Restaurant Row: the best dinner near Universal, if you book

What Restaurant Row is

Restaurant Row is the local name for the stretch of Sand Lake Road in Dr. Phillips, a wealthy residential area southwest of Universal. Between roughly Turkey Lake Road and Dr. Phillips Boulevard, the road is lined with shopping plazas full of restaurants: steakhouses, sushi bars, seafood rooms, Italian, Mediterranean, Indian, wine bars and upscale chains, plus coffee, bakeries and casual lunch spots.

It is where Orlando locals go for a nice dinner on the tourist side of town. The food is a clear step up from most of International Drive, and you are rarely more than 10 minutes from your hotel.

One note: the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is not here. It is downtown. The name comes from the same family, which owned citrus groves across this area.

How to plan a dinner here

1. Pick your restaurant and book. Friday and Saturday nights fill fast, especially for the steak and sushi rooms; aim for a few days ahead.
2. Leave the park or hotel with time to spare. Sand Lake Road backs up at rush hour, especially at the I-4 interchange.
3. Park in the plaza lot by the restaurant. Lots are free and large, though the busiest plazas fill at 7 pm on weekends.
4. Walk the plaza after dinner for dessert or a drink. Several plazas have gelato, coffee and wine bars side by side.
5. If you drank, take a rideshare back. Sand Lake Road is busy and police patrol it often.

When to go

Weekday nights are easiest, with shorter waits and more reservation slots. Weekend nights are lively and booked. Many restaurants have happy hours on weekday afternoons and early evenings, which is the best way to eat well here for less.

Lunch is quieter and cheaper. The plazas have fast casual places, salad and sandwich spots and some restaurants serve lunch menus at lower prices. If you are doing a day at Universal, a late lunch here instead of in the park can save money and give you a break from the crowds.

Holidays, graduation season and big convention weeks also fill the nicer rooms early. If your dates overlap one, book as soon as you know your plans, and keep a casual backup in mind in case the first choice is full.

Getting there

From Universal, take Kirkman Road south to Sand Lake Road, or use Turkey Lake Road. It is about five to ten minutes outside peak hours. From International Drive, head west on Sand Lake Road across I-4. From the Disney area, allow 20 to 25 minutes via I-4 or State Road 535 and Apopka-Vineland Road.

There is no useful public transport for an evening out here. Rideshare is common and fairly cheap from Universal and I-Drive hotels.

What else is nearby

• Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake: a large city park with trails, a fishing pier and picnic areas, good for a quiet morning.
• Big Sand Lake and the residential streets: big homes and golf course views; nice to drive past, not a sight in itself.
• Grocery stores and pharmacies: handy for stocking a hotel room with water and snacks at normal prices.
• International Drive: two exits away, with its attractions, outlets and late-night food. The I-Drive eats guide covers the cheaper side.

Mistakes to avoid

• Showing up at 7:30 on a Saturday without a booking. You may wait an hour or more.
• Assuming every place is a chain. Some are, but the plazas also have strong independent kitchens; read menus before you choose.
• Planning it after a 12-hour park day with kids. Plan it for a lighter day, such as the evening after a half day at Universal Studios.
• Forgetting the dress level. Most places are smart casual; a swimsuit cover-up and park sweat will feel out of place in the nicer rooms.
• Driving left across Sand Lake Road at rush hour. Use the signals and plaza connectors; the road is wide and fast.