Ranking the best Disney World restaurants is an overwhelming task. There are an enormous amount of restaurants split between the four theme parks, Disney Springs, and all the Disney Resort hotels. We've narrowed it down to the ones for you to consider.
Our guide to all the best Disney World restaurants includes the best table and quick service spots in all four theme parks, Disney Springs, and some of our favorites at Disney Resort hotels. Rather than overall ranking we focused on the best at each of these distinct locations as that's how you'll likely be looking for dining options.
Table service is the term Disney uses to refer to restaurants that offer reservations and a traditional wait service experience where cast members take your order and bring food. Quick service is the term Disney uses to describe food that guests can “grab and go” although many quick service locations offer plenty of sit down seating. This guide will cover all the best Walt Disney World restaurants for both quick and table service.
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How We Picked Best Disney World Restaurants
When we considered how to rank the best Walt Disney World restaurants we focused on food quality and restaurant theme. Some restaurants are iconic for their theme (imagine dining in Cinderella's Castle?) while others are well-known for their amazing quality.
We also took into consideration our staff recommendations of favorite restaurants, especially ones we continue to revisit trip after trip. We visit Walt Disney World weekly and many of us spend quality time in the park with our families which have resulted in our own list of favorites! Some of the items on this list vary from other listings of the best dining simply because there are so many locations across the resort that appeal to so many different people. We also added in some, iconic, themed restaurants that many more food-focused “best of” lists skip over.
Our team has a variety of dining tastes which is why you'll see some variety on this list as we take into account everyone's different perspectives along with our most frequented restaurant options.
Best Disney World Magic Kingdom Restaurants
Let's start with Magic Kingdom which is the most visited theme park in the world. Magic Kingdom is the park that every guest visits on every trip, this is the main park that guests do not skip! Unfortunately, this is the theme park at Walt Disney World that is also known for some of the worst food at Walt Disney World.
There are a number of highly coveted themed restaurants in this park as well for guests having their once-in-a-lifetime trip looking to eat inside Cinderella's Castle and the castle from Beauty and the Beast. Our list for Magic Kingdom includes those restaurants along with our other repeatable favorites.
Also see our full guide to best Magic Kingdom restaurant options to see everything in the park.
Cinderella's Royal Table
Let's start with one of the most famous dining experiences that allows guests to eat inside Cinderella Castle! Cinderella's Royal Table is a Disney Princess character dining experience that allows you to actually go inside the castle to eat which is a huge draw for many guests. This is one of the best themed experiences in Magic Kingdom which also makes it one of the most popular.
There are usually two main reasons people are interested in trying Cinderella's Royal Table: to dine inside Cinderella's castle and to meet the princesses. This doesn't mean the food isn't good at Cinderella's Royal Table, it is higher quality than other restaurants in the park, but you are really not picking this restaurant for the menu alone. The draw itself is to eat inside Cinderella's Castle and interact with the Disney Princesses.
However, the menu here is known for being one of the most upscale offerings in Magic Kingdom which is a good bonus since this is not a cheap experience costing $88 per adult for dinner. If you want to experience Cinderella's Royal Table at a lesser cost, opt for the breakfast experience which is about $15 less per person.
This restaurant makes the top of our list because this is such a high draw for guests making their first trips to Walt Disney World. But for those who visit often, it's not a meal we experience frequently.
Be Our Guest
Be Our Guest is a themed restaurant experience set in the Beast's Castle from Beauty & the Beast. This is one of the most popular dining locations at Disney World with a price tag to match. The only character you will meet is the Beast during your meal so I wouldn't necessary call it character dining.
This is one of my favorite themed restaurants at Magic Kingdom and will be a big hit with guests that are Beauty & the Beast fans. Each area of the restaurant is themed differently including the West Wing featuring the wilting rose from the film along with the big Grand Ballroom with falling snow gathering on the windows. The setting here is unmatched, I personally love it more than the dining experience inside Cinderella Castle! The theming is just so immersive.
The food at Be Our Guest is a pre-fix menu including French-inspired dishes. This is an expensive dining experience at Magic Kingdom. The meal costs $72 per adult. The French-inspired food is often of higher quality than other dining experiences which combined with the theme can make that cost feel a bit more “worth it” for some groups. The French Onion Soup is the most famous dish at this restaurant and I can verify it is an excellent appetizer choice!
Be Our Guest is a great choice if you are looking for higher quality food in Magic Kingdom along with a highly themed experience, every guest should try this restaurant at least once! Just like Cinderella's Royal Table, this castle-themed experience is great for special occasions or first-time trips but not something we experience on frequent trips.
Jungle Skipper Canteen Restaurant
Jungle Skipper Canteen Restaurant is a table service restaurant that we really enjoy at the Magic Kingdom. The menu is inspired by Asian, South American, and African flavors providing more diverse food options than other locations. Since this restaurant is themed after the Jungle Cruise, the cast members are all dressed like the well-known hilarious Skippers from the attraction.
Our favorite menu items from this location are the “Tastes like Chicken” Because it is! and the “Hardy Har Char” Siu Pork chops. You won't find the delicious cheese bread balls on the menu that you can see above. You'll have to ask for the secret menu item. There are simpler food options here but also very nicely prepared options that go beyond the rest of the Magic Kingdom food offerings.
There are a couple of different rooms in this restaurant. We like the grand atrium-style room. Be sure to walk through all of the rooms to enjoy the inside jokes and fun props hidden throughout.
If you aren't concerned about the iconic theming of the two castle restaurants mentioned above, this is the best sit-down restaurant option in Magic Kingdom.
