1 Restaurant Per Area Recommendations

[CoachBeard]

My next trip in a few months will be for a total of 14 days, 2 of which are eaten up by travel. My last trip was January 2024, and I did a lot of TS restaurants, but I often ended up changing my plans and reservations due to indecisiveness. This time around, I'm in a very different place in my life. I am down 55 pounds, I don't eat a ton, and I try to make food "splurges" special.

So, I ask you to recommend 1 TS restaurant that is a "must do" for you in each of the following areas (maybe recommend your star dish as well):
- Epcot
- MK
- HS
- AK
- Resort
- Springs

I rarely have breakfast, but it is my favorite kind of food, so hopefully, there will be some recommendations for that as well. There are no wrong answers! I am just preparing for my 60 mark and constantly updating my spreadsheet containing my daily schedule/budget plans.

 

[kylenne]

Epcot: Shiki-Sai. It’s my favorite TS there these days and I think will work best for you given your criteria. It’s izakaya, which you can think of as something like Japanese tapas, so portions are not super huge. We absolutely loved our meal there in May. I’m not a seafood enjoyer but my partner and bestie loved their sushi (partner raved about the negi in particular). My fave was the ishiyaki beef rice, they do it right at the table. But I enjoyed everything I tried, karaage, veggie tempura, skewers, etc.

MK: Leave and go a monorail resort for dinner. Wailulu at the Poly’s new tower is my fave over there atm. Nothing bad on that menu at all but my fave is the Wayfinder burger.

HS: Brown Derby. Get the cobb salad. If you’re not into that, leave and hop the boat one stop to Swan and Dolphin. Fantastic dining over there from the low to higher end. Bourbon Steak is absolutely worth the splurge, it's the best steakhouse on property right now imo. Blew Yachtsman out of the water.

AK: I honestly think Satu’li is better than all the TS joints here, including Tiffins lol.

Resort: I already mentioned a few but AKL is also a great destination for dining. You can’t go wrong with anything over there.

DS: Wine Bar George is my favorite restaurant there. Never had a bad meal there, ever, and the service is impeccable. Jaleo is another standout but can get pricey. It’s tapas style though.

 

[CoachBeard]

Great recommendations thank you so much! Keep em coming!

 

[RuntheMouse]

We don’t eat a ton of TS so I can’t help with all locations. I will say though the DH and I finally tried Tiffin’s at AK and it was fantastic! We also love going to the bar at The Boathouse at DS to eat off the appetizer menu which would give you smaller portions.

 

[leebee]

Epcot- Biergarten. Good solid food, great oompah band, and it's fun to watch the kids dance. Oh, and beer. And wine!

MK- Leave and go to one of the MK resort restaurants. We really like Grand Floridian Cafe and Steakhouse 71. Haven't tried the new place at the Poly tower yet.

Studios- We avoid eating here if we can. 50s Prime Time is good, but not great, and heavy. We're going to try Brown Derby this time around. We usually grab "whatever" at the quick service places and head to Disney Springs for a good dinner. Hmm.. we did like the chicken chunks at Loading Dock 7 (?). Another option is to take the boat to the Swolphin and eat almost anywhere there.

AK- Boma- for dinner AND breakfast. We usually go for supper after the park closes. It's one of our favorite restaurants anywhere. In-park I've discovered Yak&Yeti. Not a fan of their quick service but the restaurant has good food. We like to sit at the bar at Nomad and nosh, but it's gotten so busy with families and waiting lines that we don't go too often anymore (but Dawa Bar does a great bloody mary). Flametree BBQ is also reasonable quick service quality food at OK prices.

Resort- Grand Floridian Cafe, Olivia's at OKW, Steakhouse 71 at the Contemporary, Toledo or 3 Bridges at Coronado Springs.

Springs- Boathouse, Jaleo, Morimoto, Polite Pig are favorites. Also Homecomin' and Raglan Road, but they are on the 2nds list.

