Orlando Healthy Eats
Just because you’re traveling to a place known for theme parks doesn’t mean you have to eat at the theme parks. If you’re looking for healthy options, you’re in luck because Orlando is home to numerous choices. Here are some of our favorite healthy restaurants in Orlando, FL.
4 Healthy Restaurants in Orlando, FL
DANDELION COMMUNITEA CAFE
You’ll have to take a cab or drive yourself this bungalow turned cafe on the outskirts of the downtown area, but trust me, you’ll want to. We ate at Dandelion Communitea Cafe two days in a row. If we had been in Orlando for another day, we would have gone again. It’s that good. The menu is largely organic and vegetarian, but don’t let that keep you from going.
As the name implies, there are multiple choices of tea severed daily. You won’t find artificial sweeteners here, instead agave nectar is provided.
As for the food, our favorite was the Fluffer Nutter sandwich: bananas on sourdough or wheat, spread with almond butter and rice fluff. For a little more, you can add vegan chocolate or local honey. Sides range from fresh, organic fruit to what is billed the best humus in Orlando (it is). There wasn’t a crumb left on our plates.
The chili was also highly rated and looked delicious, but it was over 90°F and we couldn’t get excited about something warm.
GREEN KITCHEN
Located near Universal Studios, this relatively new eatery is another organic find. Unlike Dandelion, however, you’ll find all kinds of meat and fish to delight your carnivores at the Green Kitchen. We tried several dishes.
Perhaps the best value are the lunch plates. You get your choice of steak, chicken, salmon, or veggies, served with brown rice and a small salad for $11. Green Kitchen is so much better than anything you’ll find in the parks!
COWFISH
If you want something a little closer to the action at the Universal parks, look no further than City Walk. The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar is a unique combination of sushi and burgers. Between the four of us, we had both. The sushi was delicious, as were the burgers. Service was top notch and friendly.
BOB MARLEY – A TRIBUTE TO FREEDOM
Also located at Universal’s City Walk is Bob Marley – A Tribute to Freedom. This open air restaurant serves Jamaican food with several vegetarian options. We loved the salsa appetizer. In fact, I made the statement that had we not been in public, I’d have licked the plate clean. For entrees, we all agreed the jerk chicken was the best (though not quite as good as the jerk chicken we had in Jamaica!).
Tips for Eating Healthy at Restaurants:
- Substitute a baked sweet potato for fries whenever possible, and eat it plain. Sweet potatoes are called sweet for a reason. You really don’t need that butter and sugar.
- Ask your server for vegetarian or vegan options, or follow up with the chef. We’ve always found restaurants to be very forthcoming when asked about how and with what ingredients dishes are prepared.
- Look beyond the salad. Veggie burgers are so much better than they used to be and many places offer handmade versions (like Cowfish).
- Search online or ask your hotel concierge about healthy local restaurants. This is the quickest way to find local eateries that are healthy.
- Allow yourself to splurge at bit. You’re on vacation. It’s okay to eat ice cream!
You may also enjoy:
- 6 Must-Visit Water Parks in the U.S.
- 5 Best Orlando Restaurants for Ethnic Food
- See all of our Hilton hotels in Orlando
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Know Before You Go
- If you’re visiting the Walt Disney World® Resort, be sure to pack adequate walking shoes. The resort is close in size to San Francisco!
- At Universal Orlando™, the general parking is $25.
- International Drive is known as the tourist center of the city – you’ll be close to trendy restaurants, bars, and sightseeing activities.
