Orlando - Best Restaurants in Orlando..

I'm going to Orlando for vacation next week..

I want to do a fantastic lunch with an old friend and a great dinner with the parents..

Money is not an object..

What do you reccomend?

Hue in downtown orlando is great. I used to live over there and frequented it all the time.

There's also a nice little wine bar one block away called Eola Wine Company if you want to unwind before/after dinner with some wine and/or a smoke.

Maybe suitable for the parentals: Dinner at The Boheme restaurant in the Grand Bohemian Hotel (downtown):

http://grandbohemianhotel.com/theboheme/about.asp

Some of the high-end Disney restaurants are considered pretty good. Not my area of expertise, but tons of info online.

If you want to eat outside of the Disney parks I recommend driving to Cafe D'Antonio in Celebration. This charming town is a planned Disney community and a short drive from any of the Disney parks. We love Itallian food and think that Cafe D'Antonio is wonderful. There are several other restaurants in this town and just driving your parents around this community should be a treat. We also like the restaurants on International Drive such as Oceanaire Seafood or the Capital Grille (both are a little pricey) and Maggiano's is a fun place for family style service.

I vote for the Colombia resturant in Celebration for dinner. It's a fantastic Spanish-style resturant that is known for its paella, 1905 salad, and sangria (I recommend the Sangria de Cava). You can find more information at their website. (http://www.columbiarestaurant.com)

Scott Joseph was the Orlando Sentinel's highly regarded restaurant critic for approximately 20 years. Here are his picks < http://www.scottjosephorlando.com/food_drink_other_stuff/lunch/>.

I highly recommend the Columbia restaurant in Celebration for dinner. The Columbia is a FL institution that serves authentic Spanish fare. The service is excellent and the restaurant has a very nice ambiance. I'd recommend trying one of the paellas with the 1905 salad and getting the Sangria De Cava. Every time that I've been to one of the Columbia restaurants it has been a very memorable experience.

Where in Orlando will you be staying, and will you have a car?

My recommendations are Seasons 52, Mortons (I noticed your status ;) ), California Grill, and Chez Vincent (Winter Park) among others.

Some of the best restaurants in Orlando are in EPCOT in the world pavillions. One of my favorites is the Chefs de France or its fancier companion upstairs. The Le Cellar steakhouse in Canada is also very good. As a benefit, you can watch the Illuminations show after dinner if you plan right.

Seasons 52

+1 ^

thanks for all your replys...

I didn't have internet access while on vaca.... (don't ask).. so I only got the first few replys..

We did eat at Mortons.. it was great (as usual). Tiger woods was there that night eating.. Wow!

We also ate at Emerils at the "Kitchen Table" that was great experience also.

I will be back in a few months and will try the restaurants mentioned in the celebration area..

Thanks again!

I highly recommend the Columbia restaurant in Celebration for dinner. The Columbia is a FL institution that serves authentic Spanish fare. The service is excellent and the restaurant has a very nice ambiance. I'd recommend trying one of the paellas with the 1905 salad and getting the Sangria De Cava. Every time that I've been to one of the Columbia restaurants it has been a very memorable experience.

Not to be picky, but the Columbia is what I call "generic Hispanic" with some Cuban (e.g. Cuban Black Bean Soup, Boliche, Ropa Vieja) & some Spanish (e.g. Paella, Gazpacho Andaluz) dishes on the menu. Probably more Cuban than Spanish. It's all good, however.

+1 ^

I'll second that. ^

As far as Steak places go, I think Charlies in Kissimmee is one of the best steak places in the country. Ive been to most of them including Lugers and I put Charlies up there with the best of them.

Hi there,
heading to Orlandofrom Italy for my birthday with some friends for 3 days, after the space shuttle launch. Could you name the best steakhouse? I have read Charlies and Mortons. We will be staying most probably somewhere on the I drive around the convenction center
Thanks

Matteo

Welcome to Orlando!

If you mean the best, my choice would be Del Frisco's http://delfriscosorlando.com/index.php, but that is not convenient to the Convention Center.

