Healthy Restaurant Options Near Disney World Orlando

While many restaurants on Disney property serve up tasty character-themed dishes and specialties - think Mickey Waffles, Pooh's Breakfast Lasagna and Princess Cake - few menu items at Walt Disney World Orlando restaurants will keep you within your daily calorie budget. You can order fruit, granola, cottage cheese and some other healthy sides at most restaurants on property, but if you're looking for a more satisfying meal, I recommend you set your sights off property at one of the restaurants in Kissimmee or Lake Buena Vista. Many restaurants serving vegetarian platters and low-calorie menu items are located within a ten-minute drive from the Disney resorts and are easily accessible from Interstate 4.

Here are some of the healthy restaurant options near Walt Disney World Orlando:

Sweet Tomatoes
This all-you-can-eat salad buffet restaurant is a popular choice for locals and visitors alike. Order your items "to go" to pay by container, and fill up on healthy salads, breads and other bakery items. You can mix up as many dishes as you want per container, so this is a great place to create a "custom" meal that you can store in your hotel fridge for later.

Sweet Tomatoes
12561 South Apopka Vineland Road
Orlando, FL 32836
www.souplantation.com

Benihana Japanese Steakhouse
This semi-upscale Japanese restaurant is the place to enjoy some healthy hibachi eats, generously-sized salads with a side of brown rice, and fresh seafood with steamed veggies. This family-friendly destination also has an extensive children's menu with kid-sized portions of menu favorites including the Hibachi Chicken Jr. and a hibachi steak and shrimp platter.

Benihana Japanese Steakhouse
1751 Hotel Plaza Boulevard
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
(407) 827-4865
www.benihana.com

Dakshin
If you're in the mood for some ethnic food, head to Dakshin Indian Restaurant for some spicy vegetarian entrees and authentic Indian cuisine. Light and low-calorie options include the large selection of dosai, steamed rice cakes, and mixed vegetables served with lentils. The dinner menu here is much larger than the lunch menu, so if you're looking for larger portions, consider ordering from the dinner menu to go and splitting it into two separate meals.

Dakshin
12541 State Road 535
Orlando, FL 32836
(407) 827-9080
www.dakshin-indianrestaurant.com

Earl of Sandwich
Technically still located on Disney property in Downtown Disney, this sandwich shop is also a great place to pick up some healthy breakfast eats when you're on the go. Some of the "light" sandwiches on the menu include the Caprese and the Veggie. You can also order the The Earl's Club without the smoked bacon and sandwich sauce when you need to save on calories. The salad menu includes a Mediterranean Salad with grilled chicken, and a standard house salad with your choice of dressing.

Earl of Sandwich
1750 East Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
(407) 938-1762
www.earlofsandwichusa.com