What's your favorite dining "hidden" gem?

[princessesintraining]

We are traveling to the world in August for our fourth trip. We are a mom, grandma, and two kids 11 & 8. We are staying at the Poly. I'm looking for dining suggestions for maybe some overlooked places. We're not big on buffets and have done chef mickeys and 1900 park. If there is steak or plain chicken we are good to go for the kids.

We have musts of 50's Prime Time, Chef's de France and the Wave. Maybes are BOG, California Grill, and CRT. We will not have the dining plan, but do like to do a sit down for dinner typically.

What are your favorite hidden gems that we might overlook?

 

[OurLaughingPlace]

We like all of the places you've mentioned. Maybe kids would like Sci Fi at DHS? If you are on the DDP, milkshakes are included and they are yummy here. We've heard a lot of great things about Trails End, so we are going to try it this summer (we are at Contemporary, so it will be a nice boat ride over to Fort Wilderness). I've seen others list Trails End as a hidden gem.
If you are on DDP, I'd make a trip to Disney Springs for Wolfgang Puck Express - hands down our favourite QS restaurant - while a lot of people know about it, I'd call it a 'gem' because it's such a great use of a QS credit.

 

[bphilb]

I agree that Sci Fi is a nice place, especially if you have kids. My kids still speak of going there years ago and want to go back on our next trip. Whispering Canyon is a really fun experience at Wilderness Lodge and will provide great memories with the fun activities. I also love May grill if you enjoy Mexican. It was a fantastic experience but is not often talked about in Disney circles.

 

[mommy2paisley]

I also agree with Sci Fi. Both of our kids (DD9 and DS4) really liked it last September.

The restaurant DH and I can't understand why more people don't talk about (sometimes we tell people and they didn't even know there was a restaurant back there, besides the QS) is Biergarten. We have been every trip and it is the one restaurant we always, always do twice when at Disney. It is a buffet, but it appears very clean and I think it's good for even picky eaters, as there's some plainer choices along with all the great German food that we can't get in our area of the US.

We also LOVE Jiko and Sanaa at AK Lodge. Both have foods we're not used to and we and our kids really liked the choices. Narcoossee's at Grand Floridian is wonderful! We have had the best service on property at this restaurant, and every app, entrée and dessert we have gotten have been perfect!

 

[princessesintraining]

We have done Whispering Canyon cafe several times because we typically stay at the Wilderness Lodge. We tend to stay away from Disney Springs, as my kids are all about the parks, but maybe this trip they'd be willing to venture over.

I was looking at the Sanaa menu last night and while it would be a stretch on what I might eat, I think my kids might enjoy watching the animals while we eat.

We've looked at Sci-Fi in the past, but it's never appealed to my girls.

I will have to look at Narcoossee's a little more.

We will not have the dining plan because of the deal we booked, but I'm putting away at least what we would spend on the dining plan. We always had dessert on the dining plan, but it's not necessarily something we do in every day life. Thinking no dining plan will free us up to try some snacks we've never been hungry for before.

 

[kastoney]

If you're staying at Poly you must do Kona for breakfast. Its the best on property IMO.

I was going to suggest Sanaa too, but it sounds like that may not be appealing. Tusker House may be a good choice for you as they have some unique options you can try, as well as more typical food. It's the only character meal that is a must do for us. Yak n Yeti is also a good choice at AK.

My only other "hidden" gems though they are not really hidden are Via Napoli and Raglan Road. Love the pizza at Via and Raglan has good food and great entertainment.

 

[princessesintraining]

We've done yak and yeti and found it to be just ok. I'm open to looking into Sanaa again.

We've also done Tutto Italia and we would recommend that.

We can skip character dining, as this is our 4th trip and I told the kids I'm not lugging autograph books around again. Trying to make it a lightweight trip. Lol

 

[han22735]

I second Via Napoli....We loved it when we ate there in September.

 

[disneyktee]

It's not so hidden any more but Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club has (we think) the best burgers on property and amazing ice cream sundaes. CRT is mostly for the experience (which is really fun and unique and very special), the food is good but not $50 a plate good. Kona Cafe is always a must for us, especially their chocolate lava cake for dessert! I agree with what was already said, pretty much anything at Animal Kingdom Lodge is going to be amazingly delicious. I know you said you're not big on buffets but the buffet at AKL Boma is one of our absolute favorite spots and because it's a buffet they have lots of options for the kids too.

One we tried this trip that was a surprise hit was Trattoria Al Forno, we went for breakfast and the mickey waffles with espresso cream were gold. Their dinner menu sounds great too and it's a great location to go see Illuminations after!

