Top 5 Restaurants for Date Night at Disney World
Listen. I'm absolutely itching to go on a Disney trip right now. We went on a trip less than a year ago and had the best time, and by the end of that trip I was feeling very ready to return home. I thought I had flushed the Disney bug out of my system for awhile.... but alas, here we are again.
Whenever this feeling starts to swell in my heart (because Disney always lies within your heart) I plan trips on Disney.com to make myself feel better. I plan really expensive trips, really cheap trips, really quick trips, really long trips, trips for groups, trips for 1 person.... you get the point. I have endless excel spreadsheets comparing all the trips I plan.
Well, I've run out of fake trips to plan for today, so I thought I'd write a Disney blog post instead!
The last trip I took was with my entire family (including my adorable Grandma and her two sisters!) but my husband and I made sure to sneak away a few nights on some sweet little dates. Disney date nights are just THE BEST! There are so many options depending on the kind of date you are going for - fancy, casual, fun, fabulous, and of course MAGICAL!
Today I want to share my Top 5 Picks for Date Night at Disney World. This list is in no particular order.
Best Fancy Date Night: Flying Fish
Location: The Boardwalk Hotel
Price: $$$
Sometimes you just need to go all out on a fancy, high-class date. Especially when you are on vacation! On our most recent trip, my husband and I decided we were going to splurge one night and pick one of Disney's top rated restaurants. We watched hundreds of YouTube videos trying to decide where we'd go, and we kept changing our minds! We finally decided about two weeks before our trip to give Flying Fish a try since we were staying at the Boardwalk.
We were NOT disappointed. The food was exquisite, and though expensive, it was worth every penny. The decor was beautiful (check out all the glass fish hanging from the ceiling!) and the atmosphere was subdued, but just lovely. Our server was fantastic too! It was perfectly romantic and delicious, and we would totally go again.
They have a dress code, so make sure you pack the right clothes! It's not super dressy, but you can't wear what you would typically wear to the park. I wore a blouse with some nice jeans with flats, and my husband wore a polo shirt with his best jeans and his nicest sneakers (ha!)
I highly recommend the Kurobuta Pork Belly as an appetizer. It was fantastic and I find myself dreaming of it once in a while. I'm sad to see that the Wagyu beef is no longer on the menu online, but if you are ever there and see it... order it!!! You won't regret it.
Because the Boardwalk is walking distance to Epcot, we were able to walk over after our dinner and enjoy the fireworks from the World Showcase. We even picked up some fancy cocktails from France to sip on while we watched the show!
Casual Date Night: Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar
Location: Disney Springs
Price: $
Let's look at the opposite end of the spectrum - maybe you don't want to dress up, or spend a lot of money, or eat a lot of food. You just want to sit back, relax, and enjoy some small bites and drinks without emptying your wallet. Head on over to Disney Springs for the evening! There are so many options there for a casual date night, but my favorite by far is Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar.
You'll feel like you've stepped back in time to the 1940's at this super cool "airplane hangar turned bar." Jock Lindsey just so happens to be pilot to the coolest guy on earth - Indiana Jones! We love anything Indiana Jones themed (we named our dog Indiana, after all.) The restaurant is loaded with Indiana Jones themed decor and props. Be sure you take some time to look around at everything before you leave!
Everything on the menu, drinks included, is a clever nod to our favorite film franchise. Check out "Reggie's Revenge," a vodka based cocktail named after Jock Lindsey's beloved snake! They don't have a full menu, but tons of unique and delicious appetizers to choose from. We usually order two apps to split, and some fun drinks. Then you'll have plenty of room left to grab and ice cream or cupcake later in the night :)
There are some really unique indoor seating options, and a nice outdoor deck right on the water. Our favorite spot to sit is in the huge diving bell to the back right of the restaurant. It's nice and secluded, but you still get a great view of the restaurant interior. Plus, there are some cool mementos hanging inside the diving bell.
Fun Date Night: Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater
Location: Hollywood Studios
Price: $$
This is, hands down, my number one favorite place to eat in all of Walt Disney World. It also happens to be the PERFECT spot for a great date. This incredible restaurant is themed like a 50's style drive-in theater. When you enter the dining area, you'll feel like you are outside in a desert at night at an actual drive-in theater. You get to sit in a car-shaped booth while you watch clips of vintage sci-fi films.
The menu is made up of a great selection of all-american dishes. I personally like to order a burger and a milkshake when I'm there, just because I feel like it matches the theme. The Drive-In BBQ Burger with a side of onion rings is what I usually go with, but they sometimes have a special burger with pimento cheese on it which is soooooooooo dang good. I wish they'd make it a permanent menu item!
Each car booth sits 6 people in three rows - 2 people in each row. So, if you are there on a date you might sit in a car with 4 other people, but you won't feel like you are actually sitting with them. They'll either be in front of you or behind you, and you'll barely notice they are there.
Fabulous Date Night: California Grill
Location: The Contemporary
Price: $$$
If you want to enjoy a fantastic meal, a romantic atmosphere and watch the fireworks at the same time, then I've got the place for you! California Grill is on the top floor of the Contemporary hotel, and is a great spot for a romantic date with some entertainment included.
If you dine early in the evening before the sun goes down, you'll have fantastic view of the Seven Seas Lagoon. If you dine later in the evening, you'll be able to enjoy the fireworks from the Magic Kingdom right from your table! The restaurant dims the lights, and pumps in the music from the show so you get the full experience. You can also step outside onto the roof deck to see the fireworks, so if you don't get a seat by the window, don't worry!
The menu is made up of tons of great seafood dishes, including sushi! If you don't like seafood, there are plenty of other options as well. I highly recommend the Grilled Pork Tenderloin which comes with goat cheese polenta, artichokes, and mushrooms...basically everything I love on one plate. I had tears in my eyes when I took my first bite because I loved it so much.
The decor is very retro-modern and just feels super cool. Wine is also a HUGE thing here. They have over 1600 bottles of wine on display all over the restaurant, and there are over 80 different wines available by the glass.
Magical Date Night: Be Our Guest
Location: The Magic Kingdom
Price: $$$
There is no place more magical than the Magic Kingdom, and Be Our Guest Restaurant really exemplifies that. Though more of a quick-service restaurant for breakfast and lunch, it transforms at dinner into a high-class dining experience.
The french-inspired fair is incredible, but the atmosphere is what makes this restaurant. You will feel like you are actually at Beast's Castle in the Beauty and the Beast movie. The ceiling in the main dining room takes my breath away every time. The side rooms also have spectacular theming, and some magical elements that make your dining experience even more exciting.
Coming very soon (July 27th 2018) they are going to have a 3-course prix fixe menu for dinner. This is a tough place to get a reservation, so make sure you start checking for availability as soon as you can! Don't give up if you can't find availability at first - there are always cancellations, so keep checking back.
After you enjoy a delicious meal in this incredible restaurant, head outside for the fireworks show to end the perfect date night!!
There you go - those are my top 5 choices for the perfect Disney date night. What's your favorite date night spot at Diseny World? Share in the comments below!
