Best "Foodie" Options?

[jimmymc]

Awesome suggestions! Can't believe I forgot Jungle Skipper Canteen, you're right, super underrated... also an accurate assessment of Be Our Guest, was certainly underwhelmed on our most recent visit.

Brown Derby is another one that I feel like is overlooked.. in sort of the same way that Le Cellier is overlooked these days. I mean to fathom 20 years ago that in 18 posts no one would have mentioned Le Cellier is sort of crazy... both restaurants are still solid choices and all but guarantee great experiences, but it feels like they are, IDK, past their heyday? Like the initial hype that rightfully last for years is now gone?

I've never been to Le Cellier but I understand what you mean. I think the general consensus now is that the food is not worth the price. You're paying more than other steakhouses for less quality.

Be Our Guest was great when it switched to the 3 course menu, but they really cut it after covid. Maybe it will return one day but probably not.

 

[bigAWL]

• Hollywood Brown Derby - anything on the menu will be good, and my favorite in-park restaurant. They also have margarita, martini, and whiskey flights.
• Jungle Skipper Canteen - Kind of a hidden gem in Magic Kingdom, it feels like people ignore this place when looking for table service. Great food and theming.
• Blue Zoo, Shula's, and Il Mulino are in the Swan and Dolphin and are all great for a nicer meal.
• The pizza window in Italy pavilion, if it's open then definitely stop in, my favorite QS in Epcot.
• Jaleo is pricey but excellent. My advice is ignore the paella and get 4 to 5 smaller dishes, especially the steak.
• Satuli Canteen is my favorite place in Animal Kingdom. I've never been to Tiffins, but the menu seems like pretty typical Indian food.
• I used to recommend Be Our Guest, but I don't think I can since they took away the escargot. The steak is still good, but the value went down with that change.

Yes to Brown Derby too. I think the Brown Derby Signature Burger may be the best burger I've ever had. And my wife loved the Sea Scallops. But to be honest, after hearing the hype about the Grapefruit Cake, I was a bit disappointed. It was nice and light and moist, but I didn't think it had a lot of flavor.

 

[PixieDust&MickeyPretzels]

Awesome suggestions! Can't believe I forgot Jungle Skipper Canteen, you're right, super underrated... also an accurate assessment of Be Our Guest, was certainly underwhelmed on our most recent visit.

Brown Derby is another one that I feel like is overlooked.. in sort of the same way that Le Cellier is overlooked these days. I mean to fathom 20 years ago that in 18 posts no one would have mentioned Le Cellier is sort of crazy... both restaurants are still solid choices and all but guarantee great experiences, but it feels like they are, IDK, past their heyday? Like the initial hype that rightfully last for years is now gone?

Agree, except it’s still close to impossible to get a dinner reservation

 

[PixieDust&MickeyPretzels]

Out of what is currently open I’d say our favorite is California grill. Although I’m sad about the three course price fix starting 10/1 since I love to have more options (and especially since it’s missing the goat cheese ravioli)

 

[ParklandDISDad]

Agree, except it’s still close to impossible to get a dinner reservation

Yes. Lol. That's certainly true.. but as equally true about Sci Fi Dine in Theater and nobody is writing home about the food there. I mean, don't get me wrong. I love a pimento burger, fries and a shake under a starlit sky in the back of a '50's convertible while watching old horror reels as much as the next guy.. but I think you know what I mean. Lol. Reservations anywhere even remotely desirable are very hard to snag these days.

Out of what is currently open I’d say our favorite is California grill. Although I’m sad about the three course price fix starting 10/1 since I love to have more options (and especially since it’s missing the goat cheese ravioli)

It's been forever since I've ate at California Grill.. have tried to get reservations for my past 10 or so trips, unsuccessfully

 

[jimmymc]

Yes to Brown Derby too. I think the Brown Derby Signature Burger may be the best burger I've ever had. And my wife loved the Sea Scallops. But to be honest, after hearing the hype about the Grapefruit Cake, I was a bit disappointed. It was nice and light and moist, but I didn't think it had a lot of flavor.

