Must-do restaurants on monorail loop?

[Wendysofftoneverland]

What would be examples of must-do restaurants on the monorail loop? Planning 2 trips: 1 adult only and 1 with a preschooler and a toddler. Wanted to do Trader Sam's but sad to see it is still closed. We once did the character breakfast at Grand Floridian in pre-covid times, but other than that, haven't really explored the monorail hotels.

 

[Disneypapa]

I enjoyed the menu and atmosphere at O'Hana's

 

[Dug720]

'Ohana is currently closed.

Chef Mickey's is open but without characters. It still looks good though.

 

[Ross Kratter]

California Grill, Citricos (hasn't reopened yet), the Wave.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

We really like Kona Cafe for breakfast. Ohana is great but currently closed. We also love Grand Floridian cafe. Ate there last month and really LOVE the eggs Benedict. 1900 park fare is also fun for dinner but also closed. Chef Mickeys is not really a must do right now. Food is good and is served family style but the absence of characters just makes it an overpriced breakfast without the fun. I’d say the same about ohana. It doesn’t make sense for us to spend mover $100 on breakfast that’s the same caliber as IHOP. If you want to see chef mickeys you certainly can and don’t need to have an adr to see it since CR is so open. Right now I’d pick Kona or GF cafe with or without kids. I have not eaten at the wave or Cali grill but perhaps those would be options sans kids.

 

[Farro]

Polynesian:
We liked Kona for breakfast.
'Ohana was fine for dinner, but we wouldn't go again.

Contemporary:
California Grill was excellent one time, off-night the other time - although some of the people in our group were in a "mood" so I'm sure that plays a part in my opinion of that dinner.
The Wave we had an excellent dinner and lunch.

Have not eaten at Grand Floridian

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

Grand Floridian

I really love The Grand Floridian Café for breakfast/brunch. I've had their pancakes, quiche, and Steak & Eggs. Service is always lovely. Ask if possible) to sit in the back room.

Citricos is good. I had dinner there on my last two trips and then went over to the Enchanted Rose for an after dinner cocktail.

We were very disappointed with Narcooses when we at their in 2019 to the point I doubt I'd go back unless I only planned on appetizers and dessert. The food was just mediocre and the service was so-so.

Contemporary

To be honest, we weren't impressed with The Wave when we ate there - the food was fine but the atmosphere wasn't our jam.

California Grill was lovely.

 

[Farro]

Grand Floridian

I really love The Grand Floridian Café for breakfast/brunch. I've had their pancakes, quiche, and Steak & Eggs. Service is always lovely. Ask if possible) to sit in the back room.

Citricos is good. I had dinner there on my last two trips and then went over to the Enchanted Rose for an after dinner cocktail.

We were very disappointed with Narcooses when we at their in 2019 to the point I doubt I'd go back unless I only planned on appetizers and dessert. The food was just mediocre and the service was so-so.

Contemporary

To be honest, we weren't impressed with The Wave when we ate there - the food was fine but the atmosphere wasn't our jam.

California Grill was lovely.

I agree on the atmosphere at The Wave. It's like a dining in a large conference room at a hotel. But nothing some wine couldn't remedy...

 

[OKW Lover]

When they open, we like Citrico (down for rehab and possibly change in style), Narcoossee, and the Wave. We also like Kona at the Poly fro breakfast.

 

[Stargazer65]

Well, California Grill was my favorite on the loop. But Whispering Canyon is just a quick boat ride from the loop, and is even more my favorite.

 

[kwdw]

When open - The Wave, Grand Floridian Cafe, and Citrico's are all "go-to" places for me.

The Wave - it's atmosphere is "hotel restaurant" - but I've had great meals and service there. Both breakfast or dinner.

GFC - I haven't had dinner here - but I have had breakfast and lunch here. I find them to be a "relatively" inexpensive TS meal - with easy access to/from MK. Again - nothing but great service here.

Now - it's been awhile and the menu has changed a fair amount - but Citrico's was great for dinner. So - I guess I'm not sure where I would rank this recently - it's probably been three years.

All of the monorail restaurants (except maybe Chef Mickey's) - get great reviews from someone. They are a "must-do" for someone out there.

I'd pick based on what you think of the current MENU. Take for example - my SIL's favorite restaurant at WDW - Narcoosee's. I look at that menu and say "pass." Last time I was at Kona - I didn't like what I had ordered - but my prior meal was great. I was at Chef Mickey's once (as a character meal) - and based upon the timing of when I went - it wasn't crowded, buffet was spotless and full of fresh dishes, waitress was attentive, and I had a great time - but I can see how that place could earn its reputation as a crazy, so-so character meal/blah buffet. But its a fun location for kids to eat - that's for sure!

So - read the menus.....

Maybe generic advice would be to recognize that the signature restaurants on the monorail are fancier atmospheres and the meals tend to take longer. If the kids are used to sitting through longer table service meals - then taking them to those is fine - lots of kids at the signature places at WDW. I've seen lots of well-behaved kids at the signatures. But if you have kids that can't manage 40 minutes in a restaurant without a complete meltdown, maybe avoid those with them to save yourself the torture of trying to keep them contained that long. I've seen a couple meltdowns, too, with one adult carrying a screaming child out the restaurant - and the table packing that person's meal to go.... And when that meal might be 50-60 dollars for the entree...

 

[disneyberry]

We never miss California Grill. Citricos is also great but very underrated. (I'm also partial to it from having my wedding reception there heh.)
This isn't really a restaurant, but we love stopping by Poly to get a Dole Whip without waiting forever (inside MK it can take ages to get your Dole Whip order.)
Not sure if all these will be open in the coming months though.

 

[TTA Rider Matt]

We ate at The Wave for the first time this past summer, and it immediately became my favorite restaurant. I also really liked Kona, and 'Ohana has always been one of my favorites (though currently closed). Unbelievably, in 25 years of going to Disney, I have never stepped foot on GF property, and therefore, have no opinions about any dining there. I've heard very good things about Chef Mickey, even without characters.