Hemingway’s

Took a couple clients here for dinner. Hard as hell to find (especially if the internal staff give you bad intel, that being said, best crab cakes I have ever had… amazing caprese salad, great fish… and a decent wine selection. I don’t know where the people who described this place as «romantic» eat (golden corral, perhaps?) but I can;‘t see it as being that… great client dinner spot… I wouldn’t bring a date here until I retire… the crowd is a little on the elderly side.

The Cons:
1) Calamari was over-​breaded & salty;
2) The paella, while visually pleasing & cooked to perfection, was very salty;
3) It is a classy restaurant, but be prepared to see other patrons (likely hotel guests) who are dressed VERY casually & detract from the ambiance that the restaurant tries to establish…
The Pros:
1) The restaurant is nestled on the grounds of the Grand Cypress Resort, which is an amazing hotel & gives you beautiful scenery to see as you make your way to the restaurant;
2) The shrimp scampi is absolutely OUT OF THIS WORLD… beautifully constructed & packed w/flavors…it’s a «must try» dish at this restaurant…

I don’t know how this place doesn’t have 5 stars. Everything I ate was off the charts good. Better than Joe’s stone crab in Miami and for a lot less money. Had king crabs, raw oysters, & wife had crab cake appetizer with fish for main order. Everything here just melts in your mouth. Price is very reasonable and not crazy like some seafood places, cough cough Joe’s.
I never knew Orlando among all of its bad restaurants had a true gem like this. These people know and I mean they KNOW how to make Seafood.

Just ate at Hemingway’s. Staying at the Hyatt Grand Cypress where the restaurant is located. It is in a tucked away spot in the hotel. We weren’t seated in the most cozy part of the restaurant, but it was nice. The bar area looked inviting as we walked by. The menus had a variety of interesting choices. We had the calamari which was described as «cut thick.» It was very tender and thick, but not crispy. It was very good, the lack of crispness worked for this dish. Served with a uncooked tomato sauce which went well together.
The Caesar salads were beautiful. They were very good, but the dressing lacked seasoning. My wife had the scallops and risotto. Absolutely perfect. I had the lobster tail with what was described as a tomato butter with fettuccini. The portion was a good size, unfortunately it was more of a tomato sauce on top of the lobster tail. When described this way it doesn’t sound like this dish would work. It doesn’t. For the most expensive entrée it was disappointing. I don’t send things back and I did eat it it. Just a little weird. The other entrees looked great, probably just a bad choice by me. I have to review on what I got so there it is. As far as the service our waiter was pleasant. He was a little lackadaisical as he didn’t notice I used both of my forks on the appetizer and salad and left me sitting with my entrée while he fetched one from who knows where as opposed from the empty table next to me. That’s not too bad, except he forgot my cappuccino and remembered my wife’s. We had the coconut ice cream in the chocolate orange shell. This was great. That cappuccino would have gone well with it, oh well.
I do recommend this restaurant, just don’t get the lobster with tomato sauce.

Super dining experience.
Stayed at hotel for conference which included dinner in Hemingway’s private dining room.
Service was exceptional and the food top notch.
Will definitely come again on my next trip out here.

My sister and I were on a mission to get through all of the Disney parks in 2 days. The last day, we decided we needed to treat ourselves to at least sit down place for breakfast instead of eating turkey legs/​burgers/​pizza at the park.
THE MOOD:
Hemingway’s is located inside the Grand Cypress Hotel. Walking through the lush greenery of the hotel property and feeling the cool breeze in the morning, I felt like I was transported back to the Caribbean again. Hemingway’s has a very relaxed island vibe with their palm trees surrounding the restaurant. Inside the restaurant, there is wood flooring and windows galore so that you can look out at the beautiful scenery and water.
THE FOOD:
I ordered the eggs benedict (my usual breakfast staple) with hash browns and coffee. Sissy ordered the waffles which came with a cup of fruit. I really really wanted the food to be stellar, but the food was just a-​okay. There wasn’t enough flavoring in the hollandaise sauce sauce and the eggs were super super runny. The ham also was a bit tough and flavorless. Also, I would have like the hash browns to have been a little crispier. But they did have coffee galore which is just what we needed to start our day.
THE ‘TUDE:
Another thing that makes Hemingway’s great is that their service was just wonderful. There had to have been at LEAST 5 people catering to us from the moment we got in. The waiters were always mindful to keep the coffee and waters coming and didn’t miss a beat on anything.
*Tip: They also have a little private seating area in the center of the restaurant — perfect for parties!
OVERALL:
If I had more time in Orlando, I would probably come here again to try other items on the menu. Overall, I had a wonderful last breakfast here and enjoyed the relaxed and peaceful vibes of Hemingway’s.

