Grand Floridian Cafe Review
Grand Floridian Cafe is a table service restaurant at Walt Disney World, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In this WDW dining review, we’ll share food photos, thoughts on our meals here, and how it compares to other restaurants around the Deluxe Resorts at Walt Disney World.
For starters, Grand Floridian Cafe participates in the Disney Dining Plan as a 1-credit restaurant, and also accepts the Tables in Wonderland card. Thanks to the heavy hitting restaurant line-up in the Grand Floridian, consisting of Victoria & Albert’s, Citricos, and Narcoossee’s, you don’t normally hear much about Grand Floridian Cafe.
Given how much we’ve enjoyed other under the radar restaurants that are overshadowed by their big name counterparts (like The Wave and Sanaa), we figured we’d give it a chance…hoping it would be a similar hidden gem. Before we get to whether it was, those looking for value on the Disney Dining Plan may should consider this only if some people in your party plan on ordering the NY Strip Steak. It’s on our list of restaurants to visit to “Maximize Your Value on the Disney Dining Plan,” but mostly because of that steak.
In terms of ambiance, Grand Floridian Cafe is nothing special. There’s nothing particularly disappointing about it, and part of this might come down to me not being the biggest fan of the Grand Floridian, in general. I can’t really complain about the restaurant: it feels bright and airy with great views outside into the garden.
In terms of the decor inside, I think some things feel dated–and not in the way a Victorian design is inherently dated-looking–as some decorations look like they were pulled from the style pages of a 1993 issue of Country Living Magazine. Ambiance is not bad, but not great. I really wouldn’t have given it a second thought were it not a Walt Disney World restaurant where I have more exacting standards about ambiance.
Our server started us out with bread, which was good, and we ordered a couple of appetizers. A friend who was with us ordered the Carrot-Ginger soup of the day, which is pictured below.
I didn’t get a chance to try this, but he enjoyed it, describing it as rich.
We split the Shrimp Cocktail. This was fine. For the price, I would have liked more shrimp. The best part of this appetizer was the Fresh Tomato-Horseradish Cocktail Salsa below the shrimp.
This had a bit of kick to it, but was fresh and delicious. It perfectly complimented the shrimp, and made the dish more unique and less like an ordinary shrimp cocktail. Still, the appetizer wasn’t all that memorable, and nothing something I’d order again.
I like to lead with the bad news, so let’s start with Sarah’s entree. I love a good burger, so I asked our Facebook fans what they’d recommend for burgers at Walt Disney World. Someone suggested the Grand Floridian Burger, with angus beef and butter poached lobster. It sounded so good that we ‘fought’ over which of us would get to try it.
Sarah won in terms of who got to order it, but lost in every other regard. When she described the burger to me as dry, flavorless, and with sub-par meat, I was a bit surprised and had to try the burger myself. She was exactly right.
The burger lacked any semblance of flavor, and the beef patty tasted like something you’d find at a below-average counter service restaurant. The lobster by itself was good, but there was so much bun and the beef was so bland that the flavor of lobster got lost in the mix.
It wasn’t as if our burger was just overcooked or anything, it seemed like it was all around a bad item. It seemed conceptually good, but in terms of execution, ours was flat out bad. It was one of the few menu items that neither of us ended up finishing.
I’m hoping it was just an outlier, but as it stands, it’s not something I’d chance ordering again. Nor would I recommend any DCC (Disney Carnivore Club) members try it, as there’s a much better option for you brilliant folks…
That ‘much better’ item is the New York Strip Steak. It may not look it, but this steak was the real deal. It may not look it, but if I were writing the article today, this would displace the #5 steak on my list of the Top 5 Steaks at Walt Disney World.
The rub was fantastic, the meat was a great cut that was cooked to perfection with just a hint of char on the outside, and the peppercorn sauce was the perfect touch–not too much or an attempt to mask otherwise deficient meat. Sarah tried this and said she thought it was a bit too salty, but was otherwise great.
I wouldn’t call it too salty (although the combination of the sauce and the rub did make it a bit salty), but that’s something worth considering if you’re sensitive to salt.
This was definitely the highlight of the meal. It’s also by far the most expensive item on the menu, so it’s worth knowing that if you plan on ordering this, you won’t be having an inexpensive meal at Grand Floridian Cafe. (As mentioned above, this is a great entree for those on the Disney Dining Plan.)
