Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Dining

  • Topolino's Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera

    Topolino's Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera

  • Topolino's Terrace's wonderful character breakfast

    Topolino's Terrace's wonderful character breakfast

  • Topolino's Terrace outdoor terrace with fabulous views

    Topolino's Terrace outdoor terrace with fabulous views

  • Topolino's sunset views

    Topolino's sunset views

  • Steakhouse 71

    Steakhouse 71

  • California Grill

    California Grill
    One of Disney's very best with amazing views of the Magic Kingdom and the Seven Seas Lagoon.

  • California Grill fireworks view!

    California Grill fireworks view!

  • Capa at Four Seasons Resort Orlando

    Capa at Four Seasons Resort Orlando
    Fabulous food with fabulous views

  • Capa's stunning sunset views!

    Capa's stunning sunset views!

  • Chef Mickey's at Disney's Contemporary Resort

    Chef Mickey's at Disney's Contemporary Resort
    Kids love this character meal with Mickey and the gang.

  • Citricos redesigned dining room

    Citricos redesigned dining room

  • Citricos table with a view

    Citricos table with a view

  • Flying Fish's stunning dining room

    Flying Fish's stunning dining room

  • Kona Cafe at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

    Kona Cafe at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
    Come for the famous Tonga Toast at breakfast

  • Kona Cafe at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

    Kona Cafe at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

  • 'Ohana at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

    'Ohana at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

  • 'Ohana at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

    'Ohana at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
    Fun for the family. Ask for a window seat with distant views of Magic Kingdom.

  • Narcoossee's airy dining room facing the Seven Seas Lagoon

    Narcoossee's airy dining room facing the Seven Seas Lagoon

  • Table with at view at Narcoossee's

    Table with at view at Narcoossee's

  • Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village

    Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village

  • Sanaa table with a view of the wildlife

    Sanaa table with a view of the wildlife

  • Shula's Steak House at the Walt Disney World Dolphin

    Shula's Steak House at the Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Boma's tasty buffet stations

    Boma's tasty buffet stations

  • Welcome to Toledo

    Welcome to Toledo

  • Toledo 1930s avant-garde dining room

    Toledo 1930s avant-garde dining room

  • Yachtsman Steakhouse

    Yachtsman Steakhouse


= Cara's Favorite

Ale & Compass Restaurant

New England comfort food and classic seafood dishes at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner; casual dress. Open daily 7:30 a.m.-11 a.m.; 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.

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Beaches & Cream Soda Shop

American cuisine at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. Lunch and dinner; park casual dress. Open daily 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

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Boma Flavors of Africa

African cuisine at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Breakfast and dinner buffet; casual dress. Open daily 7:30-11 a.m. and 5-9:30 p.m.

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California Grill

New American cuisine at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Dinner nightly 5 to 10:00 p.m; resort casual dress.

For over two decades California Grill has attained cult status, consistently one of the toughest tickets in the “World” to obtain reservations. Here my favorite things are all in one place: a super wine list, outstanding cuisine, striking décor, and fabulous views. The drop-dead-gorgeous setting on the 15th floor of the Contemporary Resort enjoys Disney’s best views—period. From its lofty heights, diners can see the Magic Kingdom and the sparkling Seven Seas Lagoon. An inventive approach to seasonally focused food goes along with the restaurant’s coveted position. White walls mix with warm fabrics and carpeting in sunset colors of yellow, red, and orange, and the massive floor to ceiling picture windows are perfect for peering out at that spectacular view.

Upon entering the restaurant, a massive cabinet featuring 1,600 bottles of mostly California wine is there to greet you. Offering everything from boutique wines to those of South Africa or Oregon, there is absolutely something for everyone.
Cara’s Tip: Reservations here go quickly, so plan ahead. Check-in is on the second floor, where you’ll then be escorted upstairs.

As part of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” California Grill is offering a prix fixe, limited-time three-course menu featuring dishes inspired by past favorites as well as new creations. Expect to see many nostalgic choices with appetizers such as braised beef short fib wontons and the restaurant’s famous sushi. Entrees include the always present oak-fired filet of beef and pork tenderloin with goat cheese polenta. For dessert the yummy lavender donuts along with a new EARidescent Grand Marnier soufflé. These along with many other new and interesting options.

