Things to Do in Dr. Phillips, FL: Eat, Drink, Play & Stay
Restaurant Row, lakeside parks, Bay Hill golf, and where to stay. A local guide to the best things to do in Dr. Phillips, Florida.
Nicole Mickle
Realtor, Olympus Executive Realty
Dr. Phillips is an unincorporated community in southwest Orange County, about 12 miles from downtown Orlando and a short drive from Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World. It is best known for Restaurant Row, the stretch of West Sand Lake Road and Dr. Phillips Boulevard where many of the area's best-known restaurants sit within a few blocks of each other. About 12,300 people live in Dr. Phillips, according to the 2020 U.S. Census.
This guide covers what to do, where to eat, and where to stay when you visit. I'm Nicole Mickle, a Central Florida relocation and new construction specialist, and I grew up in Central Florida. If you are thinking about living here rather than visiting, start with the Dr. Phillips neighborhood guide for home prices and communities.
What is Dr. Phillips, FL known for?
Dr. Phillips is known for Restaurant Row, its lakes, and its location. Restaurant Row along West Sand Lake Road and Dr. Phillips Boulevard holds dozens of restaurants, from steakhouses to small independent cafés. Big Sand Lake and Little Sand Lake sit at the community's center, and Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club sits next door. Money magazine ranked Dr. Phillips No. 26 on its 2015 list of the best places to live in America, citing Restaurant Row and local job growth.
How did Dr. Phillips get its name?
Dr. Phillips is named for Dr. Philip Phillips (1874 to 1959), a physician turned citrus grower who was once called the largest individual citrus grower in the world. His Dr. P. Phillips Company, formed in 1920, ran groves and a packing house on Sand Lake, and his canning company pioneered flash pasteurization for canned citrus juice.
Phillips sold his groves to Minute Maid in 1954. The community that grew up around his Sand Lake packing house kept his name, and his foundation, Dr. Phillips Charities, still supports Central Florida causes, including the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando.
Best things to do in Dr. Phillips
Most of what makes Dr. Phillips worth a day is outdoors or at the table. These are the places locals use most.
Dr. P. Phillips Community Park
Dr. P. Phillips Community Park sits on Big Sand Lake at 8249 Buenavista Woods Boulevard. It has a splash pad, a playground, a dog park, sports fields and courts, covered pavilions, and a lake observation area. The 0.6-mile LongHorn Steakhouse Loop Trail winds through about 10 acres of the park and takes about 30 minutes to walk.
Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake
Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake is a 183-acre City of Orlando park just north of Dr. Phillips at 3401 South Hiawassee Road. It has a fishing pier, disc golf, nature trails, boat rentals, and cabin and RV camping. Entry is $5 per vehicle.
Tibet-Butler Preserve
Tibet-Butler Preserve, at 8777 Winter Garden-Vineland Road on the Windermere side of Dr. Phillips, has 3.6 miles of trails and an environmental center. It is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dogs and bikes are not allowed, which keeps the trails quiet.
Golf at Bay Hill
Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge, at 9000 Bay Hill Boulevard, hosts the PGA Tour's Arnold Palmer Invitational each March. Golf is private, but guests who book a room at the Lodge receive member privileges, including access to the club's 27 holes.
Shopping and everyday stops
Several shopping centers keep daily errands close. The Marketplace at Dr. Phillips, at 7524 Dr. Phillips Boulevard, has a Publix, HomeGoods, and Theatre South Playhouse, a small community theater. Plaza Venezia, at West Sand Lake Road and Dr. Phillips Boulevard, pairs a Publix with restaurants and coffee shops. Phillips Crossing on Turkey Lake Road is home to Whole Foods Market.
Where to eat on Dr. Phillips Restaurant Row
Restaurant Row is centered on West Sand Lake Road near Dr. Phillips Boulevard, with more restaurants along Dr. Phillips Boulevard and Via Dellagio Way. Here are the places worth knowing. Hours change, so check before you go.
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Address |
|---|---|---|
| bartaco | Street tacos and cocktails | 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd, Ste 28 |
| Le Café de Paris | French café | 5170 Dr. Phillips Blvd |
| The Whiskey | Burgers and whiskey bar | 7563 W Sand Lake Rd |
| Peperoncino | Italian | 7988 Via Dellagio Way, Ste 108 |
| Lisbon Portuguese Cuisine | Portuguese | 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd, Ste 12 |
| Christini's Ristorante Italiano | Classic Italian | 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd, Ste 84 |
| Dragonfly Robata Grill & Sushi | Japanese | 7972 Via Dellagio Way |
| Rocco's Tacos & Tequila Bar | Mexican | 7468 W Sand Lake Rd |
| Eddie V's Prime Seafood | Seafood and steak | 7488 W Sand Lake Rd |
| Sixty Vines | Wine bar and wood-fired plates | 7760 W Sand Lake Rd |
| Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar | Steakhouse | 8030 Via Dellagio Way |
| Ocean Prime | Seafood and steak | 7339 W Sand Lake Rd, Ste 400 |
bartaco
bartaco, at 7600 Dr. Phillips Boulevard, Suite 28, serves street tacos, rice bowls, and cocktails in a relaxed, beach-inspired setting. It is an easy choice for a casual lunch or an early dinner on the patio.
