The Best Restaurants Outside of Walt Disney World (Off Property)

Most visitors to Walt Disney World are aware of the outstanding restaurant in the theme parks as well as the resort hotels.  Some of these amazing eateries including Victoria & Albert’s Restaurant (in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort), Be Our Guest Restaurant (within the Magic Kingdom), STK Orlando (Disney Springs) and Le Cellier Steakhouse (Canada Pavilion within EPCOT).

For those staying at an off-site hotel or are just interested in seeing what else the Orlando area has to offer, here is our  list of the best restaurants outside of Disney World (off property).  All of these dining establishments are located 25 minutes or less from the Disney theme parks / hotels and are definitely worth the trip.

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse is is part of Landry’s Restaurant Group which includes Morton’s The Steakhouse and McCormick and Schmick’s. Located just a short distance from the Walt Disney theme parks at 9150 International Drive, Del Frisco’s is one of the finest steakhouse not only in Orlando, but in all of Florida.  

Open for dinner service starting at 5:00 PM on weekdays and 4:00 PM on weekends, this dining venue is known for USDA Prime Beef and its delightful Seafood Tower appetizer.  Entrees include the 8 oz. Filet Mignon ($54.00), the 32 oz. Prime Tomahawk ($130.00), a 16 oz Prime Ribeye ($62.00), Pan Seared Scallops ($62.00), Pan Roasted Salmon ($34.00) and Surf & Turf Filet Trip ($77.00).

Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar

Located just 15 minutes from Walt Disney World at 7468 W. Sand Lake Road (also known as “Restaurant Row”), is Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar. This Mexican style restaurant offers a casual but upscale setting , and is just minutes to the local area theme parks and resort hotels.

Rocco’s is very popular for both locals and visitors to the Orlando area.  Open daily for lunch from 11:30 AM on weekdays and 11:00 AM on weekends with dinner service ending at 11:00 PM, it is also open late (until 2:00 AM) on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. The menu at Rocco’s is extensive with entrees including Macha Shrimp Tacos ($20.00), Port Enchiladas ($19.00), Surf & Turf Molcajetes ($32.00) and Chili Rellenos ($20.50).

Morton’s The Steakhouse

Situated in a fairly non-descript retail shopping center along “Restaurant Row” just 15 minutes from Walt Disney World, Morton’s The Steakhouse is one of the best places to get a fine steak in all of Orlando.   at 7600 Dr. Phillips Boulevard, Suite 132.

Morton’s is open for dinner service Sunday to Thursday from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM and on Friday and Saturday evenings until 10:00 PM.  Featured entrees are USDA Prime steaks and chops which include the 16 oz Prime Ribeye ($65.00), the 8 oz Morton’s Classic Filet Oscar ($62.00) and the 16 oz Prime Cajun Ribeye ($67.00).

The Capital Grille

One of the most popular upscale restaurants in the greater Orlando area is The Capital Grille.  Owned by Darden Restaurants with restaurants throughout the country, the Capital Grille Orlando is located at 9101 International Drive in the Pointe Orlando entertainment complex, just 15 minutes from Walt Disney World.

This restaurant is only open for dinner service which starts at 5:00 PM; closing time is 10:00 PM with the exception of Sunday (9:00 PM). Capital Grille is known for its fine steaks & chops including the Porcini Rubbed Bone-In Ribeye with 15-year aged balsamic ($73.00), Seared Tenderloin with Butter Poached Lobster Tails ($66.00), a 10 oz Filet Mignon ($56.00) and the Tomahawk Veal Chop ($65.00).

Reservations are highly recommended, especially when large conventions are taking place.

Ocean Prime

Also along “Restaurant Row” is the modern American Ocean Prime.  Situated at 7399 W. Sand Lake Road #400, this outstanding restaurant was voted one of the “Best Steakhouses in the City” by the Orlando Sentinel.  

Ocean Prime is open daily for dinner service from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM (closes at 9:00 PM on Sunday evenings) and features a main dining room along with five private dining rooms for private events.  Entrees include Florida Grouper ($57.00), Ahi Tuna ($49.00), Chilean Sea Bass ($59.00), Lobster Linguine ($56.00), Colorado Lamb ($57.00), a 12 oz Bone-In Filet ($64.00) and a 16 oz Ribeye steak ($64.00).

Benihana

Visitors to Walt Disney World will find two different Behihana locations, one along International Drive and another just outside of Disney Springs in the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista hotel. Both location are less than 15 minutes from the Disney theme parks.

Guests enjoy hibachi table dining where personal chefs prepare meals just inches away.  The International Drive location is open for lunch and dinner starting at 11:00 AM while the Lake Buena Vista location is only open for dinner service starting at 4:00 PM (early opening on Friday and Saturday starting at 2:00 PM).

Entrees include various sushi & sashimi, Spicy Tofu Steak, Seafood Diablo, Hibachi Chateaubriand, Teriyaki Chicken, Filet Mignon, Spicy Hibachi Shrimp, Twin Lobster Tails and Hibachi Scallops.

BigFin Seafood Kitchen

Located just 15 minutes from Walt Disney World in the Dellagio Town Center along “Restaurant Row” is BigFin Seafood Kitchen.  Originally opened in 2009 and situated at 8046 Via Dellagio Way, this 11,000 square foot family-owned restaurant is another favorite for both locals and visitors to the Orlando area.

BigFin is open daily from 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM but serves until 10:00 PM on Friday and Saturday evenings.  Entrees include Big Fin Swordfish ($54.00), Branzino Meuniere ($44.00), Tempura Ahi Tuna ($39.00), Pan Seared Georges Bank Scallops ($44.00), a 34 oz Tomahawk Steak ($9.00) and an 18 oz hand cut aged Ribeye Steak ($58.00).

