What are the best restaurants at Disney World?

[03KM0]

Thank you! And congratulations to you too! You've got a great itinerary!

That's a very detailed list and I'm sure it's going to help me- so will the link you provided. I can't wait to start making reservations!

 

[DizDaD7]

Thank you! And congratulations to you too! You've got a great itinerary!

That's a very detailed list and I'm sure it's going to help me- so will the link you provided. I can't wait to start making reservations!

1 thing I forgot to mention....Before buying DVC , we used to come down during free dining....It was the best savings for our fam. of 4.We didn't buy the dining plan this past August. What we did was buy the Tables in Wonderland = TIW. card.

This allows us to eat what we want, when we want, or drink what we want as well (Alcohol included). Great thing is it's always a 20% savings NO MATTER WHAT!!

Bad news for some it automatically puts 18% onto the bill regardless of group size.... To me this is typically what we give for tips anyhow.... But it gives us flexibility....

Dining plan means you have to get a dessert at lunch and dinner, or you lose it...TIW means I can get an app or 2 and no dessert and I get 20% off.

Also with the FD I end up trying to get the most bang for my buck, by ordering the most expensive thing on the menu ( to reap the most back).
It drives me nuts.

TIW so worked out for us...We paid $75 for it and its good for 13 months from 1st use.... I believe its 100 bucks now, so unless you're going to use it for 10 nights os so, it might be worth it..

 

[Aliceacc]

That sounds fabulous. But,as I read it, you have to either own DVC or have an AP.

From their site:
"you are a Disney Vacation Club Member, visit any Guest Relations location at a Walt Disney World® Theme Park or Downtown Disney® area to purchase your Tables in Wonderland membership. Please present your Photo ID and your DVC Membership Card.
If you are a Florida Resident or Annual / Seasonal Passholder, visit any Guest Relations location at a Walt Disney World® Theme Park or Downtown Disney® area to purchase your Tables in Wonderland membership. Florida Residents and Annual / Seasonal Passholders may also purchase by mail or phone. Please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery when purchasing by mail or phone. "

 

[jimmytammy]

My fiance and I are going to Disney World for our honeymoon and I'm trying to figure out what restaurants to reserve spots for. I'm making a rough schedule now and trying to figure out what restaurants will be fun for us! Neither of us have stayed at a Disney resort before and he has never been to Disney World. I haven't gone since I was a small child so we're super new to this!

We will be staying 7 nights and 7 1/2 days at AK- Jambo House.

Breakfast wise, we'll be doing room service once and the majority of time we'll eat food we're bringing. But there are a few mornings we'd like to dine in somewhere. What are the best breakfast joints?

For lunch we're both more than happy to mix deli/pub style restaurants and quick service meals. Laid back lunches are perfect for us. Any suggestions? I've heard purchasing a disney refillable cup is worth it if you plan to eat lunch in the parks everyday. Is this true?

We for sure want to do a table service dinner every night. What are some great places to visit? Are there any dinner shows at Walt Disney World? I know for a fact we want to have dinner at Be Our Guest one night, but other than that I have no idea!

As of right now we are not purchasing a dining plan because I know we will both have an occasional drink and I've read for two adults the dining plan isn't the best option.

Thank you for any and all suggestions!!!

Avoiding the DP is probably best. You can spend so much time on eating, you dont do a lot else.

As for AM meals, places we like are Kona, Olivias, Boma, Whispering Canyon Cafe and Trails End. Bear in mind, these are all at resorts, so if you dont have a car, it takes awhile with Disney transport as you may need to catch a bus to DTD, then catch the bus to the resort needed.

Lunch at quick service can be laid back or wide open, depends on timing. Avoid most QS right at 12. 11am or 2pm usually not as bad. Plaza, Cosmic Rays, Columbia Harbor House and Pecos Bills at MK are all good, Beaches and Cream and ESPN club are good too. Kona for a table service is wonderful. Sunshine Seasons at Epcot, along with a few of the QS places at World Showcase are good. Hollywood Studios is lacking a bit on QS places, though Starring Rolls Cafe is good. AK similar, but we really like Flame Tree BBQ.

