Family Friendly Restaurants in Florida
Florida is not just home to theme parks and sunny beaches; it’s also a haven for family-friendly dining. One of the reasons we love eating out here is the incredible value, huge portions that can easily feed a crowd and refillable drinks that keep everyone hydrated.
During our trip, we explored a mix of sit-down restaurants and fast-food spots, each offering something unique. All are within driving distance of Disney World & Universal, meaning after a long day in the park we found these venues the perfect place to refuel, rehydrate and discuss the day!
Here’s a complete guide to where we dined, what’s on the menu, why my family loved them, and the cost of each meal.
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse – Vineland Avenue
What’s on Offer: A massive menu with options like pizza, pasta, burgers, wings and their famous Pizookie dessert. They also have a kids’ menu with plenty of choices.
Dining Style: Sit-down restaurant.
Why My Family Loved It: The relaxed atmosphere was perfect after a busy day. The diverse menu made it easy for everyone to find something they loved. The kids loved the pasta meatballs and the adults loved the boneless wings and chicken burger with fries! The nachos sharer was enough to feed 5 and the toppings were all very fresh and generously given. If you are looking for an Italian-Style meal then the deep pan pizza and chicken parmigiana are both to die for!
Cost: $106 including tip for 2 adults and 3 children, including a starter/sharer.
Other Florida Locations: BJ’s Brewhouse has additional branches in Kissimmee and ion International Drive.
Menu: https://www.grubhub.com/restaurant/bjs-restaurant–brewhouse-8103-international-dr-orlando/473471 (Official Website Menu will not load outside of the USA)
Miller’s Ale House – Vineland Road
What’s on Offer: Classic American dishes like wings, burgers, steaks, seafood, and shareable appetisers, plus a kids’ menu. And not to forget their famous Chicken Zingers!
Dining Style: Sit-down restaurant with a casual sports bar vibe.
Why My Family Loved It: The kids enjoyed the atmosphere, big screens and the ice cream that was included with their meal! While the adults appreciated the friendly service and hearty portions. The kids all enjoyed the Zingers and fries while the adults in the group enjoyed the Zingers Mountain (think chicken loaded fries) and the Wings covered in Honey BBQ Sauce!
Special Deal: Kids eat free on Tuesdays (1 free child meal per paying adult). They also do a range of deals including deal of the day and free zingers on $20 spend when you register for their eClub!
Cost: $69 including tip for 2 adults and 3 children, including a starter for the adults to share. This including 2 kids eating free.
Other Florida Locations: Miller’s Ale House is also located on International Drive and near the Florida Mall.
Menu: https://millersalehouse.com/menu/
Chili’s – South Apopka Vineland Road
What’s on Offer: Tex-Mex classics like fajitas, tacos, burgers, and ribs, with a dedicated kids’ menu.
Dining Style: Sit-down restaurant.
Why My Family Loved It: The lively atmosphere made dining fun, and the portion sizes were great for sharing. The kids especially enjoyed the chicken crispers and pizza. The adults loved the sizzling fajitas and chicken crispers combo! It also would not be a trip to Chili’s for our family without their amazing giant mozzarella dippers!
Cost: $100 including tip for 2 adults and 3 children, including a starter/sharer for the adults.
Other Florida Locations: Chili’s also has many branches including International Drive and Kissimmee.
Menu: https://www.chilis.com/menu
Cici’s Pizza – International Drive
What’s on Offer: An all-you-can-eat pizza buffet with endless options, plus pasta and salad bar (If you are from the UK think Pizza Hut buffet). They offer desserts such as sweet pizzas, cinnamon rolls and brownies.
Dining Style: Fast-casual buffet.
Why My Family Loved It: The buffet style meant everyone could try something different, and the kids loved the dessert options. (Top-tip: If you are too hungry for dessert ask for a box and you can take away some dessert). The drinks are self serve so the kids enjoyed trying new soft drinks!
Cost: $47 for 2 adults and 3 children.
Other Florida Locations: Cici’s Pizza have many venues in Florida, including 3 in Kissimmee.
Menu: https://www.cicis.com/buffet
McDonald’s – International Drive
What’s on Offer: This location is the world’s largest McDonald’s, offering much more than the standard menu. Alongside burgers, fries, and Happy Meals, you’ll find unique options like pizza, pasta, and desserts such as cheesecakes. The venue also features an arcade, a soft play area for kids, and plenty of seating, making it more of an experience than a quick meal.
Dining Style: Fast food with added entertainment options.
Why My Family Loved It: Every family loves a trip to McDonald’s, but the kids had a blast in the soft play area and arcade, while the adults appreciated the expanded menu that went far beyond the usual McDonald’s offerings.