Casey's Corner
Casey's Corner is a popular quick service restaurant located at the end of Main Street, U.S.A. serving a variety of hot dogs and fries. The most popular item here amongst many guests is the corn dog nuggets with my favorite item being the veggie hot dog! There aren't many quick service restaurants that offer vegetarian options beyond an Impossible burger so this is a nice option for some more variety.
Another reason this location is such a great stop to be aware of is it's the quick service restaurant in Magic Kingdom that stays open the latest. You can place a mobile order for Casey's Corner with a pickup time as late as fifteen minutes after Magic Kingdom closes. This is a great hack if you want to stay later and enjoy the rides and then end your day with a quick place to eat before you head back to your hotel.
You can also find Mint Juleps at Casey's Corner. These are very popular with locals and vacationers.
Sleepy Hollow
Sleepy Hollow is one of the best breakfast options in Magic Kingdom but also offers the popular hand-dipped corn dogs too! This quick service restaurant offers a large variety of funnel cakes and waffles with the option to add Nutella, chicken, strawberries, and more.
Sleepy Hollow can get pretty busy especially in the morning since it's considered one of the best breakfast options in Magic Kingdom. I recommend taking advantage of mobile order so you can avoid the long lines. There is limited seating around Sleepy Hollow so you might want to consider taking your food around the corner to find a bench in Frontierland if the spot is crowded during your visit.
Best Hollywood Studios Restaurants
Hollywood Studios is one of the most popular theme parks at Walt Disney World since it is where many hit lands are located like Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Toy Story Land. This also applies to the table service restaurants at Hollywood Studios. Some of the most difficult sit down restaurant reservations to score are at Hollywood Studios.
In this case, I feel the hype for these restaurants at Hollywood Studios is justified as these most popular table service restaurants are also amongst our favorite options to eat as repeat guests who visit weekly! We also have an extensive Hollywood Studios restaurant guide created for this park that explores all the options in more depth beyond just naming our favorites.
Sci-Fi Dine In Theater
Sci-Fi Dine In Theater is the most popular restaurant at Hollywood Studios and one of the most popular restaurants in Walt Disney World! Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater is a 1950's themed diner-style restaurant with stellar milkshakes and burgers. The entire theme is set up to take you to a sci-fi drive-in movie theater! All of the tables in the restaurant are shaped like classic cars and there's a large projector screen showing clips of classic sci-fi movies.
The theme at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater makes it one of the best Walt Disney World restaurants. It's also a great restaurant if you want to relax especially if you are feeling overstimulated from the heat and crowds in the parks. It's so quiet and dark inside plus with ample air conditioning. The restaurant often also offers reservations right at park close which means you can close out your day here!
But the food at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater is also what elevates it to one of the most favorite best Disney World restaurants. The classic burgers, fries, onion rings and milkshakes are always a hit. The Orbiting Oreos milkshake is a popular favorite with adults as it's served with Godiva Chocolate Liqueur. The onion rings are also a popular item along with the fried pickles. You can't go wrong with any of the selections at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater.
50's Prime Time Cafe
50's Prime Time Cafe is another popular restaurant at Hollywood Studios and for good reason! The food and theming of this restaurant is another top notch option. 50's Prime Time Cafe is an all-American restaurant inside Hollywood Studios that is themed to be just like “Mom's Kitchen” from the 1950s.
Be prepared for some humor at this restaurant- the staff here aren't above giving you lessons in table etiquette and lectures on table manners! You might be told to get your elbows off the table, finish your plate, or even offered a time out in the corner for not following the rules. They might even ask you what color the soap was after you return from washing your hands in the bathroom.
The theming of this restaurant is so fun, I'm always overwhelmed with nostalgia for my grandma's house. If you're into vintage items you will love the decor. I spend a lot of time looking at everything on the walls and in the main area.
There are tables with retro TVs sitting on them. If you don't get seated at a TV table, don't worry there's plenty of retro TVs mounted around the restaurant. The TVs are showing prime time tv show clips from the 1950's and every so often will show Walt Disney's opening speech from Disneyland.
The menu is always a hit for my picky family as it offers tons of great traditional American foods and desserts. This is where you can find heavy, comfort food which makes for a good end of the day meal. I always order the Peanut Butter and Jelly Shake with every meal, it's so good! The food is offered in big portions and you really get full at this dining location.
Woody's Roundup BBQ
Woody's Roundup BBQ is an all you care to enjoy family style dining in Toy Story Land. This location offers the best bang for your buck when it comes to a big, filling meal. The theme of Roundup Rodeo BBQ is inspired by Toy Story. The restaurant itself is a creation by Andy, it looks a bit like a cardboard box that has been decorated and filled with other toys. The best part of this theme is how the staff also plays along.
There will be moments over the loudspeaker where Sarg from Toy Story will call out commands with one of them warning the guests at the restaurant that Andy is coming! All the Cast Members will stop what they are doing and freeze in place when this happens. The lights will dim and you will hear the sounds of Andy's footsteps coming from above.
The menu is offered family-style which is similar to a buffet with plates brought to your table for the family to share. Think of it like a buffet except it's all brought right to your table on plates to share. The courses include the popular cheddar biscuits, a selection of salads, sides, and bbq platters.
You definitely get an enormous quantity of food at this experience which is great for big families and if you are hoping for a filling meal to tide your family over for awhile. I love the food and the themed experience of this location, it's a great table service restaurant to try out.
Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo
The main quick service restaurant serving food in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo. The theme of this restaurant is similar to that of a ‘farm fresh' and ‘food truck style'- in a galaxy far, far away. There are many unusual dishes offered by Chef Strono “Cookie” Tuggs (the character running this attraction) that are inspired by his time working for Maz Kanata (we first meet her in Star Wars: A Force Awakens) in her castle on Takodana.
This is one of the best quick service food options in Hollywood Studios and there is a large variety of options here to please everyone in your group including kids and vegetarians! Our favorite menu items are the Fried Endorian Tip-yip and Felucian Garden Spread.
Woody's Lunchbox
Our other favorite quick service restaurant is Woody's Lunch Box which is located in Toy Story Land near Slinky's Dog Dash. The downside of this spot is there is no indoor seating and the area to sit down is very small so you may want to walk your food to another spot to find shade and a spot to eat. However, the food items here are filling and inexpensive plus feature many repeat favorites amongst our team.
Our top picks include the Breakfast Bowl with smoked biscuit country gravy, scrambled eggs, and onions, as well as the BBQ Brisket Melt and Grilled Three-Cheese Sandwich. Above is the Smoked Turkey sandwich with Tomato Basil soup. There are also a lot of great plant-based options here including vegan grilled cheese and Totchos with chili, cheese, green onions, and corn chips over potato barrels. Plus Woody's Lunch Box is where you can find the Lunch Box Tart which is one of our favorite desserts in all of Disney World.
Best EPCOT Restaurants
EPCOT is one of the trickiest theme parks to rank restaurants at in Walt Disney World since there are so many food options. The park itself is very diverse with food options with traditional American fare and futuristic themes available on one side of the park with cultural varieties located in the World Showcase. Because of this, we had a difficult time narrowing down EPCOT to just a few restaurants but we still tried to pick our top favorites from the overall list of the best the dining at EPCOT.
Our top picks take into account some of the best Disney theming, great quality food, notorious popular quick service favorites along with restaurants that we just keep repeating every visit.
Biergarten Restaurant
Biergarten Restaurant is one of my favorite table service locations in the World Showcase. This all you care to enjoy dining experience features various German-style items like traditional sausages, chicken, sauerkraut, potatoes in many forms and fashions, and schnitzel, to name a few of the items served here. For a better look at the experience here, read our review of the Candlelight dining package at the Biergarten Restaurant.
The buffet at Biergarten Restaurant presents some of the best-tasting food at a buffet at Walt Disney World. Even though the vegetarian items are more limited than we would prefer, the buffet offers something for everyone. That ability to cater to everyone earns Biergarten’s spot on our top best Disney World restaurants list.
The theme of this location is also top notch with live music, like polka bands, playing throughout the day on a stage at the center of the restaurant. The restaurant is made to look like a small German village and the atmosphere is a big part of the experience here. Another plus is that this restaurant, due to its large seating and buffet options, always seems to have available dining reservations making it a perfect last-minute stop if you're caught in bad weather at EPCOT.
San Angel Inn Restaurante
San Angel Inn Restaurante is located inside the Mexico Pavilion across from the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros! The theme for this restaurant offers amazing immersion as it's modeled after a 17th-century hacienda at the base of Mayan ruins at twilight. Fans that visit Disneyland will find this ride offers a similar ambiance to the Blue Bayou inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.
My favorite item from this spot is the cheese enchiladas. All the food here is authentic Mexican food and tastes far superior than any of the Mexican food options you would find in the other theme parks.
Another favorite on this menu are the baja fish tacos which offer a nice variety for guests looking for fish taco options. All of the food at San Angel Inn Restaurante is filling and with the great view inside the Mexican Pavilion, it's one of our favorite spots.
Space 220
Space 220 is a highly themed experience located near Mission Space in EPCOT that offers both quality upscale food and a fun dining experience. Guests enter a space “Stellarvator” that travels through the stars from EPCOT to the “restaurant space station”. The main dining room looks out through large windows into space. Many guests would consider dining at Space 220 for the theme alone without worrying about quality of food but in this case, the restaurant delivers on both quality and the immersive experience.
The main Space 220 dining room serves a three course meal for lunch and dinner and reservations are difficult to secure. There is also a lounge with an a la carte menu and bar which can be a great option for guests looking for a cheaper way to experience the restaurant. Space 220, while one of our favorite EPCOT restaurants, is also a bit expensive.
The carrot cake is one of the best desserts at Walt Disney World. Where some carrot cakes can be dense and layered with heavy frosting, this cake is light and airy while also delivering a fresh flavor. Amazingly, the dish is plant based, vegan, and dairy free.
The salmon and steak are great entree options here.
Garden Grill
Garden Grill is a character dining restaurant in the Land Pavilion located above the Living with the Land ride. While you dine on the farm-to-table family-style platter, the characters come to say hi and interact with you while you eat. Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of this restaurant is the Garden Grill acts as a rotating restaurant which means it slowly rotates as you dine. As you rotate you'll get a view down into the Living with the Land ride.
Garden Grill at EPCOT is one of the best character dining experiences unless you prefer Disney Princess dining which in that case you should swap this experience for Akershus Royal Banquet Table which is another great option for characters at EPCOT. The lunch and dinner menus include fresh garden salad, grilled beef with chimichurri, barbecue-roasted chicken, seasonal vegetables, southern-style spoon bread, mashed potatoes, and mac & cheese.
The characters at Garden Grill you may encounter include Chip, Dale, Mickey, and Pluto. This is also easily one of the most affordable character dining options at Walt Disney World! Due to the location and nature of this restaurant, guests receive some unique views of the Living with the Land attraction during their dining experience. This different perspective of the Living with the Land attraction elevates the dining experience at Garden Grill.
