Cozinest places to eat at Disney

[Wallflower]

Hi guys, I am a daughter who loves going to Disney with my Mom. I also happen to have a few eating issues which is why you may find me asking about food a lot. Gigantic portions give me a lot of anxiety. We share whenever possible. Also, when it comes to eating, one thing that is important to me is atmosphere. I like casual and cozy places with a little privacy. Even when grabbing a pre made wrap at Epcot, I'll take it somewhere under a tree where there's not too many people. I always choose outdoors if I can, but I also really like booths. Can anybody recommend cozy restaurants?

A couple of other things-

I would like to do Italian some day but Ive become pretty frustrated finding a place. Last year we went to Portobello and it turned out to be a cafeteria that was disguised with table cloths (tables were an inch apart and it was super crazy and loud inside) They frowned when I asked for outdoor seating even though there was lots of tables outside (I guess not enough servers out there) and said it would be a really long time. I don't remember how the food was because I was so disappointed. I think it was just ok. Tutto Italia is a little too over the top as is the restaurant in the Swan. Mama Melrose looks nice inside from the pictures. Can anybody tell me about portion sizes there and if the food is any better than Olive Garden ? How is the dinner bread?

With the loss of my favorite restaurant at Disney springs , Cap'n Jacks, I've considered the boathouse but from pictures it looks like they've got the "bigger is better" attitude. I'd really like it if they cut down the portion and price a little. Since it looks like they give you gigantic pile of fries, can anybody tell me if they're good, and hopefully not too greasy?

 

[NOLA_Tink]

We like sitting upstairs at Pinocchio Village Haus in Magic Kingdom. There's a covered porch area with outdoor tables that I love. When we've gone for a late lunch, we've practically had the area to ourselves. Animal Kingdom's Flame Tree BBQ also has an outdoor area, and theirs is pretty vast for Disney standards. I haven't been to Mama Melrose since the early 90's, so I can't offer recent advice. Best wishes!

 

[sleepydog25]

I believe the perfect place for you would be the Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar in Italy. It has a few outdoor tables, and inside they have small seating areas with cushy couches, loungers, and chairs with low tables for the small bites plates they largely serve with such things as cheeses, breads, and antipasto. The accompanying wine list is a treat, as well. It isn't a huge seating area, and it's very relaxed and casual. They don't take reservations, however, so I'd arrive at off-meal times (first thing at lunch or early dinner time). I also believe they may offer some of the next door Tutto Italia's dishes in the evenings.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If you want Italian, consider Trattoria al Forno on the Boardwalk. You can definitely share and they have an outdoor seating area. The QS kiosks on the Boardwalk also have some good food options (we like Boardwalk Bakery) and there are outside tables so you can sit and eat.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

We really like Olivia'a at OKW that is real cosy! We had dinner there Christmas Day to avoid the mayhem and it was just magical!

 

[finleyd]

I know this isn't Italian, but the Garden Grill at Epcot has a semi circle booth, you would need to ask for one. Very private because the booth is high

 

[LovesTimone]

For a request like this, You might want to add this request on your ADR's. Again you will need to ask for a booth when arriving, be ready to explain why you prefer it, not in detail but short and to the point, also letting them know you will wait for that table.

I would suggest eating at complete non traditional times.

Garden Grill has a high back style booth, and it served family style on a platter so you can take what you want.

Corral Reef also has some high back style booth, and great atmosphere very relaxing and the tank with fish is beautiful.

I saw a suggestion for Tutto Gusto, not prime time or evenings we have been in there around 2:30 to 3:30 and it was nice, and with some friends around 6:45 ish mass chaos.

Grand Floridian Café nice and relaxing, lunch times after 2:00 ish.

My Friends love the Wave, while we have not tried it she talks very highly of it, they like to eat around 4:00 ish

Most of the Food Courts during the day are not super crowded, but again off times.

 

[Wallflower]

Thank you so much for the replies everyone . I'm looking into all the suggestions. I never really thought to add anything to my ADR. I will give it a try.

