5 Live Jazz Hotspots in Orlando

January 27, 2023
(Updated May 5, 2025)

Did you know that April is Jazz Appreciation Month?

On your next visit, jam with the best at these five Orlando music venues.

 

A man plays saxophone and two ladies in dresses sing into a microphone in a dim, hazy room.

 

1.      Jazz Tastings

Jazz Tastings offers a swingin’ twist on the dinner-and-a-show date night.

The jazz club and restaurant is located north of Orlando in Maitland, Florida. It hosts everything from open mic nights to smooth bossa nova stylings.

As you tap your toes to some of Orlando’s best musicians, enjoy a splendid selection of small plates and sandwiches. The menu features everything from sharable smoked fish dip to wagyu burgers to beet salad.

As you let the music wash over you, wash down your dinner with a craft cocktail or glass of wine or beer.

On weekends, the venue charges a $10 cover per guest with a $50 minimum purchase per person.

Admission is free on weeknights with a $25 minimum purchase per person.

 

2.      Austin’s Coffee

For a fun night of java and jazz, head to Austin’s Coffee in Winter Park, an upscale suburb between Orlando and Maitland.

Musicians from across Central Florida head to Austin’s to play and improvise together.

As you watch the action unfold, enjoy a tasty treat fresszom the coffee shop’s extensive and vegan-friendly menu.

In addition to fair-trade coffee, Austin’s serves craft beer, organic wine, and salads, flatbreads, and sandwiches. Many dishes are made from local ingredients.

 

The backs of musicians playing a trombone and guitar on a hazy stage with gold and pink lighting.

 

3.      Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts

An unassuming warehouse on the outskirts of Winter Park is home to one of Orlando’s most vibrant jazz clubs.

Blue Bamboo is a nonprofit arts center located in a converted woodshop.

The intimate venue has a jam-packed schedule featuring professional musicians. It hosts everyone from crooners paying tribute to the Rat Pack to eclectic jazz acts covering classic rock songs.

Every Thursday night, owner Chris Cortez takes the stage with his band. This free event ends with an open jam session.

Even if you don’t join in, you’ll enjoy a night of unforgettable music and light bites from the on-site concession stand.

 

4.      Timucua Arts Foundation

Winter Park isn’t the only place in Central Florida with a joyfully jazzy arts center.

In SoDo (south of downtown), you’ll find the Timucua Arts Foundation.

The organization started in 2000. Back then, Timucua hosted concerts and other arts events at venues throughout Orlando. In 2007, however, they raised funds to build a space of their own.

Today, the Timucua Arts Foundation hosts several concert series. This includes a jazz series that has featured Grammy-winning artists like David Sanchez and Tal Cohen.

General admission to most shows costs $25. Discounts are available for students, educators, first responders, veterans, and seniors.

 

A close-up of a man playing an electric guitar on a hazy stage. Check out these spots for the best jazz music in Orlando.

 

5.      Pilars

With its historic theater and frequent music festivals, the western suburb of Winter Garden has become a local performing arts hub.

Next door to the Garden Theater, you’ll find the Roper Garden Building, a distinctive building with a greenhouse on the roof.

It is home to Pilars, a chic martini bar and lounge.

On Sundays, Pilars hosts a jazz jam session led by the house band. As you bop to the music, quench your thirst with a unique drink. The bar serves a selection of creative martinis and other mixed drinks.

The Sunday’s Jazz cocktail, featuring Disaronno, cava, and house-made bitters, is a must for music lovers.

 

Get Jazzed at Rosen Shingle Creek

Make Rosen Shingle Creek your home base during your Jazz Appreciation Month getaway.

Our hotel is located near Orlando’s major highways, making getting to Orlando’s best music venues a breeze.

When you’re not jamming out, recharge in your cozy guestroom and enjoy amenities like free Wi-Fi, on-site dining, and our seasonally heated pools.

 

A wide shot with a large hotel in the distance surrounded by blue sky and rolling green fields.

Hatch up an Amazing Easter at These 7 Orlando Events

(Updated May 5, 2025)

 

These events have already passed. Check back in spring 2026 to see what egg-citing Easter celebrations Orlando has in store. 

 

Some-bunny told me that it’s almost Easter. In 2023, the sweetest spring holiday takes place on April 9.

Orlando Easter decor, including a chick and a bunny shaped like an egg.

Around Central Florida, local businesses and attractions are breaking out the plastic eggs and rabbit ears as they prepare for epic Easter events. If you plan on spending Easter in Orlando, hop on down to these seven celebrations.

Easter Bunny Garden at ICON Park

ICON Park has something in store for those hoping to meet the Easter Bunny in Orlando. Every year, the I-Drive attraction hosts the Easter Bunny Garden Experience. After posing with their favorite treat-bearing rabbit, children receive a souvenir pin that grants them a free ride on the The Orlando Eye. Adults can purchase discounted tickets for the Ferris wheel.

Tickets will go on sale soon.

