Can we go to a table service restaurant and just get an appetizer or dessert?

[TMJR]

We will be visiting in July, and in the heat I just can't eat a big meal. Is it frowned upon to just order appetizers?

 

[weather_lady]

No, we've gone to a la carte restaurants and ordered light for various reasons with no issue, but you might consider tipping more generously than the bill total requires.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

As long as the tip is generous, not ridiculously high but generous then there's no problem. You would do that in a regular restaurant outside of property. There are no special unwritten rules despite what some will say. Now I wouldn't sit there eating a cheesecake for an hour and a half but you know...be courteous.

 

[focusondisney]

We will be visiting in July, and in the heat I just can't eat a big meal. Is it frowned upon to just order appetizers?

Unless it’s a prix fixe meal, like CRT or Liberty Tree Tavern or a buffet, you are allowed to order whatever you want.

 

[Mazz519]

We do it all the time, my wife sometimes orders 2 apps and when my kids were small that was their meal !!

 

[Best Aunt]

There is a whole thread on this:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/i...ci-fi-dine-in-question.3921494/#post-64866472

 

[kiford]

I often order multiple appetizers instead of an entree because I like the offerings better and I just prefer a lot of variety over one large course. If you order 2-3 appetizers, it's often no less costly than an entree. Plus we will usually have a glass or two of wine and/or a cocktail.

 

[Melissa622]

I think it depends on just how light you plan to eat. During my last trip we ate at San Angel Inn in Mexico at Epcot. We were only able to snag a last minute reservation the day of using a dining alerts website. The table of two next to us ordered two waters and chips and salsa, and that was it. I remember thinking it was super rude to take up a sought after reservation to only order chips and salsa. However if they would have both ordered full size appetizers, I wouldn't have thought anything of it.

 

[_19disnA]

I think you will be fine and there is no problem doing that. However, if the restaurant is a buffet or one of those pricey fixed menu places, everyone pays the same price regardless of what you eat.

 

[cheryllarsen]

Should be fine as long as you tip generously!

 

[cheryllarsen]

I do this quite a bit. Especially for my kids who tend to prefer the appetizer menu items over the kid's options!

 

[Robber Baron]

Short answer, yes.

Eat what you want and tip on what you eat.

 

[nw6675]

I think there is a big difference in a large party doing this and staying longer than a table would normally turn over versus a smaller party getting appetizers and/or desserts and leaving in a normal timeframe. In the first scenario, I would tip higher. In the second, I would tip normally.

This may be an unpopular opinion, but just my thoughts.

 

[Atlantix2000]

I don't agree with those that say you should always tip as if you were there for a full meal. If you just order apps you're going to be in and out faster and turning a table more times in a shift should mean better tips for the server. However, if you only order apps and then sit there for the length of a full meal, that's different and in my opinion rude unless you're willing to tip more.

 

[Have3Kids&aHusband]

We did this a few years ago at California Grill. Our kids love the ambience but at that time not the dinner entrees. We selected a later reservation time to offset not ordering meals. We all ordered desserts, wine & cocktail for us, drinks for kids, and also coffee. We did leave a larger tip.

 

[Guest Mode]

We did this a few years ago at California Grill. Our kids love the ambience but at that time not the dinner entrees. We selected a later reservation time to offset not ordering meals. We all ordered desserts, wine & cocktail for us, drinks for kids, and also coffee. We did leave a larger tip.

California Grill is Prix Fixe only now. Every guest is required to pay for a three course meal.
We did it a few weeks ago and it was wonderful! Can't wait to go back! The wine pairings were also excellent!

 

[Have3Kids&aHusband]

California Grill is Prix Fixe only now. Every guest is required to pay for a three course meal.
We did it a few weeks ago and it was wonderful! Can't wait to go back! The wine pairings were also excellent!

Good to know. Luckily our kids are older now. Hopefully they will like the course choices. Our 14 year old is still a bit picky though.