Walt Disney World Restaurants Everything you need to know

Welcome to Dad’s Simple Guide to Walt Disney World Restaurants. We’ve got everything you need to know right here about eating/dining at Walt Disney World.

 

Pretty cool right?

 

Speaking of Cool… The Sci Fi Dine In is amazing – Photo by Judd Helms

 

First we’ll look at all the restaurants. We’ll start in the hotels, then move to the theme parks and even Disney Springs.

 

Jump to the Hotel Restaurants –

• Deluxe Resort Restaurants
• Moderate Resort Restaurants
• In the Value Resort Restaurant

To the parks –

• Magic Kingdom Restaurants
• EPCOT Restaurants
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios Restaurants
• Animal Kingdom Restaurants

In Disney Springs –

• Disney Springs

You probably will want to know about the Disney Dining Plan and making Advanced Dining Reservations –

• Disney Dining Plan
• Advanced Dining Reservations

IN THE HOTELS

Chef Mickey’s is one of the all time favorites – Photo by Cliff Wang

 

The Disney World hotels host some of the best Disney World restaurants in all of Disney World. Victoria and Albert’s is one of the highest rated restaurants in Florida. Some of the most popular restaurants in Disney World are in the hotels, like ‘Ohana and Chef Mickey’s.

THE DELUXE RESORTS

Not only are the Deluxe Resorts the top resorts at Disney World, but they also have the top Disney World Restaurants.

Polynesian Resort

• ‘Ohana – Meat cooked over a pit and served from skewers. Dad’s favorite restaurant.
• Kona Cafe – An eclectic diner with an Asian flair. Serves a traditional American breakfast
• Captain Cooks – quick service food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• The Spirit of Aloha – A spirited Hawaiian Luau with everything but the pig.
• Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto – appetizer and drinks in a spirited bar
• Pineapple Lanai – grab a Dole Whip

Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Towers

• California Grill – gourmet dinners using the freshest ingredients available.
• Chef Mickey’s – character buffet starring the Mickey
• The Contempo Cafe – quick service breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• The Wave – A unique and casual “organic” dining experience

The Grand Floridian Resort

The Grand Floridian Cafe has a pretty cool view – Photo by Cliff Wang

• Victoria and Albert’s – the premier restaurant at Walt Disney World.
• 1900 Park Fare – Mary Poppins buffet.
• Citricos – enjoy Southern European cuisine
• Grand Floridian Cafe – quick service restaurant
• Narcoossee’s – Experience Coastal sea food on the banks of Seven Seas Lagoon

Wilderness Lodge and Villas

• Artist Point – an upscale restaurant for adults with some fine Northwestern US offerings
• Roaring Fork – counter service restaurant with some Northwest specialties thrown in
• Geyser Point Bar and Grill – get breakfast, lunch and dinner and dive right into the pool
• Whispering Canyon Cafe – some good down home grub and some good down home fun

Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas

• Boma – Flavors of Africa – a buffet some African flavored dishes.
• Jiko – The Cooking Place – delightful African, Mediterranean and Indian cuisine
• Mara- the Fastfood Place – quick service restaurant for the Animal Kingdom
• Sanaa – located in Kidani Village. Colors abound in the Indian flavored African cuisine.

Beach Club Resort and Villas

The Kitchen Sink must be shared – Photo by Leah Sikes

• Beaches and Cream – All the ice cream you can imagine along with toppings and syrups
• Beach Club Marketplace – quick service food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Cape May Cafe – breakfast and dinner buffets featuring Goofy at breakfast and Disney Characters and seafood at dinner.
• Hurricane Hanna’s Grill – the grill at Stormalong Bay (the pool between the Beach and Yacht Club).

On the Boardwalk (Boardwalk Inn and Villas)

• AbracadaBar – a magical place of drinks and illusion
• Big River Grille and Brewing Works – A microbrewery that serves pub food.
• Boardwalk Bakery – sandwiches and lots of goodies
• Boardwalk Pizza Window – Pizza on the Boardwalk
• ESPN Club – “bar” food served in the middle of big TV’s
• Flying Fish Cafe– get some really fresh fish
• Trattoria al Forno – old fashioned Italian eatery

Yacht Club Resort

• Captain’s Grille – Captain’s Grill is the quick service restaurant at the Yacht Club.
• Hurricane Hanna’s Grill – grab a bite to eat while enjoying the Stormalong Bay.
• Yachtsman Steakhouse – World class steaks in a casually elegant dining room. Dress up for this fine meal.