Other excellent choices, according to Scott Joseph, long-time Orlando Sentinel restaurant critic are here http://www.scottjosephorlando.com/reviews#catid70. There's no hype here, just good sound opinions from a guy who really knows what he is talking about.

There's no hype here, just good sound opinions from a guy who really knows what he is talking about.

I do really enjoy those reviews, but wouldn't agree that "there's no hype here". Scott seems quite hyper about perplexing, minor things. His steakhouse reviews in particular are odd and unfocused. But overall you're right, he knows food and fine dining and seems to generally provide fair and balanced opinions.

Oh, and as for the best steak in Orlando, I'd have to vote for The Palm (which is also, unfortunately, inconvenient to the convention center).

I do really enjoy those reviews, but wouldn't agree that "there's no hype here". Scott seems quite hyper about perplexing, minor things. His steakhouse reviews in particular are odd and unfocused.

Also note that the reviews in each category are in alphabetical order, not by rank, and that Charlies and Mortons are not even reviewed.

Yes, the alphabetical order thing had me going for a minute! It doesn't appear that he actually scores or ranks the places he visits, so I guess there's really no way to rack-and-stack them that way.

Yes, the alphabetical order thing had me going for a minute! It doesn't appear that he actually scores or ranks the places he visits, so I guess there's really no way to rack-and-stack them that way.

There is also a "hits" column that doesn't seem to be documented anywhere.

I had an excellent steak at Shula's, but it's been a few years ago.

Yeah, Shula's (not just the one in the Dolphin, but all of them) used to be a lot better than they are now. I don't know if there was a corporate management change or something, but the focus on quality and excellence just isn't there any more...

Pretty much anything on Restaurant Row (Sand Lake) is great these days.

From casual, to romantic to high end. It has it all....

Winter Park has a wonderful eclectic mixture of upscale restaurants.

Nice little section of Orlando that takes you away from the bland and boring of Orlando. Winter Park is wonderful to walk or drive around... an evening in the area is a wonderful way to spend the night when in O-Town.

Off the top of my head I would suggest ...

310 Park South
Luma
Houston's

... I'd check the net for listings in the area so you can narrow down your choice's. Sounds like your looking for a nice evening out, skip the mundane of Orlando and head over to Winter Park for the evening, you'll love it.

As far as best restaurants in Orlando, just have to put in a plug for Victoria & Alberts. One of the best restaurants in the country, as far as I'm concerned. I travel to Orlando frequently, but try to save V&A for truly special events.

When I am in Orlando, I must always stop here: http://www.orlandoichiban.com/

Currently on the Rewards Network if you are collecting miles too.

Le Cellier is good but hard to book.. need to book Le Cellier 90 days in advance when reservations open up.. but a memorable lunch or dinner.. would be none other than Disney World Castle. You get a picture with the princess, pre-fixe menu and character enterntainment. The Disney World Castle is the only castle in the world that you can actually dine in (5 total Disney Castles in the World and counting).

Disney doesn't advertise character dining for Castle Dinner, but trust me.. there are definitely characters during supper.. per our experience.

[QUOTE=Ancien Maestro;13963861]Le Cellier is good but hard to book.. need to book Le Cellier 90 days in advance when reservations open up..
Sorry, but Le Cellier is NOT considered one of the best restaurants in Orlando. It's the only steak place in Disneyworld that's in a park and on the 1 credit part of the dining plan, hence, that's why it's so hard to get a reservation. The food has also gone downhill since it became the darling of the dining-plan set :D

The food is decent, but certainly not "best" by any stretch of the imagination.

but a memorable lunch or dinner.. would be none other than Disney World Castle. You get a picture with the princess, pre-fixe menu and character enterntainment. The Disney World Castle is the only castle in the world that you can actually dine in (5 total Disney Castles in the World and counting).now this one totally confuses me. The general consensus of frequent visitors is that you don't go to the castle for the food - you go for the ambiance. The last I ate there, the food was mediocre at best.

