Just in general. I know that's making it pretty broad but I'll be at Disney for 8 days
Wow. 8 days. I have to think of it in terms of memories I've made over the years. If you are going for the experience...California Grill is pricey but you can get away with two appetizers for dinner and not pay an outrageous amount....the memory there is watching fireworks. Make an Advanced Dining Reservation and you can eat, watch the fireworks and come back to your table for dessert. It was lovely. My daughters and I all cried and hugged and loved it. Hoop De Doo Revue is fun. It is a show and dinner and the wait staff sing and dance. We had a blast. We had an unexpectedly exceptional meal at the Japanese restaurant in Epcot. Also in the Biergarten. Those times my work bosses were paying and we went all out. Really good time. Lunch at the Brown Derby was fun and the food was great.
Some in park and resort surprises:
Fort Wilderness Trails' end. They have a buffet, we never had a problem getting a seat and the food is the same as the aforementioned Hoop De Doo Revue PLUS more options. Cute little hole in the wall bar there too with good drinks.
Kona Cafe at the Polynesian was the best wine list (affordable with stuff I KNEW) and the food was awesome.
At the Boardwalk there is a little bar that serves burgers that according to my hubby were great.
Look at the menus at the Disney page or just via google. That always gives me a good idea of what I might realistically eat and how much it will cost. l am generally a vegan and I am always able to find an option and it has always been tasty.
Also...you can make some great memories at the Crystal Palace character lunch in MK. We walked in there without reservations, with three hot, tired, cranky teenagers--and two grumpy parents not realizing it was a character lunch and had the best lunch of our whole trip. Great buffet options and fun with Tigger and Pooh and the whole gang.
Have a great trip. thanks for letting me pontificate. Hope it helped.