La Crêperie de Paris
La Creperie de Paris is located near Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in the French pavilion of World Showcase. This location offers both table service dining and a quick service window to access the full menu of savory galettes and sweet crepes. You can even get a spot by the window with a great view of the Remy-themed fountain right outside. For table service dining, there is an optional prix fixe menu consisting of a choice of soup of the day or salade maison, one galette with a glass of hard cider, soda, or juice; and one dessert crepe for $40 which makes for a decent deal. You can also just walk up and get them individually from the window too which is so convenient.
My favorite savory item from this location is the brie cheese galette. If you like cheese, especially brie, this is a great choice. I dream about this galette in between park visits and make sure to stop and get one every EPCOT visit!
For the dessert crepes, my favorite is the hazelnut chocolate crepe. If you like Nutella, this is an option you can't skip. This is a light option for a restaurant making it perfect for brunch in EPCOT.
Tangerine Cafe
The Tangerine Cafe in the Morocco Pavilion is an easy quick service option that offers great tasting and fresh Moroccan food. The Grilled Lamb Kefta Kebab and and Grilled Chermoula Chicken Kebab are both perfect snacking size and make our favorite food items in EPCOT list.
The Hummus Trio is also easy grab and go sustenance for those drinking around the world at Epcot. There's a comfortable seating area just outside under a shade structure which is perfect for escaping the sun and rain. This is a great area to get a relaxing bite to eat.
For dessert, you may want to grab the Orange Blossom-Saffron Cake with the popping orange color that this quick service location is known for.
Regal Eagle Smokehouse
Regal Eagle Smokehouse offers nice, upgraded food options with a full barbecue food menu. This updated version of a prior quick service location in the American pavilion brings serious improvement to this area for quick service dining. You will find a variety of BBQ dishes such as ribs, pulled pork, brisket, and chicken. The salads are actually also quite substantial and a healthy alternative to the rest of the menu.
We particularly enjoy the BBQ Burger that comes topped with pulled pork and an onion ring. The plant-based Jackfruit burger also offers a surprising amount of flavor. Jackfruit works well in barbecue typically so this makes sense which is a great option for vegetarians to enjoy! There are our different types of BBQ sauce here and also a soft drink fountain refill station you can use while dining here. There is plenty of seating in this area making it a convenient place to eat.
EPCOT Food Festivals
EPCOT in Walt Disney World is known for its abundance of festivals that take place year-round. These festivals have continued to grow in size each year offering marketplace food booths, entertainment, special merchandise, and more. These marketplace food booths are worth mentioning as best food at Walt Disney World!
If an EPCOT festival is taking place during your visit, you should devote some time to sampling the options for the festival. You will find most of the festival marketplace booths in the World Showcase with some scattered on the other side of the park as well. Read through our full guide to EPCOT Festivals to read more about these four festivals and when they take place. Aside from the summer, there is a festival taking place nearly year round at EPCOT.
Best Animal Kingdom Restaurants
Animal Kingdom is home to one of the best quick service locations in Walt Disney World along with a variety of food options for more diverse palate and those looking to find “campy” themed dining experiences.
We spend a lot of time in Animal Kingdom and our ranking of best Disney World foods in this park are based on those frequent experiences! You can see all of the best Animal Kingdom restaurants specifically discussed here.
Satu'li Canteen
Satu’li Canteen is the best quick service dining option in all of Walt Disney World and it's located in Pandora – The World of Avatar. The theming of Satu'li Canteen is a transformed “RDA mess hall” filled with “Na'vi” cuisine, art, and cultural items. The ordering method at Satu’li Canteen functions like a Subway or Chipotle, with guests moving down a food assembly line though you can also customize and order via mobile order.
Cast members make the made-to-order bowls. Guests select their protein, sauce, and base when ordering a bowl. Base options vary from rice, potato hash, and salad.
The Satu’li Canteen Cheeseburger Pods are a fan favorite and it's one of the most popular items on the menu. The dessert is also some of the best in Animal Kingdom, there's truly nothing we haven't liked on this menu.
Satu’li Canteen has a large indoor dining area and an outdoor seating area making it a great spot if you're dashing to avoid the rain or want to get out of the sun. Satu'li Canteen is a must for your dining at Animal Kingdom. And it just recently added a breakfast option which further pushes it to our top ranking best Disney World restaurant.
Nomad Lounge
The Nomad Lounge offers a nice reprieve from the hustle of the theme parks while still being located in the middle of Animal Kingdom! This relaxing lounge area features great appetizers and beverage options. Nomad Lounge is pretty popular so make sure you allow enough time to join the walk-up list if the lounge is full, you might have a wait ahead of you.
Some of our favorite dishes from the Nomad Lounge are the chicken satay and tuna poke bowl. The food items are high quality and the cocktails are often called some of the best drinks in the park!
The Nomad Lounge churros are famous! They come with vanilla crema and strawberry-guava sauce. They are much better than the average Walt Disney World churro, they are also gluten free! We find Nomad Lounge to be a favorite option over Tiffins Restaurant which is a more relaxed version of that dining experience but with similar quality food.
Yak & Yeti
Yak and Yeti is another great table service restaurant at Animal Kingdom. The menu includes a variety of pan-Asian food dishes from various regions across Asia but also some American options too. The restaurant is located right at the base of Expedition Everest and is themed to be a village home filled with a collection of Southeast Asian artifacts.
