Where's your must sit-down eat spots?

[DISNEY*lover]

Hello all. Where's your must have eatery spots everytime you visit WDW? DH and I are looking into widening our horizons. We always eat at the same spots.

We're thinking about Le Cellier (only got to eat there once but was to die for), Chef Mickey's, Jikos, and The Wave. We're staying there for 1 week so we need a few more places. Any suggestions?

 

[mickeystoontown]

We do the same thing....find ourselves making ADRs for the same restaurant every year. That being said, we did venture out just a bit last trip and ate dinner at a few "new" restaurants.

Chef Mickey's was definitely not what it was hyped up to be. The food was just blah and the restaurant itself was just plain dirty....food on the floor and all over the bar. Yuck!

Whispering Canyon Cafe was a fun restaurant and the food was good. Our son asked for ketchup and ended up with 7 or 8 bottles. We ordered the skillet and the burger.

The Spirit of Aloha dinner show food was very good. Well, except for the rice and that's only because we are from Louisiana and rice is supposed to be smothered in lots of gravy.

We also ate at the Grand Floridian Cafe. There wasn't a huge selection of foods to choose from but the steaks were fantastic.

50s Prime Time was a hoot! Our waiter was funny as were the waitresses around us. The food was like homecooked food but was tasty.

T-Rex was on the top of our list of "we wanna try" and it didn't disappoint. Yes, it was loud. Yes, the theming was over the top. But, our food was great and the service was pretty good even though the restaurant was busy.

And, then, we also ate at our favorites.....Coral Reef, Garden Grill and Crystal Palace.

For our upcoming trip, we have ADRs for the Plaza Restaurant, LeCellier and Hoop Dee Doo all of which we haven't been to in several years.

 

[grace&philipsmom]

Dh's must do for every trip are Yak & Yeti and Coral Reef.

DS 3 insists on Mickey's backyard BBQ (although after 3 times I think I am done!).

DD6 must go to CRT and 1900 Park Fare.

My personal favorites are 'Ohana character breakfast, and Artist Point.

 

[Coach81]

Here are our MUST DOs...

1. Ohana's for dinner...
2. Wolfgang Puks
3. Sci Fi for lunch
4. ESPN Club

Other favs
1. Earl of Sandwich
2. Mama Melrose
3. 50's prime time
4. Sanaa
5. Cape May Breakfast
6. Le Cellier

Good luck and have a great day!!!

 

[chocolateMinnie]

Must-dos are Boma (all four of us love everything, the food, drink and ambience) and our two new must-dos HDDR and Kouzzinas.

Other loves but not make or breaks are CRT (for one meal, any meal), CP for breakfast, Hollywood Brown Derby, MG for breakfast, Ohanas (liked dinner and loved breakfast).

DD loves Akershus for the obvious reason of being a princess kind of girl.

We have enjoyed almost everywhere we have been although would probably not return to places like the Plaza or LTT or WCC or Biergarten, everything was good but too many other places to try and for us not necessary places to go to again.

The only places we would never go back to is 1900PF and Pepper Market.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Our family must restaurant:

Crystal Palace lunch (husband loves the selection of food and his favorite is the salmon. I like the selection of salad. My son loves everything from the food, characters and the place.)
Tusker House Breakfast buffet: great food selection, yummy juice and coffee and great character interaction. this place is the least hectic buffet...we go to the food and I never to to line up to collect my food.
Grand Floridain Cafe: we went here breakfast, lunch and dinner and all meals was wonderful...yummy and fresh.
Chefs de France: we always have a yummy lunch here
Narcoossee's:always had a fabolous meal here. My husband favorite
Citricos: great food...my favorite
Jiko: my husband 2nd favorite
Brown Derby: we all love eating here. food always good
Boma breakfast: great breakfast selection

 

[MinnieSummer]

LOVE: Coral Reef, Ohanas, Jikos, Bomas, Pizzafari, the new buffet place at AK whose name escapes me, Brown Derby, and my new fave Maya Grill, Beach Club Character Breakfast (this name also escapes me) and the clam bake there.

OK with: Garden Grill, Chef Mickeys, LTT, CP,

NEVER GO BACk TO: La Cellier, Whispering Canyon, Yak & Yeti

 

[JerseyDevils]

At this point i think that we only have 3 MUST eat places...Boma at AKL, Wolfgang Pucks at DTD, and The Biergarten Restaurant in Germany at the WS. After that, we like to change it up and try some new things.

 

[goodfood4ursoul]

For both our WDW trips we have had wonderful food and impeccable service at the Kona Cafe and at Akershus. For dinner, both of them.

At the Kona the food is always really good, and as an extra plus, the meal is always balanced.

I know that sounds silly, but of 8 nights of deluxe dining this last trip, with ADRs that included CG, Narcoosees, Flying Fish & Jiko, most of those restaurants gave us good portions of meat & potatoes but teeny tiny, almost garnish-sized veggies. And I need balance!!! It's no fun being sick on vacation...

At Kona, you get a decent side of (broccolini, or greens, or asparagus- whatever!) And they have that fabulous pineapple bread, great apps & desserts, and none of the Ohana chaos & hype.

As for Akershus, my family is Norwegian, and this is the only place I can get some Norwegian specialties: gjetost cheese, the whole cold smorgasbord, and the fish entrees are quite exceptional (no surprise here, folks, Norwegians can cook some fish!)
We also really enjoy the dessert sampler- is has both traditionally Norwegian desserts and some that have universal appeal- chocolate mousse, cheesecake.

