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Hungry and looking for a delicious meal? This restaurant is Disney World’s best kept secret…and it’s just steps away from the Magic Kingdom!
Table Service at Disney World
There are so many great options for table service at Walt Disney World. Many restaurants serve delicious food, have fun character interactions, or have immersive experiences as part of the detailed theming and overall ambiance of the location.
Many restaurants on property are very popular. Frequently, it is necessary to get dining reservations at 60 days prior to eating at a popular restaurant. It sometimes can even be difficult to get reservations for popular restaurants at the 60 day mark!
There are some restaurants, however, that serve delicious food and yet are relatively easy to snag a reservation. Hidden gem restaurants like Olivia’s Cafe at Old Key West resort deliver consistently delicious food, and guests can often grab a same day reservation.
Possibly one of the best restaurants I’ve enjoyed on property is a hidden gem just steps from the Magic Kingdom. It is rarely discussed, so reservations are almost always available. The food is delicious, and the atmosphere is charming and beautiful. Read on to learn more about this amazing restaurant: The Grand Floridian Cafe!
Restaurant Location
The Grand Floridian Cafe is located at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. To get to the Grand Floridian from the Magic Kingdom, guests can use the walking path or take the resort monorail loop. This loop stops at the Contemporary, the Transportation and Ticket Center, The Polynesian, and the Grand Floridian before returning to the Magic Kingdom.
Guests can also travel to the Transportation and Ticket Center and catch a monorail, take a Disney bus to the Grand Floridian, take a boat, or drive their own vehicles. The restaurant is tucked around the corner from the Grand Floridian lobby on the first floor. If you enter into the lobby, go straight back and turn to the left and you will find it!
Restaurant Atmosphere
The restaurant’s atmosphere fits the overall theme of the Grand Floridian itself. It is Victorian and classic. The space feels somehow formal yet informal, sophisticated yet light and airy. Described on the Walt Disney World website as “Victorian Charm with a View”, the website states that the restaurant allows guests to:
Drink in delightful views of the rose gardens and courtyard pool as you dine on inspired favorites. Open for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the Grand Floridian Cafe is a hidden gem that offers moderately priced cuisine with maximum flavor.
Walt Disney World Website
The space has large windows that look out onto the beautiful Grand Floridian grounds and let in lots of natural light.
The decor highlights pastel colors and includes artwork and decor that is both classic and unique.
Farmhouse elements like a rooster and hog weather vane mix together with elaborate chandeliers and unique Victorian artwork and, somehow, it all works!
Grand Floridian Cafe Menu Options
The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch (affectionately known as Blunch) and dinner.
The Blunch menu, with items ranging from $15 to $34.99 per adult, includes classic breakfast entree options such as Steak and Eggs and the Grand Breakfast which includes two eggs served with bacon, sausage, and Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole. This menu also includes unique favorites like the Buttermilk-fried Chicken and Waffle and the Lobster ‘Thermidor’ Burger.
Other delicious blunch offerings include the Brioche French Toast, the Roasted Tomato and Feta Quiche, and the Reuben sandwich.
Some of these same options remain on the dinner menu with additions including a New York Strip Steak, a Cafe Meatloaf, and a Buttermilk-fried Chicken entree option with loaded smashed potatoes and warmed bacon vinaigrette.
The restaurant offers desserts such as a neopolitan cheesecake, apple crisp, and a Florida Key Lime pie.
Kid’s meals, mocktails, cocktails, and a large list of other beverages are available for purchase.
Food Review
I (Jaelyn) visited this restaurant with my mom and sister on a recent trip. We each ordered a different entree to try. My sister ordered the Lobster Thermidor Burger. She said,
“The Lobster Thermidor Burger from the Grand Floridian Cafe was simply decadent. The burger was perfectly cooked and topped with tender pieces of lobster covered in a delicious and creamy thermidor sauce. The highlight of the burger for me was the Parmesan crisp that added an unexpected crunch to balance the burger perfectly.”
Taryn Moore after dining at the Grand Floridian Cafe
My mom ordered a less adventurous but equally delicious meal: Steak and Eggs. Her steak was cooked exactly as she requested and she particularly loved the Cheesy Hash Brown casserole that came as a side to the dish.
For my entree, I chose the Buttermilk-fried Chicken and Waffle. This is a hand-breaded chicken breast and malted waffle with sriracha-honey drizzle. Hands down, this is one of the best dishes I’ve had on property at Walt Disney World! The chicken was flavorful and delicious. It paired perfectly with the waffle.
The sriracha-honey drizzle was the perfect bridge between the two items and created a flavor profile that was sweet, spicy, savory, and delicious. Just as the atmosphere of the Grand Floridian Cafe seems to celebrate duality, this signature and fan-favorite dish does the same in its flavor profile.
Truthfully we have nothing but rave reviews to share about the food at Grand Floridian Cafe. I highly suggest ordering the Buttermilk-fried Chicken and Waffle, as I think it is absolutely divine, but my sister will argue that the Lobster Thermidor Burger is an equally delectable choice!
Overall Thoughts
Overall, I think the Grand Floridian Cafe is a perfect hidden gem on the Walt Disney World property. The atmosphere, broad menu selection, and food quality make this a top choice. Additionally, the fact that reservations are readily available and the restaurant’s convenient location make the Grand Floridian Cafe a winning choice.
Have you eaten at the Grand Floridian Cafe? What was your experience like? What dishes did you enjoy? Comment below or on our Facebook page to continue the conversation.
Share the love!
William warner
Sunday 4th of September 2022
My heart breaks with the down fall of Walts dream under present leadership
Elvis
Wednesday 24th of August 2022
This is the exact same chicken and waffle they serve at the Sleepy Hollow quick service in Magic Kingdom only it comes on a round waffle to fold up like a taco and the most amazing coleslaw. $11.99 and worth every penny!!
I can't go to MK without getting the chicken. And waffle and then a quick.walk to adventure land passed the pastrami spring roll cart!!!
Now I'm hungry!
I also agree with the one comment made about Cast Member morale. It's really in the tank right now and I truly hope Disney can find its way back to its prepandemic glory. They lost a lot of goodwill they way they turned their backs on their park employees and the ruthlessness with how they gave the kids in the college program less than two days to get out of their housing and leave.
It will take real leadership to get the magic back, unfortunately I think it's lacking right now and I regardless of profits I don't think the current management has what it takes to being it back.
It seems like there's someone in my pockets from rope drop to fireworks. They are really trying to squeeze every penny out of there IP before it all becomes public domain. Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar? These aren't the reasons people make the pilgrimage to Walt's and they know it. I fear Disney is going to lose its premium park luster. While their competitors innovate and invent Disney flounders trying to reinvent itself.
In the meantime...I'm going to get all the chicken and waffles I can get my hands on!
Browan
Tuesday 16th of August 2022
Everytime my wife and I go to MK we share breakfast here and basically get free parking or breakfast depending on how you look at it. The food is delicious. Been for blunch and dinner. Easily the most underrated restaurant on property.
Jon Piazza
Sunday 7th of August 2022
Every time I have been there the food has excellent.
Savannah Reynolds
Saturday 6th of August 2022
I think Disney socks right now