Orlando British Fare! Get a Taste of Home in Orlando!

By Susan & Simon Veness

It remains a singular feature of British holiday-makers abroad that, every now and then, we yearn for a taste of home while exploring foreign climes. It’s that “Meat-and-two-veg” moment when local food just doesn’t cut it and we need a taste of the familiar. Sadly, several notable British hang-outs that packed them in back in the 1990s and early 2000s have fallen by the wayside, victims of a changing tourist scene that sees more UK visitors staying in villas in the areas around Kissimmee, Clermont and Davenport than the hotels of International Drive and Highway 192.

Gone are the iconic Cricketers Arms pub and the Best of British food court kiosk of what was the old Mercado Mediterranean Village on I-Drive, as well as places like The Stage Door and Harry Ramsbottom’s Pub on the 192. Branigan’s Irish Grill & Pub is another notable casualty of the times. But, happily and more relevantly, other places have grown up to fill the UK-flavoured void in our restaurant scene, while several continue to defy the march of current trends for that “something different” option.

It is definitely interesting to note that the newer arrivals have shown a distinct ability to move with the times and offer familiar fare with greater style and staying power, while several of the “old-timers” continue to defy changing tastes by sticking to what they do best. So, for the benefit of our newcomers and regular visitors, here is a look at what we think are the essential places for proper British nosh:

Fox & Hounds: The longest-surviving British bastion in Central Florida, the Fox & Hounds opened in 1984 on Highway 192 and has managed to keep up a pretty authentic pub vibe ever since, including a traditional menu featuring Scotch Eggs, bangers and mash, Shepherd’s Pie and a very decent Ploughman’s. Very much a hangout for local Brits, too.

The Pub: While this version hails all the way from Cincinnati (!), The Pub at Pointe Orlando still has the basics down pat and serves up a variety of pub staples alongside more American-accented fare. Some menu items make you scratch your head, though. “London Street Food”? Really? The Scotch Egg is the proper item, however, as is the Whiskey Bread Pudding. Yum.

Clermont Fish House: Possibly the least pub-like interior, but the family-run Fish House still impresses with its menu and, unsurprisingly, its fish and chips (and they’re definitely chips and not “fries”), with HP sauce on the tables. The Sticky Toffee Pudding is a cracking dessert and there’s even a Chip Butty, plus British comfort food, like Cadbury’s chocolate and Weetabix, for sale on their shelves.

Rose & Crown, EPCOT: While Walt Disney World’s version of a British pub is still stuck in the 1970s, the food and drink remain the real deal, albeit the prices make you wince (Scotch Egg for $16 and Cottage Pie at $30? Ouch). Quality is not an issue, though, and Simon rates the Sticky Toffee Pudding very highly. The range of beers is also impressive. Choose between their pub bar and indoor/outdoor full-service restaurant, or the neighbouring Yorkshire County Fish Shop counter-service offering.

The Leaky Cauldron: The Universal Studios take on trad British grub comes through the filter of the Harry Potter films, hence it is quite a mixture of familiar fare, including fish and chips, Cottage Pie, bangers and mash, Guinness stew and even a decent Ploughman’s, albeit a slightly Americanised version. Desserts include that rare item in Florida, a good trifle! Sister restaurant The Three Broomsticks in Islands of Adventure offers more UK-accented fare, albeit not as wide-ranging.

Cladagh Cottage: A bit off the regular tourist track in Curry Ford West, but well worth seeking out, Cladagh is, as you’d expect, the Irish version of a typical pub experience, highlighting an extensive array of beers as well as a classic pub vibe. The menu is heavy on the pies, pasties, soups and sandwiches, and also offers an excellent Ploughman’s, plus a unique Chips & Chutney appetiser.

Sunday’s Grill: Tucked away on Davenport’s Highway 27, in the same plaza as the Publix supermarket at Berry Town Center, this unassuming bar-restaurant has been an outlier of British pub style since 2006. Its menu is a mix of UK and American standards, notably Shepherd’s Pie, Sausage & Mash and a pretty decent Chicken Curry, as well as burgers and chicken wings.

The Friar Tuck: Another classic hole-in-the-wall type pub, the Friar Tuck is a Clermont favourite in the Cagan Crossings area of Highway 27. With a full English breakfast available until 6pm daily, as well as a proper Sunday roast and plenty of home-sourced fare, you won’t be short-changed for a suitably British experience, right down to the sports on TV!

The Proper Pie Company: Head out into the villa territory of Haines City and you’ll find this long-lasting mainstay of all things British that is both grocery store and restaurant. The Proper Pie Company opened on Highway 27 in Davenport in 2008 before moving to its current spot in the Haines City Publix plaza in 2022. Here, you can stock up on all manner of savoury pot pies, sausage rolls and pasties or dine in and try their classic fish and chips (or pie and chips). This is also the place for essential items from Back Home, like English teas, chocolates, biscuits, cereals, crisps and other hard-to-find goodies.

Best of British: As featured on Channel 4’s Escape to Florida programme, this is the crown jewel of pub style in Central Florida, a full-on, flag-waving, pint-supping, belly-busting assault on your Anglo-Saxon tastebuds. From an extensive breakfast menu to a proper Afternoon Tea and Sunday lunch, this is designed hook, line and sinker for UK visitors in need of home cooking. Many of the beers are specially imported – notably the Wrexham Lager and Magners cider – and the menu features everything you’d expect of a proper pub, including a Mixed Grill, jacket potatoes, liver and onions, ham and chips, chicken curry and doner kebab. Open daily from 9am to 11pm, this is perfectly placed for villa territory, with a wicked sense of humour and live football on 12 TV screens to ensure you keep up to date with your team!

Simon & Susan’s “Don’t Miss” suggestion: For the Full Monty, it’s hard to beat breakfast at Best of British and the simple glory of a Bacon Butty.

Simon and Susan Veness are Orlando-based travel experts and guidebook authors writing exclusively for Debbie’s Villas.