Elizabeth's Guidebook
Food Scene
Great selection of local beer and cider. They do sometimes have happy hour specials on weekday afternoons which usually includes half off their local drafts. Nice atmosphere - you can choose to sit inside or in the large outdoor area. They have free bingo on Tuesdays, and live music on the weekend. Last time we played bingo, we got $5 off our tab. If you get hungry, there is a partnered walk up counter serving sushi and other Japanese street food style options (Sushi and Seoul)
28 polecane przez mieszkańców
Celery City Craft
114 S Palmetto AveGreat selection of local beer and cider. They do sometimes have happy hour specials on weekday afternoons which usually includes half off their local drafts. Nice atmosphere - you can choose to sit inside or in the large outdoor area. They have free bingo on Tuesdays, and live music on the weekend. Last time we played bingo, we got $5 off our tab. If you get hungry, there is a partnered walk up counter serving sushi and other Japanese street food style options (Sushi and Seoul)
This is a nice, relatively upscale dining experience. Reservations are recommended on weekends, but there is also a community table and a couple of other tables available on a first come, first serve basis. The braised short rib is my favorite thing on the menu, while Joseph likes the bone-in porkchop. The service tends to be really good here, and the cocktails and beer are worth checking out as well.
17 polecane przez mieszkańców
The District Eatery Tap & Barrel
112 W 2nd StThis is a nice, relatively upscale dining experience. Reservations are recommended on weekends, but there is also a community table and a couple of other tables available on a first come, first serve basis. The braised short rib is my favorite thing on the menu, while Joseph likes the bone-in porkchop. The service tends to be really good here, and the cocktails and beer are worth checking out as well.
Slightly upscale dinner experience, though if you come earlier in the afternoon it is more casual and you can hit happy hour, which includes discounts on a few of the appetizers and beer. This place has very cool atmosphere because it used to be the jailhouse. You can get slightly fancy foods here, such as filet mignon and scallops. Dinner here would likely run $80-100 if you're drinking. It's located right across the street from Celery City Beer Garden, so it's easy to make an afternoon of it here.
21 polecane przez mieszkańców
The Old Jailhouse Kitchen & Spirits
113 S Palmetto AveSlightly upscale dinner experience, though if you come earlier in the afternoon it is more casual and you can hit happy hour, which includes discounts on a few of the appetizers and beer. This place has very cool atmosphere because it used to be the jailhouse. You can get slightly fancy foods here, such as filet mignon and scallops. Dinner here would likely run $80-100 if you're drinking. It's located right across the street from Celery City Beer Garden, so it's easy to make an afternoon of it here.
Great place for tapas and wine. Food is really tasty. Very cute little café with wine, beer, and coffee. Wine flights are offered at a reasonable price if you want to sample several wines. You can sit at tables, or in comfy chairs and couches. Upstairs there is a speak easy, however we have not been up there yet. You have to chat up the bartender to get into the speak easy. The bartender will also tell you ghost stories about the place if you ask.
Luisa's Cellar
206 Sanford AveGreat place for tapas and wine. Food is really tasty. Very cute little café with wine, beer, and coffee. Wine flights are offered at a reasonable price if you want to sample several wines. You can sit at tables, or in comfy chairs and couches. Upstairs there is a speak easy, however we have not been up there yet. You have to chat up the bartender to get into the speak easy. The bartender will also tell you ghost stories about the place if you ask.
We typically don't recommend chain restaurants, but this Ruth's Chris is one of the closest fine dining options and has excellent food and service. When we went for our anniversary, we were able to get a same day reservation, and they made it feel very special with rose petals on the table and special chocolate writing on the dessert plate. Joseph ordered a drink that he didn't end up liking and they swapped it out for him at no charge. Hey, it never hurts to bring these things up to them! They have a prix fixe menu which helps to save a bit if you're interested in going for the full three courses. Still, dinner here will set you back at least $100-150
25 polecane przez mieszkańców
Ruth's Chris Steak House
80 Colonial Center PkwyWe typically don't recommend chain restaurants, but this Ruth's Chris is one of the closest fine dining options and has excellent food and service. When we went for our anniversary, we were able to get a same day reservation, and they made it feel very special with rose petals on the table and special chocolate writing on the dessert plate. Joseph ordered a drink that he didn't end up liking and they swapped it out for him at no charge. Hey, it never hurts to bring these things up to them! They have a prix fixe menu which helps to save a bit if you're interested in going for the full three courses. Still, dinner here will set you back at least $100-150
No frills pizza/Italian place. The pizza here is pretty solid, and if you order the stuffed garlic knots, it's actually almost like a giant cheese stromboli - way more than you would think you should get for $6. They don't have draft beer, and only a limited selection of bottled beer. Their prices recently went up, but it's still a pretty reasonable price - dinner would be in the $30-40 range depending on if you split a pizza or if you get separate meals.
