Raise your hand if you see a big yellow M when someone talks about restaurants in Orlando! The networks of fast food They are the first ones that come to mind when we think about what to eat in the United States, but they are far from being the only option. As the multicultural giant that it is, the USA offers an incredible diversity of cuisine, for all tastes, in all of its main cities. Therefore, to stay at the Big Mac just for lack of creativity or money (Hello, Dollar Menu?!), even in destinations that order a milk shake with fries. Are you doubting? So just take a look at these tips for restaurants in Orlando that I visited on my last trip.
Columbia Restaurant
columbiarestaurant.com
649 Front Street, Celebration
The distance between Miami and Havana is 150 km. If it weren’t for the small inconvenience of having a sea and some political tensions on the way, going from one city to the other would be a slightly longer trip than going from São Paulo to Campinas, except that you would probably hit less traffic on the first one.
I’ve been sent to Cuba several times, but unfortunately I haven’t been able to go yet. Florida, next door, however, receives thousands of Cuban immigrants, people who take their cultural and, of course, gastronomic influence, that is, a little bit of the island there. The Columbia Restaurant is one of those places where you can feel a bit of the Cuban influence in the region, although it also brings together influences from other Hispanic countries.
Founded in 1905, it is the oldest restaurant still in operation in Florida and has some branches throughout the state. I met Celebration, a small community in the Tampa region, close to the Walt Disney Resort. The menu is very broad, but among the highlights are the 1905 salad and the Original Cuban Sandwich (you can try both, just order half and half). Opens every day between 11:30 am and 10 pm.
Market Street Café
market-street-cafe.com
701 Front St, Celebration
A cafe that looks like it came out of a 1950s American film, Market Street is right in front of Celebration Lake. The place is perfect for a breakfast or brunch, as it has very typical American morning menus, with pancakes, waffles and eggs in various forms (and with bacon, if you want). For other meals, sandwiches, burgers and salads make up the menu, and they boast of selling the best Fish and Chips in town. Open every day, from 8am to 10am.
Imperium Food and Wine
imperiumfoodandwine.com
606 Market St #140, Celebration
With a pleasant and cool atmosphere, Imperium Food and Wine is open from 11am to 10pm and until the last customer between Thursday and Saturday. And it’s for the night, to have a little wine with that good food, that it’s most worth it. The menu is simple, ranging from a cheese board, portions, sandwiches, pizza, wraps and salads, and the prices are very affordable. The wine list is the restaurant’s strong point and makes it a good place to sample nationally produced labels.
The tenampa
4565 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee
“I’m going to take you to a restaurant, but you can’t judge by appearance.” It was with this warning that I met El Tenampa. And actually, I might never have thought of going into that restaurant with its simple appearance and colorful exterior. But the truth is that the food there is delicious. Authentic and homemade Mexican cuisine, so authentic that Spanish is the official language there. This is a good option for those traveling on a budget and wanting to take a break from cheap fast food menus, because prices at El Tenampa are low and portions are generous. Opens from 10am to 9pm.
STK Steakhouse
Info STK Orlando
Disney Springs, 1580 Buena Vista Drive, Orlando
Forget everything you’ve ever learned about steakhouses. STK has a different proposal for houses of this type, mixing it with the lounge bar concept. The result is a restaurant that is also great for those who want to go out for some good drinks, listen to good music and have fun with friends. The menu has a reputation for being creative, with innovations by the chef in both the food and the cocktail list. It has two rooms and an outdoor patio. It has combos for children. And, oh my god, the desserts!
Village Restaurant
3151 Pantanal Ln, Kissimmee
https://magicvillagevacationhomes.com/dining
I’ll understand if you feel like a more Brazilian seasoning. Craving food is the first symptom of homesickness. The Villagio Restaurant is located within a condominium of holiday homes, the Magic Village Resort, but it also welcomes customers who are not staying there. Just like the condominium, the restaurant’s service is entirely aimed at the Brazilian public and everyone there seems to speak Portuguese. The menu is just the way we like it: Wednesday and Sunday are all-you-can-eat pizza with a Brazilian recipe, with fresh dough and flavors like chicken with catupiry and guava with cheese. On Saturdays, there is feijoada. On other days, portions, sandwiches, burgers and pizza. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 11am to 11pm.
Tiffins
Discovery Land, Animal Kingdom
Even those who visit the parks can avoid the burger and fries combo. Each of them has restaurants a la carte of different specialties. Tiffins, located inside Animal Kingdom, is the newest of its kind. The menu is inspired by African cuisine, but in a creative mix with local cuisine. This means that you will find common dishes on the menu, but always with some special touch that sounds exotic to our palates. One of the customers’ favorite dishes is duck meat (photo). The decoration is inspired by old explorers’ clubs and is full of maps, compasses, notes and drawings that were made by the team that designed the park during their travels around the world in search of references.
Attention: It is not a good idea to travel to the United States without international health insurance, as hospital costs there are very high. Read here how to find cost-effective insurance.
*The trip to Florida was an invitation from Experience Kissimmee / Foto destacada: Shutterstock
