While Orlando is primarily known for it’s theme parks and tourist destinations like Walt Disney World and the Universal Orlando Resort, it is also the number one meeting destination as indicated by the Cvent Supplier Network and hosts the second largest convention facility in the United States.
Serving more than 200 annual events for over a million annual attendees, the Orange County Convention Center features seven (7) million square feet of meeting spaces with more than two million square feet of exhibition space. Major events include InfoComm, the Surf Expo, the Florida Wedding Expo, the International Builders’ Show and the Orlando Home and Garden Show.
With all these events, one can bet that there are a number of great restaurants in the area which are perfect for business dinners, company meetings and to entertain clients & prospects.
In this article we share our list of the 12 best restaurants near the Orange County Convention Center. These amazing dining experiences are perfect for professional gatherings and while everyone as different tastes (especially when it comes to food) your list may vary. However, we built our list based on those restaurants that serve high quality food in a unique and creative setting.
While several of the Endless Summer favorites did not make this list, we believe that these “Top 12” stand above the many dining options near the convention center.
Learn more about hotels near the Orange County Convention Center
The 12 Best Restaurants near the Orange County Convention Center
- Capital Grill
- Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse
- Maggiano’s Little Italy
- Morton’s The Steakhouse
- Everglades Restaurant
- Fiorenzo at the Hyatt Regency Orlando
- Ruth’s Chris Steak House
- Spencer’s For Steaks & Chops
- Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
- Rocco’s Tacos
- Oceanaire Seafood Room
- Ocean Prime
Capital Grille
Located in the Pointe Orlando entertainment complex just north of the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Drive at 9101 International Drive, the Capital Grille is an ideal spot for a business dinner.
The Capital Grille is open for dinner service starting at 5:00 PM. Closing time is 10:00 PM with the exception of Sunday which is 9:00 PM. The restaurant is known for its fine steaks & chops including the Porcini Rubbed Bone-In Ribeye with 15-year aged balsamic ($69.00) or the Tomahawk Veal Chop ($64.00).
Reservations are highly recommended, especially when large conventions are taking place.
Click here to see the menu at The Capital Grille.
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse is located within walking distance to the Orange County Convention Center at 9150 International Drive. This restaurant is one of the most popular in the area and reservations are highly recommended.
Open for dinner service starting at 5:00 PM on weekdays and 4:00 PM on weekends, Del Frisco’s is one of the finest steakhouse not only in Orlando, but in all of Florida. The restaurant is known for its USDA Prime Beef as well as their Seafood Tower appetizer. An 8 oz. Filet Mignon is $52.00 while the 32 oz. Prime Tomahawk is $130.00.
Del Frisco’s is part of Landry’s Restaurant Group which includes Morton’s The Steakhouse, the Chart House and McCormick and Schmick’s.
Maggiano’s Little Italy
Also located in the Pointe Orlando entertainment complex 9101 International Drive Suites 2400, Maggiano’s Little Italy is a great place for fine Italian cuisine. Guests can walk to the restaurant from most hotels in the International Drive area.
Maggiano’s is open for both lunch and dinner service starting at 11:30 AM on weekdays and at 11:00 AM on Saturday and Sunday. Closing time is 10:00 PM from Sunday to Thursday and at 11:00 PM on Friday and Saturday evenings. Dinner entrees include Cannelloni Florentine with Truffle Cream ($24.50), Chef KB’s Lobster Carborara ($36.99) and a 16 oz. Bone-In Ribeye steak ($43.99).
This restaurant get busy quickly so reservations are highly recommended.
Click here to see the menu at Maggiano’s Little Italy.
Morton’s The Steakhouse
Situated in a fairly non-descript retail shopping center along “Restaurant Row” (Sand Lake Boulevard), Morton’s The Steakhouse is one of the best places to get a fine steak in all of Orlando. Morton’s is approximately 10 minutes from the Orange County Convention Center at 7600 Dr. Phillips Boulevard, Suite 132.
The restaurant is open for dinner service Sunday to Thursday from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM and on Friday and Saturday evenings until 10:00 PM. USDA Prime steaks and chops include the 16 oz Prime Ribeye ($65.00), the 8 oz Morton’s Classic Filet Oscar ($62.00) and the 16 oz Prime Cajun Ribeye ($67.00).
Everglades Restaurant
The Everglades Restaurant is located in the Rosen Centre® Hotel at 9480 International Drive which is just adjacent to the the Orange County Convention Center’s west concourse. As it’s name indicates, the venue’s is themed after the natural environment in Florida.
The restaurant is open daily for dinner service starting at 5:30 PM. Entrees include the Char-grilled Black Angs Ribeye, Citrus Crusted Salmon, Chilean Sea Bass and Thai Curry Seafood.
Click here to see the menu at The Everglades Restaurant.