Disney doesn't advertise character dining for Castle Dinner, but trust me.. there are definitely characters during supper.. per our experience.:confused: What ARE you talking about? They advertise the heck out of them.

The breakfast is the single hardest reservation to get. It sells out immediately and disney had to institute a prepayment requirement because it was such a hot ticket. All of the Princesses visit the tables during breakfast. FWIW - breakfast is considered mediocre as well.

Lunch and Dinner - Cinderella is in the lobby for an official picture with you, the cost of the meal includes a photo package with 5x7s & wallets.
You sound like a real enthusiast, however, a not very frequent visitor. I suggest you spend some time on disboards.com because I'm seeing you're not giving 100% accurate information here.

[QUOTE]
now this one totally confuses me. The general consensus of frequent visitors is that you don't go to the castle for the food - you go for the ambiance. The last I ate there, the food was mediocre at best.

:confused: What ARE you talking about? They advertise the heck out of them.



I have to agree 100% with both of these. Meals in the castle are a special experience for the kids, the food is just there.

[QUOTE]
Sorry, but Le Cellier is NOT considered one of the best restaurants in Orlando. It's the only steak place in Disneyworld that's in a park and on the 1 credit part of the dining plan, hence, that's why it's so hard to get a reservation. The food has also gone downhill since it became the darling of the dining-plan set :D

The food is decent, but certainly not "best" by any stretch of the imagination.

now this one totally confuses me. The general consensus of frequent visitors is that you don't go to the castle for the food - you go for the ambiance. The last I ate there, the food was mediocre at best.

:confused: What ARE you talking about? They advertise the heck out of them.

The breakfast is the single hardest reservation to get. It sells out immediately and disney had to institute a prepayment requirement because it was such a hot ticket. All of the Princesses visit the tables during breakfast. FWIW - breakfast is considered mediocre as well.

Lunch and Dinner - Cinderella is in the lobby for an official picture with you, the cost of the meal includes a photo package with 5x7s & wallets.
You sound like a real enthusiast, however, a not very frequent visitor. I suggest you spend some time on disboards.com because I'm seeing you're not giving 100% accurate information here.

Hey Mary.. sorry for the English.. if you read my post I said that Le Cellier is good.. not best as you have said.. please don't change my opinion and say its my opinion.

Second, Disney World Castle is the only Castle in the world you can dine in.. and you may attend there more often than not, but my family had the very best time out of both trips to Disney World, and 4 trips to Disneyland in the Disney World castle for supper, so maybe going often makes it less special.

In addition, I am for fine food, and I thought the supper at Disney Castle was first class and the best food that we've tried in the Orlando area. No I did not try brekkie or lunch, nor will I after the experience that we had for supper. I can't speak of experience for the other meals.. but supper was great!

If you look on the advertising last summer, it specifically stated no character dining for the Royal Table supper.. I see that it has changed and that the princesses are on hand for a photo.. that is a definitely recent change, and maybe I should have checked before posting.

[QUOTE=Mary2e;13972707]

Hey Mary.. sorry for the English.. if you read my post I said that Le Cellier is good.. not best as you have said.. please don't change my opinion and say its my opinion. Nothing to apologize for.

As well, this thread is about the Best Restaurants in Orlando, not a decent place in a theme park. That's not what people are looking for in this thread.

In addition, I am for fine food, and I thought the supper at Disney Castle was first class and the best food that we've tried in the Orlando area. No I did not try brekkie or lunch, nor will I after the experience that we had for supper. I can't speak of experience for the other meals.. but supper was great!The food is not fine. The atmosphere is great, but the food is mediocre at best. You may have enjoyed it, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for the "best restaurant" in any city, much lest Orlando.

If you look on the advertising last summer, it specifically stated no character dining for the Royal Table supper.. I see that it has changed and that the princesses are on hand for a photo.. that is a definitely recent change, and maybe I should have checked before posting.:confused: :confused: :confused: One of the few times I actually ate dinner there recently was last summer. My husband wanted a 50th birthday kiss from Cinderella, and this was the only place to get it :D I have pictures to prove it :D :D :D

Like I said, www.disboards.com is the place to get all kinds of detailed information about Disney.

