Many visitors to Orlando spend much of their time in the suburban areas such as Lake Buena Vista. If you’re a traveling businessmen or visiting the Orange County Convention Center, you may spend much more of your time in the downtown Orlando area. While Disney and Universal are known for their world-class entertainment, you can find plenty of interesting restaurants stores and museums in the heart of Orlando.
Remember, Downtown Disney is different than downtown Orlando. Downtown Disney is nearly 20 miles away from the high rise buildings of downtown Orlando. Popular attractions in Downtown Orlando include Amway Arena, home of the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association, the Bob Carr Center for the Performing Arts, Historical Church Street Station, Thornton Park and Lake Eola.
Historians will appreciate one of the newest affiliates of the Smithsonian which is located in the heart of Downtown Orlando: The Orange County Regional History Center. Inside the Orange County Regional History Center, which served as the county courthouse until 1999. At the Regional History Center, you can browse through four floors of exhibits that illustrate the stories behind the growth and development Orange County. The top floor displays the history of Florida’s oldest natives: the Seminole Indian tribe. Other cultures highlighted on the tour include Florida’s earliest pioneers, which were known as the Crackers.
Orange County’s rich history in tourism is also on display, with documents that detail the earliest days of Walt Disney World and the pack of travelers known as the Tin Can Tourists, from the 1920s.
Fans of forensic science and the most infamous criminal cases in history will enjoy the Orange County Regional History Center, where Ted Bundy was tried and the first criminal was convicted due to DNA evidence.
If you’re searching for a great place to relax and unwind after a day full of meetings and hectic negotiations, catch a movie a the Plaza Theater or visit Church Street Station or the Corona Cigar Bar. For live entertainment, Tappas Spanish restaurant features live dancing and a great atmosphere.
We have quite a few downtown Orlando hotels to choose from if you want to take in one of these great attractions.

Nightlife for adults in Orlando isn’t limited to Downtown Disney. Pub crawlers can choose from a wide number of local pubs with Irish themes and unique atmospheres. A local favorite in the Winter Park area is called Fiddlers’ Green. Since 1996, Fiddler’s Green has been a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike, with live bands playing classic rock and Irish pub classics, Fiddlers’ Green combines great music and authentic Irish atmosphere.
If you’re closer to downtown in the afternoon or early evening, you  can treat yourself to happy hour at Lizzy McCormack’s, located at 5 North Orange Avenue. With five-hours of two-for one’s every weekday, Lizzy McComarck’s is known as one of the best places to grab a Guiness, downtown. Other top draws in the downtown area include Orlando Brewing, home to Florida’s only organic brewery. With a brewery on-site, you can sample Florida-made beer, a gift shop and daily tours.

Popular pubs in the Universal Studios area include the British Pub: Cricketer’s Arms Club, located at Festival Bay Mall on International Drive, and Pat O’Brien’s, at Universal Citywalk. Cricketer’s Arms hosts live bands throughout the week. Beer enthusiasts will appreciate the extensive selection of 17 tap beers, including 4 hand drawn ales. Cricketer’s Arm’s menu has authentic British dishes and you can catch international soccer and rugby on the TVs.
If you’re in more of a party mood, head to the dueling piano bar at Pat O’Brien’s, located at Universal CityWalk. A replica of the New Orlean’s pub, Pat O’Brien’s is known for its Hurricane cocktail and interactive entertainers who play songs by request on the two pianos. If you’re staying in the Walt Disney World area and looking for an irish pub with world-class entertainment and a family friendly atmosphere, head to Raglan Road, which has a live band on spacious seating for your entire family to dine.

Keep in mind many of our hotels in Orlando have great pubs as well.

