The Michelin Guide Devotee — Victoria and Albert

No, technically, Victoria and Albert does not have a Michelin star — one of the most prestigious distinctions in dining. But what it does have is a decades-long run as a AAA Five Diamond Award recipient (one of only three restaurants in Florida to have such an award). It’s received countless other distinctions, including awards from Forbes, Trip Advisor, Wine Spectator, and many other places. 

If you are looking for fine dining at Walt Disney World, there is no other option even in the same conversation.

Chef Scott Hunnel prepares a seasonal tasting menu that is an elegant and refined tour of the culinary world. One recent menu included everything from gulf shrimp and Maine scallops to Kobe beef.

It is not inexpensive, naturally, but you are someone for whom this meal is the centerpiece of your vacation. And, if you’re looking to push it to yet another level, there’s a 10-course Chef’s Table as well. That’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

The Gourmand — Ohana

Victoria and Albert’s is for the gourmets, but they can be a bit fussy. That’s where the gourmands come in: people who love to eat — plenty of food, and all kinds. 

For you, friends, there is a paradise, and it is called Ohana. 

It is not the only all-you-care-to-eat option at Walt Disney World, but it is the best — serving up Brazilian-steakhouse-style skewers of meat that guests can call to their table on a whim. 

The meats, ranging from chicken, to steak, to shrimp, are the heart of the meal, but Ohana’s famed sides — including a delicious lo mein and vegetable stir fry — make it the calling card of the Disney gourmand. 

Just leave room for dessert: the Bread Pudding might be the most beloved dish for sweettooths at Walt Disney World. 

The Spectacle Seeker — California Grill

I’m simple. If you can give me delicious food, and then punctuate it with arguably the greatest fireworks show on the planet, I’m happy. 

The California Grill’s food is amazing, which makes all the more shocking that the food is entirely secondary to the experience. Perched atop the Contemporary Resort, guests at the California Grill are greeted with the best view on Disney property. Large, floor to ceiling windows encircle the restaurant, making you feel like you’re eating in the world’s most luxurious hot air balloon. 

But, to top it all off, guests who eat here are welcome to return to watch the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks show from an open-air gallery on the roof of the Contemporary — complete with the soundtrack. If you time it right, the fireworks start right as your meal concludes, and it will be a memory you’ll never forget.