Restaurant Recommendations

[CurlyBlueEyes]

We are 2 adults no kids staying at SSR next week for a short (5 days) vacation. We are not Disney experts so we are looking for restaurant recommendations, could be in the park or out (we have a rental car) dinner and lunch options please. Not looking for top of the line, but we're willing to be a bit adventurous

What are your must-go-to restaurants and why?

We've been to Victoria and Alberts, thought it was nice but over-rated
Texas de Brazil, no complaints, we love rodizio
Flying Fish was really nice

Thanks in advance

 

[SusieBea]

Well, the Turf Club right at SSR is nice and there's a lovely outdoor patio if it's warm. Also, Wolfgang Puck Express at DTD near to SSR is a good counter service place especially for breakfast and lunch. Fulton's and Raglan Road are also good.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

My favorite restaurant in WDW is Sanaa, located in Kidani Village. It is a bit more expensive than moderate, but far from top of the cost index. The atmosphere is the best, and we absolutely love the food. You can get adventurous with the menu..
We also like 'Ohana in the moderate category. Heck, I have yet to find anybody who doesn't like 'Ohana.
In the MK the spaghetti and meatballs can't be beat at Tony's.

As a rule of thumb we much prefer resort restaurants over park locations.

MG

 

[a742246]

If you really liked the Flying Fish. I think you would really like the Bluezoo in the Dolphin.

 

[mouse]

We really enjoy the Turf Club at SSR. It's a quiet place for lunch and you can eat outside.

My husband & I like to share the cobb salad and pineapple cake for lunch at Brown Derby in HS.

We always enjoy Portobello's in Downtown Disney. We have the cappuccinno gelato for desert every time.

We have been to Il Mulino's (Swan or Dolpin, I don't remember) twice now. It is a bit pricey, but you can get half portions of the pasta dishes, which we found to be wonderful. When we ate there a few weeks ago, the waiter brought us two glasses of complimentary lemincello along with the check.

We like the seafood buffet at Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club. It's especially enjoyable when it is just the two of us. You can eat crablegs to your hearts' content without having to crack them for the kids. Then we like to go over to Martha's Vineyard next door for a nice quiet cocktail (also accepts the Tables in Wonderland card).

Next trip we would like to try the movie theater at DD. We haven't been there since they have started serving food and beverages (alcohol) in the theaters. I would be curious to hear if anyone has done this and what they thought.

Are you DVC members? Do you have the Tables in Wonderland card? All of the above restaurants accept it, including Shula's and Blue Zoo over in the Swan & Dolpin.

 

[com_op_2000]

DW and I's current favorites:
DTD - T-Rex
EPCOT - Luigi's
MGM - Lunch at Sy-Fy Cafe
MK - Crystal Palace
AK - Tusker House
Resorts:
BCV - Cape May
AKL - Lunch at Mara
Dixie Landings - now PO-RS - Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory
Outside of Disney:
Bahama Breeze

 

[Mousewerks]

I am a fan of Fulton's Crab House in Downtown Disney. Their calimari is the best I've ever had. Also a fan of the chocolate Creme Brulee.

When my DW and I went last September for her 40th sans the child, we really enjoyed The Flying Fish for the food and the atmosphere. The Artist Point was excellent as well. And we've never had a bad meal at The California Grill. High above, the fireworks have a different look.

 

[hakepb]

My favorite restaurant in WDW is Sanaa, located in Kidani Village. It is a bit more expensive than moderate, but far from top of the cost index. The atmosphere is the best, and we absolutely love the food. You can get adventurous with the menu..
We also like 'Ohana in the moderate category. Heck, I have yet to find anybody who doesn't like 'Ohana.
In the MK the spaghetti and meatballs can't be beat at Tony's.

As a rule of thumb we much prefer resort restaurants over park locations.

MG

I'm glad to see another Tony's fan! Although for me, its Spaghetti with 1 meatball, 1 sausage..and terramatsu for desert

For some of my other meals: Epcot: Teppan Edo (one of the best meals I've had in WDW, but may not be too unique if you go to similiar places at home, and the table prep is more family friendly than couple ideal). The new La Hacienda San Angel? in Mexico.
For table service, Flame Tree BBQ in DAK
For off-site: Giordano's (Chicago pizza). Plus you can usually get a highly-discounted Restaurant.com gift card.

 

[DMKEDM]

Another vote for Sanaa if you want something a bit different...wonderful food, terrific atmosphere...LOVE it!

A bit "a cut above:" California Grill at the Contemporary is most of the time really good...we've had an occasional "off" meal there (but it's always been service, not food, when it's been less than stellar), but usually it's fantastic...

