Walt Disney World’s Victoria & Albert’s restaurant, at the theme park’s Grand Floridian Resort, made history last week when it was awarded a Michelin Star.
The fine dining destination is the first and only restaurant owned and operated by a U.S. theme park to hold the prestigious honor, according to Disney Parks Blog. And while most visitors are more likely to associate Walt Disney World with Mickey Mouse rather than Michelin, the team at Victoria & Albert’s is changing that.
The restaurant, just minutes outside the gates of Magic Kingdom, first opened its doors inside Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort in 1988 and since then, it has become an iconic destination for vacationers and locals alike. Last week, it became one of 26 Florida restaurants that have been awarded a star from the Michelin Guide.
But don’t plan to arrive at the restaurant with your Mickey ears. The restaurant has a fairly stringent code, and children under 10 are not permitted. You can select between two multi-course prix-fixe menus, starting at $295 per guest.
The tasting menu, curated by chef de cuisine Matthew Sowers and pastry chef Ally Rogers, showcases modern American food at its finest. The menu is ever-evolving, changing seasonally based on market availability and at the discretion of the culinary team. Diners can expect dishes like a Langoustine Tartelette, a Cinco Jotas Iberico “Eclair,” and Miyazaki A-5 Wagyu beef.
“Being recognized by Michelin with a star is an affirmation of excellence. It’s an incredible honor to be the first Disney-owned location recognized by Michelin for the dining experience our team brings to life at Victoria & Albert’s,” Sowers said in a statement. “Everyone on our team earned this star, from our stewards and servers to our culinarians and pastry chefs, and we hope to inspire future generations of culinary professionals to follow their dreams.”
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The restaurant also boasts a winning wine list, and guests can opt to add a wine pairing to their meal for an additional $150. It features a collection of more than 500 wines from 35 regions, including selections that go as far back as the early 1900s. Diners can order handcrafted cocktails, zero-proof beverages, and even a selection of waters sourced from around the world.
Veteran sommelier and maître d’hôtel Israel Pérez was also presented with the 2024 Florida Service Award. “Service at Victoria & Albert’s is like a dance — many tiny steps that come naturally after years of dedication,” he said in a statement received by Food & Wine. “Every movement has a purpose and is beautiful when the tempo is perfect. We also pay homage to a past legacy of talented people who have believed in our dream all along.”
Disney enthusiasts with a penchant for fine dining should plan ahead if they’d like to visit the restaurant on their next trip. The restaurant operates under the resort’s current 60-day policy, meaning that guests staying at Disney can make reservations for the entire length of their stay up to 60 days in advance of their arrival. New reservation booking windows become available at 6:00 AM daily for select Walt Disney World restaurants.
