Spending time with your plus one can be both romantic and safe with a blanket, a basket, fresh bites, and a beautiful view. Create a DIY picnic adventure, filling a basket with your favorite foods from local eateries, or hire the pros to bring the picnic to you. Check out these local options to plan your Orlando picnic date!
Bring the Picnic to You
Orlando Picnic
Dine out in the park with an all-in-one picnic package from Orlando Picnic. This family-owned business provides full picnic setups with pillows, a pallet table, a personalized chalkboard and letter board, plates, flowers, a banner, an ice bucket, and a sanitizing kit.
Bring your own food and Orlando Picnic will take care of the rest in setting up your on-location picnic and cleaning up after the feast.
A two-hour picnic for two people will cost $50 through October 31, 2020. Take advantage of this offer while you can as the price will increase to $70 for fall and winter picnics beginning November 1, 2020. Additional guests are $10/person, and you can extend your picnic for $15/additional hour.
Here are Orlando Picnic's recommended locations for your picnic setup:
- Lake Eola Park
- Lake Baldwin Park
- Winter Park
- Oviedo on the Park
- Moss Park
- Dickson Azalea Park
They'll deliver and setup at your location of choice. You can also add games and eats to your picnic. Options include corn hole and a hammock for $10/each; a donut wall and garnished water for $15/each; a juice bar, charcuterie, and local pastries for $25/each; or a grazing board for $45.
Email Orlando Picnic at orlandopicnic@outlook.com or call them directly at 407-692-2984 to book your picnic. A refundable $20 holding fee will be required upon booking.
PS: This video from the local couple behind Roam Sick offers a great overview of the experience from start to finish:
Our Dream Date Greater Orlando
You'll find the ultimate picnic experience with Our Dream Date Greater Orlando. You can choose a theme, from Whiskey and Flannel to Bohemian Chic to Wine and Roses, pick your location, and book your picnic date. Our Dream Date will set up a two-hour experience for you with a picnic blanket, basket, grazing board, drinks, dessert, pillows, and of course, themed decor on-location.
“My personal favorite about Our Dream Date Orlando is the lifelong, lasting memories we create for people,” Kara from Our Dream Date Greater Orlando said. “It’s a unique, one-of-a-kind experience, and especially given our current circumstances happening in the world, we are beyond grateful to still be able to provide that for people!”
One of the most unique aspects of Our Dream Date is they will bring a gourmet picnic to you anywhere, even your backyard! They'll take care of both the picnic set up and clean up, so you can sit back and relax.
“If we can make someone’s proposal, birthday, anniversary that much more special, that is what makes us happy!” Kara shared. “The picnic setups are great because it’s intimate. We can do anywhere from 2 to 10-person picnics, and it’s a way to still be able to celebrate a special occasion or just a get together with close friends. We can also customize any picnic, so the sky’s the limit!”
Book your picnic package through the Our Dream Date website, or email Kara directly.
Grazing Boxes and Boards
The Board Bunny
If you have a special picnic box or grazing board in mind for your date, the Board Bunny will customize it for you. These picnic boxes are filled with meats, fresh fruit, honey, nuts, peppers, crackers, and a chocolate-covered treat. Thinking outside the box, the Board Bunny will hand-deliver your meal in a box tied with a bow, with a personalized card inside.
The Board Bunny also recently teamed up with Our Dream Date Orlando to provide a special menu, including options for brunch, a little bit of everything, Italian food, or a vegetarian board.
- Small picnic box – perfect for 2 to 3 people: $55
- Large picnic box – ideal for 4 – 5 people: $75
- Grazing boards – recommended for 6 – 10 grazers: $145
Add-on options include a bread and cracker box for $8 or a Brie birthday cake for $35.
Delivery is free within Greater Orlando, and $25 within 15 miles of Orlando. Place your order on the Board Bunny website.
La Tabla
Get your taste buds going with a variety of grazing boxes and charcuterie boards from La Tabla. Choose from boxes filled with fresh deli meats, olives, and nuts. Treat your sweet tooth with fresh fruits, chocolate-covered pretzels, and pieces of chocolate. Or indulge in a mix of everything with La Classica, a box filled with meat, cheese, fruit, crackers, and chocolate treats.
