Margaret’s Top Five Walt Disney World Signature Dining Restaurants

There are three levels of restaurant choices at Walt Disney World –

There is Quick Service where your order your food at the register, pick it up at the counter and then find a seat and enjoy.

Then there is Table Service where your make a reservation, are seated at a table and a server takes your order or you choose from a buffet.

The third type is Signature Dining.  Signature Dining is the ‘better’ Table Service dining.  A little nicer atmosphere with enhanced food and wine choices.  While kids are always welcome, Signature Dining locations are usually considered more grown up.

If you’re using the Disney Dining Plan, Table Service meals are one credit and Signature Dining meals are two credits.

Here are my favorite Walt Disney World Signature Dining locations:

Le Cellier Steakhouse is in the Canada pavilion in World Showcase at Epcot.  My favorite item here is the Le Cellier Filet Mignon, served on a bed of mushroom risotto.  People will argue about the best steak at Walt Disney World, but this is my hands-down favorite.

Of course, the meal must start with an order of the Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup.

Flying Fish is located on Disney’s Boardwalk, adjacent to Disney’s Boardwalk Resort.  David will tell you this is his favorite restaurant anywhere.  The Flying Fish specializes in premium seafood.  My favorite here is the Hokkaido Scallops served with the amazing antebellum grits, sweet corn, and peppadew emulsion.

David will always order whatever fish is offered with the leek fondue and cassis-red wine reduction.  I would call this the signature dish at Flying Fish

We usually start with the Tasting of Artisan Cheeses featuring Robiola Bosina, Crottin, Thomasville Tomme, Smokey Blue, Reypenaer V.S.O.P. Gouda.

Jiko – The Cooking Place is the amazing African inspired restaurant on the lower level of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.  It’s hard to list a favorite here as the menu changes somewhat regularly but everything is outstanding.

Don’t be fooled by the ‘African’ description – there is something for every taste and nothing is too exotic, but still a little adventurous.

Hollywood Brown Derby is located inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios and is a tribute to the legendary restaurant of the same name in Hollywood, California,

There are lots of great items on the menu, but we go here for the signature Cobb Salad made famous at the original Brown Derby.  The Cobb features finely chopped greens, turkey breast, bacon, egg, tomatoes, crumbled blue cheese, avocado, chives, and Cobb dressing.  When they say, “finely chopped’, they mean it.  It is a unique and yummy presentation.

I can’t leave Victoria & Alberts at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa off the list.  Victoria & Albert’s would be a Signature + dining experience for those very special occasions for the adults. It is AAA Five Diamond Award winner along with countless other awards and designations.

David and I had an amazing anniversary dinner there a few years ago.

Here is the restaurant’s own description: ‘The ultimate in fine dining at Walt Disney World Resort and one of the finest restaurants in the Southeast, Victoria & Albert’s features modern American cuisine with exquisite products sourced from around the world—truffles from Italy, fresh herbs from Ohio, beef from Japan, poulet rouge from North Carolina, and the finest caviar from around the world. The talented culinary team’s approach is imaginative, and the food is an art form, featuring aromatic flavors, vivid colors, exciting textures and exquisite wine pairings with each course’

Victoria & Albert’s does not participate in the Disney Dining Plan.

These are just 5 of the Signature Dining locations at Walt Disney World – let me know if you would like to know about other options.

The dining options, menus and operations at Walt Disney World are very dynamic – all these things may change at any time.  As always, check with me for the latest updates.

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