Most Affordable Restaurants for Foodies

[poooh]

I'm planning a trip with my husband for next fall during Food and Wine. He is extremely picky when it comes to the quality of food but he doesn't like to spend a lot either. The classic "champagne taste, beer budget" situation. For example, he said Yachtsman's Steakhouse was just okay but he considered it a splurge meal. While we'll be spending a lot of time eating at Food and Wine, we do need some decent TS or QS meals in the other parks/resorts as well. Does anyone have any suggestions for decent, good value restaurants? Any restaurants that "foodies" have good luck with?

 

[piccolopat]

We really enjoyed Flying Fish on the Boardwalk, Il Mulino at the Swan and Monsieur Paul in Epcot. I'm not sure you will find a meal fit for a foodie at budget prices.

 

[Hopefully]

Your highest quality meals are at Signature restaurants. You will pay accordingly for the meal. Think Yachtsman Steakhouse costs.
I am sure some will post meals they have enjoyed that cost less. There is lot of good food at Disney. But the quality mirrors the cost.

 

[OKW Lover]

In a different slant on this, consider going to Tutto Gusto in the Italy pavilion for a nice selection of wine, cheese and meats. Not really a full meal (but yes, you can order a meal) which gives you a chance to sample some tasty things.

 

[MooseBucks]

We enjoy doing the Kiosks during Food and Wine and it can be really affordable by Disney Standards

 

[Captain Kittens]

I'm planning a trip with my husband for next fall during Food and Wine. He is extremely picky when it comes to the quality of food but he doesn't like to spend a lot either. The classic "champagne taste, beer budget" situation. For example, he said Yachtsman's Steakhouse was just okay but he considered it a splurge meal. While we'll be spending a lot of time eating at Food and Wine, we do need some decent TS or QS meals in the other parks/resorts as well. Does anyone have any suggestions for decent, good value restaurants? Any restaurants that "foodies" have good luck with?

The "champagne taste with beer budget" doesnt really work at DW. You're going to get what you pay for (for the most part). The kiosks at F&W are great and have a "street food" style vibe to them and arent expensive. Grab it, grab a drink and bounce to the next and the food was good.

Unfortunately there isnt a lot of middle ground. Regardless of where you are go the food is either good but expensive (and sometimes crap but expensive) or cheap and bad.

 

[rwdavis2]

The "champagne taste with beer budget" doesnt really work at DW. You're going to get what you pay for (for the most part). The kiosks at F&W are great and have a "street food" style vibe to them and arent expensive. Grab it, grab a drink and bounce to the next and the food was good.

Unfortunately there isnt a lot of middle ground. Regardless of where you are go the food is either good but expensive (and sometimes crap but expensive) or cheap and bad.

This is so true. You are going to get champagne prices for beer-quality food almost everywhere. I suggest you look at the menus. One has to adjust their thinking about "worth it" for dining at WDW. But given all that, Sanaa is excellent for the price even for WDW.

 

[sponica]

If Tiffins is still doing their prix fixe lunch that might fit the bill, although from what I've read the flavors there are not as adventurous as they used to be.

I've heard good things about Satuli Canteen in AK.

 

[holden]

Nomad Lounge is our favorite lunch spot in AK

 

[msteddom]

I have found that a great way to cut costs at Signature restaurants is to stick to the appetizer menu. I often will have two apps in place of an entree.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I agree with previous posters about challenge in finding good food for a decent price at WDW. To be honest, I think most "foodies" will think WDW food is just okay. I can't think of a single Disney owned restaurant that is cranking out impressive/unique/top notch food quality. Some of the non-Disney spots seem to be doing a better job but they are all at very high price points.

Sanaa is very good for Disney but not near as amazing as the local Indian restaurant near my home. Their pricing, especially at lunch, is pretty decent for Disney! Nomad is a favorite - nothing mindblowing but we've had great service, tasty food, and the prices aren't ridiculous. I enjoy Satuli a lot and it's incredibly well priced. The real tableware helps it feel nicer, too.

He may have to adjust his expectation and remember it's a theme park and with mass quantity food, it just can't be the same caliber as free standing spots like non-chain restaurants at home (or even in Orlando).

 

[OneinThree]

picky when it comes to the quality of food but he doesn't like to spend a lot either.

Disney World is not the place, lol.

 

[pitpat]

maybe The Wave at the Contemporary

 

[poooh]

Disney World is not the place, lol.