Cost: $47 for 2 adults and 3 children.
Other Florida Locations: McDonald’s is everywhere in Florida, but this location on International Drive stands out with its unique offerings and entertainment options.
Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews – West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway
What’s on Offer: Creative gourmet burgers, sandwiches, sides, and milkshakes, plus a kid-friendly menu.
Dining Style: Sit-down restaurant with fun, garage-themed decor.
Why My Family Loved It: The unique burgers and playful atmosphere were a hit, and the kids adored the milkshakes. The kids loved the cheeseburgers and chicken tenders, while the adults loved The Hot Rod Burger and buffalo chicken wings! The onion ring tower is not to be skipped, the onion rings were so full of flavour and were light and crispy. The Sickies Nachos are a great share for the table, uniquely it is waffle fries topped with buffalo chicken!
Special Deal: Kids eat free on Mondays (1 free child meal per paying adult). They also have a rewards programme which gives diners a free burger for signing up, rewards on birthdays and a points system.
Cost: $71 including tip for 2 adults and 3 children, including tip.
Other Florida Locations: While Sickies do have other venues in the USA, this location is unique to Florida.
Menu: https://sickiesburgers.com/menu/
Denny’s – West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway
What’s on Offer: Classic American breakfast dishes like pancakes, waffles, eggs, and bacon, as well as lunch and dinner options. They are open 24 hours a day for any early risers with the time difference!
Dining Style: Sit-down diner.
Why My Family Loved It: The hearty breakfast portions were a perfect start to our day, and the kids loved the colourful pancake options and the free refills on the hot chocolate! The adults loved the American style hash browns that came with the All American Slam Breakfast.
Cost: $82 including tip for 2 adults and 3 children.
Other Florida Locations: Denny’s has branches throughout Florida, including locations on International Drive and near Lake Buena Vista.
Menu: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5739dc6401dbae313dbdb174/t/5cdf06a369465100018f8aa7/1558120115484/Dennys-Menu.pdf (Official Website Menu will not load outside of the USA)
Panda Express – Universal Walk
What’s on Offer: Quick-service Chinese-American dishes like orange chicken, fried rice, and chow mein.
Dining Style: Fast food.
Why My Family Loved It: Their famous orange chicken was a favourite for the adults, and the quick service made it convenient during a busy day. While the kids opted for Burger King, we enjoyed Panda Express, we all ate together in the food court area.
Cost: $29 for 2 adults – 2 x bigger plates with spring rolls. No drinks purchased as we had just refilled our Universal Refill Cups!
Other Florida Locations: Panda Express is available at multiple locations, including near the outlets and other tourist areas.
Menu: https://www.pandaexpress.com/locations/fl/orlando/1713
Burger King – Universal Walk
What’s on Offer: Classic fast-food options like burgers, fries, chicken nuggets, and kids’ meals.
Dining Style: Fast food.
Why My Family Loved It: It was a quick, familiar option after a long day, and the kids enjoyed their meals. As it is located in the same food court as Panda Express, we could have enjoy the food we wanted without having to go separate venues.
Cost: $27 for 3 children.
Other Florida Locations: Burger King is widely available across Florida, including locations on International Drive and near major malls.
Chuck E. Cheese – International Drive
What’s on Offer: Kid-friendly meals like pizza, wings, and chicken nuggets, plus a salad bar and customisable pizzas. The main attraction is the arcade area, featuring games, rides, and interactive activities where kids can win tickets to exchange for prizes.
Dining Style: Fast-casual with a focus on entertainment.
Why My Family Loved It: The kids loved the energetic atmosphere, unlimited games, and meeting Chuck E. during live performances, while the adults appreciated the stress-free mix of dining and fun. It was perfect way to spend an evening during one of Floridas famous rain storms! They allow you to pause your play pass when your food arrives so you don’t miss a minute of fun!
Cost: $107 for 2 adults and 3 children. This covered a food combo of 2 large pizzas, 2 large fries, 5 refillable drinks and a large cookie dessert, as well as an unlimited game pass for 60 minutes.
Other Florida Locations: Chuck E. Cheese also has other locations in Florida.
Menu: https://www.chuckecheese.com/menu/
Final Thoughts
Florida offers an incredible variety of family-friendly dining options, each with its own unique appeal. From budget-friendly buffets to restaurants with fun-filled entertainment, there’s something to suit every family. The generous portions, refillable drinks, and kids-eat-free deals like those at Miller’s Ale House and Sickies Garage make dining out in Florida a joy for families.
If you are currently planning your trip to Florida and need some tips, check out our post sharing everything you should consider: Booking Your Trip To Florida