Easter Egg Hunts in Orlando

Easter in Orlando - a pastel-colored sign directs guests to an egg hunt

In the springtime, venues across Orlando host fun-filled (and candy-filled) egg hunts. Among the area’s unique egg hunts are:

Ocoee’s Glow-in-the-Dark Egg Hunt

The western suburb of Ocoee goes — and glows — all out on Easter.

In addition to a daytime celebration, the city hosts a nighttime egg hunt featuring glow-in-the-dark eggs. The annual event is open to kids ages 5 – 12 and is divided by age group to give everyone a fair chance at finding glowing goodies. The whole family can also enjoy crafts and games throughout the night.

Admission to the event is free — to join in, all you need to do is register online and show up with a flashlight.

Details for the 2023 egg hunt will be announced soon.

Adult Easter Egg Hunt at the Hammered Lamb

Who says that egg hunts are just for kids?

Not the Hammered Lamb, that’s for sure. Each year, the Ivanhoe Village restaurant hosts an egg hunt at the lakeside park across the street. The eggs at this Orlando Easter event are not filled with chocolates but with drink tickets, restaurant gift cards, and mini liquor bottles.

Previous years’ events also included an egg toss contest, live music, and brunch and drink specials.

Details for the 2023 event will be available in the coming weeks.

Egg-stravaganza at EPCOT

Each year, EPCOT hosts a hippity-hoppity scavenger hunt with a global twist.

To join the Egg-stravaganza, stop by Pin Central, World Traveler, or Disney Traders to buy an event map. As you eat and drink your way around the World Showcase, be on the lookout for egg sculptures with designs inspired by Disney characters. When you spot one, place the corresponding sticker on your map. Once you’ve found them all, return to one of the map vendors for a festive prize.

Last year, the scavenger hunt map cost $10.

Free Admission to the Morse Museum

Find inspiration this Easter with a visit to one of the Orlando area’s most distinctive art museums.

The Morse Museum in Winter Park offers free admission every Easter Weekend.

Between April 7 and 9, 2023, take in the beauty of the Morse’s Tiffany lamps, the largest collection of them in the world. You’ll also find galleries full of American pottery, paintings, and the work of pioneering graphic designers. End your day with a tour of the Tiffany chapel. Stained glass maven Louis Comfort Tiffany originally designed the chapel for his father’s store, the iconic Tiffany & Co.

Bonus: classical guitarist Joshua Englert will play at the museum on Friday, April 7.

Easter Sunrise Service at SeaWorld

Early on Easter morning, people around the U.S. gather for sunrise church services.

Each Easter Sunday, SeaWorld’s Bayside Stadium comes alive with powerful praise. The event features heavenly music, a nondenominational sermon, and gorgeous glimpses of the sun as it comes up over the theme park. Last year’s event was hosted by Christian contemporary music star Hope Darst.

Parking and admission to the Sunrise Service are free. Attendees who want to spend the rest of the day in the park can purchase tickets at a discounted rate.

Easter Brunch at Rosen Shingle Creek

As you enjoy Orlando’s best Easter celebrations, you’re bound to work up an appetite.

Fuel your holiday with an egg-celent feast at Rosen Shingle Creek.

Easter buffet at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando

Our on-site buffet, Café Osceola, will serve an exclusive Easter menu with something to satisfy every craving. Last year’s menu featured classic comfort foods like chicken noodle soup and house-smoked ham and global goodies like sushi and street tacos. And, of course, you’ll find all kinds of sweet treats, from flaky Danishes to indulgent cakes.

Sweeten the deal even more with a stay at our luxurious Orlando hotel.

8 Places to Get a Refreshing Margarita in Orlando

(Updated May 5, 2025)

If you need an excuse to drink a refreshing and delicious margarita, you’ve come to the right place.

 

A hand holds a pale orange margarita with a red rim and a chili pepper next to a pink drink garnished with a dried citrus slice.

 

National Margarita Day is February 22 (which falls on a Sunday in 2026).

But why wait?

There’s no better place to treat yourself to a juicy marg than at one of these eight great Orlando area bars.

 

The Best Places to Enjoy a Margarita in Orlando

 

Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Orlando

You know margs are on the menu when it’s in the name of the restaurant!

More than a classic Jimmy Buffett song, Margaritaville is also a fun place to grab iconic food and drinks.

Located in Universal CityWalk, the restaurant has a menu full of items inspired by Buffett hits.

Options include the “Cheeseburger in Paradise” and the “Who’s to Blame Margarita.”

 

Garibaldi Mexican Restaurant & Bar

Garibaldi has been a Central Florida mainstay for more than 20 years. The family-owned restaurant serves authentic Mexican cuisine and crowd-pleasing house margaritas.

 

A hand holds a pale yellow cocktail with a salt rim and a lime wedge.

 

Choza de Margarita

You’ll find Choza de Margarita in the Mexico Pavilion at EPCOT’s World Showcase. This popular outdoor bar serves on-the-rocks and frozen margs to thirsty parkgoers.

