which are disney's best restaurants

[Crystal33]

What are the best disney restaurants. In such a high turn over atmosphere are there any restaurants that are more customer friendly and offer good food.

 

[TDC Nala]

The restaurants at the Swan and Dolphin resorts, which are operated independently from Disney. If you're on the dining plan you're out of luck with those, though. (Of course that's likely the reason why they don't have such high turnover)

 

[minniebride]

We are pretty picky about the restaurants at WDW, but we have definitely found a few that we love and think are great quality food, great atmosphere, great service:

1. California Grill: 2 credits on the DDP-everything was amazing there. My DH worked in fine dining restaurants for 15 years and even he agreed that it was the best steak he has ever eaten. We were seated in the Wine Room which was nice and quiet. Our server was top notch, and watching Wishes with the music piped in on the catwalk outside was so special.

2. Hoop De Doo Revue: 2 credits on the DDP because it is a dinner show. I know some people might think this is a weird choice to be considered "best" but we thought the fried chicken and mashed potatoes were the best we've had in WDW, service was fantastic (our waiter was dishing out nonstop one-liners throughout our whole meal and was very attentive as well), and the show was so much fun

3. Artist's Point: 2 credits on the DDP. Pretty & romantic restaurant. Cheese plate, scallops and portobello mushroom soup were amazing. Our waiter was excellent.

4. Biergarten: 1 credit on the DDP. Again, not everyone will agree, but we think the food is fantastic and the atmosphere is lots of fun.

5. Kona Cafe: 1 credit on the DDP. We have only been here for breakfast, but it is a really great breakfast! Best items on the menu, IMO, is the macademia pancakes and the pulled pork eggs benedict. Coffee is the best on property. Pretty and airy atmosphere and we have always had wonderful service here.

 

[DizDaD7]

sHULAS STEAKHOUSE...&..Tutto italia...nuff said

 

[Tinkerbellah]

I loved Ohana
Citrico's & Le Cellier were next on my list of places from our last visit.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Our favorite TS choices are (in no particular order):

Kona
Wolfgang Puck Cafe (not Express)
Raglan Road

 

[Pakey]

Victoria & Alberts, bluezoo, Il Mulino and Shulas are our top choices.

 

[Silver Queen]

Citrico's
Flying Fish
Jiko

 

[job09]

Love the Red Snapper at Flying Fish
California Grill--Sushi is very good and great atmosphere.
Fun to go to Beaches and Cream at BCV's
Had a great lunch sitting lake side at Rose and Crown

 

[lucysmom]

Here's the thing with Disney restaurants. What was the best during your last visit could very well be among the worst on your next visit. I can't count the times I have left one of our favorite restaurants shaking my head wondering what happened to (insert the name of the restaurant here.) That having been said, however, we have always had a good dinner at Kona's in the Poly. We don't even stay at the Poly anymore (love that Stormalong Bay!), but we always make a special trip over there for dinner. I hope that experience holds for our upcoming trip this summer. But, really.......you never know!

 

[GoBirds]

Victoria & Albert's
California Grill
Citricos
Jiko

Haven't been to Bistro de Paris, but I hear it's up there.

 

[minnie mum]

I think Lucysmom pretty much hit the nail on the head. You just never know from one trip to the next. It is possible to make some general observations:

Generally you will have better service and better food quality at a signature restaurant at a Disney resort, or at one of the fine dining restaurants at a non-Disney resort (Swolphin).

But aside from V&A, no one could guarantee this as an absolute for every guest, since one's definition of 'best' is so subjective. Just take a look at the 'Starving at Disney' thread as a good example.

ETA: MOST of the places cited by PPs are good examples of where you are most LIKELY to have a better dining experience, though.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

Haven't had dinner at Kona but the sushi is good there, and the kids liked several of the appetizers, but the dumplings were universally despised.

 

[ppony]

I was going to say anything not Disney owned is a good bet. Lots of good recommendations here. And sadly, there aren't that many that can be heartily recommended for actual "GOOD" food. Definetly the ones at the Swan & Dolphin! We've both driven there and taken the friendship boat. It was actually SO easy when we just combined our HS day w/ our Shulas dinner day. We went to the boat after our park day and were there in a snap! Then we went to DTD for some shoppin' and took a bus back to our BLT room. We usually rent a car though. That's easy too though I rent paying to park, but, they validate.

We used to love Kona before these dining plans and free dining kicked in. Our last visit there was so blah. I actually set my entree back and didn't end up eating. I am too afraid of eating after I send something back...anywhere.
CA Grill is good, better than most on property, but if you're going to pay those prices, you'd do better at Blue Zoo or Shulas depending on what you want to eat. I had a steak there and at Shulas within 2 days of each other last weekend and while both were really good, Shula's one by a landslide for TENDERNESS.

Oh and I'll still HEARTILY recommend Cape May Cafe. Dinner and breakfast. We just had dinner there a week ago and probably enjoyed it just as much as we did nealy 20 years ago for our first visit. In fact, I tried crab! I actually liked it. I haven't eaten crab since my 13th BD in 1983! But I figured hey, I'm paying or it, why not try it again. And I liked it! STill mind over matter but it as tender and good. Still LOVED the meat though! YUMMO!

 

[Brook1099]

we have enjoyed,
Ohana's
Artist Point
Narcosses
Jiko
Yachstmen
Biergarten
Boma
Tusker House breakfast
Cape May Clambake both breakfast and dinner
LeCellier at lunch
Tutto Italia
Fultons
while I would not go back to Sci Fi, just because I dont like dining in a car, the meal was very tasty and so was the chocolate peanut butter dessert.

trying new this year
Ragland Road can't wait, I want the gers bread pudding
Kona, macadamian pancakes

 

[Linleedo]

Favorites:
YachtsmanSteakhouse-filet mignon or steak,Flying Fish-potato wrapped red snapper,Narcoossee's-musssels & surf & turf,Cape May Buffet-crab legs & shellfish,Artist Point-salmon,scallops,or tenderloin , Teppon Edo-Chicken & shrimp,Via Napoli-pasta& tiramisu,Mama Melrose-chicken parm,Yak & Yeti-seafood curry,mahi mahi, Captain Jack-shrimp & penne pasta,Raglan Road-lobster club

 

[honeybunches]

Cape May clambake is my favorite....always.
My daughter loves The Wave. She's 7 years old, I'm not sure why that one is her favorite, but we always have to go there. My husband liked The Wave best, too.

 

[Jaybird6]

We really enjoyed Raglan Road in DTD. The bread pudding and Dalkie Duo appetizer are amazing! We also enjoyed The Rose and Crown Dining Room in EPCOT. The Sunday Roast is super yummy, and Sticky Toffee Pudding is mouth watering.

 

[princesspooh323]

Boma
Ohana
Chefs de France
Crystal Palace (first time great, second a bit disappointing)
My family loves Germany, too.