[QUOTE=Ancien Maestro;13975417] Nothing to apologize for.

As well, this thread is about the Best Restaurants in Orlando, not a decent place in a theme park. That's not what people are looking for in this thread.

The food is not fine. The atmosphere is great, but the food is mediocre at best. You may have enjoyed it, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for the "best restaurant" in any city, much lest Orlando.

:confused: :confused: :confused: One of the few times I actually ate dinner there recently was last summer. My husband wanted a 50th birthday kiss from Cinderella, and this was the only place to get it :D I have pictures to prove it :D :D :D

Like I said, www.disboards.com is the place to get all kinds of detailed information about Disney.

This sounds like a terms & conditions thread.. anyhow, I thought I was quite clear saying that Le Cellier, much lest you seem to agree it was good.. not great, but good. I understand this thread is about the best restaurants in Orlando, but I thought I would post Le Cellier anyways as just a good restaurant.

Regarding the quality of food.. I read and researched some on the Royal Table. Yes, your opinion I've found to be many opinions of others.. that the food for the price is mediocre, and the atmostphere is nice.. I was left with the impression don't go there if you expect to get your money's worth honestly from all of the comments I've read. But, surprisingly after all the comments we booked the Royal Table Supper.. which at the time was advertising no character dining.. just only lunch and brekkie was character dining last summer.. even the dining agents at reservations were telling me that.. we walked into what I would call our family's most wonderful experience at Disney over the years.. this surprisingly after reading and researching the negative reviews and coments of the Royal Table. So for those who don't know.. try it for yourself, and conclude what you conclude. We stay at 5 star hotels all of the time, eat at their restaurants and high end restaurants wherever we go. I think I had the lamb if I recalled, and it was very tender.. the dessert was a nice presentation, and the appetizers were pretty good. 2 dining credits or $65.99 was worth the experience we thought.. good value with the picture package. A low end luau in Hawaii would have been this and worse. I'm glad we tried out the Royal Table in spite of the negative reviews, and saw for ourselves what is the most wonderful dining experience in all of the Disney Parks around the world. Even the waiter talked to us for an half an hour regarding the castle history. I guess Walt and Roy Disney built the castle to actually have their family dine and stay in. There is a couple of suites in the castle that during the years of a million dreams, people were invited to stay at the castle suites. I guess the week before Walt died, he dined and stayed at the castle at Disney World. Disney World to this day is the only castle in the world that you can actually take your family to, and enjoy a meal and experience the special Disney feeling that we all grew up longing to experience.

Funny your husband requested to go the castle.. might have been a special thing for him to request it. The ceilings were of special carved wood imported from overseas, and the decor reminiscent of a medieval castle. The windows are gorgeous looking out onto the fireworks we dined. The Disney family spared no expense to build it.. and wanted to share with the rest of America (although I'm Canadian) the special place. A welcoming feeling created indeed.. and A dream come true for a lot of family and kids.. so the Disney Castle continues to be a wonderful place for the young and old to experience. My opinion after experiencing it for myself after reading negative reviews.

Cafe D'Antonio in Celebration is a great place! In Epcot Center you'll have some nice restaurants too in the World Showcase.

As far as best restaurants in Orlando, just have to put in a plug for Victoria & Alberts. One of the best restaurants in the country, as far as I'm concerned. I travel to Orlando frequently, but try to save V&A for truly special events.

I have to say that we really enjoyed our dining experience at Victoria and Alberts. It is one of the few dining options at Disney that I will actually reccomend.

I also like Narcoossees at the Grand Floridian.


