Flying Fish Cafe - worth it?

[stinksmom]

We have made reservations at the Flying Fish Cafe for our trip in June. We love to have a good dinner but don't typically do this at DW. It's hard to justify the prices of some of the signature restaurants when we could have a much better meal at some of favorite restaurants at home. And it seems to be hit or miss whether the food is worth the $$ at some of the DW restaurants.

With that said, we do like to have one really good meal when we visit DW. Is Flying Fish Cafe the place to do this? We've been to Le Cellier and California Grill, and loved both places! And we've had dinners at some of the other table service restaurants such as Ohana, Kona Cafe, Olivia's, Maya Grill and a few others. We have mixed feelings about whether some were worth the price, keeping in mind that it's Disney. We've had way too many buffets and try to avoid those now.

With all that said, is Flying Fish Cafe worth the money? or would we be just as happy eating at a non-signature table service restaurant? And I know DH will want the steak - is it any good there? Of course he will order the steak at the seafood restaurant and I typically order some fish at steak restaurants

Thanks for your input!

 

[JimmyV]

I think it is worth it...BUT...if you are looking for a terrific seafood meal that will rival what you have back home, walk the few extra paces to bluezoo. I consider Flying Fish to be a "very good Disney restaurant". I consider bluezoo to be a "very good restaurant, period". And if you are trying to justify the price and quality over what you have back home, trust me, there are no seafood restaurants in Iowa that compare to bluezoo. Beef? Well that's another story. I've dropped enough coin at 801 in Des Moines to know a good steak.

 

[OKW Lover]

You may want to read the dining reviews here when trying to decide.

We've eaten at FF within the last 3 months and it was a nice meal. Was it worth it? That really depends on you. I had the steak there and, while it was OK, wouldn't suggest going if steak is really what you are after. IMHO, the steak at Yacthsman is much better.

General rule of thumb; if going to a seafood restaurant, get seafood.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I think it is worth it. Actually I would go to FF over a buffet now, with the prices of the buffet. The food at FF is far superior than a buffet, and now not that much off cost.
We just ate at FF Thursday. I have a review on the review board.
We have not eaten the steak there. Their fish is always too good to pass up. But I cannot imagine a bad meal at FF.
For steak, I would go to Turf Club. Or I really like the steak at Chefs de France.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I've dropped enough coin at 801 in Des Moines to know a good steak.

Agree -- a good steak, go to the Midwest. Can't hardy beat an Iowa pork chop. Berkshire is the best.

 

[mickeymotto]

Personally, I really enjoy FF and think it is worth it. However, as the previous poster mentioned, it may not be the best place for steak. I have never ordered the steak here, but my DH and DS have and said it was good, just not great. On the other hand, the seafood options are very tasty. I highly recommend the signature dish, the Red Snapper. It is simply delish!
The calamari is another favorite of our while there. There are also specials that were very good and the scallops are another highlight on the menu.

If you are just looking for a great steak, Le Cellier or the Yachtsman may be your best bet.

As a side note, the Teriyaki steak at Kona comes highly recommended from the men in our group and the tuna oscar is fantastic here too! Since this is not a signature restaurant, it may work out for both of your needs. It is less expensive and has both great land and sea options. Anyway, it was just a thought!

 

[stinksmom]

Thanks everyone! We aren't looking for steak necessarily. I love seafood so this restaurant is more for me than DH. But I anticipate he will order the steak but he does love red snapper so that might be another option. And yes, being from Iowa he knows a good steak. Seafood at some of the restaurants in our area is actually decent (and I'm not talking about Red Lobster )

We have eaten at Kona and DH did get the steak (don't remember what steak)and I got the tuna! So your suggestion would be right on, Mickeymotto. But we want to try another restaurant. We try to enjoy a few new restaurants each trip. And although DD (8) loves the character buffets, I'm not sure I can eat at another one!

I will keep our ADR and look forward to a wonderful dinner! Thanks all!

 

[stinksmom]

Oops! posted twice....

 

[mickeymotto]

Thanks everyone! We aren't looking for steak necessarily. I love seafood so this restaurant is more for me than DH. But I anticipate he will order the steak but he does love red snapper so that might be another option. And yes, being from Iowa he knows a good steak. Seafood at some of the restaurants in our area is actually decent (and I'm not talking about Red Lobster )

We have eaten at Kona and DH did get the steak (don't remember what steak)and I got the tuna! So your suggestion would be right on, Mickeymotto. But we want to try another restaurant. We try to enjoy a few new restaurants each trip. And although DD (8) loves the character buffets, I'm not sure I can eat at another one!

