50 Best American Restaurants near Windermere

“Customer service was great. Lynn was very attentive and nice plus my food was awesome. Definitely recommend“

“Great place, food is always good“

“The all-you-can-eat wings on Monday are really good if they will bring them out fast enough. I have been there on nights they were bringing them out quickly, and other times I’m waiting 10-20 minutes between rounds. Otherwise the staff is nice, the drinks are good, and overall it is a nice relaxed place to eat.“

“I must say this location left a lasting impression! We’ve been to other First Watch restaurants before, but this one truly stood out for its attention to detail, warm hospitality, and how well they handled every part of our visit.

One of the biggest challenges I usually face when dining out for breakfast or brunch is getting my eggs cooked “medium” a seemingly simple request that rarely comes out right. Too often, the yolk is completely cooked through or the whites are left too soft and runny, which can really throw off the meal. But here? They nailed it. The eggs were cooked to absolute perfection, with a nice runny center and fully cooked whites—just how I like them. It might seem like a small thing, but for me, it’s a huge deal and a rare win in breakfast dining. I genuinely appreciated the kitchen staff for taking the time to get it right.

We also tend to order quite a bit of food—yes, there were only two of us, but we love to sample a variety of dishes. Because of that, we usually ask for a booth and a large table so everything fits comfortably. I know some places can be a bit resistant to this when it’s just two people, but the staff here was extremely accommodating. They kindly asked us to wait for a booth to open, and even though we expected it might take a while, it was ready in less than five minutes. That little gesture made a big difference, and it set the tone for what turned out to be an absolutely pleasant dining experience.

Throughout the meal, the service continued to shine. Everyone we interacted with from the host to the server was friendly, attentive, and genuinely seemed to care about creating a great experience for us. It’s that kind of customer service that truly sets a place apart.

The food overall was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. We enjoyed every bite, and the relaxed, clean, and well-lit dining area made for a perfect brunch setting. The booth was comfy, the coffee flowed easily, and we never felt rushed.

This First Watch location just gets it right from the kitchen staff who respect how you want your food prepared, to the front-of-house team who go the extra mile to make you feel welcomed and accommodated. It’s rare to find a place that checks all the boxes, but this one does.

We’ll definitely be returning and recommending it to friends and family in the area. Huge kudos to the entire team at this First Watch, thank you for a delicious, stress-free, and feel-good brunch experience. You’ve earned loyal customers with this visit!“

“Took the drive from Lake Nona to Josie’s in Windermere. Excellent service. Excellent quality of pizza and wings . Outstanding draft beer ( Josie’s Ale ) . Beautiful , clean , neat and well designed for a romantic or comfortable dinner. Was blown away by the outstanding service. The two young men working this evening ( 6/28) went over and above . Great vibe , great attitude and exceeded expectations. Menu has always been outstanding at Metro West location , so we are very familiar with the brand.“

“Thanks Emily A for the amazing service. We had a fantastic meal!“

“Awesome place with super cool people and service! Always love coming here when we visit from Canada 🇨🇦“

“Best restaurant in town. I stayed in the Holiday Inn across the street. I ordered the Burger and the seasoning is crazyyy the food will blow your mind. Would definitely recommend this place“

“First time this week while on vacation which turned into a second time yesterday. Food is top shelf and service is great. Highly recommend and I know we will be back when in Orlando in the future“

“The Hamlin location took amazing care of us today. We had to request a change of seating as we had some mobility issues within our party and they did it without any issue. I managed to spill my drink and the waitress was super relaxed with getting me a damp rag to clean it up. We ordered a drink not realizing it was smoked and they swapped it for us as we had a massive allergy issue in our party. I promise we aren’t usually so high maintenance but when I say they rolled with our oddly chaotic punches I deeply appreciated it. It’s the end of 2024 and I’m so proud of these folks for being on their ‘A’ game and accommodating us. Good food. Good service. Good time all around. I hope these rockstar servers hand an absolutely amazing 2025.“

“Traci with an I was absolutely fantastic! Funny, fast and accommodating. Oh yea, food was great too!“

“Byleigh is one of the best bartenders great fast service with a smile and will make you laugh.“

“Rainforest Cafe is amazing, they have really great food and the staff is great as well. Our server Raychelle did a FANTASTIC JOB! she was very helpful! Service and atmosphere and food was awesome! The bathrooms we're clean as well, store was fun to look around at. I will definitely come back to this place! The food came out fast as well and was fresh! The only downside I would give about this place is, If people are coming just for the rainforest Cafe there should be separate parking so we don't need to pay $30 for parking, other than that it was a great time!“