[QUOTE]
Sorry, but Le Cellier is NOT considered one of the best restaurants in Orlando. It's the only steak place in Disneyworld that's in a park and on the 1 credit part of the dining plan, hence, that's why it's so hard to get a reservation. The food has also gone downhill since it became the darling of the dining-plan set :D

The food is decent, but certainly not "best" by any stretch of the imagination.

now this one totally confuses me. The general consensus of frequent visitors is that you don't go to the castle for the food - you go for the ambiance. The last I ate there, the food was mediocre at best.

:confused: What ARE you talking about? They advertise the heck out of them.

The breakfast is the single hardest reservation to get. It sells out immediately and disney had to institute a prepayment requirement because it was such a hot ticket. All of the Princesses visit the tables during breakfast. FWIW - breakfast is considered mediocre as well.

Lunch and Dinner - Cinderella is in the lobby for an official picture with you, the cost of the meal includes a photo package with 5x7s & wallets.
You sound like a real enthusiast, however, a not very frequent visitor. I suggest you spend some time on disboards.com because I'm seeing you're not giving 100% accurate information here.

^^^ The castle dining is VERY overrated. If you go for the characters, great, but the food....Not so much.

EPCOT restaurants are ok, but not the "Best" out there... DIning plan has devalued a lot.... "burn and turn" is the theme anymore..

One of the newer places that I like is Kouzzina by Cat Cora. Order the whole fish entree....

I have to say that we really enjoyed our dining experience at Victoria and Alberts. It is one of the few dining options at Disney that I will actually reccomend.

I also like Narcoossees at the Grand Floridian.I've never eaten there because we refuse to get dressed up at Disney.

A good alternative that is very much overlooked is Citrico's. We've had some of the best meals there - from steak to fish - beating out both the Yachtsman Steak House and Narcoossees. But many people won't try any of these because they're on the dining plan and would have to use 2 credits for a meal. You can't even use credits at V&A :)

I don't know if it still exists, but Alfredo di Roma @ Epcot Center is a nice place!

It was replaced with a pizza type restaurant, and the food at Alfredo's was pretty universally considered not too great.

It was replaced with a pizza type restaurant, and the food at Alfredo's was pretty universally considered not too great.

Wrong on both counts. Alfredo's was replaced by Tutto Italia, another sit-down restaurant with a varied Italian menu much like it was before. And that menu was considered one of the most authentic Italian experiences this side of Italy! You simply cannot beat fetuccini alfredo from the sister restaurant to the place that invented it...

Then I stand corrected. I thought I had read it was replaced. In any event, I'm Italian (my parents were born there) and I wouldn't go near the Disneyfied version of Italian food :)

Update to the Italian restaurant issue :)

I knew I remembered a pizza type restaurant :) Tutto Italia is closed and is being replaced with Via Napoli, which will be another sit down restaurant with the menu primarily focusing on brick oven pizza. There will also be other Italian fare. I would imagine much like most local pizzaria offerings.

There was a rumor there would also be a quick service component that would just sell pizza, but that is not happening.

The restaurant will be opening in September sometime.

You beat me to it, Mary; I was just about to post the same thing. If they can provide an authentic Italian pizza experience, this will be a tremendous addition to what is already an impressive spread of restaurants around World Showcase!

#1 Victoria & Albert’s
#2 Le Coq au Vin

Rounding out the top five in Orlando were Primo, Chatham’s Place and Enzo’s, each with a food score of 27. (No restaurant in any of the cities in the survey has a perfect 30 for food.)

Source: http://www.scottjosephorlando.com/news/1-latest-news/1155-victoria-a-alberts-areas-best-in-annual-zagat-americas-top-restaurants

On our recent visit to the Magic Kingdom, we found the food and service best at Todd English's Bluezoo and the Yachtsman's Steakhouse. The waitstaff at the Yachtsman's seemed like many other professionals we met at the magic kingdom, retired transplants from the Northeast who had unretired to work at what they are excellent at.

