Family Friendly Restaurants in Florida

One of the things I actually love about visiting Florida is eating out.

You get huge portions, loads of choice, free refills on drinks in lots of restaurants and, if you know where to look, some really good family deals too.

When you’re spending your days at Disney and Universal, having somewhere easy and family-friendly to eat afterwards makes such a difference. And because most of these restaurants are around the main tourist areas, they’re really easy to fit into a Florida itinerary.

We’ve tried quite a few restaurants over our trips, from big American-style diners and steakhouses to pizza buffets and the occasional McDonald’s.

So if you’re planning a Florida holiday and wondering where to eat, here are some of our favourites.

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse

📍 Vineland Avenue, Orlando

If you’re looking for somewhere with a huge menu where everyone can find something they like, BJ’s is a great option.

They have everything from pizza and pasta to burgers, wings and their famous Pizookie desserts, as well as a good kids’ menu.

We loved the variety here. The kids enjoyed the pasta and meatballs, while the adults went for the boneless wings and chicken burger with fries.

The nachos are also a brilliant option for sharing – the portion was easily big enough for all five of us and the toppings were really generous.

And if you’re after an Italian-style meal, the deep pan pizza and chicken parmesan are both worth trying.

Sign up to their reward system for a free Pookie!

There are also other BJ’s locations around Orlando, including Kissimmee and International Drive.

Miller’s Ale House

📍 Vineland Road, Orlando

Miller’s Ale House is one of those really easy family options when you want big portions, a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of choice.

Think burgers, wings, steaks, seafood and their famous Chicken Zingers.

The kids loved the Zingers and fries, while the adults went for the Zingers Mountain, which is basically chicken loaded fries, and the wings with Honey BBQ sauce.

The kids’ meals also came with ice cream, which was obviously a big hit!

One thing worth checking is their deals. Kids eat free on Tuesdays, with one free children’s meal per paying adult, and they regularly run other daily offers too.

There are locations across Florida, including International Drive and near the Florida Mall.

Chili’s

📍 South Apopka Vineland Road

If you’re after classic American food, Chili’s is another easy family option.

You’ll find fajitas, tacos, burgers, ribs and plenty of other choices, as well as a dedicated kids’ menu.

The kids loved the chicken crispers and pizza, while I cannot visit here without getting the viral Triple Dipper!

And it wouldn’t be a trip to Chili’s for our family without ordering their giant mozzarella dippers!

Sign up to their reward system and enjoy free chips and salsa on every visit!

You’ll find Chili’s locations all over Florida, including International Drive and Kissimmee.

Olive Garden

If you’re looking for somewhere that feels a little more like a proper sit-down family meal, Olive Garden is one I’d recommend.

We loved the huge portions, the range of dishes and, of course, those warm breadsticks they bring to the table!

You can also get unlimited soup or salad with your entrée, which makes it a really good option if you’re looking for a filling meal.

There’s plenty of choice, from pasta and chicken dishes to steaks and seafood, so it’s another one where you’re likely to find something for everyone.

LongHorn Steakhouse

📍 Multiple locations across Orlando

LongHorn is probably our favourite steakhouse in Orlando.

If you’re looking for a really good steak without going for an overly fancy or expensive experience, this is one I’d definitely put on your list.

The steaks are really good quality, there’s a great choice of sides and they bring warm bread to the table when you arrive.

It’s somewhere we always enjoy as a family, and the menu has enough choice that the kids can find something too.

Uno Pizzeria & Grill

Uno is another great option if you want pizza but don’t want everyone eating the same thing.

Obviously, they’re famous for their deep pan pizza, but the menu also has pasta, salads, burgers and plenty of sides.

And there’s a really good family deal worth knowing about:

Kids eat free every Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. To to 3 kids can eat free per paying adult!

One parent or guardian meal purchase gets you up to three kids’ meals, making this a really good option for families trying to keep the cost of eating out down.

Denny’s

📍 Multiple locations across Florida

If you want a proper American diner experience, Denny’s is one I’d definitely try.

It’s a classic American diner, with huge breakfast portions, pancakes, waffles, eggs, bacon and all the usual breakfast favourites.

We loved the mix of savoury breakfast with pancakes on the side, and the big pots of coffee were very welcome!

