Last year I had the pleasure of eating at Café Tu Tu Tango on Florida’s International Drive in the USA.
I was on a multi-generational trip with the family and we were visiting Disney World!
It was a wonderful holiday of course – read about Disney Diaries Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3!
Café Tu Tu Tango was in close proximity to where we were staying, and it was actually recommended to us by a local resident. And, as we all know, a local’s recommendation is usually a good one!
So, with the kids staying with the grandparents (that’s the beauty of a multi-generational holiday!), VIP and I went off on date night!
We were immediately impressed with the exterior of Café Tu Tu Tango – it was bright, vibrant and looked exciting!
The atmosphere
If the exterior of Café Tu Tu Tango was colourful, the interior was even more vibrant.
As we walked through the doors, we were welcomed by lovely aromas, music you want to move to and an upbeat atmosphere.
Laughter and music were the first things that you’re met with on entering the restaurant. Conversations were loud and we loved the music, which was mostly from the 80s and 90s – our cup of tea!
Forget coming here for a quiet dinner for two; it was loud, full of energy and best of all, fun!
The walls were adorned with a plethora of abstract art and there was even a local artist painting on site and displaying their art, which was nice to see.
The interiors offered a bohemian vibe and it almost felt like we were joining one big celebration! Mind you, reading up on the background of Café Tu Tu Tango, this didn’t surprise me.
According to the restaurant’s website, three friends decided to launch the restaurant following their trip to Barcelona in Spain back in the early 90s – and you certainly see the city’s influence on the restaurant’s style.
Cafe Tu Tu’s Food
The menu was quite varied so I wasn’t worried about being able to find something to eat that I’d like.
I decided to skip starters (in favour of dessert) and for the mains, I opted for the No Way Jose Sliders (Burgers) – of pork and beef, which included mango-sriracha-chipotle slaw, avocado pico and crispy shoestring potatoes – for $10.50.
VIP opted for the Guava BBQ ribs (with malta-guava BBQ sauce and pickled green tomatoes) for $10, plus we ordered some Yuca fries as a side.
We also ordered Roma Tomato and Goat Cheese Flatbread from the Brick Oven menu, along with some hummus.
For larger groups, of six or more, there’s the option of a small plates tasting menu for $29.22 per person, which is a great idea.
Dessert for me was my favourite though; Chocolate Dipped Cheesecake Lollipops, which cost $7.
They tasted absolutely delicious and, if I wasn’t quite so full, I could have easily have gone for a second round!
Get the look
If you’re a fan of the Café Tu Tu Tango look, I’ve scoured the internet to find similar homeware and kitchenware to recreate the look at home…
Pictured below, clockwise from the top left below are:
- A Handmade Dancing Girl Oil Painting On Canvas from £22.41.
- Tableware dinnerware set. Includes a dinner plate, side plate and salad/soup/breakfast bowl. Comes in numerous colours including black, turquoise and white. Made to order for £45 plus shipping.
- Rosenice Hand Held Spanish Folding Fan made of bamboo and lace. It costs £6.99 with free delivery and measures 23cm in length.
- Divine Deli Spanish Collection Olive Dip Dish. Comes in various colours, is dishwasher and microwave safe and costs £12.99 with free delivery.
If you’re staying on International Drive in Orlando, Florida and looking for a unique dining experience, consider a visit to Café Tu Tu Tango. I’m pretty sure you won’t be disappointed!
You can also check out my quick video tour of Café Tu Tu Tango.
52 comments
Needs to be on my bucket list sounds a fabulous place fingers crossed it will happen one day
I’m keeping everything crossed for you Iris!
I haven’t check your Disney adventures yet. Good to hear you had a fantastic time there. Oh no, now I’m craving for that Chocolate dipped cheesecake lollipops.
Thanks Angela – I was quite detailed with the diaries – but only to help families get the most from their trip of course!
that chocolate dipped cheesecake lollipops looks amazing and definitely steals the show! never would have thought of doing that
No, me neither! I guess you can get some great inspiration from eating out ….if there was ever an excuse!
Ahh those chocolate dipped lollipops look insane! I’ve been to Florida a couple of times but not been here, will have to next time! xo
I’m sure you’d love it next time you go Rachel – we wouldn’t have known about it had the local resident mention it to us.
Cafe Tu Tu Tango sounds like just the kind of place my whole family would love. Colours, aromas, spices and vibrancy always make me seem to enjoy my food the most. There is something very comforting and relaxing about Spanish style dining, and I can see why you all liked those cheesecake bites covered in chocolate!!