As for character dining, we kept trying the disney dining website. We got into Akershus at Epcot Norway. The food was actually very good and interesting. Before the main course there's a self serve deli featuring 3 kinds of kipper herring, smoked salmon, other fish, good potato salad, fresh salad, grilled asparagus, fresh tomatoes. My main course was a fancier version of a $5 plate from Ikea, but nonetheless very comforting. On entry there is a photo with one of the princesses which comes back to you in a booklet later. Dinner was princess free. At dessert time, 5 princesses materialized for pictures all around, and kisses for the young boys -- just kidding.

On our recent visit to the Magic Kingdom, we found the food and service best at Todd English's Bluezoo and the Yachtsman's Steakhouse. The waitstaff at the Yachtsman's seemed like many other professionals we met at the magic kingdom, retired transplants from the Northeast who had unretired to work at what they are excellent at.

As for character dining, we kept trying the disney dining website. We got into Akershus at Epcot Norway. The food was actually very good and interesting. Before the main course there's a self serve deli featuring 3 kinds of kipper herring, smoked salmon, other fish, good potato salad, fresh salad, grilled asparagus, fresh tomatoes. My main course was a fancier version of a $5 plate from Ikea, but nonetheless very comforting. On entry there is a photo with one of the princesses which comes back to you in a booklet later. Dinner was princess free. At dessert time, 5 princesses materialized for pictures all around, and kisses for the young boys -- just kidding.

We did Akershus a couple of years back with the Disney Dining Plan.. It uses one sit down meal credit and you get a memorable picture package..

Currently in California and we've done 4 days at Disneyland.. and planning another 3 or 4 before the trip's out.. all I can say is that we are pretty lucky in Disney World to dine in the Castle and have the character meal options that we do..

We did the Disneyland hotel character meal at Goofy's Kitchen couple of days ago.. and it doesn't really add up to Chef Mickey's..

Can't dine in Sleeping Beauty's castle.. Their Thunder Mountain Ranch BBQ is a shortened version of Mickey's Backyard BBQ without the characters.. all in all.. the only character meal option at Disneyland is their character breakfast picnic I think in the morning.. and we never do character breakfasts

I keep walking by in Disneyland where the Crystal Palace is in Magic Kingdom, and all I can think of is wishing my 5 year old and 1 year had an opportunity to dine with Pooh and friends..

I like Small World, Splash Mountain, Snow White's Scary Adventure, Thunder Mountain Railroad and a number of rides at Disneyland better than Magic Kingdom.. but the Dining and Hotel options is not in the same league as Disney World.. Worth to visit, as we spent three weeks Christmas Break at Disney World.. so felt we needed to change it up this summer a bit..

imo.. most memorable meal I've ever had in my life having Christmas Day Supper at Disney World's Cinderella's Castle this past December 25th.. also celebrated my sons' first birthday lunch Christmas Eve at Cinderella's Castle as well..

btw.. if you haven't done Christmas Day at Magic Kingdom.. it is incredible..

On our recent visit to the Magic Kingdom, we found the food and service best at Todd English's Bluezoo and the Yachtsman's Steakhouse. The waitstaff at the Yachtsman's seemed like many other professionals we met at the magic kingdom, retired transplants from the Northeast who had unretired to work at what they are excellent at. The Yachtsman has always been one of our favorites and I agree about the excellent service. They used to serve prime beef. That stopped with the advent of the dining plan - even though it takes 2 credits to eat there. I've never tried Bluezoo. It does sound interesting.

As for character dining, we kept trying the disney dining website. We got into Akershus at Epcot Norway. The food was actually very good and interesting. Before the main course there's a self serve deli featuring 3 kinds of kipper herring, smoked salmon, other fish, good potato salad, fresh salad, grilled asparagus, fresh tomatoes. My main course was a fancier version of a $5 plate from Ikea, but nonetheless very comforting. On entry there is a photo with one of the princesses which comes back to you in a booklet later. Dinner was princess free. At dessert time, 5 princesses materialized for pictures all around, and kisses for the young boys -- just kidding.Congratulations for getting in!!! This is probably the easiest character (princess meal) to get into because of the "unusual" food for most people. It was actually our favorite restaurant in Epcot until they turned it into a character meal - which they had to do because demand was so great. Now we don't go so often because, quite honestly, we feel bad taking the space from a family who really wants to see the princesses. They're that hard to get into.