Property beautiful… atmosphere wonderful. Pricey but worth it.
I got the salmon. Husband got the filet. Also got appetizers. Stuffed mushrooms (yum).shrimp cocktail. Will be back when in Orlando

A fine meal! Everything we ordered was fantastic and the service was impeccable. The crab cakes with coconut grits and the shrimp scampi were both delicious. The drinks were a bit pricey ($ 14) but worth a splurge for the right occasion. We
ended the night with a spectacular peanut butter chocolate cake. Highly recommend for a romantic dinner for two enjoying Hemingway’s favorites!

I need a poet to describe this place. It’s very intimate, the resort is beautiful and the food OMG! And the server was hands down the best waitress I’ve ever had. I can’t believe this place, it’s a hidden gem.

We had dinner at Hemingway’s last night for Magical Dining and it was fantastic! The ambiance at Hemingway’s is both romantic and classy. We arrived under the pouring rain and were greeted with a smile by the hostess. We were seated and our server came over immediately with the Magical Dining Menu and the in house baked bread and butter which is highly addictive.
I began the three course meal with a refreshing Key Wester Salad. I’m usually not a fan of salads but I devoured this one and my wife was as surprised as I was. This salad had chopped Capicola and bacon pieces which sealed the deal for me. For the entrée, I chose the Duval Street Shrimp Scampi and I was pleasantly surprised when four Jumbo Tiger Shrimps arrived on top of fried green tomatoes. The shrimps surrounded a piece of Pappardelle pasta which was placed in the middle and the plate was drizzled with garlic white wine butter sauce. The flavors came together well and the shrimps were fresh.
For dessert, I chose the Peanut Butter Delight and personally, it was the perfect finish to a magical dinner. Homemade peanut butter cream, chocolate and cookie crust… what more can you ask for?! I was completely stuffed after this meal and for $ 33.00, you can’t go wrong. As I looked around the restaurant, it seemed like everyone was taking advantage of Magical Dining. I highly recommend reservations when dining here.
Service at Hemingway’s is very polished. We had multiple servers coming by making sure we had everything we needed, our waters were topped off and they even brought more bread after our salads. Hemingway’s is located inside the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress hotel and this property is gorgeous. The pool area is surrounded by lush tropical landscape and the actual pool is made up of exotic waterfalls. This is my second visit to Hemingway’s but it definitely will not be my last.

My dad, who is a very lucky eater, loved the food here! Which is a bonus for our entire family.
We got the wonderful deal of $ 69/​couple for three courses.
My dad got the Florida conch chowder while the rest of us got the key west (sp?) salad for the appetizer! All exceptional and a great portion size.
Entrée:
Dad — Chicken (Cuban?): delicious! He loved every bite and said it was the most flavorful chicken he had ever had. Good size.
Me: Shrimp Scampi: giant shrimp were juicy and a great texture. Sauce was great. Fried veggies underneath were a good complement. 5 star.
Mom: 6 oz steak — honestly tasted a little charred. Should’ve asked them for an exchange, but it was edible. 2 star.
Sister: Salmon with blackberry reduction: we probably have a less refined taste as we didn’t enjoy the sweetness of the sauce with the savoriness of the salmon. However overall texture was great.
Overall even though we didn’t enjoy all the food, we had a great time. Ambience was perfect and the service was impeccable.
So good my dad and mom returned again the next day!

The moment we checked into the Hyatt, my family & I walked around looking for food. We didn’t eat AT ALL, the entire day.
We just so happened to walk into this restaurant.
It is pricey. Nothing crazy but $ 25 – 40 average depending on what you order.
The inside of the restaurant imitates a beach house & is very beautiful inside. I’m sure at night it is even more beautiful.
The presentation of the food was very clean & classy. Soooo nicely put together!
When we arrived we were not at ALL dressed for the occasion. Me, being in sweatpants & a tank top. My siblings in the same drama & my mom.
However, we dined like kings & queens. :)
The bread is super delish!!! We had the calamari as an appetizer & it was yummy. Didn’t come with a lemon which was odd to me but it was still good.
I ordered the chicken which was very yummy & the juices over it made it more good. ($ 27?)
My mom had the rib eye & it was a BIT dry but still very good. (Around $ 40 I believe)
Sister had the tuna which was SO good!
Brother had the salmon which tasted pretty regular nothing crazy but still yummy.
Was very happy eating here. :)
PLUS our server was VERY helpful & specific and paid much attention to us. Thank you!!!

