Orlando, Florida is one of the country’s most popular vacation destinations for good reason. While Walt Disney World is clearly the main attraction, this thriving city has plenty of other points of interest for visitors of all ages. The downtown area offers a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, as well as serene parks with gorgeous views. The area’s most prominent landmarks and restaurants are located just minutes away from many Orlando vacation rentals, so your family can enjoy a wonderful vacation with minimal traveling required. Here are 10 of the best kid-friendly eateries to enjoy while you’re in this enchanted city.
1. Pirate’s Dinner Adventure
Orlando’s Pirate’s Dinner Adventure is far from your typical restaurant environment. While eating your delicious three-course meal, you’ll enjoy a lively pirate-themed show, which takes place on a life-size replica of a 18th-century pirate ship. The show features singing, dancing, fireworks, and many other swashbuckling adventures. You may even get a chance to participate in the show, if you feel so inclined. The menu includes a variety of soups, salads, Caribbean-inspired dishes, and mouthwatering desserts, as well as coffees, beers, and free sodas.
2. The Rainforest Café
There are two Rainforest Café locations in Orlando. One is in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and the other’s in the Downtown Disney Marketplace. The restaurant offers an enchanting jungle-themed dining experience, complete with rain forest thunderstorms, large tanks of vibrant tropical fish, and animatronic animals. The menu features a wide variety of delectable cuisines from all over the world, including large appetizer platters that the whole family can share. The kids’ menu is huge, offering everything from popcorn shrimp to grilled cheese, so the entire family gets to enjoy a great meal.
3. That One Spot
There’s nothing like a solid burger joint to satisfy the whole family. That One Spot goes far beyond the typical fast food chain, offering upscale traditional and outside-the-box burgers in a welcoming, casual environment. In addition to classic beef burgers, you can enjoy turkey, salmon, chicken, or veggie burgers — all customizable with delectable toppings. If the kids don’t want to order from the adult menu, there’s a kids’ menu that includes a cheeseburger or grilled cheese sandwich, both with fries and a drink included.
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4. Splitsville
Downtown Disney’s Splitsville is a wonderful place to enjoy a meal while bowling. The 50,000-square foot venue is known for its bowling lanes, but you can also enjoy billiards and live entertainment. The eclectic menu has so much more to offer than your typical bowling alley fare. From fresh sushi to pizza to burgers, there’s something for everyone at Splitsville. The kids’ menu includes all the kid-friendly favorites, including chicken fingers, pizza, grilled cheese, and hot dogs.
5. The Cirque Magique
The Cirque Magique brings the circus right to your dinner table. Enjoy feasting on classic fare, such as burgers, hot dogs, and fries, while you take in an hour and a half of circus performances. You’ll see clowns, acrobats, dancers, and so much more. The performers are also servers, so your kids will love interacting with them during the event.
6. Kobe Japanese Steakhouse
Kobe Japanese Steakhouse provides mouthwatering cuisine prepared right in front of you. The entertaining, highly skilled chefs cook up your choice of food on the hibachi grill, performing impressive tricks in the process. In addition to the classic steak, chicken, shrimp, and veggies, you can also enjoy fresh sushi.
7. Garibaldi Mexican Restaurant
When you’re craving Mexican cuisine, Garibaldi Mexican Restaurant is the place to go. A favorite among locals and tourists, this restaurant offers authentic Mexican classics plus unique specials. Enjoy your meal in the spacious indoor dining area, or head outside to the patio to experience the fabulous Orlando weather. Children 13 and under can order from the Little Amigos menu, which includes a variety of Mexican favorites, as well as a cheeseburger and fries for the picky eaters out there.
8. Sweet Tomatoes
Getting your kids to eat healthily can be tough, but not at Sweet Tomatoes. If you’ve been indulging in theme park dining all week, this salad bar restaurant is a welcome change of pace. Prepare personalized salad creations using farm-fresh veggies and a variety of other delicious ingredients. You can also enjoy other foods, such as soups, pasta salad, and baked potatoes. After the main course, the whole family can indulge in the dessert bar and build ice cream sundaes.
9. T-Rex Café
Located in the Downtown Disney Marketplace, the T-Rex Café is sure to be a hit among kids who love dinosaurs. There are meteor showers every 20 minutes, and the family can explore dino-themed rooms. There are moving animatronic dinosaurs, including a 15-foot T-Rex. The diverse menu includes food from all over the world, giving you the chance to dine on pasta, sandwiches, and seafood. The kids’ menu makes dinner fun and tasty with dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets, sliders, and ribs.
10. Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza Restaurant
Pizza is one of the best foods for families on vacation. It’s fast, affordable, and absolutely delicious. Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza Restaurant offers a twist on the classic pie, thanks to their coal-fired ovens, which heat up to 800 degrees. The result is a robust flavor and thin, crispy texture. You’ll find all the classic toppings like pepperoni and sausage, as well as some non-traditional toppings such as spicy arugula. The decor is simple but welcoming, featuring a variety of sports, rock ‘n’ roll music, and movie memorabilia on the walls.
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