30 Best Places To Eat In Orlando For Families

Are you searching for the best family restaurants in Orlando that offer good food and a great atmosphere?

In this article, we’ll explore some of the top dining destinations for families visiting the city on vacation.

These restaurants not only serve delicious food but also provide a fantastic dining experience for both parents and kids.

1. T-Rex Café

Family eating is beyond fantastic at the T-Rex Cafe in Disney Springs. This dinosaur-themed restaurant provides incredible food and megalosaurus-sized fun.

Open for both lunch and dinner, there is certainly something on the menu for everybody.

The kids’ entrées include grilled chicken fingers, sliders and corn dogs, while the grown-ups can enjoy the likes of coconut shrimp, meteor meatloaf and the Megasaurus Burger!

As you wait for the food to arrive, kids can have fun in the Paleo zone, digging for precious stones and hidden bones.

With plenty of sides, cocktails and desserts available, the whole family will be well-fed and watered after a day in the theme parks!

2. Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food

If you are looking for an authentic Mexican restaurant to dine at while on your Orlando vacation, then Antojitos is perfect.

Situated at CityWalk at the Universal Orlando Resort, this restaurant only uses the finest ingredients and cooks all meals from scratch.

The large open kitchen allows you to watch your food being prepared, while the converted four-sided VW bus bar outside is a novelty for both kids and adults.

The adults menu includes a range of delicious options including; enchiladas, chimichangas and burritos. Meanwhile, the kid’s menu is equally as tasty, with options that include quesadillas, tacos and grilled chicken breast.

On selected nights you’ll find live traditional Mariachi being played, so it can get a little noisy. However, quieter areas are available including private rooms upstairs as well as tables on the patio or balcony.

3. Hot Krust Panini Kitchen

Freshly made-to-order wraps, salads, wings and paninis are available at the incredible Hot Krust Panini Kitchen on Turkey Lake Road.

Open every day from 11am to 8pm, you can dine in, enjoy the outside seating or order ahead via the app.

There is something for everyone and every dietary requirement is catered for they have; halal, vegan and gluten-free.

4. Plant Street Market

Perhaps the epitome of community dining, Plant Street Market is open to everyone.

Situated in the historic, downtown Winter Garden, you will discover 20 vendors, all specialising in terrifically individual foodie experiences that will wake up your tastebuds.

Think natural, think organic, think handmade and artisan. This place has it all, inside one building for your family’s convenience. There is local produce, farm-fresh fare and plenty of options for you to sink your teeth into.

Choose from fresh empanadas, oysters, sushi, tacos, mac & cheese & more. The kids will adore the coal-fired pizzas, followed by handmade popsicles and doughnuts.

For drinks, you will find fresh brew coffee and 75 flavours of tea. You can even enjoy an award-winning brewery onsite, so you can taste a handcrafted beer.

There is also regular live entertainment and the patio is pet friendly should you have a four-legged friend with you.

5. Toothsome Chocolate Emporium

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium is one of many iconic dining destinations at Universal Orlando’s CityWalk.

Despite the name, this restaurant actually serves a full menu of delicious food, from brunch to burgers and steak to seafood. The kids’ menu is fantastic too, with the mini burger and french fries being a popular option.

Be sure to leave plenty of room for the grand finale thought, as the puddings are simply sublime. Culinary magic really happens as you choose from specialist milkshakes, scrumptious sundaes and delicious desserts, including the Triple Chocolate Bread Pudding.

With a restaurant theme somewhere between steampunk and Willy Wonka, the whole family will love the atmosphere just as much as they adore the food.

6. Hash House A Go Go

Family time is at the heart of the meal when you dine at Hash House A Go Go on International Drive.

The food is excellent, with a huge variety of options on the menu. Visit for brunch and dig into the likes of farmhouse egg scrambles, flapjacks, waffles and hashes served in old-fashioned skillets.

On the dinner menu, you will find shrimp scampi, pot roast, grilled salmon, and the big o’chicken pot pie! For those of you who fancy a drink, try The Black Crow or a Huckleberry Sin.