I really wanted to give Hemingway’s a 5 star rating, but unfortunately I just couldn’t.
The good:
— wonderful atmosphere. We sat in the outdoor area and it was very comfortable and classy at the same time. As another reviewer said, you almost feel like you are at a fine restaurant in Hawaii.
— the service. Our servers were wonderful; attentive without hovering, willing to provide their opinion and recommendations about items on the menu, including recommending a couple of excellent glasses of wine. We really felt well taken care of.
— food presentation. Everything came out looking really beautiful.
The bad:
— the food was mixed when it came to taste. Here is what we had and what we thought about it:
— Key West Waldorf salad: yummy!
— Filet Mignon: really tough for a filet and not much flavor. Additionally, the potatoes and asparagus were also really bland.
— Shrimp Scampi: nice presentation. The shrimp was very fresh (good firm texture). The sauce was tasty, if somewhat buttery. But for some reason the shrimps themselves had very little flavor.
— Kids Cheeseburger: yummy! FYI, the kids menu is kind of limited.
— key lime pie tart: nothing to write home about. The one from La Madeline is much better.
— chocolate banana cake: okay, but not great.
— espresso: cold when it got to the table.
Would I go back… probably not, since it was pretty expensive.

Walk past a little waterfall for steak and seafood!
Really enjoyed Hemingway’s at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. First, the décor is beautiful with wood, glass, and that Florida vibe going. Second, the apps were a hit around our table. While I thought the calamari and shrimp dishes were only okay, my colleagues couldn’t get enough. They especially raved about the calamari being a great balance of breading and flavor, with the sauce giving a nice added mix of sweetness. My tastes were in the minority.
Next, the main entrees were superb. My t-​bone was cooked perfectly and was scrumptious. The other folks at our table commented that their bass, filet mignon, and crab cakes were marvelous.
Service was good. Not as stellar as I would have expected, but way better than your average sit-​down. They timed courses well and didn’t let us go empty on drinks for too long.
We were so stuffed that none of us has space for dessert!
Definitely will visit again, on my next stay…

I guess I’m what you’d call a long-​time customer since I’ve been going here for almost 30 years. It’s a magical little oasis outside the Grand Cypress hotel, completely surrounded (and high above) the rock work waterfalls that feed the elaborate pools. Every room is essentially a glassed in veranda, and one is screened in for those balmy evenings.
The food is reliable and tasty, and the service is friendly and accommodating.
Over the years many menu items have changed, but one constant has been my favorite salad, the Key Wester, and complex combination of a mild blue cheese dressing, ham, bacon, a few olives, and other goodies. Highly recommended.

My wife and I had a wonderful dinner at Hemingway’s tonight and I highly recommend it to all you Unilocaler’s.
My wife ordered the Cuban Chicken which was cooked perfectly. Very moist and tender inside with just a little «crispness» to the skin.
Our very professional waiter Tom steered me towards the seared Ahi Tuna and it was awesome! It had been flown in fresh that morning and I could cut it with a fork. Great call Tom, thank you.
Overall this is a top notch restaurant with top notch staff serving good quality food. Since Tom gave my wife a free class of wine our bill was only $ 70.00. You can’t beat that.

Best crab cakes ever! I had crab cakes in san francisco, jacksonville, napa, new york city, etc., and none of these places can come close to these crab cakes. It was full of crabs and less bread. they weren’t overcooked or undercooked. Just right. I love the decoration. The view was nice, oversaw the island lake.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. Was very pleasant. Did not feel rush to order, eat, and leave. Had a relaxing dinner. Was expensive, but the prices were well worth it.
Rating :
Food 5
Ambience 4
Price 4
Service 4
Overall 4.3
Definitely would come back to try other items.

