By Kate Cohen
March 9, 2026
The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando is one of the largest convention centers in the country.
Every year, over 1.5 million individuals attend conferences, conventions, competitions, and expos at the OCCC.
When lunchtime rolls around, that’s a lot of hungry people.
While there’s no shortage of restaurants near the convention center, finding the right one to suit your appetite, budget, and time frame can often be a challenge.
OCCC regulars and foodies alike know that some of the best culinary hidden gems near the convention center are in Rosen Centre, located next door.
Let’s take a closer look at why Rosen Centre is the top choice for convenience, variety, and quality of food near the OCCC.
Key Takeaways
- The Dining Dilemma Around the Convention Center
- Rosen Centre Restaurants: A Spotlight
- Everglades Restaurant
- Harry’s Poolside Bar & Grill
- Sam & Bubbe’s
- Banshoo Sushi Bar
- 98Forty Tapas & Tequila
- Cafe Gauguin
- Red’s Deli
- Smoooth Java Coffee Bar
- Rosen Centre: More Than a Superior Dining Experience
The Dining Dilemma Around the Convention Center
A trip to the OCCC is a great excuse to try one of Orlando’s amazing nearby restaurants.
But if you’re not careful, you could fall victim to one of the dining pitfalls that ensnare many Orlando travelers.
Surrounding the convention center, you’ll spy a variety of familiar chain restaurants like Olive Garden, Denny’s, and Applebees.
While there can be comfort in a familiar dining establishment, these restaurants often have long lines at mealtimes and little by way of creative menu selections.
There are also plenty of fast-food chains like McDonald’s, Shake Shack, and Subway that offer predictable menu items that, while a solution to long wait times and smaller budgets, can lack freshness and nutritional value.
Connected by a short, covered skywalk, Rosen Centre is closer to the OCCC than most restaurant options, saving you valuable time and energy.
It’s also home to eight unique restaurants that offer award-winning food, global flavors, and quick access at a variety of flexible price points.
Rosen Centre Restaurants: A Spotlight
Everglades Restaurant
5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Everglades Restaurant offers upscale dining with Florida-inspired cuisine and ambiance.
Seated at your table, you’ll be immersed in a wild love letter to the Florida Everglades, surrounded by larger-than-life figures of manatees, alligators, and soaring birds.
The menu is centered around fresh local ingredients, including freshly caught seafood, sustainably raised beef, and even Florida farm-raised alligator.
Everglades is the perfect setting for client dinners, celebrations, or a well-deserved night out after a successful event day.
Harry’s Poolside Bar & Grill
Lunch service: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Dinner service: 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Poolside bar: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
For more casual vibes, check out Harry’s Poolside Bar & Grill.
This laid-back restaurant serves Caribbean-inspired dishes with tropical ingredients that you can enjoy indoors or on the patio overlooking the sparkling Rosen Centre pool and palm trees.
The food at Harry’s is often best enjoyed with a tropical cocktail or a cold beer in hand.
Embrace vacation vibes and unwind after a long day at Harry’s Poolside Bar & Grill.
Sam & Bubbe’s
Open daily at 4 p.m.
Looking for a libation to enjoy between events?
Sam & Bubbe’s is a casual bar and lounge in Rosen Centre with a full bar of spirits, beer, wine, and specialty cocktails.
Grab a seat at the bar or settle into a booth or table for a relaxed social experience.
Order food from Banshoo Sushi Bar, 98Forty Tapas & Tequila, or a limited menu from Harry’s Poolside Bar & Grill to enjoy while you unwind in a comfortable, cozy setting.
Banshoo Sushi Bar
5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Enjoy a selection of fresh sushi from Banshoo Sushi Bar, skillfully prepared by in-house sushi chefs.
Made-to-order sashimi and nigiri (rolls) are the perfect flavorful, high-protein meal that can be thoughtfully savored or enjoyed in a time crunch.
Grab a seat at the sushi bar or find a cozy spot at Sam & Bubbe’s across the lobby to settle in and dine at your leisure.
98Forty Tapas & Tequila
5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
If tequila is your tipple of choice, head to 98Forty Tapas & Tequila, which boasts a bar menu featuring 40 premium tequilas.
Pair your drink with Mexican-inspired dishes like freshly made guacamole, ceviche, tacos, nachos, and quesadillas hot off the griddle.
98Forty’s trendy, social atmosphere features bar seating, though you can grab a spot at nearby Sam & Bubbe’s for a tabletop experience.
Café Gauguin
6:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially if you’ve got a long itinerary at the OCCC to keep you on your feet.
Café Gauguin offers a bountiful breakfast buffet with an abundance of delectable items to kick-start your morning.
You’ll find everything from eggs and breakfast meats to freshly baked biscuits and pastries.
The well-stocked buffet is also great for anyone in a time-crunch looking for a hearty meal serviced and savored at their own pace.
Red’s Deli
6:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Market: 24/7
Red’s Deli is a fabulous grab-and-go option for guests in search of a casual bite to eat.
Inspired by deliciously iconic New York deli counters, Red’s Deli offers made-to-order sandwiches, hot breakfast items, salads, a baked potato bar, and other specialty goods.
Order Rosen’s Perfect Pizza by the slice or as a whole pie and top it with fresh ingredients like portabella mushrooms, Italian sausage, applewood smoked bacon, and kalamata olives.
Finish your meal with something sweet like a freshly baked key lime tart, gooey Danish, or yummy chocolate chip cookie.
With its extensive hours and a grab-and-go market open 24 hours a day, Red’s Deli is a lifesaver for anyone with a craving and a time crunch.
Smoooth Java Coffee Bar
Open daily at 6:30 a.m.
On busy event days, caffeine is a necessity.
Luckily, Smoooth Java is open bright and early to ensure you start the day with your preferred pick-me-up beverage.
Our coffee bar serves freshly brewed Starbucks coffee throughout the day, as well as refreshing fruit smoothies and tasty pastries.
It’s the perfect pit-stop for an energy boost whether you’re in a rush or pausing to stop and savor your favorite drink.
Rosen Centre: More Than a Superior Dining Experience
Rosen Centre isn’t just “near” the Orange County Convention Center; it’s the most complete dining destination in the area.
The hotel’s dining options offer variety, atmosphere, proximity, and quality, and only a brief walk from the convention center.
Regardless of which Rosen Centre dining establishment you choose, you’ll be welcomed warmly and treated to exemplary customer service.
Need somewhere to stay for your next Orlando adventure?
Rosen Centre’s sophisticated accommodations offer a home-away-from-home with comfort and convenience to take your trip to the next level.
Spend your spare time lounging by the sparkling seasonally heated swimming pool or treat yourself to an indulgent facial or massage at The Spa at Rosen Centre.
Whether joining us for a meal or an overnight stay, be our guest and see for yourself why Rosen Centre is the best place to eat near the OCCC.
