As a Disney World first-timer what are the must go to restaurants?

[MaC410]

I'm going to Disney for the first time ever in April 2016 for my honeymoon!

I've been doing a lot of research on restaurants and it's a bit overwhelming! I would love to hear from some Disney pros what they think are the must go to restaurants! We are open to any and all suggestions!

 

[craigkerstiens]

Can you help limit it down at all, in terms of how do you normally eat? I'd say for a first timer often focusing on ones with a greater atmosphere or thematic experience may be great, but this could still heavily vary. Are you there with kids, or just adults? Do you prefer fancier meals or more casual? Do you prefer to drink with meals or not?

 

[Hopefully]

I agree with PP, we need a bit more info to help you. How many nights will you be there? Are you looking for table service (TS) or Counter Services (CS) or both? Are you on a DDP? Do you have any dietary restrictions or preferences? Where are you staying? There are as many preferences here as almost as many folks Looting for more info

 

[Disneylover99]

Without including any buffets or signature restaurants, I'm going to suggest BOG and San Angel.

 

[MaC410]

Sorry for the lack of information!

It will just be me and my future wife for our honeymoon. We aren't big drinkers, although she loves sangria! We are open to try any type of cuisine but our favorites are Italian and Mexican. We are mostly looking for table service suggestions for our dinners at night. We currently are undecided about being on a dining plan. We are staying in an Epcot area resort. No dietary restrictions

 

[mommycrawford]

Tutta Italia in Epcot would be lovely for sure! I live in NY, so don't look to Florida for Mexican, but if you like Meat a lot, OHANA at the Polynesian resort is really festive, and if you like seafood, you might like the buffet at Cape May at the beach club.

If you plan on visiting Animal Kingdom, the Tusker House Restaurant has a very eclectic and delicious buffet. If you like a quiet dinner and Japanese food, Tokyo dining in Epcot is very peaceful.

You should visit the Animal Kingdom Lodge, whether you eat there or not! It is amazing, and they have Boma, Sanaa, and Jiko restaurants and Victoria Falls lounge for drinks and appetizers. They also have a quick service restaurant, the Mara.

Congratulations on beginning a happy life full of new experiences together!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Well, heres a mix of some of our favorites:

Citricos/GF, upper scale-excellent food, good service.
Narcosees/GF, upper scale -same as above
Sci-Fi/DHS, such cute theming, sitting at a miniatures authentic drive in, fried pickles, Reuben's, burgers.
Brown Derby/DHS, upper scale, excellent food!
Ragland's/DTD, a fun Irish Pub with great food and ambiance.
WPC/DTD, QS, the best meatloaf, excellent salads, nice entrees.
BOG/MK, great for lunch!
Rose & Crown/Epcot, good English food, Bangers and Mash, great view of Illumination if you can get later ADR's.
Via Napoli/Epcot, very good pizza and zeppoles!
Tangerine Cafe/Epcot, QS lunch, huge platters, good scharma platters.
Blue Zoo/Dolphin, upper scale-great drinks, wonderful food.
Il Mullino,Swan, upper scale -excellent Italian food.
Go to allears.net and look at the menus/prices! And by the way, congrats on your upcoming nuptials!

 

[Mr & Mrs DD]

*Via Napoli at Epcot has good wood fired pizza
*Mama Melrose at Disney Hollywood. We really like this place. Good chicken parm dinner.
*Coral Reef at Epcot gets a lot of mixed reviews, but we had a very good meal there. There is a giant aquarium inside. Watch the sharks swim as you eat your dinner.
*Sci Fi dine in at Disney Hollywood. It wouldn't be my first choice but the atmosphere is really unique. Everyone should go at least once.

 

[MaC410]

We love the idea of going to fun themed places with cool atmospheres.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Whispering Canyon and Coral Reef. Love em.

 

[hopeful4fl]

If you can splurge, Victoria & Alberts.
If you like Seafood, Flying Fish Cafe or Narcoose's
If you like Steak, Citricos or Yatchmen
If you like dinner shows, Hoop de doo revue. Kinda Corny but we LOVED it
If you like middle Eastern flair, Spice Road at Epcot
African or Indian flair - ANY restaurant at AKL

 

[limabeanmom2003]

If you like Sangria, consider the Hoop Dee Doo Review at Fort Wilderness. It's a bit more expensive, but it's all you can drink Sangria! I would also suggest Chef Mickey's (good for first timers because you meet the big characters), Kona Cafe, Whispering Canyon Cafe, Sci Fi Dine In (pretty cool to dine here)

 

[3DisneyFanz]

Cinderella's Royal Table. There's just something cool about eating in the castle.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

