Best Santa Breakfasts and Brunches Across Orlando

As residents of Orlando and its environs, most of us have northern branches of the family tree that enjoy a trip to Florida when their homes disappear under layers of snow.

We happen to know that Santa and Mrs. Claus also pack some flip flops and tropical print shirts and head to Orlando for a winter break. Lucky for us, Santa likes to make these trips working vacations and he is the star of many breakfast extravaganzas during this time of year. Here are a few of our favorites:

Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante

$45 – $79 per person

1560 East Buena Vista Drive,
Lake Buena Vista | 407-560-8466
patinagroup.com/maria-enzos

This holiday season, give your family an enchanted morning in the heart of the most magical place on earth at Maria and Enzo’s Ristorante at Disney Springs. 

Start with a festive one-and-a-half-hour breakfast feast with freshly baked pastries, yogurt parfaits, seasonal fruit, pancakes with fresh maple syrup, scrambled eggs, applewood smoked bacon, sausage and tater tots in their elegant dining room overlooking Lake Buena Vista, with take-home treats for the kids and a complementary prosecco mimosa for the adults. Then, meet Santa Claus and take a keepsake photo with him and his elves!

Make Christmas dreams come true with a holiday experience to remember forever.

The Alfond Inn at Rollins College

Adults: $45; Children: $20, 5 and under: free

*Children 5 and under: Free
Dec. 10 & 17 9 – 11 a.m.
300 E. New England Ave.,
Winter Park | 407-998-8090
thealfondinn.com

The Alfond Inn is gorgeous any day of the week but when Christmas rolls around, Rollins College’s boutique hotel fulfills that longing for a traditional holiday with all the trimmings. It’s the perfect setting for a heartwarming and tummy-filling breakfast with Santa.

This holiday season is extra special for the team, as it finishes a multiyear expansion and renovation of the hotel.

Come to the Park Avenue Ballroom for a full buffet overflowing with dishes such as sausage, egg and cheese strata; pecan-smoked bacon, Asheville breakfast potatoes; fresh-cut fruit; Belgian waffles with bourbon maple syrup; Greek yogurt with assorted toppings; and pastries, muffins and breads. Santa and his helpers will stroll among the tables, meeting families and posing for photos while a pianist plays holiday classics on a baby grand.

SeaWorld’s Sesame Street Christmas Breakfast – SeaFire Grill

Adults: $35; Children: $18

*Pass member discounts apply, park admission required.

Through Dec. 23. 9 a.m.
7007 Seaworld Drive, Orlando 407-545-5550
seaworld.com

Meet fuzzy and furry Sesame Street characters dressed in their holiday best while enjoying a fun-filled breakfast buffet.

Among the irresistible goodies are chef-carved, brown sugar-glazed ham; French toast sticks; bacon and turkey sausage links. Indulge in such traditional favorites as: biscuits and sausage gravy; scrambled eggs; Western omelets; potato tots; oatmeal, freshly cut seasonal fruit; yogurt with topping bar; assorted cereals; freshly baked pastries and beverages such as milk, juice and coffee. Gluten-free options are available.

After breakfast, stroll the park and explore the SeaWorld Christmas Celebration, which runs through Jan. 2. Take in the live holiday shows, browse the marketplaces and, perhaps, find room for a special seasonal sweet.

Breakfast with Santa at T-Rex Cafe

Adults: $34; Children: $20

*Children 2 and under: Free

Dec. 9 & 10. 9 a.m.
1676 E. Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista | 407-828-8739
trexcafe.com

Get your tickets early for this sensory blitz because it does sell out. If you have a Santa-loving dinosaur expert or a dinosaur-loving Santa expert in your household, this breakfast experience is for you. The menu includes a warm, assorted breakfast pastry basket with danish, croissants, bagels, biscuits, honey cinnamon butter, fruit jam and herbed cream cheese; applewood-smoked bacon; sausage; scrambled eggs; breakfast potatoes; brioche French toast and buttermilk pancakes; a fresh fruit and assorted berry platter with honey yogurt dipping sauce and hot and cold beverages.

Because this is a restaurant/educational playspace, the atmosphere and activities are what make this event memorable. Who wouldn’t want photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus among the giant thunder lizards? Children are also invited to send letters to Santa at the North Pole and everybody gets a goodie bag and a coupon for the T-REX Dino Store.

The Grinch and Friends Character Breakfast

Adults and Children 10+: $59; Children 3-9 Years: $33

Through Dec. 29
Universal Islands of Adventure

6300 Universal Blvd., Orlando407-224-3663
universalorlando.com

Admission to Islands of Adventure is required for this breakfast experience, so it’s an extra-fun way to load up on calories for your marathon day among the crowds and rollercoasters. 

Confisco Grille is a full-service restaurant at the park’s Port of Entry and this is a sit-down meal rather than a buffet. 

The Grinch, in all his green glory and sus Santa hat, will do his best to annoy guests as they enjoy their themed foods and breakfast favorites. Expect Who Hash and Green Eggs and Ham. 

Dockside Lake Nona

Adults: $35; Children: $25

Dec. 2 | 10:30 a.m. 

13623 Sachs Ave., Orlando
407-455-3435
docksidelakenona.com

Far from the theme park crowds (about 30 minutes, really) and in the high-technology hub of Lake Nona is a breakfast with Santa that puts the emphasis on good food and warm company. Plus a donut wall. We are willing to bet that Dockside is the only place in town boasting a wall of frosted, sugar-dusted and cream-filled doughnuts.

Dockside is a special-events venue adjacent to Canvas Restaurant and Market, which is a regular recipient of foodie accolades, so a creative breakfast in a stylish, modern space is to be expected for this event. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be bringing holiday cheer and keepsake photo opportunities as guests enjoy a relaxed experience with a lakeside view.