Less-popular restaurants worth checking out?

slappy magoo

slappy magoo

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Anyone have less-popular restaurants - in either the parks or the resorts - that you'd like to champion as a frequently-overlooked gem? Especially with the Dining Plan making it near impossible to get into many of the more popular joints, it'd be nice to get some opinions on the ones frequently passed by.

I'll give a shout out to Restaurant Marrakesh. On a day where it was nigh impossible to get in any other World Showcase restaurant, we took a chance (well, *I* took a chance, my wife loves Indian food more than I) and went to Marrakesh. They were able to seat us immediately, and while the place generally seemed full, at no point did I ever notice a build up of people waiting for a table (maybe it's really popular but efficient, I don't know). The entertainment was a nice touch, too.
 
tigsmom

tigsmom

Well-Known Member
slappy magoo said:
Anyone have less-popular restaurants - in either the parks or the resorts - that you'd like to champion as a frequently-overlooked gem? Especially with the Dining Plan making it near impossible to get into many of the more popular joints, it'd be nice to get some opinions on the ones frequently passed by.

I'll give a shout out to Restaurant Marrakesh. On a day where it was nigh impossible to get in any other World Showcase restaurant, we took a chance (well, *I* took a chance, my wife loves Indian food more than I) and went to Marrakesh. They were able to seat us immediately, and while the place generally seemed full, at no point did I ever notice a build up of people waiting for a table (maybe it's really popular but efficient, I don't know). The entertainment was a nice touch, too.
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Marrakesh is one of the best bargains for lunch. We always get the "Chef's Special" - salad, entree and dessert for around $15. :slurp:
 
Yellow Shoes

Yellow Shoes

Well-Known Member
This last trip we deliberately did not go for the "biggies."

Our ADRs were at:
Plaza Restaurant
Yak and Yeti
Biergarten
Rose and Crown
Grand Floridian Cafe

Plaza Restaurant: Can't beat the location. We split a club sandwich and a yummy salad with gorgonzola cheese and strawberries. THEN we had a honkin' big banana split and a brownie sundae (with mint chip ice cream instead of vanilla)

Biergarten: Fun atmosphere. It's a buffet. Everyone can find something they like here.

Rose and Crown: OK--maybe it is a "biggie," but my DH wanted to go there again. The steak on my steak and fish platter was really tough and tasteless, despite being cooked to my specifications.

Yak and Yeti: Easily the best meal we had all week. The miso salmon was amazing. I had a steak and shrimp dinner that was well executed also.

Grand Floridian Cafe: Lovely atmosphere, and it wasn't packed full. Pork chop for me; popcorn crusted mahi mahi for DH. The fish was surprisingly good. I know it sounds weird, but it was yummy. Chocolate fondue for me--warm chocolate sauce with marshmallows, pineapple, strawberries, and bananas. DH had sampler size of key lime pie and a chocolate mousse thing.
 
aeillill

aeillill

Active Member
The Biergarten in Germany never seems to be on the top of peoples favourite lists. But it really is great, well as long as you like German food I suppose. The band also does shows quite frequently.
It's never been overly full, unfortunately you have to sit with other people. Which is fine for most people but if you're lacking in social skills like me it's sort of awful.
 
Tiggerfanatic

Tiggerfanatic

Well-Known Member
We really enjoyed Biergarten - like everyone has said, the buffet makes it easy for just about everyone to find something they like, and the entertainment was a lot of fun. (I was actually looking forward to sharing a table and meeting new people, but the people we were seated with acted like we were raining on their parade.....)