The menu includes a wide variety of Asian food, American options plus tons for vegetarians. Popular items include sweet-and-sour chicken, ahi tuna nachos, pork pot stickers and Kobe beef burgers. There's also plenty of unique alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages like chilled sake, Asian beers, and an assortment of hot teas.
Some of my favorite dishes here are the Vegetable Lo Mien with tofu and the Beyond Burger with sweet potato fries. I love the sweet potato fries!
Flame Tree BBQ
Flame Tree Barbecue has been serving barbecue long before Regal Eagle Smokehouse at EPCOT or Roundup Rodeo BBQ at Hollywood Studios. You can find traditional bbq here along with a plant-based alternative.
Our favorite item from this location are the onion rings with pulled pork with mac and cheese. It's very filling thought it's greasy, a very delicious entree! The entrées cost $18.99 and under for adults meals and include baked macaroni & cheese with pulled pork, smokehouse chicken salad, St. Louis rib dinner, and a smoked pulled pork sandwich.
The seating area offers great views of Expedition Everest along with a nice break from the sun. Make sure to head behind the restaurant for this great seating area.
Rainforest Cafe
Hear us out, Rainforest Cafe is a classic for its campy and over the top theme. Kids love highly themed restaurants like this and the location of it at Animal Kingdom is perfect. Rainforest Cafe is located just outside the park's main entrance which means it stays open later than the theme park. Since Animal Kingdom has the notorious issue of closing early, it's a great trick to time your reservation at Rainforest Cafe for after park close.
I'll try to convince you even more why this VERY Disney restaurant is something my son asks for every visit.
Rainforest Cafe transports guests into a tropical rainforest with animatronics of birds, elephants, gorillas and large aquariums filled with fish. Every so often the lights with darken and a simulated thunderstorm will take place.
The food here is definitely average American style options but you don't go to a place like Rainforest Cafe for the food alone, you go for the over the top theme!
Best Disney Springs Restaurants
Disney Springs in Walt Disney World is the main shopping and dining district. You do not need a park ticket to visit Disney Springs and it is a popular place to go to dinner after a day at the parks. There is an abundance of food options at Disney Springs! There is truly something for everyone at Disney Springs.
We visit Disney Springs on every park trip. Here are out top-ranked restaurants based on our favorite menus and some popular mentions we think every first-timer should visit on their Walt Disney World trip. You can see all of our rankings of the best Disney Springs Restaurants here.
Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’
No mistake about it, we love Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin'. We are not alone. This table service option at Disney Springs cracked the top ten in most-searched-for advance dining reservations overall at Walt Disney World. In this case, we agree with people’s desire to dine here.
The menu features fried chicken brined for 24 hours in buttermilk and hand-breaded. The extra time creates some of the best fried chicken you have ever enjoyed. However, many of us enjoy the non-chicken-based menu items at Homecomin’ also.
An excellent chopped pork barbecue plate remains popular on this menu. The Momma’s Mac and Cheese ranks as the best mac and cheese on Walt Disney World property. Some of the best deviled eggs (it is like church ladies make them) and fried green tomatoes around appear on the appetizer menu.
Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ also serves some excellent moonshine. Yes, you read that correctly – moonshine. Five varieties of these alcoholic beverages are served at your table or the indoor and outdoor bar. You can even order a moonshine flight.
Though the weekend brunch here may not be as good as at The Boathouse (more below), it is close to that level. The weekend brunch does offer more variety and creativity than most brunch menus at Walt Disney World. Of course, the weekend brunch at Homecomin’ involves some Chef Art Smith style and touches. The weekend brunch serves as the hardest reservation to acquire at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’. It fills up quickly due to the high demand for its take on brunch items.
When you balance price point, food quality, and service, Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ earns this spot on our list.
The Boathouse Restaurant
For many Walt Disney World guests, The Boathouse is a must-do for every trip. The Boathouse is considered one of the best seafood restaurants in the Orlando area. The service at The Boathouse matches or exceeds almost every dining option on Walt Disney World property. In fact, this restaurant does most things well. The Boathouse is run by the well-respected Gibsons Restaurant Group, internationally celebrated for exceptional food and extraordinary service.
Since several Gibsons Restaurant Group restaurants specialize in high-end steak, a good steak will be easy to find at The Boathouse. If you enjoy a great surf and turf-style meal, Boathouse makes a good choice at Disney Springs.
On previous trips here, we enjoyed oysters at The Boathouse. The freshness and variety cause many guests to insist they only order oysters at The Boathouse and no other places in the Orlando area.
For those seeking a more straightforward meal, The Boathouse has you covered. This place serves a great lobster roll, mahi sandwich, and even a good burger. Plus one of the best weekend brunches happens at The Boathouse. In addition to the great food, you can enjoy entertainment and music at these weekend brunch events. The Boathouse at Disney Springs created a loyal following for so many reasons.
Morimoto Asia
Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs provides an upscale Asian dining experience at a lower price point than places like Takumi-Tei at Epcot. One of the original Iron Chefs, Masaharu Morimoto, is the celebrity chef founder of this table service restaurant. Morimoto Asia serves Japanese, Chinese, and Korean menu items.
In addition to the excellent food and beverage at Morimoto Asia, the beautiful setting of this two-story dining facility aids in the positive experience. Morimoto Asia provides an upscale escape from the theme parks with incredible Asian food. This restaurant could compete in almost any restaurant market. Walt Disney World guests benefit from such a high-end celebrity chef-style restaurant being available at the resort.