I do hope, however, that the a la carte menu returns soon and they reopen my favorite part of the restaurant, the lounge area, where they are now seating for dining only.

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Capa

Spanish-influenced, Michelin-starred steakhouse at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort. Dinner only; smart casual dress. Open nightly 5:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Billed as a contemporary Spanish steakhouse, the commendable Capa is one hopping and happening place. Decorated in a palette of black, grey, and crimson, the theme here is bullfighting with displays of matador costumes, and, even an overhead fixture reminiscent of a flowing, ruby red matador cape, covering the length of one dining area. Come early for sunset or stay late for fireworks at the restaurant’s outdoor terrace lounge along with incredible views of the surrounding environs, including Cinderella Castle and Spaceship Earth from the resort’s 17th-floor rooftop perch. One thing to know…even though it’s on Disney property, don’t even think of showing up in park clothes; dress here is ratcheted up a notch from most other resort restaurants.

On offer are a variety of small plates, somewhat larger raciones, as well as main courses, all influenced by Basque cuisine and a delight to the senses. It’s difficult to choose from such a nice variety, so try a few and plan on sharing. The cheeseboard is a joy with creamy Spanish cheeses, dabs of honey, and dried raisins. The small plate of gambas delights with super thin slivers of red chili scattered over succulent grilled prawns. But the very best of the smaller plates is a tossup between the pimientos stuffed with Spanish chorizo and the lightly fried cauliflower topped with sous vide egg surrounded by a piquant caper sauce.

I would usually say in a case such as this to just come and enjoy some of the best appetizers around and forget an entrée, but if so, you wouldn’t have the pleasure of trying one of Capa’s prime steaks. Order a side of the chili-spiked broccoli or the obligatory pureed potatoes with brown butter.

End with nothing less than the mini churros with creamy chocolate dipping sauce. A global wine list offers just about something for everyone, but you may want to continue with the restaurant’s theme and order a nice bottle of Rioja or one of the other interesting Spanish choices.

Top off the evening by stepping outside to the bar or adjoining terrace for the evening fireworks courtesy of Epcot and the Magic Kingdom.

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Cape May Cafe

Seaside-themed restaurant at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. Breakfast and dinner only served family-style. Open daily 7:30-11:30 a.m. and 5-9 p.m.

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Chef Mickey's

American cuisine with Mickey and Friends at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Breakfast and dinner buffet; casual dress. Open daily 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 5-9:30 p.m.

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Citricos

Florida cuisine with Mediterranean flavors at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Dinner only; Resort Casual dress. Open Wed-Sun 5:30-9:30 p.m.

Citricos new garden look is gorgeous in a subtle yet playful Mary Poppins theme of eggplant purple, royal and robin egg blue hues in the solid velvet and lovely floral seating interspersed with birds and butterflies. The lighting is reminiscent of upside-down umbrellas. The restaurant’s large windows afford views of the charming resort courtyard and the Magic Kingdom fireworks in the distance for just a few tables only.

However, the cuisine does not quite live up to the incredible décor, with the food teetering on bland. What promised to be the best starter on the list, the minuscule strawberry salad with chamomile-infused goat cheese and bacon vinaigrette, was almost tasteless—sounded great but just wasn’t.

Higher hopes were had for the domestic golden tilefish, mainly because the Jupiter rice chorizo “risotto’ combined with Key West pink shrimp sounds like my dream dish. Again, not so. Simply lacking flavor, although you would think with its description it would be bursting with it. The guava barbecued short ribs were tasty yet dry but saved by the rich and creamy cheddar grits, all sitting atop a poblano sauce and spiked with crispy brussels sprouts.

Wine lovers are attracted to the extensive list of global vintages, including almost 50 by the glass and iconic, epic wines available by the ounce for tasting. In addition, the Sommelier Room, a small private dining room, is available for you and up to eleven family and friends for special occasions. Here are sourced boutique wines paired with a special multi-course meal designed by Chef Andres Mendoza.

The bar here has a sprinkling of attractive tables along with the bar stools—a perfect place for a glass of wine and a light meal.

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Flying Fish

Seafood at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn. Dinner only; Resort Casual dress. Open daily 5-10 p.m.

