Get a breath of fresh air — and a bite
The summer burn hasn’t arrived in Central Florida yet thanks to the glorious spring weather we’ve been experiencing.
Add in some extra sunny hours, courtesy of daylightsaving time, and you have one of the better times of the year to take your meal outside at local restaurants.
Here are a few of my favorite spots for al fresco dining. A photo gallery full of choices can be found on my blog, bread.
649 Front St., Celebration; 407-566-1505; columbiarestaurant.com
Mount Dora’s Goblin Market already has an almost fairy-talelike aura to it with its “hidden” location and book- and art-covered walls. Dining in the restaurant’s plant-lined secret garden just adds to that feel.
You’ll find classics such as crab bisque and cobb salad — and a few quirkier dishes — at this nearly 21-year-old restaurant.
330 Dora Drawdy Way in Mount Dora; 352-735-0059; goblin marketrestaurant.com make up The Greek Corner near Orlando’s Lake Ivanhoe, which can be seen from the patio outside. A garden hides you from busy Orange Avenue as you scarf down gyros, spanakopita, lamb and more.
1600 N Orange Ave, Orlando; 407-228-0303; thegreekcorner.net
Hillstone takes full advantage of its views of Lake Killarney with a dock and other patio seating. The perfectly manicured garden in its Winter Park backyard along with its large trees only adds to the vista. Try to make it to the eatery by sunset.
Diners can enjoy steaks, seafood, sandwiches, entrée salads and more.
215 S. Orlando Ave. in Winter Park; 407-740-4005; hillstone.com
With views of Disney Springs on one side and Lake Buena Vista on the other, you can’t go wrong wherever you sit at seafood-centric Paddlefish.
Time your visit right and you could even get an epic sunset view. Just head straight to the rooftop deck — there’s often live music there.
A number of Disney Springs restaurants offer outdoor seating as well including Southern-inspired Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’, Mexicancuisine-centered Frontera Cocina, Raglan Road Irish Pub and the Indiana Jonesthemed “dive” bar Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar.
Disney Springs, 1500 Buena Vista Drive in Lake Buena Vista; 407-934-2628; paddlefishrestaurant.com