Best Orlando Casual Restaurants
For visitors to Orlando who want good food at a great price, there are hundreds of eateries to choose from. Orlando of course has all the chain restaurants to be found in every large city – but as such, they are not unique to the city. Visiting locally-owned Orlando restaurants delivers that “Orlando experience” that makes a visit to the city so special. Calling ahead for reservations is always a good idea.
Also located in Winter Park, just a few blocks from Scratch is the new home of The Ravenous Pig. This restaurant was founded by James and Julie Petrakis, Winter Park born-and-bred celebrity chefs and graduates of the Culinary Institute of America. It now occupies the space where the Petrakis’ Cask & Larder used to be. Never fear – the Cask & Larder has simply relocated to the Orlando International Airport.
The Ravenous Pig serves lunch and dinner, and their offerings vary with the seasons. For dinner, their menu consists of starters such as Crispy Oysters, Shrimp and Grits, and Suckling Pig. Their cheese course consists of Boxcar Camp, NC, Marieke Gouda, WI, or Bermuda Triangle, CA. Entrées – Tortellini, Kombu Tagliatelle, Flounder, 48 Hr Shortribs, and Pork Porterhouse. Cocktails such as Gin & Jam, Rosemary Clooney, and Romeo & the Lonely Girl can be had as well, and there is a full selection of wines.
Maxine’s on Shine, just a bit northeast of the Central Business District in the area called Colonialtown South is a very popular restaurant, so be sure to book online or give them a call. They’re closed Mondays, opened for dinner Tuesday through Friday and for brunch onward on Saturday, and for brunch on Sundays.
Even if the food weren’t as great as it is, the 40’s-style décor, the work of local artists on the walls, and local musicians at Maxine’s would make it worth the visit. For romantic evenings out, nowhere beats Maxine’s.
Their dinner menu consists of the “Opening Acts” of Key West Crab Cakes, Drunken Mussels, or Cheese Cigars among other offerings. The “Green Room” consists of a Poached Pear, Spinach, Kale Cobb, or a choice of two house soups. Maxine’s Mainstage offers Lobster Ravioli, Skillet Lasagna, or Chicken Maxine among other delectable dishes. In the Marquee are choices of Market Fresh Fish (changes seasonally), Ribeye, Sea Scallops, or Filet Chez Nous. For the Encore, daily in-house baked desserts.
Artisan’s Table is situated to the west of downtown, just a bit to the southwest of Lake Eola, and just south of Central Boulevard. The Table serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Their menu changes daily because as the name implies, their chefs are artisans who create dishes from the freshest ingredients possible.
The menu is classified as “modern American.” A sample menu would offer Short Rib Poutine, Chorizo & Chicken Quesadilla, or Baked Feta as a few of their appetizers. Entrées might include Pan Roasted Salmon, Shrimp & Quinoa Fried Rice, Artisan Burger, Blacked Shrimp Tacos, and Sofrito Chicken Breast.
For dessert – Crème Brulee, goat cheese cheesecake, and vanilla, chocolate, or dulce de leche ice cream are always hits.
On draft, they’ve got Radeberger Pilsner, Schöfferhofer Hefeweizen, Schöfferhofer Grapefruit Hefeweizen, Köstritzer Schwarzbier, Altenmünster Oktoberfest, König Ludwig Dunkel, and Spaten Optimator.
The foods they can accompany?
Their appetizers include Haus Smoked Salmon, Käse Spätzle (Potato Noodles and Black Forest Ham Gruyere), and Kartoffelpuffer (Potato Pancakes). Potato-Wurst Soup and Soup of the Day can be accompanied by a variety of salads as well.
Sausage (Wurst) include Bratwurst, Knockwurst and Bockwurst. Among their sandwiches are The “Schumann” – Chicken Schnitzel with Haus-made Spec and a Fried Egg, or a Traditional Reuben with Corned Beef and Sauerkraut. Entrées include Pork or Chicken Schnitzel, Traditional Veal Goulash and Zigeuner Steak.
Taverna Opa serves traditional Greek and Mediterranean cuisine for lunch and dinner, and every night at 7, traditional Greek entertainment consisting of belly dancing. Taverna Opa is located on the 2nd floor of the Pointe Orlando shopping mall. International Drive has been compared to the Las Vegas Strip, as it’s a great tourist mecca with shops, restaurants, and theme parks along its 11-mile length. Pointe Orlando Shopping Mall is only a couple of miles north of SeaWorld and Aquatica.
What’s on the dinner menu?
