you need to make a reservation or expect huge waits (2.5 to 3 hours in early November when Orlando seemed fairly empty). We also found a great little restaurant at the bottom of International Drive at Pointe Orlando called Red Rock Canyon Grill. The food is nothing fancy. I had the best meatloaf I have ever tasted and DH had some steak, but the food was of very good quality and the prices were reasonable.

dolphingirl47