Birthday Dinner Recommendations

[Tori the Traveler]

Hey everyone!

I'm going on a trip in August of next year and I wanted to figure out all my dining opportunities now so that I'm not overwhelmed and not getting my hopes up for a restaurant that's booked.
This trip is part of a gift for my 21st birthday, and I'll be turning 22 during the trip, but will still be celebrating 21 if that makes any sense? Anyway, I wanted to hear your suggestions for restaurants on property that will be amazing for my birthday dinner!
I've been really interested in Flying Fish, Brown Derby, and Sanaa, so if you have any experience with any of those or have others that you love, let me know! I'm looking for great drinks (21, obviously haha), classy atmosphere, and that touch of Disney whimsy!

Thanks, loves!
Tori

 

[zurgandfriend]

Your selections of Flying Fish, Brown Derby or Sanaa are all great and you would get a great meal at any of them. Our go-to restaurant for birthday is the California Grill you have great food, a wonderful view of the park and you get to watch Wishes from the roof of the Contemporary. Now Whispering Canyon, if you let them know it's your birthday, can be a lot of fun, Enjoy!

 

[MickeyMomV]

Narcoossee's is our birthday spot of choice. I'm not sure about the drink menu but the surf and turf is really good.

 

[MagicalMommy]

You have narrowed it down to some great restaurants! I personally love Sanaa, but Flying Fish recently re-opened and features a cocktail lounge next door (AbracadaBAR), plus it's on the Boardwalk (perfect touch of Disney whimsy) -- so I think that meets all your criteria! I can't wait to try it out since its re-opening.

Here's more info: https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...-restaurant-opens-today-on-disneys-boardwalk/

 

[Hockey89]

Between those three, I would do Flying Fish Café all day long.... Brown Derby is ok IMHO..

 

[aw14]

If those are your option, I would choose Sanaa. We have loved our dinners there.

We were in WDW in march for my 40th and did the Yachtsman. Highly recommended.

 

[Epcotfan21]

If you're dead set on those 3, I'd pick Flying Fish too.

But as others have mentioned, I think there are some really good options you should consider that meet the criteria you're wanting and IMHO are much better than those 3. California Grill, Jiko, Narcossee's, Le Cellier and Yachtsman.

 

[Hockey89]

If you're dead set on those 3, I'd pick Flying Fish too.

But as others have mentioned, I think there are some really good options you should consider that meet the criteria you're wanting and IMHO are much better than those 3. California Grill, Jiko, Narcossee's, Le Cellier and Yachtsman.

I agree on Grill, Jiko and Yachtsman..... I think Le Cellier is very overrated and Nacossee's is a step down from the other three...

Plenty of places at Disney Springs too.... Great options for sure...

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

Flying Fish accompanied by drinks on the Boardwalk (AbracadaBAR or Jelly Rolls) makes sense.

For drinks in general I would aim to go to a dedicated bar before/after dinner. Trader Sam's, Jock Lindsay's, places like that.

 

[PixieDustMamma]

There are also some great Disney Springs restaurants and plenty of bars for yummy drinks. One of my favorites is the Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar. We went there and to Morimoto Asia for my bday last year and it is wonderful. You could also tomato Trader SAMs and Ohana or Kona and then take in wishes on the beach of the Poly.

 

[Matt in the Hatt]

I would suggest yachtsman's steakhouse

 

[HouCuseChickie]

We've eaten at all three and really enjoy the food at all three. While I enjoy Brown Derby and have great food and drinks there, it tends to feel more casual, since it's in a park. Flying Fish will definitely feel more signature than Sanaa and the pork belly and wagyu in the menu updates have been getting a lot of raves, but Sanaa is such a gorgeous setting, it's a non-signature with a signature feel, and the food is wonderful. If possible, I'd do both of those...but make Flying Fish your special meal. Actually, if you wanted to do all three, the Brown Derby has a great lounge- offering both the restaurant and lounge menu- and can make for a nice relaxing afternoon of people watching and snacking.

 

[Tori the Traveler]

If those are your option, I would choose Sanaa. We have loved our dinners there.

We were in WDW in march for my 40th and did the Yachtsman. Highly recommended.

YES! My family and I have always wanted to go to Yachtsman, but have just never found the time. This might be it! Thanks!

 

[Tori the Traveler]

There are also some great Disney Springs restaurants and plenty of bars for yummy drinks. One of my favorites is the Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar. We went there and to Morimoto Asia for my bday last year and it is wonderful. You could also tomato Trader SAMs and Ohana or Kona and then take in wishes on the beach of the Poly.

That's a great idea! I think regardless of the restaurant I choose for my birthday dinner we will definitely get after dinner drinks at Trader Sam's for a little party and take in Wishes on the beach! Plus, we have City Walk passes, so I think that's the night plan for getting a little bit lit, hahaha! Thanks for your wonderful suggestion, PixieDustMamma!

 

[Tori the Traveler]

You have narrowed it down to some great restaurants! I personally love Sanaa, but Flying Fish recently re-opened and features a cocktail lounge next door (AbracadaBAR), plus it's on the Boardwalk (perfect touch of Disney whimsy) -- so I think that meets all your criteria! I can't wait to try it out since its re-opening.

Here's more info: https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...-restaurant-opens-today-on-disneys-boardwalk/

Yes! That's why I added into the list of possibilities. I saw the DisneyFoodBlog review and the photos of the reno are gorgeous. I was familiar with it before and always gave it a pass because it never really stood out like other Disney Sig. Dining options but now? It's so BEAUTIFUL inside. That's the main reason I want to go. I want to have a really swanky, sophisticated dinner before we head to an on property bar and then City Walk for some fun. I think I'm leaning toward Flying Fish, now. Plus, I can use a Signature Dining option on the Dining Plan!