 

Wall Street Cantina

A local downtown Orlando favorite, Wall Street Cantina serves $3 house margaritas. The restaurant offers a variety of Mexican food to pair with your drink.

Pepe’s Cantina

 

A hand holds a cocktail with an orange rim and a jalapeno garnish in a cup labeled Pepe's Cantina on a wooden table.

 

Pepe’s offers flavorful Mexican cuisine in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere for brunch, lunch, or dinner. Try their elite smoked margaritas at any of their three Central Florida locations.

Agave Azul

If you’re looking for an upscale place to enjoy margaritas, Agave Azul is the perfect spot.

The restaurant prepares traditional Mexican dishes with a modern twist. It serves everything from classic margs to the “Millionaria” with 24K gold flakes.

 

Don Julio Mexican Kitchen

Don Julio opened its doors in 2014. The popular Orlando restaurant uses fresh ingredients and follows original recipes from the owner’s mother.

Expect authentically delicious meals and drinks, including handcrafted and frozen margaritas.

Mi Casa Tequila Taqueria

Mi Casa Tequila Taqueria at Rosen Shingle Creek serves mouthwatering Mexican dishes. Start your meal with a specialty handcrafted margarita and fresh guacamole made tableside.

 

A pink cocktail with mint leaves and pink garnishes topped with a cowboy hat on a Rosen Shingle Creek napkin.

 

Keep the Party Going at Rosen Shingle Creek

Spice up your next Orlando vacation by booking a room at Rosen Shingle Creek. Our hotel provides affordable luxury and clean and comfortable rooms.

Our location near International Drive puts you close to Orlando’s top restaurants, bars, and attractions.

 

Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval 2025

(Updated May 5, 2025)

The 2025 Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval has ended. Check back next winter to see what you can expect from the 2026 event. 

 

Let the good times roll at Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval!

The 2025 celebration goes beyond the bayous of New Orleans to honor Carnival traditions from around the world. This year, the beloved Universal Orlando Resort event returns from February 1 to March 30.

Here’s what you can expect this spring.

 

A vibrant Mardi Gras display at Universal Orlando Resort featuring large, colorful feathers and a diamond-patterned base, set amongst various potted plants.

 

A Bombastic Parade

Universal Studios Florida hosts the biggest, most authentic Mardi Gras parade in Orlando. Line up along the parade route to catch beads from colorful, elaborate floats.

Want to immerse yourself in the action? Then the Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine Experience is your golden ticket. Ride in style on a show-stopping float and indulge in a three-course meal from your choice of eight Universal restaurants.

The parade takes place on select nights during Universal’s Mardi Gras.

 

A nighttime image of a Universal Studios Mardi Gras parade showing a red, green, and blue colored float with workers (shaded red from the lighting) following alongside the float.

 

Nightly Jams

Throughout the event, the sounds of authentic New Orleans jazz fills the theme park.

The Music Plaza Stage will also host live concerts on select nights featuring big names in music. Stay tuned for the announcement of the 2025 concert lineup.

Past performers have included popular artists and bands like DJ Khaled, Ava Max, The All-American Rejects, and Luis Fonsi.

The concert series is included with general park admission.

 

A hand holding a pastry with vanilla frosting in the middle and a small golden baby on the top.

 

International Flavors

No matter what you’re in the mood for, Universal Orlando has a treat to satisfy your craving.

While the specific menu changes annually, you can expect to find festive fare and cultural cuisine from around the globe.

In 2024, event attendees enjoyed traditional Cajun dishes like crawfish boil or beignets as well as coconut curry shrimp laksa and samosas.

Prepare your palates for the mouthwatering details of this year’s food offerings coming soon.

 

The entryway to a white building featuring a red awning and a maroon sign that reads "Tribute Store" in golden yellow letters.

 

Mardi Gras Beads and Decorations

If you didn’t catch enough free beads from the parade, grab a souvenir to mark the occasion at the Mardi Gras Tribute Store. When you step inside this immersive retail experience, you’re transported to the heart of the bayou.

As you shop and visit each room in the store, you’re taken on a voyage that merges the real world with a ghostly one. From masks to sweet treats and jazzy decor, you’re sure to find something worth taking home (or biting into) inside the store.

 

The Rosen Shingle Creek Resort with a large swimming pool, palm trees, and a bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds.

 

Roll on Over to Rosen Shingle Creek

After a day of catching beads, dazzling parades, and immersing yourself in the energy of Universal’s Mardi Gras, you’ll want a comfortable retreat to recharge.

Extend the magic of your Orlando vacation by choosing Rosen Shingle Creek as your homebase.

Our hotel provides affordable, luxurious rooms near International Drive and Orlando’s must-see attractions. As our guest, you’ll enjoy complimentary scheduled shuttle service to Universal so you can easily join the party.

Book your stay at Rosen Shingle Creek, and let the good times keep rollin’!

7 East and North Orlando Restaurants You’ve Seen on Food TV

December 6, 2022 (Updated May 6, 2025)

 

There’s a lot to love about food TV.