Thanks Tanya – and that’s exactly what I thought when walking in, as I really didn’t know what to expect. And I think you’re right – heightening all the other senses through vivid colours and music etc only added to the food enjoyment.
Café Tu Tu Tango sounds like a great place to hang out and the burgers look amazing x
Oh those burgers were sooo nice. I liked the fact they were fairly small too – I didn’t feel like it was too much for me to manage – and we all know what the portion sizes are like in the States!
Those burgers look so delicious and they make me so hungry! I wouldn’t say no to the guava ribs either, the recipe sounds very intriguing. And the yucca fries are perfect to accompany both mains.
They certainly had an interesting and varied menu – thanks Joanna.
Oh those burgers look good and the slaw sounds amazing. Anything with chipotle gets a big thumbs up from me.
Just writing about it and thinking back to it is making me hungry! It’s great when you’ve got a decent place to recommend.
That sounds like a lovely dining experience – wish I had known about the place when in Florida!
Thanks Mellissa – you know where to head if you go back! 🙂
I love the fact that as soon as you walk in you are instantly happy from the decor and music! The chocolate dipped cheesecake lollipops sound so good.
Oh definitely – the ambience only added to our enjoyment. Thanks Kirsty!
Café Tu Tu Tango looks fantastic! Sounds like you had a wonderful date night 🙂
Thanks Jemma – appreciate that!
Oh my god the Chocolate Dipped Cheesecake Lollipops look amazing, its making me so hungry! Glad you had such a brilliant time xo
Thanks Emma-Louise. If you hear about a recipe for them, do let me know! 🙂
That dessert looks fantastic! Never heard of it and never knew it was even possible! Chocolate dipped cheesecake lollipops! If we get down to Orlando any time this year, I will definitely have Cafe Tu Tu in our itinerary!
Oh yes you must- I’m sure you’d be impressed …..enjoy it if you do!
Oh my goodness! That chocolate dipped cheesecake picture.. I’m literally salivating!
Ha ha! I think most of us can relate to that – great idea for a dessert isn’t it?
What a quirky place! I think the aromas that hit when you enter a place are so telling of the experience that you are about to have. Those chocolate dipped cheesecakes look magnificent!
I think you hit the nail on the head – I’d definitely call it quirky!
I am such a fussy eater that I dread going out to eat so love to see that there are things I would eat and not only that but also enjoy
Thanks Emma – the menu was quite varied, so I’m sure there would have been something on there to suit.
Wow chopped dipped cheesecake lollipops sounds amazing, I’d have definitely left some room for those. It’s so nice that you managed a night out on your own x
Yes, luckily the grandparents are always having the kids so we’re really lucky to be able to get time alone together.
Reading this first thing in the morning before breakfast wasn’t the best idea !! I’m starving now and could just eat this. Café Tu Tu Tango looks delicious. Love the crockery plates and bowls you found online
I searched high and low for them ha ha! Thanks Jenni.
I think that skipping starters were a good idea for that delicious looking chocolate dessert! For me though, I really love the sound of the goats cheese flatbread with the hummus!
Yes, that was also really tatsy Ana – I wish I could recreate some of these back home!
The food sounds, and looks, utterly delicious. Also, I’m loving that plate set!
C x
I love the rustic look for homeware – if it looks like it has been handmade with uneven edges – even better!
The food at Cafe Tu Tu Tango looks ands sounds amazing, especially the chocolate dipped cheesecakes. Yum! The atmosphere sounds brilliant in there too, I much prefer fun livelier places than sitting around the table whispering.
Yes – you and me both Helen – bring on the party atmosphere!
This place sounds so fun! I love anywhere that’s a little bit quirky, and how awesome that they have a working artist on site! xx
Thanks Chrissy.I loved the onsite artist – it offered a unique experience!
How awesome does Cafe Tu Tu sound. I went to American many years ago and stayed on International Drive, it is such a hub of great things to do and see.
I wonder how much it has changed since you were there – and I wonder how much it will change in the next few years….I couldn’t get over how wide the roads were – just to cross half way you had to get across 3 lanes!
Even without your pictures, your description of the atmosphere and the allure was amazing, really eye grabbing and made a picture of how it looked in my head, definitely very tempting. Plus the food looks so mouth watering.
Thanks Bethany – nice to read it had that effect on you! 🙂
Oh gosh it looks amazing and makes me want to return to Florida SOON! Love the sound of the Chocolate Dipped Cheesecake Lollipops – yum!!
I’d love to recreate them at home as they really were the best thing about it for me….I might look up some recipes!
Sounds brilliant. Glad you had an amazing time!
Thanks Kayleigh!