[Akershus] was actually our favorite restaurant in Epcot...

Agreed, by far.

We went years ago and they had several excellent seafood selections (diff. salmon, shrimp, etc.) on the buffet, as well as a menu to choose from, and if you wanted extras of the latter, no problem.

Agreed, by far.

We went years ago and they had several excellent seafood selections (diff. salmon, shrimp, etc.) on the buffet, as well as a menu to choose from, and if you wanted extras of the latter, no problem.

What's the difference in the food selection?

There was the salmon, shrimp and seafood when we dined.. character dining as well..

Its neat seeing the kids in the pictures years ago.. Will continue to collect over the years..

1900 Park Fare I think has some princesses.. The photo package was $30..

1900 Park Fare I think has some princesses.. The photo package was $30..They do not. 1900 Park Fare has Mary Poppins and a rotating group of other characters, but no princesses.

The only place to have breakfast (or any meal) with princesses is in the Castle or Akershus.

Agreed, by far.

We went years ago and they had several excellent seafood selections (diff. salmon, shrimp, etc.) on the buffet, as well as a menu to choose from, and if you wanted extras of the latter, no problem.It's a shame it changed. It was such a pleasant experience to go there. The big upside is that it was also the easiest restaurant to get into because lots of people were put off by the food.

I loved it, loved going there, and really enjoyed the food.

With the advent of the princess meals, the atmosphere, and means of getting your food has changed drastically. It's no longer a relaxing place in the middle of the chaos to get a good meal. They also cut back on some of the offerings, IIRC.

It's a shame it changed. It was such a pleasant experience to go there. The big upside is that it was also the easiest restaurant to get into because lots of people were put off by the food.

I loved it, loved going there, and really enjoyed the food.

With the advent of the princess meals, the atmosphere, and means of getting your food has changed drastically. It's no longer a relaxing place in the middle of the chaos to get a good meal. They also cut back on some of the offerings, IIRC.

We have not been back, so I can't comment on food change, if any, but I am pretty sure the prices went way up.

In the old days I considered it a bargain.

The prices went way up because of the princesses, plus the photo you'll get :)

I haven't been there in a couple of years, but IIRC, you pick your entree from a menu and it's delivered. You can still get most of the same items from the buffet as you did before - except for the entree. I used to enjoy taking a little from each entree.

Plus, it is now on the zoo-ish side, when you consider all kids anxious and excited to meet all of the princesses.

They do not. 1900 Park Fare has Mary Poppins and a rotating group of other characters, but no princesses.

The only place to have breakfast (or any meal) with princesses is in the Castle or Akershus.

http://allears.net/menu/men_19d.htm

Cinderella appears at 1900 Park Fare for supper.. and is a princess in Disney marketing..

Mary Poppins is only Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare..

Picture package of approx $30 is for supper.. I'm not sure about the offerings for breakfast..

Thank you. I completely forgot about that because it's really not marketed as a princess meal.

Oddly enough for us.. its easier to get into the Akershus, and a certain degree Cinderella's Castle (depending on the day), then it is for supper at 1900 Park Fare.. Reservations were jammed packed, and we were very lucky to get that reservation.. located at the Grand Floridian

There are some seriously bad suggestions in this thread.

First, Luma and The Ravenous Pig in Winter Park are the two best restaurants in Orlando. They are both out of the way from "the attractions" and Convention Center, but worth the drive if you're a foodie.

Somebody mentioned Le Coq Au Vin as being in the Top 5... maybe if it was still 1983. Food has changed. Le Coq Au Vin hasn't. It was once a fine restaurant. It is now a tired and dated dinosaur.

In terms of Walt Disney World at the theme park.. the two french restaurants are rated quite highly with Theme Park Insiders (consistently top 2)..

We've dined at the fine french restaurant Bistro de Paris.. Excellent..