Le Café de Paris
Le Café de Paris, at 5170 Dr. Phillips Boulevard, is a small French café run by owners Claude and Chantal since 2007. Expect classic French dishes such as croque monsieur, plus coffee and breakfast.
The Whiskey
The Whiskey, at 7563 West Sand Lake Road, is a burger bar with whiskey-focused cocktails and live music most nights.
Peperoncino
Peperoncino, at 7988 Via Dellagio Way, Suite 108, serves made-from-scratch Italian food, including house-made pasta, in a small, intimate dining room.
Lisbon Portuguese Cuisine
Lisbon Portuguese Cuisine, at 7600 Dr. Phillips Boulevard, Suite 12, serves Portuguese cooking. The menu focuses on traditional dishes such as stone-cooked steak and fresh seafood.
Christini's Ristorante Italiano
Christini's, at 7600 Dr. Phillips Boulevard, Suite 84, has served classic Italian dinners since 1984, making it one of the longest-running restaurants on Restaurant Row. It is a white-tablecloth spot for special occasions.
Dragonfly Robata Grill & Sushi
Dragonfly, at 7972 Via Dellagio Way, serves sushi and robata-grilled skewers in a stylish dining room with indoor and outdoor seating and an extensive sake list.
Rocco's Tacos & Tequila Bar
Rocco's Tacos, at 7468 West Sand Lake Road in Plaza Venezia, serves tacos, margaritas, and a long tequila list. Its covered patio and bar overlook Little Sand Lake.
Eddie V's Prime Seafood
Eddie V's, at 7488 West Sand Lake Road, is an upscale seafood and steak restaurant open nightly for dinner. Ask for a table with a view of Little Sand Lake.
Sixty Vines
Sixty Vines, at 7760 West Sand Lake Road in Plaza Venezia, opened in 2024 in the former Roy's space. It pairs wine on tap with wood-fired pizza and shareable plates, and some tables look out over the lake.
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Fleming's, at 8030 Via Dellagio Way, is a classic steakhouse with a large wine list, a reliable choice for business dinners and celebrations.
Ocean Prime
Ocean Prime, at 7339 West Sand Lake Road, Suite 400, serves seafood and steaks in a polished, supper-club setting with a busy bar.
Where to stay while you explore Dr. Phillips
If you are visiting Dr. Phillips to look at homes, stay close. You will learn more about a neighborhood from a morning walk and a dinner on Restaurant Row than from a hotel on International Drive.
- Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge, 9000 Bay Hill Boulevard. A quiet, 70-room golf lodge next to Dr. Phillips, with member golf privileges for guests.
- Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa, 9500 Turkey Lake Road. A large resort on Big Sand Lake with suites and villas, minutes from Restaurant Row.
- Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando, on Universal Boulevard. A short drive north, with easy access to I-4.
Thinking about living in Dr. Phillips?
Many people who come for the restaurants start asking what it would take to live here. Dr. Phillips is largely built out, so most homes are resales in established communities, from townhomes to gated estates and golf homes near Bay Hill. The Dr. Phillips neighborhood guide covers price ranges and communities, and new construction near Dr. Phillips covers builders in and around the area. If you are deciding between this area and its neighbor to the west, read Dr. Phillips vs. Windermere. To see what a home here would cost each month, try the mortgage calculator.
If you are still comparing Dr. Phillips with other parts of Orlando, take the 2-minute neighborhood quiz. It returns a short list of Orlando communities that fit your lifestyle, budget, and priorities.
Frequently Asked
Questions, answered
What is Dr. Phillips, FL known for?
Dr. Phillips is best known for Restaurant Row, a stretch of West Sand Lake Road and Dr. Phillips Boulevard lined with restaurants ranging from steakhouses to small cafés. The community also has Big Sand Lake and Little Sand Lake at its center, Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club next door, and quick access to Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World.
Is Dr. Phillips part of the City of Orlando?
No. Dr. Phillips is an unincorporated community in southwest Orange County, so it is governed by Orange County rather than the City of Orlando. Homes and businesses in Dr. Phillips use Orlando mailing addresses, mostly in the 32819 and 32836 ZIP codes, which is why many people assume it is part of the city.
How far is Dr. Phillips from Universal and Disney?
Dr. Phillips sits just south and west of Universal Orlando, which is roughly a 10-minute drive from Restaurant Row. Walt Disney World is about 15 to 20 minutes away, depending on which park you visit and traffic on I-4. Downtown Orlando is about 12 miles northeast, usually a 20 to 25 minute drive.
What are the best parks in Dr. Phillips?
Dr. P. Phillips Community Park on Big Sand Lake is the main park in Dr. Phillips, with a splash pad, a dog park, sports fields, and a 0.6-mile walking trail. Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake, just to the north, adds camping, fishing, and disc golf, and Tibet-Butler Preserve offers 3.6 miles of quiet nature trails.
Where is Restaurant Row in Orlando?
Restaurant Row is in Dr. Phillips, in southwest Orlando. It is centered on West Sand Lake Road near Dr. Phillips Boulevard, just west of I-4, with more restaurants along Dr. Phillips Boulevard and Via Dellagio Way. Plaza Venezia and the Dellagio shopping center hold many of its best-known restaurants.