Dinner meals are where things come alive for us at WDW
Resorts
Ohana is one of our faves.
Olivias at Old Key West
Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge

DTD
Ragland Road

Parks
MK
Liberty Tree Tavern, we used to always eat the dinner meal, which is family style, a bit pricey, but very good. You can get lunch here, and choose meals for about half the costs of dinner
Epcot
World Showcase has some wonderful places
Biergarten meal is great, entertainment great
San Angel Inn, again, a good choice for lunch and dinner, check menu to see which appeals to you
Rose and Crown not as good as Ragland Rd., but similar food
Nine Dragons Honey Sesame Chicken, mmmmmmm
Le Cellier is good but a bit overpriced
Via Napoli, best pizza on property
Les Chefs De France, french onion soup alone worth the trip
Garden Grill in Future World is good, but wouldnt do LTT dinner and GG same trip, too similar in food types
Studios
50s PTC is one of our all time faves, fun and food is comfort type, but very tasty
Mama Melrose is good Italian. Flatbreads were a bit generic last time, but other dishes very flavorful
Animal Kingdom
Yak and Yeti slow service but food is good, for another choice, take a bus from here to Animal Kingdom Lodge and try Boma

I have to say, unless you have really big appetites, 2 meals at WDW a day are plenty. Meals here tend to be very rich and filling. My DW and I often split where we can, or we may split with one of the kids. I love to eat and it shows, but believe me, you can wind up being miserable with too much food.

 

[JZCubed]

Congratulations.

Friends of ours who honeymooned at Disney will be joining us for a day this Spring - with their three children (12, 9, 7).

Animal Kingdom Lodge has Boma, Sanaa, & Jiko. All are good choices and are easily accessible for you. I'd build my other ADR's with these as a given.

Then you can decide if you prefer eating in the Parks or back at the hotel pool for a snack before dinner.

Disney did not make going Resort to Resort very easy, and traveling this way to/from food may not be worth the trouble. Some restaurants worth the trip might be....

-- Monorail Favorites --
All-around: California Grill. Best view and excellent food. A special place and reasonably romantic by Disney standards.

Best Fireworks View: Narcoossee's. If you love steamed lobster and a seat with a view (or you can step outside to the balcony) then this is a fun place. Strolling the Grand Floridian shops and listening to the music is also charming.

Best Service: Victoria & Albert. The best Service just about anywhere requires a jacket for gentlemen. The menu can be a bit over-the-top for some people, but the experience is made for a honeymoon and truly memorable occasions.

-- Boardwalk Favorites --
Best Food: blueZoo. Not being apart of Disney Dining makes all the Swan & Dolphin restaurants (Shula's, Il Mulino, Kimono's) a bit less crowded. BlueZoo happens to have the best food. No place offers more choices of whole fish or shellfish. A fabulous cocktail lounge too. This is the one place we will eat at twice during a typical vacation on the Boardwalk.

-- EPCOT --
Illuminations View: Rose & Crown. You do not need a seat to see Illuminations, since the standing area on the outdoor patio is lovely too. You will need an ADR, but the place is not very pricey. There are other choices to enjoy Illuminations, but this is our favorite because you can always get a spot to stand.

 

[jude&jonah]

This is just my opinions but I also think my experiences tend to be pretty similar to what I hear echoed (for the most part at least) on the various Disney forums. Of course- people will always have horrible experiences at some of the best rated places too.

For signature dining:

-California Grill
-Jiko
-Artist Point

(Followed by Flying Fish and Yachtsman IMO- altho you'll hear a lot of people who love Le Cellier or Citricos. I think all signatures are more or less good- it depends more on personal taste. I for one would love to try Bluezoo one day as it also gets great reviews- but it is not DDP.)

