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2. Le Cellier & Artist Point (Alternatives: Flying Fish, Monsieur Paul, and Jiko)

Family enjoying a meal at Flying Fish

Image: Disney

Walt Disney World generally has a great track record for steakhouses. Guests hungry for a traditional steakhouse experience can choose from a wide range including the Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club, Shula’s at the Dolphin, and the Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Unfortunately, there has been some shifts at two of Disney’s longest reigning steakhouse favorites. On one hand, Epcot’s cozy Le Cellier has suffered what many guests feel is a decline in quality compared to its former glory. Disney dining can get expensive, and some guests just feel Le Cellier doesn’t make the cut anymore for their hefty prices.

Our top alternative that we used to recommend was Wilderness Lodge’s Artist Point—a restaurant so acclaimed that top foodies said it was one of the best places to eat on Disney property besides Victoria and Albert’s. Unfortunately, Artist Point also went through changes recently to convert it to a Snow White themed character dining experience. While the restaurant is still highly praised (you’ll see it again on our list later), it no longer fits the profile it used to for an adult signature dining experience.

The good news is that signature dining is one of the areas where Disney still shines, and there are a lot of choices to pick from. For vibes similar to Le Cellier within Epcot, we highly recommend Monsieur Paul, the smaller, more intimate upstairs cousin to Chefs de France. While Monsieur Paul’s menu changes seasonally with the inspiration of the chef, you can be certain that on any visit, you will find a stunning array of top notch steaks, seafood, fowl, and unforgettable French cuisine.

Another strong contender is Boardwalk’s Flying Fish. This incredible restaurant is often overlooked by guests who assume the menu is all seafood, but Flying Fish remains one of the most consistently excellent signature dining experiences on Disney property. Their steak options alone include Wagyu Filet Mignon, Char-crusted New York Strip, and even a Tomahawk rib-eye for two… and that’s not even touching their delectable seafood choices.

Finally, for a more adventurous dining experience, you cannot beat Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Jiko. Jiko might initially seem an odd choice as an alternative for Le Cellier or Artist Point—their menu is generally associated with African flavors—but for steak lovers, you won’t want to miss Jiko’s perfect Oak Grilled Filet Mignon with South African Wine Glace, Bone-in Grilled Rib-eye, or their exceptional Moroccan Lamb Shank.

3. Pecos Bill Café (Alternative: Flame Tree Barbecue)

Plates of food from Flame Tree Barbecue

Image: Joel, Flickr (license)

Taking a step away from fine dining, sometimes on a busy Disney day, you just want some good quality barbecue. Pecos Bill Café at Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland has been a beloved mainstay in the park for reliable BBQ and Tex-mex cuisine for decades. Unfortunately, some guests feel the restaurant has suffered a decline in quality. Where is a Disneyphile to get some good BBQ if you just aren’t feeling Pecos Bill Café?

Walt Disney World houses a number of respectable barbecue locations, including Art Smith’s Homecoming at Disney Springs and Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge, but the most consistent favorite remains Flame Tree Barbecue at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. For many families, it’s a must-visit lunch stop for any Animal Kingdom day, and it remains one of the most reliable counter-service locations at Walt Disney World. Picky eaters especially will appreciate the simplicity of Flame Tree’s steadfast menu of ribs, chicken, pulled pork, and other barbecue favorites.

4. Akershus Royal Dining Hall (Alternatives: Artist Point, Ravello)

Steak at Artist Point
Image: Disney

This one was a surprise for us because we’ve been referring guests to Epcot’s Akershus Royal Dining Hall as a more intimate alternative to Cinderella’s Royal Table for years. While the princess storybook dining experience at Akershus remains excellent thanks to the princesses (kids will definitely get more character interaction than at Cinderella’s), many guests feel the food at Akershus just isn’t up to par. There’s no question that Cinderella’s Royal Table is a great character dining experience, but where are guests supposed to go if they can’t get a reservation or are looking for something similar to Akershus?

We mentioned Artist Point would show up again on our list, and character dining is where the new Artist Point absolutely shines. Guests can’t go on enough about the Snow White themed character dining, and the food at Artist Point remains outstanding with plenty of decadent culinary choices for the adults.

If you aren’t focused as much on Disney’s princesses, consider one of the best off-the-radar character dining experiences at Disney: Ravello at the Four Seasons Orlando. The food is absolutely the star at Ravello’s delicious brunch, and families can enjoy the company of Mickey and the gang throughout your meal. The Four Seasons remains one of the best kept secrets at Walt Disney World thanks to its secluded location in the Golden Oak gated community, and guests dining at the resort are certain to enjoy a world class experience here, not just in the restaurant but even in just exploring the grounds.

 
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