Be sure to join the Twisted Farm Club by inputting your details on the website and you will receive a special offer each year for your birthday.

7. Reyes Mezcaleria

The mission of Reyes Mezcaleria is to honour the cuisine, spirits and culture of Mexico by offering thoughtfully prepared cuisine using the best ingredients possible.

As such, every menu is exceptional, whether you are dining for brunch, lunch, dinner or during happy hour.

Standout dishes include Sonoran crispy fish tacos, brunch fundido, and the New Zealand half rack of lamb.

8. Wine Bar George

Despite its name, Wine Bar George at Disney Springs is incredibly family-friendly and offers a range of dining experiences to suit everyone.

Start with some small plates of house-made meatballs before a sharing-style plate that serves 2 to 4 guests.

Alternatively, consider the delicious skirt steak or the grilled sea bass.

Each meal can be paired with a glass of wine, and the establishment has over 140 wines on offer, available to purchase by the glass, bottle, and even by the ounce.

9. Café Tu Tu Tango

For more than 3 decades, Cafe Tu Tu Tango has been providing fabulous food and an incredible dining experience on International Drive.

As well as a delicious menu of small tapas-style plates, diners can enjoy resident artists working, as well as live entertainment. Be sure to try the brick oven pan pizzas, tasty tacos and superb sliders.

For children, the kids’ menu includes quesadillas, popcorn chicken and mini hot dogs! A bottomless brunch option is available at the weekend, where kids, or ‘little brunchers’, can get involved for just $10 each.

The combination of great service and fantastic food will leave you wanting to come back again and again.

10. IHOP

If you are looking for an affordable and family-friendly dining experience, head to the IHOP. You can’t go wrong with it and everyone knows exactly what their favourite meal is off the menu.

Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night dining, IHOP is there when you need it.

Being the International Hour Of Pancakes, giving in to the lure of Double Blueberry Pancakes is a must. Try the French toast crepes, waffles, and griddle combos too.

With sandwiches, burgers, and entrees like the T-Bone Steak, here is something for every meal of the day.

The IHOP kids’ menu includes delicious chicken and waffles, whilst on the late-night menu you will find corned beef hash and eggs late night.

11. NYPD Pizza

If there is one dish that is guaranteed to get the family around the table, it’s pizza! For authentic New York-style pizza, it has to be NYPD Pizza!

Since 1996, NYPD Pizza had prided itself on great slices, which are on average 30% larger than the competition!

The menu is full of fantastic and fresh ingredients that really add flavour to the pizzas.

Some of our favourite items on the menu include; garlic knots, boneless wings, mom’s meatballs and the incredible New York cannoli.

Families can save even more at NYPD Pizza as on Wednesday nights, kids eat free!

12. Rainforest Café

It’s time to round up your adventurers and delve deep into the Amazon for dinner.

The Rainforest Cafe at Disney Springs serves up plenty of delicious treats in an absolute jungle oasis.

Your family will experience the sights and sounds of the exotic whilst enjoying fabulous American-style fare.

This is a popular place to dine, so reservations are a must to avoid disappointment. Children will be entertained as they wait for their food, as they learn about colourful characters and are immersed in this world of singing birds and trumpeting elephants.

The children have their own menu too, with Gorilla Grilled Cheese Delight and Python Pasta among the options.

The Rainforest Burger and Blue Mountain Chicken Sandwich are delicious and the sharing dessert Sparkling Volcano is the perfect way to finish your meal.

13. JAM Hot Chicken

If you are looking for hot chicken and good vibes, JAM Hot Chicken is the only place to go.

This is an Orlando establishment, through and through. Having started as a food cart, the team found the perfect premises for their chicken shack.

The chicken is the star of the show and it is hormone and antibiotic free. Natural chicken fried in 100% peanut oil.

Choose your heat level, from plain through to JAM, which comes with a warning.

Choose from tenders, breasts or the complete box. Grab some fries and pickles and make a meal of your JAM Hot chicken experience.