For good food and overall nice atmosphere- but non-signature dining:

-Chefs de France
-'Ohana
-Boma
-Via Napoli
-Rose & Crown
-Raglan Road
-Sanaa

For just a really unique, fun, casual time- but not amazing food:

-Sci-Fi
-Prime Time
-Whispering Canyon
-Trex

For quick service meals:

-Wolfgang Puck Express
-Earl of Sandwich
-Various places in the world showcase at epcot
-Be our Guest

The restaurants people notoriously rag on in case it helps to know- and I think generally rightly so- altho im sure even the worst restaurant can have a great day and a great restaurant can have a horrible day just the same (no flames!):

-Tonys town square
-Mama melrose
-chef mickeys
-hollywood and vine
-Cinderella's Royal Table (granted some people really like this for atmosphere)
-Yak & Yeti (I hear completely mixed reviews about this one- some love some hate)
-The wave (also hear completely 50/50 on this one)
-Crystal Palace (also hear 50/50)
-Hollywood Brown Derby (a lot of people don't like this one considering it's a signature restaurant- 2 pointer)
-Narcoosees (usually rated at the very bottom of the signature dining choices)

I know little about character meals- so no comment on that.

 

[Bee2u]

Just an aside - Reservations for Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party don't start 180 days out, they generally start at the beginning of the previous month, so you'll want to start looking at the beginning of August.

 

[jwfla422]

Congratulations to you!! We honeymooned in WDW many, many years ago, can't imagine having to choose from so many restaurants now LOL!...so many great suggestions on this thread I can't begin to tell you...is your head spinning yet LOL!

If you'd like to take a look at some food photos and reviews feel free to check out my dining review website. I don't have reviews on all of the restaurants but a lot and I'm adding more daily. Also check out the dining reviews thread on the DIS here, lots of great reviews with photos there too.

www.disneydiningreviews.com

 

[03KM0]

I am absolutely blown away at the knowledge on this board!

I can only hope to one day know Disney World as well as y'all do. I'm making my list for the places I'll reserve tomorrow. Thank you all times a billion! You've made planning so much easier for us!

 

[jude&jonah]

Have a great trip!! (and thanks for following up on the thread- always makes it more fun with the original poster checks back in throughout!)

 

[03KM0]

Have a great trip!! (and thanks for following up on the thread- always makes it more fun with the original poster checks back in throughout!)

Awe! It's no problem at all! Thank YOU for the great suggestions!

 

[jude&jonah]

No problem!!!

 

[03KM0]

When I go to disneyland again I'll remember those!

Thank you!

 

[ElizabethB]

The dining plan is a good deal if it's free and you're not able to get a better deal on your room. Otherwise, I would not bother with the dining plan.

Keep watching these boards because you are going at a slow time, right after schools are back in session, so you likely will be able to nab a free dining package or, even better, a 30% discount on your room. Be prepared as well -- you are likely to have a "love bug" infestation that time of year with lots of bugs flying around, mating and dying. You can manage okay, but be prepared that it may make being out on your balcony harder than usual.

As for restaurants, Uncle R and JimmyV summed it up. The best restaurants don't take the dining plan. That did not used to be the case at all. But, thanks to the dining plan and free dining, that is definitely the case now.

Best steak: Shula's
Best seafood: Blue Zoo
Best Italian: Il Mulino
Best Disney signature: Citrico's

Best overall amazing dining experience: Victoria & Albert's (Unless you're a true foodie, the dining room is more romantic than the chef's table - and we have done both many times.)

I don't know if you plan to return to DW in the near future. If you do, you might consider buying one annual pass (without add on features like water parks). At the time of year you are going, it likely will give you a 35% discount on your room. Plus, it will enable you to purchase a Tables In Wonderland dining card. That will give you 20% off everything at Disney sit-down restaurants and bars (incuding wine, beer and mixed drinks!) (and I think Il Mulino and Shula's may be honoring it now). It even gives you 20% off Victoria and Alberts in the dining room (not the chef's table). With TiW you are charged an automatic 18% gratuity, but dh and I tip at least that anyway, so we consider TiW a good deal since it essentially covers the tip on everything -- food and alcohol.