Engaging, food-loving hosts. Chefs and restaurateurs with fascinating backstories. Dramatic shots of sizzling steak and gooey cheese. The chance to get to know a place or culture through its cuisine.

But if you’ve ever spent a day watching the Food Network or a Bar Rescue marathon, you know that there’s a drawback.

Food TV is bound to leave you hungry, often for something served in a restaurant hundreds of miles from home.

 

A person in a pink shirt holds a beige plate with a small round lemon meringue pie garnished with a dried citrus slice, with a wedge cut from it.

 

If you’re headed to Orlando soon, consider it a chance to try some “as seen on TV” delights. Chances are that your favorite show has come through Orlando a few times. After all, we’re consistently ranked as one of the best cities for foodies in the U.S.

During your next Orlando vacation, enjoy an unforgettable meal or happy hour at one of these spots in the northern or eastern reaches of the city.

 

1.      The Meatball Stoppe

Start your culinary tour with a trip to the Meatball Stoppe in east Orlando.

In 2017, Guy Fieri brought his long-running food TV show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives to the City Beautiful.

His mission? To highlight some of the area’s best female-owned businesses.

The episode, Wonder Women, includes a visit to the Meatball Stoppe, which Chef Isabella Morgia di Vicari opened in 2014.

As you might guess, the unique Italian restaurant specializes in meatballs of all kinds.

Go traditional with meatballs in red sauce, made with a recipe passed down to Chef Isabella from her grandmother.

Adventurous diners will love the buffalo chicken, spicy pork, macaroni and cheese, and crab balls. You’ll also find ample gluten-free and plant-based options.

Enjoy your meatballs on their own, in a sandwich, or over pasta or polenta.

Take your tastebuds to Flavortown with Guy Fieri’s DDD Smash. This meatball sub is topped with mozzarella, polenta, and a perfectly cooked fried egg.

 

A black bowl of meatballs in red sauce garnished with green herbs.

 

2.      Willie’s Pinchos

The same year Guy Fieri had a ball in east Orlando on his food TV show, he also enjoyed the flavors of Puerto Rico at Willie’s Pinchos.

The episode “Multicultural Cooking” celebrated chefs serving authentic global cuisine in the U.S.Food TV Pinchos

Pinchos are grilled skewers that are popular throughout Spain and Latin America. In Puerto Rico, they’re typically served with barbecue sauce and toasted bread.

When restauranteur Willie Garcia left the island as a teenager, he brought his love for pinchos with him. He now serves them six days a week at his east Orlando restaurant.

In addition to pork, chicken, and shrimp skewers, Willie’s Pinchos serves Puerto Rican classics like mofongo, empanadas, and mouthwatering tripleta sandwiches.

 

Skewers of meat grilling over an open flame

 

3.      Lacomka Bakery

During the first season of her food TV show $40 a Day, celebrity chef Rachael Ray took a budget-friendly culinary tour of Orlando.

She started her day at Lacomka Bakery in Winter Park, sampling lovingly prepared Eastern European cuisine.

This Orlando area restaurant is run by David Natlia and Lena Blagodar, who grew up in Georgia and Ukraine, respectively. They serve classic dishes like khinkali (Georgian dumplings), golubtsi (Russian stuffed cabbage), and authentic borscht.Khinkali dumplings like those served on food TV show $40 a Day with Rachael Ray

Have a seat in their homey dining room. Or stocKhinkali dumplings like those served on food TV show $40 a Day with Rachael Rayk your hotel minifridge with cookies, candies, and pastries from the on-site grocery store.

 

A bowl of red soup on a white tabletop with herbs and slices of brown bread.

 

4.      Colorado Fondue Company

After exploring the flavors of Eastern Europe, Rachael Ray hiked to nearby Casselberry for a dip into the world of fondue.

Colorado Fondue Company has a laid-back Rocky Mountain theme and a huge menu. Order a spread of fruits, breads, and cheeses, then pick a cheese or chocolate concoction for dipping.

Take your fondue to the next level with add-on meat, seafood, and vegetable options.

Whatever you put in the pot will pair perfectly with a seasonal cocktail, a glass of wine, or a craft beer from the brewery next door.

 

A skewer dips a strawberry into a white pot of chocolate fondue.

 

5.      Copper Rocket

In 2018, Maitland bar Copper Rocket transformed from a struggling hipster drinking hole into a thriving gastropub with universal appeal.

The man behind the makeover was Jon Taffer, host of Paramount Network’s bar and food TV show Bar Rescue.

During season 6, Taffer and his team remodeled the bar’s interior and revitalized its food and drink menus with inspired, but easy to prepare, options.

While sitting at the penny-covered bar, enjoy ice-cold craft beer, huge sandwiches, oven-fresh pizza, and wings with any sauce imaginable.

Today, the bar is a hit with locals and visiting Bar Rescue fans alike.

And there’s always something going on. On a given night, you may stumble upon trivia, karaoke, or live music.

The big-screen TVs around the bar are perfect for a football or UFC watch party.

 

A hand pulls a beer in a pint glass from a tap.