On the drinks menu, you will find craft beer, milkshakes and daily-made sweet tea.

14. The Cheesecake Factory

The Cheesecake Factory has a couple of locations in Orlando, one at The Mall at Millenia and the other at Vineland Pointe.

Back in the 1940s, Evelyn Overton created her “Original” cheesecake. Fast forward more than 80 years and The Cheesecake Factory is known all over the country.

The restaurant has more than 250 items on the menu, made fresh from scratch every day.

Try the Bee Sting Flatbread Pizza, Seared Ahi Tuna and Bacon and Avocado Benedict for brunch!

The kids’ menu includes loads of options, such as the Pepperoni Flatbread and Roadside Sliders. You will also discover over 30 incredible cheesecakes and desserts.

If you don’t have time to sit in, you can even order for collection. Enjoy a great family meal, followed by some utterly spectacular cheesecake.

15. Boma – Flavours of Africa

Open for both breakfast and dinner, Boma – Flavors of Africa can be found at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Here the whole family can enjoy all-you-can-eat buffets in this restaurant inspired by an African marketplace. You will sit under thatched roofs with bold colours, vibrant flavours, and plenty of atmospheres from more than 50 African countries.

Breakfast kickstarts your day with a rich Kenyan coffee press pot, pastries, carved ham, turkey bobotie, sticky buns, made-to-order omelettes, and lots of vivid juice – make sure to enjoy the avocado, papaya, and grapefruit salad.

At the dinner time buffet, discover peanut rice, sweet corn pudding, oak roast pork ribs, and African spiced beef striploin.

For the kids, alongside an array of foods they can taste and try, there are also classics they will love such as chicken nuggets and mac & cheese.

16. Bread Box

Bread Box at Universal’s CityWalk is the perfect place to pick up a sandwich.

These handcrafted sandwiches are beyond mouthwatering, with Bread Box clearly mastering the art of sliced bread.

On the menu, you will find delicious deli fresh sandwiches and bread box melts. Add some fries or tater tots and you have got an incredible meal.

Making sure to include the whole family, the kids’ menu includes grilled cheese and cheeseburger melt.

You will also find milkshakes, salads and fresh soups as well as gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options, allowing everyone to enjoy something spectacular.

17. Earl of Sandwich

Down at Disney Springs, you can enjoy sandwiches fit for a King!

This 250-year-old legacy has been perfected by the inventor’s descendants, with delicious food available for you at breakfast, lunch and dinner time!

Whatever time of day you are eating at the Earl Of Sandwich, your order starts with perfectly baked artisan bread. On top of these slices, you will find the finest quality ingredients.

For breakfast, you will find the sausage, egg & cheddar hot sandwich, along with the bacon breakfast burrito. Wash it down with fresh coffee or iced tea.

The lunch and dinner menu includes The Full Montagu and Earl’s Cobb Wrap.

For the kids, there is a great menu that includes Turkey and Swiss sandwiches.

18. Mrs. Potato Restaurant

Mrs Potato Restaurant started as a dream in Brazil by chef Rafaela Cabede.

First starting as a kiosk on International Drive the establishment is now located near Universal Studios.

It is that good, the legend Guy Fieri calls it The Potato Institute!

Open seven days a week, you will find American, Latin, Brazilian inspired cuisine, as well as gluten-free and vegetarian options.

With friendly service and fantastic food, there is something for every member of the family to enjoy.

19. Dixie Belle’s Cafe

Dixie Belle’s Cafe is from family, for family.

This is proper homestyle cooking, American fare and arguably the best sausage gravy you can find!

The breakfast menu is where families can really come together, enjoy incredible dishes and talk about everything they plan on getting up to that day.

Order the egg scramblers that come with a choice of hash browns, home fries, grits, or tater tots and either toast or a biscuit. You will also find three-egg omelettes, Belgium waffles and huge pancakes!

From the Dixie’s Favourites section, you can try the Barnyard King or the Farm-Raised Catfish Breakfast.