 

[snowwite]

Epcot: Shiki-Sai. It’s my favorite TS there these days and I think will work best for you given your criteria. It’s izakaya, which you can think of as something like Japanese tapas, so portions are not super huge. We absolutely loved our meal there in May. I’m not a seafood enjoyer but my partner and bestie loved their sushi (partner raved about the negi in particular). My fave was the ishiyaki beef rice, they do it right at the table. But I enjoyed everything I tried, karaage, veggie tempura, skewers, etc.

MK: Leave and go a monorail resort for dinner. Wailulu at the Poly’s new tower is my fave over there atm. Nothing bad on that menu at all but my fave is the Wayfinder burger.

HS: Brown Derby. Get the cobb salad. If you’re not into that, leave and hop the boat one stop to Swan and Dolphin. Fantastic dining over there from the low to higher end. Bourbon Steak is absolutely worth the splurge, it's the best steakhouse on property right now imo. Blew Yachtsman out of the water.

AK: I honestly think Satu’li is better than all the TS joints here, including Tiffins lol.

Resort: I already mentioned a few but AKL is also a great destination for dining. You can’t go wrong with anything over there.

DS: Wine Bar George is my favorite restaurant there. Never had a bad meal there, ever, and the service is impeccable. Jaleo is another standout but can get pricey. It’s tapas style though.

You named lots of my faves. Never tried Wine Bar George. I don’t drink so it never occurred to me to go there for food

 

[teach22180]

MK-Liberty Tree Tavern is my favorite. I have eaten everywhere except Tony's, but I really don't eat Italian. Be sure to check out the menus because it really is a personal preference.

AK- i am a big fan of tusker house for breakfast.

HS- i love the atmosphere of the Hollywood Brown Derby, but I usually struggle to find food that I will enjoy.

EP- i am currently struggling with where to eat at Epcot. My favorite place is hacienda san angel on the water, but i keep thinking I should try someplace new.

DS- i have not tried all the restaurants there, but of the ones I have tried. I think the boathouse was my favorite.

My favorite resort meals are definitely breakfast. Because on my trips during COVID, I often ate table service breakfast. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. But topelinos is very fun with the characters, and I enjoy the buffet at cape may.

 

[CoachBeard]

Boathouse seems to rank high with people so I’m inclined to try it this time. Any recommended dishes?

 

[kylenne]

You named lots of my faves. Never tried Wine Bar George. I don’t drink so it never occurred to me to go there for food

Food is excellent there. We love to get the saganaki on fire. They have some good lunch specials too.

 

[ezma]

Magic Kingdom...We leave the park and go to either the Wilderness Lodge to Geyser Point or the Polynesian Island Tower to Wailulu..both paces have excellent food!
Epcot... Our family loves the Biergarten Garden..the food.. the band ..and whole atmosphere, please it smells wonderful in there

Hollywood Studios... We enjoy Sci-Fi and Prime Time the food both places are ok(average food) its nothing to right home about ..but its not that bad. If you have never been to both places its worth going. The atmosphere the experience the whole gamut. Its worth seeing and experiencing it at least once.

Animal Kingdom.. We enjoy Yak and Yeti ..we have tried almost every entre on the menu and its all been very good.

Animal Kingdom Lodge...Boma breakfast and dinner...JIko
Contemporary...California Grill
Grand Floridian.. Narcoossees and Citricos

Disney Springs ...Iam sorry to say but I would rather take a beating then to go back there... Disney Springs is not our thing.

Hope You will enjoy where ever you go .. remember its all about making memories!! Marla

 

[Miffy]

Disclaimer: I'm vegan and so is my travel companion (my sister), so our choices are based on that.

DAK: Tusker House. Fantastic selection at the buffet.

Epcot: Rose & Crown. But, warning, they open at 4 pm, so no lunch there.

DHS: Until last year I would've said '50s Prime Time, but I had a terrible meal there (well, let's just say the results of the meal were terrible) so now I don't eat at any TS at DHS.

MK: Probably no one here agrees with me, but we always go to Tony's Town Square because they have spaghetti with vegan "meat"balls and the best tossed salad on property. Also delish focaccia.

Resorts: Anything at AKL. 2nd choice: Grand Floridian Cafe.