Dalli's Pizzeria
101 N Country Club RdNo frills pizza/Italian place. The pizza here is pretty solid, and if you order the stuffed garlic knots, it's actually almost like a giant cheese stromboli - way more than you would think you should get for $6. They don't have draft beer, and only a limited selection of bottled beer. Their prices recently went up, but it's still a pretty reasonable price - dinner would be in the $30-40 range depending on if you split a pizza or if you get separate meals.
Delicious Indian food! Everything on the menu is great, seriously. The service is great too. It looks like they have a full bar, but we haven't gotten anything from it, so we can't comment on the drinks. We really like this place for Indian food, however it isn't the cheapest or closest option for Indian food in the area. Dinner here is about $50-60
GATEWAY TO INDIA
790 East State Road 434Delicious Indian food! Everything on the menu is great, seriously. The service is great too. It looks like they have a full bar, but we haven't gotten anything from it, so we can't comment on the drinks. We really like this place for Indian food, however it isn't the cheapest or closest option for Indian food in the area. Dinner here is about $50-60
The closest place to get Indian food (for some reason there are a ton of Indian restaurants in this area). This place has good food and good, friendly service. Although we like Gateway to India's food a little better, this place is close to the house and has an extremely solid and cheap lunch menu. Their lunch menu is between $8-12 a person and the meal includes dipping sauces, na'an, and dessert. The dessert is either sorbet or rice pudding - while the rice pudding is ok, we recommend the sorbet. You can also add on a potato and pea samosa for less than $2, which we recommend.
Memories of India
3895 Lake Emma RdThe closest place to get Indian food (for some reason there are a ton of Indian restaurants in this area). This place has good food and good, friendly service. Although we like Gateway to India's food a little better, this place is close to the house and has an extremely solid and cheap lunch menu. Their lunch menu is between $8-12 a person and the meal includes dipping sauces, na'an, and dessert. The dessert is either sorbet or rice pudding - while the rice pudding is ok, we recommend the sorbet. You can also add on a potato and pea samosa for less than $2, which we recommend.
Very good Mexican restaurant if you are after quality rather than quantity. Like a lot of places in downtown Sanford, they have a slightly more upscale take on typical restaurant food (for example, you can get scallops as an appetizer) and have a nice atmosphere as well. There are a few tables outside if you want to people watch on a busy night. Be aware, this place seems kind of small on the inside and typically pretty busy.
17 polecane przez mieszkańców
El Zocalo Mexican Restaurant
406 Sanford AveVery good Mexican restaurant if you are after quality rather than quantity. Like a lot of places in downtown Sanford, they have a slightly more upscale take on typical restaurant food (for example, you can get scallops as an appetizer) and have a nice atmosphere as well. There are a few tables outside if you want to people watch on a busy night. Be aware, this place seems kind of small on the inside and typically pretty busy.
Really good and well seasoned food, but it is a bit more expensive than we typically like for Mexican food, mainly due to the drink prices. Margaritas here are delicious and come in a ton of different flavors, but they are $10+ each. The cheese dip is the best in the area, but their free salsa is great too (they put smoky mesquite spices into it). We recommend the birria tacos. The chimichangas are really good here too - I like to get the brisket meat from the birria tacos in mine, but there is an upcharge for that. We don't recommend coming here during really busy times because the service is not very good, however if they aren't crazy busy the service is good too.