The burger and scallops are two of my favorites! I've never tried the cake, but that's kind of how I imagined it is.

 

[jimmymc]

Agree, except it’s still close to impossible to get a dinner reservation

For which one? Jungle Skipper and Brown Derby I can usually get a few days in advance, Le Cellier you are definitely right, I think it's a pretty small dining room.

 

[Disney Fool]

I have the original recipe for the grapefruit cake from years ago (printed on a paper brown derby). I tried it at Brown Derby two years ago pre-covid and it just wasn't the same, and it was woefully dry and had much less of the grapefruit cream cheese frosting layers, which gives it the grapefruit flavor.

 

[PFopma]

I'm finally heading back to Disney for a week-long solo trip - it's pretty last minute (Oct 22-30) so I'm scrambling. I'm an unrepentant "foodie", but most of my family are decidedly not. This is my chance to eat all the THINGS! Unfortunately a number of the things on my foodie to-do list aren't currently available: V&A, Takumi-Tei, Monsieur Paul. And I'm woefully out of the loop on new developments at Disney over the last 2ish years.

So ..... what is your favorite foodie option? Whether it's a meal, a particular dish, a particular drink, or an overall experience - I'm open to all ideas. I'll have a car - so I'd even be open to off-Disney stuff.

Literally the only thing I have booked so far is a late afternoon reservation at Oga's on 10/23. The entire rest of the trip is TBD.

Oga's is basically drinks. They have some food but not really anything you would want to make a meal out of.

If you are a foodie I would suggest spending a few non-weekend days at Epcot experiencing Food and Wine Festival.

 

[PixieDust&MickeyPretzels]

Yes. Lol. That's certainly true.. but as equally true about Sci Fi Dine in Theater and nobody is writing home about the food there. I mean, don't get me wrong. I love a pimento burger, fries and a shake under a starlit sky in the back of a '50's convertible while watching old horror reels as much as the next guy.. but I think you know what I mean. Lol. Reservations anywhere even remotely desirable are very hard to snag these days.

It's been forever since I've ate at California Grill.. have tried to get reservations for my past 10 or so trips, unsuccessfully

Very good point about sci-fi! When I see a reservation pop up I almost feel obligated to take it just because it’s hard to get!

In regards to Cali grill, tomorrow might be your lucky day! The reservations go live tomorrow at 6-6am (although space 220 rolled out around 5:37a). If you’re willing to get up early it’s worth a try!

For which one? Jungle Skipper and Brown Derby I can usually get a few days in advance, Le Cellier you are definitely right, I think it's a pretty small dining room.

Yes I was referring to Le Cellier. Although I will say I saw a lot of lunches pop up there when the space 220 reservations went live

 

[kwdw]

Tiffins. While the bread service is more satisfying at Sanaa, Tiffins is the more foodie place. I haven’t been to Jaleo at DS, but I have been to it in DC, and definitely a foodie place. Inside MK, I’d agree with Skipper’s Canteen, QS at AK, Satuli’s. At Epcot, for a foodie, just do the F&W options, skip a full TS meal. Get the full list of what each place has so you can plan it out some. I think HBD at DHS is just okay, I personally would not recommend it to a foodie. And there’s Boma…..

 

[ElizaDoesDisney]

I really want to thank everyone for all of the amazing suggestions! So many good options - I'm still trying to get reservations at some places (finger's crossed for last minute spots opening up - especially at Homecomin' and Wine Bar George). But, I was able to get reservations at a few new-to-me spots:

• Oga's
• Jungle Skipper's Canteen lunch
• Le Cellier dinner

I have an inquiry out with Morimoto's for a potential reservation at the sushi bar for their Omakase dinner.

I'm also debating the progressive dinner at Waldorf Bonnet Creek and/or the Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic.