I will keep our ADR and look forward to a wonderful dinner! Thanks all!

Ah ha! We do have similar taste, probably because I also lived in Iowa. Just kidding, but I am glad to hear you agree with my suggestions and I am right with you on the character buffets. We only do a few each trip and usually only for breakfast.

I like that you want to try new places each trip. That is exactly what DH & I did too. We have now eaten at most of the Disney locations over the years and I don't think you will be disappointed with choosing Flying Fish. If your DH likes snapper, he will certainly enjoy it here. Its some of the best I've had each time we go.

We are doing the Deluxe Route this coming trip and are mostly indulging in the signatures. We are actually dining at Flying Fish twice!

 

[crostorfer]

I absolutely adore the Flying Fish, we had an absolutely amazing meal there!

I had the Blood Orange Margarita, which pairs beautifully with the Florida Coast Shrimp Cocktail appetizer. I had the Potato Encrusted Red Snapper for my entree and it was WONDERFUL!

Between the Flying Fish and the Cali Grill, I give the Flying Fish an edge. I like it THAT much. The experience was way more low key, and the dining room was actually much more quiet. I would call it casual elegance.

 

[TaraPA]

I love Flying Fish! But we've only had seafood there, not the steak.

If you're looking for a different experience than regular table dining, ask for seats at the Chefs Bar. It's a long gorgeous granite bar that overlooks the kitchen - so you can watch them, prepare meals while you dine. The chefs interact with the people sitting at the Chefs Bar as well. I thought it was really neat!

 

[hookedonears]

Have eaten there twice. The first, 1999 I think, one of the best meals we have ever eaten at the World. The second, 2000 or 2001, good but not great. Have never been back.

 

[pixiechick]

FF is our "go to" sit-down dinner.

We eaten there numerous times and have always had a good meal. DH and DS have had steak there often and have always enjoyed it.

 

[Pygoplites]

Other than Victoria & Alberts, Flying Fish has become my favorite WDW restaurant. While the ambiance is not nearly as luxe as bluezoo (another fave), collectively my meals at FFC have been marginally better. Over the years, I have had a few service-related issues at FFC, but the food has always been excellent. Their wine program is also outstanding. For me, it's a must-do at least once every trip and it's where I'll be dining on the first night of my upcoming vacation.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

We were very happy with Flying Fish Cafe... the mussels appetizer sent me to heaven... DW said the crab cake appetizer was the best crab cake in WDW. The entrees were wonderful. I love that the Boardwalk entertainers are right outside the restaurant entrance. We enjoyed them before and after our dinner. We were on the DDP, but the out of pocket cost would have been $168 for 2 adults and DS5 - appetizers, entree and dessert. And that doesn't include tip or alcohol.

My other favorite place for seafood is California Grill (about the same cost) but FF Cafe is our favorite.

Check out my reviews! Link below.

 

[mdsd8700]

Also another huge fan of Flying Fish. It is a must do every trip and have not had a bad meal yet. The steak is good but not the best you'll ever have. We will be at FF on Father's Day, my husband is looking foward to it

 

[chamonix]

I cant answer if you will feel it is worth the money because that is something only you can truly know for yourself what is worth it to you. Worth is so subjective! That being said, Flying Fish is not our favorite. I prefer Blue Zoo if we are in that area for dinner. I would say higher quality ingredients at BZ, but FF is good too, don't get me wrong, but I don't think you will be too disappointed with either choice.

There are a lot of great places for steak at WDW, Shulas is one of the better ones for steaks....I really don't think you can go wrong with any of the signatures at WDW. You just have to try them all, one by one.......

 

[cbg1027]

I think FF is DEFINITELY worth it! It's an excellent restaurant and one of my favorite places in Disney.

Plus, the steak is amazing!

 

[NMW]

I LOVE Flying Fish. My DH does not eat fish and always gets the steak and always has enjoyed it. We eat there every year on our trips. We have never had a bad meal or bad service at Flying Fish. All of the appetizers are just really, really good. We think it's worth it.

 

[NandK]

The FF has decent food, however, I had a terrible server. We went in '06 on the dining plan. As soon as the server found out that we were using the DDP he basically gave us the cold shoulder. This was our first and only time that we had a case like this. Little did the server know that because of the savings with the dining plan we were a good tipping group (as long as you were good to us). We still tipped but not as well. I don't even consider the FF anymore when I book ADRs because of him.