7 polecane przez mieszkańców
Don Julio Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar Lake Mary
4275 West Lake Mary BoulevardReally good and well seasoned food, but it is a bit more expensive than we typically like for Mexican food, mainly due to the drink prices. Margaritas here are delicious and come in a ton of different flavors, but they are $10+ each. The cheese dip is the best in the area, but their free salsa is great too (they put smoky mesquite spices into it). We recommend the birria tacos. The chimichangas are really good here too - I like to get the brisket meat from the birria tacos in mine, but there is an upcharge for that. We don't recommend coming here during really busy times because the service is not very good, however if they aren't crazy busy the service is good too.
We like this place because they have good food, but aren't afraid to offer a deal. Ask us, we probably have a coupon for BOGO dinner (you do have to buy a drink each). They also have half priced drinks for happy hour each afternoon 2-6pm, which they will let you combine with a coupon. Service is not always so good here, the waitresses aren't exactly bad, but you do end up waiting on them several times because they don't come by very often to check on you.
EL SOL MEXICAN GRILL
223 Towne Center CircleWe like this place because they have good food, but aren't afraid to offer a deal. Ask us, we probably have a coupon for BOGO dinner (you do have to buy a drink each). They also have half priced drinks for happy hour each afternoon 2-6pm, which they will let you combine with a coupon. Service is not always so good here, the waitresses aren't exactly bad, but you do end up waiting on them several times because they don't come by very often to check on you.
Nice atmosphere, creative menu (mostly tacos/tex mex), and good rotating beer selection. They usually have a Groupon deal for beer flights. Happy hour is Mon-Fri 4-7pm ($4 drafts, $4 house wine, $5 cocktails). Live music on Friday nights (6-10) and Sunday brunch live music 10am-3pm.
Orange County Brewers | Lake Mary
1117 International ParkwayNice atmosphere, creative menu (mostly tacos/tex mex), and good rotating beer selection. They usually have a Groupon deal for beer flights. Happy hour is Mon-Fri 4-7pm ($4 drafts, $4 house wine, $5 cocktails). Live music on Friday nights (6-10) and Sunday brunch live music 10am-3pm.
A good all you can eat option for the meat eater who doesn't like buffets.This restaurant has a normal menu side as well as a Korean BBQ side. We have only tried the BBQ side. There were fewer types of meat options than other places we have been on the basic all you can eat package (there is a premium option as well), but they do have a list of appetizers that you can order from as well. We tried almost all of them and they were all delicious! The service is good here too. A Korean BBQ meal for two will set you back around $60-70
7 polecane przez mieszkańców
Korea House Restaurant
1155 W State Rd 434A good all you can eat option for the meat eater who doesn't like buffets.This restaurant has a normal menu side as well as a Korean BBQ side. We have only tried the BBQ side. There were fewer types of meat options than other places we have been on the basic all you can eat package (there is a premium option as well), but they do have a list of appetizers that you can order from as well. We tried almost all of them and they were all delicious! The service is good here too. A Korean BBQ meal for two will set you back around $60-70
Bar/Live Music
Great place to go for live music on the weekends. It's kind of like several bars in one. Each room in this place seems to have a different theme. The first room looks like a typical brewery/craft beer place, the second reminds me of a chill college party, the third area is a large outdoor yard with picnic tables, beanbag toss, and a sandwich/burger place called Swine and Sons (we haven't tried this place yet, but the food we saw looked good!), while the fourth area has almost a club-like feel with live music, dancing, and strobe lights. Each separate bar area has different beer options.
23 polecane przez mieszkańców
Tuffy's Bottle Shop / Lounge
200 Myrtle AveGreat place to go for live music on the weekends. It's kind of like several bars in one. Each room in this place seems to have a different theme. The first room looks like a typical brewery/craft beer place, the second reminds me of a chill college party, the third area is a large outdoor yard with picnic tables, beanbag toss, and a sandwich/burger place called Swine and Sons (we haven't tried this place yet, but the food we saw looked good!), while the fourth area has almost a club-like feel with live music, dancing, and strobe lights. Each separate bar area has different beer options.
