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Family Friendly Restaurants in Orlando to Try This Week

When you’re deciding on a place to eat, sometimes you have to factor in who you’re going out to eat with. It’s important to remember that Grandma and the kids might not want to go to that hip new tequila bar that just opened up down the road. 

family enjoying dinner at a restaurant in orlando

Going out to eat with family means you’re going to want to pick a place that’s mellow and has something for everyone, but sometimes finding those places can be difficult. That’s why I thought I’d lend a helping hand to everyone in the Orlando area by ranking the best family restaurants in Orlando, Florida all on one handy guide. That way, you can focus on all the other fun family attractions in Orlando like Universal Studios Resort and Walt Disney World.


Sweet Mama’s Restaurant

10743 Narcoossee Rd, Orlando, FL 32832, United States
Phone: 407-282-7737
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Another one of my favorite restaurants for kids and families in Orlando, Florida is Sweet Mama’s Restaurant. When you’re up early, on your way to the amusement park with the family and everyone’s stomach is rumbling, this is the place to go. Breakfast is the specialty here at Sweet Mama’s and they open early at 7:00 AM so it’s great for those early birds that like to get the day started with the sunrise. Here, you’ll find all the southern classics like grits, pancakes, biscuits, bacon, and everything in between. Sweet Mama’s is located over in the Nona Commons shopping center, in between Nona Sushi and Durian Durian Fusion Thai Cuisine. 


Nick’s Family Diner

5439 N Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32810, United States
Phone: 407-704-8861
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Taking first place on my list of best Orlando restaurants for families is a place named Nick’s Family Diner. This place is old-school and done right, perfect for a family breakfast in Orlando before a day at the theme parks. They’re open from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM here at Nick’s, so you can also grab a late lunch if you want, as well. I really enjoy the homey atmosphere and all the classic diner foods. My go-to order is usually one of their award-winning burgers, but if it’s still early in the morning I go with a Belgian waffle and bacon. Look for Nick’s Family Diner off of North Orange Blossom Trail in Rosemont, right across the street from Taco Bell and Dunkin’.


Border Grill Fresh-Mex

5695-A Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32819, United States
Phone: 407-352-0101
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This next place is located off of Vineland Road near Windhover, across the street from some great places to stay in Orlando like the Best Western Plus Universal Inn and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Nearest Universal Orlando, an IHG Hotel. When you come down to Border Grill Fresh-Mex, I recommend trying one of the fajitas or the chile relleno and enchilada special. No matter what you order, it’s all going to be delicious because everything is made fresh right when you order it. It’s a great restaurant for kids in Orlando, as well. They have a few different “amigitos” options like a kid burrito, kid quesadilla, and a kid crispy taco. 


Dixie Belle’s Cafe

7125 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32809, United States
Phone: 407-812-7012
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Just south of The Woodshed Orlando community center on South Orange Avenue is a place called Dixie Belle’s Cafe. This family-run establishment would absolutely love to serve you and your family some homestyle American food, and even a few Mexican dishes that everyone will love. Family restaurants in Orlando are pretty common, but there aren’t many that do it as well as Dixie Belle’s Cafe. The homemade biscuits and gravy here are simply out of this world, not to mention their famous sweet potato biscuits. You’ll want to get a whole dozen of those to take home with you, I promise!

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Mrs. Potato Restaurant

4550 S Kirkman Rd, Orlando, FL 32811, United States
Phone: 407-290-0991
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When you want to take the family out to eat in Orlando, Fl, one of the best places to go is Mrs. Potato Restaurant. This Brazilian-American family restaurant is packed with both authentic South American cuisine and some American classics. Everyone in the family will be able to find something they love! What I like the most from this restaurant is the picanha steak, the most popular cut of steak in Brazil. I always choose the option to add sauteed onions on top, as well. Check out Mrs. Potato off of South Kirkman Road, inside the Kirkman Oaks Shopping Center where the Publix Supermarket is located. 