Traditional cold appetizers include Tzatziki, Melitzanssalata, and Dolmades. Hot appetizers include Lamb Ribs, Keftedes Greek Meatballs, and Lamb Sliders. Seafood appetizers include Octopus and Crispy Calamari. They also offer Vegetarian appetizers like Falafel, Lemon Potatoes, and Opa Fries.
Entrees include Lamb Chops, Lemon Chicken, and Filet Mignon. The traditional Greek entrees include Kleftiko (lamb), Mousaka, and Kebobs. Seafood includes Chilean Seabass and Santorini Shrimp. For dessert, there’s Baklava, Sokolatina (chocolate cheesecake), and Yogurt with Honey and Walnuts among other offerings.
Copper Canyon Grill is a chain restaurant, but since its other 3 restaurants are all in Maryland, chances are you’ve never eaten in one and so it will be new to you and a true Orlando experience. Copper Canyon Grill, inside the Pointe Orlando Shopping Mall, is open every day for lunch and dinner. Their dinner menu consists of a variety of salads, and entrées such as homemade Chicken Pot Pie, Eastern Shore Crabcakes, Big Meatloaf Stack (featuring ground beef tenderloin, spicy pork sausage, and mixed cheeses), and Hickory Grilled Tenderloin Filet.
Although the food is good, bear in mind that it is also quite pricy.
Aashirwad Indian Cuisine, open for dinner every day except Monday, is only a few minutes away from Universal Studios. If you love authentic Indian cuisine, chances are you’ll love Aashirwad – though it can be a bit pricy.
Appetizers include Samosa, Palak Chat, and Paneer 65 (Crispy Cottage Cheese sauté in a spicy sauce). Tandoori offerings include Tandoor Balti Chicken, Tandoori Salmon, and Fish Ambedi. Vegetarian plates include Tadka Daal and Daal Banjara.
Chicken offerings include Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Korma, and Chicken Vindaloo. Lamb dishes include Laal maas and lamb Hyderabadi. Seafood dishes include Grouper/Shrimp in Coconut Lime Curry and Grouper/Shrimp Madras.
They also offer delicious bread salads and soups, and such desserts as Mango Cheesecake, Lychee Rabri, and Pistachio Kulfi.
The Ravenous Pig
565 W. Fairbanks, Winter ParkAlso located in Winter Park, just a few blocks from Scratch is the new home of The Ravenous Pig. This restaurant was founded by James and Julie Petrakis, Winter Park born-and-bred celebrity chefs and graduates of the Culinary Institute of America. It now occupies the space where the Petrakis’ Cask & Larder used to be. Never fear – the Cask & Larder has simply relocated to the Orlando International Airport.
The Ravenous Pig serves lunch and dinner, and their offerings vary with the seasons. For dinner, their menu consists of starters such as Crispy Oysters, Shrimp and Grits, and Suckling Pig. Their cheese course consists of Boxcar Camp, NC, Marieke Gouda, WI, or Bermuda Triangle, CA. Entrées – Tortellini, Kombu Tagliatelle, Flounder, 48 Hr Shortribs, and Pork Porterhouse. Cocktails such as Gin & Jam, Rosemary Clooney, and Romeo & the Lonely Girl can be had as well, and there is a full selection of wines.
Maxine’s on Shine
337 N. Shine Ave, Downtown OrlandoMaxine’s on Shine, just a bit northeast of the Central Business District in the area called Colonialtown South is a very popular restaurant, so be sure to book online or give them a call. They’re closed Mondays, opened for dinner Tuesday through Friday and for brunch onward on Saturday, and for brunch on Sundays.
Even if the food weren’t as great as it is, the 40’s-style décor, the work of local artists on the walls, and local musicians at Maxine’s would make it worth the visit. For romantic evenings out, nowhere beats Maxine’s.
Their dinner menu consists of the “Opening Acts” of Key West Crab Cakes, Drunken Mussels, or Cheese Cigars among other offerings. The “Green Room” consists of a Poached Pear, Spinach, Kale Cobb, or a choice of two house soups. Maxine’s Mainstage offers Lobster Ravioli, Skillet Lasagna, or Chicken Maxine among other delectable dishes. In the Marquee are choices of Market Fresh Fish (changes seasonally), Ribeye, Sea Scallops, or Filet Chez Nous. For the Encore, daily in-house baked desserts.
Artisan’s Table
22 E. Pine St., Downtown OrlandoArtisan’s Table is situated to the west of downtown, just a bit to the southwest of Lake Eola, and just south of Central Boulevard. The Table serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Their menu changes daily because as the name implies, their chefs are artisans who create dishes from the freshest ingredients possible.