“We visited this past July and the Luna Antipasti was delicious. It wasn’t just dinner, it was an experience! Highly recommend!“

“My husband, Al, and I dined at the Chef's Table on Feb 19 2024 and celebrated my birthday. We ordered from the chef's tasting menu and could not have been more pleased. It was one of the best restaurant meals we have had in a very long time. You see I am a classically trained and award-winning chef in my own right so my standards are quite high and I am, more often than not, disappointed in restaurants, even fine dining establishments. Al started with the "Heartbreaker" Cocktail, which was excellent then he had the mushroom and chive crepe torte for an appetizer, exceptional and enough for 2 to share actually so we brought part of it back to the hotel and had it for lunch the next day. He then chose the Duck confit, also outstanding. For dessert he had the chocolate torte with the toasted marshmallow ice cream and caramel sauce, again, beyond delicious and the ice cream was the best thing i've had in my mouth in a long time. Al also did the wine pairing with his courses. I sampled each pairing and they were perfectly matched. I tried the Mr. Pink as an aperitif and loved every drop but the pink peppercorn's stole the show. Then I started with the foie gras. Every bite just brings you to your knees. This was the main reason we selected The Chef's Table to begin with because I had to have foie gras. I chose the filet for my entree and I must say it may have been one of the best filet's i've ever eaten. Cooked perfectly medium rare with a char that was to die for. I brought part of my filet back to the hotel to go with the torte for lunch the next day. Even warmed up it was delicious. For dessert I had the mission fig bread pudding, which had a fantastic texture and was the perfect level of sweetness. I paired the pecan pie martini with it and it was decadent and complimented the dessert perfectly. I did not opt for the wine pairing as a sip of two from Al's were enough for me. Our server, JJ, was attentive, funny, and generous with her time. The manager came by twice to chat with us. The atmosphere was romantic but not stuffy and we had a great view of the kitchen, which as a chef is simply theatre for me. Lastly, the prices were not stupid. This kind of tasting menu can easily run well over $100 pp without the wine pairing. I appreciate the fact that, while affordable, it was elegant and indulgent. We will never visit Orlando again without returning to The Chef's Table and I will recommend it to everyone I know. Thank you for such an amazing experience. Amanda & Al Fraioli“

“Hangry Bison was outstanding for our team dinner. Service was excellent and food was great! We sincerely appreciate Jeff, Morgan, and Nikki who did a fantastic job for us on our event. We will be back!“

“The service so horrible. They automatically add 20%for the tip when our server was RUDE AND NON existent. I would NEVER return. No one was there. The food was nasty as well. First and last time here I was so excited to come but left SO disappointed“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We had the most exceptional experience at BJ’s Brewhouse on I-Drive in Orlando this past Saturday for a surprise 50th birthday dinner, and we are still on cloud nine from how beautifully everything turned out! From the moment we began planning, the entire process was seamless, and the staff went above and beyond to make this celebration unforgettable. Every detail was handled with care and professionalism—from the helpful communication ahead of time to the outstanding service on the day of the event. A special shoutout to our amazing servers Mark, Leylani, and Edgar—you were absolutely phenomenal! Warm, attentive, and incredibly accommodating, you made our group feel truly celebrated. We also want to thank the management team who ensured everything ran smoothly and welcomed our family with kindness and joy. If you’re looking for a place to host a special event or just want great food and incredible service, BJ’s on I-Drive is the place to go. THANK YOU for helping us create such meaningful memories—we are beyond grateful!“

“We did not have a reservation but heard the outdoor and indoor bar are full service and open seating so we decided to give it a go. We came at dinner time, but a little later about 7:30 or 8:30pm ish. And there were open seats at the bar. Bar service was fine, we sat on the end so we were ignored a tiny bit. We ordered a refill moonshine (you can get a refillable squeeze bottle), and a wine. We ordered the church lady deviled eggs because we had heard they were good. We enjoyed them but we felt they didn’t live up to the hype, but we ate them all. We each ordered a chicken sandwich, one spicy and one not. And we got mac and cheese for a side. The chicken is perfectly cooked, tender, juicy, flavorful, and crispy. The mac and cheese is perfectly browned and super cheesy and flavorful, everything was a home run. We will definitely be back in the future. And be sure to check out the bar if you don’t have a reservation!