Live music every night (usually rock). Bands on the weekend are really great. The crowd tends to be a mix of young and older (tends to be more on the older side). Generally a chill crowd, but does get rowdier as the night goes on. There is an attached BBQ place if you get hungry. The bar is pretty typical - they can make just about any cocktail, but the beer selection is minimal/basic.
12 polecane przez mieszkańców
The Alley
114 S Park AveLive music every night (usually rock). Bands on the weekend are really great. The crowd tends to be a mix of young and older (tends to be more on the older side). Generally a chill crowd, but does get rowdier as the night goes on. There is an attached BBQ place if you get hungry. The bar is pretty typical - they can make just about any cocktail, but the beer selection is minimal/basic.
A bit of a dive, but they do have great food! This place has no hostess and is seat yourself. Happy hour is 5-7pm. They have food specials almost every night of the week. $1 burgers are on Thursday - it is just a plain burger though! Toppings are $0.50 each, and fries are $1.75. Still, you can easily get a surprisingly delicious dinner for two for $10 while listening to some great live music. The pizza is also on par with most pizzerias. There is live music Friday and Saturday, and karaoke the rest of the week. We went once on a Thursday and heard easy listening acoustic music, then went on a Friday to hear classic rock, so it's a pretty decent mix.
Post Time Lounge & Cafe
2500 South US Highway 17 92A bit of a dive, but they do have great food! This place has no hostess and is seat yourself. Happy hour is 5-7pm. They have food specials almost every night of the week. $1 burgers are on Thursday - it is just a plain burger though! Toppings are $0.50 each, and fries are $1.75. Still, you can easily get a surprisingly delicious dinner for two for $10 while listening to some great live music. The pizza is also on par with most pizzerias. There is live music Friday and Saturday, and karaoke the rest of the week. We went once on a Thursday and heard easy listening acoustic music, then went on a Friday to hear classic rock, so it's a pretty decent mix.
Walking/bike riding distance from the house, this place has a lot of beers on tap (though very few and basic cider options!) and basic but pretty good bar food. If you sit outside (place is seat yourself), there is a very nice view across the lake. They have live music on Fridays starting at 7pm. The music here is a little hit or miss. Good for when you want to go out and do something, but don't want to worry about driving to or from. They also have bingo (free or paid options) on Tuesday and Wednesday at 7pm, which is fun for a laid back cheap entertainment option, but be ready for some really lame jokes delivered with what some might call excessive enthusiasm.
Jax 5th Ave Deli & Ale House
951 Greenwood BlvdWalking/bike riding distance from the house, this place has a lot of beers on tap (though very few and basic cider options!) and basic but pretty good bar food. If you sit outside (place is seat yourself), there is a very nice view across the lake. They have live music on Fridays starting at 7pm. The music here is a little hit or miss. Good for when you want to go out and do something, but don't want to worry about driving to or from. They also have bingo (free or paid options) on Tuesday and Wednesday at 7pm, which is fun for a laid back cheap entertainment option, but be ready for some really lame jokes delivered with what some might call excessive enthusiasm.
Very affordable prices ($8 for a mixed drink and a bottled beer), pool tables, and a chill atmosphere. Nice local dive bar (it's the oldest bar in town). They have live music on Wednesdays from 9-12, karaoke on Thursdays starting at 9, and a DJ on Friday nights
George's Tavern
1011 South French AvenueVery affordable prices ($8 for a mixed drink and a bottled beer), pool tables, and a chill atmosphere. Nice local dive bar (it's the oldest bar in town). They have live music on Wednesdays from 9-12, karaoke on Thursdays starting at 9, and a DJ on Friday nights
Sightseeing
A large and well kept zoo with a good variety of plants and animals to look at and learn about. Great for kids as well! There is a splash pad in the zoo for kids, and an adjacent BBQ place, so adults can eat while their kids play. There are extensive ropes courses for an additional fee, and several feeding opportunities (giraffes, petting zoo animals).
132 polecane przez mieszkańców
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
3755 W Seminole BlvdA large and well kept zoo with a good variety of plants and animals to look at and learn about. Great for kids as well! There is a splash pad in the zoo for kids, and an adjacent BBQ place, so adults can eat while their kids play. There are extensive ropes courses for an additional fee, and several feeding opportunities (giraffes, petting zoo animals).