International Drive is a popular base for guests visiting Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Universal Orlando Resort, and any of the other major Florida attractions and parks. It’s an affordable option, with accommodation to suit all budgets, and there’s a range of dining options too.
After purchasing your park tickets, it’s time to start planning the nitty gritty aspects of your holiday - most importantly, where are you going to eat? Thankfully, I-Drive has no shortage of family friendly restaurants where the little ones can enjoy a bite to eat, and you can relax knowing that dinner is sorted. Phew!
Here is our list of 14 of the best family friendly restaurants on I-Drive, as recommended by our traveller Facebook community, and using our expert research skills.
Miller’s Ale House - 8963 International Drive
Miller’s is popular among our frequent Orlando holidaymakers, most notably because they provide a kids eat free offer every Tuesday. Their specials range is pretty good too, with dishes to choose from at both dinner and lunch. A huge, budget-friendly menu means that mealtimes are kept cheap and cheerful, but without compromising on taste and quality. Enjoy burgers, fajitas, seafood and much more. Here’s a look at the items on the kids menu
Mini burger
Chicken zingers
Spaghetti and meatballs
Mac & cheese
Chicken breast
Fried shrimp
Hot dog
Cheese quesadilla
Denny’s - various locations along I-Drive
Denny’s is always a safe and cheap option when holidaying in America, and the branches along I-Drive are open 24/7 too. Their value menu is great if you’re looking to save a few dollars, and with the Orlando Eat & Play Card you’ll also get 20% off your bill! Enjoy low-cost breakfasts (loaded omelettes, steak & eggs, chocolate chip pancakes) and lunch/dinner dishes such as burgers, seafood, salads, skillets and much more. Here are the items on the kids menu:
Jr. birthday cake pancake breakfast
Jr. chocolate chip pancake breakfast
Jr. french toast
Build your own jr. grand slam
Mini corn dogs
Jr. premium chicken tenders
Grilled chicken on a stick
Jr. spaghetti
Jr. cheeseburger
Mac & cheese
Uno Pizzeria & Grill - 8250 International Drive
Another reliable option when it comes to feeding fussy mouths is pizza, and at Uno’s they specialise in the American classic Chicago-style deep dish pizzas. What’s more, Uno’s is also included in the Eat & Play Card we mentioned earlier - you’ll save 15% on your food bill! Aside from the huge selection of pizza, you can also dine on chicken, seafood, steak, pasta and salad dishes, alongside much more. Here’s what’s on the kids menu:
Kids safari nuggets
Mac & cheese
Thin crust pizza
Spaghetti and giant meatball
Kid’s cheeseburger
Make your own pizza
Kid’s chicken pops
TGI Friday’s - various locations on I-Drive
TGI’s is famous for their hefty burgers and colourful cocktails, and in the States, the menu is pretty similar. Enjoy burgers, seafood, pasta, steak, salads and loads more. You can even get 15% off your food bill with the Eat & Play Card as well! Here are their kids menu offerings:
Chicken tenders
Mac & cheese
Sliders
Fettuccine alfredo pasta
Buttered pasta
Marinara pasta
Longhorn Steakhouse - 8181 International Drive
Another restaurant that was recommended by our seasoned travellers, Longhorn offer a fantastic menu that features steak as it centrepiece. However, you can also have your pick of chicken, ribs, shrimp, salmon, burgers, salads and soups too. Signing up to the mailing list via their website gets you a free appetizer on your first visit. Let’s take a peek at the kids menu:
Sirloin steak
Grilled chicken tenders
Chicken tenders
Cheeseburger
Kraft mac & cheese
Olive Garden - 8984 International Drive
Feast on Italian-style cuisine at the nation's favourite Olive Garden, picking from dishes such as pasta chips, lasagna fritta, chicken parmigiana, and loads more quirky meals. Enjoy a free appetizer when you sign up to the mailing list via their website, too. The kids menu serves a good range of pasta and other food items:
Tomato sauce with choice of pasta
Meat sauce with choice of pasta
Alfredo sauce with choice of pasta
Five cheese marinara with choice of pasta
Cheese ravioli
Pizza
Chicken fingers and pasta
Mac & cheese
Grilled chicken and Rotini Pasta with Marinara Sauce
Rotini with Marinara
Rotini with Meat Sauce
McDonald’s - various locations on International Drive
McDonald’s may have a bit of a bad rep when it comes to mealtime dining, but after an action-packed day in the theme parks, sometimes a quick fast-food meal is all your kids (and you) are craving. With the Eat & Play Card, you’ll get a further 15% off your bill, making this a cheap and tasty treat. The menu is pretty similar to the one you are familiar with, with a few added regional extras. The Happy Meal is still sold, which is great for kids and often includes healthy options too.