Hot Krust Panini Kitchen

8015 Turkey Lake Rd #200, Orlando, FL 32819, United States
Phone: 407-355-7768
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Hot Krust Panini Kitchen is up next and this is one of the most family-friendly places to eat in Orlando. They have so many different types of paninis that even kids who are the pickiest of eaters will find something to please them. Ever had a gelato panini? Well, they’ve got them here at Hot Krust Panini Kitchen. They have 3 decadent flavors of dessert paninis that come in Cookie Monster, Rocky Road, and PB+J flavors. They’re all delicious, so it’s hard to choose. Check them out off of Turkey Lake Road inside the Phillips Crossing plaza, right next to Whole Foods Market and Michaels. 


Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux – Orlando Restaurant

8151 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, United States
Phone: 321-558-6800
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For the families that love sports, there is no better place to eat and enjoy the game than Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux. This is easily one of the best Orlando restaurants for families with kids because the grownups can still enjoy a beer and the game while keeping the little ones happy. If you’ve never tried alligator before, then this is the place to do it. Walk-On’s serves the ultimate Florida delicacy, gator tail, hand-battered and deep-fried. It’s absolutely unbeatable. You can find Walk-On’s over off of International Drive, north of Ripley’s Believe It or Not, in the same plaza as Wyndham Orlando Resort International Drive.


Bob’s Family Restaurant

5120 S Conway Rd, Orlando, FL 32812, United States
Phone: 407-704-8815

Next up is a place inside the Belle Isles Commons shopping center called Bob’s Family Restaurant. If you’re wondering where to eat with kids in Orlando, wonder no more because Bob’s has everything you need. In fact, they’ve got something for the young and old here at Bob’s. They offer both a “Kids Corner” menu and a “Senior Citizens Breakfast Specials” menu. Both have great deals that you can’t really go wrong with. Bob’s is located off of South Conway Road in the same plaza as the Starbucks, right across the street from the Conway Crossing shopping mall with the Publix Supermarket in it.  


Café Tu Tu Tango

8625 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, United States
Phone: 407-248-2222
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Up next is a place called Cafe Tu Tu Tango, a delightful tapas restaurant that is surprisingly very family friendly. Many tapas restaurants only cater to more adult tastes, but Cafe Tu Tu Tango has a nice little kids menu for the young ones. Kids have the choice of a quesadilla, popcorn chicken, cheese pizza, mini hot dogs, or even a bowl of pasta. The adults, on the other hand, can treat themselves to a luxurious tapas meal filled with flavors. Look for Cafe Tu Tu Tango off of International Drive, in the same plaza as the Castle Hotel, Autograph Collection, so it’s a great place to stay in Orlando with family, too. 

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Hash House A Go Go

5350 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, United States
Phone: 407-370-4646
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Hash House A Go Go is a New American restaurant that’s made my lists before, so you already know they have delicious food, but they’re also a great dining destination for families. Breakfast is what they do best, of course, and their hash options are to die for. My favorite is the one that comes with chorizo, jalapenos, cheddar cheese, and tomato all on top of a bed of home fries. It’s definitely the best way to start the day, if you ask me. Hash House A Go Go can be found off of International Drive across the street from the Sonic Drive-in and less than half a mile away from the Fun Spot America Theme Parks. 


Grills Lakeside Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar

4301 N Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32804, United States
Phone: 407-291-8881
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Up next is Grills Lakeside Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar that I wholly recommend for a nice family dinner in Orlando. This standalone restaurant is spacious and airy, offering fantastic waterfront views of Lake Fairview from their massive outdoor patio. The seafood is top-tier here at Grills Lakeside Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar, but they really have a little bit of everything. You can also order a delicious Delmonico steak or grilled ribs that fall off the bone and melt in your mouth. Grills is located off of North Orange Blossom Trail south of Rosemont and just north of Princeton/Silverstar neighborhood. 


