Most Overrated and Hidden Gem restaurants

[DJNOWICK]

Our ADR date is 8/31 -- in the meantime, trying to decide which old favorites we'll visit again and which restaurants we'll try out for the first time.

I thought it would be fun to see which restaurants everyone thinks are overrated and which are the hidden/unknown gems. Because everyone's tastes are different, tell us why you said what you said.

For me, I think Le Cellier is pretty overrated -- I found the steaks to be average and the beer-cheese soup to be greasy and lumpy. But I found Restaurant Marrakesh to be a total pleasant surprise, with reasonably authentic flavors and well-prepared dishes.

Anyone else want to play?

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

We thought Sunshine Seasons in Epcot was decent but WAY too crowded and stressful to enjoy, and Flame Tree in AK was just ok, except for the onion rings which were YUM! As far as our likes, I think we're pretty much on the bandwagon (Ohana, Cali Grill, Biergarten, Cosmic Rays are our must do's), but one of our faves that alot of others dislike is WCC. We love everything about this place!

We got to try Le Cellier once, but our 9 month old was being completely uncooperative so it was a negative experience. I had to eat my filet so quickly I don't think I tasted it! I would like to give it another chance though!

 

[bangzoom6877]

I have read lots of reports on here about Le Cellier being overrated. I could get a great steak here in NYC any time I want, and DH and I usually go to either an upscale steakhouse or an upscale seafood restaurant when we are going out for a special occasion, like an anniversary. So I may be disappointed in Le Cellier. I think it really depends on what an individual person is used to. So I am not sure about Le Cellier.

We do plan to go to Whispering Canyon. There are mixed reviews about it, but I think we would enjoy it. We like that loud and wild type of entertainment so that attracts us, and we live in NYC so we don't have the best BBQ in the country by any stretch of the imagination but someone from Texas or North Carolina may think WCC is horrible food.

In Epcot, we like the unique choices in the WS restaurants. We plan on 3 days at Epcot and that means 3 CS lunches and 3 TS dinners, which makes for a lot of variety!

I would try Restaurant Marrakesh. We ate in the CS in Morocco last summer and it was fantastic. Marrakesh seems to have some unique menu items, and a friend of mine ate there and said it was excellent. Yet you don't hear much hype about it. I have also heard good things about San Angel Inn so that is a possibility. And there is Biergarten which we loved on our last trip, and I can tell you is EXCELLENT German food because we are very picky about that...my grandfather only ate at one German restaurant (his mom came from Germany) and so do we...Biergarten is great!

I also hear that many of the resort restaurants are very good, like Captain's Grille at Yacht Club (we will probably go there as we stay at BWV which is very close), The Wave at Contemporary and Kona Cafe at Polynesian. These are definitely worth checking out! They may be more low-key for Disney (no characters or wild entertainment), but that may be just what someone needs in the middle of a Disney vacation...less stimulation and a more relaxed meal in a "regular" restaurant!

 

[tortoni]

The Plaza on Main Street is our hidden gem, it's not very expensive and has great lunch food with yummie desserts. Most overrated? Flying Fish for us-- we did not enjoy it.

 

[VegasMike21]

I agree with a PP on Sunshine Seasons, it's pretty overrated. As it's always crowded and pretty hard to enjoy your meal. I prefer Electric Umbrellla for a CS restaurant in Epcot. As far as a hidden gem goes, I always liked The Plaza for a change of pace, great place if your NOT on the dining plan.

 

[Twende]

That is interesting about Sunshine Seasons. We eat there almost every trip because it is convenient to where we normally are at lunch time, the variety of foods meets everyone's tastes and the food is good, but I agree is super crowded and noisy!

I guess I should rethink our plans for eating there this trip. We are going to have way too many scooters and wheel chairs to negotiate that crowded dining room.

Where in EPCOT can you get a good lunch (meal plan 1 CS). Is there any place else that has the variety to choose from that you have at SS?

It needs to be a place that will handle a group of 12 with 3 scooters and 2 wheel chairs.

As for favorite TS places we loved Biergarten. I have also been a big fan of Spoodles but that choice is soon to be gone, if it is not already. We loved Narcoossee's (2 TS place) but it was great food and fabulous service!

I am interested in hearing more about Captain's Grille in the YC.

What do you all really think of the Rose and Crown in EPCOT? We have spent time in the pub area but we have never gotten back to where real meals are served. How is the atmosphere, view, service, and most importantly the food?

 

[carmie3377]

We do plan to go to Whispering Canyon. There are mixed reviews about it, but I think we would enjoy it. We like that loud and wild type of entertainment so that attracts us, and we live in NYC so we don't have the best BBQ in the country by any stretch of the imagination but someone from Texas or North Carolina may think WCC is horrible food.

You're right, this Texan didn't enjoy the food at WCC. It was edible, but it wasn't like the great BBQ we have here in Texas.