Flying Fish at Disney’s Boardwalk has a look that’s hard to resist. Exuding a sophisticated and stylish vibe, rich sea blue hues abound on the walls, fabric ceilings, and drapery, and, suspended from the enameled ceiling, is an eye-popping school of fish and sea bubble clear glass chandeliers. It’s as if you are below the ocean looking up to the water’s surface, quite reminiscent of the nearby Todd English’s Bluezoo.

The menu is heavily concentrated on seafood, all of it sustainable, and the open onstage kitchen is central to the dining room. The lively kitchen area bar is quite popular and undoubtedly gorgeous with its bronzed fish-scale tile façade.

The question is: where to sit? If you like the bustling action of the kitchen, then ask for the more casual front area of the restaurant, but if a subdued atmosphere is your style, then the back section of the restaurant is much more conducive to quiet conversation. Here you’ll find, along with standard tables, elegant seating in a continuous row of bronze high-back, S-curved banquettes interspersed with frosted glass screens. Regardless, tables are laid with white linens, creative fish scale flatware, and slate blue napkins.Go ahead and ruin your appetite with a few slices of the tasty semolina and nori bread and slather on some of the sea salt butter. A popular starter is a creamy lobster bisque, finished with chive oil. I like that the sweetness commonly found in bisque is missing, that the Flying Fish version is less rich and cloying. Instead, it’s tart and earthy, and a splash of anise-flavored sambuca is does the trick.

Beautifully presented was the Verlasso salmon, perfectly seared, and wonderfully delicious. The salmon sits on swath of celery root puree and two strange-tasting and somewhat rubbery potato dumplings, and on the side is tender-crisp bok choy. Or another great choice is the seafood pearl pasta loaded with shrimp, lobster, scallops, clams, and mussels in a light, tomato-based cream sauce on a bed of Israeli couscous—it can be enhanced with tasty grilled octopus. And ever popular is the char-crusted New York strip (yes, even at a restaurant specializing in seafood) with scrumptious, multi-layered potato au gratin and a rich bernaise sauce.

A wine list a mile long with close to 300 labels and around 80 by the glass is quite redolent of another of my favorite dining spots, California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. You may want to arrive early at the adjoining AbracadaBar where “magic” is the theme in the variety of hocus pocus craft cocktails.

Cara’s Tip: If traveling solo, ask to sit at the bar where there always seems to be a lively group of diners ready and willing to chat.

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Geyser Point Bar & Grill

Lakeside eatery at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge overlooking Bay Lake. Lunch and dinner; casual dress. Open daily 11:00 a.m.-11 p.m.

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Grand Floridian Café

Contemporary cuisine at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner; casual dress. Open daily 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.

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Il Mulino New York Trattoria

​Italian cuisine at Walt Disney World Swan. Dinner only. Open nightly 5-11 p.m.

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Jiko - The Cooking Place

Contemporary cuisine with an African flair at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Dinner only; Resort Casual dress. Open nightly 5:30-10 p.m.

Jiko richly deserves kudos for its innovative and consistently excellent cuisine, seductive atmosphere, and all-South African wine list. The handsome dining room is furnished with massive mosaic tile columns surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, blue leather banquettes, honey-colored walls, and gleaming wood floors. Warm, contemporary lighting shaped in the guise of bird wings hangs from a vibrant blue ceiling, giving the feeling of open space. Giant, twin clay ovens draw the eye to the open kitchen where an eclectic blend of creations, prepared with an African flair in terms of spices and ingredients, is turned out in attractive presentations. The food veers towards the exotic, but you can’t go wrong with most anything on the menu.

Impressive is the restaurant’s Ethiopian honey bread with its accompanying salty tandoori-spiced butter. If ordering the Jiko Salad you will quickly realize that this doesn’t mean that lettuce or greens are included in it. Rather it is a grain-based salad sprinkled with fruit and vegetables. Interesting and certainly different. A duck confit flatbread is quite tasty and a great starter to include with the salad.

