20 I-Drive restaurants that aren't just for tourists

By on Fri, Sep 6, 2024 at 3:36 pm

Orlando's bustling tourism scene means the city is home to plenty of traveler-approved eateries. And one strip in particular seems to reign supreme over restaurants with big flavor and flair: International Drive boasts Mediterranean eats, British pubs, Cuban rum bars and even more cuisine from all over the world.

Here are 20 I-Drive restaurants that everyone, tourists and locals alike, should visit at least once. 
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Kavas Tacos + Tequila 9101 International Drive, Pointe Orlando Kavas Tacos + Tequila is the latest venture by the team behind International Drive restaurants Taverna Opa and Tapa Toro (formerly owned). Between their Mexican and Tex-Mex offerings, the kitchen at Kavas handles both sides of the border with equal assurance.
Photo via Kavas Tacos + Tequila/Facebook

Kavas Tacos + Tequila

9101 International Drive, Pointe Orlando
Kavas Tacos + Tequila is the latest venture by the team behind International Drive restaurants Taverna Opa and Tapa Toro (formerly owned). Between their Mexican and Tex-Mex offerings, the kitchen at Kavas handles both sides of the border with equal assurance.
Taverna Opa 9101 International Drive, Pointe Orlando Patrons jump up on the tables for a belly dance fest while waiters bring the heat with flaming Greek cheese. But the dancing isn't Taverna Opa's only offer of the most authentic Greek experience in Orlando – the hummus is also a menu must-try.
Photo via Taverna Opa/Google Maps

Taverna Opa

9101 International Drive, Pointe Orlando
Patrons jump up on the tables for a belly dance fest while waiters bring the heat with flaming Greek cheese. But the dancing isn't Taverna Opa's only offer of the most authentic Greek experience in Orlando – the hummus is also a menu must-try.
Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse 9150 International Drive Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse is a great pick for steak, seafood and traditional classic all-American food.
Image via Google Maps

Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse


9150 International Drive
Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse is a great pick for steak, seafood and traditional classic all-American food.
Cafe Tu Tu Tango 8625 International Drive, Orlando The funky tapas spot offers creative food and drink specials every weekday, plus live music and relaxed patio seating, too. With tons of sharable plates to choose from, signature cocktails, and artists who paint while you eat, Cafe Tu Tu Tango is an attraction in itself.
Photo via Cafe Tu Tu Tango/Facebook

Cafe Tu Tu Tango

8625 International Drive, Orlando
The funky tapas spot offers creative food and drink specials every weekday, plus live music and relaxed patio seating, too. With tons of sharable plates to choose from, signature cocktails, and artists who paint while you eat, Cafe Tu Tu Tango is an attraction in itself.
Mia's Italian Kitchen 8717 International Drive, Orlando Featuring house-made pasta and grandma pies, the pizzas that emerge fresh from the brick ovens at Mia’s Italian Kitchen are something you’d find on a dinner table in Naples, Italy. Skip the Italian vacation and enjoy a balmy Central Florida breeze on the outdoor patio.
Photo via Mia's Italian Kitchen/Facebook

Mia's Italian Kitchen

8717 International Drive, Orlando
Featuring house-made pasta and grandma pies, the pizzas that emerge fresh from the brick ovens at Mia’s Italian Kitchen are something you’d find on a dinner table in Naples, Italy. Skip the Italian vacation and enjoy a balmy Central Florida breeze on the outdoor patio.
Mango's Tropical Cafe 8126 International Drive Mango's Tropical Cafe brings the Miami club scene to the corner of I-Drive and Sand Lake, complete with Copa-worthy floor shows and fruity drinks that pack a powerful punch.
Image via Google Maps

Mango's Tropical Cafe

8126 International Drive
Mango's Tropical Cafe brings the Miami club scene to the corner of I-Drive and Sand Lake, complete with Copa-worthy floor shows and fruity drinks that pack a powerful punch.
Nile Ethiopian 7048 International Drive, Orlando This cozy restaurant in the heart of the tourist strip is one of the best places in town to enjoy Ethiopian food — or to try it for the first time. Order a combo platter (meat or veggie) and scoop it with spongy injera bread instead of utensils. First-timers may want to go easy on the kitfo, a spicy steak tartare.
Photo via Nile Ethiopian/Yelp

Nile Ethiopian

7048 International Drive, Orlando
This cozy restaurant in the heart of the tourist strip is one of the best places in town to enjoy Ethiopian food — or to try it for the first time. Order a combo platter (meat or veggie) and scoop it with spongy injera bread instead of utensils. First-timers may want to go easy on the kitfo, a spicy steak tartare.
One Lounge 5648 International Drive, Orlando This restaurant-hookah bar hybrid may just be the one place in Orlando where a taste of Uzbekistan can be found. Even with the broad spectrum of cuisines available in the area, Uzbek food is especially noteworthy.
Photo by Rob Bartlett

One Lounge

5648 International Drive, Orlando
This restaurant-hookah bar hybrid may just be the one place in Orlando where a taste of Uzbekistan can be found. Even with the broad spectrum of cuisines available in the area, Uzbek food is especially noteworthy.
Twenty Pho Hour 11951 International Drive The pop-op effects — modeled after the 2D Café in Tokyo — make Twenty Pho Hour arguably the most Instagrammable restaurant in Orlando. As much as the I-Drive noodle joint is about photogenics, it's more about flavorful bowls of pho.
Photo via Twenty Pho Hour/Google Maps

Twenty Pho Hour

11951 International Drive
The pop-op effects — modeled after the 2D Café in Tokyo — make Twenty Pho Hour arguably the most Instagrammable restaurant in Orlando. As much as the I-Drive noodle joint is about photogenics, it's more about flavorful bowls of pho.
Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar 9101 International Drive, Pointe Orlando This massive I-Drive eatery specializes in Cuban cuisine and offers a vast rum bar. You'll find over-the-top vibrant decor and late-night salsa dancing here.

Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar

9101 International Drive, Pointe Orlando
This massive I-Drive eatery specializes in Cuban cuisine and offers a vast rum bar. You'll find over-the-top vibrant decor and late-night salsa dancing here.
Hampton Social 9101 International Drive, Orlando Hampton Social on I-Drive specializes in carefully curated coastal cuisine and vibes straight out of a Vineyard Vines catalog. The menu features seafood entrees, pizzas, burgers, fish and chips, "hearty bowls" and plenty to drink.
Photo via Hampton Social/Google Maps

Hampton Social

9101 International Drive, Orlando
Hampton Social on I-Drive specializes in carefully curated coastal cuisine and vibes straight out of a Vineyard Vines catalog. The menu features seafood entrees, pizzas, burgers, fish and chips, "hearty bowls" and plenty to drink.
Maggiano's Little Italy 9101 International Drive, Pointe Orlando An elevated take on I-Drive Italian, Maggiano's Little Italy specializes in family-style authentic fare and a polished ambience.
Image via Google Maps

Maggiano's Little Italy

9101 International Drive, Pointe Orlando
An elevated take on I-Drive Italian, Maggiano's Little Italy specializes in family-style authentic fare and a polished ambience.
The Pub 9101 International Drive, Pointe Orlando This British-style pub offers a variety of bites and brews, plus plenty of sports viewing events and watch parties.
Image via Google Maps

The Pub

9101 International Drive, Pointe Orlando
This British-style pub offers a variety of bites and brews, plus plenty of sports viewing events and watch parties.
Tom’s Watch Bar 8050 International Drive Sports bar Tom’s Watch Bar offers a full snacking menu with options like deep-dish nachos, crispy dill pickles and potstickers. Dining options like Tom’s famous prime rib dip, burgers, desserts and more are also on offer. The spot's lengthy drink menu also hosts sips to keep your hands busy as you cheer on your team.
Photo via Tom's Watch Bar/Facebook

Tom’s Watch Bar

8050 International Drive
Sports bar Tom’s Watch Bar offers a full snacking menu with options like deep-dish nachos, crispy dill pickles and potstickers. Dining options like Tom’s famous prime rib dip, burgers, desserts and more are also on offer. The spot's lengthy drink menu also hosts sips to keep your hands busy as you cheer on your team.
Bawarchi Indian Cuisine 6315 International Drive, Orlando Bawarchi Indian Cuisine offers Indian fare and a casual atmosphere in this I-Drive location.
Image via Google Maps

Bawarchi Indian Cuisine

6315 International Drive, Orlando

Bawarchi Indian Cuisine offers Indian fare and a casual atmosphere in this I-Drive location.
Helena Modern Riviera 8441 International Drive, Orlando This Icon Park eatery offers Mediterranean eats, outdoor seating and cocktails — all right next door to Orlando's main tourism sector.
Photo by Rob Bartlett

Helena Modern Riviera

8441 International Drive, Orlando
This Icon Park eatery offers Mediterranean eats, outdoor seating and cocktails — all right next door to Orlando's main tourism sector.
Kobe Steakhouse 8148 International Drive, Orlando Kobe has been serving the community since 1984 and currently offers 12 Central Florida locations, including on the ever-populated I-Drive.
Photo via Kobe Japanese Steakhouse/Facebook

Kobe Steakhouse

8148 International Drive, Orlando
Kobe has been serving the community since 1984 and currently offers 12 Central Florida locations, including on the ever-populated I-Drive.
Hanamizuki 8255 International Drive, Orlando Hanamizuki upholds the traditions of authentic Japanese cuisine, from tempura and tataki to donburi and ishiyaki. Reservations are highly recommended to reserve your spot in this flavorful establishment.
Photo via Hanamizuki/Facebook

Hanamizuki


8255 International Drive, Orlando
Hanamizuki upholds the traditions of authentic Japanese cuisine, from tempura and tataki to donburi and ishiyaki. Reservations are highly recommended to reserve your spot in this flavorful establishment.
Sleuths Mystery Dinner Shows 8267 International Drive, Orlando “Guess who?” is the name of the game at Sleuths. In between bites of your four-cheese lasagna, offer up some questions to the characters as you solve the crime. But the greatest puzzle of them all? The Mystery Dessert at the end of every meal.
Photo via Sleuths Mystery Dinner Shows/Facebook

Sleuths Mystery Dinner Shows


8267 International Drive, Orlando
“Guess who?” is the name of the game at Sleuths. In between bites of your four-cheese lasagna, offer up some questions to the characters as you solve the crime. But the greatest puzzle of them all? The Mystery Dessert at the end of every meal.
Titanic: The Artifact 7324 International Drive, Orlando You don’t have to pay first-class prices to live a life of Titanic luxury. (Well, you know, before the fatal sinking.) Characters donning the fanciest of costumes engage you with tales of their past and of the great ship that you're on while you dine as an honored guest for the evening.
Photo via Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition/Facebook

Titanic: The Artifact


7324 International Drive, Orlando
You don’t have to pay first-class prices to live a life of Titanic luxury. (Well, you know, before the fatal sinking.) Characters donning the fanciest of costumes engage you with tales of their past and of the great ship that you're on while you dine as an honored guest for the evening.

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