Family Dining in Orlando
Taking the family to Orlando is so exciting for everyone, there incredible amount of things to do and see. But every vacation includes some necessities and one of them is where to eat. Not every restaurant is accepting of families and not every family wants to spend all of their meals in a McDonald’s type atmosphere. The following selections are great Orlando restaurants that offer meals for both adults and children and an atmosphere that welcomes families into the fold.
For sports fans there is no other choice but NBA City. Designed like an arena from the 1940′s, 1950′s era, the huge restaurant has taken the NBA theme as far as it possibly can with an interactive game area, big screen televisions and memorabilia in the retail store. Twice voted the best theme restaurant in Orlando, the NBA City lets sports fans of all ages sit back and enjoy the game or at least the spirit of the game with what they term upscale, casual dining.
If sports really aren’t your cup of tea, then how about an actual cup of tea at Cafe Tu Tu Tango. Cafe Tu Tu Tango has a unique attitude and it’s evident from the minute you walk in the door. The focus is on art and an artistic community and claims to have a bohemian feel. What the do have is a great menu with small tapas style selections that are meant to be shared. For families with children that have adventurous palates then let them dig in and share meals with you. But if you have more timid little ones when it comes to food, there is a children’s menu that’s bound to delight. Kick back and enjoy, Tango is a nice relaxing break in what is most likely a hectic theme filled day.
It’s a little cliché because they’re now basically all over the place and a bit over the top, but the Rainforest Café is a great place to bring the family. The food is better than expected for a themed restaurant, the staff is usually quite attentive and the theme is really fun for everyone. The great part about the Rainforest Café is it’s a good place to eat, there’s a store for shopping while you wait, but it’s also an educational experience and what parent isn’t trying to squeeze a little bit of learning into every activity.
For something that isn’t run of the mill, give Straub’s Fine Seafood a try. Fresh fish and seafood is served in a family friendly atmosphere that encourages children to take their palate to a new level with four course meals designed especially for the younger set. It’s sometimes a challenge to get your children to behave during a meal and Straubs is a great place to try out those skills and let them feel grown up.
If your family enjoys seafood, there’s always Joe’s Crab Shack for delectable ocean delights. But don’t feel tied in to the sea, Joes also serves burgers, sandwiches, steaks, chicken and pasta. Yes, its another chain restaurant but one that has a nice theme, food that appeals to both kids and adults, and an outdoor playground that will keep the little ones occupied and hopefully wear them out a little bit.
Okay, so you’re in Orlando, the ocean is right there, so yes, let’s talk about one more seafood restaurant. The Boston Lobster Feast is great if you’re looking for good seafood at a great bargain. Kids under four eat free off the kids menu and those under 11 get the feast at half price. And what is the feast you may ask? It’s an all you can eat buffet like you’ve never seen before, imagine piles of lobster, crab, shrimp, mussels, crawfish, oysters, chowder, clams, salmon, London broil, roast beef, pasta and there’s even a dessert bar too. It’s the perfect solution for families with big appetites.
A family dining staple is pizza so no list of family dining restaurants is complete without including a pizza restaurant. Skip all of your old standbys and give Soulplantation and Sweet Tomatoes a try. Not only will you get that pizza your kids crave, but you’re actually going to sneak in a lot of nutrition as well. The buffet is simply loaded with fresh foods in the form of salads, endless pizza, pasta, soups, fruit and frozen yogurt. Soulplantation prides itself on bringing the freshest ingredients to its customers and claims that within 24 hours of being in the ground the food is on a refrigerated truck and on its way to the restaurant. The food is made from scratch every day and for a buffet, Soulplantation is pretty darn good.
Another pizza restaurant that’s a bit out of the norm is the very popular Spoodles. If you’re staying on the Disney grounds then you may want to take a trip over to Disney’s Boardwalk and give this restaurant a try. Spoodles claims to be a walk around the Mediterranean with coastal cuisine from Greece, Italy, Spain, and North Africa. They’ve labeled it “cuisine of the sun” but the real excitement is the fire ovens where kids can actually watch their pizzas being made. You’ll also find some entertainment, lively music, and an eclectic kids menu if they’re not interested in the pizza. And as everything Disney, you know your children will be welcome.
Okay, so you hate to bring up the evil arches, but they are trying to incorporate more healthy food items in their menu, and let’s face it, your kids are familiar with McDonald’s and sometimes a familiar friend helps sooth frazzled nerves. So if you’re going to go to McDonald’s, then you might as well make it a whopper of a McDonald’s. The McDonald’s on Sand Lake Road carries the title of The World’s Largest PlayPlace. There’s a huge play area for the young ones and a smaller area for the toddler set. Teens will enjoy the arcade games and parents will like the waterfall and 500 gallon aquarium. An added bonus to this dressed up McDonald’s is the additional bistro items on the menu and an expanded dessert menu.
Book an Orlando hotel for your family here. Save money on guaranteed best rates so you may dine ’til your heart’s content.
(cc: photo credit: p@ragon)
Categories: Restaurants and Dining