Then succumb to Jiko’s oak-grilled filet mignon doused in a chocolate-red wine sauce and a side of Jiko’s famous mac and cheese. If you are looking for a “wow” dish, go for the earthy-tasting, giant-size, fall-off-the-bone tender, African spiced lamb shank. Or the seafood tagine in a healthy but super tasty broth. And you can never go wrong with the sustainable fish, whatever it might be, golden seared with seasonal accompaniments.

End with the unusual Kilimanjaro dessert, a mousse made from Ghanaian dark chocolate Mousse, topped with a pink peppercorn meringue, and sprinkled with pistachios and cocoa nibs!

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Kona Café

Pan Asian cuisine at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner; casual dress. Open daily 7:30-11 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.

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Narcoossee's

Seafood at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Dinner only; Resort Casual dress. Open nightly 5-9:30 p.m.

Views of Cinderella Castle and the Magic Kingdom fireworks anyone? Nestled on the shore of the Seven Seas Lagoon, this restaurant offers a pleasant, nautical ambiance along with wriggling fresh seafood.

An excellent start to your meal is crispy calamari made interesting with the addition of spicy pepperoncini and olives. I just wish every restaurant would make it this way! Oh, and I’m a sucker for Narcoossee’s artisanal cheese platter with each small serving of cheese paired with a sweet little appropriate accompaniment such as apples, olives, honeycomb, prosciutto, etc.

Listed as an appetizer but hearty enough for an entrée is the barbecue-grilled shrimp and grits, an authentic Southern dish. Wild Florida shrimp is grilled with a tasty barbecue sauce and perched on the creamiest, luscious grits ever enhanced with pickled green tomato chow-chow and sprinkled with smoky bacon. Definitely Disney’s best!

You can always count on at least two choices of seasonal fish, but what is renowned here are the seared scallops, a regular on the menu. These beauties swim in a pool of truffled Meyer lemon cream with a mound of gnocchi tossed with a sprinkling of ham and peas…simply superb. Add a side of roasted, sweet and sour Brussels sprouts spiked with crispy bacon and a touch of vinegar, and you’ve got the makings of a perfect meal. Wrap it up all up with the sure-bet cheesecake, animated with a crust of thinly sliced almonds and a spoonful of mouthwatering Lambert cherry sauce.

For a perfect culmination of your evening step outside to the restaurant’s verandah for prime fireworks viewing; your waiter can plan your meal around it. Then stick around for an after-dinner performance of the Electrical Light Parade.

Cara’s Tip: Request a window table with a view of Cinderella Castle on arrival.

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'Ohana

Polynesian cuisine at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Breakfast and dinner served family-style; casual dress. Open daily 7:30-noon and 3:30-10 p.m.

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PB&G

Lakeside daytime dining at Four Seasons Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort. Casual dress. Open daily, 11 a.m to 6:00 p.m.

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Ravello

Modern Italian cuisine at Four Seasons Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort. Breakfast and dinner; smart casual dress. Open daily, 7:30 a.m to 11:00 a.m. and 5:30 to 10:00 p.mMy pick for the area’s best Italian restaurant is Ravello at Four Seasons Resort Orlando. The updated Italian classic menu is pretty much a winner, no matter what you decide to order. Honestly, I keep trying to find a dish I don’t care for, and it doesn’t happen.

With its stylish yet minimalistic ambiance—think stark white walls, industrial ceilings, loads of wood finishes, metal dining area divisions, even a wall of stacked wood—it isn’t trying to be cool. It just is. Expect low atmospheric lighting, but don’t worry; Ravello accommodates with a back-lit menu and a soft spotlight at each table. And if you prefer, there’s even limited outdoor seating overlooking the resort’s pool, lake, and fountains. If your table isn’t quite ready, while away the time at the restaurant’s chic bar with an inventive hand-crafted cocktail (my favorite is the Sanguitini!) or a nice glass of bubbly.

You’ll be wowed by the wide choice of innovative small plates. Brilliant but straightforward are the polpettine, tasty meatballs made with mortadella, prosciutto, veal, and beef in a creamy fresh tomato sauce with a scoop of mascarpone to add creaminess to the dish, served with slices of crispy grilled bread. And pizza here is over the top, chewy and luscious, with the blackened smoky crust appeal of wood-oven cooking.

