Which restaurants are a MUST

[lworts]

Which restaurants are not to be missed at DL/DCA? Also, which should I reserve PS for from home? We are there for 8 nights, and I dont want to miss anything great. We are 2 adults and 3 kids.

Any recommendations?

 

[Disneyfamfan]

Here are some of our favorites. Rainforest Cafe in DTD for Breakfast, usually do not need a reservation for breakfast. Their Congo French Toast is awesome! We like Redd Rockets for Lunch, they have great pizza and Chicken Fusilli! We are going to Blue Bayou in October because everyone raves about this! You should get PS for this and you can 60 days out. ESPN Zone in DTD is great! In DCA we love to eat at Ariel's Grotto, and I would suggest PS for this restaurant too. Also, and must is Goofy's Kitchen! We love to do breakfast there. The characters come to your table and it is a fun atmosphere! Hopes this helps and that you have a great time

 

[vascubaguy]

The only actual experience I have with dining at DL has been at the Blue Bayou. When I was there last year it was a spur of the moment decision and we ended up having a late dinner, but it was really good.

We are going in October for our birthdays and I'm planning on getting a PS for us there to celebrate our birthdays.

 

[TravelingJen24]

Wow, with that many nights you should be able to go everywhere. Our favorites are Yamaboki's at the PP if you like Sushi and also Catal in DTD. They have really good pasta dishes. There are a lot of great places, but make sure not to limit yourself with a bunch of resso's because many places you are able to walk in except for Blue Bayou and character breakfasts. Have a good time.

 

[LuvTigger]

Ditto on Blue Bayou -- that is definitely a PS you should make from home as early as possible. It is truly a unique atmosphere, and the food is quite good too. My favorites are the calamari appetizer and the prime rib. Next time I will try the Monte Cristo sandwich.

During my last stay we had sit down meals at the following:

ESPN in DD - for us, this was just "okay." We didn't feel the service was that great, and when we had to put our names down to wait for a table, they said we had to leave either a credit card or our driver's license, which I thought was strange. The portions were huge, but as far as taste, again it was just "okay." I would rather go to Rainforest Cafe.

Storyteller's Cafe in GC - we REALLY liked this place a lot. We had two meals here, the breakfast buffet, and dinner off the menu (there is also a dinner buffet). BF had ribs which he thoroughly enjoyed, and I just ordered a salad and the corn chowder because I wanted to eat light, but boy was it good! The corn chowder really is to die for!

Hook's Pointe in DLH - again, we really liked it here. Even the bread was unique, interesting, and tasty. I had the scallops, and BF had some kind of pork chop or pork loin. Both were very good.

Naples in DD - we liked this a lot too, and it was pretty reasonably priced. BF had a pizza, which we really could have shared, and I had the lasagna. We ended up taking the leftover pizza with us for a snack later.

 

[challada]

we love sunday brunch at house of blues!

rainforest is a must!

we always do ESPN...kids love the games upstairs.

frankly, blue bayou is an experience thing...yea, been there done that...don't need to go back.

goofy kitchen is a must.

 

[exDS vet]

So many people rave about the Blue Bayou. I feel that you should dine there at least once every few years. The food is not as great as people make it sound. What makes the Blue Bayou nice is the experience. But only if you can sit on the water. That is what you pay for. And you DO pay for it.

If you are looking for quality food and a great value, I suggest the following;

Refreshment Corner on Main Street. The foot-long hot dog is tasty and comes with a bag of chips.

Redd Rockett's Pizza Port in Tomorrowland. The pastas and salads are huge! I had the pasta with 2 meatballs. Only 2? Believe me, that's enough. The place is very big and the lines seem to move smoothly.

My new favorite restaurant in Disneyland is Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland. I had dinner there on Sunday evening and I was very impressed. Although I chose an item from the mexican menu, I have eaten from the Costena Grill menu in the past and it is equally good. This time I had the beef burrito. Not only was it a giant burrito, but it was very good. Not too spicy. Plenty of beef and beans inside and smothered with red sauce. The meal also came with rice and pico de gallo (I believe) as well as tortilla chips. They have some appealing desserts, but I chose to have another free birthday cupcake instead. IMO this restaurant has the BEST food in Disneyland with the BEST value for your money. And since it's only a few years old, it's much nicer than Casa de Frido's (or Mexicana) was.

 

[zukeeper]

With kids, I would try and hit the 3 resort character breakfasts, with Goofy's Kitchen being the top choice. No one has mentioned Ariel's Grotto in DCA which I really liked, also a character meal, lunch and dinner. I'm really looking forward to the Churro carts again, but I guess you can't classify that as a restaurant . The Taste Pilots grill was a hit and I seem to remember mini burgers which were great for the kids - and delicious milkshakes closeby at San Andreas Shakes!

With Blue Bayou, I would only spend the money with a waterside seat. You need to request this when you check in. I hear that a 11:30 ressie gets you seated waterside but that their harder to get. This is great for the kids - they get to wave at all the riders going on the POTC.

Take advantage of the great deal with ESPN Zone. You join their club and get a voucher for food and other goodies. You would be able to get 2 vouchers and you probably also have game cards. Your kids will love the games upstairs.

 

[ParkFreak]

If you like New Orleans cuisine at all, Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen is wonderful! Didn't know quite what to expect, but the food was terriffic! Looking forward to trying Napa Rose in October. . .

Looks like we're just going to miss each other in October Vascubaguy! Have a great couple of birthdays, and you're gonna love OKW!

 

[wlonsdale]

A favorite of mine is the French Market. They have awesome Clam Chowder Bread Bowls!!

 

[two-foxes]

I LOVED Bengal BBQ right outside Indy. Great chicken and veggie skewers....actually on the healthy side for Disney food! The cinnamin snake dessert was yummy, too!

 

[disneymommyof2]

Definately Blue Bayou, Goofy's Kitchen, Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen, Taste Pilots Grill, and Bengal BBQ. And don't forget the Mint Julep drink in New Orleans Square!

 

[Tamickey]

Our must is the Blue Bayou. On our last trip we went once for lunch and another time for dinner. It's a unique experience for WDW folks since there is no BB at WDW. We really enjoyed ESPN at DTD too, the food was actually very good. HOB was pretty good, try the sweet potato fries. I also agree with the soup in bread bowls at French Market, really good.

 

[Shelebeen]

I think my personal fave was Tortilla Jo's in DTD. The rest of the food we ate was just eh.... it was ok but nothing special.

 

[crasher11]

Blue Bayou was awesome and so was ESPN Zone.. food was very good service was great. Rain Forest was all atmosphere, food was ehh..ok. Tortilla joes was good also.

 

[MATTERHORN]

I have to have a French dip and Mint Julep at the Fench Market every time we are there! Can't beat the atmosphere either at dinner, kinda dark with the band playing! It's great!

Also second, or third, the chicken pasta at Redd Rocketts even though I don't care for the restaurant itself! We also really like Storytellers for breakfast! (love their potatoes) Have a fun!


Andrea

 

[MsYumiBr]

If you've got a few hundred to spare, Napa Rose is a must. My husband and I left the kids with my niece and went on a "date". His comment was "so this is what it tastes like to eat beyond your means." (It was a positive comment. He absolutely loved it. My husband likes to cook and is a big cooking program fan and we ate at the kitchen seats.)