Chef tables and Bar seating at restaurants

[DisneyDad64]

I have often dines at the chef counter at the Flying Fish and Jiko's. Are there any other resturarants that allow dining seating in the bar area that does not require an ADR? We are planning a late trip with my adult son and would like to go to the flying fish, and California Grill but both are full.

 

[craigkerstiens]

Give Bluezoo a try you can definitely sit at the bar for a drink and I suspect the full menu as well, though I've not done it personally before.

 

[smcabee]

Can do full menu at Il Mulino bar as well. Delicious food.

 

[DisneyDad64]

I have also done Yak & Yeti, anyone else?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Flying Fish is closed for refurbishment. No indication that it will be open anytime prior to fall (maybe September/October.)

California Grill has bar seating with full menu available. but they won't let you up if it's full. Of course the last time I tried it I got resistance from the 2nd floor desk regarding "we think it's full" and they called up and finally let me up because I was just one person. When I got up there, there were only 3 persons seated at the bar (including me.) The lounge tables were, in fact, full, maybe that is what they meant. So maybe make sure they know that you'll accept a barstool.

Also, Sanaa lounge (they have a lounge menu but will let you order from the regular menu unless they are very busy), the Wave, Narcoosees, and Citricos. At times, Territory Lounge at Wilderness Lodge allows ordering from the Artist Point menu, but it must be during Artist Point operating hours. They have a couple of lounge menu items that are also served at Artist Point.

In the Epcot resort area, you can try the Crews Cup Lounge. I don't believe they allow ordering from Yachtsman's menu but they have a pretty substantial menu of their own. Or they used to.

Haven't been there but I hear you can order food at the bar at Shula's also.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Yep--Shulas for sure. In addition also Jiko-and full menu available at all including Blue Zoo. Fultons is another spot--and MAYBE Portobello. Also Boathouse.

Just be aware that it is sort of first come first served and tho the bars aren't usually too busy, they are also all rather small. So earlier is usually better.

And the bars at the Swan/Dolphin resorts CAN fill up immediately at opening if there is a big meeting or convention there. The attendees rush for the bars immediately after the meetings so as to recover from the days boring presentations. A couple of times we've been skunked at Blue Zoo and Shulas for that very reason...

 

[IndyPirate]

IIRC we ate at the bar at Rose & Crown. I've also done this at T-Rex, Rainforest Cafe, and one of the bars at Polynesian. I'd like to know of more places that allow this as well.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Rose and Crown Pub won't allow you to order from the restaurant menu. It's got its own menu. There's a battered banger, and a fish and chips and some snacks. The fish and chips is snack sized (meaning only one piece of fish). If you buy the fish outside at the kiosk, you get two pieces.

 

[IndyPirate]

Rose and Crown Pub won't allow you to order from the restaurant menu. It's got its own menu. There's a battered banger, and a fish and chips and some snacks. The fish and chips is snack sized (meaning only one piece of fish). If you buy the fish outside at the kiosk, you get two pieces.

Thanks, I couldn't remember. We must have gotten the snack fish and chips or ate at the kiosk prior to getting a half-yard at the bar.

 

[IndyPirate]

I have also done Yak & Yeti, anyone else?

Does Yak & Yeti offer the regular menu at the bar?

 

[croach]

Tune In Lounge at HS is a good place to go. Can get a bit of traffic if there is a wait for 50's Prime Time.

 

[DisneyDad64]

Yes yak and yeti offered the full menu

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Echoing the recommendations for Bluezoo and Crews Cup. I also enjoy a tour of the MK resorts by monorail/boat. Territory Lounge, Tambu Lounge or Trader Sam's, The Wave, Mizner's Lounge or Citricos all have some good snacks(full meals available at Wave and Citricos). Inside the parks, I think Tutto Gusto has some nice small plates.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Yes yak and yeti offered the full menu

We have lunch at the bar there each trip! Talk about a small bar though--exactly FIVE seats--and each chair weighs about 150 pounds!!!

 

[bcrook]

My last trip we had a nice dinner at the Jiko Lounge - full menu available. Very casual.
The Hollywood Brown Derby lounge is first come first serve, and you can get pretty much whatever you want. I've done that a few times.
The Wave has a large space to spread out and huge bar. That worked out really well for a party of 5.
Portobello's has a nice big bar area. I have eaten there.

I couldn't get into Citricos or California Grill. They reached capacity early in the evening.

 

[bcrook]

Flying Fish is closed for refurbishment. No indication that it will be open anytime prior to fall (maybe September/October.)

California Grill has bar seating with full menu available. but they won't let you up if it's full. Of course the last time I tried it I got resistance from the 2nd floor desk regarding "we think it's full" and they called up and finally let me up because I was just one person. When I got up there, there were only 3 persons seated at the bar (including me.) The lounge tables were, in fact, full, maybe that is what they meant. So maybe make sure they know that you'll accept a barstool.

Also, Sanaa lounge (they have a lounge menu but will let you order from the regular menu unless they are very busy), the Wave, Narcoosees, and Citricos. At times, Territory Lounge at Wilderness Lodge allows ordering from the Artist Point menu, but it must be during Artist Point operating hours. They have a couple of lounge menu items that are also served at Artist Point.

In the Epcot resort area, you can try the Crews Cup Lounge. I don't believe they allow ordering from Yachtsman's menu but they have a pretty substantial menu of their own. Or they used to.

Haven't been there but I hear you can order food at the bar at Shula's also.

Oh yeah. Love the Sanaa lounge area. Although I stay at Kidani every trip. Rarely do I see the restaurant full in the evening. Sanaa is great.

For that matter, the Maji Pool bar is awesome too. Limited menu though.

 

[ChrisNY2]

The Wave lounge has the full restaurant menu and great bartenders - when it's not too crowded, it can be a really nice meal - in fact, I like the ambiance in there much better than in the dining room. However, if there is a convention at the Contemporary, depending on when their breaks are, it can be very crowded in the bar.

 

[DisneyDad64]

My favorite ones are Jiko's chef's counter and Flying Fish's chef counter.

 

[KnittingMom]

My last trip we had a nice dinner at the Jiko Lounge - full menu available. Very casual.
The Hollywood Brown Derby lounge is first come first serve, and you can get pretty much whatever you want. I've done that a few times.
The Wave has a large space to spread out and huge bar. That worked out really well for a party of 5.
Portobello's has a nice big bar area. I have eaten there.

I couldn't get into Citricos or California Grill. They reached capacity early in the evening.

Many of the lounges seem to be money customers only -- even if you can order off the restaurant menu, you cannot pay with your Dining Plan.

 

[EvilQueenT]

We've done the lounge/bar areas at Citricos, Cali Grill, The Wave, and 50s Prime Time Cafe. We were a party of two each time. We weren't on any dining plan.