“I really love my grazing box concept for its convenience! I got the great idea one night during quarantine when I was really craving a charcuterie board,” Alejandra Chavez, owner of La Tabla, said. “I was wishing I knew of someone or a company that did these kinds of things to-go, and that’s how I came about ‘La Tabla,’ which translates to ‘board’ in Spanish. I had to add a touch of my Hispanic culture to the name since most charcuterie and grazing foods are served on boards.”
You'll find a variety of grazing box options that you can customize and order for pickup, or have your box delivered right to your picnic (at select locations).
- La Dulce – $50
- La Savory – $55
- La Vegetarian – $50
- La Classica – $55
- La Keto – $65
“What I love most about them is no two boxes or platters are ever the same,” Alejandra said. “All boxes and platters are customized to your liking, so the combinations are endless!”
Order your box to be delivered in Ocoee, Winter Garden, Apopka, Clermont, Downtown Orlando for a fee, or order for pickup at no additional cost in Ocoee, Apopka, and Winter Garden. Direct message @la_tabla__ on Instagram to order your grazing box for your next picnic.
Grazin' – Tables & Boards
This local company owned by two sisters specializes in an assortment of photo-worthy grazing boards. The options are endless, from the unique s'mores box (!!!) to more classic cheese and charcuterie options.
For a picnic, opt for the picnic box which feeds two and includes a selection of cheese and meats plus accompanying veggies, fruits, crackers and utensils. Everything is packaged in a recyclable box for an on-the-go feast. The cost is $45 plus a delivery fee. Delivery is offered within a 15-mile radius of 32821 ($1 per additional mile).
Classic grazing boards are available in mini (serves 2-3), small (serves 4-6), medium (serves 7 – 10) and large (serves 11 – 15).
Place your order on the Grazin' – Tables & Boards website.
Where to Get Picnic Provisions
The Basket at Wine Bar George
1610 East Buena Vista Dr Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Build your own basket at the only Master Sommelier-owned wine bar in Florida. The Basket at Disney Springs' Wine Bar George is a quick-service option offering picnic-friendly eats like baguettes, brownies, chicken skewers, charcuterie, cheese boxes, wine on tap, frozen treats, and more. With a minimum spend of $60, you can have everything packed in a picnic basket with utensils.
George Miliotes, Master Sommelier and Proprietor of Wine Bar George, shared his love for one of the Basket's newest offerings.
“Filling your basket with a frozen drink and French fry pairing is a great start to building the ultimate picnic,” George said. “The Buffalo French Fries paired with Freaujolais (Beaujolais, Vodka and Raspberry) is my personal favorite. Make sure you try the Landjäger too. It’s the world’s best jerky in a German style.”
For a sweet and salty pairing, try the Queso French Fries Paired with Frosé or Buffalo French Fries Paired with Freaujolais. Or, go for a classic frozen drink like the Friezling (made with Dole Whip® Lime) or Frozcato (made with Dole Whip® Pineapple).
“Our favorite part about Wine Bar George is the service,” Jessica Bohlman from the Orlando Duo said. “Every time we have gone, our server has been so incredibly knowledgeable and offers up great suggestions on which wines to try based on our preferences. We haven't been led astray yet!”
On top of great pairings and bites, you'll find more than 160 wines that can be enjoyed to-go, all available by the glass, the bottle, and the ounce.
“Guests can enjoy wines from acclaimed and well-known wineries as well as growing regions that are up-and-coming” George said. “Whether you are looking for a glass of wine on tap or an ounce of some of the finest wine in the world, we have something for everyone to enjoy.”
Once you've picked up your basket and filled it with food and drinks (here's the menu), find a secluded bench overlooking the lake for a romantic picnic.
Bok Tower Gardens
1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, FL 33853
BYOB for your Bok Tower Gardens picnic (bring your own basket and blanket, that is!). You'll find beautiful flowers, birds, and more at this garden and bird sanctuary.
Order soup, salad, sandwiches, and sweets from the Blue Palmetto Café online or in person and they’ll box up your meal to-go. For a late afternoon picnic, get 20% off your food purchase when you purchase a glass of wine or beer during happy hour from 3 – 5pm. And yes, you can purchase a bottle of wine to enjoy with your picnic on the grounds.
For a picnic-ready brunch, visit the cafe from 8am – 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Enjoy a Bok Breakfast Bowl, Florida's natural orange juice, margherita flatbread, fresh lemon blueberry scones, and a bottle of La Marca Prosecco. This brunch feast for two is available for $35 at the café.