 

6.      Rhonda’s: A Neighborhood Bar

The Copper Rocket was not Jon Taffer’s first foray into Central Florida’s bar scene.

The season before, the Bar Rescue team made an appearance in Sanford, FL.

While Taffer is known to scream at struggling bar owners, he took a much softer approach as he arrived to assist “Rockin’” Rhonda Pahlka.

Her karaoke bar had sustained serious damage during Hurricane Matthew, and she needed help rebuilding. The show’s crew swiftly made the necessary repairs.

Meanwhile, Taffer helped Rockin’ Rhonda develop signature cocktails and a small-but-mighty flatbread menu.

Head up to Sanford on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night for karaoke and a flatbread served with a side of small-town hospitality.

Be sure to try a Rhonda’s Rocktail, a blend of Bacardi, cherry liqueur, pineapple juice, and grenadine.

 

A close-up of a microphone on a stand.

 

More Orlando Restaurants You’ve Seen on Food TV

Orlando’s top restaurants and bars have been featured on food TV so often that we couldn’t fit all our favorite eateries in one blog post.

For more “as seen on TV” restaurants, check out these guides:

Tune into Rosen Shingle Creek

If you’re headed to Orlando for a celebration of food TV, make Rosen Shingle Creek your home base.

Our hotel is close to major highways that go to north and east Orlando.

Foodies can also enjoy an epic night in at Rosen Shingle Creek. Enjoy fine dining at our award-winning steakhouse, then return to your cozy guestroom to watch the Food Network from the comfort of your plush bed.

 

A large sparkling blue pool surrounded by lounge chairs and palm trees, with a golf course in the distance.

5 Best Buffets and All-You-Can-Eat Restaurants in Orlando

(Updated May 5, 2025)

National Buffet Day takes place on January 2 every year, giving you the perfect reason to chow down as the new year takes off.

 

 

Two plates of breakfast foods including eggs, oranges, fresh berries, sausage, and more sitting on a table next to a ceramic mug into which a stream of cream is being poured.

 

However, you don’t need a designated day to enjoy a buffet.

Instead, treat yourself to a delicious brunch, lunch, or dinner at one of these exquisite buffets in Orlando.

Top 5 Orlando Buffet Restaurants

In no particular order, the five best all-you-can-eat restaurants in Orlando are:

 

Biergarten at Disney’s EPCOT

Enjoy an all-you-can-eat experience at the most magical place on Earth.

EPCOT’s World Showcase boasts a tasty German Biergarten.

Its buffet menu offers a rotating selection of traditional German fare. On a given day, you might feast on schnitzel, bratwurst, and rotisserie chicken.

You’ll then indulge in desserts such as Bavarian cheesecake and apple strudel.

Guests 21+ can also taste wine or German beer served in a large stein.

While you dine, enjoy entertainment from German musicians. They’ll perform live on the accordion, glockenspiel, bells, and alphorns.

Boston Lobster Feast

Boston Lobster Feast brings a taste of New England to Orlando with its “World’s Famous Feast” seafood buffet.

The cold bar includes a variety of seafood salads. The raw bar offers Boston favorites like steamer clams and oysters on the half shell.

You’ll also enjoy unlimited whole steamed lobster and plenty of dessert options.

Mito Sushi & Grill

If you’re looking for an Asian buffet with a unique twist, look no further than Mito Sushi Orlando.

Their new all-you-can-eat menu runs all day and includes six courses.

Start with authentic soups, salads, and appetizers. Next, enjoy sashimi, sushi, and special roll combinations.

Dessert is also included, so be sure to save room!

Camila’s Restaurant

There’s no better place to have an authentic Brazilian meal in Orlando than at Camila’s Restaurant.

Camila’s offers a flavorful selection of soups, sides, and American and Brazilian entrées. Their buffet changes every day, so each visit is a unique experience.

Café Osceola Buffet

 

From above, a photo looking down onto large windows, restaurant booths, and a hostess stand at Cafe Osceola buffet.

 

Café Osceola at Rosen Shingle Creek does breakfast buffets like nowhere else in Orlando.

Their world-class chefs have created a splendid spread of cereals, baked goods, and specialty items.

No matter what you’re in the mood for, you’ll find it at Café Osceola.

Enjoy a Full Stay at Rosen Shingle Creek

When visiting Central Florida, book a room at Rosen Shingle Creek. Our hotel is near International Drive and provides affordable comfort and luxurious amenities.

We’re conveniently close to some of the best restaurants in Orlando and have great on-site dining.

After trying Café Osceola in the morning, return at night to feast at A Land Remembered.

There’s always something new and delicious to try at Rosen Shingle Creek.

Ring in National Bagel Day at these 6 Orlando Bagel Shops

(Updated May 5, 2025)

 

Holey moly — National Bagel Day is on January 15.

The day is a time to enjoy a bagel in all its crispy on the outside, soft in the middle glory.

 

A woman in a black t-shirts holds two halves of a bagel with cream cheese in front of her face with a surprised expression.