An entree worth trying if you don’t want the steak is the Orecchiete Pasta. Our friend ordered this, and it was reasonably priced, especially for the large portion size.
This was a blend of rich asiago sauce, pasta, and peas. It looked great, but not enough that I would order it instead of my steak next time. Others seem to agree with regard to this pasta being excellent.
The entrees Sarah and I ordered were each priced at or above $25, making our meal at the Grand Floridian Cafe about what a meal at a “moderate” table service restaurant would cost, but it’s worth noting that there were numerous items priced under $20.
Considering those prices and the inexpensive desserts, Grand Floridian Cafe is a way to eat at a table service restaurant while paying prices slightly above counter service levels. This is especially true if you have the Tables in Wonderland card. From this perspective, Grand Floridian Cafe is an exceptional option.
This won’t be getting a separate review since I forgot my camera the morning we dined here for breakfast (oops), but I think it bears mentioning that we had an excellent breakfast at Grand Floridian Cafe. My entree, the Lobster Eggs Benedict, was particularly good. The lobster was tender and plentiful, and complimented the eggs benedict well without overpowering it.
In addition to the great balance of flavors, everything tasted fresh and real. This last part is a big deal with regard to breakfast, as we find that often Walt Disney World breakfasts taste like they contain “plastic” eggs and bacon. Although we enjoy some of the breakfast buffets, this was probably the best breakfast we’ve ever had at Walt Disney World. Beyond what we got, there are numerous items on the breakfast menu that sounded good to us.
Overall, Grand Floridian Cafe has a lot going for it. Despite having several well-prepared dishes that taste great, it’s reasonably priced as a whole and doesn’t have a hint of pretension to it. You can grab a table here at the last minute, as it is seldom booked to capacity. This also means that the restaurant usually has a nice, relaxed ambiance with plenty of empty tables.
However, even with all of these things going for it, frankly, we don’t think it rises to hidden gem status like The Wave or Sanaa. Grand Floridian lacks the extra something to push it over the top and into that class, and instead is better described as a restaurant that can offer great value (if you order the right things). We recommend Grand Floridian Cafe to those on the Disney Dining Plan who enjoy steak, anyone staying at the Grand Floridian looking for a quiet and inexpensive meal, and anyone else wanting a taste of table service at the Grand Floridian at counter service “plus” prices.
Grand Floridian Cafe shouldn’t be considered a destination restaurant like many others in Walt Disney World resort-hotels, but it’s easy-enough to access from the Magic Kingdom via the monorail that it’s a nice way to escape the crowds for a quiet lunch. We will definitely be back, but probably for that delicious breakfast–not an expensive or even moderately price dinner.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
If you’ve been, what do you think of Grand Floridian Cafe? Is it a great place to dine for counter service “plus” prices, or is it the ugly duckling of the otherwise sterling Grand Floridian Resort & Spa dining lineup? Planning on going? Share your thoughts in the comments!
We had breakfast there last month and although the food was nice (nothing that special) and the waiter was lovely, the service was very slow. We had to wait an hour for the food but we had only ordered waffles and pancakes.
Also, the hostess looked completely miserable and irritated.
Had dinner last night at Floridian cafe store number 7012 all was nice & service was good but the pork chop dinner I ordered warm not hot & dried out & for the money you,d think it should be great . I been visiting Disney world every couple years since 1973 this was my first bad meal so I think Disney is slipping a little but my self & family will return & give them another’ shot
This is a must dining experience for us…for breakfast. Sunny, warm, pleasing staff, great food, wonderful decor and great coffee makes it our favourite whenever we do Disney, which is once a year as we live in Canada. I have never tried the cafe for lunch or dinner and not sure why, except that there are other restaurants we often want to try because they feel more like Disney or are more intimate. Perhaps this year we try it for dinner.
We love to eat breakfast at the Grand Floridian cafe – we go there often during our holidays where ever we are staying as it is the best breakfast we’ve eaten anywhere else in the world!
The eggs benedict is my favourite and I have tried to get this the same in the UK but have been bitterly disappointed ever since as it is so good here.
