Riveria food is best on property. Fight me. Lol

[Skicks35]

I haven't tried the QS yet, but regarding Topolino's, the chicken rigatoni combined with the chocolate lava cake dessert is hands down my current favorite meal on property. So much so that we are eating there twice during our quick 4 night stay at Riviera next month.

 

[jennyq87]

I have a hard time choosing between Riviera and Animal Kingdom for best food. Probably tied for 1st. But agree that Primo Piatto could benefit from a little more variety.

 

[sndral]

I’ve liked my meals at Toppolinos, it’s certainly one of the better WDW restaurants, but best,,,on property….naw, that title goes to V&A.

 

[CraigInPA]

How can you even compare this to the Contemporary with both the California Grille and Steakhouse 71?

Or the Grand Floridian with Citrico's, Narcoosee's, and Victoria and Alberts?

 

[wilkydelts]

I am may be in the minority, but RIV is a food desert to me. The food is good but if I am there for 4+ days the options are way too limited, even if adding in CBR. It is the same issues I have with Boardwalk but at least Dolphin/Swan help that out immensely.

 

[RivShore]

How can you even compare this to the Contemporary with both the California Grille and Steakhouse 71?

Or the Grand Floridian with Citrico's, Narcoosee's, and Victoria and Alberts?

Because the QS options stink?? And not sure what they offer in the lounge/bars or the coffee/bakery but have never heard any raves like you do with the Riviera options.

 

[RivShore]

I am may be in the minority, but RIV is a food desert to me. The food is good but if I am there for 4+ days the options are way too limited, even if adding in CBR. It is the same issues I have with Boardwalk but at least Dolphin/Swan help that out immensely.

I can see that if you are looking at TS only. If looking at everything at both RIV & CBR - TS, QS, Bars, Bakery, Coffee - I think Riviera has plenty of good to great options.

 

[TinkB278]

I am may be in the minority, but RIV is a food desert to me. The food is good but if I am there for 4+ days the options are way too limited, even if adding in CBR. It is the same issues I have with Boardwalk but at least Dolphin/Swan help that out immensely.

I agree completely. They need to bring back the expanded QS and bar Riva menu badly. I get so tired of the menu options quickly and eating at topolinos multiple times per trip isn’t financially realistic for us, on top of the difficulty securing a reservation in the first place.

 

[CraigInPA]

Because the QS options stink?? And not sure what they offer in the lounge/bars or the coffee/bakery but have never heard any raves like you do with the Riviera options.

In addition to those luxury table service offerings, you've also got Contempo Cafe (which doesn't "stink") at the Contemporary, and Grand Floridian Cafe and Gasparilla at the Grand Floridian. That's not to slight Chef Mickey's and 1900 Park Faire, both of which are "experiences" for little ones.

Frankly, if you want to rate a resort by the quality of its quick service restaurants, you'd have no contest against the food court at All Music.

 

[kes601]

Seriously though, We just back from 5 nights at a 2 bedroom Riveria. The food on property is absolutely the best On property. Not just Topolinos, but also the pool bar (I forgot the name) and quick service. This resort has really grown on me.

We felt that the qualify of food at Primo was the best QS at any resort we’ve stayed at. My only complaint is that I felt like it was lacking some choices (as in what Primo had was wonderful but I wish it had more to choose from).

 

[havoc315]

Seriously though, We just back from 5 nights at a 2 bedroom Riveria. The food on property is absolutely the best On property. Not just Topolinos, but also the pool bar (I forgot the name) and quick service. This resort has really grown on me.

Had 2 stays at Riviera... I don't know that the food is the "best" but it is above-Disney-average.
The cafe is among the nicest on a Disney property but they basically are offering the same coffee/baked goods you would get all over Disney.
Primo Piatto is an above-average quick service with some good selections but the menu became too limited after Covid and still has not been restored. (they had very good dinner entrees that disappeared with Covid, as well as several of their pizza options).
Topolino's is 1 of the best "signature" restaurants at WDW. Some might say it's the best... I'd certainly place it in the top 5, maybe top 3. (Citrico's, Tiffins, California Grill, are all up there).
The pool bar is solid...

Dining at Rivera suffers a bit from lack of a regular table service restaurant (which is why Primo Piatto had some real dinner entrees initially).... but they benefit from being next door to Sebastian's Bistro..

Overall, for a small resort, Riviera punches above its weight in dining. Considerably above its weight. But it simply lacks the options of the larger resorts....
1 Signature, 0 TS at Riviera..
Grand Floridian has 2 regular signature, plus 1 extra extra signature (Victoria and Alberts) and 2 TS..
Contemporary has 1 signature and 2 TS..
Poly is kinda lacking in dining, but has 2 TS
Beach Club/Yacht Club have 1 signature and 3 TS, I believe
Boardwalk has 1 Signature and 1 TS, with another TS temporarily closed but ultimately opening as a new restaurant

In other words, Riviera has only 1 true sit-down restaurant, while most deluxe resorts have 3-4. Dining at Riviera is excellent overall, but lacks the options you get at bigger resorts.

