Best Group Friendly Restaurants in Orlando

Even when the Saints aren't marching in the Super Bowl, Tibby's New Orleans Kitchen leans heavily toward festive. Bourbon Street-slash-Mardi-Gras decor with a bit of Louisiana folk art panache creates the vibe. Dishes including red beans and rice, andouille and cheddar grits and a 12-napkin roast beef po'boy seal the deal. Born of Cajun love by folks with roots in New Orleans, fans of the region's cuisine will enjoy muffaletta, shrimp Creole, crawfish etouffe and a host of other popular dishes. And since we're talking New Orleans, don't forget the drinks. You'll find Tibby's pours a hurricane worthy of a few strands of beads.

Fogo De Chao, the well-known Brazilian steakhouse chain, could be described as something of an upscale all-you-can-eat option. Offering the I-Drive crowd – and a preponderance of locals keen on churrascaria, the Brazilian tradition wherein roaming "gauchos" present and slice a vast array of pit-roasted meats tableside – a dining experience that allows them to pace their meal as they wish, using a two-sided disc to signal when they're ready for more. The eatery's "salad bar," which is laden with far, far more than veggies, helps round out the meal with side dishes. Fogo de Chao is pay one price. Half price for kids and free for those ages 6 and under.

Vincenzo Cucina Italiana is a hybrid of sorts, a superb restaurant that melds family-run warmth with a fine-dining vibe, making it a wonderful place for a date night, a client dinner, a post-work glass of Chianti or a special occasion dinner. You know, like Nana's birthday. Convenient for both vacationers and business travelers � but Vincenzo's tourist-friendly I-Drive location does nothing to keep the locals from returning for authentic cuisine and service that often goes above and beyond. Live music (like Sinatra, of course!) keeps things lively on busy Friday nights. A diverse menu ensures everyone in your party will find a dish to suit.

Want an atmospheric venue for an evening out with friends? A restaurant with sexy vibe for date night with a special someone? Look no further than Ceviche, where delicious tapas, fruity sangria and live flamenco (they also feature evenings with reggae, jazz and pop acts) make the warmly lit room crackle with energy. Like the menu, the d�cor is infused with Spanish allure and all the succulent small plates, there are hot and cold selections, make sharing the order of the evening. Let the menu warm up your insides while the music of the flamenco lounge warms up everything else.

One of Orlando's most sophisticated and big-city-beautiful restaurants, Luma on Park draws local politicians, Orlando Magic basketball players and other local celebs with its elegant atmosphere matched by expertly prepared cuisine. One might not think such an elegant venue would "push tables together," but Luma is surprisingly accommodating and also offers a $35 prix fixe menu Sunday-Tuesday. Downstairs, groups of up to 48 can slip through the restaurant's wine vault into the ritzy "cellar" hideaway, which is equipped with audio-visual equipment for presentations if need be. While Luma's food is well-known for its upscale quality, its atmosphere is decidedly unpretentious. It's also popular. For groups most certainly: reservations a must!

It's all about artistry here – from the works of art adorning the walls to the creations coming from the kitchen. As is the norm with tapas, portions are small and eminently shareable – great for business mixers or large parties that want to mingle as they sample. Dishes pull on a host of ethnicities: Latin American, Caribbean and Middle Eastern among them. Cajun egg rolls and duck confit salad, hummus and falafel, seafood skewers and alligator gumbo. The menu is as colorful as the art adorning the walls, all of which is for sale. You may even spy one or two artisans at work on a new piece while you dine.

This beautiful venue – which bills itself as an American brasserie – was new on the scene at the close of 2015 and has been delighting guests with its 1940s panache and versatile continental menu. Groups here are well taken care of and larger parties are welcome to book separate spaces that allow for as much privacy or visibility as is desired. In fact you may want to leave the doors open to hear the live music, which plays nightly and pulls material from a host of beloved genres, from instrumental jazz to Sinatra favorites. Buyouts are available here, as well, and your guests will no doubt be wowed by the place, from the gorgeous fountain out front where they can set up for outside service to the inviting warm interiors.

Seito Sushi has earned its reputation for being a quality and creative restaurant, and the Dr. Phillips location makes for phenomenal date nights, or family or business dinners, For discriminating groups, the venue excels. Smaller parties can be accommodated in the lovely main area, however larger groups of up to 40 can enjoy intimate events in Seito's private dining room, whether for professional gatherings or special, family-related events. As always, fresh, melt-in-your-mouth cuts of fish tantalize sushi fans while traditional Japanese fare and Asian-inspired dishes tempt those less enthused by raw offerings. Seito has something for everyone in your party.

Clean, modern lines meld with Spanish sensibility â€" colorful tiles and a convivial, festive vibe â€" at this fountain-bedecked enclave in Winter Park, where deliciousness comes in many flavors, spanning salty meats to sugary churros and a range of succulent in betweens. Diners here most often go tapas-style, choosing myriad plates from which all can partake, enjoy, discuss. That's not to say for a moment, however, that the large plates â€" from steamy, seafood-laden paellas to succulent short ribs to Spanish-influenced pub burgers. Good stuff. Bulla, by the way, is pronounced "boo-ya," which is precisely what you might say when your teeth sink into its delicious, little cod fritters, or you take your first sip of rioja on its airy, open patio.

The Osprey Tavern's new American fare has been lighting up palates in Orlando's Baldwin Park neighborhood for some time now alongside its "sister," Seito. Warm and brassy, with an open kitchen and plenty of outdoor seating to take advantage of its excellent al fresco climate, diners here luxuriate in exciting turns on the classics crafted from quality ingredients – whether that means raw bar offerings, rich escargot with bone marrow, flavorful, colorful cioppino or hearty, comforting cottage pie. Desserts here are truly inspired. Seriously, leave room – or at the very least, time. You can use the latter to walk it off around Lake Baldwin.