Red Lobster

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, 5936 International Dr NEAR, Orlando, FL 32819, United States
Phone: 407-351-9313
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Everyone knows about Red Lobster and their amazing cheddar cheese biscuits, so there should be no introduction necessary here. If you haven’t had the magical experience of chowing down on their mind-blowing biscuits, then you really need to re-evaluate your life. Red Lobster has fresh seafood at affordable prices with an atmosphere that’s fun for the whole family. The kids menu offers things like grilled shrimp, popcorn shrimp, mac and cheese, chicken fingers, and plenty of other options that even sound pretty good to me! When it comes to dinner, I always go with lobster here at Red Lobster (duh). They also have a great lunch special, though, where you can get $2 off all pasta and various fish. 


Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen

6650 S Semoran Blvd, Orlando, FL 32822, United States
Phone: 407-438-8878
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Next up is a place called Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen that you can find over off of South Semoran Boulevard, sharing a parking lot with Chuy’s and Pollo Tropical, right next to Autonation Chevrolet Airport. Cheddar’s serves traditional American food that the whole family will enjoy, including kid-friendly dining. The younguns have the choice of things like pasta with alfredo sauce, chicken tenders, grilled cheese, and more. I recommend the 14-ounce ribeye steak from Cheddar’s, that’s what I usually get. They have a massive menu, however, so no matter what you’re in the mood for, you’ll find it. They also have great family bundle deals, perfect for ordering to-go and eating at home when you don’t want to cook. 

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Perkins Restaurant & Bakery

6813 Sand Lake Rd, Orlando, FL 32819, United States
Phone: 407-351-0373
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Right off of South Sand Lake Road is a place called Perkins Restaurant and Bakery where you can find all your favorite classic American foods, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, as well as a kids menu with crayons to color on! On the other hand, they also serve a 55+ menu for any seniors in the family that’s full of great deals. Perkins is always consistently delivering good food for low prices and it’s one of the best places to eat with kids in Orlando, if you ask me. My favorite thing to order from here that I recommend is the build-a-breakfast option so you can get exactly what you want and nothing you don’t. 


Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food

6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819, United States
Phone: 407-224-3663
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This next place, Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food, is located in the Universal CityWalk Orlando center for dining and family entertainment, right next to other fun themed restaurants like Margaritaville and just a quick walk away from the Hard Rock Cafe. Antojitos is the ultimate destination for families after a day of entertainment at Universal Studios Resort. They have all the delicious, authentic Mexican food that you could ever want as well as multiple bars for the adults. I recommend ordering one of the enchiladas when you visit Antojitos, but they have so many other tasty options, you’ll want to stay all night long. 


Friendly’s

8718 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, United States
Phone: 407-345-1655
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Up next is Friendly’s, an American restaurant off of International Drive just north of the Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando International Drive Convention Center and the Avanti International Resort, 2 extremely comfortable places to stay near Orlando. Friendly’s specializes in all the classic American foods like burgers, fries, and milkshakes so it should be a home run for everyone in the family. After all, who doesn’t love a thick, chocolate milkshake? I also recommend one of their specialty sundaes if you’ve got a big sweet tooth. They have one of the biggest kids menus here at Friendly’s. Even the pickiest eaters will find something to enjoy. 


IHOP

6005 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, United States
Phone: 407-351-0031
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IHOP is the last entry on my list, but it shouldn’t be the last place you consider going for a nice meal with your family in Orlando. They have breakfast all day and all night long, so no matter what time you’re in the mood for pancakes, they’ve got you covered! I have fond memories from back when I was a kid, ordering the Funny Face Pancake Combo. I would get excited every time I saw that whipped cream smiley face on my chocolate chip pancakes. You can find this IHOP in the Days Inn by Wyndham Orlando Conv. Center/International Dr hotel, right near the Rosen Centre Hotel and the Hilton Orlando. 

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Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

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