Be aware that the time you are going will be extremely hot, but you're from the south so you get that. When we go in August, we cope with the heat by always having both a sit down lunch in a restaurant and a sit down dinner.

The lunch gives us a nice leisurely break from the heat and the sit down lunch places are often walk-ins because everyone saves their dining plan sit down credits for dinner.

Hope you have fun!

 

[sephorachick]

Best Steak: Yachtsmen Steakhouse (best mac & Cheese too amazing!)
Best Italian: Tutto Italia
Best Ice Cream: Ghiradelli or StoryBook Treats in Fantasyland
Best snack: Carrot Cake Cookie in DHS
Best "fun themed" restaurant- DHS Primetime 50s fried chicken was excellent (Ask for waitress Marnie)
Bar at O'hana is a nice chill place to drink at.
Loveeeeeeeeee Chef Mickey's or Cinderellas royal table for character bfast
regular bfast- kona cafe
Best counter service- Columbia Harbor house & Caseys at MK
Best dessert/treat- salted caramels at Germany in Epcot
best show/dinner- Biergarten! You won't be disappointed
Get creme brulee at France YUM
Tutto Gusto is highly under rated. Go there for wine tasting, great cheeses & excellent bar service.

I have a lot of reviews in my blog. Link below if you're interested. I went as a couple w/ my hubby as well

 

[sleepydog25]

Though you are staying at AKL, I saw only two brief mentions of Jiko which is located at your resort. Jiko is a lovely restaurant with excellent service, good food, and we've found it to be very romantic. Also at AKL (though over at the Kidani building) is Sanaa which is a little more casual but has a more eclectic menu. Another restaurant getting little mention is Artist Point at the Wilderness Lodge. It is a gem of a restaurant that is rarely crowded, has a superb (if limited) menu, and is quite romantic (ask to be seated next to a window for a view of the geyser). Additionally, you can go for a romantic stroll around the grounds of the Lodge and take in the beach, the theming, and the solitude--try taking the nature trail that leads off from behind the bike rental shop there. Beyond those, others have made some excellent suggestions. Have fun deciding and congrats!

 

[my2lovedisney]

Congrats!!

Some recommendations:

Yak and Yeti- AK
Via Napoli- Epcot
Mama Melroses- HS
Hollywood Brown Derby- HS
Cape May Cafe (only been for dinner) was very good!
Crystal palace (My all time favorite bfast buffet, its a must do every year!) this is a character buffet, but really if you're not interested they won't make it a big deal.
1900 Park Fare (great bfast buffet)
Earl of Sandwich at Downtown Disney is great!
Liberty Tree Tavern
Boma at AKL is a great buffet!

These are all sit down restuarants.

 

[jimim]

"Best". Is so subjective but I love these kind of threads.

Our favs for the past 12 years that we never miss:

Jiko
Cal grill
Narcosee's
Flying fish
Artist point
Yachtsman steakhouse (I personally think this place is way more consistent that the place at swan and dolphin)
Citricos

We never did Victoria and Alberta cause I just never wanted to carry a jacket with me. It's on the bucket list when we go with my parents so they can take the kids.

Other places we just dig also:

Wave
Scifi ( it's just cool)
The land counter service for lunch
Contemporary counter service for lunch or dinner
Flame tree
Casey
Sanaa
Kona cafe for breakfast


Our trips r always the same we eat at our top places and then the other 2 or 3 days we seek out a new place to add to the list. Jiko has been the most recent addition years ago.

Enjoy!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Just chiming in to say that Victoria & Alberts is the best restaurant on property, hands down. My friends went there on their honeymoon, and my DH and I have reservations for our 10th anniversary this summer. Definitely a meal to remember, and you can borrow a jacket from the restaurant if you don't have one.

 

[03KM0]

SleepyDog25 Jiko and Artist Pointe sound GREAT. I love the thought of being able to take a nice stroll after dinner. Thank you for your suggestions!