 

[kboo]

I believe the perfect place for you would be the Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar in Italy. It has a few outdoor tables, and inside they have small seating areas with cushy couches, loungers, and chairs with low tables for the small bites plates they largely serve with such things as cheeses, breads, and antipasto. The accompanying wine list is a treat, as well. It isn't a huge seating area, and it's very relaxed and casual. They don't take reservations, however, so I'd arrive at off-meal times (first thing at lunch or early dinner time). I also believe they may offer some of the next door Tutto Italia's dishes in the evenings.

I came here to say the exact same thing. Excellent food and wine, and it was not overwhelming. We brought our then-3yo for an early dinner and it was perfect. BTW we tried Via Napoli the next year and found it too big, noisy and just ... the opposite of Tutto Gusto.

 

[amberpi]

Spice Road Table and Bluezoo (at the bar area) might really work for you.

 

[speeb]

The two small rooms at Skipper Canteen are really nice and cozy. We ate at 4:30 the other night and the room wasn't full. About halfway through, some folks were seated next to us. The portion sizes were also completely reasonable for the Sustainable Fish and Char Siu Pork. The brick of Skip's Mac & Cheese my mom got was ENORMOUS though. Desserts were also a nice size and not too large.

 

[Melissakay1q]

It's QS but the upstairs area of Columbia Harbor House is cozy and not usually crowded. You can choose a seat near one of the windows to people watch. I didn't find the food to be too gigantic.

 

[Harambe]

Spice Road Table and Bluezoo (at the bar area) might really work for you.

I thought of Spice Road Table also. They serve "small plates" for some things, and the outdoor tables - although not booths - look to be in a beautiful setting.

I also thought of Flame Tree BBQ at Animal Kingdom which is a counter service place that has wonderful outdoor seating down by the river. Very natural setting.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We just did a wine pairing during F&W at Tutto Gusto. That was my first thought when I read your original post. Cozy and inviting. Olivia's is wonderful, but it can get noisy with the tin ceiling and tile floor. But it does have some booths. You might also try the Turf Club at SSR.

 

[Tigger's ally]

And, I don't know if you have a drink or not. But some of the lounges on site are intimate enough and serve app's. Territory Lounge at the Wilderness is very cozy even down to the couch and chairs. You can get the famous Portabello soup in there ! You wouldn't have to have an alchoholic drink either.

 

[JennyWren]

I find the Brown Derby to be nice and cozy. They have some nice big semi-circular booths and the lighting is not harsh like it is in some places, but not so dark you can't see your food. The food is delicious and the portion sizes while adequate are not overwhelming.

 

[skylynx]

It probably won't be this way for long (once Avatar land opens) but for now, the Nomad Lounge attached to Tiffins in Animal Kingdom is an oasis of peace, quiet, interesting and delicious beers and appetizers, and comfy furniture. You can also, for $1, buy an artistic hang tag and write your adventure story on it where it will join the others hanging over the indoor bar area. It is a great place to go for a drink and a snack and a soft chair overlooking the river when you've had enough crowds and waiting in line. Go early (11:30) if you can to get your pick of chairs and views.

 

[pixarmom]

I believe the perfect place for you would be the Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar in Italy. It has a few outdoor tables, and inside they have small seating areas with cushy couches, loungers, and chairs with low tables for the small bites plates they largely serve with such things as cheeses, breads, and antipasto. The accompanying wine list is a treat, as well. It isn't a huge seating area, and it's very relaxed and casual. They don't take reservations, however, so I'd arrive at off-meal times (first thing at lunch or early dinner time). I also believe they may offer some of the next door Tutto Italia's dishes in the evenings.

Definitely the most cozy at WDW! We've been to Tutto Gusto at all times of day and in many different seasons (peak, value, regular) and never experienced a wait. The back room with the sofas and low tables is particularly cozy. They usually offer us both the Tutto Gusto menu and the Tutto Italia menu.

 

[ilovebassets]

Definitely Garden Grill and Coral Reef (obviously with a table not right up against the aquarium). Mama Melrose has some cozy booths. Somehow we always get the one way in the back corner. The food is decent, maybe slightly better than Olive Garden with more reasonable prices than Tutto (which is amazing by the way. Expensive I know, but best food at WDW IMO.)

For quick service, Pinnichio Village Haus and Columbia Harbor House have a cozy feel.