Usually the service is perfect too – once when it was well below par, I felt compelled to have a little word with the staff afterwards at the desk situated at the entrance. They took my complaint very seriously and took details of where we were staying at Port Orleans Riverside. At the end of the day when we returned to our room I found a white chocolate Mickey Mouse with a lovely card from the manager of the GF cafe apologising for the service received and he also later rang me in the room to personally speak with me! I was blown away with how far they went to put things right and it told me they really do care about everything being perfect when you go there!
We stayed at the Grand for the first time in April 2012. I found this place to be a hidden gem. We ate here twice, lunch and dinner. We had the steak and it was delicious! If we ever stay at the Grand again, I would definitely eat here again. We thought the food was better than our 1900 Park Fare dinner.
Have you ever tried a character breakfast at 1900 Park Fare?
We have eaten at the GFC dozens of times over the past 20 years and it is one of our favourite restaurants in WDW. However, as some others have said that comment is restricted entirely to the breakfast offering. Agree with the comment that the light and airy feel lends itself well to a breakfast location. The French toast, the pancakes and the eggs Benedict are worth the trip from London!
hello every person.don’t be shy and if I will help in any way please do not hesitate to request. All I’m able to do is attempt to answer and believe it helps.
Over the last 35 years, my husband and I have traveled to
Walt Disney World over 30 times, we always and will continue
to make the Grand Floridian Cafe our favorite stop of all the
resort restaurants. We have also had one stay at the hotel and
did not find it to our liking and prefer the Yacht or Beach and
recently the Dolphin. But never the less we enjoy our breakfast
and lunches at the cafe, it is always a treat to feel special
and since I have food allergies the chef always makes a visit
at our table and the food is always just the way we like it.
It is a grand place to start your day at Disney!
There are two exceptions when using the DDP… steak and seafood. I think the grouper we ordered there was at the same price point, if not slightly above, the steak. It is an off the beaten path, couldn’t find anything better, didn’t have ADR that night, and wanted to see the gingerbread house, restaurant. (We were there in December). We timed dinner so that we could also walk out onto the dock and view the Holiday Wishes Fireworks. I would like to think my memories of that meal weren’t tainted by the fireworks memory, but they may have been.
I’ve been there twice and I agree nothing fancy but I highly recommend the salmon!!! Made to perfection!
We have stayed at GF many times and usually eat at GF Café for convenience. I don’t generally go out of my way to eat there but we are staying elsewhere this trip and I am excited for a GF burger so we will definitely make a trip there for lunch. It must have had been a bad day for the GF burger because it’s by far my favorite burger aside from the Ritz Carlton Maui’s Kobe burger. Breakfast is always good as well. The desserts I find to be fair at best but I think that about just about all the restaurants.
We’ve eaten here twice for breakfast and loved it. We’ve had the steak and eggs and the citrus pancakes and both have been consistently good.
If you’re staying outside the monorail loop, bus to MK then take the ferry boat over to GF. It’s a relaxing way to start a morning and as was mentioned, the morning light fills this restaurant in the am. It’s a great value from our perspective given location and food quality. We haven’t ever done lunch here though
When we eat here for breakfast again, I’ll have to do a review. My opinion is much, much more favorable of the place for breakfast.
I’ve never eaten here, but your notes on the design aesthetics are spot on. DGF is a beautiful reflection of the magnificent Hotel Del Coronado on the outside, but the inside can be a scary interior design time capsule. Case in point: THAT CARPET!!! Yikes! Adding insult to injury are the splashes of “country kitchen,” which further muddles the concept.
That said, it’s great to learn about these “off the beaten path” locations that offer variety and value, especially when they’re on the *monorail*!!!
This is a big reason why the Grand Floridian made my “Overrated Walt Disney World” blog post. Its design isn’t pure Victorian, it’s a “Victorian with a modern twist.” Unfortunately, that modern twist is circa-1990 and now very dated.
The Grand Floridian cafe was a hidden gem for us. The most memorable entree was a chicken dish served with mushroom risotto that my husband ordered. I had the pasta, which was also very good but I ended up ordering a side of the risotto because it was that delicious. I have to say that you missed out by not getting that sampler! All four desserts were fabulous, especially the lemon cheesecake, and my son loved eating the chocolate Mickey. Our great meal was complemented by a wonderful server. Can’t wait to go back for dinner again, and also to try breakfast.
In retrospect, maybe we should have done the desserts. For as cheap as they were, it would’ve been worth it, if only “for the sake of the review.” Thanks for the feedback on them!