[QU OTE="MaC410, post: 54027498, member: 552502"]We love the idea of going to fun themed places with cool atmospheres.[/QUOTE]
Then you will love Sci-Fi in DHS! Great, but expensive pizza at Via Napoli (Epcot), however, depending on where you're from, pizza may not be part of your plan. (We come from a land of supurb pizza-so Via doesn't impress as much). Also in Epcot, Hacienda San Angel has really good Mexican food. A trip around "The World" there for counter service and snacks is also a great idea. No commitment with ADRs and wonderful eclectic cuisine. MK has all the monorail resorts with some abfab restaurants as mentioned by PP. There is some wonderful choices at WDW, many of them counter service. Congrats on your upcoming nuptials!

 

[BuzzyBelle]

Cinderella's Royal Table. There's just something cool about eating in the castle.

I agree I know the food doesn't have the greatest reputation, but you can't beat the atmosphere. Be Our Guest is great for both food and experience. Staying in the Epcot area there are a lot of options. We like the Yachtsman's food and service a lot and I've heard great things about Flying Fish. Jiko at Animal Kingdom Lodge is wonderful for food and atmosphere as well. If Victoria and Albert's is in your budget you can't get a better honeymoon meal. Rose and Crown with patio seating to watch Illuminations. Via Napoli is a great choice for a more casual meal. Have a fantastic honeymoon. Congratulations!

 

[craigkerstiens]

Thanks for the extra context, it helps massively.

If you like Mexican San Angel Inn should be a great mix of experience and atmosphere with some pretty good food. If you're staying at one of the EPCOT resorts that's within walking distance, then I'd heavily encourage an indulgent signature meal there. Our personal favorite is Flying Fish, though the Yachtsman is great as well, as is the Bluezoo. I'd probably also toss out the 50's Prime Time Cafe, as far as a themed experience it's up there among every other one. Be our guest is also another great one both for good food, but then the experience is great as well.

As for the dining plan... Only if you're heavier eaters. The dining plan will be a little more restrictive on your options (not by a ton), but also typically loads you up with a good bit of food. The times it ends up being worthwhile (and even marginally so) is when there is some deal with it.

 

[rznhal]

I vote for Sci Fi and San Angel Inn for a honeymoon! Congratulations!!!

 

[DizDaD7]

We love the idea of going to fun themed places with cool atmospheres.

For Antics &/or fun places:

1) 50's PrimeTime Cafe.... Never seems to dissappoint
2) Whispering Canyon Cafe. @ WL... Great fun....& Don't forget to ask for KETCHUP???
3) HDDR
4) Sci Fi Theater...Nothing great food wise, but just overall atmosphere & fun.
5) Biergarten @ Germany. Non stop fun. lots of food, & entertainment. * also can be under buffets.


For Character meals/ Buffets or not

1) 1900 ParkFare. Great interaction, & Nice food choices..* At least for breakfast
2) Boma's @ AKL.. No characters, but just a very ,very good buffet ( if u can call it that ) meal.
3) Ohana's @ Poly. Again. Both Breakfast & Dinner. Character for break. & dinner is like Sit at table skewers
4) Be Our Guest...Anytime??
5) Tusker House @ AK...


For Fine Dining & Quality time

1) Victoria & Alberts' If you have the $$ to spend
2) Jiko @ AKL
3) Narcosee @GF
4) Flying Fish
5) California Grill


For EPCOT:

1) Tutto Italia/ and/or Via Napoli..... Both are really good. TI more subdued, VN louder but Great Sangria & Pizza
2) Tokyo Dining....Great experience
3) Le Cellier.... Good meal, nice ambience
4) San Angel Inn... GREAT atomsphere, & some good food.
5) Rose & Crown.....Overall festive,fun good 'ol time.

 

[westie55]

Try to get an ADR for the California Grill during Wishes. They pipe the music into the restaurant & turn off the lights and it's a great view and a really nice experience with great food. DH and I really enjoyed the Yachtsman Steakhouse at the YC. If you want to do a character meal, I like the Crystal Palace for dinner or the Cape May Café (breakfast only).

 

[Oneanne]

Boma - buffet selection is really nice and like to early for some sit time at Animal Kingdom to relax and enjoy.
Yak and Yeti - sitting upstairs be the windows is devine, themeing is extra special and the food is also good.
A boat trip over to Ft. Wilderness is a lovely break - Hoop De Doo is a hoot and the food is OK: Trail's End has a really nice buffet
Biergarten - love the ambiance, the buffet selection seems like a dozen different ways to prepare potatoes but the floor show is worth it.
Flying Fish - wonderful food and service.