Many people love to incorporate trying new, local foods into their travel itineraries. Known as foodies, these discerning travelers thrive on finding good eats — from the comfort food of down-home mom-and-pop diners and local hidden gems, to splurging on well-known “celebrity chef” or Michelin-Star restaurants. To foodies, all of these and more can merit an out-of-state trip just to get a taste of a region’s unique flavors that come from the diverse populations and people that call it home.
If you’re into food travel, you don’t want to miss our recommendations for healthy, diet-friendly and unique eating adventures while you’re traveling in Central Florida. Whether you’re frequenting the parks or are feeling adventurous to branch further out for a restaurant excursion while getting to know a new community, we’ve got you covered.
Keep reading for Orlando eats ideas and learn the amazingly diverse dining experiences we have to offer — all while keeping your health and safety top of mind.
A City Built Around Tourism: A Recipe for Diversity in People and Their Food
While Central Florida is known to most people for its world-class tourist attractions, did you know that Orlando and the surrounding area also has an incredible and still up-and-coming food scene?
Historically, our city was built upon tourism, but that’s only part of the story; the rest of Central Florida thrives because of our hardworking people who make our city — and our topnotch tourism — what it is. A special kind of magic happens when people from all over the world come here to work, live and play at and near those world-famous attractions.
Our Communities Can Cook
Our Black, Latin, Caribbean, Vietnamese, Chinese communities and more all bring their unique flavors and recipes from home. Perhaps the secret ingredient is the heart they put into their cooking. They’re proud to share their incredible food at the nearly endless options of family-owned restaurants in Central Florida.
For example, many people don’t realize we have a bustling, thriving Vietnamese community, known as Little Saigon (that makes up much of the beloved “Mills50” district — try Mills Market), and Chinatown (West Colonial Drive) in Orlando, along with one of the largest Puerto Rican populations in the United States.
The historic city of Eatonville — the very first all-Black community in the United States incorporated in 1887 — offers wonderful, homecooked soul food in their award-winning eateries that have caught the attention of foodies nationwide.
Home to the Stars
If you’re looking to splurge on a fine dining experience like no other, Orlando boasts a total of nine Michelin‑Star restaurants, including:
Try a Food Hall to Try It All
There are several food halls, offering a wide variety of top-quality eats from all over the world under one roof, in Orlando. You can try different foods from different stalls or have a sit-down meal at one of the restaurants onsite. Just don’t forget dessert.
East End Market and Orlando City Food Hall are recognized for providing noteworthy foodie experiences you won’t soon forget.
Everyone Is Welcome at Our Table
The individuals of these special communities are the creators of these award-winning restaurants. They bring with them authentic flavors from home that they work hard to recreate for their happy visitors. Each meal is a lovingly curated experience to be savored.
How to Easily Find Dietary Accommodations in Central Florida
If you, a child or another family member suffers from food allergies or intolerances, or if you follow a special diet for a health reason or a preference, we understand that it can be challenging and nerve-wracking to eat out. Rest assured that most restaurants in Central Florida make avoiding your food allergens and triggers easy to navigate, while also providing plenty of delicious options so you can feel fully included in the feast.
Here are some simple steps to follow when you eat out:
Communicate Your Dietary Restrictions or Preferences Clearly
If you follow a diet such as gluten-free, keto, a plant-based diet like vegetarian or vegan, or low-sugar for blood sugar conditions like diabetes, many restaurants already offer special menus or indicate items that correlate to those diets on their regular menu.
Be sure to let your server know your dietary needs at the outset of your visit, and they will be happy to guide you in the right direction. Sometimes, they may ask if you’d like to speak to a manager or even the chef to ensure that your diet is honored appropriately and that you get a satisfying, delicious meal even with any limitations.
There are many restaurants in Central Florida that even boast their dietary-friendly options, and some of them are completely vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free.
Differentiate Food Allergies and Other Medical Conditions From Dietary Preferences
If you or a family member has severe food allergies, we understand that they can be challenging, even life-threatening, leaving you feeling vulnerable and wondering about your safest options at every mealtime.
When eating out on vacation, you likely won’t be familiar with the locale, making your food allergy concerns seem even more overwhelming. Know that with clear communication and a bit of planning, you can still eat out safely in a new location.
First, it’s very important to let the restaurant staff know right away that your restriction is based on a food allergy or other medical condition. That way, they can differentiate it from a dietary preference. While still important, a dietary preference doesn’t indicate danger whereas a food allergy signals them to take special precautions for your health and well-being.
For one or more food allergies, restaurants will often have measures in place to cook your food in a separate area and take care not to let your food near anyone else’s to keep you or your loved one with food allergies safe. Cross-contamination is a danger to many people who suffer with food allergies. That’s why restaurants you visit will want to know as soon as possible so you can enjoy your meal with confidence and peace of mind.
You might consider calling any restaurants you’d like to visit in advance, first to ask if they can accommodate your food allergies or preferences, and secondly to let them know when to expect you.
Good Eats and Dietary Accommodations at the Parks and Resorts
The theme parks and their resorts, such as Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld, are particularly wonderful to work with when it comes to food allergies and dietary restrictions of any kind — making it a point to offer appealing options for all circumstances. Just let them know and they’ll be happy to go above and beyond to accommodate you.
Not to mention, whether you just want a snack on-the-go or a special sit-down meal, the restaurants, cafés and snack bars at the parks and resorts are excellent and offer great variety so everyone in your family can find something they like.
Eating In
If you’re needing a night in for dinner or to take some time in your room for the afternoon to recuperate, we have everything your family needs, or that you may have forgotten, in stores and supermarkets here — including the option of grocery and restaurant food delivery right to your room. Eating out is fun on vacation, but if it’s for every meal it can quickly get both expensive and exhausting. And with the convenience of food delivery services, you don’t have to leave the room and you’ll be able to spend quality time together eating or even cooking if your accommodations have a kitchen.
Many of the resorts have markets right on their properties, offering everything from snacks and drinks to wonderful ready-made to-go meals.
Your Family’s Central Florida Health Care Home Away From Home
We hope you find good food that nourishes your body, mind and spirit when you and your family visit and that you enjoy many memorable experiences around your table. And remember, no matter where you travel in Central Florida, you’re never far from world-class medical care through AdventHealth’s Telehealth services, 24/7 emergency care, urgent care and prescription and medical equipment delivery — including EpiPen refills, other allergy prescriptions, insulin and more.
While we hope you won’t need us, we’re always here if you do for any illness, allergic reaction or injury experienced during your travels, 24/7. We can even deliver your kids’ prescriptions, like antibiotics, inhalers or EpiPen Juniors, should the need arise. We want you to have a fun, memorable and delicious vacation when you visit Central Florida. Rest easy knowing that expert health care delivered with uncommon compassion is right around the corner.
Find resources for a healthy and happy vacation before you arrive and during your visit at AdventHealth.com/StayHealthy or
Call844-471-HEAL (4325).
