Whats Your Dining Hidden Gem?

[DaisyDuck001]

Another vote for Captain's Grille and The Wave.

 

[Honeybee83]

From AllEars...

Gruyere & Applewood Smoked Bacon - with caramelized onions on sour dough bread $9.75

Fontina & Tomato Basil - with balsamic glaze on sour dough bread $9.25

Canadian Cheddar and Granny Smith Apples - with apple butter on cinnamon raisin bread $10.25

The problem is trying to order all three because you can't decide and risk looking like a piggy. Oh well... Carpe diem. You're on vacation!

 

[bwang123]

Columbia Harbour House. It seems like we eat there every visit.

 

[Easto]

I don't think good Disney dining "hidden gems" exist, or if they don't it won't last for long.

If I go back to Disney places I will visit again:

- Via Napoli @ Epcot for lunch. 1 Large pizza fed my family of 4 and the price was reasonable. When you're not on DDP, price matters

- 'Ohana @ Poly for dinner. Family style food, awesome quality, all you can eat, for the quality price was great.

I have two girls, 4 and 6 years old. I am a meat and potatoes kind of guy, so fine dining options are not for us/me.

Crystal Palaca breakfast was really good, but I am starting to think Character Meals are not worth the price tag especially if you go to the park during low crowd times and can meet most characters in the park with a small wait.

Not to sound like a cheap skate, but my kids don't eat enough to justify the cost.

 

[samsteele]

but my kids don't eat enough to justify the cost.

Your reasoning is bang on. When I travel with my youngest niece, I am def aware that she eats like a bird & has very fussy tastes. But when traveling on my own & OOP (out of pocket), the following are decent values:

• Trails End Buffet (dinner): good, home-cooked style food. All you can eat. Ideal if feeding teenagers w bottomless tummies. Least $ buffet on property. Easy boat ride to & from Magic Kingdom;
• Marrakesh in Epcot (lunch): less $ than similar dinner entrees. Many entrees easily shared;
• Sanaa at Kidani Village (lunch): signature quality food at lower lunch prices. Def go out and see the animals on the viewing platforms behind the resort;
• Earl of Sandwich at Dis Springs: tasty & fresh. Inexpensive esp for WDW. Huge variety. Don't be discouraged by long lines. They move quickly; and
• Tangierine Cafe quick service in Epcot. The entrees are not cheap but can easily be shared by 2 adults.

 

[Leelo]

We LOVE the funnel cake with strawberries and whip cream at Sleepy Hollow! Not sure I would call it hidden but we didn't know about it on our first trip and now we have it every trip!

 

[smcabee]

The problem is trying to order all three because you can't decide and risk looking like a piggy. Oh well... Carpe diem. You're on vacation!

Unfortunately the grilled cheeses are gone http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2016/07/taste-track-to-reopen-on-july-3-at.html
That said, my hidden gem is Tutto Gusto. Love the wine bar with the small plates and wine. Always had availability when we have gone since its tucked away and does not take ADR's

 

[Lisa F]

For a full-service restaurant, I still really enjoy the Coral Reef Restaurant at EPCOT. Ever since I was a kid and watched Full House "The House Meets the Mouse" I've always been fond of that place and I do like the food too.

me too! well not about full house, lol, but I don't get all of the hate. this is the first TS I ever went to, when I went to WDW with my high school in 1991, I went with my best friend and we each ordered one appetizer and we felt so grown up! I have been several times since then but haven't been in a while - it has gotten mixed reviews its whole life but I've always loved it.

 

[keahgirl8]

me too! well not about full house, lol, but I don't get all of the hate. this is the first TS I ever went to, when I went to WDW with my high school in 1991, I went with my best friend and we each ordered one appetizer and we felt so grown up! I have been several times since then but haven't been in a while - it has gotten mixed reviews its whole life but I've always loved it.

I went about 10 years ago, and I loved it! I haven't been since, but not because I didn't like it, or even because of bad reviews. There are just so many places to eat, that I can't always repeat!

