Family, Food And Fun At Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Orlando

If you want to enjoy a cheeseburger in paradise while searching for your lost shaker of salt, there is really only one place to go — Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville. (And if you have no idea what I am talking about, then please brush up on Jimmy Buffett.) 

I have been bee-boppin to the tunes of Jimmy Buffett since I was old enough to walk, and his catchy songs remind me of a mix of childhood and college. Yes, sometimes you grow up to actually think your parents’ music is cool, and so it is with Buffet. While he will forever remind me of my dad, Buffet was also practically my college anthem (with a little Dave Mathews Band thrown, of course). 

My first trip to Margaritaville was in Key West (with my parents in the ’90s), and for this burger-and-fries-lovin’ girl I’ve been a fan of the fresh, beachy menu ever since. 

Since regular visits to Key West are not in the cards for us, hitting up Margaritaville Orlando is the next best thing. Located in the heart of Universal’s City Walk, Orlando’s Margaritaville transports guests to an island hideaway complete with an erupting volcano, a suspended airplane and a giant boat.

As if the visual transportation wasn’t complete, Buffet’s music is piped in on constant loop and a giant TV screen plays scenes from his concerts — both inside and the tailgating festivities in the parking lot before the event. Buffet fans know, Margaritaville is not just a destination — it is a state of mind. 

100% kid-friendly and tons of fun, we took our girls with us to check out Margaritaville’s new menu. And while everyone had a great time and ate until our bellies were stuffed, I have to tell you that no one had more fun dancing and eating than our toddler who out ate big sister and mom happily chowing down on everything in front of her. As it was her first introduction to shrimp, after each one she begged for, “More chicken!”

While Sissy clearly enjoyed the new Grilled Shrimp Skewers and “Drunken” Shrimp Skillet, big sister and I could not get enough of the White Cheddar Cheese Curds – little blobs of fried cheese. And we all enjoyed the Beach Tacos – steak, carnitas and chicken – yum!

For the main course, Margaritaville’s new Chimichurri Flat Iron Steak caught my husband’s attention, while I couldn’t resist the classic Cheeseburger in Paradise (when in Rome…) and the kids gobbled up burgers and chicken fingers (served with rice and green beans).

Everything was delicious (even if we didn’t shovel down our food quite like the little one did!). 

And then came desert. 

While dad enjoyed his slice of Key Lime Pie the girls eyes were as wide as saucers when the new Chocolate Hurricane was set in front of us. A ginormous mound of vanilla bean ice cream served with brownies, Kit Kat and Heath bars, pirouette and mini shortbread cookies, sliced banana, whipped cream and chopped macadamia nuts the Chocolate Hurricane is served on a lazy Susan and spun around as chocolate and caramel sauces are drizzled on top. It was insane and awesome.

If you are looking for a fun night out with the family – perhaps with the extended family over the holidays – then point your fins to the left and head out Margaritaville Orlando for a fun family meal with lots of good food. 

Unwind and enjoy.