We had been here years ago and wanted to come back again! Our server was so outgoing and friendly, and she explained some of her favorites on the menu. We tried some moonshine as well as some sangria. We got the smothered chicken and boy was this more than enough to share! It came with sides and a huge piece of chicken. The chicken was so good, it was moist and tender and flavorful. It was even still amazing as leftovers the next day. We also got the chicken and dumpling soup which was basically deconstructed chicken pot pie. It was a large portion and was pretty good. We also got the regular and the hot chicken sandwich with mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was sooo good and the chicken sandwiches were eaten so fast because they were so good. This place is known for its fried chicken and it is easy to see why. We will definitely be coming back here again when time allows us, because everything was a home run from service to food to drinks.“

“I absolutely love this restaurant Everytime I visit the city I have too stop and grab my favorite and delicious food s.The freshness and quality says it all!!The service provided by the staff leaves you feeling so much love.Thank You Authentic Gyros for providing the best food and service!!“

“A unique and exciting eating experience.“

“First time in Denny’s and Patti was our waitress and she was amazing, explained the menu and spoke away made us feel welcome. Patti was great with the kids and gave us plenty information around international drive. Patti made our experience 10 out 10 and we will be back 😉“

“Excelentes... Desayunos...“

“great food, very good and the sevice was excellent!“

“Great place to take the fam any time of day. Everyone always happy here. Love it!“

“🤤Taste :4.4/5
📍Environment: 4.4/5
🕴Service：3.8/5 ( self service )

Satu'li Canteen is such a unique dining spot! Located in Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom but its' also quiet pack for to get the seat . you may oder via the app to collect the food . The atmosphere is super interesting, and the food? Both creative and tasty!

💛 Combination Bowl with Smoked Chimichurri-braised Beef and Wood-grilled Chicken, and wow, it was flavorful and satisfying. The mix of textures and the smoky chimichurri flavor were just perfect.

💛The Ocean Moon Bowl was a fun surprise! The blue noodles were visually stunning, and the combo of tuna, watermelon radish, and pickled daikon gave it a refreshing, cool vibe.“

“A Flavorful Evening with Stellar Service We stopped in for apps and drinks this evening and had a fantastic experience. Our server, Nayeli, was outstanding—attentive, knowledgeable, and quick with spot-on recommendations. The clothesline bacon was a definite highlight. A savory-sweet indulgence, but what really surprised me was the rosemary garnish. Just a touch of it with each bite completely opened up the flavor—adding a subtle, aromatic layer that elevated the whole dish. It's an unexpected twist that truly works. Also, shoutout to the bar: the scotch Old Fashioned was one of the best I’ve had—easily in my top five. Balanced, smooth, and clearly made with intention. Highly recommend for anyone who appreciates bold flavors, thoughtful cocktails, and sharp, attentive service. We’ll absolutely be back.“

“This place is an oasis! The owners were simply delightful, the food was amazing, and the ambience of the seating area was relaxing and didn’t feel like I was in an office building at all. I don’t even work here but I came here after reading the reviews and seeing a Reddit post. I will be back and will be shouting from the rooftops about how great this place is! ?️?️?️“

“Character dining and delicious food!“

“Excellent service. Delicious food“

“Highball & Harvest - Orlando - 4.5 Stars "If the radiance of a thousand suns were to burst forth at once in the sky, that would be like the splendor." -- Gita Highball & Harvest is a restaurant inside the Ritz Carlton Hotel. The Ritz works very hard to deliver an amazing overall experience whether in lodging or in dining. While I did not stay at the hotel itself, the opulence that surrounds you upon entering the restaurant is sumptuous. You have to take a circuitous route to get to this eatery but once seated you have great views of lush flora and fauna that are carefully manicured. The attention to detail is astounding. The only downside to this spot is that the open air nature of this area caused sound to reverberate. Normally, this is not a big deal, but there was a gaggle of men hard-pitching what sounded like a Ponzi-like scheme to some young adults nearby. I tried to ignore them, but the leader of the pitch had a bellowing voice that carried throughout the place. He looked and sounded just like Marty Funkhouser from "Curb Your Enthusiasm." It was hard to avert my eyes because he apparently had obtained hair transplants years ago and did not have the foresight to consider future baldness. So he had perfect rows of wispy red hair on his head, a complete ring of baldness, and then more hair. Anyway, while this is a major digression from the point it was hilarious to watch and listen. I didn't need to stick my head in my phone for entertainment. Now, back to my culinary experience. Highball & Harvest has, like all modern American restaurants, a craft drink menu. A highball is another name for cocktail, which was big in usage at the turn of the last century. I chose to imbibe and picked the Industrialist from the menu. This consisted of Woodford Reserve double bourbon, Creme de' Menthe, and Fernet Branca. How they came up with this combination is beyond me but WOW! - it works. I ordered three sides instead of a full meal this time, choosing brussel sprouts with sherry-maple gastrique, Jimmy Red's goat cheese grits, and red cabbage deviled eggs. At first I was worried about the maple gastrique but my worry was for naught. The maple was barely noticeable but the sugars gave a potent punch on the finish. Now, as far as cheese grits go, I will eat them whenever they're on the menu. These Jimmy Red's had so much wonderful cheese I almost want to call it cheese with grits - truly amazing. Finally the deviled eggs: The chef who designed these eggs should get national recognition. The filling was smooth and creamy. The red cabbage finish topped with the pumpernickel crouton is the kind of crisp, clean, simple dish I so enjoy. I can't say enough good things about Highball & Harvest. Their dishes are simple, yet complex, and contain the right balance of flavors with recipes that are outside of the proverbial box. Please, I implore you to go experience Highball & Harvest, so sayeth the Big Bo“

