Editor’s note: The 2024 AAP National Conference & Exhibition will take place from Sept. 27-Oct. 1 in Orlando, Fla. For more coverage, visit https://bit.ly/AAPNationalConference2024 and follow @AAPNews on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.
No trip to Orlando would be complete without a visit to a theme park. But if you need a break from dizzying rides and heart-stopping rollercoasters, there’s no need to consult travel sites or guidebooks. We’ve culled some of the best places to round out your National Conference experience by consulting the experts — AAP members who live in the Orlando area.
Brandon Chatani, M.D., FAAP, of Orlando, Sarah Marsicek, M.D., FAAP, of Gainesville, and Kate Rooney-Otero, M.D., FAAP, of Cocoa, also provided an extensive list of restaurants, bars and breweries to satisfy any palate and budget.
Restaurants
Bella Tuscany, 13424 Summerport Village Parkway, Windermere, and 1568 Maguire Road, Ocoee, is a high-end Italian eatery serving pizza, pasta and a variety of entrees.
Better Than Sex - a Dessert Restaurant, 1905 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, serves dessert as the main course.
Bosphorous, 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd., Orlando, is a Turkish restaurant serving fresh salads, hand-carved halal meats and made-to-order breads and pides. Vegetarian options also are available.
Cafe Tu Tu Tango, 8625 International Drive, Orlando, features a tapas-style, small-plates menu. Enjoy live entertainment and resident artists working in the restaurant.
Crispy Cones, 2415 Curry Ford Road, Orlando, serves fresh dough cones grilled rotisserie-style and covered with cinnamon and sugar or crushed Oreos. Fill a cone with your choice of spread, gourmet soft-serve ice cream, fruit and toppings.
If you visit Disney Springs in Lake Buena Vista and are looking for a family-friendly restaurant, head to Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’, 1602 E. Buena Vista Drive (no park ticket needed). The menu features Southern favorites like deviled eggs and fried chicken. For dessert, the Hummingbird cake is a can’t-miss. If you’re traveling without the kids, check out Wine Bar George, 1610 E. Buena Vista Drive, which serves more than 200 wines, small plates, cheese and charcuterie, family-style plates and sweets.
Domu, 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd. #14, Orlando, is neighborhood restaurant and bar offering homemade noodles, creative takes on small plates, ramen and seasonal cocktails.
Foxtail Coffee is a local chain with great coffee and welcoming atmosphere.
Jeff's Bagel Run, 11012 Daryl Carter Parkway #130, Orlando, offers New York-style bagels that are “Always boiled. Never toasted.”
Jinya, 8 N. Summerlin Ave., Orlando, has the best ramen in the city (including a spicy creamy vegan ramen) with top-notch service.
Junior Colombian Burger, 5389 S. Kirkman Road, Orlando, calls its Colombian-inspired Angus beef burger “the most flavorful burger you’ll ever encounter.” It also serves Latin sides such as empanadas and maicitos.
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar, 11579 Regency Village Drive, Orlando, adheres to the Japanese virtue of serving natural and healthy meals prepared with fresh, premium ingredients.
Lam's Garden, 2505 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando, serves traditional Chinese dishes, including dim sum.
Negril, 2254 S. Kirkman Road, Orlando, transports you to a Jamaican kitchen where authentic flavors and spices unite.
Pho88, 730 N. Mills Ave., Orlando, is a family-owned and operated Vietnamese restaurant that serves traditional dishes, including varieties of pho, bun bo hue, bun rieu, banh mi, stir-fried dishes, rice platters and rice vermicelli noodle bowls.
RusTeak, 1681 Amazing Way, Ocoee, and 101 S. Eola Drive, Orlando, is a polished casual American restaurant and craft cocktail bar away from the tourism craziness.
Se7en Bites, 617 N. Primrose Drive, Orlando, specializes in Southern comfort foods with a modern twist. It serves breakfast, brunch and lunch as well as sweet treats.
Shin Jung Korean BBQ, 1638 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando, is famous for its kalbi and bulgogi and also serves seafood and vegetarian items.
Ziggie's Pizza, 603 Virginia Drive, Orlando, serves personal-sized thin-crust pizzas with a unique combination of flavors topped with house-made ingredients. It’s connected to The Thirsty Topher, which offers Florida craft beer, wine and sangria.
Breweries, bars
Bellhop, 37 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, will transport you to the 1920s. Inspired by the hidden bars of the prohibition era, it offers classic and innovative drinks.
Cocktails & Screams, 39 W. Pine St., Orlando, is a Halloween-themed bar with dimly lit corners, vintage horror movie posters and quirky artifacts.
Motorworks Brewing, 131 N. Orange Ave., Suite 106, Orlando, features award-winning craft beer, cocktails, food and entertainment.
The Broken Cage, 101 S. Eola Drive, Orlando, offers sophisticated cocktails, wine and craft beers in a quaint environment.
Indoor and outdoor attractions
Boxi Park, 6877 Tavistock Lakes Blvd., Orlando, is a unique open-air park built out of 12 repurposed shipping containers. You’ll find food trucks, award-winning beer and live entertainment.
Disney Springs, 1486 Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, is full of shops, restaurants and free entertainment, including a movie theater, bowling alley, rolling piano, multiple bands and a new drone show. Entry does not require a park ticket.
Harry P. Leu Gardens 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando, features beautiful botanical gardens with rotating exhibits. Visit to escape the craziness of the city and enjoy the beauties of nature.
Universal CityWalk, 6000 Universal Blvd., Orlando, has many shops and restaurants and is a great place for late-night fun.
WonderWorks, 9067 International Drive, Orlando, is an interactive edu-tainment experience featuring multiple exhibits and “wonder zones,” including a laser tag course.
Several “downtown” districts have their own flavors and entertainment. Some of the best districts include Baldwin Park, Orange Ave of Downtown Orlando, East End Market and Avalon Park.
If you’re up for an outdoor adventure, check out Wekiwa Springs State Park, Blue Springs State Park, Barr Street Trailhead, Black Bear Wilderness Area or Lake Eola.
Cocoa Village in Cocoa has quaint shops, great food and drink. Rent a clear kayak and go out on the Indian River Lagoon at night to see the bioluminescence. It’s worth the drive!
