Best signature dining experience with kiddos?

[KateMW]

We have always taken our children to CA Grill and both love it. We do eat out quite a bit at "fancy" places at home but the fireworks make it special!

 

[SwirlyGirly]

My kids are older now, but when they were little, they loved the "fancy" Disney restaurants. They grew up going to actual fine dining restaurants, and so they learned how to behave and eat in a more structured environment since they were little. So, going to Disney "fancy" places, where they can dress in princess dresses and get fun desserts (maybe even watch fireworks) was a lot more fun for them than in the city.

 

[DSLRuser]

every experience can be fine IF you teach your kids at a young age.

 

[JMurray823]

We took our 1.5 year old to Topolino's last year and (aside from it being a mom and dad favorite place) that was a great choice! The balcony outside makes a fun place to take wiggle breaks. The tables are quite spread out so there's room to move. Plus, as a previous poster said, it's a bit louder there so that takes away any anxiety about a place being too quiet and a small child being too loud. We've also taken him to Amare at the Swan Reserve -- GREAT place if you love Mediterranean. We had a wonderful waitress and the staff was not put off at all by our small child. I would also recommend Toledo at Gran Destino Tower. Another "louder" place. Haven't taken our child there, but could definitely see it functioning well for him. Finally, we did a big family meal at Shula's. A long meal, so he got a little bit restless, but another "louder" restaurant.

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

Most recently, our kids loved Tiffins. One of them has sensory issues concerning food and he did great trying all of the new things we had.

We haven't been everywhere yet, but the only places we have steered away from are V&A's (too young anyway), California Grill, Monsignor Paul, and Morimoto's. I might be missing a few, basically quiet places lol. Everywhere else has been very kid friendly.

 

[AnnabelleTheTalkingTree]

We've done several signature dining restaurants with small kids, most recently we did both California Grill and Narcoossees with a 5 and 18 month old. They both did well and enjoyed the food. Just come prepared (we brought kid snacks, books, coloring, and yes, the tablets) in case of emergency, and it all worked out just fine.

 

[AnnabelleTheTalkingTree]

Most recently, our kids loved Tiffins. One of them has sensory issues concerning food and he did great trying all of the new things we had.

We haven't been everywhere yet, but the only places we have steered away from are V&A's (too young anyway), California Grill, Monsignor Paul, and Morimoto's. I might be missing a few, basically quiet places lol. Everywhere else has been very kid friendly.

We have an ADR coming up at Tiffins with our 2 and 6 year olds, and I've been agonizing over whether I think it's a good move or not. They've done other signature restaurants before, and have done "fancy" local restaurants as well, and are well behaved as long as we come prepared. I've mostly been worrying about food options.

 

[RoseGold]

If you prioritize getting a great adult meal, Jaleo will work. Not the most kid friendly menu, but they have fries, and the adult menu is exceptional and it's a rowdy enough environment that kids won't matter.

 

[Philsfan77]

We just did Topolonos in February (5:15 reservation). Our kids (4 and 2 at the time) like pasta, so it was an easy one for us to do...they got mashed potatoes and vegetables (carrots) for the side. While we were eating our appetizers, they brought the kids food out at that time. While we were eating our dinners, they brought Ice Cream out for both boys. Overall the pace of the meal was quick overall (probably an hour to an hour and 15 minutes tops). I don't know if they served us quicker because we had 2 little guys there or not. Kids liked their rigatonis, and the mashed potatoes and obviously the ice cream sundae (they decorated it like Remi and it was really cute).

 

[plutolovr]

If you prioritize getting a great adult meal, Jaleo will work. Not the most kid friendly menu, but they have fries, and the adult menu is exceptional and it's a rowdy enough environment that kids won't matter.

We had our 1 year old granddaughters at Jaleo and they ate everything we put in front of them, even the octopus.

 

[RoseGold]

We had our 1 year old granddaughters at Jaleo and they ate everything we put in front of them, even the octopus.

As did my 1 year old. It was the four year old that became a problem, LOL.

 

[sc05]

Thank you so much for your input everyone! Truly appreciate it!

 

[Memorymakerfor4]

We have an ADR coming up at Tiffins with our 2 and 6 year olds, and I've been agonizing over whether I think it's a good move or not. They've done other signature restaurants before, and have done "fancy" local restaurants as well, and are well behaved as long as we come prepared. I've mostly been worrying about food options.

I think you'll be fine. There are some new menu items but nothing was just crazy. If all else fails, they have chicken nuggets and fries, it may not be on the menu but you can ask

 

[chicagodisfan]

We have an ADR coming up at Tiffins with our 2 and 6 year olds, and I've been agonizing over whether I think it's a good move or not. They've done other signature restaurants before, and have done "fancy" local restaurants as well, and are well behaved as long as we come prepared. I've mostly been worrying about food options.

We had an amazing meal at tiffins in March! My kids are a little older (16, 13 and 9) but my younger two are still kind of picky, especially my 9 year old. She ended up getting the grilled shrimp with her two sides being the white Mac and cheese and the fresh fruit. She has liked grilled shrimp enough in the past but I don’t think she ate them all this time. But the Mac and cheese side was more than enough for her and she ate the fruit too. We ordered the bread service for the table too and while she didn’t try the exotic dips she found enough types of bread that she liked. My 13 year old opted for the beef skewer which was just pieces of steak on a kabob stick. It was very simply seasoned, nicely prepared and he enjoyed it. I think he had the same sides and it was enough food for him too. If the menu looks good to you, I say go for it! It is my favorite signature restaurant in all of WDW (so far - still have several to go). The ambiance, food and service is wonderful!

 

[gharter]

It all depends on how tired the kids are or not. When our kids were young, we always made sure they had time in the room for naps. Made a world of difference. Having snacks for them until the food arrived, and thing to keep then busy.
We took our kids to most of the signature restaurants when they were young, but always planned ahead and never had a problem. They LOVED California Grill and watching fireworks in the middle of dinner.