For Italian try Antonio's.  I prefer the Winter Park location but Sand Lake is nice too.  Some weekend nights the Sand Lake location has live Italian music which is nice.

For sushi, try Shari sushi in Thornton Park.  Excellent Sushi Asian fusion and a scene.

If you want to stay around Sand Lake there are a number of good restaurants around there.  You can't go wrong with Season's 52.  Also try Moonfish grill which is seafood/ Asian fusion.

For any of the above make reservations.

As to what to see:  All the attractions of course.  For something different try the Winter Park farmers market on Saturday morning.  Go early though because it gets hot.  This time of year anything outside is brutal by the middle of the day.

The Ravenous Pig is a incredibly delicious gastropub, with a creative menu.

For sightseeing (and wonderfully prepared dishes) you can't beat the California Grill at the top of The Contemporary at Disney World.

Also - for the adventurous.  Jiko and Sanaa (at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, also at Disney World) do amazing (but tame) African and Indian, respectfully.

Check out BoneFish Grill on Int'l drive. Good menu.

I know of a couple others near Disney that are nice but I'm not remembering the names. I'll email you when I figure it out.

Most definitely Luma on Park Ave. ;O)

I liked The Palm (www.thepalm.com) ... It's steak oriented but has other yummy sides & lobster/salads as well.

And I know this isn't a high class place...But if you wanted a more casual drink/fish lunch,
Margaritaville at Universal Citywalk all the way! Seriously, their gumbo was suprisingly authentic.

Here's the top 10...http://www.10best.com/destinations/florida/orlando/restaurants/best-restaurants/

Try Emerils Tschoup Chop near Universal.

Le Coq au Vin
4800 S. Orange Ave. (Gatlin Ave.) Orlando, FL 32806
Phone:  407-851-6980
Website: www.lecoqauvinrestaurant.com

www.zagat.com is a great place to research restaurants.

Check here for high end restaurant ratings according to Trip Advisor  --> http://www.tripadvisor.com/RestaurantSearch?geo=34515&pid=8&q=Orlando%2C+Florida%2C+USA&cat=&src=&priceRange=3

and here for top attractions by popularity --> http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g34515-Activities-Orlando_Florida.html

Personally - Cirque is great IF you've never been.

Enjoy!

I'm not familar w/ Orlando - frommers.com urbanspoon.com yelp.com chowhound.com should help! eom

-- Modified on 6/14/2010 3:48:12 PM

Hi Makenzie -

Very broad question given how spread out Orlando is, but let me give this a whirl.  For out-of-towners, I always recommend Winter Park.  It's a quaint little town within Orlando proper, and has a great row of boutiques, wine bars and restaurants.  Try Luma's on Park Avenue and the adjacent wine tasting room.  Fairly hip places and great food/wine.  Another cool place is The Ravenous Pig.

If you are on the South side of town - tourism hell - go to Sand Lake Road a/k/a Restaurant Row.  There you have Roy's and Moonfish.  Not as quaint as above, but quite nice.

Cheers.

Re: Need restaurant ideas in Orlando

You are going to love this place
I was there last week and im ready to go back
La Nuova Cucina Bistro Italiano
7724 W Sandlake Rd
Orlando, FL 32819
P. (407) 354-4909
http://www.lanuovacucina.com

Re: Need restaurant ideas in Orlando

Consider: Ravenous Pig in Winter Park
and (though its a chain) Seasons 52 is an great place to dine.

Been here a few years and still haven't really found a  must see in Orlando, although downtown is always entertaining.

all you folks are just the bomb...I knew I loved Florida for a good reason..

Seriously...THANK YOU THANK YOU...for all your wonderful ideas.

I am going to keep all these ideas in a word document so I have easy access to it for the future as well.

Sooo many great ideas...now I just have to choose...grrrr..

Just love you all!!!!

Seasons 52 is the right spot...nice bar, good food, "classy", plenty of parking, etc

Even though I am no longer in the Orlando area, there are two Greek (Cypript? from Cyrpus) north of town that I recommend.  (Brain Fa-t here, can't remember names, only directions)

Corner of SR 434 and Mongomery/Wikiva Springs Rd is a stand alone Albertson's and an anex of shops.  The restaurant is next to Albertson's on the 434 side.

Hwy 436 east of 17/92, same side as the Tag Office and just past it is a small white restaurant with a wide blue neon light circling it.  Parking lot has room for no more than 20 cars.  I have nevered ordered off the menue here as the specials on the boards walking in have always been so great.

Neither place is what I would call fancy.  However the food is five stars and that is what you are looking for.  I would rather have great food comfortably than be stuck in a suit with garbage.

'rock'