The restaurant makes all their pasta in-house, so at least one person must order a pasta choice. I am captivated by the spinach and ricotta-stuffed veal ravioli. Festooned with wild mushrooms swimming in a truffled, buttery broth, it’s rich and spectacular. Sea scallop lovers will die for the saffron risotto spiked with these delicacies and crisp-tender asparagus. And then there’s the Mediterranean seabass (branzino), pan-seared, crispy-skinned, super moist, stuffed with rosemary and thyme along with slices of citrus and celery hearts (I never knew celery hearts could add so much to a dish!) resting beside flavorful, garlicky Borlotti beans tossed in olive oil. Phenomenal!

Seriously, it’s tough to find room for dessert, but I did, and I’m not sorry in the least. The stracciatella tortoni, a semifreddo-like cake made with white chocolate mousse and a graham almond crust, is crowned with edible flowers and bits of amaretto cookie crisp, dotted with pools of espresso fudge sauce. And I always choose from the Iconoclast wines (Chardonnay and Cabernet), branded specifically for the Four Seasons as my drink of choice.

Here also is a wonderful breakfast buffet, and on Thursday and Saturday, joined by Mickey and Friends.

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Sanaa

African-inspired cuisine at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner; casual dress. Open daily 7-10 a.m, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., and 5-9:30 p.m.

What a gem of a hidden restaurant this place is. Tucked away downstairs from the Animal Kingdom Villas-Kidani lobby, colossal picture windows have views of the resort’s savanna. What a perfect way to while away lunch or early evening dinner watching the animals strut by!

The menu is small, but almost everyone goes for the Indian-style Bread Service consisting of your choice of 5 wonderful types of bread accompanied by nine lovely sauces. It’s quite the feast, and you must take care to save room for the main course.

I almost always choose the Potjie Inspired entree. Choose one protein from Goan Seafood Curry (you can’t go wrong here), Butter Chicken, or Braised Beef, and one plant-based choice of Aloo Masala, Chickpea Wat, or Cilantro-Coconut Vegetables (my favorite), all served with basmati rice. For less experimental eaters, lunch offers a burger made a bit more exotic with peppadew goat cheese and a tangy sauce similar to barbecue sauce.

Think about planning lunch here after a morning at the nearby Animal Kingdom park. It’s not walkable, but hop a bus from the park over and then park hop to your next destination.

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Shula's Steak House

Sizzling steaks and seafood at Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel. Dinner only; resort casual dress. Open daily 5-11 p.m.

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Steakhouse 71

Steakhouse at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner; casual dress. Open daily 7:30-11 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.

Named for the year Disney’s Contemporary Resort first opened, Steakhouse 71 is reimagined as a restaurant reminiscent of the contemporary, sleek look of the 1970s. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this is the go-to spot for not only resort guests but those wanting a respite from their day in the Magic Kingdom. With modern interpretations of classic dishes, I find this an excellent yet affordable dining option. Indeed, the most affordable steakhouse anywhere in the area.

Begin with the sea salt-dusted potato brioche served with butter and a roasted garlic-tomato spread—I could eat these all night! Then choose the delicious wedge salad made with baby iceberg and smothered in toy box tomatoes, crispy, thick bacon, and creamy blue cheese dressing. As an entrée, the filet just can’t be beat, especially for the price of $38, cooked to perfection and even including your choice of sauce (I go for the au Poivre) and a side (do not neglect to choose the au gratin potatoes). Then you must, and I repeat must finish with the Steakhouse 71 whiskey-infused, multi-layered chocolate cake. Dynamite! My only caveat in dining here is the slow service.

If a full meal isn’t on your schedule, choose the adjoining and inviting Steakhouse 71 Lounge with seating at either the bar or in the expansive lounge area. A great wine and cocktail list are to be had along with hearty lounge bites, including an excellent burger, loaded macaroni and cheese with bacon and jalapenos, and lump crab cakes, and more.

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Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White

Character dining with Snow White, Dopey, and Grumpy in the Enchanted Forest of Artist Point. Dinner only; casual dress. Open nightly 4-9 p.m.

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Todd English's bluezoo

Contemporary seafood at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel. Dinner only; Resort Casual dress. Open Thur-Mon 5-11 p.m.

