Must eat at restaurants not in the parks? Suggestions for birthday night needed

[Tomec]

Title pretty much says it all, however obviously this is pretty broad and vague so to give some more information, preferences, etc...

I'll be staying onsite, though not going into the parks, for my birthday and am wanting to something special for dinner that night. This is my first trip to WDW and also the only night I'll be eating in the Resorts/Disney Springs (very short trip, kind of a surprise last minute addition type thing), so I know I'm both spoiled for choice and also definitely going to be missing out on things.
I tend to steer more towards steakhouse/American most times, however can also be a big foodie and adventurous eater, so really most places would do. Not a fan of sea food though so even though I've heard good things about it probably don't suggest the Boat House in Springs.
Price wise I'm probably thinking around $100/person is fine, so I think that probably mostly just rules out Victoria & Albert’s, though obviously cheaper is not amiss... I just know a birthday dinner at my home town favorite place would be around 75 anyways! (Yes I have expensive tastes)
As mentioned I'll be onsite and staying at Pop most likely, so bonus points to anything where I can use the Skyliner to get to the area like Yacht or Beach club, though not 100% needed.

Currently my front runner is 'Ohana, however I'm not sure if I could tell you WHY other than hearing about it frequently in videos I'm watching to help plan where they say good things about it. Specifically the noodles and bread pudding. Not saying that that isn't a reason to pick someplace, however like I said I know I'm spoiled for choice and there are so many other options out there I figured it wouldn't hurt to get some other opinions.

 

[OKW Lover]

My top choices on property would be
Il Mulino at the Swan,
Toledo at Coronado Springs Resort
Narcoossee at Grand Floridian
Topolino at Riveria
Steakhouse 71 at the Contemporary.

If willing to spend a bit more and take a very short taxi/ride share, go to Bull & Bear at the Waldorf Astoria.

 

[beccasmom]

Another vote for Steakhouse 71! . And Raglan Road at DS. We also love Olivia’s at OKW.

 

[jtopp]

Il Mulino at the swan, Shula;s at the swan, Enzo;s hideaway, Homecoming or SK steakhouse at the springs, Steakhouse 71 or California Grill at the contemporary, Yachtsmans steakhouse at yacht club, Narcoossee at Grand Floridian.

 

[Skippyboo]

If you’re going in the near future it’s magical dining month until end of September. There are some Disney area restaurants participating. 3 course for $40 or $60 .

On the Skyliner, Topolino’s at Riviera, Sebastian’s at Caribbean Beach, Trattoria al Forno on the Boardwalk

I also like Jiko at AKL.

You can get the noodles and bread pudding at Tambu lounge outside of ohana at Poly. You could do a monorail lounge crawl between Poly, Grand Flo and Contemporary

 

[RuntheMouse]

Toledo or Topolino’s Terrace would be my recommendations.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

In the past 'Ohana would've been a recommendation for us, but we've not been happy with the changes they've made over the past 10 years or so. If you're looking for something accessible from the Skyliner, we'd recommend Amare at the Swan Reserve, Ale & Compass at the Yacht Club, or perhaps Shula's at the Dolphin. BTW - if Skyliner is less important, we'd second the Jiko recommendation. That's become one of our absolute favorite meals and experiences! Happy Birthday and enjoy your dinner, wherever you decide to go.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Jiko would definitely be my first choice!

 

[EACarlson]

My suggestion is Charley's offsite. It's on 192, not far at all from the parks. The best steak I've ever had.

 

[skramer100]

If you are a steak fan and want to stay on skyliner then head to Shula's at the swan. Fun dinner would be tapas at Jaleo.

 

[zackiedawg]

I'm a non-seafood eater, so have the same general approach - I can eat at places that serve seafood, but when it's their main focus, I generally don't bother.

My favorite of the nicer/pricier spots among the resorts are Jiko, Steakhouse 71, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Topolino's, and Shula's.
For more mid-priced and buffet fare, I like Trattoria Al Forno, Turf Club, Whispering Canyon, Raglan Road, Art Smith's Homecomin, and Boma.
For bar/pub style or burger/lunch spots, I like Rix, The Fountain, Geyser Point, D Luxe Burger, and even Rainforest and T-Rex.

 

[sponica]

My rule for dining at WDW is I prefer to avoid food I can easily get at home, so while I do enjoy Topolino's I wouldn't go there for a birthday dinner as I can get Italian at home.

I would be going to Jiko or Sanaa as that is harder for me to get at home. Jaleo might also be an option as well.

 

[MaryPoptart]

I'm mostly motivated to respond to this to discourage O'hana lol

O'hana was a must do every trip we have ever taken since 2007 and we have gone every year (minus a few covid years). This last trip we took in May was our last putting that restaurant on our dance card so to speak. We are going to WDW next month and it is our first trip NOT going to O'hana :/ The food is simply not good anymore-- just not worth that money they are charging. The chicken is laughable and my husband does a better job on our grill. The steak, while good is a whisper of what it used to be. We still love the noodles/Wings but you can get that at Tambu Lounge. Skip it, you will get a better bday experience many other places.