Old Key West

Olivia’s Cafe is a relaxing off the beaten path place for a good meal – Photo by Laurie Sapp

• Good’s Food to Go – fast food with a pretty basic menu. Grab a burger and relax at the pool.
• Olivia’s Cafe – Kona Cafe has banana stuffed French Toast, not to be outdone, Olivia’s Cafe has banana bread French Toast. Yum, yum. Grab a breakfast, lunch or dinner full of Caribbean spiced specialties.

Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa

• Artist’s Palate – unlike Artist Point in the Wilderness Lodge this artist retreat is full of hustle and bustle. This is the fast food and gift shop area of Saratoga Springs
• Paddock Grill – grab a hot and quick bite while you are waiting for your horse to hit it big
• Turf Club Bar and Grill – sit down to an quiet (not really) meal featuring American cuisine from sandwiches to seafood. Not only can you get a bite, you can play a little pool. After dark yo u can enjoy the lights from Disney Springs. It also overlooks Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course. FORE!

THE MODERATE RESORTS

Grabbing some fruit is always a good idea – Photo by Cliff Wang

 

The Disney World Restaurants at the Moderate Resorts are a mixture of food courts and Table Service restaurants. There are some interesting offerings at the Moderate Resorts.

Caribbean Beach Resort

• Old Port Royale – Old Port Royal3 was Disney’s first food court. The original is sometimes the best, and sometimes you learn from your mistakes. This is a little of both.
• Shutters – is a bright and colorful place to sit down and eat a Caribbean inspired meal or even to get a tropical drink or two. There’s even Prime Rib (Dad’s favorite).

Coronado Springs Resort

Pepper Market offers a good variety – Photo by Kathleen Wolfe

• Pepper Market – a new fangled food court that is part quick service, part table service. (A 10% service charge is added to each meal.) Southwest favorites are on display.
• Maya Grill – mixes traditional American Fare with Neuveo Latino cuisine. Seafood, chicken and steak top this diverse menu.
• Cafe Rix – has a wide selection of baked goods. In the morning it’s pastries and the rest of the day sandwiches.
• Las Ventanas – have a relaxing breakfast and lunch in a quiet intimate dining room

Port Orleans Resort

• Boatwright’s – Louisiana favorites served in an old boat factory. Now that’s something different. Located in the Riverside section this table service restaurant features favorites from Prime Rib to Jambalaya.
• Riverside Mill Food court – The Riverside Mill is the food court in the Riverside section of the Port Orleans (imagine that).
• Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory – the food court in the French Quarter section.

Fort Wilderness Campground

Good food and a good show at the hoop Dee Doo Revue – Photo by Brett Svenson

• The Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue– Dinner and a show. What could be better. While not technically a Disney World restaurant, this patriotic show is fun and has some really good food.
• Mickey’s Backyard BBQ – dance and sing with Mickey and friends and get some really great food.
• Trails Inn – get some really good southern home cookin’ and enjoy a down home atmosphere.

THE VALUE RESORTS

Everything Pop is one of Dad’s favorite places for breakfast – photo by Laurie Sapp

 

 

 

While there aren’t any fancy Disney World restaurants at the Value Resorts. The only choice is the food courts. Each has the same food stations, and basically the same menus. (Everything Pop has some Pop Century specific offerings.)

 

The food is pretty good, and breakfast is really good. Here are the food courts for each resort –

• World Premier – All Star Movies
• Intermission Court – All Star Music.
• End Zone Food Court – All Star Sports
• Everything Pop – Pop Century

IN THE PARKS

There’s nothing better that walking through a park eating a Mickey bar – photo by Leah Sikes

 

There are some really wonderful Walt Disney World Restaurants in the Parks. There are some very average restaurants in the parks. So, Dad, which is which? Check it out …

Magic Kingdom

You can even watch the candy being made – photo by Cliff Wang

 

The Magic Kingdom has some great, and some not so great Disney World restaurants, but every one has a great theme. Cinderella’s Royal Table is not to be missed. Enjoy.

• Tony’s Town Square Restaurant – Italian Restaurant with a Lady and the Tramp theme.
• Casey’s Corner – Hot dog stand.
• Main Street Bakery – Great place to grab a quick snack and a Starbucks.
• Cinderella’s Royal Table – The Magic Kingdom’s signature restaurant located in Cinderella Castle.
• Plaza Restaurant – a hidden gem that doesn’t get a lot of attention. Casual dining in an elegant setting.
• The Crystal Palace – Character buffet starring Winnie the Pooh and friends.
• Pinocchio Village Haus – Fast Food in Fantasyland.
• Liberty Tree Tavern – Colonial dining featuring a traditional Thanksgiving meal
• Columbia Harbour House -Fish and chips, chicken and sandwiches
• Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe – Southwest dining, nachos, fajitas, burritos, taco and more.
• Tortuga Tavern – Captain Jack’s favorite establishment serves Mexican fast food
• Sunshine Tree Terrace – Drinks and ice cream
• Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe – Chicken and hamburgers
• Be Our Guest – fine dining with the Beast and Belle
• Gaston’s Tavern – smack dab in the middle of Belle’s village is Gaston’s Tavern where you can get a hunk of meat and a sweet drink
• Aloha Isle – home of the Dole Whip
• Skipper Canteen – eclectic dining based on the Jungle Cruise
• Lunching Pad – fast food in Tomorrowland

