Best Foodie Happy Hour in Orlando

Happy Hour is all about the food and creative cocktails at these Orlando restaurants

Happy Hour can be about more than just drinks. Happy Hour provides one of the best opportunities to catch up with friends over a few drinks and shared appetizers, and still be home in time for dinner. If you’re a foodie, like me, you need more than cheap drinks to make your hour a happy one, and several restaurants around town are happy to oblige, offering more than your typical 2 for 1. Here you can enjoy inventive cocktails, craft beers, fun wines and more substantial and creative menu items. If you’ve been telling friends “we should get together someday” why not GO #MakeSomedayHappen at the Best Foodie Happy Hour in Orlando.

 

1. Bonefish Grill

Their tagline is “Happiness starts when you walk in the door” and I have three words to add: Bang Bang Shrimp! On Bang Wednesday, starting at 4pm, get your fill of the tastiest shrimp dish done five ways! Try the Bang Bang Flatbreads ($5), Bang Bang Shrimp ($6), Surf & Turf Burger ($11.90) and pair it with one of their martinis made with fresh juices like Ocean Trust Tropic Heat Martini with homemade infused pineapple vodka, fresh mango, and a slice of jalapeno which packs the sweet heat, and makes you feel good with $1 donated to Ocean Trust, an ocean conservation foundation. The Happier Hours Menu is available Sunday – Thursday, 3pm-6:30pm, with $6 cocktails like Blood Orange Paloma or Classic Sidecar with a Mango twist, Blue Cheese Kettle Chips ($5), Pepper Chicken ($5) and Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos ($6). Happier Hours indeed! Various locations.

2. Dragonfly Robata Grill & Sushi Lounge

This award-winning sushi spot offers a delicious Happy Hour menu with various fresh sushi and grilled items, $3 spirits, $6 wines & cocktails and $3 beers, everyday 5pm-7pm. Sit at the swanky bar or in the patio and “Create your own Sushi” Hosomaki ($4) or Box Sushi ($6) with choice of seafood and toppings. Try the spicy Kobachi handroll ($5), Japanese Sliders ($6), or Robata Grilled Skewers ($4) paired with creative cocktails made with house infused vodka and sakes. The Saké Blossom Cocktail with nigori saké, house-made peach liqueur, cranberry & mint is a winner, and the spicy Bloody Hot Haraguchi with saké, zing zang bloody mary mix, sriracha & wasabi powder rim packs the heat. Located at 7972 Via Dellagio Way, Orlando, FL. 407-370-3359.

3. Eddie V’s Prime Seafood

The chic V Lounge at Eddie V’s features live jazz and happy hour daily, 4:30pm-7pm and all night Sunday and Monday. It’s a lively atmosphere and with $5 Wines and Svedka Cocktails and $1 off drinks, $1 Louisiana Oysters, and a variety of appetizers like Point Judith Calamari and Pacific Ahi Tuna Tartare ($6-11), it is a great opportunity to indulge in a bit of Eddie V’s luxury, at a fraction of the cost. Their wine list is extensive with over 150 bottles, although not all on happy hour prices, it is a wine lover’s treat. Located at 7488 West Sand Lake Road, Orlando, FL. 407-355-3011

4. Flemings Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar

Fleming’s “5 for $6 ’til 7pm” Happy Hour is well known but it continues to be quite a deal for foodies. Nosh on appetizers like housemade burrata, tenderloin carpaccio, cedar roasted mushroom and artichoke flatbread, or a Prime Burger, paired with cocktails like spiced zinfandel lemonade with Tito’s Vodka, Ward 8 with Maker’s Mark, wines and beers all for $6. Now they’ve taken it to the next level with a later happy hour. Enjoy “8 for $9 ‘til 10” with 8 items for $9 from 8-10pm, such as Lobster lettuce wraps, Filet Mignon Flatbread, Ahi Tuna Tacos, slow-braised short rib empanadas and more. See website for locations.

 

5. Pointe Orlando

• Pointe Orlando near the Orlando Convention Center, with its variety of restaurants, is the perfect place to have a progressive happy hour. There are so many great choices, I’ve highlighted some of my favorites. Pointe Orlando is located at 9101 International Drive, Orlando FL
• Start with Greek fun at Taverna Opa, daily from 3p-6pm, for 2 for 1 drinks, half priced cocktail pitchers and a selection of appetizers for $3-$4. Try their awesome housemade hummus ($3), Greek meatballs ($3), Spanakopita ($3), Crispy Calamari ($4), and more.
• Walk on down to The Pub for a British happy hour from 3pm-7pm (Monday-Friday) and sample their $3.95 appetizers such as Curry Chips (that’s fries for us Americans!), Young’s BBQ Crisps (that’s chips) topped with cheddar, bacon, scallions and Young’s Double Chocolate Stout BBQ Sauce! Beer Battered Onion Rings & Mushrooms and Pub pretzels are the perfect pairing for a $3 Schooner draught, and $4-$6 cocktails.
• Right next door is Cuba Libre, where daily from 5pm-7pm, you can escape to Havana with a large selection of $5 tapas like papa rellena, empanadas, tostones, yucca fries, shrimp ceviche, pork belly and more, classic mojitos and fresh infused caipirinhas.
• End the night with late night happy hour at The Oceanaire (daily 5pm-7pm and 9pm-close) with a variety of surf and turf appetizers like blackened fish tacos ($7) to Filet Mignon and Crab Cake Sliders ($8) and $6-7 cocktails and martinis.

6. The Ravenous Pig

James & Julie Petrakis’ The Ravenous Pig is a “Must Eat” spot in Orlando. Happy Hour is a perfect way to enjoy a taste of this fantastic restaurant. Offered daily, including weekends 3-5pm, sample craft cocktails such as the No Way Frose, fun wine varietals, and Cask & Larder brews. The foodie in you will love skipping typical bar snacks in favor of their oysters with mignonette sauce, shrimp tacos and chicken sliders. Menu changes regularly. Located on 565 West Fairbank Avenue, Winter Park FL.

7. Roy’s Orlando

Roy’s Orlando offers plenty of Aloha during Aloha Hour. Daily from 5pm-7pm, escape to Hawaii for Happy Hour with the best Hawaiian Pineapple martini in Orlando! Sip Roy’s Island Mai Tai, wines and sakes, and enjoy various appetizers like Red Curry Chicken Samosas, Tempura-crusted Ahi Roll all for $6. Or make it dinner and GO for a more filling Wagyu Burger and Misoyaki Butterfish lettuce wraps($9). Located at 7760 W Sand Lake Rd, Orlando, FL. 407-352-4844

 

GO have a great foodie happy hour with friends!

Cheers!

Go Epicurista

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