Honestly, for Monorail restaurants: Steakhouse 71 has somehow become our must do every trip! Cali Grill kinda sucks ever since they moved to the pris fixe menu. Mileage may vary there but we are happy to skip and spend the $$ elsewhere. Narcoosee's is GREAT, but has a seafood heavy menu so, I'm hesitant to recommend for you.

For Skyliner restaurants: Topolinos has a great filet and some fun/unique choices for apps. If the menu interests you, I don't think you'd be disappointed. Yachtsman is also a good bet if you are a friend to the steakhouse-- I've never been to Shula's but others highly recommend so if it ends up being a battle between steaks on the skyliner/epcot area, look and compare the menus and see what interests you most for the whole menu (and look at drink menu's too!)

Good luck!

 

[Tomec]

Thanks for all the replies all, definitely given me some food for thought as it were and some options I hadn't thought about. I kind of like Jiko however worry about the amount of time to get there since we'd have to bus to AK (near it's closing time possibly) then take another bus to AKL. Sounds like a lot. I realize we could also lyft/uber however I'm trying to avoid that as much as possible. Kind of have the same hesitation for the Monorail places like Steakhouse 71, however at least MK stays open late. I don't know, I'm probably overthinking it, however the skyliner just seems so convenient.

 

[CarolynFH]

Thanks for all the replies all, definitely given me some food for thought as it were and some options I hadn't thought about. I kind of like Jiko however worry about the amount of time to get there since we'd have to bus to AK (near it's closing time possibly) then take another bus to AKL. Sounds like a lot. I realize we could also lyft/uber however I'm trying to avoid that as much as possible. Kind of have the same hesitation for the Monorail places like Steakhouse 71, however at least MK stays open late. I don't know, I'm probably overthinking it, however the skyliner just seems so convenient.

If I were staying at Pop, I’d book Topolino’s. We’re looking forward to eating there next time we’re at WDW!

Let me add that the Skyliner makes it more feasible to dress up a little. No getting squished on a bus on the way there or the way back!

 

[monarchsfan16]

Thanks for all the replies all, definitely given me some food for thought as it were and some options I hadn't thought about. I kind of like Jiko however worry about the amount of time to get there since we'd have to bus to AK (near it's closing time possibly) then take another bus to AKL. Sounds like a lot. I realize we could also lyft/uber however I'm trying to avoid that as much as possible. Kind of have the same hesitation for the Monorail places like Steakhouse 71, however at least MK stays open late. I don't know, I'm probably overthinking it, however the skyliner just seems so convenient.

Could skyliner to Studios and then bus to whichever hotel from there if you wanted to cut down on time

 

[Tomec]

Could skyliner to Studios and then bus to whichever hotel from there if you wanted to cut down on time

Yea I know that is an option for sure and honestly I'm probably under-estimating Disney transit on it's ability to get us around. I think it's just slightly overwhelming with the size, all the options, and fact this is the day we fly in also so just so much going on and it's like "man it'd probably be easier to just stick to something easy"

If I were staying at Pop, I’d book Topolino’s. We’re looking forward to eating there next time we’re at WDW!

Let me add that the Skyliner makes it more feasible to dress up a little. No getting squished on a bus on the way there or the way back!

Definitely a point for the Skyliner/Topolino's, though I'm expecting this to be around 7pm so I'm not 100% sure how full the bus will be around then. AK area probably more so due to it (likely) being around closing time, however not as sure for the other parks/areas.

 

[Dizzytime]

Not the fanciest or most expensive, but if I were picking my birthday dinner outside of the parks it would be Raglan Road. So good, so fun, and so much to do around the area before and after dinner.
Wherever you go, Tomec, sure hope you have a magical time on your birthday!

 

[fla4fun]

Sticking with the Skyliner, there are still lots of good choices which have already been mentioned: Shula’s Steakhouse, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Trattoria Al Forno, Toppolinos, Il Mulino . . .

I would look over the menus for all of them and see which one appeals to you the most.

If you decide that an Uber/Lyft is okay, I would also suggest Bull and Bear over at the Waldorf. Excellent food and service there and definitely a good spot for a special occasion.

 

[WhitneyMB]

We love the Yachtsman Steakhouse. Good service, good steaks and we enjoy wandering around the Beachclub/Boardwalk area.

After eating at the Yachtsman, we’ll often wander around, enjoy the lights, catch the relaxing boat ride to Boardwalk and pop into Abracadabar for a drink and a dessert. This is a lovely way to enjoy a relaxing evening without spending time in transport. If you walk to the bridge between Boardwalk and Beach Club, you’ll be able to see the higher fireworks that (usually) start at 9pm.