Romantic Restauraunts??

[EmotionLord]

So I'll start off by saying that I'm not a big ADR person, I usually prefer the QS plan to the TS. But I'm taking my girlfriend on her first Disney Trip in May and I want to surprise her with a romantic dinner after one of our park days (most likely AK). Does anyone have any suggestions??

 

[bwang123]

Jiko - Especially if you plan to go directly from AK to a restaurant.
BlueZoo
Flying Fish

 

[JZCubed]

So I'll start off by saying that I'm not a big ADR person, I usually prefer the QS plan to the TS. But I'm taking my girlfriend on her first Disney Trip in May and I want to surprise her with a romantic dinner after one of our park days (most likely AK). Does anyone have any suggestions??

If you expect to arrive to dinner directly from a Park, how romantic are you going to feel in those clothes?

I'm not picking on you, but that's the reality of nearly every Disney Signature - but add children to the mixture.

Since Swan & Dolphin are not part of Disney Dining, they are often considered to be the most romantic places not called Victoria & Albert.

V&A is in a class by itself - and you pay for that privilege.

My favorite at Sw'olphin is BlueZoo - seafood-centric menu, most tables are far from each other (and you can request a romantic banquet on most nights).

Four Seasons, Disney will have similar choices.

But on my short list of Disney places:
- Cinderella's Castle - most every woman wants to be a princess for just a few minutes. Pre-order a chocolate-filled slipper.
- West Wing inside Be Our Guest for dinner is also lovely. Food better than Cinderella's. You can meet The Beast too (most times).
- California Grill - the food can be hit-or-miss for the price, but the Magic Kingdom view is second to none. Try to coordinate ADR with fireworks.
- Narcoossee's - less pretentious than CA Grill, food is more consistent, but lacks the 'WOW! factor'. Can also coordinate with fireworks.
- Sanaa at AKingdom Lodge - maybe not too romantic, but the daylight view with animals on the savannah is charming.
- Any meal at Grand Floridian - V&A, Narcoossee's, Citrico's, 1900 Park Fare. The hotel is lovely. A band is often playing in the lobby. Cocktails at Mizner's before/after dinner is very romantic.
- Jellyrolls for dueling nighttime piano. It's fun. Very adult. On the Boardwalk (near Sw'olphin, Yacht & Beach Club, Flying Fish, Epcot, H'Studios)

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would suggest Jiko (AKL) or Artist Point (WL). Both have great food and service and tend to be a little quieter than the other signatures. Another idea is to go to Flying Fish or blue zoo and then walk around the Boardwalk which is a lot of fun. You could even rent a surrey bike or go to Jelly Rolls and just watch the entertainment on the Boardwalk. Capa at the Four Seasons is supposed to be excellent. If you want to do something inside a park, I would suggest Monsieur Paul in the France pavilion in EP

 

[Richard M Nixon]

If you're not aiming for V&A's, I'd definitely suggest Jiko or BlueZoo. Neither feels like a theme park restaurant and their food and service is very high quality. It turns out that Bluezoo is even a four diamond restaurant (no surprise there).

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Jiko seems like the perfect option since you will be at AK. If you want to spend a little less but still have a great atmosphere and delicious food, then Sanaa is your next best bet.

BOG is nice and romantic with great food, too, but unless you have APs or Park Hoppers, you aren't going to want to do it on your AK day.

 

[brinkley07]

We loved Narcoosees on our most recent trip. It has always been consistent, you can watch the fireworks if you time it right, and you can see the electric water pageant. We have done Jiko and loved it as well as hating it due to lack of consistency, but it's close to AK.

 

[supersnoop]

I would suggest Jiko (AKL) or Artist Point (WL).

Me, too.

 

[kiford]

Jiko is very nice. It tends to be quieter and less popular with families with young children, I guess because of the menu (which we love). The tables are a nice distance apart and the atmosphere is lovely. It's one of our favourites.

 

[kirrrby]

Shula's at the swolphin. It's dimly lit and Frank sinatra plays throughout the restaurant. The food is very good. We've celebrated an anniversary there before and they gave us a free lava cake.

 

[Emily Gilmore]

I'll throw in a second for Flying Fish. It's a must do for us each trip. Plus, as someone else said, you can walk along the boardwalk after (BEAUTIFUL view at sunset) and then go to Jellyrolls.

 

[EmotionLord]

Thank you all so much for your advice! I've still got a month before I have to make the ADR for the restaurant so that gives me a little time to check things out and try to see which one she might like best.

 

[OhThePain]

If you are going to do something, do it right. I wouldn't go to a Signature (or the Sw'olphin restaurants) without going back to the room to shower and freshen up. I've done it in the past, but IMO going right from a park loses something in the experience. Figure on leaving the park at around 3:30 if you have, say, an 8PM ADR (this gives you time to rest, freshen up, travel and not feel rushed).

The best restaurants on property not called Victoria & Albert's are bluezoo and Shula's and their price tags reflect it. However, with FF being closed until November, these are your go to places IF you want to spend time at the Boardwalk that night. The Boardwalk can be a romantic experience on it's own. Between the performers and the setting and the bakery and funnel cake, its a nice place to spend some time after dinner and to have dessert.

You could also keep the theme of the day going and head to Jiko for dinner. Jiko is consistently awesome in food and service. Plus, Jiko gives you a chance to explore AKL which is a tremendous resort to visit between the look and feel of the resort, the art, the savannahs, Victoria Falls Lounge and the firepit. If she is an animals person, Jiko is a homerun.

 

[Chelle's Belles]

Jiko is a good choice for proximity. Can't go wrong with V&A's. I love Monsieur Paul's! The food is fab and the views are wonderful. Very quiet, cozy and romantic.

 

[kungaloosh22]

If you're not aiming for V&A's, I'd definitely suggest Jiko or BlueZoo. Neither feels like a theme park restaurant and their food and service is very high quality. It turns out that Bluezoo is even a four diamond restaurant (no surprise there).

This would be my response, exactly.

 

[raddisneyfan]

My votes in this order:
California Grill (great view and great food--make sure to request window table)
Narcoosee's (again, great view and great food--make sure to request window table)
Jiko's (superb food--and close to AK if that's where you will be)
Artist Point (very quiet--since kind of remote at WL--especially if you go on a week night, food very good--love the atmosphere here)

Just my two cents!