Would you believe me if I told you that you can find some of the most delicious meals on vacation at Disney World? If you’ve never been, you may not think that’s true. After all, Disney World is known for theme parks. Theme parks are not notorious for great cuisine.
Little known fact, Disney World resorts are home to some of the highest quality dining. This includes Victoria and Alberts at the Grand Floridian -the only AAA Diamond Award winning restaurant in the Orlando Area.
Photo: @bizzyrunninganddizn
Where you’ll find good food on your vacation
If you add in the Disney Springs area which has a multitude of fine restaurants, 5 being James Beard Award Winners in fact, Epcot with its multicultural cuisine plus quite a few dining locations in the other 3 theme parks, you have a foodie’s paradise.
This week, the Disney culinary team is adding new, enticing dishes and cocktails to some of their resort menus, and they sound exciting! If you don’t get excited about food, I won’t judge you, but let’s take a look at what’s NEW!
Photo: @dizndonohues
The Enchanted Rose Lounge at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
The Enchanted Rose Lounge at The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is the spot to relax, enjoy an appetizer and have a unique cocktail while taking in the Beauty and the Beast themed elegance of your surroundings. This is not your average Disney princess atmosphere though.
The theming is subtle and upscale as is the food and drinks. Caviar anyone? New to this menu today, guests will be able to sample Siberian Caviar with an egg yolk spread, crème fraiche, caper berries and brioche. Also available starting now, you can get:
- Charcuterie Board
- Artisanal cheeses
- Hummus with tapenade, smoked paprika and grilled pita bread
- Seasonal Flatbread with artichoke, fig ricotta, roasted garlic, and watercress
And Smoked Trout and Crab Dip. According to Disney this dish “features salmon roe, chive oil and sesame seed lavish combined into a beautiful and tasty dish”.
Boatwright’s Dining Hall at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort- Riverside
You will get a good taste of the south, specifically the Cajun cuisine at Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts.
photo: @thewanderingwayfinder
POR-Riverside is adding a classic lowcountry Seafood Boil with shrimp and mussels combined with Andouille Sausage, corn, and potatoes. Also available is:
- Blackened Prime Rib with Cajun butter and vegetables
- Taste of The Bayou: All you care to enjoy hickory smoked ribs, crispy chicken, smoked sausage, BBQ beef brisket, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, roasted corn with Cajun butter and seasonal vegetables. WHEW!
- Harvest Red Beans and Rice: plant based
Not to mention Dessert…
- Southern Cheesecake: vanilla cheesecake with a bourbon caramel sauce and pecan-praline brittle
- Plant based Peach-Blackberry Cobbler
- Mississippi Mud Crème Brulé: Milk chocolate crème Brule with a sable Breton cookie and fresh fruit.
- Row Row Oar Your Boat Sundae
- Cookies and Milk
Lastly at Boatwrights Dining Hall you can try the Big Easy Whisky Sour! This twist on a classic has Maker’s Mark, lemon juice, and pure cane sugar with a float of Fess Parker Big Easy Red Blend.
The River Roost Lounge at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort- Riverside
See, we were done at this resort with charming southern comfort food!!
The River Roost Lounge is a quaint spot at the resort to enjoy a drink and a quick small bite when you need some adult time. Available now, you can sample the plant based creamy spinach and artichoke dip. You can put it together with their new signature cocktail- The French 75. This drink mixes Argyle Sparkling Brut, Hendricks Gin, fresh lemon juice and pure can sugar.
Scat Cat’s Club (lounge) at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort-French Quarter
This is my favorite! I’m a big fan of the French Quarter. Not only will you find GREAT entertainment at this lounge on most nights, but now you can get the Sassy Sassagoula Sliders along with your regular boozy beignets. That sounds like a great night out to me.
This trio of sliders is described as BBQ jackfruit with slaw and fried pickles, fried green tomatoes with giardiniera and pepper jelly and a fish cake with spicy remoulade and arugula.
Bar Riva at Disney’s Riviera Resort
The gorgeous style and delicious dishes at Disney’s Riviera Resort are heavily influenced by the French and Italian Riviera- as the name would suggest. They are amping it up! Now, at Bar Riva-the pool side quick service spot-you can order The Burrata Salad. This salad is heavy on the Burrata cheese and includes heirloom tomatoes, fresh pesto, and focaccia bread. Also new on the menu:
- The Salmon with Orzo
- Mushroom Arancini- mushroom, risotto, cheese, and truffle fried into bite size goodness with marinara dipping sauce
For an added sweet moment, you can also get the molten chocolate cake -and that’s just at the pool bar!
Prima Piatto at Disney’s Riviera Resort
The Riviera Signature Cookie is now available! Try this huge, warm cookie filled with semi sweet chocolate chips, oats, California walnuts, toasted pistachios, dried cherries, and flake sea salt.
Belle Vue Lounge at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
Photo: @bizzyrunninganddizn
Would you like to enjoy an Orange Blossom Manhattan for the holiday season? Try one at this quiet and comfortable lounge inside the resort.
You can make your way to the Boardwalk Inn and enjoy the Sparkling Hibiscus with Sorel Hibiscus Liqueur and sparkling grapefruit if you would like something lighter or try the Agave Garden for a non-alcoholic passionfruit and green tea based mocktail.
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