Fiorenzo at the Hyatt Regency Orlando
Guests staying at he Hyatt Regency Orlando International Drive at 9801 International Drive don’t have to to far for a great meal. Located directly on site in The Atrium (lobby level) is Fiorenzo which is an Italian steakhouse.
Fiorenzo is open daily for dinner service extending from 6:00 PM until 10:00 PM with the bar opening at 5:00 PM. Entrees include the Bistecca Fiorentina – 48 oz prime porterhouse for two ($150.00), Ciopino ($42.00), Wagyu Beef Bolognese ($34.00) and mushroom risotto ($34.00).
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Ruth’s Chris Steak House is another fine dining establishment located along “Restaurant Row” at 8501 W. Sand Lake Road. Located approximately 10 minutes from the Orange County Convention Center, Ruth’s Chris is one of the most popular steak houses not only in Orlando, but throughout the U.S.
The restaurant is open daily at 4:00 PM and closes at 10:00 PM Monday to Thursday, 10:30 PM on Friday and Saturday and 9:00 PM on Sunday. USDA prime steaks include the 40 oz Porterhouse for Tow, the 24 oz T-Bone, the 40 oz. Tomahawk Ribeye and the 11 oz. Filet.
Click here to see the menu at Ruth’s Chris Steak House.
Spencer’s For Steaks & Chops
Located within the Hilton Orlando at 6001 Destination Parkway, Spencer’s For Steaks & Chops is within walking distance to the Orange County Convention Center.
Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, diners can enjoy American fare in the indoor dining room or alfresco on the patio overlooking the hotel pool. The menu includes Grilled Halibut ($42.00), Ora Salmon ($39.00), an 18 oz. Glatt Ribeye ($84.00), an 18 oz. primate 30-day dry aged bone-in NY Strip ($74.00) and a Pork Chop ($48.00).
Click here to see the menu at Spencer’s For Steaks & Chops.
Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
Another amazing dining experience located on “Restaurant Row” is Eddie V’s. Located at 7488 West Sand Lake Road approximately 10 minutes from the Orange County Convention Center, Eddie V’s is known among both locals and out-of-town guests for prime quality seafood and steaks.
The restaurant is open daily for dinner service from 4:00 PM until 10:00 PM (closing early on Sunday at 9:00 PM). Specialties include The Shellfish Tower ($80), Petrossian Caviar ($80.00), Chilean Sea Bass ($50.00), South African Lobster ($108.00), Ahi Tuna ($44.00) and a 22 oz USDA Prime Bone-In Ribeye steak ($64.00).
Click here to see the menu at Eddie V’s.
Rocco’s Tacos
One of the busiest and most popular dining spots on “Restaurant Row” is Rocco’s Tacos. Rocco’s is an upscale, but casual, Mexican restaurant that is located at 7468 W. Sand Lake Road.
Open daily for lunch from 11:30 AM on weekdays and 11:00 AM on weekends with dinner service ending at 11:00 PM. It is also open late until 2:00 AM on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Entrees at Rocco’s include the Macha Shrimp Tacos ($20.00), Port Enchiladas ($19.00), Surf & Turf Molcajetes ($32.00) and Chili Rellenos ($20.50).
Oceanaire Seafood Room
Another fine restaurant that is located in the Pointe Orlando entertainment complex is The Oceanaire Seafood Room. Situated at 9101 International Drive Suite 1002, Oceanaire is a great spot for fresh seafood.
The restaurant is open for dinner service starting at 5:00 PM. Closing time is 10:00 PM from Sunday to Thursday and at 9:00 PM on Friday and Saturday evenings. Entrees include Chesapeake Bay Style Crab Cakes ($50.00), Chicken Fried Lobster ($45.00), Nantucket Bay Scallops ($58.00), the 22 oz. Prime Bone-in Ribeye ($68.00) and the 14 oz. West Australia Lobster Tail ($119.00).
The Oceanaire Seafood Room is part of Landry’s Restaurant Group which includes Morton’s The Steakhouse, the Chart House and McCormick and Schmick’s.
Click here to see the menu at The Oceanaire.
Ocean Prime
Ocean Prime is a located on “Restaurant Row” but steps from International Drive at 7399 W. Sand Lake Road #400. The restaurant features a modern American theme and was voted one of the “Best Steakhouses in the City” by the Orlando Sentinel.
Ocean Prime is open daily for dinner service from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM (closes at 9:00 PM on Sunday evenings) and features a main dining room plus five private dining rooms for a more intimate experience. Entrees include Florida Grouper ($57.00), Ahi Tuna ($49.00), Colorado Lamb ($57.00), a 12 oz Bone-In Filet ($64.00) and a 16 oz Ribeye steak ($64.00).
Hotels near the Convention Center
There are a number of great hotels at different price points in the area of the Orange County Convention Center. Here are five of our favorites.