I’m so glad Hemingway’s participated in MDM because if they have not, then I probably would have never heard of them. Living on the east side of Orlando, I have close access to some really awesome restaurants. So, for me to venture off to the area of Mouse House for dinner is really rare. Hemingway’s will now be an exception to that statement.
I made reservations for Saturday night and was seated shortly after arrival. We were seated in the main dining room near the open kitchen. I was amazed to see how that small kitchen was the same kitchen used to prepare everyone’s meals! Those chefs really run a tight space, literally!
We took our time looking over the menus and decided to order the calamari, Key Wester salad, chowder, crab cake entrée, shrimp scampi, and the 2 desserts. The wine selection was part of the menu, but the cocktails were listed on a separate one. I requested the cocktail list and immediately the Cypress Punch caught my eye. The punch was a perfect drink to keep me going for the duration of my dinner!
Our courses were spaced out perfectly so we were able to enjoy our dinner at a leisurely pace. Our meal started off with these amazing asiago rolls with some whipped butter. Next, was our calamari appetizer, which was surprisingly tender! This dish was easily our favorite calamari app ever! My chowder was too rich and sweet for my taste so I gladly gave it to my bf. I think either the corn was really that sweet or my taste buds were off. The crab cakes were more like perfectly rounded mounds of crab meat! My shrimp scampi had 4 huge shrimps, fried green tomatoes, and a small roll of papperdelle.
Our server was nice, but forgetful. I think he was overwhelmed with his section because he seemed all over the place. In the end of our meal, we surrendered our plate and asked for our leftovers to be boxed. We were so full that we didn’t even attempt dessert and asked for it to be packed.
All in all, it was an enjoyable evening. YAY for awesome dinners!

I came with my fiancée for an early birthday dinner. The setting of the restaurant is nice but casual at the same time.
We decided to go with the magical dining month menu and ordered an additional appetizer, red snapper ceviche, off the main menu.
The red snapper ceviche was more of a salsa with raw red snapper. Not your traditional ceviche, but it worked really well. It was served with thin plantains to eat with the ceviche.
Fiancée’s Dishes:
Key Wester Salad
Shrimp Scampi — Served with fried green tomatoes and thin sweet potato shoestring fries.
Key Lime Tart
Mine:
Florida Rock Shrimp Chowder
Crab Cakes — The potatoes could have been seasoned a bit more, but everything else was great. The crab cakes are full of lump crab meat and don’t have much filling, if any.
Peanut Butter Bombe — The chocolate ganache on top was very rich.
Overall everything was great from the food to service.

Could I give this place 10 Stars!!! By far my best Birthday Meal ever!!! I went on vacation with my friends to Orlando for my 30^th birthday. My friend discovered that restaurant week was happening the week we were going & we decided on Hemingway’s (well I decided b/​c I really wanted the crab cakes). Best decision ever b/​c everyone from my group was happily stuffed with amazing food.
First off, we were seated within 5 mins of arriving, the reservations helped. Our waiter Victor was so energetic & helpful with menu selections. He made us laugh & was just overall fun to have as a server. He earned big tips from our table b/​c he was wonderful. The other wait staff was great as well, always checking on us & what more they could do. Even when we walked out the chefs bid us a good night & hoped we enjoyed everything. The manager is doing their job b/​c the staff was top notch, friendly & actually looked like they enjoyed working there.
Now, to the food! Seriously, the most important part of the evening. We were on a selective menu but still offered a range of selections from appetizer, entrée & dessert. We all chose the Key Wester Salad, so good. I could have stopped the meal there & still been satisfied. I then chose their famous crab cakes. Trust me, they are famous for a reason. They truly are 99% real crab & the best crab cakes I’ve ever had. They were accompanied with asparagus, corn salsa & coconut grits. I don’t like coconut & I ate just about all of my grits. Also, I splurged & celebrated my birthday with a Piña Colada, it was giant & expensive but totally worth it. Lastly we ordered the Peanut butter surprise & it was delicious but we were so stuffed we had to order it to go.
As a surprise for my birthday, they treated my table to complimentary tiramisu that was beautifully decorated with Happy Birthday in chocolate. Like I’ve stated, excellent service!
Next time I’m in Orlando or have friends going to Orlando, I’m telling them they must go b/​c I’ll be stopping in again for more crab cakes. Please, never stop selling them. It would be a travesty for others to not be able to enjoy the best crab cakes.