 

And it’s the perfect chance to celebrate the food’s history.

The beloved bread originated in Jewish communities in Poland in the 1600s.

Aside from being delicious, beygls were also practical. The ring shape made them cook more quickly and made it easier for bakeries to transport and display their goods.

The circle-shaped bread became a hit in the northeast U.S. as Jewish immigrants put down roots in New York City.

Today, nearly 8% of Florida residents were born in New York, so beautiful bagels abound in the Sunshine State, too.

Whether you like yours with cream cheese, butter, or salty smoked salmon, there’s a Central Florida bagel shop for you.

 

An above shot of bagels with cream cheese and lox sitting on a wooden surface beside chives, an egg, and green onions.

 

Here are six of the best bagel places in Orlando.

 

1.      Bagel King

Bagel King has reigned supreme in Orlando since 1977.

The bakery is owned by the same family today and has locations in the northern suburbs of Casselberry, Winter Park, and Lake Mary.

Enjoy standbys like plain, everything, and poppy seed. You’ll also find new classics like cheddar jalapeño, asiago, and cinnamon.

All flavors pair perfectly with their homemade cream cheese. Or go dairy-free with hummus or avocado.

Bagels aren’t all you’ll find on the shop’s massive menu.

Fuel your Orlando adventures with breakfast fare like pancakes and omelets. If you stop by for lunch, you can instead enjoy a salad or huge deli sandwich.

 

2.      Brooklyn Water Bagels

Before bagels are baked to perfection, they’re steamed or boiled. Since water has different minerals depending on where you are, bagels taste a little different from place to place.

And sometimes you just want a taste of home.

Brooklyn Water Bagels knows the feeling.

That’s why they developed their own water treatment system, which makes Florida water taste like it flowed down from the mountains of upstate New York.

The result is authentic New York-style rings packed with flavor.

Enjoy yours with schmear, nova lox, or eggs and cheese.

Northerners visiting Florida will find familiar flavors in meats like pastrami and Taylor ham. Brooklyn Water also serves deli sandwiches, wraps, and iced coffee.

The bakery chain has locations around the state, including in Winter Park and Lake Mary.

 

3.      Stuff-A-Bagel

Stuff-A-Bagel likewise pays homage to the ring-shaped bread’s New York roots.

About 20 years ago, the Giambalvo family moved from Long Island to Southwest Florida and opened their first bakery.

It was a hit, especially with customers from New York and New Jersey. Once the Giambalvo kids were old enough, they opened outposts of their own.

In 2022, the family opened a shop in Windermere, west of Orlando.

The shop’s walls are filled with New York Mets and subway memorabilia. The northeastern theme carries over to the menu, which has sandwiches named La Guardia, the Boss, and Long Island Expressway.

 

4.      Bakery Plus

If you’re an early riser, Bakery Plus is the spot for you.

You’ll find this small-but-mighty bakeshop in SoDo, a neighborhood south of downtown Orlando.

Bakery Plus sells all types of oven-fresh goodies, including donuts, croissants, and, of course, bagels. Take a seat at the counter or pull up to the drive-thru and enjoy sweet treats and freshly made breakfast sandwiches.

The bakery opens at 6 a.m. each day, and popular menu items can sell out quickly. So be sure to get there first thing in the morning.

Don’t worry — Bakery Plus sells coffee, too!

 

5.      Jeff’s Bagel Run

No two visits to Jeff’s Bagel Run are the same.

That’s thanks to this Orlando bakery’s Bagel of the Day menu. Each day, the shop features a different variety.

Depending on when you visit, you may be able to enjoy a French toast, egg, rainbow swirl, or sprinkle-covered delight. Jeff’s everyday menu includes options like rosemary salt, cinnamon raisin, garlic, and blueberry.

In 2022, Jeff’s was one of three businesses to win Best Bakery in the Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards.

 

6.      18 Monroe Street

Trying local bakehouses is a great way to see more of Orlando. But some mornings, your stomach starts rumbling the moment your alarm clock goes off.

Prepare for days like those by choosing an Orlando hotel where you can enjoy perfectly baked bagels on-site.

Rosen Shingle Creek is home to 18 Monroe Street Market, a deli that serves fresh baked goods every morning.

 

A deli counter with a bakery case, arched signs, and overhead lighting.

 

The morning menu includes tasty bagels you can enjoy with butter, peanut butter, or your favorite cream cheese flavor.

18 Monroe also has a splendid selection of sandwiches. The smoked salmon sandwich with onions and capers will rock any lox-lover’s world.

Of course, Rosen Shingle Creek is more than a great place to grab breakfast.

Our location on Universal Boulevard makes it easy to get to Orlando’s top attractions.

We’re minutes from the theme parks, including the brand new Universal Epic Universe, and Orange County Convention Center.

Or, stay in and enjoy our pools, nature trail, and award-winning golf course.

 

A hotel with facade with more than 100 windows, a pool in front with palm trees and beach chairs surrounding the pool. After a night of entertainment at Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando, enjoy a relaxing and luxurious stay at Rosen Shingle Creek.