I would try Restaurant Marrakesh.

I second this. DH and I ate there last fall. Food was great and the service was probably the best we had the entire trip.

Another place we enjoyed was the GF Cafe. Also, great service here, really good food and the place wasn't crowded at all.

 

[VegasMike21]

Where in EPCOT can you get a good lunch (meal plan 1 CS). Is there any place else that has the variety to choose from that you have at SS?

There's really no other place to get the variety like at Sunshine Seasons. I like the Electric Umbrella which has burgers, chicken nuggets, chicken sandwich, vegetable wrap, and also a tossed chicken salad.

 

[IggyLans]

For us in the overrated category we'd put Boma and CRT...

 

[DJNOWICK]

I have read lots of reports on here about Le Cellier being overrated. I could get a great steak here in NYC any time I want, and DH and I usually go to either an upscale steakhouse or an upscale seafood restaurant when we are going out for a special occasion, like an anniversary. So I may be disappointed in Le Cellier. I think it really depends on what an individual person is used to.

ITA. I'm used to living in places with really excellent restaurants (well, until we moved to rural NH -- though I *heart* NH and am really glad we wound up here, ethnic restaurants aren't easy to find. Chinese food is considered exotic and Indian food is succotash and corn pudding )

Anyway -- my idea of really good food is probably different from a lot of people's. I've learned to adjust my expectations for WDW restaurants - though I have had some absolutely fabulous meals at some of the 2 credit restaurants like CG, Artists Point, and Jiko.

I can tell you is EXCELLENT German food because we are very picky about that...my grandfather only ate at one German restaurant (his mom came from Germany) and so do we...Biergarten is great!

Great to hear -- I haven't been there is years and years but it's on our list this time.

I also hear that many of the resort restaurants are very good, like Captain's Grille at Yacht Club (we will probably go there as we stay at BWV which is very close), The Wave at Contemporary and Kona Cafe at Polynesian.

I loved Kona when I was there last year - great choice. I also had yummy food at Boma and 1900 Park Fare. I've read things that make me look forward to Sanaa, too.

Jackie

 

[nothnbutherainsir]

Biergarten was a big let down for us. The food was just so-so. It really just tasted like any other buffet food. I have yet to find a place to eat where the food isn't just average. Then again, we don't want to shell out the money for expensive resturaunts.

 

[disneyforme33]

Most overrated for me is defintely the Flying Fish Cafe and the hidden gem for us is definitely the Kona Cafe. We are trying LeCelleir on this trip for the first time. Never been able to get reservations before. I hope that won't take over the most overrated category for me. This is a great thread since I just hit my 90 day out and am starting to make my reservations. Interesting to see everyone's choice.

 

[zddPaul]

Overrated - Boma for breakfast. I'm used to Las Vegas Buffets and I almost couldn't believe me eyes at how small this buffet was. Quality was fair to ok. I went about 11 months ago and I can't remember anything that I ate. totally forgettable.

(Dis-)Honorable mention for overrated - Le Cellier, Les Chefs de France. Le Cellier is one of my favorite places. I like the food and I've always enjoyed my meals there. Its just that when people say they have had the best steak of their lives there I just shake my head in bewilderment. As for Les Chefs de France my meal there could best be titled as Les Chefs de Dennys. Very bland, simple, dry, boring.

Hidden gem - I'm not sure any place on property can qualify as a hidden gem. However there is one experience that not enough people do. Having a late dinner at the California Grill and then going outside to the special viewing area to watch the fireworks makes for a truly magical experience. The food is decent but it is all about the overall experience. We did this on the last night of our most recent trip and we are doing the same thing for our next trip. It is turning into a must-do tradition.

 

[tnd]

Narcoossee was my "overrated" pick. It was just okay for me. I thought Kona Cafe was really excellent and a big surprise for me.

 

[donaldtutter]

Overrated: Boma

Underrated: Yak And Yeti

 

[Bell30012]

Most overrated? Cinderella's Royal Table at dinner time:

Most underrated? Grand Floridian Cafe for breakfast:

 

[clc053103]

that CRT dinner plate speaks a thousand words- could they spare a little asparagus??

We did the lunch and agree it's overrated. Neat experience but I would never go back- certainly not for the food.

Our favorite underrated was Spoodles. Sorry to see it gone.

 

[Tiger926]

Overrated: Le Cellier, Boma, 'OHana, CRT & Tutto Italia
Hidden Gems: The Plaza & Marrakesh

Happy eating, Tiger

 

[Ron from Michigan]

One of the hidden gem restaurants for us is the Grand Floridian Cafe. We have eaten here several times and always enjoyed our meals.

 

[stemikger]

Overated: Ohana - Not sure why this place is a favoriate of so many.

Underated: 50s Prime Time. Fun place and surprisingly good food.