Disney is not the place for my husband in general. I'm trying to fit a triangle into a circle slot here but I'll be damned if I don't try to squeeze it in lol

 

[poooh]

If Tiffins is still doing their prix fixe lunch that might fit the bill, although from what I've read the flavors there are not as adventurous as they used to be.

After reading this, I looked up the details and it seems perfect. I'm not sure if it's still available (or will be when we go) so I'll have to check up on this, but it's a great suggestion. Thank you!

 

[DisDreaming4116]

Skipper Canteen in MK is decently priced for a table service meal and is pretty good. Satuli Canteen is also well priced with some nice options. I could eat that chicken bowl with sweet potato hash and creamy herb dressing every day for the rest of my life.

 

[Captain Kittens]

This is so true. You are going to get champagne prices for beer-quality food almost everywhere. I suggest you look at the menus. One has to adjust their thinking about "worth it" for dining at WDW. But given all that, Sanaa is excellent for the price even for WDW.

I second this. Sanaa was incredible!

 

[OneinThree]

I second this. Sanaa was incredible!

Agreed. Sanaa is one of our favorites and the food, IMO, is on par with any of the signature locations save V&A. So, maybe the diamond in the rough in terms of value.

 

[kiford]

I can't think of a single Disney owned restaurant that is cranking out impressive/unique/top notch food quality.

Well - Victoria & Albert's is definitely in that class but it's hardly what I'd classify as affordable. It really depends on your definition of what you consider to be foodie-type dining/restaurant and what you classify as affordable. I don't personally consider Yachtsman to be a foodie restaurant. IMO it's just a steakhouse. Maybe a very good steakhouse but when I think "foodie", I think interesting/uncommon/unusual ingredients, gorgeous presentation, unusual combinations or out-of-the-box creations. Not steak. And then it also depends on your personal taste. I'm allergic to seafood so we don't even go to restaurants with a preponderance of seafood no matter how good they might be.

Not knowing what you'd consider to be affordable, some of what I consider to be the more interesting restaurants at WDW that aren't in the V&A price range are Jiko, Citrico, California Grill (although somewhat inconsistent in quality or selection), M. Paul (good food but indifferent service and the menu seems more limited than it used to be), Tiffins (although the new menu seems a bit bland and uninteresting now). These are not all of the restaurants that I like, just those that may be slightly better, slightly more out of the ordinary but not too crazy pricy in the V&A category (although a good part of the price can be due to the wine pairing and additions like caviar, truffles and Miyazaki beef).

 

[chris benton]

Everyone I know - friends/family calls me a "foodie." I don't know what a foodie is, so I'd never call myself one.
OP - using your terms, I have a champagne budget, but I almost always choose fantastic beer over crappy champagne.
WDW has a lot of overpriced champagne, and in general, it's not particularly outstanding for that price, so I generally stick to good values that I've found.
Flame Tree's spares - if you like smoked spares. Decent value for the quality.
Kimonos for sushi. It's not overpriced for standard, basic, sashimi or nigiri. If you are into hipster mayo-maki rolls, then you'll pay accordingly.
Teppan Edo is not too horribly overpriced. It's not great teppanyaki, but it's not bad for the wdw premium, and you'll get a few laughs.

I'm absolutely sure there are other valid opinions on some good places for a decent price. I just take all opinions with a grain of salt - been burned before. I found Pecos Bill's fajita platter to be inedibly salty for my tastes. Threw it all away, and the fixin's bar was pretty low grade. Lots of people scream about that place being fantastic for QS - conversely, plenty of ppl love Columbia Harbor House, and I think it's pretty decent, too. Just sayin' opinions can be all over the map. I'd bet if you research a few of the wdw food review sites or blogs, you can come up with a shortlist, and then ask specific questions about the food from there.

My normal approach is to research a lot, but not expect too much, to be pleasantly surprised. I usually stay away from "b-side" ethnic foods for the most part, since, it's gonna be Disneyfied. No way around that. Hope that makes sense, I tend to ramble.

For a "foodie" (I guess) surprise - Search for Hummus fries at Epcot - GET THEM without hesitation if they are still offered at a booth somewhere, or inside the Morroccan Pavillion. Surprisingly crunchy outside, with a creamy middle, and the topping was a refreshing contrast of cucumber and yogurt (obviously a play on what most ppl would think of tzatziki) with a very good hit of chile pepper. Spicier than you'd think WDW would make it for the masses. I'd be happy with two orders of this as a meal for myself.

Disney Food Blog, and disunplugged, are two vlogs that I enjoy for funny opinions on things like this. Allears.net and TouringPlans bothe have decent lists on their websites as well. Plenty of sites have done research for you. You'll find em!