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Toledo - Tapas, Steak & Seafood

Spanish tapas, steak, and seafood in a surrealist art and the 1930s avant-garde setting, at Disney’s Coronado Springs. Dinner only; Casual dress. Open Wed-Sun 5-10 p.m.

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Topolino's Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera

French and Italian cuisine and sweeping rooftop views at Disney’s Riviera Resort. Breakfast and dinner, casual dress. Open daily 7:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. and 5-9:30 p.m.

Topolinos is a delightful dining experience with some of Walt Disney World’s best views. Set high atop Disney’s Riviera Resort, here you’ll find a fun French-style character prix fixe breakfast with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy. Breakfast choices are all quite good, including a delicious sour cream waffle plate and, my favorite, a quiche Gruyère with roasted potatoes and salad with lemon vinaigrette. Those trying to eat healthily will enjoy the fruit plate with a mix of fresh fruit with a jar of yogurt and house-made seed granola.

Dinner truly shines here. Come early for a drink at the restaurant’s bar, or better yet, on the outdoor terrace with stunning sunset views. On my latest visit here, everything was superb, starting with tender gnocchi mixed with braised lamb, mushroom, red wine jus, and tender carrots, and even though a romaine salad seems to be on every menu, this one exceptional, with a white pesto, watercress, a touch of anchovy, and plenty of lemon and olive oil. Other great starters include the buttery, garlicky escargot, topped with choux pastry, and an absolutely delicious celery root and black truffle soup.

The star here is the sole Meunière accompanied by sea beans, capers, delicate baby squash, and petite potatoes, all swimming in a butter bath. And you will be more than satisfied with the saffrony bouillabaisse chocked full of fresh snapper, branzino, clams, shrimp, squid, and mussels.

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Trattoria al Forno

Italian cuisine at Disney’s Boardwalk. ​Breakfast and dinner, casual dress. Open daily 7:30-11:30 a.m, and 5-10:00 p.m.

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Victoria & Albert's

Contemporary American cuisine with classical influences at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Dinner only with reservations mandatory; call (407) 939-7707. Jackets for gents (tie optional) and dinner attire for women policy. Open daily with two seating times in the dining room: 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. and 9:00 to 9:45 p.m.; July and August one seating daily, 6:45 to 8:00 p.m.; one seating only for Chef’s Table and Queen Victoria’s Room. The prix-fixe menu begins at $295.00 per person. Optional wine pairings start at $150.00 per person.

Theme parks might surround it, but Victoria & Albert’s offers only perfectly refined cuisine. Overseen by the brilliant Executive Chef Scott Hunnel and awarded the AAA Five­-Diamond 17 years in a row and the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence year after year, this is Disney’s true gastronomic temple. And better yet, it seems to keep reinventing itself, raising the bar even higher with every year.

Tables are set with only the finest in Italian linens, Bernardaud china, and Italian Sambonet silver, and a seasonal prix fixe menu includes six sumptuous courses, all small, served by an ultra-professional waitstaff while a harpist performs. Throughout two and a half hours indulge in one exemplary dish after another, every morsel with its distinct flavor, no one ingredient overwhelming another—food here is simply a work of art. And those non-carnivore eaters will swoon over the six-course, vegetarian menu, a rare find. The menu changes on an almost weekly basis, so don’t ever expect to have the same of anything on a return visit, but this I can promise you, your meal will be nothing but sigh-inducing perfection.

Those seeking an extraordinary evening should book the Chef’s Table set in a nook in the kitchen, a spot perfect for an up-close, behind-the-scenes look at Disney’s top chef in action with detailed explanation on how each course is prepared. Or for a more formal and intimate experience with the same outstanding menu as the Chef’s Table try the Queen Victoria’s Room. Up to twelve spectacular courses are served, each more fantastic than the last. Add the wine pairings to make it a meal of a lifetime.

Cara’s Tip: Children under ten are not allowed, so be sure to pre-book a sitter.

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Whispering Canyon Café

Barbecue and smoked meats at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner; casual dress. Open daily 7:30-11:25 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., and 5-10 p.m.

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Yachtsman Steakhouse

Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. Dinner only; Resort Casual dress. Open nightly 5-9:30 p.m.

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