Most under rated restaurant in all of WDW??

[weathergirl]

Anyone have any special favorites for atmosphere and/or great food? Price is not a major issue, but I would love your picks for both kids and adult spots (DH and I will be going to some meals alone, and some with friends who have 2 little ones (5 and 7yo). Thanks so much...I'm learning so much on this board and hope I can contribute soon!!

 

[magicmouse2]

Crystal Palace. It is such a beautiful restaurant and the food is excellent for buffet food. The character interaction is great too.

 

[weathergirl]

magic mouse,crystal palace is one that I was on the fence about, and I was just looking for a recommendation on it.thanks and I think we will try that one on our MK day. Are the characters just there for lunch or is it breakfast?

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

The characters are at the Crystal Palace all day.
There are so many special restaurants in WDW I could not even imagine trying to answer your original quesiton.
If you want to view menus go over to allearsnet.com...dining....menus.

 

[airplane]

I really enjoyed the crystal palace. I thought the food was excellent (and I am not a big fan of buffets) and the atmosphere is beautiful. It's my favorite adult character meal.

 

[wdwthanksgiving]

there are so many good ones and most are not underrated!
in the parks - le cellier, chefs de france and biergarten and japan (fun music and dancing), 50s prime time, brown derby
in the hotels - boma, palio, california grill, kona and beaches and cream
downtown - wolfgang puck cafe and raglan road (sit in main dining room near stage)
and earl of sandwich for inexpensive but very good sandwiches, soup, salads

good luck!

 

[Christine]

I didn't think Crystal Palace was underrated though? Tons of people rave on this place.

Used to be that Kona Cafe was 'underrated'. Very good food but hardly anyone knew about it.

I'm sitting here scratching my head thinking of another great restaurant that seems to be not talked about much.

I really like Citricos and it doesn't seem to get a lot of "talk" on the boards, but still, not quite a secret either. Hmmmm...I'll keep thinking.

 

[PortieOwner]

At one time, Akershus. Now, I am not sure if any are truly under-rated. I liked Pepper Market a lot even though some here (and the Unofficial Guide) don't like it much. Is Boatwrights under-rated? I ate there years ago a couple of times. It was busy and the food was great but it's probably not a destination for WDW visitors like Cape May, Boma, Flying Fish, O'hana, etc. might be.

Portie

 

[weathergirl]

Christine,
Is Citrico's at the Grand Floridan? I will look at the menu, but is the atmosphere similar to Narcoosee's? I've heard that the big draw at Narccosee's is the view...not familiar with their menu either.

 

[Christine]

Christine,
Is Citrico's at the Grand Floridan? I will look at the menu, but is the atmosphere similar to Narcoosee's? I've heard that the big draw at Narccosee's is the view...not familiar with their menu either.

Yes, Citricos has a nice atmosphere. Never been to Narcoosee's so I can't compare.

 

[jugglinfish]

IMO The Plaza in MK at the end of Main St is great - we go to WDW in the summer and sitting down in the air conditioned restaurant is just so nice. Food is mostly sandwihces and ice cream desserts. Plates are big enough to share so we do.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

I think Marrakesh in Epcot is under rated - mostly because people are afraid to try something that sounds so different. I have read that it's not very authentic Morrocan food, but as I have never had Morrocan food anywhere else, Marrakesh works for me!

 

[Mike N Kathy]

I know this is a CS but Tangerine cafe in morocco

 

[thelionqueen]

To me it is the Plaza @ MK. The menu is simple, location wonderful, cool, friendly and overall really good...we just love it there!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

The Plaza, maybe Kona Cafe and Restaurant Marrakesh in Morrocco.

 

[beachblanket]

This is a good topic, but somewhat challenging. For search the reviews here, and you'll see thumbs both up and down on just about every restaurant, so as others have pointed out, defining "under rated" isn't as easy as it seems. Given all that, here's my short list (which probably is just as much a list of the best "overlooked" dining spots):

Park: I agree with Mike n Kathy, the Tangerine Cafe in Morocco In Epcot. Some of the most creative (and tasty) fast food in all of WDW. I've hardly ever seen this place mentioned in trip/dining reports, but when it is, it often gets a thumb down (from meat and potaoes types not familiar with/frightened by "foreign" food).

Hotel: the Concourse Steakhouse in the Contemporary. While offering some of the best beef on property, this restaurant is continually underrated due to its location (right below the monorail; kids enjoy that, but some feel it's an inappropriate spot for "fine dining.")

Downtown Disney: Portobello Yacht Club. Menu goes in the direction of Spoodles at the BW, but is better prepared and delivered (great service). Like the Tangerine Cafe, the Portobello hardly ever gets mentioned on the DIS (perhaps suffering from its location next to continually delcining PI); the few reviews I've seen primarily whine about long waits for walk in seating (earth to the whiners...learn the meaning of AR.....)

Outside WDW (but still a Disney restaurant): Shutters at the Disney Vero Beach Resort. The Continental style menu at this cute little bistro is suprisingly broad and of much higher quality than one would expect at such a laid back resort. And hardly anyone on DIS ever mentions the place....

 

[UKDEB]

With a few exceptions, all the food at WDW is over-rated.

Seriously, this is such a tough question because it all depends on your preferences and 'starting point'. If Ponderosa and TGI Friday's are your idea of fine dining then you'll probably love everything! The older I get (45 next birthday), the fussier I get. The only places I really enjoy these days are the 'upscale' eateries (V&A's, California Grill, bluezoo, et al), but I do like to try everything at least once and form my own opinions. My advice is to keep your expectations low and you won't be too disappointed. We tried Alfredo's for the first time in many visits this January. It was exactly what I expected (dire and over-priced! ), but I'm still glad I've experienced it. Trickier if it's your first and/or only visit, I know, but it's only a meal.

How long will you be at WDW? Are you staying onsite? These things make a difference. Eating at the resorts is a better option than choosing park eateries, IMHO - the offerings are superior and it gives you a good opportunity to check out the resorts. If you only have a few days and it's your first visit, you're probably better off sticking with the park restaurants. Are you looking for fast food or fine dining, or a combination of both?

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Tangerine Cafe and Beaches!! YUUUMMMMMMYYY!!!
Palio at the Swan is also FABULOUS!! and the service is magnificent!

 

[bigcrit]

For me.....

I think the Concourse Steakhouse is a hidden gem that I am reluctanat to tell people about. Great food and you hardly ever have to wait......

 

[weathergirl]

Beachblanket and UKDeb-
Beachblanket I see your point about "underrated" being hard to define as it is very subjective and all of the restaurants have been reviewed. I guess I mean either creative, in either food choices or atmosphere, a good value for the money, and a perfect example as you pointed out with the Concourse Steakhouse, a great restaurant that happens to be visited less than you'd think because of factors such as location, "exotic" nature of the menu, etc.

UKDeb to answer your question we are probably staying either at BWV or one of DD hotels, for 6 days. As you said, if you are a fan of chain restaurants, then you will like anything. I like it a notch above the ho-hum feel and predicability of a chain, but maybe a notch down from V&A (I have been to WDW a couple times but so many places haven't tried).
Thanks guys for your help, this is giving me great ideas!