If you’re searching for delicious Italian dishes in Orlando, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the diverse settings and menus you’ll find across central Florida. For example, Cafe Trastevere  combines casual dining with a great setting. With outdoor seating on two patios and two floors of dining rooms, Cafe Tastevere has meals and wines at reasonable prices. Popular dinner selections include fettucine alfredo, linguine with fresh clams and eggplant parmigana, baked in marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella cheese over linguine.Feature wines at Cafe Trastevere include Costamolino Argiloas-Sardegna and Chardonnay Cadonini.
Another popular Italian restaurant in Orlando is Christini’s Restaurante Italiano. Christini’s owner opened the restaurant in 1984 and Mr. Christini oversees all aspects of his restaurant.His attention to detail keeps Christini’s atmosphere and service among the most honored in the country, which is why Christini’s received the best of the best five star diamond award and was  named to the Fine Dining Hall of Fame by Nation’s Restaurant News. Popular  dishes at Christini’s include Gamberoni Fra Diavolo – Jumbo shrimp served over linguine in a spicy pescatore sauce and Vitello Ai Quattro Formaggi Veal scaloppini dipped in flour, egg and bread crumbs, pan fried, toppes with fresh tomato sauce, fine herbs and four types of imported cheese.

Ciao Italiana resteraunt in Orlando was opened in 1991, by two natives of Italy who brought years of experience. Ciao Italiana, has received several awards and honors,including “Most Romantic restaurant” by Florida Gourmet magazine,Golden Spoon Award, from Florida Trend Magazine and Florida’s Top 500 Restaurants, from Great Florida Restaurant Guide.

Another famous Italian dining venue in Orlando is Gargi’s Lakeside Italian cusine,located in 1414 North Orange  Ave. Gargi’s offers one of the best views for sunsets over downtown Orlando. Gargis opened in Orlando back in 1987. Gargi’s has received several notable awards for its excellent food and atmosphere, including the My City Eats, Sagat Award and Foodie awards.

If you are coming to visit one of these great Italian restaurants for out of town please visit check out our Orlando vacation specials.

With the Atlantic shore less than an hour to the East, Orlando is a great city for seafood. Among the most popular seafood spots:The Oceana, High Tide Harry’s, Fulton’s Crabhouse at Downtown Disney World and Little Saigon Vietenamese Restaurant.
Oceana’s menu offers a wide variety of dishes including a full oyster bar, shrimp cocktail platters and special main course dishes, including baked stuffed shrimp, with creamy linguini pasta, Equadorian swordfish , served with carmaleized onions and blue cheese butter, baked stuffed Atlantic Flounder, bacon-wrapped jump shrimp, San Francisco Fisherman’s Stew, Pacific Rockfish, Mexican Mutton Snapper, Alaskan Halibut and Seared South American Seabass.
Situated in the heart of Downtown Disney, Fulton’s Crab House is one of the most distinct landmarks and dining spots in the Walt Disney World Resort area. Designed as a replica of a vintage American Steamboat, Fulton’s Crab House has tables available on three outdoor decks and a nautical dining room with walls full of seafaring history and folk art.Wine enthusiasts will appreciate the vast collection of wine more than 2,000 bottles in Fulton’s wine cellar.
The most popular dishes at Fulton’s Crab House include Alaska king crab claws, snow crab, and blue Crab. Little Saigon serves more than just seafood, but the most popular seafood choices on its menu include Com Tom Xao, sauteed shrimp with onion over Rice, Com Tom Xao Bong Cai, sauteed Shrimp, onion and broccoli over rice.
On the east side of Orlando, close to the Orlando Airport, you’ll find a local favorite: High Tide Harry’s.You won’t have to worry about your attire at High Tide Harry’s. The laidback setting throughout the restaurant offers a casual and family-friendly atmosphere. Meals at High Tide Harry’s are cooked to order, to ensure the freshest tasting seafood. Specials at High Tide Harry’s include all you can eat specials each day, ranging from 99 cent fish tacos on Tijuana Tuesdays, Wednesday micro-night, with 50% off all beers. On Thursday’s , you can order snow crab, tuna, mahi-mahi, steamed shrimp, fried shrimp, catfish fillet or catfish fingerlins and two sides, for $12.99. High Tide Harry’s is moving from 925 N. Semoran Boulevard to 4645 South Semoran Boulevard.