The menu is classified as “modern American.” A sample menu would offer Short Rib Poutine, Chorizo & Chicken Quesadilla, or Baked Feta as a few of their appetizers. Entrées might include Pan Roasted Salmon, Shrimp & Quinoa Fried Rice, Artisan Burger, Blacked Shrimp Tacos, and Sofrito Chicken Breast.
For dessert – Crème Brulee, goat cheese cheesecake, and vanilla, chocolate, or dulce de leche ice cream are always hits.
Schumann’s Jager Haus
25 W. Church Street, Downtown Orlando
Come to Schumann’s Jager Haus for German cuisine and German beer – any day except Monday or Tuesday. Their hours vary on the remaining days, sometimes open for lunch until midnight, at other times until 2 am.On draft, they’ve got Radeberger Pilsner, Schöfferhofer Hefeweizen, Schöfferhofer Grapefruit Hefeweizen, Köstritzer Schwarzbier, Altenmünster Oktoberfest, König Ludwig Dunkel, and Spaten Optimator.
The foods they can accompany?
Their appetizers include Haus Smoked Salmon, Käse Spätzle (Potato Noodles and Black Forest Ham Gruyere), and Kartoffelpuffer (Potato Pancakes). Potato-Wurst Soup and Soup of the Day can be accompanied by a variety of salads as well.
Sausage (Wurst) include Bratwurst, Knockwurst and Bockwurst. Among their sandwiches are The “Schumann” – Chicken Schnitzel with Haus-made Spec and a Fried Egg, or a Traditional Reuben with Corned Beef and Sauerkraut. Entrées include Pork or Chicken Schnitzel, Traditional Veal Goulash and Zigeuner Steak.
Taverna Opa
9101 International Drive (inside Pointe Orlando)Taverna Opa serves traditional Greek and Mediterranean cuisine for lunch and dinner, and every night at 7, traditional Greek entertainment consisting of belly dancing. Taverna Opa is located on the 2nd floor of the Pointe Orlando shopping mall. International Drive has been compared to the Las Vegas Strip, as it’s a great tourist mecca with shops, restaurants, and theme parks along its 11-mile length. Pointe Orlando Shopping Mall is only a couple of miles north of SeaWorld and Aquatica.
What’s on the dinner menu?
Traditional cold appetizers include Tzatziki, Melitzanssalata, and Dolmades. Hot appetizers include Lamb Ribs, Keftedes Greek Meatballs, and Lamb Sliders. Seafood appetizers include Octopus and Crispy Calamari. They also offer Vegetarian appetizers like Falafel, Lemon Potatoes, and Opa Fries.
Entrees include Lamb Chops, Lemon Chicken, and Filet Mignon. The traditional Greek entrees include Kleftiko (lamb), Mousaka, and Kebobs. Seafood includes Chilean Seabass and Santorini Shrimp. For dessert, there’s Baklava, Sokolatina (chocolate cheesecake), and Yogurt with Honey and Walnuts among other offerings.
Copper Canyon Grill
9101 International Drive (inside Pointe Orlando Shopping Mall)Copper Canyon Grill is a chain restaurant, but since its other 3 restaurants are all in Maryland, chances are you’ve never eaten in one and so it will be new to you and a true Orlando experience. Copper Canyon Grill, inside the Pointe Orlando Shopping Mall, is open every day for lunch and dinner. Their dinner menu consists of a variety of salads, and entrées such as homemade Chicken Pot Pie, Eastern Shore Crabcakes, Big Meatloaf Stack (featuring ground beef tenderloin, spicy pork sausage, and mixed cheeses), and Hickory Grilled Tenderloin Filet.
Although the food is good, bear in mind that it is also quite pricy.
Aashirwad Indian Cuisine
7000 S. Kirkman Road, near International DriveAashirwad Indian Cuisine, open for dinner every day except Monday, is only a few minutes away from Universal Studios. If you love authentic Indian cuisine, chances are you’ll love Aashirwad – though it can be a bit pricy.
Appetizers include Samosa, Palak Chat, and Paneer 65 (Crispy Cottage Cheese sauté in a spicy sauce). Tandoori offerings include Tandoor Balti Chicken, Tandoori Salmon, and Fish Ambedi. Vegetarian plates include Tadka Daal and Daal Banjara.
Chicken offerings include Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Korma, and Chicken Vindaloo. Lamb dishes include Laal maas and lamb Hyderabadi. Seafood dishes include Grouper/Shrimp in Coconut Lime Curry and Grouper/Shrimp Madras.
They also offer delicious bread salads and soups, and such desserts as Mango Cheesecake, Lychee Rabri, and Pistachio Kulfi.