By John Nassivera
The unique events at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) offer special moments that are hard to come by at most expos and conferences. Such an experience builds up an appetite that only Orlando’s finest restaurants can satisfy.
If you’re visiting O-Town for business with the kids, then you’ll want to check out these culinary havens which have something for the whole gang. You’ll be happy to know that you have a variety of options to choose from just a short trip from the convention center and Rosen Plaza.
With lunches and dinners perfect for the little ones and exquisite meals just for parents, everyone can chow down before and after convention extravaganzas.
Here are family-friendly restaurants near the convention center to enjoy during your Orlando adventures.
Key Takeaways
- Café Matisse
- Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen
- Ford’s Garage Orlando International Outlets
- Maggiano’s Little Italy
- Café Tu Tu Tango
- Sugar Factory-Orlando
- JoJo’s ShakeBAR
- Hard Rock Café
- Help Yourself to Orlando’s Culinary Spectacles
Café Matisse
Staying at Rosen Plaza Orlando treats you to a quick trip to the convention center through the Gary Sain Memorial Skybridge. Why not fuel up for your big event with a hearty breakfast?
Bring the family down to Café Matisse between 6:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. for a buffet of epic proportions. Chow down on stacked plates of omelets, scrambled eggs, pork sausage, chicken sausage, and crispy bacon.
Mountains of waffles and pancakes slathered in syrup is a dream breakfast fit for an Orlando family vacation. Grab some assorted pastries on the way out for a sugary energy boost for your convention activities.
Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen
For an appetite that calls for Southern comfort food, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen is the place to be. If you have an evening event planned for the OCCC, take the family out for a saucy and spicy lunch.
Start off with delicious chips and dip, Cheddar’s queso fries, and Wisconsin cheese bites to wake the taste buds up. With bundles featuring chicken tenders, house-smoked baby back ribs, and grilled salmon, there’s something for everybody at Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen.
For parents looking to switch things up while the kids dig into the barbecue goodness, there’s always the classic cheeseburgers, fish and chips, chicken pot pie, and Philly cheesesteak sandwich. A cold glass of iced tea or lemonade washes down the lunch with cool refreshment.
Ford’s Garage Orlando International Outlets
Do you plan on touring an auto show at the convention center and want to keep the theme going for the rest of the night? If so, then Ford’s Garage Orlando International Outlets is your prime dinner spot.
Hop over on I-Drive to Ford’s Garage for one course of deliciousness after another surrounded by 1920’s era service station décor. Ford’s original nachos, Ford’s classic wings, and the Buffalo chicken dip rev up the taste buds for the main course.
The kid’s menu’s grilled cheese, chicken tenders, and junior cheeseburger will keep the little ones happy while parents chow down on juicy burgers, chicken sandwiches, salmon, and racks of barbecue pork ribs. The milkshakes, funnel fries, and key lime pie bring the night to a flavorsome close.
Maggiano’s Little Italy
Are you in the mood for Italian and want to see what dishes O-Town has to offer? Reserve a table at Maggiano’s Little Italy on International Drive for a quick trip to dinner after your fun at the convention center.
Introduce the kids to Italian greatness with a menu featuring pasta, lasagna, cheese ravioli, and spaghetti and a giant meatball. There’s also pizza and Mac ‘N Cheese A La Maggiano’s if they want to stick to their go-tos with a little local flair.
Parents can choose from a variety of pasta, chicken, steak, and seafood dishes with sides such as garlic mashed potatoes, spaghetti marinara, and roasted garlic broccoli for a taste of the motherland. Desserts such as sweet tiramisu, New York style cheesecake, and Italian doughnuts bring the meal to a savory close.
Café Tu Tu Tango
Art and cuisine come together at Café Tu Tu Tango for families looking for dinner and a show. This tapas-style family-friendly restaurant is the perfect spot for a night out after musical and artistic events at the OCCC.
Gaze in awe as you journey through décor resembling a modern artist’s loft in Barcelona, Spain while you find your table. Their shareable small plates of Spanish tapas, American, and international delights give something new for the whole group to try.
Families waking up on the weekends with empty stomachs can head over to Café Tu Tu Tango for their bottomless brunch. Groove to the vibes of live flamenco and salsa dancing and watch talented artists create beautiful works while you dine.
Sugar Factory-Orlando
When the sweet tooth needs satisfying, Sugar Factory – Orlando on I-Drive is the place to be. After an evening of convention events and breakout sessions, treat the kids to some old-fashioned sundaes with multiple flavors and delicious toppings sprinkled all over.
If the family is in the mood for cake, the New York cheesecake, rainbow cake, and chocolate cake with the old reliable whipped cream will do the trick. Kids who have never tried a cookie skillet before can dig into the classic, the brownie sundae option, or the Taste of Campfire S’mores skillet.
Warm up for your sugary adventure with a main course of burgers, tacos, sandwiches, fajitas, or pastas. When it’s time for dessert, prepare to stack the napkins high for a night of delectable indulgence.
JoJo’s ShakeBAR
Get ready to head back to the ‘80s and ‘90s with a meal at JoJo’s ShakeBAR. Families on their way to and from the OCCC can fuel up with savory meals and nostalgic vibes.
Families can share plates of nachos, mozzarella sticks, and Buffalo wings before moving on to the Reubens, chicken wraps, burgers, and hot dogs. For brunch at JoJo’s, the breakfast burrito, pancake stack, and Plain Jane dish light up the senses with deliciousness.
See if you have the stomach to finish JoJo’s Birthday, Chocolate Nirvana, and Rocky IV milkshakes. The kids will also have a blast at the arcade game tables while you and your spouse reminisce about the good old days.
Hard Rock Café
Nothing follows up an OCCC event like a rockin’ dinner at the Hard Rock Café at Universal CityWalk. Show the kids the restaurant’s memorabilia of musical icons of the past while jamming to the tunes of today.
The kid’s menu brings chicken tenders, Mac & Cheese, pizza, and Messi’s gold chicken sandwich to the table for the little ones. Parents can make room for specialty entrees such as grilled salmon, fajitas, New York strip steak, and the Tupelo chicken platter.
Share spectacular desserts such as the homemade apple cobbler and hot fudge brownie sundae with the whole family. It will take a team effort to clean these plates and bowls while jamming to rock and roll’s greatest hits.
Help Yourself to Orlando’s Culinary Spectacles
From technology expos and musical performances to sporting events and anime conventions, there’s no shortage of fun to experience at the OCCC.
Why not celebrate the occasion with unforgettable meals for the whole family just minutes away? Or stay in and wake up with us to a hearty brunch or a relaxing evening dinner by the pool.
Plan your next OCCC trip with Rosen Plaza today and prepare the whole family for culinary adventures only found in Orlando.