The Magic Kingdom isn’t the best place for great food, but you can get good food in some interesting locations.

EPCOT

The chefs at Teppan Edo can make some interesting things – Photo by Cliff Wang

 

EPCOT has some of the best restaurants in Disney World. The Disney World Restaurant menus for the World Showcase restaurants are as varied as the pavilions. Future World isn’t a great place for great food. But, the Disney restaurants in the World Showcase makes up for the lack of eating places in Future World.

• Coral Reef Restaurant – Seafood in a great location.
• Sunshine Season Food Fair – Food court in the lower area of the Land pavilion.
• The Electric Umbrella – Fast food, plain and simple.
• Garden Grill – character dining starring Chip and Dale
• The San Angel Inn – The restaurant inside the pyramid at the Mexico Pavilion
• La Hacienda y La Cantina – The quick service and table service restaurants in Mexico on the World Showcase Lagoon
• Akershus Royal Banquet Hall – Home of Disney’s Princess Storybook Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
• Kringla Bakeri og Kafe – Norwegian pastries and sandwiches.
• Nine Dragons – EPCOT’s sit down Chinese restaurant.
• Lotus Blossom Cafe – Chinese fast food.
• Via Napoli – Pizza in Italy
• Tutto Italia Ristorante – Old World Italian food in a casual restaurant
• Biergarten – German food buffet with an Octoberfest feel.
• Liberty Inn – Fast food in the American Pavilion
• Chefs de France – Fine French food
• Boulangerie Patisserie les Halles – incredible snacks and sandwiches
• Monsieur Paul – upscale French Food in an intimate, adults only setting
• Teppan Edo – Food cooked at your table.
• Katsura Grill – Fast Japanese food
• Tokyo Dining – upscale Japanese cuisine in a sleek restaurant
• Restaurant Marrakesh – North African themed food and restaurant in Morocco
• Spice Road Table – outdoor Moroccan Cafe with interesting offerings
• Rose and Crown Pub – food that sounds great in an English pub
• Yorkshire County Fish Shop – Fish and Chips
• Le Cellier> – The best steakhouse in EPCOT is located in Canada.

EPCOT Dining Events

• Candlelight Processional Dinner Show – Enjoy a good meal and a great Christmas show.

You can find just about anything you’d like to eat in EPCOT.

Disney Hollywood Studios

Go back in time at 50’s Prime Time Cafe – Photo by Cliff Wang

 

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is home to some of the most uniquely themed Disney World Restaurants. Here you’ll find a drive in movie restaurant and a lunch counter in a larger-than-life lunch box. Check them out.

• QUICK SERVICE

• ABC Commissary – a menu with American classics in an art deco setting.
• Backlot Express – fast lunch and dinner in Eacho Lake.
• BaseLine Tap House – a grown-up lounge with light snacks.
• Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo – grab some intergalactic grub
• PizzeRizzo – a pizza restaurant based on the Muppets and especially the character Rizzo the Rat.
• Sunset Ranch Market – there are several quick service offerings along Sunset Boulevard with a variety of foods and outdoor seating.
• The Trolley Car Café – this is the place for your Starbucks fix.
• Woody’s Lunch Box – see what the toys snack on from Andy’s leftovers.

TABLE SERVICE

• 50’s Prime Time Cafe – take a trip back to a slower time where families dined together right in the kitchen.
• Hollywood & Vine – character dining buffet starring Disney Junior characters or Minnie and friends.
• The Hollywood Brown Derby – take a trip back in time to a more elegant age when movie stars roamed Hollywood Boulevard and the Cobb Salad was a thing of legend. *signature dining location
• Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano – get some interesting Italian food with a Hollywood flair.
• Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant – jump in a 6-seater and watch old time Sci Fi movies under the stars.

MORE

There are lots of snack carts selling popcorn, slushes, ice cream, coffee, and pretzels throughout the park as well as a few cute walk-up windows with ever changing menus – Oasis Canteen, Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner, and Dinosaur Gertie’s Ice Cream of Extinction.

