The Walt Disney World Resort continues to claim the only Michelin Star Restaurant at a theme park resort. Victoria & Albert’s has, once again, captured the very prestigious award. Disney Parks Blog celebrated it with a press release featured below.
Victoria & Albert’s is a renowned fine dining restaurant located at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in Walt Disney World, Florida. It opened in 1988 as part of the resort’s original offerings and quickly became Disney’s crown jewel for luxury dining.
The Grand Floridian; via Wikipedia Commons
Named after Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert, the restaurant evokes Victorian elegance and old-world refinement, with décor and service reflecting that era. Over the decades, it evolved from a formal but relatively conventional upscale restaurant into an award-winning culinary destination, consistently ranked among the best in the United States.
The restaurant has earned numerous accolades, including the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Award (held since 2000) and Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating, making it one of the few restaurants in Florida to achieve both. It is known for its prix fixe tasting menus, personalized service, and world-class wine list curated by a dedicated sommelier.
Victoria & Albert’s has several unique dining experiences: the Main Dining Room, the Queen Victoria Room, and the exclusive Chef’s Table, where guests enjoy a personalized meal inside the kitchen.
The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa Lobby in Walt Disney World – Photo Credit: M. Montanaro
The restaurant underwent a major refurbishment and reopened in 2022 with updated interiors while maintaining its timeless elegance. Under the guidance of chefs like Scott Hunnel and Kevin Chong, Victoria & Albert’s continues to push culinary boundaries while preserving its legacy of luxury and excellence.
Disney’s press release follows:
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This year, cast members at Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the culinary crown jewel of Walt Disney World, are celebrating the honor of retaining their status as a MICHELIN star restaurant!
For over 20 years cast have provided a signature dining experience known for its lavish setting, offering a multi-course dining experience that features carefully curated menus with premium and sustainable ingredients sourced from around the world.
“The ingredients drive the menu,” Chef de Cuisine and Walt Disney Legacy Award Winner Matthew Sowers explains. “We use the freshest seafood and highest quality meat from across the globe as the base of our dishes. For example, the Glacier 51 Toothfish on the current menu can only be found in the Arctic more than one mile under the ocean’s surface.”
Creating an experience where timeless traditions seamlessly blend with modern culinary artistry takes teamwork, and there’s no shortage of it in the Victoria & Albert’s kitchen. Guests are served a wide range of small courses inspired by the culinary team’s travels, cultural backgrounds and personal stories.
“The Miyazaki A-5 Wagyu on the current menu is inspired by Chef Miguel’s Venezuelan roots. During the winter months, beef and cabbage are staple ingredients in his family’s meals,” shares Sharon, a cast member who has served at the restaurant for over 20 years. “And the Norwegian King Crab is a nod to Chef Gabriella’s home country of Norway. We have Chefs from all over the world bringing their stories to life in every dish – curating a fine dining experience in a way only Disney can.”
Always evolving, the menu of Disney’s MICHELIN star restaurant shifts with the season, delighting returning guests with new and unique flavors every time every visit. With a world-class wine collection boasting over 500 selections, each course is thoughtfully paired to enhance the experience from start to finish.
But ask the team what they believe is the secret to their success, and you won’t hear them talk about stars or awards.
“It’s because we’re a family. We all really do care for the restaurant and each other,” says Chef Nathan, who moved from Pennsylvania to Florida to join the Victoria & Albert’s culinary team due to its strong reputation. “Every single one of us goes above and beyond. We have a shared vision of excellence.”
Victoria & Albert’s remains the first and only restaurant owned and operated by a U.S. theme park destination to hold a MICHELIN Star. The cast are an incredible example of how Walt Disney World continues to raise the bar for exceptional dining – from iconic Disney-themed snacks and immersive restaurants in the parks, to unforgettable fine dining experiences like this one.
Congratulations to the cast of Victoria & Albert’s on this extraordinary distinction!