For visitors who are 10 years old and under, the little bellies dishes, featuring French toast, pancakes and cereal, are just $5.99 each. For lunch, be sure to check out the special platters.

20. Olive Garden

They say that Italian food brings the family together, so the multiple locations of Olive Garden in Orlando are ideal for a wonderful meal.

Open daily from 11am, be sure to start your time together with freshly baked breadsticks, fried mozzarella and meatballs parmigiana. Entrées include shrimp alfredo, ravioli carbonara and herb-grilled salmon.

Children under the age of 12 have a kids’ menu with a choice of pizza, macaroni cheese and grilled chicken with rotini pasta marinara. For a meal for everyone around the table, choose a family bundle or family-sized tin.

These feature lasagne, fettuccine alfredo and one-gallon soups. All the items are freshly prepared in the Olive Garden kitchens. For great food and family-friendly service, this is the eatery for you whilst visiting Orlando.

21. Kobe Steakhouse

With four locations in Orlando, the closest Kobe Steakhouse to the centre is probably on International Drive.

All venues across the city are open for a teppanyaki dining experience and take out too. With entertainment and great food paramount, the mission of Kobe Steakhouse is to bring fun & flare to every dining experience.

This award-winning family-owned and operated chain of restaurants boasts an incredible menu. From entrees including sirloin steak and tuna tataki to chef combinations such as the ultimate Japanese wagyu.

There is so much sushi to choose from, along with dietary dishes including gluten-free and vegan.

The awards that Kobe Steakhouse has won include Best Japanese and Family Friendly Restaurant, Best Sushi, Best Dinner Show and the #1 Kid-Friendly Restaurant.

22. Shake Shack

There are a number of Shake Shacks around Orlando, including I-Drive, Florida Mall and the Mall at Millenia.

The burgers, fries and of course shakes are second to none. The meat is all free of hormones with no antibiotics so you can be sure of something extra special.

The beef is all-natural Angus with the chicken coming from cage-free birds.

Make sure to give the double ShackBurger a try, with a side of cheese fries. How about a 10-piece Chick’n Bites with a flat-top hot dog?

Gluten-free buns are also available!

23. Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament

Lords and ladies, if you are looking for a live entertaining dining experience that is simply beyond belief, you need to book yourself tickets for Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament.

The entire family will love getting involved in the cheering of a grand tournament of knights, as well as a delicious four-course meal, with two rounds of non-alcoholic drinks.

This exciting experience is set in a castle-like environment, with all the 11th-century battling action taking place for all to see.

The food is exceptional, completely fit for royalty and served in courses throughout.

You will enjoy two hours of jousting, swordsmanship, and hand-to-hand combat, as the best of the best battle to become the victor. Get involved with the cheering and raise a goblet to the contenders you are backing for the win.

24. Sweet Mama’s Restaurant

For a relaxing and casual meal, Sweet Mama’s Restaurant is the place for you.

Everyone will be welcomed as a family, with owners wanting you to treat the venue as your second home.

With American comfort food on the menu, the family heirloom-decorated establishment also has regular live music. Expect a hearty breakfast that will set you up for a day of fun in Orlando.

Brunch and lunch are great for a quick bite to eat as well. Try the chicken and waffles, a delicious fresh salad, or a delicious helping of shrimp and grits.

The cakes are a great way to finish your meal too. From the first time you arrive, you will be treated like an extended family. You soon become a regular at Sweet Mama’s Restaurant.

25. Red Lobster

You will find Red Lobster dotted around Orlando but there is a reason this seafood restaurant has multiple venues. Since 1968, Red Lobster has been celebrating seafood.

In every aspect of the business, from how they source it to how they serve it.

When you visit, you will enjoy an experience from the sea like you do not get anywhere else. On the menu, you will find daily specials, platters, feasts, pasta, sandwiches and some absolute classics.

Some standouts on the menu include rainbow trout, Atlantic salmon and wild-caught snow crab legs. For lovers of lobster, check out the Lobsterfest section which includes Bar Harbor Lobster Bake and Lobster Lover’s Dream.