 

[kaybird]

From AllEars...

Gruyere & Applewood Smoked Bacon - with caramelized onions on sour dough bread $9.75

Fontina & Tomato Basil - with balsamic glaze on sour dough bread $9.25

Canadian Cheddar and Granny Smith Apples - with apple butter on cinnamon raisin bread $10.25

While Taste Track is gone, I made all these at home after I snapped a pic of the menu on our last trip!!!

Love love love WPE, Typhoon Tilly's and Capn Cooks! Captains Grille has GREAT crab legs!

 

[tweetylori]

Via Napoli for pizza at Epcot. Flying Fish at Boardwalk, Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar a Disney Springs. Ragland Road also

 

[Honeybee83]

Unfortunately the grilled cheeses are gone http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2016/07/taste-track-to-reopen-on-july-3-at.html
That said, my hidden gem is Tutto Gusto. Love the wine bar with the small plates and wine. Always had availability when we have gone since its tucked away and does not take ADR's

Sad face!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

CHH and VN. We ate at each twice last trip. I'm not even a big seafood person but I loved their fried shrimp.

 

[samsteele]

CHH and VN. We ate at each twice last trip. I'm not even a big seafood person but I loved their fried shrimp.

CHH's fried shrimp are very, very tasty. Also a fav

 

[richkaryn]

I don't really believe in guilty pleasures...if I like it I do it. BUT, I think my hidden gem would be The Plaza. I hardly ever see anyone write about it. Man, they have some good meatloaf and the chicken sammie is awesome! And don't forget the ice cream!!! YUM!!! I could so eat that right now!!

This is one that we love to do for lunch as well.....it doesn't get the love it deserves. The Strawberry grilled chicken salad is delicious!!

 

[Tigger's ally]

My hidden gem is more about the night off than anything. We usually do the Deluxe Dining and just do an early lunch and late sig dinner. Still, by the back half of our trip we both are not wanting a big dinner. So, we have an appy only night. That is where the hidden gem comes in. The better half and I can go to our own little hidden Territory Lounge and order three appy's to share.

We get the
Oregon Pinot Gris Fondue- pretzel bread, grapes on the vine $13
Pork Nachos - corn chips, cheddar, hard apple cider salsa, creme fraiche $13
And the wife loves the
Smoked Portobello Bisque - crispy oyster mushrooms, fines herbes $10

If we stay long enough, we have been also known to share-
Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee - grapevine, gooseberry, chocolate $10

 

[vincent00]

My wife and I aren't ones to seek out the "popular" joints, so for table service we like:

• Grand Floridian Cafe (GF)
• Kona, dinner (Poly)
• Boatwrights (POR)
• Tokyo Dining (EP); really need to do this one during low-crowd times, as it's difficulty to truly appreciate the Japanese hostesses' politeness when the restaurant is busy and noisy.

For quick service, Columbia Harbour House (MK) wins hands-down for entrees; just remember to grab a seat upstairs where it tends to be quieter. Dessert-wise, it's got to be the beignets at Sassagoula Floatworks (POFQ) though!

 

[keahgirl8]

My wife and I aren't ones to seek out the "popular" joints, so for table service we like:

• Grand Floridian Cafe (GF)
• Kona, dinner (Poly)
• Boatwrights (POR)
• Tokyo Dining (EP); really need to do this one during low-crowd times, as it's difficulty to truly appreciate the Japanese hostesses' politeness when the restaurant is busy and noisy.

For quick service, Columbia Harbour House (MK) wins hands-down for entrees; just remember to grab a seat upstairs where it tends to be quieter. Dessert-wise, it's got to be the beignets at Sassagoula Floatworks (POFQ) though!

I am going to have to try Boatwrights. I stay at POR all the time, but I've actually never eaten there! I can vouch for CHH upstairs. It is a hidden gem for sure. It is a nice break from the craziness.