The Flying Fish Café carries the themes of the Atlantic boardwalk into a restaurant venue, and serves it up with style.  Named for one of the cars on a famous roller coaster in Coney Island, the décor is an eclectic mix of vintage carnival ride and sea-life motifs. Patrons are greeted at the entrance by winged fish leaping over a neon sea and fishy door handles.  The interior is decorated with charm and whimsy, giving diners lots to look at during the meal.  Pillars sport scales, fish parachute from the ceiling, metallic tiles lend their sparkle. A stylized interpretation of a ferris wheel graces a far wall and a tent lends a carnival atmosphere to an alcove at the back.

There is a limited, but well-chosen, seasonal menu with nice presentation and absolutely wonderful service.  In addition to tables with chairs and banquettes, there is bar seating in front of  the open kitchen where diners have a ringside seat for the culinary activity.  As one of Disney’s Signature Restaurants, dinner here requires the use of two Table Service credits for those on the Disney Dining Plan.

Recently, a special dining experience has been added – the Chef’s Tasting Wine Dinner, and the first six seats at the bar are set aside for participants.  With the exception of a few holiday dates, it’s offered twice each night at 5:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m., Sunday through Thursday.  The Dinner features five courses expertly paired with wines selected by the Flying Fish Café’s sommelier.  Diners can expect current menu items to be presented in inspired new ways and will enjoy lots of interaction with the chefs.

Reservations are $135.00 per person, or $85.00 without wine pairings, must be paid-in-full at the time of booking, and are not included in the Disney Dining Plans or Tables in Wonderland programs.

Review: I LOVE the Flying Fish Café.  The buzz always seems to be about California Grill and Le Cellier, neither of which rings any bells for me, yet there is much less mention of several  of my personal favorites, with Flying Fish being right at the top of that list along with Jiko.

Although I have encountered issues with incorrectly cooked dishes, both under- and overdone, I’ve never experienced anything less than outstanding service. The servers here bring an enthusiasm and sense of humor seldom encountered elsewhere on property and though I certainly have favorite servers at several Disney restaurants, I think that, as a group, they are unsurpassed.  So, whatever my issues with a particular dish, I find I always leave with a “good taste in my mouth!”

When the food is on, it is spot-on.  There’s a reason their Potato-Wrapped Red Snapper is a permanent fixture; the accompanying leek fondue is a revelation.  I’ve had considerably less luck with the other signature dish, a Black Angus New York Strip Steak.  Both my dining companion and I ordered this one evening; neither plate was prepared as ordered and after sending the meals back twice, we never did get what we had wanted.  I’ve particularly enjoyed the wonderful appetizers, including an array of bisques and calamari dishes.  The beautiful cheese plate with honeycomb and raisins on the vine is truly memorable.

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Dinner

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Wine

Flying Fish Café

Disney’s Boardwalk

Dinner 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.