There is a kids’ menu too, with dishes including golden fried fish and popcorn shrimp.

26. McDonald’s

If you are in Orlando, you simply have to head to the International Drive venue of the golden arches. This is the largest Mcdonald’s in the world!

Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the venue is also known as Epic McD and has three floors and a 22-foot-tall PlayPlace for the kids.

Whilst you might be craving your typical order of a Big Mac, large fries and Sprite, this Mcdonald’s has a custom menu, featuring things you will not have seen before.

Who fancies french toast for breakfast?

Pizza and pasta for lunch?

How about a gourmet cake with your coffee?

With free Wi-Fi throughout, you can enjoy a meal that you will love and some downtime as you recharge ready for the next part of your Orlando adventure. 

27. Hot Dog Hall of Fame

The Hot Dog Hall of Fame is a must-visit restaurant in Orlando, especially for families. Located in Universal Studios’ CityWalk, it’s a casual, fun spot that serves up delicious hot dogs inspired by America’s most iconic ballparks.

However, it’s not just the food that makes this restaurant a great place to eat for families – it’s also the atmosphere.

The walls are adorned with baseball memorabilia, and there are plenty of televisions showing classic games. It’s a great place to enjoy a meal and spend time with the family.

In addition to hot dogs, this restaurant also serves other ballpark favourites like nachos, pretzels, and popcorn.

Plus, there’s a wide variety of toppings and sauces to choose from, so even picky eaters can find something they like. The restaurant also offers vegetarian options, making it a great spot for families with diverse dietary needs.

28. Ford’s Garage

Ford’s Garage is a popular restaurant chain in the Orlando area that’s perfect for families.

While the restaurant’s theme is inspired by Henry Ford’s passion for cars and features vintage decor and memorabilia.

However, it’s not just the atmosphere that makes Ford’s Garage a great place to eat for families – it’s also the food.

The restaurant serves up classic American fare with a modern twist, including burgers, sandwiches, salads, and more.

However, what really sets Ford’s Garage apart is their signature “Prime” burgers, made from 100% fresh, never frozen, ground chuck.

They also offer a variety of vegetarian and gluten-free options, so everyone in the family can find something they love.

Ford’s Garage is a family-friendly restaurant, with a kids’ menu and plenty of seating for large groups.

The staff is friendly and accommodating, and the restaurant has a fun, lively atmosphere that kids and adults alike will enjoy. As such, it’s a great place to grab a meal before or after a day at the nearby theme parks.

29. Sugar Factory

Sugar Factory is a popular candy store and restaurant in Orlando that’s perfect for families. The restaurant is known for its over-the-top desserts, colourful cocktails, and celebrity sightings, making it a fun and exciting place to eat.

The menu at Sugar Factory is extensive and features everything from burgers and sandwiches to salads and pasta dishes. But what really sets this restaurant apart is the decadent desserts.

The famous King Kong Sundae is a towering dessert that’s perfect for sharing, and the Sugar Factory Milkshakes are a must-try. The restaurant also offers a kids’ menu with plenty of options for even the pickiest eaters.

The atmosphere at Sugar Factory is lively and fun, with neon lights and candy-inspired decor. There’s also a retail store on-site, where you can purchase all kinds of sweet treats and Sugar Factory merchandise.

30. The Palm

Situated inside the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort, The Palm is a fine dining restaurant that offers a classic American steakhouse experience.

It’s a great place for families looking for an upscale dining experience, without sacrificing kid-friendliness.

The menu at The Palm features a variety of high-quality steaks, chops, and seafood dishes, all prepared with the freshest ingredients.

The restaurant also offers a kids’ menu with classic favourites like chicken tenders and mac and cheese. The atmosphere is sophisticated but relaxed, with comfortable seating and a warm, welcoming ambience.

What makes The Palm a great place to eat for families is its exceptional service. The staff is friendly and attentive, making sure that everyone in the family feels comfortable and well taken care of.