Looks like this is a solid addition to the “I don’t have an ADR tonight, where can I eat?” list for the Magic Kingdom area (though, the Wave is really hard to beat on that list). Thanks for the review!
So, that said, would you ever pick this over the Wave? I suspect the GF café might get relegated to the “don’t visit again until a refurb or menu overhaul” simple because of its monorail loop competition.
In contrast to my caustic review of the steakhouse which shall not be named, I’ll say only positive things about the Grand Floridian Cafe. I’ll immediately qualify it by saying I’ve been for lunch once, and breakfast every other time.
Victorian decor isn’t my thing, but I find the light flooding the room, especially in the circular room at the back end of the restaurant, is perfect for a morning place. The more-than-average upholstery and carpeting means it isn’t a clattering barn of a place, even when it’s mostly full.
The French toast, citrus pancakes, lobster hash, and smoked salmon have all been excellent renditions. Service has ranged from prompt and friendly to downright excellent.
The Cafe also has, bar none (and believe me I’ve done my damnedest to try them all), the best Bloody Mary of any place on property. One of the few places which doesn’t use a mix, and will add enough horseradish to strip paint, if that’s what one desires.
I think the monorail bar crawl needs to be a thing like drinking around the world. I know it’s been done (didn’t Touring Plans do one?), but I’ve continually been impressed by the ever improving cocktail scene on property.
The TouringPlans team did a monorail bar crawl of sorts. It was spread out over a couple of nights, so it doesn’t totally count, though.
Did you see my reply to your caustic review?
I think you’re giving the place a little too much credit because of their Bloody Mary quality!
Yes, I saw your reply, and that’s certainly a valid point. I’m not pie-eyed for WDW restaurants, but I have preternaturally good fortune when it comes to service at the places I do frequent. Being out-and-out insulted is kind of an unforgivable sin for me; as judgmental as it may be it would take a lot for me to relent.
I do qualify my enthusiasm for the Grand Floridian Cafe by saying it’s been breakfast and little else for me there. I’ve truly enjoyed the items I’ve had, regardless of the fact that it’s a WDW place. Again, the decor is a little silly, but it’s been clean and service has been good so I can overlook that. Would it be my first choice? Possibly not. If I was at Old Key West or Saratoga Springs, I’d probably pick Olivia’s or Wolfgang Puck first, even if I was headed toward the Magic Kingdom.
As for the Bloody Marys putting their thumb on the scale, as it were, well. I ate there maybe half a dozen times before first having one, so I’ll stand by my assertion my review is unskewed by booze. Also too, I make clear I think vodka’s only a half-step better than brake fluid, so for me to rhapsodize over a vodka drink, it must be attended by clouds of seraphim and cherubim. I see that you and your distaff side still have the downy flush of youth that suggests you’ve not given yourself over to the corruption of a life of drink, so I wouldn’t necessarily expect you to understand.
Grand Floridian Cafe seems to be the lost child of resort dining. Our dinner here several years ago was good, but not particularly memorable. We had dessert (on DDP) and I recall it being good, but not outstanding. Service was much better than typical for a 1 TS, but after only one visit I don’t know if that’s the norm. The crowd (if you can call it a crowd) when we ate seemed to be a lot of GF guests.
I think it’s a pretty solid choice if you need reservations and other resort dining options don’t have good times, or you want to mix up your usual restaurant choices.
We like having late TS breakfasts, so maybe we’ll try this one on our next trip!
I think service is typically good at places like this, The Wave, and Sanaa because they aren’t typically all that busy. In general, our best service has been at restaurants with staff that isn’t overwhelmed, and our worst service has been at places where the waitstaff has to tend to too many tables. Makes perfect sense to me–although I don’t think it excuses poor service.
This is on our list of places to try during our next visit to WDW. I have a feeling it will be a pretty crazy experience though, because I’ve heard that the GF gets very crowded during the first week of December.
Yes, it would not surprise me at all if this restaurant *is* busy while you’re there.
My husband and I have tried both breakfast and lunch here over the past years. We agree with your overall impression…that it is nothing special. Food was hit or miss. Mostly miss. Service was perfunctory. Atmosphere is dated~ hinting at great design Disney notes, but falling quite short. Short enough to be a bit frustrating, since it is the Grand Floridian, in Disney World. Seems to us they are just doing enough to pass, since they have a great captive clientele who obviously favors convenience.