Walt Disney World has so many amazing restaurants! You don’t have to look far for an incredible character dining experience for the family. What about the adults looking for a romantic meal for two at Walt Disney World? We have you covered! We love a romantic setting and we know just where to look for the best Walt Disney World restaurants. These restaurants will be perfect for your romantic night out. In this post we will list out our top 5 restaurants for adults at Disney World!
Traveling with Kids?
Parents deserve a night out too! We’re going to tell you how easy it actually is to plan a romantic night out without the kids. Even if you are traveling with little ones and don’t have anyone to watch them, you can still enjoy a night out. A great option is using in-room babysitting! Kids Nite Out offers convenient babysitting right in your Disney resort hotel room. Click here for more information and details.
Transportation to the Restaurants
All of our recommendations are located at one of Walt Disney World’s beautiful Deluxe resorts. This means they won’t require a park ticket, making them easily accessible. Plus you aren’t going to battle crowds of families while you travel to your dining location.
Complimentary Transportation Options
While Disney has complimentary transportation throughout the WDW resort, they don’t have direct transportation between most resorts. The exceptions are those resorts on the monorail or Skyliner. If you aren’t already staying at one of these resorts you plan to have your romantic meal at, you may want to skip using Disney’s complimentary transportation if it means having to take multiple buses. This a romantic night out, something your significant other spent hours getting ready for, so don’t make them ride the bus!
Minnie Vans, Lyft or Uber
This would be a great opportunity to make use of a Minnie Van or Lyft/Uber. Disney offers special Lyft vehicles themed like Minnie Mouse which are perfect for the occasion. You can order these just like a regular Lyft vehicle and if you haven’t used Lyft yet, I recommend you try it for the first time on Disney Property! It’s so convenient and really easy to use.
Without further ado let’s get into the best Disney World restaurants for adults!
Jiko
First up is Jiko! Prepare to be transported to Africa, not only with these amazing African flavors but in a physical sense too. Jiko is located in Disney’s beautiful Animal Kingdom resort. Animal Kingdom Lodge transports its guests from central Florida to the Savannah. Jiko’s menu is inspired by traditional African cuisine. Other favorites such as Indian and Mediterranean flavors await you as well. Guests can enjoy the dual wood burning ovens, warm lighting and open show kitchen as Jiko’s atmosphere transports you to the heart of Africa.
Menu
Click HERE to see the full menu.
Before you head to your meal, be on the lookout for over 30 different species of African wildlife. Throughout the resort there are many beautiful vantage points where you can view the safari. Enjoy cozy seating areas and each other’s company gazing out into the Savannah with giraffes, zebras and other animal species.
Want Something Unique?
For those who want to do something unique with their significant other, Animal Kingdom Lodge offers private/group safari encounters. The evening end with enjoying a multi-course meal, sampling African inspired breads and appetizers, desserts, and South African wines.
If you or your significant other loves wildlife, the sense of wonder and African cuisine look no further than Jiko!
Yachtsman Steakhouse
Known for some of the best steaks in all of Walt Disney World, it’s so easy to see why Yachtsman Steakhouse would make our top 5 list for adult dining! Yacht Club resort is an easy pick for a romantic setting. The resort already has more of an adult atmosphere compared to many of the other Disney resorts. Disney’s Boardwalk is steps away which is the perfect place for a stroll after dinner. The boardwalk is typically very lively with jugglers, small carnival games, and is all around a fun, romantic walk. We love spending an evening walking around the lagoon. If you have park hopper tickets or spent the day in Epcot, another perfect way to end your meal is to walk into Epcot via the World Showcase entrance and watch the fireworks!
Menu
Click HERE to see the full menu.
The Steak Debate: Yachtsman vs. Le Cellier
One of the great debates among avid Disney foodies is Yachtsman Steakhouse vs. Le Cellier Steakhouse. While both are amazing options, we feel there are just a few things that Yachtsman Steakhouse pulls ahead in for a romantic night out. Below, we have highlighted a few main differences between the restaurants.
Yachtsman Steakhouse is located in Disney’s Yacht Club resort which makes it convenient to get to. No park ticketed needed unlike Le Cellier Steakhouse which is in Epcot’s World showcase. While both restaurants have great atmospheres, Le Cellier is always crowded and it’s a known popular pick. You will find a lot more reviews of Le Cellier before you even read one about Yachtsman Steakhouse. Yachtsman is definitely lesser known but it’s popularity is growing as people find out about this hidden gem. Yachtsman Steakhouse pulls ahead in atmosphere for couples, it just feels a little more suited for elegance.
I won’t even get into the great debate about which one has the better steak. Both of these restaurant’s steaks are amazing and the only way you are going to have a good comparison is to try them both for yourself and make a personal decision! There certainly isn’t a clear cut winner in terms of the food.
By a small margin, Yachtsman Steakhouse makes our list ahead of Le Cellier Steakhouse for adult dining because of the atmosphere and location. However, we do feel Le Cellier at least deserves an honorable mention on this list.
