Disney World Restaurants Fall Short of Elite Status AGAIN!

Orlando, Florida, has added more Michelin Guide restaurants. But once again, when Michelin reviewers visited Central Florida, they did not dispense any stars to the plethora of restaurants at The Walt Disney World Resort.

At the beginning of April 2023, the world-famous Michelin Guide updated its list of Florida Restaurants and awarded eight Orlando Area eateries a spot in the 2023 MICHELIN Guide Florida selection. Orlando is currently home to three One-Star Michelin Restaurants. However, what might be surprising to most of our readers is that none of those restaurants can be found on Disney World Property.

The entire Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products division prides itself on the array of world-class restaurants available throughout Disney World in its Theme Parks, Resort Hotels, and shopping and dining district, Disney Springs, including establishments owned by Disney as well as recruited Third Party restauranteurs. These restaurants include long-time staples like Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, to newer establishments like Toledo at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, as well as Wine Bar George and Paddlefish at Disney Springs.

While the fabled “Micheline Men” (or women) did not feel it prudent to give any Disney World Restaurants a Michelin Star, they did feel it prudent to add several Disney Restaurants to the official Micheline Guidebook!

Walt Disney World Restaurants Added to Michelin Guidebook

Yes, even though Disney World’s stars remain the Wishing and Trip Advisor varieties, Michelin Guide has added two magical restaurants to its 2023 Florida Guide!

According to the Michelin website, Toledo: Tapas, Steak, & Seafood, and Victoria & Albert’s were finally given their proper place among the restaurants recognized to be the best in all of the Sunshine State.

Regarding Toledo, the Michelin Guide reads,

“Situated on the 16th floor of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Toledo is quite the looker with lofty ceilings in bold colors and geometric tiled floors. Nab a table by the glass wall and you’ll have a bird’s eye view of the Epcot fireworks. Meanwhile, on the tables Spanish cuisine takes center stage. Tapas kick things off, and pan con tomate is a natural choice. Meat-forward mains include several steak options, as well as a ribeye for two, but the Rioja-braised chicken makes a compelling argument for choosing a different route. End on a sweet note with café con leche, a chocolate choux pastry filled with chocolate and coffee cream.”

Related: Review: Toledo Tapas, Steak, & Seafood at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Regarding Victoria & Albert’s, it reads,

“Nestled within Disney’s crown jewel, the Grand Floridian Resort, this restaurant, with its plush carpeting and live harpist fits the part (is that “Part of Your World?” Why, yes, it is.). While it evokes a garden, its Victorian design keeps things grand. Reservations require patience to snag, but stay the course and you’ll be rewarded with white-glove service.
Chef Matthew Sowers’s tasting menus spotlight contemporary cooking with global touches and definitive Asian leanings. You may enjoy the likes of Danish hiramasa, a bright take on a Peruvian ceviche enhanced with Okinawa sweet potatoes or seared Colorado bison over a house made granola comprised of amaranth, cranberries and rolled oats and sided by a maple-glazed turnip and sweet potato purée.”

These two restaurants join a few other Disney World Restaurants, including Citicos (also at the Grand Floridian), California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Disney Springs staples Morimoto Asia and The Polite Pig.

“Florida’s finest flavors continue to impress the inspectors, who have enjoyed their visits to the Sunshine State. The restaurant teams are clearly inspired to serve the most delectable cuisine to food lovers — day in and day out,” said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guides, in a news release. “We are excited to celebrate their accomplishments and can’t wait to share those new discoveries with gourmets and travelers.”

It should be noted that the State of Florida has only recently gained the serious attention of the Michelin Guide, and we can only hope that the Magical Disney World Restaurants get the due recognition so many people believe they deserve.