“Just wanted to thank Sierra for her service when I come w my friends. She always makes everything easy, suggest different things, and never makes us feel like a burden with complicated orders. This place is very convenient in location and to watch the game and fights. Thank you again, Sierra!“

“Awesome food & customer service. Can’t wait to go back… Loved the hash-brown casserole!“

“Everything was perfect ! Servers are amazing !“

“Thanks Emily A for the amazing service. We had a fantastic meal!“

“We have been coming to wine bar George for years and always have a great time! Chris and Paul are excellent! Chris was very friendly and welcoming, he immediately understood the slow paced experience we were looking for and was attentive without overwhelming the first night we were at wine bar George. The second night, Paul was very knowledgeable and took time to suggest and chat about some unique wines that we really enjoyed!! Thank you both so much!“

“Awesome food great beers and awesome staff...meaning bar tender“

“Delicious food and atmosphere. Relax place to take photos with characters“

“Reasonably priced and located near the water with views of the floating electric parade. The only downside is that it is entirely outdoors so it can be uncomfortably hot or cold. It's not connected to the main lodge so if it's raining, you'll get wet walking here. My favorite was the campfire mousse. Beautiful and delicious.“

“I haven't been to Orlando in awhile but if God is willing the first meal I have when i get back will be here! This place is the real deal.“

“Always amazing! Great for any occasion...staff is responsive and food is fantastic!“

“Food was delicious and something different than the usual chain restaurants“

“Our next family vacation adventure take us to hash house a go go located in Winter Garden with a category of 4.8 and more than 3,046 reviews, this is my first time here and I have to says amazing experience.
The decoration is farm style, this restaurant with plenty of space and every corner you see the cleanliness which gives you the security that whatever you order is freshly cooked is the perfect selection to enjoy a breakfast or lunch with the family.
Everything we order from the drinks to the food was delicious and exquisite flavor all cooked to perfection, there was no waste as each bite stimulated you for the next until you finished everything.
Our waiters Samantha and the guy help her Leonardo very professional and friendly, thanks for the great services you make the customer happy and eager to return.
Our order and recommendation.
Hot chocolate
Burger stuffed bacon Avocado cheddar
Tractor French toast
Tractor pancake classic
Smores Mocha
High recommend place is you visit Winter Garden in Florida.“

“Keely was very pleasant and attentive to us even though it was obvious this location is understaffed.

Dietary restrictions: Keely was great at confirming my sandwich would not have cheese as I have a dairy allergy. It is great to know food restrictions are taken seriously.“

“Marvelous happy hour! We actually had dinner there one night and returned for happy hour the next!“

“We were there tonight with a group of 25 and Hannah B knocked it out of the park. She was patient, kind, accommodating and an absolute sweetheart!! Our kids appreciate your work with Autism Society Greater Orlando. Thank you!! We appreciate you !“

“I have been living in the area since 99...so I have been eating at this location (Winter Garden) since you opened in 2016! Food is always hot and on point! You are my burger place to go! Service is great and everything always seems to work on point! Thank you and please, please...don't change!“

“I was always taught , if you can't say something nice, say nothing at all. Soooooooo................... I even ask to pay for bread.“

“KAT WAS FREAKING AWESOME! I came in with my best friend who I haven’t been able to see in a while for some food and drinks after work. I had a very long/rough day at work and she made it such an enjoyable time! Fast and attentive service! Her margarita was the BEST I’ve had in a while! Go in and see KAT! We definitely will be back!“

“The fried shrimp were absolutely incredible! Each piece was cooked to perfection, with a golden-brown, crispy coating that had just the right amount of seasoning to enhance the flavor without overpowering the natural taste of the shrimp. The shrimp themselves were plump and juicy, providing a satisfying contrast to the crunchy exterior. The portion size was generous, making it a great value for the price. If you’re a fan of perfectly fried seafood with bold seasoning and a great texture, these fried shrimp are a must-try!“