Other than eating at our campsite, there really aren’t any dog-friendly dining options in Disney World. Even Disney Springs, to my amazement, does not allow our four-legged friends to stroll its bustling vistas or lounge on its romantic patios. Most nights during a trip to Disney’s Fort Wilderness, I take almost too-much pleasure in cooking or grilling our meals. As W.C. Fields said, “I cook with wine. Sometimes, I even add it to the food.” Park days are different, and they seem to follow a predictable pattern (remember the movie Groundhog Day?)
Here’s how it goes. After much cajoling by my family, I’ve joined the line to board the boat headed for the Magic Kingdom. We’ll arrive an hour before rope drop, and will scuttle to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, only for it to shut down after 10 minutes. I should have stayed at the campground. I bet Thumper is so forlorn. I will find twisted joy just a short time later when Captain Bacon takes the brunt of the water on Splash Mountain. There will be nearly no line at The Haunted Mansion, and we will knock out our fast passes by 1:30 pm. I will be almost chipper. Wait, should I have taken Thumper to Best Friends Pet Resort? I should’t be having this much fun. Finally, at 4 pm, we will all be on our way back to Fort Wilderness Campground. Thank you, Lord. And then we will arrive at the real decision of the day – where will we eat dinner? We will have an extended passive-aggressive dialogue, but then we’ll agree, like always, that we want laid-back, local, and cheerful. But what we want most is a very dog-friendly restaurant. The boy finally gets to have some fun.
Shocking as it is, there’s a whole ‘nother world outside of Disney World. And out in this otherworld, there exists some splendid dining establishments that are so dog friendly – they will erase all of your culpability for abandoning Thumper in the RV (or day care) earlier in the day.
Yellow Dog Eats
I adore everything about this place. It’s antique charm married to 70s love shack. Open for more than 20 years, it’s in the charming little neighborhood of Gotha, right beside Windermere. The drive there is lovely, as you pass the neighborhoods where the Disney executives of the 1970s and the Tiger Woods of 2010 lived. The colorful outdoor covered deck is the most popular spot, filled with music, hippy vibes, and an assortment of dogs. There’s a creative selection of not-your-daddy’s BBQ sandwiches with names such as Florida Cracker, and served on ciabatta or jalepeno cheddar bread. The BBQ is smoked on site, and it is consistently profound. I love the Chicken Curry Wrap, while my daughter usually devours the Doing Yoga with Goat Toast bowl.
1236 Hempel Ave – Windermere – Florida
407.296.0609
Open Daily: 11 am – 9 or 10 pm
Celebration Town Tavern
This is one of our regular stops in Celebration, Florida, and is the closest of my picks to much of Disney World. A very popular place, the wait is offset by so many nice shops to browse (including a dog treat store). Drinks are generous, as are the portions of New-England-inspired food. They self-describe as having a “Cheers” vibe, and the two large bars and swarms of locals as impossible to miss. Fish is always fresh, but I go for the clam chowder. The menu also includes burgers, sandwiches, and homemade Boston Cream Pie. A large patio provides plenty of seating for dogs and their fussy mothers and daddies.
721 Front St – Celebration – Florida
407.566.2526
Open Daily: 11am till 2am
Sushi Lola’s
Even without its tiny, dog-friendly outdoor area, Sushi Lola’s is a winner – more than satisfying that nothing-else-will-do-craving for Asian food. Neither glamorous nor large, it’s is instead immaculate and remarkably inexpensive. Lots of loaded and ambitious sushi rolls, a selection of sushi boats (perfect for special occasion), and a fabulous Korean Bulgogi. Plug their number in your phone when you need a sensible takeout (it’s a 20-minute or so drive from WDW up I-4).
2902 Corrine Drive – Orlando – Florida
407.898.5652
Monday – Thursday: 11:30am – 9:30pm
Friday: 11:30am – 10pm
Saturday: 12pm – 10pm
La Bella Luna
La Bella Luna is classic old-school Italian that brings the warm feel of a red-sauce revival. A large, nondescript, dog-friendly covered patio contrasts with the deep gold and black Tuscan-inspired interior. They aren’t pretentiously frugal with the sauces on the pasta, making spaghetti and the baked cheese ravioli my choices. It’s important to note that La Bella Luna is known for its pizzas, having earned many awards for “Best Pizza” by the Orlando Sentinel – there are even gluten-free pizzas. Menu items also include more than a dozen seafood selections, as well as sandwiches (lunch only). Combined with the salad and vegetarian options means that there is usually something for everyone in the family.
(407)895-0025
4886 New Broad St. – Orlando – Florida
Sunday-Monday: 11am – 9pm
Tuesday-Friday: 11am – 10pm
Saturday:Noon-10pm
COLIBRI MEXICAN CUISINE
Without a doubt, the draw of this Orlando favorite is its Happy Hour and scenic setting (overlooking Lake Baldwin). Combined with some queso fundido and street tacos, this restaurant takes the gold for best dog-friendly view. The main menu and food are good enough, but the service can be a bit nonchalant. A pleasant evening if time allows.
4963 New Broad St. – Orlando – Florida
407.629.6601
Sunday: 11:30 am – 9:30 pm
Monday-Thursday: 11:00 am – 10 pm
Friday-Saturday: 11:00 am – 11 pm
Ember
Located in downtown Orlando, Ember is a hipster hotspot for the 20s and 30s crowds later in the evenings. If you go on Wednesdays, consider an Uber because the wine is bottomless. In fact, the Orlando Sentinel (2018) reported that “more people took a Lyft to Ember than any other bar in Orlando in 2018.” The article notes that this includes anywhere in Disney World or Universal. The food is standard American fare (burgers, pasta, smokehouse, salads), and consistently pretty good. Go for the fun, the huge outdoor patio (with its own bar), and chance to party with other dog lovers.