Dining on Good Friday - looking for advice

[ellenmiele]

I am trying to plan a sit-down meal for 8 (catholic) people (adults and teens) on Good Friday and only 4 are fish eaters so my fave fish places are out. Also, we don't want to use a park day (its our arrival day) so restaurants in the parks are out. Any thoughts? I was thinking maybe Italian but other than Tutto in Epcot or Tonys in MK where could we go? DH prefers table service but if we skip the table service and go with counter service I only see cheese pizza as our option. Do table service restaurants in WDW perhaps offer special non-meat options on Good Friday in addition to their regular choices? Or should I plan just according to the set menus. We are staying at OKW ( but on wait list for VWL)
Thanks!

 

[TDC Nala]

No, they don't do special non-meat options specifically for Good Friday, but pretty much every sit-down has a fish dish or two, which of course wont' work for those who don't eat fish. They could go the route of asking for vegetarian dishes. Most restaurants are used to that. Or go to a buffet with many vegetarian options, like Boma.

You don't mention if you are on the dining plan. If you are not, you also have the option of Il Mulino at the Swan resort for Italian.

 

[GBBTomorrow]

I am trying to plan a sit-down meal for 8 (catholic) people (adults and teens) on Good Friday and only 4 are fish eaters so my fave fish places are out. Also, we don't want to use a park day (its our arrival day) so restaurants in the parks are out. Any thoughts? I was thinking maybe Italian but other than Tutto in Epcot or Tonys in MK where could we go? DH prefers table service but if we skip the table service and go with counter service I only see cheese pizza as our option. Do table service restaurants in WDW perhaps offer special non-meat options on Good Friday in addition to their regular choices? Or should I plan just according to the set menus. We are staying at OKW ( but on wait list for VWL)
Thanks!

This is tricky since Good Friday is a fast day. If it were me, I would make a simple supper in the room (since you're at Old Key West) of spaghetti and plain tomato sauce and a vegetable.

But if you don't want to cook on vacation, I get that.

For sit-downs outside of the parks, I would probably go to Downtown Disney. It's not my favorite restaurant, but Rainforest Cafe has both vegetarian and fish options. Right at your resort, Olivia's has mahi-mahi, salmon, and a vegetarian pasta dish.

 

[Attagirl3]

Wolfgang Puck Express and Wolfgang Puck Cafe both have lots of options for Good Friday. Between the meatless soups, salads, and entrees there should be something that appeals to everyone.

 

[Dreamsdocometrue9112]

I agree with PP about Good Friday being a day of fast. I would also consider doing a simple meal in the room if possible. But, I also understand not wanting to cook on vacation.

I second my vote to check DTD out. Most all TS locations have some types of non-meat options.

Portobello in DTD is Italian, if you were considering going along those lines. (I'm not sure if you mentioned whether or not you are on the dining plan - but they accept it). Wolfgang Puck is also wonderful. We have only had counter service there, but we loved every bite!

Also, have you looked into Olivias at OKW? I believe they have quite a few non-meat options, but I believe it's a lot of shrimp dishes.

EDIT: My mistake, I'm not sure if Portobello accepts the dining plan. On one park of the website it states it does, and another states it doesn't.

 

[TDC Nala]

Portobello does now accept the dining plan.

 

[Dreamsdocometrue9112]

Portobello does now accept the dining plan.

Thanks for clearing that up!

 

[Kae]

GF Cafe. Had dinner there once the Fish of the day was the best fish I had the whole trip-including coral reef. it is a nice place sometimes over looked. then you can head down to the beach to watch wishes & the Electric Water Padgent.

Kae

 

[Manders77]

I would look into the cape may cafe at beach club. its a buffet but has clams crab legs among other non meat options. My family enjoys it and its a must do each time we visit.

 

[Eeyore98]

Another Italian place I don't think has been mentioned yet is Mama Melrose in DHS.

 

[brettcw23]

I am trying to plan a sit-down meal for 8 (catholic) people (adults and teens) on Good Friday and only 4 are fish eaters so my fave fish places are out. Also, we don't want to use a park day (its our arrival day) so restaurants in the parks are out. Any thoughts? I was thinking maybe Italian but other than Tutto in Epcot or Tonys in MK where could we go? DH prefers table service but if we skip the table service and go with counter service I only see cheese pizza as our option. Do table service restaurants in WDW perhaps offer special non-meat options on Good Friday in addition to their regular choices? Or should I plan just according to the set menus. We are staying at OKW ( but on wait list for VWL)
Thanks!

Hit DTD...lots of places to eat and several offer sea food and other non-meat choices.

I just pointed out to my wife that we are going to be there for Lent as we are heading there 3/2-3/9. So are arrival\departure days are both Fridays!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Good Friday is a day of fasting for all adults from 18-60. That means only one full meal is permitted. They are permitted small amounts of food at the other two meal times, but not to equal a regular meal when added together. The Cape May Buffet would be too large a meal. It's not just about avoiding meat.

Children 14-18 are permitted no meat, but are not required to fast.

They could get macaroni and cheese. Grilled cheese. Pasta with red sauce (no meat sauce) or alfredo sauce.

 

[TDC Nala]

Another Italian place I don't think has been mentioned yet is Mama Melrose in DHS.

I would have mentioned Via Napoli at first, but the OP specifically said it could not be a park restaurant.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Il Mulino is our choice for the evening.

They have a variety of fish offerings for me. My DD 12 will get the Risotto with Mushrooms, DH will get a vegetarian pasta like the Manicotti, Paparedelle, Ravioli or Fettucini Alfredo, and the DD 14 will get the Margarita Pizza.

It does not take the dining plan but does take TIW.

This is one of our favorite restaurants ever.

 

[Terk-1]

Flying Fish
Beaches & Cream
Cookes of Dublin
Ghiradelli's

If you do a counter service, most should have a fish option (fish & chips or tuna fish sandwich, etc.) or non-meat option, especially during lent.

I would not bother with dinner at Cape May. Worst meal I had during my recent trip. Food was inedible & cold and the desserts tasted like they came from the day old section of a supermarket (stale, dry). So not worth the time or $$.

 

[LittleMissMickey]

Grand Floridian Cafe has some beautiful salads, soups, and vegetarian options, and I don't think they go overboard on portion sizes, so I'd go for that. Otherwise, I think Kouzzina would be a good option. If you don't feel like going too far, the pasta at Olivia's with spinach and roasted red peppers is SO good! I think you have a lot to choose from!

 

[pooh2001]

We have always done Easter weeks - we do Coral Reef for lunch (less expensive) and pizza window on the BW for dinner.

ie - we do 4th of July this year - 1st time for summer for us