It's nice to see the princesses, and my husband never turned down a photo-op with any of them, but we go there for the food.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

If I were forced to choose 2, they would be Hollywood Brown Derby & Les Chefs de France. Actually, any of the signature restaurants would work for us.

 

[Cat0727]

we always book Le Cellier & Boma.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

Jiko is our #1. If you're even remotely considering it, I strongly encourage you to go.

 

[Nadjalu]

Our 2 must have dinners are:

Crystal Palace! Just love this place. The food is great and the atmosphere is so cute. Someone used the perfect term for it.....Mary Poppin's style restaurant. That fits it very well. The buffet has a nice selection and you can't beat eating right in the middle of MK!

Whispering Canyon Cafe is our next place. It is DH's favorite, he loves the skillet and the antics of the wait staff. Again the food is very good, I usually get the ribeye which is so tender and tasty.....makes my mouth water just thinking of it.
I also love the boat ride over from MK. It is relaxing and romantic.

Those are our 2 absolute must do's.

 

[DisneyGirlie]

The two ADRs that I absolutely MUST get or else I don't think it's even worth it to go to WDW without being able to have my favorite food, are Liberty Tree Tavern and Tokyo Dining.
Dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern is just amazing. It's better than any meal I have at home for Thanksgiving or Christmas. I just think the ham and turkey and all the sides are to die for. Also, I really enjoy Tokyo Dining's grilled chicken with teriyaki sauce. It's just unlike any grilled chicken I've had before, IMHO cooked to perfection.
Other than those two, I have a few that I prefer to do every trip, but if it's not possible it isn't a huge deal.
'Ohana Breakfast, Tony's Town Square, Jiko, Yak & Yeti, The Plaza, and '50's Prime Time Cafe are all definite repeats.

 

[LeahA]

BOARDWALK-Flyin Fish-The best salmon I ever had
BOARDWALK-Kouzzina-I have not eaten here but will be in March, I can't wait!

EPCOT-Le Cellier

ANIMAL KINGDOM-Yak & Yeti-Awesome Ribs!

MAGIC KINGDOM-Liberty Tree Tavern for lunch

 

[Halloweenqueen]

We have only one must-do, Liberty Tree. We love trying new places.

 

[DISNEY*lover]

Chef Mickey's was definitely not what it was hyped up to be. The food was just blah and the restaurant itself was just plain dirty....food on the floor and all over the bar. Yuck!

Really? Everytime we try to get into Chef Mickeys they say it's packed and would need a reservation to get in. And it looks like a friendly atmosphere. Looks like I'll be giving it second thoughts.

So we're up to Le Cellier, Ohana, The Wave, Wispering Canyon, Boma and DH wants to give Biergarten (Germany) a shot.

I'm doing some research on the Dining Plan and come to find out Jikos and Artist Point requires 2TS points so those are out of the question. Those are the 2 new ones I wanted to try the most.

 

[pozey]

So we're up to Le Cellier, Ohana, The Wave, Wispering Canyon, Boma and DH wants to give Biergarten (Germany) a shot.

I'm doing some research on the Dining Plan and come to find out Jikos and Artist Point requires 2TS points so those are out of the question. Those are the 2 new ones I wanted to try the most.

If you are really wanting to try either Jiko or Artist Point, then here is what I would suggest you do....

Have burgers and fries or pizza one night and pay out of pocket. Save that extra TS credit for the restaurant of your choosing.

If you opt for burgers and fries, go to Beaches and Cream - Which is one of MY family's MUST DO's.

Two MUST DO's for my family (other than B&C) are Whispering Canyon and 50's Prime Time.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Really? Everytime we try to get into Chef Mickeys they say it's packed and would need a reservation to get in. And it looks like a friendly atmosphere. Looks like I'll be giving it second thoughts.

So we're up to Le Cellier, Ohana, The Wave, Wispering Canyon, Boma and DH wants to give Biergarten (Germany) a shot.

I'm doing some research on the Dining Plan and come to find out Jikos and Artist Point requires 2TS points so those are out of the question. Those are the 2 new ones I wanted to try the most.

I was all excited about trying Chef Mickey's before we went. When we got there, the restaurant was very busy just as I figured it would be. I could have handled all the people but the food on the floor and on the bar was just plain gross. The meat on the carving station was waaaaay to rare for our liking. My son who will eat just about any kind of pizza (even the cheap frozen ones) just nibbled on the pizza from the kids' station. My husband, daughter and I mostly ate the salads and breads.

After I got home, I searched for more dining reviews of Chef Mickey's and there were a lot of complaints about the dinner there. Why I didn't think to look before I booked and ADR there, I don't know.

 

[Ericandjenng]

Chef Mickey's was definitely not what it was hyped up to be. The food was just blah and the restaurant itself was just plain dirty....food on the floor and all over the bar. Yuck!

QUOTE]

We've never ran into this at Chef Mickey's and we go every trip. It's ALWAYS a must for us. We've had dinner and breakfast here and will definitely be booking it next time. We've enjoyed the food and the character interaction. I do think our absolute best seating was at 5:00 (when they open for dinner). Fewer people were there and we have pictures of Mickey helping my son blow out the candle on his cupcake and Donald playing cars with him.

We also always book Crystal Palace at the earliest breakfast seating available on a non-early EMH day. When the waitstaff and characters are moving, you can be on Dumbos by the time the people back at the ropes make it down Main Street.

Others we like but don't have to do are Liberty Tree, Fulton's Crab Shack, Garden Grill, Cinderella's Royal Table. Also for counter service we like Earl of Sandwich, Flame Tree Barbeque, Beaches and Cream and Ghiradelli's Ice Cream Shoppe for Dessert!