 

[beccasmom]

We stayed at the RR last July for one night and were able to try Bar Riva and Primo’s (did not have an opportunity to try Toppolino’s). We enjoyed both. We’re staying there again in August for a longer stay and hope to try Toppolino’s then. Considering we can get to Epcot relatively quickly (we’ll have a car), that offers other wonderful options for our group.

 

[kes601]

The cafe is among the nicest on a Disney property but they basically are offering the same coffee/baked goods you would get all over Disney.

Completely disagree on this point. The coffee is by far different from elsewhere on property. Different drinks, flavors, etc. The pastries are also more unique than elsewhere (Kona Cafe has our favorite pastries though).

 

[TinkB278]

Completely disagree on this point. The coffee is by far different from elsewhere on property. Different drinks, flavors, etc. The pastries are also more unique than elsewhere (Kona Cafe has our favorite pastries though).

The pastries are good but also very limited.

 

[kes601]

The pastries are good but also very limited.

I completely agree they are limited, but they aren’t the same as other resorts (which is the point I was countering on the post I quoted).

 

[sndral]

We stayed at the RR last July for one night and were able to try Bar Riva and Primo’s (did not have an opportunity to try Toppolino’s). We enjoyed both. We’re staying there again in August for a longer stay and hope to try Toppolino’s then. Considering we can get to Epcot relatively quickly (we’ll have a car), that offers other wonderful options for our group.

Not sure how having a car would help since you’ll have to park at the front of Epcot & hike through the park to get to the best food variety which IMO is in the countries. The Skyliner will take you right to the International gate at Epcot from Riviera which would be convenient except w/ the new system you must have a park reservation at Epcot or wait until after 2 pm and have already visited the park you do have a reservation at & have hoppers or an AP before you can visit those great Epcot food options. I miss the days when we could stay at YC or BWVs and just stroll into Epcot for an awesome pastry in France or a quick fish & chips in England!

 

[HappyDisneyWife]

I love a lot of RIV’s food too! Topolino’s & Cali Grill are tied for my absolute fav restaurant at Disney (so far).

That said, I cannot put RIV’s QS at the top bc I have celiac disease & other allergies. Allergies limits my family’s food options everywhere, and so we usually see restaurants through a very different lens than everyone else. TS is almost always better than QS for us, simply bc it’s more easily tailored for our needs… but it takes so long to get our meals, and is often very pricey. Plus, a resort may have fabulous TS restaurants, but can be severely lacking in allergy-friendly QS options (here’s looking at you, BLT!).

My favorite mobile order resort is currently Wilderness Lodge. Their outdoor lounge serves my all-time favorite: a fabulous bison burger that I don’t think I could ever get tired of!! But I’ve not yet tried any QS at VGF, and I’ve not spent enough time with AKL’s QS, either of which may end up being even better. Who knows?! I’ll start doing more research immediately!!!

 

[havoc315]

Completely disagree on this point. The coffee is by far different from elsewhere on property. Different drinks, flavors, etc. The pastries are also more unique than elsewhere (Kona Cafe has our favorite pastries though).

It's Joffrey's coffee. Though each resort does get a unique flavor, it's still just Joffrey's.

Le Petit Cafe coffee menu:

Double Espresso​

Available hot or iced

$2.79

Macchiato​

Available hot or iced

$3.49

Espresso Viennese​

Available hot or iced

$3.99

Caffé Latte​

Available hot or iced

$4.79

Cappuccino​

Available hot or iced

$4.79

Caramel Macchiato​

Available hot or iced

$4.79

Café White Mocha​

Available hot or iced

$5.49

Café Mocha​

Available hot or iced

Contemporary Grounds:

Walt Disney 50th Anniversary Blend Coffee​

$3.69

Double Espresso​

$3.79

Shakin Jamaican Cold Brew​

$5.29

Café Latte​

$5.39

Chai Latte​

$5.39

Vanilla Latte​

available flavors Mocha, Caramel, Hazelnut, Irish Cream

$6.09

Hot Chocolate​

$4.19

Frozen Cappuccino Dream​

$6.09

Hot Tea​

$3.69

Peach Iced Tea​

$4.49

Nitro Cold Brew​

$5.39

Cappuccino​

$5.39

Iced Black Tea​

$3.79

Matcha Latte​

$6.09

 

[havoc315]

Completely disagree on this point. The coffee is by far different from elsewhere on property. Different drinks, flavors, etc. The pastries are also more unique than elsewhere (Kona Cafe has our favorite pastries though).

As to the pastries, they all basically come from the same bakery operation, same quality. Each resort gets a slightly different mix. But the croissant at the Riviera is no different than the croissant anywhere else.

 

[DVCsloth]

I think Riviera is a little limited for food options. Having Epcot so close is what makes it so good for us. One reason I prefer DVC resorts that are anchored to a hotel.
Grand Floridian has nice choices as well as being close enough to Polynesian, Contemporary and MK.