And, I have to agree with Marrakesh, I really didn't want to go - DD talked me into it. After we got there, it was one of our better meals. I actually liked it better than California Grill.
 
yankspy

yankspy

Well-Known Member
I would agree with others about the biergarten and the GF cafe. I would also add the Garden Grove Cafe at the Swan. Great quiet place to have breakfast. I would also suggest Captain Jacks in DTD.
 
minnie2000

minnie2000

Well-Known Member
I recommend the Biergarten too. The food is great, German specialities, but also plain food for the more fussy guest! The entertainment was fun, but I'm not sure about the table-sharing thing. This has put us off going there previously. We went this year, and the four of us shared the table with a newly married couple in their fifties, who were really nice, and a mother and (grown-up) son (I think - I didn't ask what the relationship was) who were a bit strange. I think I would prefer it to just be us, because you could be really unlucky with who you end up with!
 
RogueHabit

RogueHabit

Well-Known Member
aeillill said:
The Biergarten in Germany never seems to be on the top of peoples favourite lists. But it really is great, well as long as you like German food I suppose. The band also does shows quite frequently.
It's never been overly full, unfortunately you have to sit with other people. Which is fine for most people but if you're lacking in social skills like me it's sort of awful.
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I must agree, we've done lunch here 3 times and it's on our list for next month as well.
 
Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
Trails End Buffet at FW gets my vote for the best hidden gem. The lunch menu recently changed in a negative way but the dinner menu remained the same. The food is great and simple, ADR's are easy to get and it is just a short boat ride from MK.

Honorable mention would go to Boatwright's. I have only had breakfast there but the banana stuffed French toast with strawberry sauce is smack your grandma down good.
 
slappy magoo

slappy magoo

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Master Yoda said:
Trails End Buffet at FW gets my vote for the best hidden gem. The lunch menu recently changed in a negative way but the dinner menu remained the same. The food is great and simple, ADR's are easy to get and it is just a short boat ride from MK.
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The Trails' End buffet during lunch changed to a (mostly) cold buffet, like sandwiches and cold fried chicken. Apparently they were throwing away so much food during lunch (because no one goes there during lunch), that they thought that a cold buffet would cut down on waste.
 
Master Yoda

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
slappy magoo said:
The Trails' End buffet during lunch changed to a (mostly) cold buffet, like sandwiches and cold fried chicken. Apparently they were throwing away so much food during lunch (because no one goes there during lunch), that they thought that a cold buffet would cut down on waste.
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I am just not much on the cold lunch. That is why it was a downgrade IMHO. Dinner is still the bomb digidy there but I do miss using Trails end as a mid day lunch break from MK.
 
MKCP 1985

MKCP 1985

Well-Known Member
Restaurant Marrakesh could be named Marra-retch. :hurl:

I'll spare you the details, but that's not based on subjective opinion; rather, visual observation. :lookaroun So, I'll pass on that one, but I do know people who like it. :)

Are suggestions limited to table service? If so, I can't help you.

But if you can't get a table service reservation, it is hard to beat Pinocchio Village Haus in Fantasyland for counter service and ambiance if you grab a table at the window overlooking Small World. Very relaxing.

Flame Tree at Animal Kingdom is even better! Walk down and grab a table in the seating area overlooking the lake and Everest. It is the awesomest!
 
CBug88

CBug88

Member
Plaza Restuarant in MK is wonderful as well as Harbour house and Pecos Bills in MK if you are looking for something a little quicker.
 
H20Babie

H20Babie

Well-Known Member
I really enjoyed the Kona Cafe at the Poly -- best meal I had the whole the trip.

I decided to try Marrakesh as well, and it is now probably at the bottom of my list.

To each her own :)
 
sarabi

sarabi

New Member
wow, I love that Boatwright's has been mentioned. I've stayed at POR several times and never have I eaten there. I now wish I had.

I have a recommend a couple of the Boardwalk restaurants here: Spoodles was fantastice several years ago for dinner. Last time I went, I convinced my party to give Flying Fish a try based on the reviews and menu posted here. I was not dissappointed. I think that was the best meal of my trip. For someplace i had never heard of prior to joining this board, it was a place we all agreed would become a tradition.

I really am quite fond of Flame Tree's seating, too. I wouldn't say it's an overlooked place at all, but the seating is, and the seating is why I eat there.
 

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