Recommend good sit-down restaurants for me and 2 sons, 19 and 20?

[tiggergirlinMI]

Would love some suggestions on dining for myself and my sons when we visit in June. We have always done counter service, now that they are older we prefer nicer places.
We are staying 5 nights at DLand Hotel so any restaurants in the parks, at the hotels, or in DTD would be great.
I see DLand Hotel has a coffee place? We love mochas, are they any good there?
Thanks in advance for all recommedations!

 

[DevilDuckie]

I believe that the Vineyard Room is hands down the nicest publicly accessible restaurant in the parks. Hook's Pointe is lovely and Ralph Brennan's is great for a more relaxed evening. I would avoid the Blue Bayou and I hear unfavorable things about Rainforest Cafe.

 

[mikayla73]

I agree with the PP, except the part about Blue Bayou. We ate there last May and the food was yummy and the atmosphere can't be beat. You are IN the POTC ride eating dinner. It was awesome and our waitress was pretty good too. I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Tortilla Joe's was pretty good too. The food was very good and there was a lot of it.

I don't like ESPN club. The atmosphere was fine, but the food, for what it was, seemed way too expensive. I know it is in DTD and that's probably at least partially why, but I can get better buffalo wings else where and pay half as much. I just think the other options at DLR offer better options and things I can't get at home.

 

[Wendi2000]

My favorite restaurant on site is Yamabuki at the Paradise Pier Hotel. They have changed their menu somewhat recently and no longer have my favorite meal at dinner, so last time we went for lunch and I had a wonderful bento box lunch. The only downside is that the restaurant is really quiet at lunchtime and I am weird and like busier restaurants for some reason... I think I like the hustle and bustle motion and noises. Yeah, yeah... I already said I was weird!!!

I also love, love, love Storyteller's Cafe for breakfast - I also love it for lunch or dinner.

We used to eat lunch at The Blue Bayou on every trip. In fact, it was a tradition that my family had when I was a kid and I kept it up until the last couple of years when they made major changes to the menu and the pricing. Sadly, we haven't been back yet, but it has a wonderful ambience and your family would probably really enjoy it. If you make an 11:30 reservation for lunch you are almost guaranteed a waterside table (it's the first lunch seating).

Hook's Pointe is good, but not quite as good as Storyteller's Cafe IMO.

If you want a really, really nice meal, try Napa Rose.

 

[Armadillo4]

I know that ESPNZone isn't for everyone, but if your two sons are into sports at all, it's sure to be someplace they'll appreciate. The Smokehouse Burger is my favorite burger within the entire DL Resort area.

The Anaheim Gardenwalk complex is opening up bit by bit. But all the restaurants there are open: Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., The Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen, and PF Changs are all good options. It's a 15 minute walk from the DL turnstiles to the Gardenwalk on Katella Ave. I've done the walk about 4 or 5 times already this year.

 

[tiggergirlinMI]

Thanks for all of the replies so far. We plan to definitely try Storytellers for dinner, Blue Bayou for dinner, and Steakhouse 55 for breakfast and for dinner.Also nice to know there is a Cheesecake Factory nearby. Love that place, lots of choices and their Godiva chocolate cheesecake is to die for. Anything other suggestions?

 

[Monkey Monkey]

I ate at Cafe Orleans for lunch yesterday and would eat there again. The food is pretty pricey, naturally, but I had the crab salad sandwich and it was awesome! And you can sit outside and people watch in NOS.

Carnation Cafe is also a great casual sit-down option.