The service is excellent here. Based on our trips to Morimoto Asia, we have never found anything we disliked on the menu. Guests wanting the high-end “Omakase” meal like at Takumi-Tei, Morimoto Asia offers that. On rare occasions, Iron Chef Morimoto himself prepares that style of meal.
The lunch menu offers a limited but more cost-effective version of the Morimoto Asia dinner menu. We recommend ordering the Morimoto Spare Ribs. Those ribs are equal to or better than any other ones at Walt Disney World.
The Peking Duck (for two) earns high reviews also. Morimoto Asia’s menu offers noodle and rice bowls, various vegetarian Asian dishes, and a full selection of beverages. The famous Iron Chef winning “Buri-Bop” makes a great choice also, with chefs coming out to make the meal right in front of you in a hot clay pot. For those desiring upscale Asian food, Morimoto Asia has many menu items for you to explore.
Planet Hollywood
Planet Hollywood is an American restaurant inside Disney Springs full of Hollywood memorabilia and food by Celebrity Chef Guy Fieri. The restaurant itself is an experience with an immersive video wall with sound and media featuring music videos and 3D animation.
The atmosphere of this restaurant is cool, they play popular songs throughout your meal and at times everyone in the restaurant might start singing along! You'll find traditional American food here like burgers, sandwiches, pizza and other appetizer options. There's some fun milkshakes for both kids and adults along with plenty of chances to purchase souvenir cups.
But my favorite item at Planet Hollywood is Morgan's Veggie Burger. This vegetable burger is made from scratch out of black beans, white beans, chickpeas, oats, artichokes, roasted red pepper and garlic with cilantro aïoli and LTOP on a toasted wheat bun served with triple fries.
It's not often you see made-from-scratch veggie burgers anymore since Impossible burgers took over so I'm glad this one remains an option. You could tell that it was made from scratch, it is absolutely delicious. The balance of black beans and chickpeas worked out nicely so it didn't taste just like an average bean based veggie burger. I highly recommend this option and not just for vegetarians! This burger was one of the menu options created by Celebrity Chef Guy Fieri. This restaurant is a great choice for families looking for traditional American food with an immersive theme kids will love.
Summer House On The Lake
Summer House on the Lake is a great brunch spot in Disney Springs. Summer House on the Lake is themed after the atmosphere of a beach house inspired by coastal ambiance with indoor and outdoor patios.
The interior offers such great ambiance. I loved the interior of this restaurant, I want my entire patio to look like this! They did great with the atmosphere in this restaurant and really fits the ambiance of what you'd imagine a perfect weekend brunch to be.
Summer House on the Lake features lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch options with a menu that showcases garden fresh food, Californian-style cuisine and seasonal ingredients. Options include salads, sandwiches, pizzas and more plus a full brunch menu on weekends.
The brunch here is one of my favorite brunch spots in Disney Springs. Weekend brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays from 9AM to 2PM. The brunch menu includes traditional favorites like pancakes, bacon, eggs plus breakfast burritos, breakfast tostadas and more.
Summer House on the Lake also offers it's own Cookie Bar. The selection of cookies are extremely impressive and I can see why some are saying these options rival Gideon's Bakehouse. These are excellent cookies and make for a good second option for cookies if you don't want to wait in line at Gideon's Bakehouse.
Magic Kingdom Resort Area Restaurants
Walt Disney World Resort has more than 25 hotels with many offering some of the most popular and high-quality food options in the area! Many of these restaurants are worth the time to visit on a day off from the theme parks, in the evenings, or even as a midday break from your park day. The amount of hotels and offerings beyond the theme parks are actually a key aspect of what sets Walt Disney World apart from Disneyland.
Let's break down some of the most notable Walt Disney World resort restaurants and why we continue to revisit these as frequent Disney fans. These restaurants are also must sees for those visiting Walt Disney World for the first time as this is also a great way to get a chance to visit the other resorts and take in the impressive themes. If you are looking for the best bars and lounges at Walt Disney World resort hotels, our guide ranks them all and names our favorite!
Let's start with the Magic Kingdom resort area which covers all the best restaurants near Magic Kingdom. You can access all of these by monorail which makes a midday trip from the parks to dine at these very convenient.
Ohana Restaurant- Disney's Polynesian Resort
The very popular Ohana Restaurant serves as the higher-end table service restaurant at Disney’s Polynesian Resort. Ohana remains one of the most popular dining reservations to acquire at Walt Disney World due to the dining experience and Ohana’s reputation of great, quality food. Ohana offers a character breakfast. It also serves dinner (without characters) starting around 3:30 p.m. Both meals are served all you care to enjoy family style.
The “Best Friends Breakfast featuring Lilo & Stitch” happens each morning at Ohana. Ohana makes an excellent place for meeting characters while enjoying breakfast. Based on Disney’s Polynesian Resort being so close to Magic Kingdom, Ohana breakfast makes a good option before going to Magic Kingdom. If you can get a late breakfast reservation, this can be a meal break from Magic Kingdom.
This family-style breakfast allows guests to get photos and autographs from Disney characters. The breakfast menu includes scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, Stitch and Mickey waffles, ham with pineapple, fresh fruits, and assorted bread. We enjoyed the vegan options here as much as the non-vegan meal.
The dinner experience also involves characters. This all-you-care-to-enjoy dinner features Hawaiian-flavored specialties, including our famous ʻOhana Noodles. The meal consists of a mixed green salad, ‘Ohana Bread, honey-coriander chicken wings, pork dumplings, teriyaki beef, peel-n-eat shrimp, grilled chicken with chimichurri sauce, ‘Ohana noodles, roasted seasonal vegetables, and ‘Ohana bread pudding a la mode. ‘Ohana is a fan favorite and for good reason!