 

[BrianL]

My next trip in a few months will be for a total of 14 days, 2 of which are eaten up by travel. My last trip was January 2024, and I did a lot of TS restaurants, but I often ended up changing my plans and reservations due to indecisiveness. This time around, I'm in a very different place in my life. I am down 55 pounds, I don't eat a ton, and I try to make food "splurges" special.

So, I ask you to recommend 1 TS restaurant that is a "must do" for you in each of the following areas (maybe recommend your star dish as well):
- Epcot
- MK
- HS
- AK
- Resort
- Springs

I rarely have breakfast, but it is my favorite kind of food, so hopefully, there will be some recommendations for that as well. There are no wrong answers! I am just preparing for my 60 mark and constantly updating my spreadsheet containing my daily schedule/budget plans.

- Epcot - Garden Grill, for breakfast or lunch you can't go wrong, but I like lunch with the chimichurri steak.
- MK - It gets criticised, but I've still had only great experiences at Be Our Guest - do get the french onion soup and a filet.
- HS - I so rarely do table service here, but Sci-Fi Dine In or Primetime are solid choices and lots of fun.
- AK - Tusker House - always loved the breakfast!
- Resort - Go over to Animal Kingdom Loges - Boma, Sanaa, Jiko - I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.
- Springs - I tend to do the fast-casual type places like D-Luxe Burger, but if you want table service, then I'd probably say Boathouse.

 

[CoachBeard]

- Epcot - Garden Grill, for breakfast or lunch you can't go wrong, but I like lunch with the chimichurri steak.
- MK - It gets criticised, but I've still had only great experiences at Be Our Guest - do get the french onion soup and a filet.
- HS - I so rarely do table service here, but Sci-Fi Dine In or Primetime are solid choices and lots of fun.
- AK - Tusker House - always loved the breakfast!
- Resort - Go over to Animal Kingdom Loges - Boma, Sanaa, Jiko - I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.
- Springs - I tend to do the fast-casual type places like D-Luxe Burger, but if you want table service, then I'd probably say Boathouse.

I love anything with chimichurri! Thanks for the recs!

I remember when they were re-doing Fantasy Land and I thought Be Our Guest was a cool concept. I've never been in there so maybe this trip it'll be a "tick off the list". It is interesting how it gets mixed reviews so I'll have to see for myself!

Sounds like everyone agrees that Boathouse is the way to go!

 

[Kae]

- Epcot-We love Chefs de France
- MK-We just do counter service-But sometimes do Crystal Palace we like the lunch
- HS-Brown Derby every time
- AK-Sauli Canteen or Flame tree-I think AK has some great snacks and QS places
- Resort-Breakfast Ale & Compass, Kona or GF Cafe. Dinner Steakhouse 71
- Springs-Wine Bar George, Art Smiths Homecoming

 

[BrianL]

I love anything with chimichurri! Thanks for the recs!

I remember when they were re-doing Fantasy Land and I thought Be Our Guest was a cool concept. I've never been in there so maybe this trip it'll be a "tick off the list". It is interesting how it gets mixed reviews so I'll have to see for myself!

Sounds like everyone agrees that Boathouse is the way to go!

I mean, BOG is just gorgeous inside and I have always found the food to be great. Is it overpriced? Absolutely! Still, it's always been good for me - even earlier this year.

Garden Grill has great food and a chill atmosphere. This is the rotating restaurant in The Land pavillion. It is a character meal so costs a little more, but the lunch and dinner skillets do come with steak with chimichurri, and you can have as much of it as you want!

 

[KPeterso]

So, I ask you to recommend 1 TS restaurant that is a "must do" for you in each of the following areas (maybe recommend your star dish as well):
- Epcot
- MK
- HS
- AK
- Resort
- Springs

Here are my favorites among the parks/resorts...

