ICON Park Gets Even Tastier!

If there is a tourist heart of Orlando apart from the theme parks, it is almost certainly International Drive, the action-packed selection of attractions, shops and restaurants that runs alongside Universal Orlando and SeaWorld.

This 12-mile corridor has been a part of the landscape almost since Walt Disney World opened its doors in 1971, and it has continued to grow ever since, becoming almost as much of a lure as Disney and Co.

The heart of I-Drive has also evolved over the years, from the big hotels to purpose-built centres like the Mercado Mediterranean Village – which took pride of place under the slogan ‘Food! Shop! Party!’ from the 1980s to 2007 – and Pointe Orlando.

But the one that has really taken on the mantle of I-Drive’s focal point in recent years is the unmistakable ICON Park just south of the big junction with Sand Lake Road.

What is ICON Park?

For those new to our wonderful Florida destination, ICON Park is a major attractions complex that has grown out of the ashes of the Mercado, offering a completely different array of restaurants, shops and activities.

The unmissable element is the 400ft observation wheel that is the equal of the London Eye and has recently undergone another name change to revert to the Orlando Eye (formerly The Wheel at ICON Park), but that is far from the only attraction.

In addition to the Eye, there are another nine bona fide attractions as well as 17 places to eat, three food kiosks and six shops. They are all set around a central courtyard area, The Lawn, that offers a very pleasant place to sit and chill with a drink or snack and enjoy the lively vibe.

It has free parking (on the upper levels of its multi-storey car park, levels 4-7), with Valet parking on the ground floor and premium (paid-for) parking on levels 2 and 3.

So, what’s new?

Several major changes started back in January when the large Spanish-style restaurant Tapa Toro closed and has subsequently been replaced by a whole new concept, with the replacement being Helena Modern Riviera, a Mediterranean-themed venue that features a blend of Riviera-inspired cuisine from the likes of Italy, Spain, Cyprus and Morocco, as well as modern American touches.

It was certainly a surprise when Tapa Toro closed, as it had always seemed a popular choice and the food and entertainment were extremely consistent. But Helena Modern Riviera is an elegant replacement, an indoor/outdoor venue featuring live music and entertainment based on Ibiza, Havana and Marrakech, with an excellent weekend Brunch (11am-3pm Sat and Sun).

If that was a significant change, there was an even bigger splash in March when Britain’s Merlin Entertainments company – owners and operators of the LEGOLAND and SeaLife entertainment parks worldwide, including those in Central Florida – announced it was taking over the ownership of The Wheel, which led to the latest name change.

Merlin originally managed the oversized attraction when it made its debut, but then the ICON Park owners took it completely under their wing in 2018. Merlin Entertainments CEO Scott O’Neil insisted: “The Orlando Eye by Merlin Entertainments will become an unmissable stop on visitors’ itineraries, delivering an elevated experience with unobstructed 360-degree views of the ICON Park area and beyond.”

And there’s more

In keeping with ICON Park’s reputation for change and growth, the very latest news from the complex is a complete overhaul for the marketplace-style Wheelhouse Food Hall inside the main building, introducing three exciting new dining options.

In their own words, they are “reimagining traditional ‘grab-n-go’ dining to instead focus on authenticity and fresh ingredients,” featuring a trio of concepts that borrow from ‘fast comfort’ street foods from different cultures around the world.

The press release insisted: “Guests can now enjoy easy, quick street foods – including crunchy Korean fried chicken, tender sliced Lebanese shawarma, hand-crafted bubble waffles and meticulously sourced boba teas – while they stroll through the 20-acre ICON Park or relax on The Lawn to live music.”

What that means in plain language is there will now be three fascinating new outlets to enjoy, completely refreshing a rather tired, if not downright ordinary, menu of options.

The terrific new trio

It’s certainly not easy to take a food court concept and give it a total makeover. We are so used to seeing the same old, same old in this format, but what ICON Park has come up with here is definitely something novel.

All three offer different tastes and styles, and we are really excited by all of the dishes we have tried so far. This certainly hits the re-set button as far as we are concerned, and the full run-down of each new outlet is as follows:

EVOO: Fresh Mediterranean Kitchen: This Central-Florida-based concept is known for creating Lebanese fast-casual dining with traditional cooking methods and fresh, whole foods. It is especially notable for its deliciously tender shawarma (what we would know as a doner kebab) and a full range of vegetarian dishes.

The Bone: Korean Fried Chicken: From the taste sensation that is currently sweeping the globe, here is something really tastebud-tantalising. The Bone specialises in numerous Korean fried chicken recipes and street food favourites, including Korean Ramen, Spicy Rice Cakes and more. Their signature dishes include soy garlic wings and traditional gochujang-infused glazed wings. It is outrageously tasty!

The Winnie Tea Bar: If you’re already a convert to Boba teas and Mochi doughnuts, then you’ll definitely want to beat a path to The Winnie. This offers another bunch of flavours that have become all the rage. The new Tea Bar also creates a unique twist on the traditional boba tea experience, serving an exclusive selection of artisanal, hand-crafted boba teas with premium ingredients and carefully sourced tea leaves, from classic tastes to inventive new creations. Each drink is prepared to ensure a perfect balance of taste, texture and visual appeal. For a double dose of sweetness, try one of their delicious mochi doughnuts with a tea.

That trio also serve to highlight the range of other new developments at ICON Park in the last few years, which include the Key West bar vibe of Sloppy Joe’s and delicious flavours of Brother Jimmy’s BBQ, plus other standouts like The Yard House, Shake Shack, Blake Shelton’s Ole Red and Gordon Ramsey’s Fish & Chips.

What is your favourite place to eat at ICON Park? Tell us about it on our Facebook, X and Instagram pages.