“The sweet caress of twilight. There’s magic everywhere, and with all this romantic atmosphere, disaster’s in the air.” As you try to have a romantic evening with your loved one as Walt Disney World this Valentine’s Day it is important to ensure that a disaster does not occur! Avoid disaster with this list of some of my favorite fine dining options at the Walt Disney World Resort that will make your Valentine’s Day dinner enchanting and magical.
Jiko – The Cooking Place
Dine at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge with elegant scenery immersing you into the resort’s African theme. You could either choose to enjoy your dinner surrounded by colors and textures of Africa including flying birds or by ovens so you can watch as bakers prepare bread. Despite the fact that the scenery is very immersive and beautiful you will have to adhere to the dress code of this restaurant.
This is one of the only restaurants on Walt Disney World property that has a dress code: Men may wear khakis, slacks, jeans or dress shorts and collared shirts. For women options include capri pants, skirts, dresses, jeans or dress shorts. In addition, tank tops, swimsuits, hats for gentlemen, cut-offs, torn clothing and shirts with offensive language or graphics are not allowed to be worn.
The menu offers African, Indian and Mediterranean cuisine. The appetizer selections include flatbreads and filet mignon, and entrée selections on the feature steak, chicken, and various seafood options. Additionally, all of the table services restaurants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge are very vegetarian and vegan-friendly- just ask your Cast Member which menu items will work best. For dessert, sweet potato cheesecake, pudding and strawberry shortcake are some of the tastiest options at the Walt Disney World Resort.
The Hollywood Brown Derby
This signature dining option is located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Hollywood Boulevard. It’s an exact replica of the actual Brown Derby in Los Angeles, California, and the restaurant’s interior features caricatures of iconic faces from Hollywood.
The menu offers upscale American cuisine. The appetizers options on the menu include various types of salad (crab beggars’ purse salad, cobb salad, and greens salad with champagne vinaigrette), beef carpaccio, togarashi-crusted ahi tuna, and Oyster Brie Soup. The cobb salad was actually invented in the original Hollywood location! Entrees include filet of beef, veal chop, duck, pho, salmon, chicken breast, pork chop, and grilled wagyu beef burger. For dessert, opt for a little bit of everything with the mini dessert trio including mini grapefruit cake, blueberry cobbler, banana-toffee cake, cappuccino brûlée, lemon cheesecake and dark chocolate crémeux.
Make the experience even more romantic by booking dinner as part of the Fantasmic Dining Package. With the package, you’ll enjoy a pre-fixe meal with an appetizer, entree, and dessert per person, and you’ll be able to take advantage of a reserved seating area in the Fantasmic stadium.
Flying Fish
For this restaurant, we’re heading over to Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. The magical scenery of the dining room here is very beautiful and elegant, and it comes with a similar dress code to Jiko.
The menu at Flying Fish offers various seafood selections with appetizers like mussels, pork, grouper cheek, shrimp cocktail, cheese, tomato bisque and grilled romaine. The entrée selections include octopus, cobia, shrimp, Alaskan halibut, scallop pasta, salmon, and Wagyu Strip Loin.
Complete your date night at Flying Fish with a stroll along the BoardWalk, wander into Epcot through the International Gateway entrance, or spend the evening at Jellyrolls, the resort’s dueling piano bar!
California Grill
California Grill is located high atop Disney’s Contemporary Resort. As a result, if you book your reservation at the right time, you’ll be able to take in an incredible view of Disney’s Happily Ever After fireworks in the Magic Kingdom. Dinner reservation too early? Hold onto your receipt. If you dined at California Grill earlier in the day, you can show your receipt to access the fireworks viewing area outside the restaurant.
The menu offers California cooking selections. The appetizers options on the menu include BLT flatbread, cheesesteak flatbread, oysters, various types of cheese, Caesar salad, pumpkin soup, charcuterie, apple salad, and cheese ravioli. The entrée selections include sea scallops, wagyu and shrimp ramen, swordfish, filet of beef, Colorado bison loin, bronzini, green circle chicken, braised pork shank, and pork tenderloin. For dessert cheese, chocolate cake, crème brûlée, beignets, blueberry cheesecake, caramel-almond bar, and banana cake are just some of the options on the menu.
If you don’t mind celebrating Valentine’s Day on the weekend, visit California Grill for brunch! It’s part table-service with a selection of entrees, and part buffet, featuring everything from fresh baked pastries to fan-favorite sushi, and it’s only available on Sundays.
Are you spending Valentine’s Day at the Walt Disney World Resort? Planning a special date night? Let us know what you think the most romantic Disney restaurants are in the comments!