 

[shortnsassy730]

Sanaa really is wonderful and they will help you find something on the menu to your tastes. The butter chicken is delicious as are the naan breads and dips. You already mentioned the Wave which is one of my fave gems. Olivias at Old Key West is quite good. My favorite Signature is Artist Point at the Wilderness Lodge. It gets overlooked a bit being at a MK resort but not having fireworks viewing, but the food is wonderful. The smoked portobello soup is one of my favorite dishes at Disney. I also am a HUGE Tusker House fan. I think they are the by far the best character meal on property. While I don't consider it hidden, Raglan Road at Disney Springs is great! It has wonderful food, one of the biggest kids menus, and step dancers/live music in the evenings. Oh! And my nieces love Biergarten at Epcot. They love the live show and being able to dance down front.

 

[hiroMYhero]

We also like Sanaa and it's a must-do for every trip. Jiko is also a favorite and mac 'n cheese can be subbed as a side with the filet entree.

Captain's Grille, Olivia's, and Turf Club at SSR have always been great 'finds' for us. We also liked Kona for dinner. And for breakfast, if you like Eggs Benedict, we feel GFC has the best on property.

 

[prgal0715]

I agree with the PP that recommended Kona Cafe; I stay at the Poly pretty regularly and it's a favorite for breakfast, lunch or dinner! I know you mentioned that you're considering California Grill and I have to say, I had a fantastic dining experience there in August. The service, the food and the view were unbeatable! For restaurants that are a little more off the beaten track, I would suggest Boatwright's Cafe at POR (it's a lovely boat ride from Disney Springs), The Plaza in MK and the Grand Floridian Cafe. If you like Italian, Trattoria al Forno at BWI is super yummy.

 

[craigkerstiens]

I've been thinking for a bit on this one and can come up with little to nothing that's truly a "hidden gem" at WDW. The reason is that Carthay Circle Lounge (not the restaurant) comes to mind at DL. They have a much smaller menu, mostly small bite size portions but still enough for you to enjoy a dinner, and it's usually wonderfully empty and quiet, with especially great drinks. If anyone knows of something comparable at WDW would love to hear it. I know many restaurants have lounges, but they don't seem quite the same.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Via Napoli is great. We also like Trattoria al Forno on the Boardwalk. We just got back and our BEST meal was at bluezoo at the Dolphin - SO GOOD and got a last minute reservation (with no cc hold by calling the restaurant directly!) 2 hours prior to eating.

 

[hiroMYhero]

I've been thinking for a bit on this one and can come up with little to nothing that's truly a "hidden gem" at WDW. The reason is that Carthay Circle Lounge (not the restaurant) comes to mind at DL. They have a much smaller menu, mostly small bite size portions but still enough for you to enjoy a dinner, and it's usually wonderfully empty and quiet, with especially great drinks. If anyone knows of something comparable at WDW would love to hear it. I know many restaurants have lounges, but they don't seem quite the same.

Carthay began the small plates trend and then it migrated to HBD and other WDW lounges. The one lounge that we like is bluezoo - adult-oriented and you can order from the bar menu and the regular dinner menu. Their signature drinks are amazing!

 

[jess20k]

It is a signature, but our favorite of all time is Narcoossee's at the GF! It is the absolute best imo. We have been going for years, every year, sometimes twice a year, and never had anything but good things to say about it. For a regular restaurant, I think Rose and Crown in Epcot is wonderful!

 

[pad406]

Our best 'find' has definitely been 'Captain's Grille' in the Yacht Club, picked the morning of as it was our 'free' day when we hadn't made any plans. Was surprisingly quiet. I say surprisingly because it was soo good, service was excellent, food was excellent and one of the most reasonable costs we had. We are absolutely going back there again.

 

[craigkerstiens]

Carthay began the small plates trend and then it migrated to HBD and other WDW lounges. The one lounge that we like is bluezoo - adult-oriented and you can order from the bar menu and the regular dinner menu. Their signature drinks are amazing!

HBD I've done and it didn't have quite the same feel. I've only done Bluezoo for dinner but admittedly could see it being a closer experience on the lounge side, will have to try next time.

 

[disneyktee]

Via Napoli is great. We also like Trattoria al Forno on the Boardwalk. We just got back and our BEST meal was at bluezoo at the Dolphin - SO GOOD and got a last minute reservation (with no cc hold by calling the restaurant directly!) 2 hours prior to eating.

TOTALLY agree! Bluezoo was hands down the best meal of the trip and one of the best meals I've had in Disney! We tried Trattoria for breakfast and that espresso mascarpone cream was just gold on the mickey waffles (which they made gluten free for me )

 

[mzsarah10]

BOG lunch was our favorite. It was nice to,preorder. Via Napoli for pizza was my daughters' favorite non buffet meal.