Bahama Breeze - 8849 International Drive
Transport yourself to the idyllic beaches of the Carribean at this next restaurant, which serves a tropical-inspired menu including beef empanadas, chorizo meatballs, yuca cheese sticks, and coconut shrimp tacos. Signing up to their e-club gets you a free appetizer too. Here’s their small kids menu:
Bowtie mac & cheese
Grilled fresh tilapia
Hamburger sliders
Crispy chicken tenders
Maggiano’s - 9101 International Drive (in Pointe Orlando)
This classy Italian thankfully doesn’t have the price tag to match, so diners can enjoy veal, speciality pasta and tons of seafood at an affordable price. The ‘family style’ option is particularly budget-friendly - parties of 4 or more pay $37.99 each ($17.99 ages 5-12) and get a starter, main and desert each, and some complimentary antipasti too. Here’s a look at the kids menu:
Cheese flatbread pizza
Ziti pasta
Breaded or grilled chicken breast
Cheese ravioli
Lasagna
Spaghetti
Mac & cheese a la Maggiano’s
Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show at Wonderworks - 9067 International Drive
Dinner and a magic show, the kids are sure to love this one. This is an “interactive, entertaining and hilariously funny dinner show,” which includes unlimited cheese and pepperoni pizza, salad, beer, wine, soda and dessert. You can buy your tickets with us here.
Topgolf Orlando - 9295 Universal Blvd.
This is another attraction that combines dining with family friendly fun. Have a few rounds of fun-filled golf, then enjoy a family meal choosing from their large and tasty looking menu. They serve flatbreads, burgers, salads, seasonal dishes, and appetisers. Take a look at the kids dishes here:
Chicken bites
Jr. Cheeseburger
Breakfast plate
Grilled cheese
Mini hot dogs
Chili’s Grill & Bar - 7021 International Drive
If you choose to dine at Chili’s during your Florida holiday, you can enjoy 15% off your food bill with Orlando Eat & Play Card - result! They have a large menu that serves burgers, ribs & steaks, fajitas, chili, salads, soups, and loads more. The big kids menu makes it a great contender and fantastic option when dining out with your family:
Cheeseburger bites
Burger bites
Grilled chicken Bites
Cheese quesadilla
Grilled cheese
Crispy CrispersⓇ
Cheesy chicken pasta
Macaroni & cheese
Cheese pizza
Pepperoni pizza
Red Lobster - 9892 and 5936 International Drive
This is one for all the seafood lovers, or those wishing to dive into the tasty world of lobster. With your Eat & Play Card, you’ll also get 10% off the food bill. Their specials are what make them famous, especially their famous CrabfestⓇ - choose from nine dishes and five different types of crab. They also serve beef and chicken dishes alongside their seafood options, so it’s a good restaurant for all tastes. Here’s their kids menu:
Golden-fried fish
Petite chilled lobster & shrimp roll
Petite Maine lobster tail
Mac & cheese
Chicken fingers
Popcorn shrimp
Garlic-grilled shrimp
Wood-grilled tilapia
Grilled chicken
Big Fin Seafood Kitchen - 9800 International Drive
Our final family-friendly restaurant on I-Drive is another seafood eatery - Big Fin. This one is also covered by the Eat & Play Card - save 10% if you eat there. The main appeal of Big Fin is the ‘weird’ regional dishes they serve, such as crispy fried alligator and the classic Louisanna Po-Boy’s. Both staple dishes of the South that have to be enjoyed in this part of the States. Here’s their kids dishes:
Homemade mac-n-cheese
Grilled cheese sandwich
Spaghetti
Fried popcorn shrimp
Fried chicken nuggets
Fish and chips
Cheeseburger
Grilled jumbo shrimp
Grilled chicken breast
These restaurants are just some of the large offerings that I-Drive has in terms of restaurants, but we hope that this has been a starting help in determining where to take your family for mealtimes.
When dining out as a family, the Eat & Play Card is a fantastic option. One card covers a family of four, and you can make a range of savings not only at restaurants, but at major Orlando attractions too. You only need to use it once of twice to recoup the cost, so it’s definitely worth having.
Like this post? You may also like…
