Christmas Dinner in Orlando - A Full-On Irish – And More!

The countdown to a festive Orlando occasion is now well under way, and we’re ready to tantalise your tastebuds this Yuletide with some of our top recommendations for that good old British favourite, the Christmas dinner.

Now, it should be said that most Americans have already done their Turkey roasting for the year, as this is the big centrepiece of the traditional Thanksgiving Day meal (back on November 27), hence turkey with all the trimmings is not necessarily all the rage in restaurant options throughout the US for Christmas Day.

But never fear! We have our finger firmly on the festive pulse and have compiled a list of options that will still provide a genuine time-honoured flavour of the season without you having to tackle the hefty chore of cooking it yourself. Just be aware this is the busiest time of the year in Theme Park Central, hence bookings for most restaurants are strongly advised.

Lake Buena Vista

Highlighting this busy area adjacent to Walt Disney World first, here are some top choices:

The splendid Caribe Royale Resort will feature delicious dining specials at three unique restaurants: The Venetian Chop House, where you can indulge in the Christmas Eve Feast of the Seven Fishes, featuring seven distinct courses, like chilled cold water lobster, ahi tuna poke and fresh oysters. A la carte specials like Beer Prime Rib and a Black Forest yule log will also be available on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day ($95 for two, $185 for four); Tropicale, with an abundance of brunch favourites, including sushi, prime rib, an omelette station, charcuterie, holiday desserts and more from 1-6pm on Christmas Day ($78 adults, $25 children 4-10); and Stadium Club, the casual sports bar atmosphere with a prime rib beef sandwich ($22) or porchetta sandwich ($20), each served with a choice of sweet potato waffle fries or regular fries.

The elegant ette Hotel will feature an 8-ounce Chateaubriand roast at Salt & The Cellar by Akira Back on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Enjoy it with house-made peppercorn sauce, decadent vegetable sides and dessert. The hotel will also host a festive Nutcracker Holiday Tea in collaboration with Orlando Ballet on Christmas Day and on select weekend dates from December 6-21 (Dinner $55-$125; Nutcracker Tea $95 adults, $45 children).

International Drive

Don’t miss a rockin’ good Christmas time at Universal’s CityWalk district, where the Hard Rock Cafe will offer several holiday specials from December 1-31. Get the party started with cocktails like the Blackberry Rocker or Autumn Apple Fizz ($16 each), then rock out with your choice of a 2 or 3-course prix-fixe meal with steak, salmon, ribs and more chart-topping entrées (2-course meal $43, 3-course meal $49). Tune in for more fun during the Hard Rock’s annual Holly Jolly Holiday Party (December 19), where you can meet Santa, enjoy light bites, decorate cookies and enjoy festive tunes ($28 adults, $20.50 children, $13 children under 3).

Gather around the table for a festive, family-style feast at Mia’s Italian Kitchen, and enjoy seasonal fare such as polenta carbonara served alongside typical favourites like roast turkey, herb-roasted pork loin, cranberry cheesecake and panettone bread pudding (á la carte pricing).

Over at ICON Park, Helena Modern Riviera will throw a delicious Christmas Day brunch from 11am-3pm, including live entertainment alongside a prix-fixe menu full of holiday inspired dishes, decadent desserts and bottomless mimosa, sangria or spritz add-ons ($59 adults, $28-$33 for beverage add-ons).

Classy tapas restaurant Cafe Tu Tu Tango will host a bottomless Christmas Day brunch from 11am-4pm, including some succulent roast offerings such as garlic herb crusted prime rib, rosemary-garlic lamb shoulder and cranberry-orange glazed turkey, plus holiday sides, desserts and globally inspired fare ($40 adults).

Raglan Road

For those looking for arguably the most typically British Christmas meal, look no further than our perennial favourite, Raglan Road at Disney Springs. In addition to their live music, dance and other entertainment, they will be featuring new festive cocktails and their annual Christmas Day dinner special, alongside a new Christmas-Day soup and Christmas Trifle (priced separately) for dessert.

Christmas Day Specials: The Christmas Menu will feature Carrot and Turnip Soup, topped with smoked bacon crumbles and roasted sprouts; a traditional Turkey Dinner served with butter and herb roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, duck fat roasties, honey glazed carrots, bacon-braised Brussels sprouts, sausage meat stuffing, red wine jus and cranberry sauce ($45 adults, $25 children); Christmas Trifle made with layers of raspberry jam Swiss roll, mixed berries, and silky custard, topped with fresh whipped cream, poached peach and a buttery biscuit crumb.

If the spirits move you, try one of their creative new cocktails crafted just for the occasion (available now through the Holiday season): The Jolly Ginger Mule, a seasonal twist on a classic mule, made with Teeling’s Small Batch Whiskey, Fever Tree Ginger Beer and a squeeze of ripe lemon, making it refreshingly light, finished with a sprig of rosemary and three cranberries for a merry touch; Berry Holiday with Notions, sweet, sparkling and full of festive flair, this cocktail promises pure holiday magic in a glass, starting with a splash of cranberry juice and a touch of Sandeman 10 Port, kissed with three drops of hibiscus bitters and finished with Wycliffe Champagne; Christmas Cake Ole Fashioned, crafted with Kilowen Irish Single Malt finished in Rum & Raisin casks, homemade treacle syrup and Aztec chocolate bitters, it offers Christmas in a glass, garnished with a glazed soda bread crisp and maraschino cherry; Peppermint Baileys Shake, a decadent blend of Bailey’s Original Irish Cream, peppermint schnapps and candy cane syrup spun together with velvety ice cream mix; and the Irish Snow Storm, a holiday cocktail that combines a shot of espresso with Bailey’s Salted Caramel and Butterscotch Schnapps for a smooth, sweet and warming flavour. Shaken over ice and served in an etched martini glass, it’s finished with edible gold snowflakes for a truly decadent touch. What more could you ask for in a Christmas glass? For those who can’t resist Raglan Road’s award-winning Fish & Chips or other All-Day menu items, that menu is available, too! Book now at https://www.raglanroad.com or by calling 407 938 0300.