6 Things to Know About the Great Florida Birding Trail

(Updated May 5, 2025)

 

Since 2000, locals and visitors have flocked to the Great Florida Birding Trail to see their feathered friends.

January 5, National Bird Day, is the perfect time to break out your binoculars and hit the trail.

 

A Great Blue Heron with gray feathers, a long neck, and a yellow beak stands on twigs beside a body of water.

 

There are great places to see birds throughout Orlando and the rest of Central Florida.

Whether you’re a casual birdwatcher or avid birder (yes, there’s a difference!), the area has an avian adventure for you.

Here are six questions you may have about the Great Florida Birding Trail.

 

1.      What is the Great Florida Birding Trail?

 

Two large sandhill cranes in flight.

 

Despite the name, the Great Florida Birding Trail is not a continuous path.

Rather, it is a network of prime birding and birdwatching spots in the state, from the hills of Tallahassee to the far-flung Florida Keys.

Taking inspiration from a similar program in coastal Texas, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) opened the first wing of the trail in 2000.

Through the years, the trail continued to expand. Today, it spans over 2,000 miles and includes over 500 bird habitats.

The trail has something for everyone.

Most of the stops along it are accessible by car. To get to other spots, you’ll need to hike or paddle.

No matter how your adventure begins, it will end with amazing views of your favorite fowl.

 

2.      Are there a lot of different birds in Florida?

Yes! In fact, Florida has the third-most diverse avian population in the U.S.

Citizen scientists who use the eBird app have reported over 500 species in the state. That’s because there are so many different types of habitats here.

We have everything from scrubby pine forests to swamps to coastal dunes. Here in Central Florida, we can grow both tropical and temperate plants, so there’s food for a variety of birds.

And because we’re part of the Atlantic Flyway, many migratory species stop by in the cooler months.

While watching wildlife in Central Florida, be on the lookout for swallow-tailed kites. You’ll recognize the species from the Great Florida Birding Trail’s logo.

 

3.      The trail sounds amazing. Where can I go birding in the Orlando area?

 

A bald eagle sits on a branch amidst treetop greenery.

 

Orlando and most of Central Florida are part of the east section of the Great Florida Birding Trail.

Many of the east section’s stops are within 90 minutes of Orlando, including:

  • Lake Louisa State Park in Clermont, whose grasslands are great for spotting meadowlarks, wild turkeys, and bobwhite quail
  • Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, a raptor rescue center in Maitland where you can see eagles, falcons, and hawks
  • Tibet-Butler Preserve, a lakeside park near the theme parks where you can see aquatic birds like storks, ibises, and anhingas
  • Hal Scott Regional Preserve, a vast East Orlando wetland park with sandhill cranes, hawks, buntings, and crested caracaras
  • Disney Wilderness Preserve in Kissimmee, a pristine park established by Disney and the Nature Conservancy, which houses rails, red-tailed hawks, and eagles
  • Lake Jesup Conservation Area, between Sanford and Oviedo, where you can see species like meadowlarks, ospreys, and barred owls
  • Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, one of the trail’s most popular sites, where you may see roseate spoonbills, egrets, and avocets
  • Smyrna Dunes Park on the Atlantic Coast, where you can see sandpipers, warblers, and plovers from the safety of a boardwalk

 

4.      I’m new to birdwatching. How do I get started?

The FWC has published some great resources to help you begin your birding or birdwatching journey.

Their Birding 101 page recommends picking up a spotting scope and a good pair of binoculars. You’ll also find printable and app-based bird species checklists on this website.

While birding helps raise awareness of many environmental issues, the activity can harm avian habitats.

Before hitting the trail, review these safety tips that will keep you and your feathered friends safe.

 

5.      What else is there to do along the trail?

 

A hawk lands on a fence post surrounded by greenery.

 

The pristine parks and preserves along the Great Florida Birding Trail aren’t just great for birds.

They provide habitat to many other species, from butterflies to gopher tortoises. So the trail offers opportunities to see and learn about all kinds of native Florida wildlife.

Depending on what part of the trail you visit, you can enjoy many of your favorite outdoor activities.

Go surfing or fishing in Canaveral National Seashore. Enjoy snorkeling and kayaking at Wekiwa Springs State Park. Or have fun on dry land by hiking through Orlando’s Split Oak Forest.

 

6.      I’d love to go birding, but I don’t have time to hit the trail. Is there anywhere else in Orlando I can see birds?

If you stay at Rosen Shingle Creek, you can go birding or birdwatching without leaving your hotel.

Our Orlando hotel is located along Shingle Creek, the headwaters of the Everglades.

While exploring our on-site nature trail or enjoying our fishing dock, you can see species like sandhill cranes and ibises.

And you just might spot a perfectly pink roseate spoonbill.

 

A pink and white bird with a large, flat bill stands beside marshy greenery.

Rock the Universe at Universal Orlando Resort

(Updated May 25, 2025)

The details below are from a prior year of this event. Check back this winter for more information about the 2026 Rock the Universe festival. 