It’s also a handy option if you’re dealing with the time difference and find yourself awake ridiculously early.

There are Denny’s locations all over Florida, including International Drive and around Lake Buena Vista.

Perkins

Another great breakfast option is Perkins.

This is one I’d recommend if you’re looking for that proper American feel, with huge portions, pots of coffee and plenty of choice.

I love that you can have a traditional savoury breakfast but still get pancakes on the side – because you’re in America, so why wouldn’t you?!

It’s a really easy option for families because there’s something for everyone, and the portions are big enough to keep you going for a good few hours.

CiCi’s Pizza

📍 International Drive and other Florida locations

If your kids love pizza, CiCi’s is one to add to your list.

It’s an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet with loads of different pizzas, plus pasta and a salad bar.

And then there’s the dessert section with things like sweet pizzas, cinnamon rolls and brownies.

It’s very much the American version of a Pizza Hut buffet, so if you’ve got kids who love being able to choose exactly what they want, they’ll probably love it.

The drinks are self-serve too, which the kids enjoyed because they could try different soft drinks.

Check the coupon books in Walmart to make this budget friendly option even cheaper!

One little tip – if you’re too full for dessert but can’t resist, you can ask for a box and take some away!

Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews

📍 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee

Sickies Garage is a really fun option if you want somewhere that’s a little different.

It’s garage-themed, with a huge menu of burgers, sandwiches, wings, sides and milkshakes.

The kids loved the cheeseburgers and chicken tenders, while the adults went for The Hot Rod Burger and buffalo chicken wings.

The onion ring tower is also worth ordering. They were really crispy and full of flavour.

And the Sickies Nachos are definitely not your standard nachos – they’re waffle fries topped with buffalo chicken!

They also offer kids eat free on Mondays, with one free kids’ meal per paying adult or Check the coupon books in Walmart to get 20% off your first visit!

The World’s Largest Entertainment McDonald’s

📍 International Drive

Of course, we couldn’t write a family-friendly Florida restaurant guide without including McDonald’s!

But this isn’t your usual McDonald’s.

The International Drive location is the world’s largest Entertainment McDonald’s and has a much bigger menu than you’ll find at home, including pizza, pasta and some pretty impressive desserts.

There’s also an arcade and soft play area, so it becomes more of an experience than simply grabbing a quick meal.

The kids absolutely loved it, and it’s a particularly good option if you want somewhere to eat and keep them entertained at the same time.

Chuck E. Cheese

📍 International Drive

If you’re looking for somewhere where dinner is basically part of the entertainment, Chuck E. Cheese is a fun option.

There’s pizza, wings, chicken nuggets and other kid-friendly food, but the main attraction is the huge arcade area.

The kids can play games, go on rides and collect tickets to exchange for prizes.

We actually visited during one of Florida’s famous rainstorms, so it was the perfect way to spend an evening indoors.

One thing I loved was that you can pause your play pass when your food arrives, so the kids don’t have to miss out on their game time while you eat.

Panda Express

📍 Universal Orlando area

If you’re looking for something quick after a day at Universal, Panda Express is an easy option.

You’ll find Chinese-American favourites like orange chicken, chow mein and fried rice, so it’s perfect when you want something quick without sitting down for a full meal.

We grabbed this around Universal and it was especially easy because we’d already refilled our Universal refill cups, so we didn’t need to buy drinks.

There are Panda Express locations across Orlando and around the main tourist areas.

A Few Things I’ve Learned About Eating Out in Florida

Portions in Florida are BIG, so don’t automatically assume you need to order one meal per person. Sharing starters, sides or even meals can be a great way to keep the cost down, especially with younger children.

Refillable drinks are also really common, but aren’t always included, so check before ordering. And remember to factor in tips when budgeting for meals, as these are added separately.

It’s also worth checking restaurants for current kids eat free offers before you visit – these can make a big difference when you’re feeding a family of five.

Honestly, after a full day at Disney or Universal, a huge meal and an ice-cold refillable drink is exactly what you need!

If you’re planning your Florida holiday, I’ve also shared my guide on everything I’d consider before booking, from flights and accommodation to theme park tickets and budgeting here.