What would be a fun restaurant close to Sheraton Vistana Resort?

[ReadyToGoBack]

Looking for a fun restaurant to go to on our arrival day. I'd like to go somewhere that is convenient to Sheraton Vistana Resort. I've never stayed off property before, so I do not have a good sense of what would be close. We will have a car and we are open to all types of food. It would be for me, dh, dd 26, ds 15, ds 11, dgs2. We have a long flight in, so we will be ready for something exciting. What would you recommend?

 

[Klayfish]

That really depends on what you want. When I say there are all kinds of food nearby, I literally mean whatever you want, you'll find it. There are restaurants near Vistana, and within a 10 minute drive you'll find dozens and dozens and dozens more. You're only about 2 or 3 miles from Rt. 192, which has endless restaurants. Pretty much every chain you can think of...TGI Fridays, etc..., lots of Chinese buffets, pizza, etc...

Sorry to be generic, but hard to answer because there are literally endless choices nearby. Or if you want to go on property, you're one traffic light away from the entrance road to WDW, so it's easy to get on property.

 

[ReadyToGoBack]

Sorry, I should have been more specific about what I'm looking for. We're hoping to go somewhere unique with stand out food and/or atmosphere. We would prefer that it not be a major chain as it would be more fun to try something that we don't have at home. We would like to stay away from buffets and dinner shows. Typically when we stay on-site we do something like Raglan Road. The energy of it sets the tone for the rest of the trip. I suppose we could go to Disney Springs for dinner, but since this is my first time staying offsite with a car I thought it might be fun to do something different.

 

[alltwelve]

Unfortunately that area is basically all chain restaurants. However, have you heard of Manny's? Its about 20-25 minutes away from Vistana if you take I-4 to 192 and its good food at good prices! Here's the website: http://www.mannyschophouse.com/

 

[hiroMYhero]

If you don’t mind paying for parking, Toothsome Chocolate Emporium At Universal’s CityWalk is fun! Steampunk characters roam the Dining room. The food is great and it’s fun to watch all the amazing milkshakes pass by.

 

[ReadyToGoBack]

Unfortunately that area is basically all chain restaurants. However, have you heard of Manny's? Its about 20-25 minutes away from Vistana if you take I-4 to 192 and its good food at good prices! Here's the website: http://www.mannyschophouse.com/

I've never heard of Manny's. That looks really good! Thank you for the idea.

 

[ReadyToGoBack]

If you don’t mind paying for parking, Toothsome Chocolate Emporium At Universal’s CityWalk is fun! Steampunk characters roam the Dining room. The food is great and it’s fun to watch all the amazing milkshakes pass by.

I didn't even think to consider City Walk! The menu at Toothsome looks incredible! Is that an easy drive from Vistana?

 

[hiroMYhero]

I didn't even think to consider City Walk! The menu at Toothsome looks incredible! Is that an easy drive from Vistana?

Yes. It isn’t too far and you can reach CityWalk via I4.

 

[4kids4karen]

Sugar Factory is a super fun restaurant. You would have to google their address to see if it is in a location you would like. Reservations are recommended. This is good for kid and adults.


If there are no kids in your group, google Hamburger Mary's. That is always fun but depending on the night, it may not be appropriate for kids. I think it may be Tuesdays? My friend has been several times then went on her Birthday with her teen daughter and ended up not liking the more adult only show. It's just like one night a week that the content changes I think. But my friend went to the one in Tampa. You could always call and ask before going. If you have never heard of this place, please look at the videos on youtube before going as well. For example, my ultra southern baptist relatives would never go here. I think it is a fun time.

 

[bankr63]

Vistana is a short hop over to Sand Lake Road/Dr. Phillips area which has some of the best dining in the area; it's not all chains in the area as others suggest. I usually check the restaurant reviews section in the Orlando Sentinel to find out what the latest favorites are and zero in on those in the South East area.

There are some good establishments in the area, that are more local chains. Rocco's Tacos has a handful of locations in FL. Seasons 52 has been a go to for us for a while, getting to be a bigger chain now, but still not "everywhere". Same goes for Chuy's.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

Hash House a Go Go is great and always starts our trip off right. It's on International Drive near Universal. They have a few locations across the country, but we prefer the Orlando location over the Chicago one.

 

[dmunsil]

Seasons 52 has excellent food if you don't mind a somewhat longer drive up to Sand Lake Road. There are a bunch of fine dining restaurants up that way. Ocean Prime is also nice, though more of a traditional steak and seafood house.

And of course there are a bunch of unique restaurants in Disney Springs, which is super close.

 

[TamaraQT]

Bahama Breeze...the one in Lake Buena Vista..they have live music to get you into a tropical mood and its less than 5 minutes away...practically across the street.
https://www.bahamabreeze.com/live-music/fl/orlando-restaurant/3016

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Kobes is a lot of fun! (and great food, too) It's a Japanese Steakhouse where the chef cooks on the table top right in front of you, with lots of fire and entertaining antics. I'm a very fussy eater and thought the food was amazing. While we went to the one in Kissimmee, I believe there is a location in the Crossroads which is SUPER close to SVR.

The Outta Control Dinner Show, on I-Drive, would also make for a fun and memorable dinner. It's maybe 15 minutes from the resort. Tony Brent is fantastic and the food (when we were there about 4 years ago) was pretty decent. Unlimited beer & wine, too.

Capone's is another GREAT choice. So much fun that we've done that dinner 4 times in 2 years. Food is excellent (Italian buffet), the alcohol is unlimited (highly recommend the rum runners!!) and the show is a hoot. Splurge for VIP tickets (an extra $15 pp) and you'll get some fun inclusions (the best seating in the house, free gambling in the upstairs lounge before the show, pre-dinner appetizers, first to the buffet, and a souvenir shot glass). If you're looking for more than just dinner out, and a real "night out", this would be perfect. It's only a 10 minute drive from the resort (on the 192) and super easy to find.