Restaurant Reivew
Taverna Opa
This themed restaurant along Orlando's touristy International Drive is well known for their late night belly dancing performances and unique ambiance which includes a massive tree in the dining room. If you are looking for a fun place to enjoy comfort food after a long day at the parks, consider adding dinner at Taverna to your itinerary.
Food
First off, they offer a great Family Deal if you have at least 4 people in your party. For $55 pp, you get to choose a cold and hot appetizer, plus a meat or seafood platter. The seafood platter is the way to go here - it includes a 7oz lobster tail, shrimp, mussels, scallops, calamari, and the fish of the day with tomato garlic white wine sauce. Dessert can be added for an extra fee.
The regular menu includes a mix of cold and hot appetizers, salads, wood fired meats, kebobs, seafood, and traditional Greek entrees. The falafel is a must for a starter plate. Unfortunately, the Greek salad was a big disappointment.
In terms of entrees, the Gyro Pita is a good choice. This is available in chicken, pork, vegetarian, or a falafel version. All pitas come stuffed with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, tzatziki sauce, as well as tasty French fries on the side. A bit pricey at $15+, but what is not pricey in Orlando?!
If you are craving a sweet end to your meal, try the signature dessert, Opa Ekmek. This popular dessert consists of Kantaifi shredded phyllo dough, walnuts, custard cream, and whip cream topping.
Keep in mind that daily happy hour runs from 3-6pm.
Service
Service is professional and attentive. Our visit did fall on a very slow weekday, so your experience may be different depending on whether your visit falls during the high tourist season.
Atmosphere
The vibe here is really unique. The dining room is beautifully decorated. Nightly belly dancing starts at 7pm. The setting is fun and eclectic - basically this restaurant fits in perfectly with the Orlando vacation environment.
Final Remarks
Although the Greek food is just average, the fun ambiance, live entertainment, and great family meal deal make Taverna Opa well worth a visit during your Orlando vacation.