• Epcot - teppan edo - I love Hibachi style - especially steak and shrimp. Honorable mentions to Le Cellier for the filet and chocolate mousse or Chefs de France for French onion soup and creme brulee.
• MK - least favorite place to eat. I'd rather go to one of the resorts.
• HS - 50s Prime Time Cafe - love the home style cooking - I particularly like the pot roast but the fried chicken is also really good.
• AK - Yak and Yeti for the chicken and shrimp chow mein. Honorable mention for Tusker House. It is our favorite character meal. We usually go for a late lunch (around 2-3 PM to get out of the heat for a bit), but I know a lot of people book for end of breakfast to get breakfast and some of the more unique lunch offerings.
• Resort:
  • Contemporary - Steakhouse 71 - filet and the creamed spinach. That creamed spinach is absolutely amazing and best i have had anywhere. This is where I tend to go on MK days.
  • AK Jambo - Boma - amazing buffet. Easy to get to from AK for dinner. I also hear rave reviews about the breakfast buffet but we are not big breakfast people.
  • Riviera - Topolinos is another amazing meal and incredible views.
• Disney Springs - Summerhouse on the Lake - my friends and I had a great meal there last year for dinner one night. Honorable mention to Splitsville - it has a wide range on the menu and I have had several meals at the DS one versus the DL DTD one and all have been great.

 

[meremac]

Epcot: Shiki-Sai

MK: Do I have to eat at MK lol? If so, Skipper Canteen. If you'd let me go to a monorail resort, Citricos at GF if I'm feeling fancy or Geyser Point at WL if I want more of a laid-back vibe.

AK: Tiffins

HS: Brown Derby

Disney Springs: Tough to pick just one, but I'd probably go with Wine Bar George

Resorts: Probably Sanaa at AKL, but Topolino's at Riviera is a close second (if not a dead heat tie)

 

[elsbit]

We have eaten at most TS restaurants. I like:

Resort:
Breakfast:Topolinos- I do love their breakfast and you can push it to later and hit up HS first if you wanted to. Dinner is fabulous too.

Lunch: Steakhouse 71- pop over for lunch from MK

Dinner: Boma

Parks:
AK- Tiffins
MK- I feel like MK lacks in TS. I would be Be Our Guest or Skippers.
HS: I really like Scifi for its fun ambiance and to get into some AC on a hot day. It is basic burger fare, bit fun.
Epcot: Via Napoli

Disney Springs:
Nothing is a must do for us, except we do enjoy getting a Ghirardelli sundae at least once on our trip.

 

[MICKIMINI]

EPCOT - Le Cellier. Brussel Sprouts OMG! There are a few aps that you might enjoy. Lunch may be better for this strategy. Stay away from the filet as we've had several bad cuts in the recent past.
MK - I agree with @kylenne totally. Get on the monorail. We like Steakhouse71 for breakfast especially.
HS - sorry, we don't ever eat there!
AK - same.
Resorts - Topolino's. It may be way too much food, but we enjoy it and love the atmosphere.
Springs - Chicken Guy (salad!) or Earl of Sandwich (anything!) We split at Earl. We never do a sit down meal there...

If you are going to EPCOT during F & W, the booths are perfect for you. Little bites of (mostly) yummy things! Do read all the menus ahead and take notes so you are not wasting time and money in line for something that is ho-hum.

Enjoy and congrats!

 

[CoachBeard]

EPCOT - Le Cellier. Brussel Sprouts OMG! There are a few aps that you might enjoy. Lunch may be better for this strategy. Stay away from the filet as we've had several bad cuts in the recent past.
MK - I agree with @kylenne totally. Get on the monorail. We like Steakhouse71 for breakfast especially.
HS - sorry, we don't ever eat there!
AK - same.
Resorts - Topolino's. It may be way too much food, but we enjoy it and love the atmosphere.
Springs - Chicken Guy (salad!) or Earl of Sandwich (anything!) We split at Earl. We never do a sit down meal there...

If you are going to EPCOT during F & W, the booths are perfect for you. Little bites of (mostly) yummy things! Do read all the menus ahead and take notes so you are not wasting time and money in line for something that is ho-hum.

Enjoy and congrats!

Thanks!

I think festival of arts will be happening while I’m there. It was last time, so I can supplement with dishes from there. I like the portion sizes they offer at the booths.

I am loving all the enthusiastic answers an it’s giving me a lot of direction which is good! I think half of the fun of a trip for me is the planning (and then doing the opposite haha!)

It sounds like MK is a no go, though I may try BOG just to say I have. I’ll need to look at the menu.