We also LOVE Wolfgang Puck's Cafe/West Side, Downtown Disney...the macadamia nut chicken is wondrous and I've never seen it anywhere else...

Raglan Road (Marketplace, Downtown Disney) is another of our favorites, and a restaurant whose fare is a bit "different"...

Good food (but not very "different") in a neat atmosphere in either the Coral Reef at The Living Sea in Epcot or the Wave at the Contemporary--with the edge to Coral Reef...

You'll also find a LOT of fans of Le Cellier Steak House at Canada in Epcot...but we find the steak is just as good at Yachtsman's (Yacht Club)...and it's easier to get in...of course, Le Cellier also has cheese soup, which is very popular altho I'm not personally a fan...but they do have a sausage and creamy polenta appetizer that my DS "dreams" about...and their maple creme brulee is heaven and not available elsewhere...

Happy eating!

 

[ColonialMouse]

Had an absolutely fantastic meal at the California Grill on top of the CR last Halloween. Plus, it was a late reservation and we got there a bit early, so got to watch the Halloween fireworks launch over MK from the observation deck at the top of the CR. Definitely will go back again.

Bruce

 

[rentayenta]

Another Tony's fan here too.

Trying the Turf Club and Saana for the first time this next trip. We really liked Olivia's at OKW and Raglan Road in DTD.

 

[MouseMomx2]

Far and away our favorite is Sanaa. Every meal we have had there has been amazing. (Make sure to order the naan if you go.)

Runners-up would be:
Kouzina at the Boardwalk
Kona Cafe at the Polynesian
Marrakesh in EPCOT

And for something lighter don't miss Earl of Sandwich at Downtown Disney.

 

[amym2]

For off-site restaurants, we love Celebration Town Tavern, and Celebration is a neat little town to walk around. We also love Bahama Breeze, if you don't have one where you live. Haven't tried the Orlando Giordano's but it is definitely excellent in Chicago!

 

[Halle]

DH and I enjoy fine dining so here are my recommendations onsite
California Grill, Jikos, Narcossees, BlueZoo, Citricos and Yachtsman Steakhouse. Off site upscale Capital Grille...we go there every trip with rewards cards.
We also love Columbia House in Celebration, Orlando Ale House and Chevy's.

 

[allshookup]

Another vote for California Grill....hands down a must do for us. Other favorites that have also been mentioned...Ohana, LeCellier, Fultons, all good.

 

[Kidanifan08]

- Here's another vote for Sanaa at Kidani -- we can't wait to eat there a week from Monday.

- Yak and Yeti for lunch at AK is very good, although we like Flame Tree BBQ counter service, as well

- Restaurant Marrakesh at Epcot for lunch. Love the Sultan's Platter! No reservation needed.

- The Wave at the Contemporary was excellent. The restaurant seems a little little out of place in it's little corner of the resort, but the service and atmosphere was nice.

- Wolfgang Puck Express is very good and quick.

- Bongos at DTD was good, but we had horrible service the one time we went.

- Via Napoli has great pizza and Sangria, but it is a little loud if you are looking for something quiet and more romantic.

- We have always loved LeCellier. Perfect steaks every time. May be a little tough to get an ADR at this late date.

- Nine Dragons in the China pavilion is very good, but more than you would pay for the same Chinese food at home.

We don't go off-site, so we don't have any recommendations there. Have a great trip!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

DH and I enjoy fine dining so here are my recommendations onsite
California Grill, Jikos, Narcossees, BlueZoo, Citricos and Yachtsman Steakhouse. Off site upscale Capital Grille...we go there every trip with rewards cards.
We also love Columbia House in Celebration, Orlando Ale House and Chevy's.

That's a good line up, however I was under the impression the OP was looking for moderate priced options. Several of yours are in the upper tier.

If we're talking higher priced, I like Jiko, Cali Grill, Yachtsman, Sanaa, Narcoossees, and Shulas. NOT a big fan of bluezoo, but that's just me.

MG

 

[Ansky]

some of our favorites are Shulas and the Yachtsman for steaks. We also enjoy Ohana, Raglan Road, and 50's Prime Time Cafe (although the food isn't the best we always have a good time at 50's). We have only been to the Turf Club once but really enjoyed that too.

 

[zavandor]

and 50's Prime Time Cafe (although the food isn't the best we always have a good time at 50's).

I like the 50's Prime Time Cafe too, really fun!
And I felt in love with Boma, I think it's the best Buffet restaurant in WDW.

 

[bobbiwoz]

My whole family loves the buffet at Trails End at FW.