California Grill- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort has been one of the top table service restaurants at Walt Disney World for some time. This place offers excellent food and beverages, great views, and excellent service. California Grill opens for dinner only, like Yachtsman Steakhouse, at 5:00 p.m.
This table service restaurant provides a beautiful view of the nighttime fireworks at Magic Kingdom. California Grill is located near Magic Kingdom, with massive windows facing towards the fireworks each evening. I've experienced a beautiful Florida sunset and then the fireworks here multiple times. It is difficult to convey how special a dinner here feels. The perfect ending or beginning of a trip.
Also, there is an outdoor observation deck for people dining at California Grill. Guests dining at the time of the fireworks or having eaten earlier in the day may go out on the patio for fireworks viewing. They even play music to match the fireworks display.
California Grill only uses a prix fixe menu option which includes an appetizer, an entrée, and a dessert. The main entrees on the prix fixe menu include Oak-fired Filet of Beef, Fire-roasted Venison, Florida Black Grouper, Cast Iron-grilled Pork Tenderloin, Saffron Risotto, Pan-seared All-Natural Chicken, Black Sea Bass, and Wagyu Strip Loin.
If you want to view the Magic Kingdom fireworks while avoiding the Magic Kingdom crowds, California Grill is the best place to be! If you want to enjoy the atmosphere and skip the pre fix menu, you can enjoy more casual options in the lounge.
Steakhouse 71- Disney's Contemporary Resort
Steakhouse 71 is named for the year Disney’s Contemporary Resort first opened. The theme of Steakhouse 71 is inspired by the design style of 1970s and is reimagined in a contemporary way. Guests will notice some Florida touches like Orange Bird and citrus groves mixed in with the decor.
The most popular menu item here is the hamburger which you can also enjoy at the attached Steakhouse 71 lounge.
Classic dishes at Steakhouse 71 are inspired by Walt Disney's favorites including The Steakhouse 71 Feast or Walt’s Prime Rib Hash for breakfast and French Onion Soup, Prime Rib, 6-oz Filet Mignon or Dry-aged Bone-In Pork Chop for lunch or dinner.
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue- Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort is the most classic dining experience at the resort. This is more than just a restaurant, it's an interactive show experience with traditional American comfort food served family style. The offering dates back to 1974.
The Pioneer House Players put on an outstanding show. The show offers plenty of energy and the expected amount of corny humor with singing, clapping, and foot stomping. The show also includes audience participation with guests sitting closer to the stage having the change of being selected as part of the show.
The food arrives at your table served in metal buckets as a family-style dining experience. If you want more, they will bring you more. The sides will come out first featuring Hoop Salad, slaw, and house-made cornbread. The main entrée and sides arrive for the next portion with the table receiving barbecued ribs, fried chicken, macaroni & cheese, cowboy beans, and mashed potatoes. The strawberry shortcake is always a hit for the dessert!
If you're dining with kids, make sure to put them forward to be a volunteer if they want to and don't be afraid to get into the experience to make the most of it!
EPCOT Hotel Area Best Restaurants
Next up are the Walt Disney World resort restaurants located near EPCOT which feature some of our favorite dining options and easy access to nearby experiences on the Disney Boardwalk. It is so easy to get over to these hotels from the EPCOT area whether you take the Friendship Boat over or make use of the Disney Skyliner. Click here to see all of the best Disney BoardWalk restaurants.
Topolino’s Terrace -Disney’s Riviera Resort
One of the best signature table service restaurants at Walt Disney World can be found at Disney’s Riviera Resort. Topolino’s Terrace on the tenth floor of Disney’s Riviera Resort provides some of the best food around. Like Ohana, Topolino’s Terrace has a character dining breakfast and dinner. Those two dining experiences provide fabulous but different types of dining.
The “Breakfast à la Art with Mickey & Friends” enchants guests with top-quality breakfast pastries, entrees, and sides. Regarding food quality, the breakfast at Topolino’s stands out as some of the best at Walt Disney World. Combining unmatched service and unique character interaction, Topolino’s Terrace quickly became many people’s favorite breakfast on the property.
In the evening, Topolino’s Terrace becomes a more elegant dining experience. This signature dining experience at dinner features elevated French- and Italian-inspired cuisine. There will not be Disney characters in the evening. The food quality will show you why this place is in such demand for reservations. We suggest the Ricotta appetizer and the Classic Sole Meunière, Rigatoni, and Filet Mignon for entrees.
Topolino’s Terrace easily earns the status of one of the best Disney World table service restaurants for food quality. Compared to other high-end signature dining, you can enjoy an equal or close to equal meal for less money. The entrées we suggested range from $36-$56. However, compared to California Grill which costs $100 or more for the full prix fixe menu, Topolino’s Terrace can be a better value for the money. Victoria & Albert’s, the most expensive and best food quality and service at Walt Disney World, costs many times more than Topolino’s Terrace. Victoria & Albert is much better, but most guests cannot afford that option. Topolino’s Terrace provides a fabulous dining experience that many guests can enjoy.
Flying Fish- Disney's Boardwalk
Flying Fish is a restaurant at Disney's Boardwalk. This area offers a wide variety of fun dining options, shopping, and entertainment. Flying Fish is located right next to AbracadaBar and is Disney Boardwalk's signature table service restaurant. Flying Fish offers premium sustainable seafood, oak-grilled steaks with vegetables grown right at The Land pavilion in EPCOT. Since this is a signature table service restaurant, it requires guests to abide by a dress code.