 

Florida’s largest Christian music festival, Rock the Universe, returns to Universal Orlando Resort from January 27–28, 2023.

 

A stage with vibrant lighting in front of an illuminated roller coaster at night.

 

Get ready for a weekend full of heavenly tunes, uplifting worship, and thrilling rides. Each evening of Rock the Universe, big names in Christian contemporary music (CCM) will take the stage. Here’s what to expect during the weekend of faith and fun at Universal Studios Florida.

Rock the Universe Friday Headlining Acts

The following acts will rock the Universal Orlando stage on Friday, January 27:

  • Skillet – Christian metal band Skillet formed in Memphis in 1996. They’re best known for the energetic single “Monster” from their hit album Awake. The album reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Christian chart and earned the band a Billboard Award in 2011. Skillet has also won multiple GMA Dove Awards.
  • Bethel Music – Bethel Music is a collective of 13 musicians, most of whom are from northern California. In 2019, their single “Raise a Hallelujah” reached No. 1 on the Christian Airplay chart.
  • Rend Collective – Rend Collective is a Christian folk band from Northern Ireland. They’ve toured with CCM star Chis Tomlin and Lacey Sturm, the former lead singer of Flyleaf.
  • Evan Craft – Evan Craft is a Christian Latin artist from Southern California. He released his first LP, Spotlight, in 2010. Two years later, he had his commercial breakthrough with the Spanish-language album Yo Soy Segundo. In 2021, he won his first Dove Award for the album
  • Katy Nichole – Rising CCM star Katy Nichole released her first single, “In Jesus Name (God of Possible),” in early 2022. The song was an instant hit, soaring to the top of the iTunes Christian & Gospel chart.

Saturday Performers at Rock the Universe

The artists taking the Universal Orlando stage on Saturday, January 28, include:

  • Zach Williams – Singer Zach Williams grew up in Arkansas, where he formed the Southern rock band Zach Williams & The Reformation in 2007. After going solo in 2016, he had a No. 1 hit with “Chain Breaker.” In 2021, he won a Grammy for “There Was Jesus,” a moving duet with Dolly Parton.
  • Matthew West – Matthew West is a singer and songwriter from Illinois. He is known for the hits “More,” “You Are Everything,” and “The Motions.” He’s won three Dove Awards, including Songwriter of the Year in 2018.
  • Dante Bowe – Dante Bowe broke into the contemporary gospel scene in 2017 with his first album, Son of a Father. Since then, he has found success both as a solo artist and with the CCM collectives Bethel Music and Maverick City. In 2021, he won a Dove Award for his single “Joyful.”
  • Anne Wilson – Anne Wilson is an up-and-coming CCM singer from Lexington, KY. Her 2021 single “My Jesus” was a No. 1 hit on the Hot Christian Songs chart. The song also landed on the secular Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.
  • We Are Messengers – Christian rock band We Are Messengers released their first, self-titled album in 2016. Since then, the band has performed in 40 U.S. states and five countries, including their native Ireland. In 2021, their song “Come What May” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart.
  • CAIN – CAIN is a Christian country band comprised of three siblings, Taylor, Madison, and Logan Cain. Their first album, Rise Up, was released in 2021. It produced the hit singles “Rise Up (Lazarus),” “Yes He Can,” and “The Commission.”

 

A woman with her arms raised silhouetted with a large crowd against a stage with purple lighting at Rock the Universe.

Rocking Around Universal

Rock the Universe is a separately ticketed, after-hours event. Standard admission costs $79.99 for one night or $119.99 for two. Youth groups attending the all-ages event can enjoy discounts if they bring 10 or more guests.

Concertgoers may enter Universal Studios Florida at 4 p.m. on their selected date(s).

When you’re not jamming at the main stage, enjoy supporting acts and DJ sets at the Coca-Cola FanZone. Many of the headlining acts will stop by the FanZone to sign autographs after their performances. Select Universal attractions will stay open all night. Between praising and partying, enjoy rides like Revenge of the Mummy and Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem.

Rock the Universe upgrades include priority ride boarding and all-day theme park tickets.

No matter what ticket you choose, you’re invited to return to Universal Studios early on Sunday, January 29. That morning, guests will come together for a nondenominational church service that’s sure to inspire. Reservations are recommended for this popular and powerful prayer event.

Complete Your Rocking Orlando Vacation at Rosen Shingle Creek

After a fun night at Universal Orlando, return to your luxurious guestroom at Rosen Shingle Creek.

Our clean, comfortable, and reasonably priced hotel puts you close to Universal Orlando Resort.

When you’re not rocking the universe, have a blast at our hotel’s swimming pools, arcade, and nature trail. Or go out and explore Orlando. Our location on Universal Boulevard makes it easy to visit the city’s top attractions.

Traveling with a group? We’re here to help you plan an epic Rock the Universe adventure. Visit our Group Promotions page to learn more.

 

A sprawling green lawn surrounding a lake with trees and a towering hotel in the distance.