We love 'Ohana, but...

[hedg12]

We have something of a tradition of dining at 'Ohana - which we love - when we go to Disney, but other than the occasional character breakfast with the little ones we generally stick to counter service or go off site for meals. We have a few adults only trips planned in the next year & would like to venture a little out of our bubble.

We're by no means foodies, and looking at the menus for some of the table service / signature restaurants has me keeping a browser tab open to Google so I can figure out what they're serving . That said, we're not completely unadventurous when it comes to trying new things.

We tend to lean towards meat and potatoes comfort food but love Mexican food, Asian, and Italian. The rest of the family likes seafood, but me not so much. I can usually find something when we eat seafood, though.

We're looking for recommendations for a nice meal with a menu that won't scare the less adventurous among us. Budget's not a huge issue, as long as the food and service are good. We don't want any chains or anything we can get outside of WDW. Would really like something more casual - not too interested in any place that has a dress code.

Is there anything that stands out? I know it's really a matter of personal preference, but hoping to find something of a consensus. Are there any real gems?

 

[sponica]

Raglan Road at Disney Springs jumps out.

Teppan Edo in Epcot is usually good for the more selective palates.

 

[`OhanaHare]

Raglan Road, Teppan Edo, Tokyo Dining, 9 Dragons, Grand Floridian Cafe.

 

[OpieDoodle]

Tusker House in animal kingdom has been a favorite for us! They have a buffet style with international foods but they still have less adventurous options!

 

[EdnaMarieMode]

Keep in mind that at almost any restaurant, they will do their best to accommodate requests. So if a sauce or side seems too fancy or adventurous it's worth asking if it can be left off, substituted, or served on the side. I wouldn't necessarily descend on a restaurant with a large party full of special requests but if the majority of the diners can find something and it's 1-2 people struggling to find something, that's an option.

The steak restaurants (Le Cellier, Yachtsman, Shula's) and California Grill all have a pretty good variety on the menu and simpler items can be found on any of those menus along with the more adventurous offerings. Those are among the best meals I've had at Disney. They are signature dining but I don't find any of them to be super fancy (we've gone to all 3 while visiting a park or right after).

Teppan Edo is a good option. For Mexican I like San Angel Inn at Epcot. Ale & Compass is another accessible choice.

Buffets are also something to consider. Trail's End and Cape May have tons of options. Yes, Cape May has plenty of seafood but there is honestly so much else to choose from there as well.

 

[RADOPT]

Keep in mind that at almost any restaurant, they will do their best to accommodate requests.

This . Any good restaurant should be able to change or sub as long as the ingredients is somewhere on their menu. With allergies Disney went even further for me. Our server offered to get me a dessert from another restaurant when they had nothing I could eat. I declined but was very impressed.

 

[Lisa F]

Keep in mind that at almost any restaurant, they will do their best to accommodate requests. So if a sauce or side seems too fancy or adventurous it's worth asking if it can be left off, substituted, or served on the side.

I frequently make special requests for my son, including mixing and matching sides. I have never had an issue. When I choose where we are eating I generally look at the entire menu to see whether I can make a meal he will eat out of what they've got.

 

[EdnaMarieMode]

I frequently make special requests for my son, including mixing and matching sides. I have never had an issue. When I choose where we are eating I generally look at the entire menu to see whether I can make a meal he will eat out of what they've got.

I do the same thing. I generally don't want a starch and I'll ask for extra veggies and it's never an issue. Or, maybe there's not an entree I see that I would like (which is rare, I'm a fairly adventurous eater with no allergies) I'll ask for an appetizer and a side of something. DD14 has asked for 3 sides before, as her meal, and they've done it without an issue. The key is to, as you said, look at the whole menu and decide if some easy substitutions can me made.

 

[hedg12]

My SIL has suggested Boma, but the menu looks a little on the exotic side. Anyone have thoughts or experiences eating there?

 

[Lisa F]

My SIL has suggested Boma, but the menu looks a little on the exotic side. Anyone have thoughts or experiences eating there?

if I can feed my picky on the spectrum kid there, anyone can eat there. The african inspired buffets are perfect for people with varying tastes as they have some plain food for plain eaters and more interesting stuff for those inclined. Also there is zero risk to trying something new, you won't have to pitch an expensive entree if you don't like it... just get something different.

The rotisserie meats are pretty accessible to all, there are TONS of salads from regular green lettuce salads with add on fruits and veggies to more interesting prepared salads, lots of interesting sides in addition to the plain white rice, roasted potatoes/veggies, mac and cheese and regular mashed potatoes on the kid buffet... for the mains there is plain baked chicken and penne and meatballs on the kid buffet, but other seasoned roasted chicken and tons of items that you can try and discard if you don't care for. Add to it a huge selection of breads (and dips but also regular butter) and dessert and there is no reason for anyone to leave hungry no matter what they like.

 

[DisneyHardin]

We are very plain eaters. Some of our favorites are Rose & Crown, Biergarten, Narcossees and Homecomin'.