The name “Flying Fish” is named after one of the ride vehicles on the Flying Turns roller coaster in Coney Island which fits right in with the theme of the Boardwalk. When guests enter they will see roller coaster-inspired booths with a wavy design and a giant crystal chandelier resembling a school of fish. That's pretty much where the theme park-inspired design ends. This is a very upscale dining option that delivers on the fancy decor and high price tags.
Flying Fish has the best seafood on Walt Disney World property with some favorites being the Seafood Trofie Pasta featuring shrimp, lobster, scallops, clams, mussels. The octopus is also a favorite of ours but don't forget to consider the steak! The filet mignon is one of the best on Walt Disney World property.
The entire dining experience here is laid back and comfortable. The restaurant has a wide array of wine options for pairing with the meal and a delicious bread service. The food is some of the freshest I have ever had on Disney World property. The salads and garnishes here are delicious. Many vegetables served here are actually grown in The Land pavilion in EPCOT. Multiple times I've noted how difficult it is to go from this incredibly fresh and artisan dinner to a quick service breakfast that just doesn't quite deliver the next morning. A high compliment to Flying Fish.
Our pro tip is to head next door to AbracadaBar, the entrances are connected, to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail in the magician themed lounge before dinner. When we are traveling from the west coast we've closed out EPCOT and then eaten here for the final meal of the night.
Ale and Compass- Disney's Yacht Club Resort
Ale & Compass is also near the Boardwalk area located inside Disney's Yacht Club resort. Ale & Compass offers upscale dining but at a comparatively low cost. Ale & Compass has varying hours for breakfast, lunch, and dinner making it easy to fit into your day at EPCOT. This table service restaurant delivers a quality experience and very well-prepared dining options at a fair price.
Ale & Compass looks fancy but has great food options at an affordable price. You can enjoy a New York Strip steak dinner for $36 which comes with delicious truffle fries, house-made steak sauce, and a Watercress salad. Another popular option are the Cabernet-braised short ribs.
Make sure to order the rolls with the various bread offerings. The Chicken Pot Pie is also a perfect dish for winter colder months.
The location of Ale & Compass right on the Boardwalk makes it one of our favorite spots and the high quality food with good pricing is a reason why we just keep returning here.
Primo Piatto Dining- Disney's Riveria Resort
Primo Piatto is the quick service option at Disney's Riveria Resort which is just a quick Skyliner ride away from EPCOT. We had to make sure to include a great quick service option on our list especially if you want to enjoy higher quality quick service options outside of the theme parks.
Primo Piatto has great sandwiches and salads with our favorite menu item being the Tuna Nicoise Salad.
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop-Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Beaches and Cream Soda Shop at Disney's Beach Club Resort is one of the most popular dining experiences at the resort hotels. This location has a fantastic selections of ice cream but also great sandwiches! One of my favorite menu items is the grilled cheese with tomato soup, a classic that this restaurant gets right.
Other favorite sandwiches we've tried are the Reuben and the French Dip sandwich. Both offered plenty of meat and perfection fries. It's really one of the best places to get these classic sandwiches.
The famous item on the Beaches and Cream menu is the Kitchen Sink ice cream dish. Each time of these comes out, sirens flash and Cast Members stop what they are doing to recite a fun spiel about the dish. In the Kitchen Sink you'll find scoops of Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Cookies ‘n Cream, and Mint Chocolate Chip topped with, Hot Fudge, Peanut Butter, SNICKERS® pieces, Fresh-baked Brownie, and every other topping that they have currently.
Beaches and Cream is a popular location but if you can't find a reservation, it's worth utilizing the walk up list on the My Experience app, we've managed to get last minute spots easily doing this.
Animal Kingdom Lodge Restaurants
Animal Kingdom Lodge is a great hotel to pay a visit to and not just to see the views of the animals on the savannah that surrounds the hotel! This resort hotel has some of the best dining options all in one place featuring a variety of African inspired menus that are a hit with foodies.
Jiko – The Cooking Place-Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Jiko – The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge receives respect from most food critics. This table service restaurant blends a menu of African, Indian, and Mediterranean cuisine.
The menu contains solid plant-based options and a wide variety of steak, seafood, and chicken entrees. Jiko even offers unique flatbreads on the appetizer menu, like the Duck Confit and Honey-Raisin Flatbread.
If you want a well-seasoned and well-prepared steak, Jiko has you covered. We suggest ordering the Botswanan Seswaa Short Rib if you feel more adventurous. You will not lack flavor whatever you order at Jiko – The Cooking Place. Jiko impresses guests with exquisite African flavors, guests should expect unique and unexpected flavors. And of course, this is where you find the notorious giraffe bread!
Boma- Flavors of Africa
Boma – Flavors of Africa provides guests with arguably the best buffet at Walt Disney World. Boma is themed to resemble a African marketplace featuring all you care to enjoy buffets for breakfast and dinner.
You'll find African inspired menu items at this buffet making it more exciting than your average buffet experience at Walt Disney World.
Other food options include spiced green beans, kokonut rice, west African black eyed peas and more.
And of course, a large variety of dessert options!
Also, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Sanaa provides a fabulous dining experience. The Sanaa Bread Service makes a great reason to visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge by itself. The bread service at Sanna is very popular with many guests visiting this restaurant just to try it. It doesn't quite make the list as a top restaurant but the bread service on it's own is worth mentioning for hotel guests to stop by.
There are so many great options for best Walt Disney World restaurants but we have tried to narrow it down to the best options at each theme park, resort hotel area, and Disney Springs.
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