Animal Kingdom

That’s what we’re all looking for – Good Eats – photo by Judd Helms

 

There is not a lot of variety, or selection in the Animal Kingdom restaurants. The park closes at 5:00 on most days, so dinner isn’t really an option. Check out what’s available.

• Tusker House – “Awaken the Day” at Donald’s Safari Breakfast buffet. You can also get a unique lunch and dinner buffet here
• Harambe Market – an area of walk up windows in an open-air plaza with unique foods showcasing the flavors of Africa
• Satu’li Canteen – out of the world food in Pandora
• Flame Tree BBQ – really interesting BBQ flavors in a colorful setting
• Yak and Yeti – Chinese food in the shadow of Expedition Everest
• Rainforest Cafe – Dine in a tropical rain forest
• Restaurantosaurus – hamburgers and fixins
• Pizzafari – Grab some pizza and rest in the air conditioning
• Tiffins – international cuisine inspired by exploration and adventure

The Theme Parks are where most guests eat most meals. The Disney World Restaurants in the parks specialize in feeding hoards of people really fast.

DISNEY SPRINGS

Take a ride after dinner at the Boathouse – photo by Andy Sanchez

 

Disney Springs is home of some of the newest, most innovative and flat good places to eat. Check out the menus from some of the best known chefs in the world.

 

Marketplace

• Earl of Sandwich – good sandwiches at an affordable price
• Ghiradelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop – ice cream and chocolate, the two major food groups
• Rainforest Cafe – good food in a very interesting setting
• T-Rex – take a trip back to when dinosaurs roamed the earth, oh and the foods pretty good too
• Wolfgang Puck Express – down home quick service food with a Wolfgang Puck flair

The Landing

• Cookes of Dublin – enjoy the flavors of Dublin and Irish pub food
• Raglan Road – a true Irish pub including live music and Irish dancing
• Homecoming Florida Kitchen – Florida home cooking by Chef Art Smith
• Jock Lindsey’s Hanger Bar – taken right out of a scene from an Indiana Jones movie grab a drink and a bite and look for Indy.
• Morimoto Asia – Japanese cooking Morimoto style, come see what a real Iron Chef cooks up
• Paddlefish – upscale sea food served on the Empress Lilly paddle boat
• Paradiso 37 – Taste of America – North, Central and Southern American cuisine
• Portabello Country Italian Trattoria – a good old country Italian Trattoria that has a seasonal menu that highlights the flavors of Italy
• STK Orlando – steak is on the menu, steak and everything you would find in a high end steak house
• The Boathouse – upscale waterfront dining featuring seafood and steaks along with Amphicars

Town Center

Now that looks like a good pizza – Photo by Judd Helms

• Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza – make your own pizza
• D-Luxe Burgers – upscale hamburgers
• Fontera Cocina – Mexican dishes in an upbeat atmosphere from Chef Rick Bayless

West Side

• AMC Fork and Screen Theaters – a true “Dine-In Theater” experience, food and cocktails served during the movie
• Bongos Cuban Cafe – Gloria Estefan heads up this Cuban experience, good music and food
• Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ – is just good ole down home southern soul food brought to you by Chef Art Smith
• Food Truck Exposition Park – check out the Food Trucks at Disney Springs including favorites from the theme parks
• House of Blues Restaurant and Bar – southern soulful cuisine with lively music and a magical Sunday brunch
• Planet Hollywood Observatory – dine among the Stars with food by Chef Guy Fieri great atmosphere and amazing design
• Splitsville – bowling and food the two go great together come have a ball and enjoy some good cookin’
• The Smokehouse – barbeque or BBQ whatever you want to call it, it’s good eats
• Wolfgang Pucks Grand Cafe – come try chef Pucks fusion of Asian and Californian cuisines

DISNEY DINING PLAN

Yes, you can even get your Starbucks fix – photo by Laurie Sapp

 

ADVANCED DINING RESERVATIONS

You’ll want an ADR for Le Cellier – photo by Cliff Wang

 

Advanced Dining Reservations (ADR’s) are very, very important when it comes to eating in Walt Disney World restaurants. Very important. All the (sit down) Table Service Restaurants recommend that you make Advanced Dining Reservations. For some it’s a necessity. You won’t get in without one.

 

Check out more about ADR’s on…

Dad’s Advanced Dining Reservations page

 

Dad’s Bottom Line

Each of the Walt Disney World Restaurants has a unique theme. Some just have to be experienced. Character meals have become really big and must be reserved early. Make sure to get together as a family and decide which of the Disney restaurants you want to try out.