I know that just being at Walt Disney World is quite a celebration itself, but if you're looking for a specific restaurant to celebrate a special day whether it's a birthday, anniversary or something else you want to celebrate, the following are my personal favourite locations to celebrate (keep in mind this list was made with adults in mind, so if you have a seven-year-old who wants to celebrate their birthday I would recommend Chef Mickey's or a different restaurant).
California Grill, Contemporary Resort
I personally recommend the brunch at California grill - it is fantastic with all-you-can-eat sushi. The dinner service is also fantastic - I've also had some amazing steak there and there's even a create your own Bloody Mary bar. Like most of the restaurants on this list it is a bit more expensive but it's for a special occasion so I feel like it's definitely worth it.
Victoria & Albert’s, Grand Floridian Resort
This is Disney’s best restaurant by a wide margin. The difference between Victoria & Albert’s and a restaurant that’s merely “very good” is that a “very good” restaurant is probably known for a few signature dishes it does well. At Victoria & Albert’s, every single menu item is exceptional. Each course — and there are 7 to 10 of them on the tasting menus — is prepared by accomplished chefs, using the best ingredients available regardless of cost, presented in innovative ways, by servers whose knowledge is frankly astounding. Also astounding is the price, which starts at $185 per person for the 7-course tasting menu, and goes to $235 per person for the 10-course menu. Add in a wine pairing ($65 to $150 per person), caviar, and gratuity, and dinner for two people will top $1,000. Formal attire is required to dine at Victoria & Albert's.
Boma – Flavors of Africa, Animal Kingdom Lodge
The Boma buffet has been one of our favourites since it opened more than fifteen years ago. The buffet is enormous — stretching down almost the entire length of the restaurant and continuing along one side. If the food at Jiko is a tempered introduction to African, Asian, and Indian cuisine, the food at Boma is even more so. For every pot of mulligatawny (a curry-flavored stew with meats and vegetables) there’s a tray of chicken nuggets and fries. My favorite here is the carving station with roasted meat and sauces. The dessert options are wonderful too. Both breakfast and dinner are buffet style.
Artist Point, Wilderness Lodge
Artist Point features food from the Pacific Northwest. Its house specialty for years has been salmon roasted on a cedar plank, which won’t steer you wrong. We've eaten at Artist Point many time and really enjoy the Braised Short Rib Bolognese, with thick egg noodles and mushrooms. If you’ve got a large group, the charcuterie board is stocked with boar, venison, and pork is a good option. Pair that with the cheese board of five samples, and you’re off to a good start. Another yummy entree is the buffalo strip loin, two perfect pieces of meat with just salt and pepper on top. The most popular side dish is a truffle macaroni and cheese.
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop, Beach Club Resort
Beaches & Cream serves old-fashioned hamburgers and fries, plus traditional American diner food, milkshakes, and sundaes. It’s not a fancy menu, but the burgers are cooked fresh and at $16 each are considerably better (and a few dollars cheaper) than many other table service places in Walt Disney World. Reservations are exceptionally difficult to get at Beaches & Cream because of its small size — it might hold a few dozen people, tops. If you can get your family in, try the Kitchen Sink sundae: scoop after scoop of ice cream served with every topping on the menu — it serves four people.
Monsieur Paul, France Pavilion, Epcot
Monsieur Paul is definitely one of the most grown-up of all Epcot restaurants. It’s a true fine-dining experience tucked away upstairs in the France Pavilion. It’s quite expensive, but is perfect for date night without kids. The menu is unique and the food is always excellent. Dinner is the only meal served at Monsieur Paul, so you can always expect a special experience. The prix fixe meal is the restaurant’s signature offering. The menu changes often, but always has a variety of top-notch choices. Appetizers range from fancy soups to crab legs. For entrees, you can always expect a good mix of beef, chicken, and fish. The Beef Tenderloin is my personal go-to. Also, the restaurant is known for commonly having a great Sea Bass dish on the menu. Dessert is a big highlight for Monsieur Paul, so don’t leave without it. There are a handful of the usual suspects- cake, ice cream, meringue, but I recommend the “La Sphere”. The La Sphere is a chocolate sphere filled with chocolate almond cake, chocolate cream, pralines, hazelnut biscuit, chocolate ice cream, and cognac sauce. The presentation is beautiful and the dessert itself is delicious.
Jiko - The Cooking Place, Animal Kingdom Lodge
Jiko is one of Disney World’s overall best restaurants. Jiko’s food is outstanding. It’s a mix of African and Mediterranean-inspired dishes that are unique, but not so out of the ordinary that a picky eater can’t enjoy a meal here. My personal favorite item on the menu is the Botswana Short Rib. You hear “fall-off-the-bone-tender” a lot at restaurants, but Jiko’s short rib is deserving of that claim. Lamb, steak, chicken, seafood- all of it is top quality and incorporates just enough African flair. Lots of imported wines to choose from too.
Did your favorite restaurant make the list? Are there any restaurants that you feel I missed? Let me know in the comments.
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