Eddie V’s Prime Seafood

Another amazing dining experience located on “Restaurant Row” is Eddie V’s.  Situated at 7488 West Sand Lake Road in Plaza Venezia, Eddie V’s is known among both locals and out-of-town guests for prime quality seafood and steaks.

Eddie V’s is open daily for dinner service from 4:00 PM until 10:00 PM (closing early on Sunday at 9:00 PM).  Specialties include The Shellfish Tower ($80), Petrossian Caviar ($80.00), Chilean Sea Bass ($50.00), South African Lobster ($108.00), Ahi Tuna ($44.00) and a 22 oz USDA Prime Bone-In Ribeye steak ($64.00).  One specialty is “The Big Eddie” which features King Crab, Main Lobsters, Tuna Poke, Shrimp and Oysters ($140.00).

Kobe’ Japanese Steakhouse

Visitors to the Walt Disney World are will find four individual Kobe’ Japanese Steakhouse locations. One is along US 192 in Kissimmee, the second is along Palm Parkway in Lake Buena Vista, the third is on International Drive and the last is near Universal Orlando along Kirkman Road. All location are within a 2o to 25 minute drive from Walt Disney World.

Entrees include a number of different sushi & signature rolls as well Teppanyaki entrees featuring filet mignon, sirloin steak, chicken, shrimp, tuna, lobster, salmon, chicken and shrimp.

Maggiano’s Little Italy

Located in the Pointe Orlando entertainment complex at 9101 International Drive, Maggiano’s Little Italy is one of the areas best places for fine Italian cuisine.  The restaurant is within 15 minutes of Walt Disney World and guests can walk to the restaurant from most hotels in the International Drive area.

Maggiano’s is open for both lunch and dinner service starting at 11:30 AM on weekdays and at 11:00 AM on Saturday and Sunday.  Closing time is 10:00 PM from Sunday to Thursday and at 11:00 PM on Friday and Saturday evenings.  Dinner entrees include Cannelloni Florentine with Truffle Cream ($24.50), Chef KB’s Lobster Carborara ($36.99) and a 16 oz. Bone-In Ribeye steak ($43.99).

This restaurant get busy quickly so reservations are highly recommended.

Charley’s Steak House & Seafood Grille

Another great restaurant with multiple locations near Walt Disney World is Charley’s Steakhouse & Seafood Grille.  With locations in Kissimmee along Parkway Boulevard and in Orlando along International Drive, visitors are withing 15 to 20 minutes from the Disney theme parks.

Featured entrees at Charley’s include the Alaskan Wild Halibut ($65.00), Whole Wood Grilled Snapper ($54.00), a 20 oz Center Cut Filet Mignon ($125.00), a 28 oz. Dry Aged Porterhouse ($95.00), a Blue Creek Bison Ribeye ($90.00), and the Charley’s Ultimate Surf & Turf for Two ($230.00).

Seasons 52

Also located along “Restaurant Row” just 15 minutes to Walt Disney World is Seasons 52.  Situated at 7700 Sand Lake Road in Plaza Venezia, this restaurant is a local favorite that serves a variety of American style cuisine. 

Open daily for both lunch and dinner service, featured entree’s include the Wood-Grilled Shrimp & Grits ($22.50), Wood-Grilled Dry-Rubbed Pork Chop $25.00), Brick-Oven Seasonal Gnocchi ($19.50), a Wood-Grilled Filet Mignon ($36.50), Wood-Grilled Kona Crusted Lamb Loin ($31.50) and a Filet Mignon with a Maine Lobster Tail ($43.50).

Vito’s Chop House

Located in the heart of the tourist district at 8633 International Drive is Vito’s Chop House.  Just 15 minutes from Walt Disney World, Vito’s serves a variety of amazing steaks, chops and Italian specialties.

Open daily for dinner service from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Friday and Saturday to 9;30 PM), featured entree’s include a Colossal Seafood Tower ($195.00), Veal Marsala ($59.00), Pacific Mahi Mahi Agrodolce ($59.00), Double Pork Chops Di Vito ($39.00), a 36 oz. Prime Tomahawk Ribeye ($150.00) and a 28 oz. Prime Dry Aged Porterhouse ($95.00).

Oceanaire Seafood Room

The Oceanaire Seafood Room is another great restaurant located in the Pointe Orlando entertainment complex that is about 15 minutes from Walt Disney World.   Situated at 9101 International Drive, Oceanaire has a casual but eclectic environment and is an excellent spot for fresh seafood.

The restaurant is open for dinner service starting at 5:00 PM. Closing time is 10:00 PM from Sunday to Thursday and at 9:00 PM on Friday and Saturday evenings.  Entrees include Chesapeake Bay Style Crab Cakes ($50.00), Chicken Fried Lobster ($45.00), Nantucket Bay Scallops ($58.00), Grilled Florida Mahi Mahi Black & Blue ($43.00), a 22 oz. Prime Bone-in Ribeye ($68.00) and a 14 oz. West Australia Lobster Tail ($119.00).

The Oceanaire Seafood Room is part of Landry’s Restaurant Group which includes Morton’s The Steakhouse and McCormick and Schmick’s.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Ruth’s Chris Steak House is another amazing restaurant along “Restaurant Row”.  Located at 8501 W. Sand Lake Road in the Fountains at Bay Hill shopping plaza, Ruth’s Chris is one of the most popular steak houses not only in Orlando, but throughout the U.S.

This dining establishment is open daily at 4:00 PM and closes at 10:00 PM Monday to Thursday, 10:30 PM on Friday and Saturday and 9:00 PM on Sunday. USDA prime steaks include a 40 oz. Porterhouse for Two, a 24 oz. T-Bone, a 40 oz. Tomahawk Ribeye and a 11 oz. Filet.