Bring your basket to a picnic table in the shade. Explore one of the rain shelters complete with handcrafted wooden chairs. Venture a bit further past the singing tower to relax at one of the benches overlooking beautiful fields or set up your blanket anywhere in the gardens. Just make sure to be respectful and clean up your trash once you're done.
Eola General
522 E. Amelia Street Orlando, FL 32803
Stop by this market for a delightful selection of wraps, salads, snacks, and natural wines to add in your picnic basket. You can stop by in person or place your order online to pick up bagel sandwiches, fresh hummus, a deli side dish with potato salad or pasta, and vegan pastries. This is the perfect spot to pick up provisions for a picnic at nearby Lake Eola Park.
Keep an eye out for Eola General’s pop-ups on their Instagram – you never know what you might find!
East End Market
3201 Corrine Drive Orlando, FL 32803
Another great spot to pick up your picnic supplies, East End Market houses a variety of vendors at their neighborhood market, including farm-to-table briskets from Hinckley’s Fancy Meats, fresh-baked breads and pastries from Olde Hearth Bread Company, and ginormous, too sweet to handle cookies from Gideon’s Bakehouse.
You’ll also find Florida’s best spot for grilled cheese, as voted by USA Today, at La Femme du Fromage. The shop features flatbreads, house salads, an elaborate wine list, and a selection of grilled cheese sandwiches. You can also pick up cheese and charcuterie boards at the shop filled with handcrafted cheese, fruit, and other delectables, the perfect addition to your picnic.
Places to Picnic
Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens
633 Osceola Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789
Picnics are encouraged at this three-acre garden overlooking Lake Osceola. The gardens date back to 1949, and you can get in on the fun by joining hands-on gardening before your picnic (9am – 12pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays).
The Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens features a permanent collection of sculptures, as well as rotating exhibitions of paintings and mixed media. Be sure to also get a glimpse of the Capen-Showalter House while you’re there. The house originally sat in a different location and was set to be demolished in 2013. After local supporters and organizations raised $450,000 to save the house, it was cut into two, floated across the lake, reattached, and renovated where it now sits at the museum and gardens.
Pay for admission to the museum and gardens ($10 per person) and picnic away!
Lake Millenia
4700 Millenia Blvd, Orlando, FL 32839
One of Orlando’s best-kept secrets is quiet with a beautiful view of Lake Millenia and its surrounding nature. Bring a blanket or chow down at a nearby picnic table. You’ll find turtles, ducks, cormorants, and other wildlife at this secluded getaway.
Tibet-Butler Preserve
8777 Winter Garden Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32836
Located on the shore of Lake Butler, this nature center is home to owls, butterflies, ospreys, and other wildlife. Hike up the trail and then enjoy your picnic at the preserve.
Mead Botanical Garden
1300 S Denning Dr, Winter Park, FL 32789
Bird watch, walk the trails, and bask in the greenery with your loved one. Mead Botanical Garden encourages picnics, so you can lay out your picnic blanket, set up your food, and enjoy the fresh air.
More Orlando Picnic Spots
Kissimmee Lakefront Park
201 Lakeview Drive, Kissimmee, FL 34741
Warren Park
3406 Warren Park Rd, Belle Isle, FL 32812
Bill Frederick Park
($5 entry fee)
3401 South Hiawassee Road, Orlando, FL 32835
Langford Park
1808 E Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32803
Lake Eola Park
512 E Washington St, Orlando, FL 32801
Gaston Edwards Park
1236 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32804
Blue Jacket Park
2501 General Rees Ave, Orlando, FL 32814
Lake Baldwin Park
2000 S. Lakemont Ave, Winter Park, Florida 32789
Rollins College Campus
1000 Holt Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789
Dinky Dock Park
Ollie Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789
Kraft Azalea Garden
1365 Alabama Dr, Winter Park, FL 32789
Lake Lily Park
701 Lake Lily Dr, Maitland, FL 32751
Cranes Roost Park
274 Cranes Roost Blvd, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
Central Park
100 N Country Club Rd #100, Lake Mary, FL 32746
Whether you build your own basket or explore an elaborate picnic setup, you’re bound to have a great date outdoors!
“There's no right or wrong way to picnic,” Jessica from the Orlando Duo said. “Sometimes it's just grabbing a Publix sub and heading outside to sit on the grass and enjoy the outdoors. The most important thing about a picnic is to pick a place where you are relaxed and happy. Whether that's under the shade of a tree or by the water, the ambiance really sets the tone.”
Feature image credit: Orlando Picnic
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