Dinner before festival of lights on Sat night

Question

Have a reservation for 10 pm festival of lights tour on Saturday night. Wondering where a group of 7 can have dinner before the 10 o clock light tour.

Answer

Great question! With a 10 pm Nights of Lights tour, you'll want to pick a restaurant that: (a) can accommodate your group of 7, (b) is downtown or nearby so you're close to the lights, and (c) has dinner service late enough to relax before your tour.

Here are several dinner spots that are very good for your group, plus some tips:

Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille — Located on the bayfront, Harry’s is a classic choice for Nights of Lights. They have a charming courtyard and a festive atmosphere, plus Cajun- and Creole-inspired seafood dishes.
The Raintree Restaurant — Set in a Victorian-era house not far from Francis Field, this restaurant offers a lovely courtyard patio and a warm, elegant dining room.
Collage Restaurant — For a more upscale, intimate dinner, Collage offers scratch-made gourmand cuisine with international flavors. Great for a special evening.
The Floridian — A more casual but very local-feel spot, serving creative Southern cuisine with fresh, local ingredients.
Catch 27 — Cozy and slightly tucked away, Catch 27 specializes in locally sourced seafood. Their patio is very charming and would set a nice tone for your evening.

Tips for dining before your tour:

Because Nights of Lights is very popular, make your dinner reservation as early as possible. Spots downtown fill up fast.
Allow plenty of time for dinner + walking to your tour meeting point — traffic and pedestrian congestion may be heavy.
If your restaurant offers outdoor seating (patio/courtyard), ask for that — it’s perfect for soaking in the lights as you dine.

My recommendation: Harry’s Seafood is probably your best fit: plenty of space for 7, beautiful courtyard, and right near the light displays — making it very convenient for your 10 pm tour.