Ivanhoe Village offers a unique beauty and charm not seen in many other areas of Orlando. Originating as Orlando's antique district, the vintage vibe remain. Come explore this local gem. Dine at the best Ivanhoe Village restaurants and find date-worthy things to do. We locals love this part of town – so come along with us!
Ivanhoe is home to the majority of Orlando's art museums, theaters and several performance venues, heavily supporting the city's art community. These are also prime wedding venues, no doubt contributing to the added romantic quality found in Ivanhoe.
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Ivanhoe Village Restaurants
Better Than Sex
1905 N. Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32804
Highlights: indulgent desserts and dessert cocktails
Better Than Sex is not just a restaurant, it is an experience. Their award-winning desserts are made daily in-house with every element on the plate for a reason. Portions are generous so that you can treat yourself again later. Their full-service dining rooms feature privacy curtains or walls in between most tables. They feature dim lighting and curated music to set the mood. Table sizes are small and suited for adult couples of up to four guests.
Related Post: Over the Top Orlando Desserts to Blow Your Mind on Date Night
Gnarly Barly
1407 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32804
Highlights: Great patio overlooking Lake Ivanhoe
Gnarly Barly is known for its unique sandwich menu, impressive draft beer menu, and a great view (from inside or out) of Lake Ivanhoe. Head there on Tuesday nights for Burgers, Beer, and Bingo – a great date night idea that is fun, cheap, and interactive. They offer beer and burger specials from 3pm to close and have bingo at 7pm. Want to really kick things up a notch? Ask them about their Malört special.
Imperial Wine Bar
1800 N. Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32804
Highlights: intimate outdoor patio/beer garden
You’re not going to find any liquor here, but the 40+ craft beers ($5-$10) and 45 wines ($7-$15) to choose from make up for its absence. There’s no table service, so everyone wanders up to the bar for their libations, which is great because it gives the bartenders a chance to make some really educated recommendations.
A smallish menu of cheese and charcuterie plates makes for a handy go-to if you’re looking for a snack, but to offer something more substantial, Imperial hosts a rotating collection of local food trucks Monday through Saturday evenings.
BONUS IDEA – Just across the street is Bandbox, a super stylish speakeasy and sober bar. Enjoy the vibes and sip on non-alcoholic drinks!
Russell's on Lake Ivanhoe
1414 N Orange Ave. Orlando, Florida 32804
Highlights: front row view of Lake Ivanhoe
Located on the historic Lake Ivanhoe, Russell’s offers an upscale casual dining restaurant and bar featuring an innovative and fresh menu, all with an amazing view and atmosphere. One of the best spots in the place is at their expansive bar where you can order up a special cocktail and enjoy the best view of the sun setting over Lake Ivanhoe.
Their happy hour is offered Sunday – Friday and you can easily make a meal out of the bar bites offered.
Pro Tip: ALWAYS ask what the Chef's Special is for the day.
Related Post: Outdoor Dining Guide: 75+ Places to Eat Outside in Orlando
Santiago's Bodega
802 Virginia Dr, Orlando, FL 32803
Highlights: lively atmosphere along with tapas-style cuisine and weekend brunch
The Bodega’s ideology is brought to life in each unique location where a quirky mix of decor, mismatched chairs, custom art, and reclaimed wood, all coalesce as if it was meant to be.
No doubt, there is no place quite like Santiago’s Bodega. We love the Late Night Happy Hour here – perfect for extending date night!
They are best known for their Tapas-Style Weekend Brunch. For one price you get all the tapas you can eat and also includes soup, salads, dessert tapas, and Complimentary Red, White, Sparkling Sangria & Mimosas.
Related Post: 15+ Orlando Brunch Spots with Bottomless Mimosas
The Hammered Lamb
1235 North Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32804
Highlights: view of Lake Ivanhoe and “train shots”
The Hammered Lamb is in the heart of Ivanhoe Village, across from Lake Ivanhoe, and offers lunch and dinner daily and brunch on the weekends.
Known for their “train shots” that are served up anytime a train goes by (the tracks are RIGHT behind them), they are a great spot to enjoy a meal outdoors while catching up on your favorite sports.
The Pinery
295 NE Ivanhoe Boulevard, Suite A, Orlando, FL 32804
Highlights: sunset view of Lake Ivanhoe and “Golden Hour” from 4-6pm
Southern hospitality envelopes you as you walk into a dining room that celebrates the district's history. Inhabiting land that once cultivated Florida’s former top export crop – pineapples – The Pinery celebrates Florida’s forgotten history while offering guests a welcoming atmosphere, illuminated views of the city skyline, and a seasonal menu inspired by the tenants of Southern hospitality.
