The Real Orlando - vegetarian restaurants in Orlando, Florida

Vegetarian Times, Feb, 1999 by Susan Shumaker, Than Saffel

Ten minutes north of Disney World, in a strip mall on International Drive, is a gem so hidden and so unpretentious (there's an INDIAN RESTAURANT sign in glowing red letters), you'd never find it if you weren't looking for it. But the food inside Passage to India has attracted the likes of Elton John, the British rock band The Cure, basketball star Shaquille O'Neal and even international cricket celebrities. The secret to the restaurant's magic is chef/owner Uday Kadam's insistence on using the freshest possible ingredients and whole spices. In addition, the menu contains a profusion of veggie dishes, including an outstanding korma. Because everything is made to order, even meat-based dishes can be easily adapted for vegetarians.

Orlando's history is one of change. Cattle ranches, cotton plantations, citrus groves, airplane factories and theme parks have all had their moment in the sun as the bulwark of central Florida's economy. The growing number of top-notch chefs pushing the boundaries of creativity beyond Mediterranean platters and portobello mushroom sandwiches is a good sign that Orlando's image as a veg-friendly destination is coming soon. Now that's what we call a tourist attraction!

RELATED ARTICLE: Orlando Resources

Downtown Orlando

White Wolf Cafe
1829 N. Orange Ave., Orlando
(407) 895-9911

Florida Hospital Cafeteria
601 E. Rollins St., Orlando
(407) 897-1793

Numero Uno
2499 S. Orange Ave., Orlando
(407) 841-3840

Dexter's of Thornton Park
808 E. Washington St., Orlando
(407) 648-2777

Winter Park and
Points North

East India Market
610 W. Morse Blvd., Winter Park
(407) 647-7520

Park Plaza Gardens
319 Park Ave. South, Winter Park
(407) 645-2475

Harriet's Kitchen
P.O. Box 1301, Winter Park 32790
(407) 644-2167

Maracas Valley
851 State Road 436, Suite 1037,
Altamonte Springs; (407) 786-1960

Chamberlin's Natural Foods
Winter Park Malt, 430 N. Orlando Ave.,
Winter Park; (407) 647-6661

Whole Foods Market
1989 Aloma Ave., Winter Park
(407) 673-8788

WDW and Points South

Artist Point (at Wilderness Lodge),
California Grill (at Contemporary
Resort), Victoria & Albert's (at Grand
Floridian Resort & Spa)
All can be contacted through Disney
Dining Reservations: (407) 939-3463

Passage to India
5532 International Drive, Orlando
(407) 351-3456

The Disney Institute
1901 Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena
Vista, (407) 827-1100

Wyndham Palace Resort & Spa
1900 Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena
Vista, (407) 827-2727

Susan Shumaker and Than Saffel are the authors of Vegetarian Walt Disney World and Greater Orlando (Stone Circle, Spring 1999), the first travel guide in their Vegetarian America series. For more information, call (304) 292-2497.