Citricos
If you are looking for something a little more classical, Citricos located at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is going to be perfect. The Grand Floridian is one of the most iconic resorts, known for its Victorian style design and luxurious atmosphere. Citricos specializes in vibrant Mediterranean-style dishes and has an award winning wine list to look forward to. Citricos design continues the elegant theming of the Grand Floridian, with Victorian decor and mosaic tile flooring throughout the restaurant. An open onstage kitchen and tables that overlook the beautiful courtyard of the Grand Floridian contribute to this delightful vibrant atmosphere.
Menu
Click HERE to see the full menu.
Romantic Atmosphere
Citricos lounge is yet another reason to plan a romantic evening at the Grand Floridian. Guests can enjoy a relaxing bar setting with cocktails, beers, and international wines. After evening drinks, take a romantic walk around the beautiful Grand Floridian grounds or stop by the lobby for live musical entertainment. If you are visiting during the holidays, the Grand Floridan has some of the most gorgeous decorations and a Christmas tree stretching 40 feet tall! If you are looking for a quieter setting try a romantic walk between the Grand Floridan and the Polynesian resort. The Polynesian also inspires a romantic atmosphere so if you want a change of scenery, it’s worth the trip! The Polynesian is also home to Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, another of the best lounges at Walt Disney World.
Extra Special Experiences
Like the other restaurants on our list, there are several added ways to celebrate a special occasion. You can reserve a private room or indulge in the eating experience called “The Chef Domain”. Meet with masters in the kitchen as you unwind and enjoy flavorful selections from the menu. The Chef’s Domain has views of the onstage kitchen for you to watch or interact with culinary experts that are preparing your meal.
California Grill
California Grill is perfect restaurant for a romantic vibrant evening with panoramic views of Magic Kingdom and the surrounding area. This restaurant offers some of the best firework dining experiences across all of Walt Disney World. They even pipe the music into the restaurant for an incredible romantic setting. Dining reservations in general can be tough to get and nearly impossible for firework viewing times. If you are want to dine at California Grill, you’ll want to book this dining experience right at 180 days. Luckily, even if you don’t get a dining time during the fireworks, you can still come back to watch later! Guests who dine earlier in the day can return to watch the fireworks either from the California Grill Lounge or outside at the California Grill observation deck!
It’s Not Just About the Views!
In addition to it’s amazing views, California Grill is also known for it’s truly delicious cuisine. In addition to its variety of dishes, one of the neat aspects of California Grill is the seasonal menu which changes throughout the year. To complete those amazing dishes there are over 300 hand-picked wines to choose from. Additionally, California Grill has a great lounge to enjoy some evening cocktails. If you are staying in the Contemporary you might want to check out the lounge in the evening just for cocktails as it’s one of the best lounges across all of Disney World.
Menu
Click HERE to see the full menu.
Special Occasions
California Grill offers so many “magical additions” such as special fireworks viewings, special events like New Years Elegant Evening Under the Stars, or even having a beautiful keepsake delivered right to your special someone during dinner. This would be a perfect restaurant for a proposal! The sky is the limit (literally) as you gaze across the way at the beautiful fireworks in Magic Kingdom. This is one of the most romantic restaurants at Disney World for adults. If you are looking for a romantic restaurant to plan a truly unforgettable evening then California Grill is the place.
Victoria & Albert’s
We saved the best for last! This is a signature dining experience like no other: Victoria & Albert’s. Dine in one of the most prominent restaurants not only in Walt Disney World but the entire East coast. Victoria & Albert’s takes the timeless elegance of the Grand Floridian design and indulges it’s guests in a superior fine dining experience. You almost can’t compare Victoria & Albert’s to the other restaurants as it’s in a league of its own. The other restaurants on our list are superb, but if you’re looking for the true top restaurant in all of Disney World look no further than Victoria & Albert’s. This restaurant has won AAA’s Five Diamond Award and the Forbes Travel Guide 5 star award. It was also Trip Advisor’s 2017 #2 restaurant in all of the US and holds countless other awards.
Wine and Cocktails
Victoria & Albert’s features an award winning wine list with over 700 diverse selections. Disney’s newest lounge, the Enchanted Rose (located on the 2nd floor of the Grand Floridian) is an ideal place to indulge in cocktails before or after dinner.
Menu
Click HERE to see the full menu.
Guests can expect elegance at its finest at Victoria & Albert’s. From the luxurious romantic ambiance down to the fine Italian table linens and freshly cut flowers, this restaurant is sure to delight. Eating at Victoria & Albert’s just isn’t a meal; it’s an experience! An experience that transports you back in time when dining was a ritual of service and elegance. Of all the Disney World restaurants, for adults this is truly the best!
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our top 5 best restaurants for adults. Wherever you decide to eat, we know you will be in great hands! All of Walt Disney’s Wolrd’s restaurants provide delicious cuisine and a memorable experience! What do you think is the best restaurants for adults at Walt Disney World?
Further Reading
- All About the Disney Skyliner
- Best Disney Resorts for Adults
- Where to Stay at Walt Disney World: Resort Guide
- Top Tips for a Disney World Honeymoon
- Complete Guide to Choosing your Fastpasses
- Riviera Resort Review
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