Otherwise, I figure I'll rely on some of my favorite "walk-in" places like Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge, the bar at BlueZoo, Nomad Lounge, Cava de Tequila, and all the F&W booths. And may also try to sneak into a spot at Jaleo, but I go to Vegas a few times a year and usually get my Jose Andres fix there (dined at e a few weeks ago and HIGHLY recommend to any foodies who find themselves out that way).

If anyone has any other suggestions - I would be thrilled to hear more about all the amazing food and drink experiences you recommend.

 

[sarah4770]

I’ve had the Omakase twice and it is very good. I don’t know if they are doing it right now, though. I had messaged them last month and did not get a response.
I am just back, and we had the best luck just making a reservation before we were ready to eat.
I just refreshed the dining page a few times about an hour before we were ready to eat, and was able to get what I wanted.
You could always walk into Kimonos as well. The food is always good there,

 

[Kacy1111]

Brown Derby and La Hacienda de San Angel we enjoyed our last trip. Satu‘li Canteen was a real disappointment. Cold food, uncooked potatoes and flavorless sauces.

 

[iamporch]

Thanks for all the suggestions --- I especially appreciate the personal recommendations. Google research can only take one so far.

It looks like Bull and Bear is doing tasting dinners on weekends during F&W - the menu looks v. good. And Morimoto appears to have an Omakase option which I'm drooling over.

Can I ask where you see the tasting dinner menu? I’m looking at a reservation during F&W and would be interested but am not seeing it on the website

thanks

 

[ElizaDoesDisney]

Can I ask where you see the tasting dinner menu? I’m looking at a reservation during F&W and would be interested but am not seeing it on the website

thanks

I didn't realize it, but I was looking at their old page for the 2020 F&W Festival. Oops. Not sure why that page is even still alive.

It looks like this year they are doing a progressive dinner that goes to a several locations at the WA including Bull&Bear. https://www.waldorfastoriaorlando.com/dining/epicurious/
https://www.waldorfastoriaorlando.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Epicurious-Evening-Agenda.pdf

 

[RavenclawMom]

We ate in the lounge at Topolino's Terrace in May. The homemade pasta was very good. Also, checkout the outdoor lounge. Spectacular views of quite a lot of WDW!

 

[chi_disfan]

This may not be exactly what you're asking for, but when I go to WDW I search for foods that are really unique and I can't find at home -- even if they're not super refined (for example the Cheeseburger Eggrolls in Adventureland). All the restaurants (and, disclosure, I haven't been to ALL of them) are good however they type of food, even the more "exotic" ones you would be able to find in any larger metropolitan area. Certainly if these things aren't available at home I'd give them a try, but no matter what, you won't be able to get Blue/Green frozen slushy milk back home -- that would be the thing I want to try.

 

[chris benton]

This may not be exactly what you're asking for, but when I go to WDW I search for foods that are really unique and I can't find at home -- even if they're not super refined (for example the Cheeseburger Eggrolls in Adventureland).

Everyone I know calls me a "foodie," but I don't really know what that means, so I'd never call myself one.

I LOVE those cheeseburger egg rolls.

For the OP -
Kimonos at Swan will renew your faith in having a great meal in WDW without breaking the bank. It won't be the best sushi you've ever had, but, it'll be on par with your neighborhood sushi joint, for about the same price. There might not be hidden Mickeys and the servers are not dressed as CM's, but the sushi is solid, and the price will have you wondering why there are long lines for ppl to pay 17.00 for a burger, fries, and soda.

Also, if you can find "Hummus Fries" at Epcot, get 'em! I think they are a mainstay at Spice Road, but they pop up at booths, too.

Other than that, I'm a typical Dole Whip, and Spicy Chicken Waffle (hold the gross, sugar laden, slaw) type of guy. Not too much else excites me at Wallyworld. I look at it as more "damage control," than a foodie funzone (for the prices.)

 

[Tamar]

Sorry to be a bit late to the thread, but google the Swan & Dolphin Food and Wine Experience. It's happening during your visit!