Orlando’s very own Darden Restaurants

While casual dining establishments like Olive Garden and Red Lobster are familiar sights in other parts of the country, they are particularly abundant in Orlando, where the corporate headquarters of Darden Restaurants is located. Through subsidiaries, the Company owns and operates more than 1,700 restaurants including Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52. Another Darden restaurant chain, Smokey Bones, was sold off in 2008. The restaurants are still in the Orlando area under different ownership.

In and around Orlando, especially in the tourist areas and the Florida Mall, Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants can frequently be seen located in close proximity to each other. Olive Garden specializes in Italian fare (especially the lunchtime soup, salad and breadsticks) while Red Lobster is the world's leading seafood restaurant company. The newly acquired Capital Grille is located at the Pointe Orlando shopping, dining and entertainment center on International Drive.

While Red Lobster, Olive Garden, the western-themed LongHorn Steakhouse and the Caribbean-inspired Bahama Breeze cater to a family-friendly all-ages crowd, The Capital Grille and Seasons 52 are decidedly more upscale and best suited for adults. Seasons 52 has locations in Altamonte Springs and the Dr. Phillips neighborhood of Orlando, and both restaurants need reservations well in advance. Seasons 52 is beast known for serving up seasonal dishes paired with an extensive wine list, featuring a new menu every week.