Located on the waterfront on the shores of Lake Jesup, Black Hammock is one of the most unique places to eat near Orlando, combining a classic Florida fish camp with airboat rides, a marina, a small live alligator exhibit, and the Lazy Gator Bar.
It’s the perfect place to experience Old Florida, with scenic lake views, abundant wildlife, and opportunities to spot alligators, birds, turtles, and other native species before or after your meal.
The menu celebrates Florida favorites with signature gator tail served fried or blackened, frog legs, catfish, peel-and-eat shrimp, fresh fish, shrimp and grits, burgers, pulled pork, hush puppies, and homemade desserts. The fried gator can be served Florida style (traditional) or with buffalo or cajun seasonings.
If you’re looking for a lighter option, the grilled or blackened fresh fish and grilled shrimp are also excellent choices. Pair your meal with a drink, catch live music or trivia at the Lazy Gator Bar, then end the day with an airboat ride across one of Florida’s most famous lakes.
The area of Black Hammock takes its name from the rich black muck soil and hardwood hammocks surrounding Lake Jesup, which helped make the area one of Oviedo’s most productive celery farming communities after the Great Freeze of 1894–1895.
The restaurant sits along the shores of Lake Jesup, a 10,000-acre lake estimated to be more than 100,000 years old and home to one of the highest concentrations of alligators in the United States, making it one of Central Florida’s most iconic natural landmarks…