Well, here's the thing - DLR suffers only from not having enough space/area upon which to expand to have a wider assortment of restaurants and other things. WDW dining - from all accounts - is a much bigger deal than it is at DLR, because there are, quite simply, many more restaurants to pick from...and many more parks and hotels to house those restaurants.
That said, dining at DLR is an enjoyable part of my trips and the trips of many others, and there are a few highlights you should not miss.
In DL:
Blue Bayou, I would say, is a signature DLR restaurant that should be experienced at least once. It is located inside the POTC ride, and the atmosphere is great.
In DCA:
Ariel's Grotto is an all-Princess character meal in a very pretty restaurant, with slightly more upscale dishes (with an emphasis on seafood). It is considered "Premium Dining" at DLR.
In the GCH:
Napa Rose is a highly regarded restaurant among visitors and critics (and travel hosts) alike. If you enjoy fine dining and wine, this is the place for you. DIS-ers rave about it.
In the DLH:
Steakhouse 55 is quite popular.
Goofy's Kitchen is a character meal for breakfast/brunch or dinner, with a huge buffet (lots of options) and classic characters, and is on par with Chef Mickey's at WDW, from what I hear. It is also considered "Premium Dining" at DLR.
In the PPH:
PCH Grill is the home of DLR's version of the Kitchen Sink monster sundae.
My favorite table service restaurants (including character meals) are:
Goofy's Kitchen in the DLH
Carnation Cafe in DL (charming location on Main Street; try the meat loaf stack or the Matterhorn sundae)
Wine Country Trattoria in DCA (yummy meatball sandwiches; blood orange sorbet; nice outdoor seating)
Storytellers Cafe in the GCH (not for the character meal, but for lunch or dinner; delicious spaghetti and garlic bread; nice woodsy, cozy, earthy ambiance)
Rainforest Cafe in DTD
Naples Ristorante in DTD
ESPN Zone in DTD
Other folks love the Celebration Round-Up BBQ in DL, Cafe Orleans in DL and Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in DTD.
Decent counter service places include: Plaza Inn at DL, Blue Ribbon Bakery at DL, River Belle Terrace (home of the Mickey pancakes!) in DL, Bengal BBQ at DL, Taste Pilots Grill at DCA, and many folks are fond of Redd Rockett's Pizza Port in DL.
As for character meals, in addition to the above-mentioned Ariel's Grotto and Goofy's Kitchen, there is also the popular Minnie & Friends in DL (lots of characters), the Chip and Dale's Critter Breakfast in the GCH (woodsy/jungly Disney characters) and the only meal where Mickey makes an appearance - Surf's Up with Mickey at the PPH.
