Sit Down Restaurant question

[candygirlIRE]

So what is the ONE sit-down restaurant you would recommend?? And why?

We will likely be eating at the counter service places for most of our trip, and bringing in sandwiches etc. But we want to have a nice lunch/dinner at at 1-2 restaurants. What would you truly recommend and why? What specifics off the menu make you choose that restaurant over another.

We will not be doing a character meal at all (not in the budget this time).
We have an 11yr girl, 5yr boy, and a baby that will be not quick a year.


Thanks so much!! Really looking forward to all your suggestions!

 

[Malcon10t]

My preferences are Cafe Orleans or Carnation Cafe. Both are great, but make ressies so you don't have to wait as long.

 

[FlameGirl]

Napa Rose chef's counter if you can afford it. Wonderful food, customized to your preferences. Amazing service...perfect wine pairings.

Also, Jazz Kitchen. I love the "BBQ" shrimp and grits. Absolutely to die for.

 

[kylie71]

Hi and Welcome!
For reasonably priced food and a variety, with a good kids menu, even PB&J, I recommend the Carnation Cafe or Cafe Orlean's. Both have excellent food and ambiance.
If you don't mind cafeteria style, we love the Plaza Inn... the Fried Chicken and mashed potato's are the best since my Mom's!! Enjoy!

 

[ConnieB]

Cafe Orleans: My two daughters and I share a Monte Cristo, Pomme Frites, and the Salmon Salad for dinner. Yummmy! And we always request a table by the fence so we can people watch too, lol.

Second choice would be Carnation Cafe to have the Matterhorn ice cream sundae. The pot pie is also delicious, but trying to do both in one sitting is nearly impossible, lol.

 

[Dobie]

Without knowing more about your food preferences, I would have to recommend Carnation Cafe. Its location cannot be beat...it is right in the middle of Mainstreet...try to make a reservation for 6:15 or 6:30 so you will be seated as the parade goes by...you can't really see the performers well but it greatly enhances the magic. The menu is made up of typical "comfort food" and is less expensive than other sit down places. The Dobies eat there every trip!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Our family loves going to PCH Grill at the PPH. The restaurant is usually pretty quiet, so you get great service. The food is delicious & plenty of it...but not crazy expensive. The kids can do the Make Your Own Pizza's & at the end of the meal you can order "The Kitchen Sink" which is a huge sundae with everything in it (ice cream, toppings, cookies, candy served in what looks like a sink). Lots of fun & worth the walk over!!

We also love Cafe Orleans, but the kids had a harder time finding something to eat there.

 

[vettegirl]

My fav is the Blue Bayou. Eating inside POTC is an amazing experience and I love the food there.

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

We just got back from our first trip ... I really wish we would have scheduled a meal for Blue Bayou. I hear it is expensive as heck & my Unofficial Guide recomended against eating there with kids, but after riding POTC I REALLY, REALLY wanted to eat there b/c it looked so cool! It's seriously one of my only trip regrets.

 

[spacemermaid]

Another vote for Carnation Cafe'...the food is delicious, the atmosphere is classic (it's right there on Main Street), and there's stuff on the menu that both kids & adults will enjoy.

 

[mrswh]

I would get out of the parks (where the food is almost across the board mediocre to bad) and eat somewhere in DTD. We love Uva bar - casual, great with kids, great place to people-watch, good food (really, actually good!), and more reasonably priced than anything inside the parks. It would be a really nice break from counter service food for sure! La Brea is also nice, I would say it's a step down from Uva Bar but still pretty good, easy location in DTD and also great for people watching.

 

[tlovesdis]

If I was only going to do one sit down meal I would definitley chose Cafe Orleans!!! I love the three cheese Monte Cristo, the gumbo, the pomme frites are to die for and the beignets are super yummy!!! We always share everything, which makes it a bit cheaper for each of us!!

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

I would say the Blue Bayou. It's expensive and IMO the food is not that great, but the atmosphere can't be beat, and it's an experience you can't have anywhere else. For food and variety I agree with the Carnation Cafe. Outside the park I highly recommend the Napa Rose but it is a fancy restaurant so you'll want to make sure your kids are in a good mood and not worn out/meltdown mode. I also like Uva Bar and Catal. La Brea Bakery is good for lighter fare. I got food poisoning in Tortilla Joe's and I've always had crappy service at the Jazz Kitchen, so I avoid those.