White Wolf Cafe
1829 N Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32804
Highlights: eclectic restaurant with HUGE cinnamon rolls
White Wolf Cafe & Bar is an award-winning, gourmet bistro serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant started as a dream in August of 1991 when they opened their doors as an antique store. They serve breakfast every day, but on the weekends they add to their selections with a special brunch menu.
White Wolf Cafe is a great spot to start your day in Ivanhoe Village as they are centrally located and within walking distance of many of the shops and bars in the village.
Ziggie's Pizza
603 Virginia Dr, Orlando, FL 32803
Highlights: personal sized thin-crust pizzas
The concept of Ziggie's is simple – personal-sized thin-crust pizzas that hold a unique combination of flavors topped with house-made ingredients. Easy enough to share with someone else, or devour alone. It's a quick pit stop while bar hoppin' on Virginia Drive or just a place to hang during the late hours.
They are connected to The Thirsty Topher, which offers some delicious Florida craft beer, wine, and housemate sangria!
Related Post: A Beer Lover’s Guide to Breweries in Orlando
Things to Do at Ivanhoe Village
This historic neighborhood, nestled around the shores of Lake Ivanhoe, offers a charming escape with a delightful mix of things to see and do. Whether you're a culture enthusiast, a foodie, or an outdoor adventurer, Ivanhoe Village has something for everyone.
Orlando Shakespeare Theater
812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL 32803
The Orlando Shakespeare Theater, aka Orlando Shakes, is a mainstay of the local arts community. Featuring multiple shows throughout the year including Shakespeare’s works interspersed with new plays, the theater remains committed to honoring the legacy of William Shakespeare, and producing top-notch quality performances.
The theater is located within Loch Haven Park, just a stone’s throw from Orlando’s vibrant and artsy Mills 50 district.
The cultural park also houses the Orlando Science Center, Orlando Museum of Art, Mennello Museum of American Art, Orlando Family Stage, and Orlando Ballet, so consider visiting multiple museums while you’re in the area.
Orlando Museum of Art
2416 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803
Heading to the nearest museum is a no-brainer for a budget-friendly date night. However, if you’re willing to invest a few more dollars, you can experience the Orlando Museum of Art in interactive and unexpected ways.
In addition to the curated galleries and rotating exhibitions, there are monthly events at Orlando Museum of Art including the Art Night Out.
The Art Night Out program for adults follows similar events for adults done in the past. Bring a date or come alone and meet new friends! Each exciting evening features a different theme. Work alongside an art teacher to create your own masterpiece. Class price includes all materials. Tickets are $32.
The Mennello Museum of American Art
900 E Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32803
It's one of the most quaint and intimate art museums in Orlando, and it's worth adding to the list for your next daytime date. There are plenty of art-inspired date ideas in Orlando, but locals love the unique art at Mennello Museum.
The focus is on American artists and the contributions they've made to the artistic world. It's a small museum, with just a few galleries and a beautiful sculpture garden (one of our favorite free things to do in Orlando), but the Mennello packs a big punch in terms of what you and your sweetie can see and learn together during a visit.
Pro Tip: If you are planning to brunch in Ivanhoe Village, consider going to Yoga in the Sculpture Garden on Sundays at 11:30am. It is $10 per person and all levels are welcome.
Happy Hour Sunset Clear Kayak or Clear Paddleboard Adventure
1600 North Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL
Fewer things are more relaxing than being on the water, watching the sun go down. Some of the best paddleboard tours are right here. Enjoy your favorite beverage while taking in the setting sun and city lights on this peaceful paddle with Epic Paddle Adventures through the gorgeous clear water in Lake Ivanhoe.
This is also a great “outside the box” Date Night or Girl's Night Out experience.
Orlando Science Center
777 E Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32803
Orlando Science Center isn't just for kids! Reconnect with your inner child as you explore the exhibits. And while adults-only programming like Science Night Live might be on temporary hiatus, we look forward to this event's eventual return along with the annual Science of Wine fundraiser.
During certain times of the year you can view the stars during a captivating new private observatory and planetarium experience. This date-worthy experience includes guided viewing of celestial objects via a super-powered telescope inside the Science Center dome, followed by an immersive planetarium journey through time and space. Enjoy an intimate evening beneath the stars on a date night that’s truly out of this world.
Orlando Cocktail Crawl from Ivanhoe Village to Mills 50
Across Orlando lies a broad selection of bars and restaurants inviting you to experience a variety of unique cocktails. But did you know some of the best cocktails in the area come from the Ivanhoe Village and Mills 50 districts? Grab a date or a group of friends and responsibly enjoy an Orlando cocktail crawl.
More Orlando Main Street District date night ideas:
