Best Disney World Restaurants: The Definitive Disney Dining Guide (2024)

Choosing where to eat when planning your Walt Disney World vacation can be one of the most challenging and time-consuming tasks you’ll encounter when planning your trip. After all, you need to eat at least three times a day, and there are more than 200 dining options available on property! How can you possibly narrow it down on your own? We’ve made a comprehensive list of the best Disney World restaurants in a wide range of categories so you can find the best places to eat for everyone in your family.

The winners in each category are based on personal experience, overall popularity, reservation availability and demand, theming, atmosphere, and recognition outside the Disney community. While we would love to profile every restaurant available at WDW, it’s impossible to visit all of them during one vacation (perhaps even during a lifetime of Disney vacations).

Each category includes our Magic Guides’ top pick, a runner-up, and an “earworthy” selection (a notable restaurant Disney insiders truly love and recommend over and over again).

So, grab some coffee in your favorite Disney mug (we know you have one), don your Minnie ears, and join us as we profile the best restaurants at Walt Disney World parks and resorts.

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Our Pick: ‘Ohana — Polynesian Village Resort

Table Service (All You Can Eat) | Reservations Recommended | View Menu

Whether you need space for your six kids or are dining with all your relatives for a family reunion, ‘Ohana lives up to its name, which you may know means “family” in Hawaiian. ‘Ohana serves all-you-care-to-eat breakfast and dinner in large family-style skillets. The spacious dining area has enormous round tables that easily accommodate large parties. Several rectangular tables in the center of the dining area can also be used for large parties.

The Best Friends Breakfast features Lilo, Stitch, Mickey, and Pluto. For dinner, selections include ‘Ohana’s famous stir-fry noodles, chicken wings, teriyaki beef, shrimp casserole, eight-way roasted chicken, Kielbasa sausage, broccoli, and pork dumplings.

Runner Up: 50s Prime Time Cafe — Hollywood Studios

Table Service | Reservations Recommended | View Menu

You’ll feel right at home (if you mind your manners) at this retro eatery modeled after a quintessential residential kitchen in the 1950s. The restaurant encourages you to gather around the dinner table and enjoy a family meal, with large booths and tables that seat parties of many sizes. Comfort food is on the menu: dishes include pot roast, meatloaf, fried chicken, pot pie, and mashed potatoes. The servers will even treat you like you’re at home, reminding you to keep your elbows off the table and eat your vegetables.

Earworthy: Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue — Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground

Dinner Show (All You Can Eat) | Reservations Recommended | Learn More

This classic dinner and variety show first premiered in 1971 and has entertained diners ever since. The dining hall has two levels and three seating categories, with various table sizes to accommodate large parties. I recently ate there with a group of eight. We enjoyed being at the table closest to the restaurant’s barn-style entrance at the back of the dining hall, giving us prime viewing to watch the performers make their grand entrance by banging and bursting through the doors. We had plenty of room for everyone and enjoyed the family-style platters of fried chicken, ribs, cornbread, salad, macaroni and cheese, as well as unlimited beer, wine, sangria, and soft drinks.

Our Pick: Tiffins — Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Signature Dining | Reservations Recommended | View Menu

Inspired by the globe-trotting journeys Disney Imagineers took when designing Animal Kingdom, this signature dining location is part art gallery, part culinary journey. Entrees include international cuisine from Asia and Africa, the lands that make up Animal Kingdom. Latin flavors are also present. In addition to its well-known bread service, notable dishes include falafels, tacos, veal, and surf and turf. There’s also a wide selection of press pot teas.

Runner Up: Cítricos — Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Signature Dining | Reservations Recommended | View Menu

One of the most highly acclaimed restaurants at the Grand Floridian is Cítricos. This Michelin plate-awarded restaurant is known for its Florida cuisine with Mediterranean flavors that have won over even the most discerning critics. Delicious specialties include sweet corn bisque, guava-barbecued short ribs, Mahi Mahi, caviar, and decadent desserts like the orange blossom flan. The restaurant was recently updated to include elements from Mary Poppins in its décor, but they are so subtle you’ll hardly notice. Cítricos has the upscale feel and luxurious atmosphere the Grand Floridian provides, with a more affordable price tag than other Grand Floridian eateries like Victoria and Albert’s.

Earworthy: Raglan Road Pub — Disney Springs

Table Service | Reservations Recommended | More Info

This traditional Irish pub is one of only a few places on Disney property with thriving nightlife, making it an obvious choice for adults who want to stay out after the parks close. The pub features nightly live entertainment, including Irish step dancers and musicians. The pub is also known for its St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Our Pick: Hollywood & Vine — Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Character Dining (Buffet) | Reservations Recommended |View Menu

Hollywood & Vine has one of the most unique character dining locations on property, with experiences that change daily from breakfast to lunch/dinner and seasonally. It’s also the only character dining available at Hollywood Studios. At the Play n’ Dine Breakfast, young children can see their favorite Disney Jr. characters like Vamprinia, Fancy Nancy, Doc McStuffins, and Goofy.

During Minnie’s Seasonal Dining for lunch and dinner, characters like Minnie, Mickey, Goofy, and Pluto are dressed in themed outfits to match the season. You can dine with the characters in their Halloween costumes from August to the beginning of November. From November through the beginning of January, you’ll experience a holiday-themed meal. In the winter (January and February), the characters don retro outfits celebrating the silver screen and old Hollywood. There’s springtime dining from March through May, and the characters wear fun summer outfits from May through August.

Breakfast is a classic American buffet with an omelet station and a selection of breakfast pastries, biscuits and gravy, bacon, eggs, and sausage. Of course, Mickey waffles are also on the menu. The lunch and dinner menu includes salads, pork belly, chicken, steak, macaroni and cheese with shrimp or bacon, and mini desserts.

Runner Up: Chef Mickey’s — Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Character Dining (Buffet) | Reservations Recommended |View Menu

Chef Mickey’s is the ultimate choice for kid-friendly dining. You can’t go wrong with traditional American fare served buffet-style while greeting Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, and Goofy. Did we mention that you may see the monorail pass through the resort while you eat? It’s always a hit with the kids, too! You’re just a few minutes from the Magic Kingdom, so a morning at Chef Mickey’s is a great way to start your Disney day.

Earworthy: Crystal Palace — Magic Kingdom

Character Dining (Buffet) | Reservations Recommended | View Menu

If you have any Winnie the Pooh lovers in your house, Crystal Palace is the only place at WDW to dine with characters from the Hundred Acre Wood. Although the name “Crystal Palace” doesn’t invoke the image of Pooh characters, the restaurant’s Victorian-inspired greenhouse setting resembles a springtime garden, creating a light and airy atmosphere for Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, and Tigger to stop by and celebrate “Friendship Day.”

Our Pick: Le Cellier Steakhouse — EPCOT

Signature Dining | Reservations Recommended |View Menu

Inspired by Canada’s grand hotels, Le Cellier has a cozy dining room resembling the wine cellars in Canada’s historic chateaus. It’s known for its steaks (including the Le Cellier filet mignon), seafood, poutine, and other Canadian specialties. The Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup is another must-try dish. Le Cellier is one of EPCOT’s original restaurants and remains one of the top fine dining locations at Walt Disney World. After your meal, take a romantic stroll around Victoria Gardens (inspired by the Butchart Gardens in British Columbia) before returning to the World Showcase.

Runner Up: Tony’s Town Square — Magic Kingdom

Table Service | Reservations Recommended | View Menu

Tony’s Town Square has a surprisingly romantic vibe even though it’s steps from the excitement of Main Street, USA. The water fountain in the middle of the dining area has an exceptionally calming effect. Inspired by the Italian restaurant featured in Lady and the Tramp, this eatery serves classic Italian cuisine like fettuccine alfredo, chicken parmigiana, and tortellini al forno. Classic spaghetti and meatballs round out the menu. No judgment for attempting to share a single strand of spaghetti like Lady and Tramp do (just don’t push the meatballs with your nose). Dinner at Tony’s can be the start of a perfect date night. After your meal, book one of the fireworks dessert parties for reserved fireworks viewing, drinks, and themed desserts.

Earworthy: Narcossee’s — Grand Floridian

Signature Dining | Reservations Recommended | View Menu

Set out on a dock overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon, Narcossee’s offers romantic views of the Magic Kingdom Resort Area. The restaurant’s octagonal shape and Victorian windows overlooking the lake allow most diners to view ferryboats traveling back and forth from Magic Kingdom, the sunset, and the Electric Light Parade. You can enter the restaurant’s patio for private viewing during the fireworks. The cuisine features fresh seafood, steak, and pork.

Our Pick: California Grill — Contemporary Resort

Signature Dining | Reservations Recommended | View Menu

There’s no room for debate here! Perched on the 15th floor of the Contemporary, California Grill offers bird’s-eye views of Cinderella Castle, Magic Kingdom, Seven Seas Lagoon, and Bay Lake. Panoramic windows throughout the restaurant give guests spectacular views of the Magic Kingdom Resort Area. Whether you watch the sunset behind the Grand Floridian or view Happily Ever After light up the sky above Cinderella Castle, you’re in for a visual treat. The views aren’t the only top-notch thing at California Grill, though. As a signature dining location, it offers a world-class menu featuring west-coast-inspired cuisine, like beef filet, venison, and sushi rolls.

Runner Up: Space 220 — EPCOT

Table Service | Reservations Recommended |View Menu

The views at this restaurant, located near Mission: Space in World Discovery, are out of this world—literally! Board a space elevator and blast off 220 miles into outer space (thanks to a little Disney magic). Once you arrive at Centauri Space Station (the dining area), you’re seated in a room with celestial panoramic views from space. You’ll dine on a space-themed prix fixe menu while gazing out viewports that provide both daytime and nighttime views of space. Pay attention to the scenes in these viewports, and you’ll find some Easter eggs, like X-Wing fighters and astronauts having lightsaber battles. It’s one of the newer restaurants at EPCOT, and its unique concept makes it one of our top choices for the best places to eat at EPCOT.

Earworthy: Sanaa — Animal Kingdom Lodge (Kidani Village)

Table Service | Reservations Recommended | View Menu

Where else in the US can you spot a zebra, giraffe, or ostrich while you eat? This east-African-themed eatery has oversized windows overlooking the savanna. Animal Kingdom Lodge is home to over 30 species of African animals, such as gazelles, kudu, and cranes, many of which frequent the area just outside the restaurant. Dishes blend African and Indian flavors, including curries, pork shank, fish, steak, and chicken.

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Our Pick: Takumi-Tei — EPCOT

Signature Dining | Reservations Recommended | View Menu

Authentic Japanese signature dining makes Takumi-Tei one of the best Disney World restaurants (and one of the most expensive). The restaurant features two “omakase” menus where the chef creates and curates each meal, which starts at $250 per person. Authentic Japanese seafood and sushi dishes take center stage while you dine in one of five rooms inspired by elements like wood, fire, earth, and stone.

Runner Up: Coral Reef — EPCOT

Table Service | Reservations Recommended | View Menu

Seafood lovers (and those who love the ocean) enjoy a unique culinary experience at Coral Reef, tucked away inside The Seas pavilion. The restaurant features immense viewing windows of The Seas aquarium (the second largest one in the US) and coral reef. Over 2,000 sea animals call the aquarium home, including sharks, rays, sea turtles, and a variety of colorful fish, all of which may swim by you during your meal. Lunch and dinner menus feature seafood specialties from around the world, including clam chowder, shrimp co*cktail, seared Verlasso salmon, Mahi Mahi, and shrimp and grits.

Earworthy: Columbia Harbor House — Magic Kingdom

Quick Service | Mobile Orders Accepted | View Menu

When you need a seafood fix but don’t want to spend precious park time at a sit-down restaurant, head over to Harbour House in Liberty Square, just before the entrance of the Haunted Mansion. Menu selections include New England-style lobster rolls, shrimp boil, and fried fish platters. This nautical-themed, quick-service eatery has two levels of indoor seating, so there’s plenty of room to take a break and cool off from the Florida heat.

Our Pick: Sassagoula Floatworks at Food Factory — Port Orleans French Quarter

Quick Service | Mobile Orders Accepted | View Menu

Designed to take you inside a Mardi Gras float warehouse, the Port Orleans French Quarter food court features a large seating area with oversized float prop pieces like jester hats, Mardi Gras beads, and mythical creatures dangling from the ceiling. Offerings rotate regularly for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Generally, dishes include American staples like burgers, chicken, sandwiches, pizza, and a few New Orleans favorites like jambalaya and gumbo. My favorite is the Mickey-shaped beignets, which are fried and prepared right before you. Since it’s the only place on property to get beignets, it’s worth checking out!

Runner Up: Gasparilla Island Grill — Grand Floridian

Quick Service | Mobile Orders Accepted | View Menu

When you need a late-night bite, this is your place. It’s open all day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It also has a late-night menu featuring snacks, pastries, salads, desserts, and coffee. While most dining locations at WDW close between 9 and 11 pm, Gasparilla Island Grill is regularly open longer, usually until midnight, and reopens at 6 am.

Earworthy: Capt. Cook’s — Polynesian Village Resort

Quick Service | Mobile Orders Accepted | View Menu

While not technically a food court (it’s a counter service restaurant), it’s the closest thing to one at the Polynesian. It’s a popular eatery with a wide range of menu items, like the Tonga Toast (Deep-fried, banana-stuffed bread sprinkled with cinnamon sugar) for breakfast and Korean chicken bowls for lunch and dinner.

Our Pick: Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo — Hollywood Studios

Quick Service | Mobile Orders Accepted |View Menu

Disney has upped their game in the quick service food department (plain hamburgers and chicken nuggets are not at every restaurant anymore). Docking Bay 7 is just one example of the innovative culinary creations that make Disney World a foodie destination. Located inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, this counter-service restaurant has one of the most unique menus on site. From Smoked Kaadu Pork Ribs (served with a blueberry corn muffin and cabbage slaw) to Batuuan Beef and Crispy Topato Stir-Fry, it’s a menu you’ve got to see to believe. A fan favorite is the Ronto Wrap, featuring roast pork, sausage, slaw, and sauce served up gyro-style on a soft pita.

Note: finding a table may be difficult during peak meal times, and you may have to sit on a makeshift stool made of space cruiser parts while eating.

Runner Up: Sunshine Seasons — EPCOT

Quick Service |View Menu

Sunshine Seasons serves breakfast and lunch on the bottom floor of The Land pavilion. What’s distinctive about this quick-service eatery is that many of the ingredients used in the dishes are harvested fresh from the Land’s greenhouses, which you can view from the Living with the Land attraction. Everyone in your party can pick something they’d enjoy with stations that include salmon, salads, vegan flatbreads, stir-fries, tacos, and rotisserie chicken.

Earworthy: Yak & Yeti™ Local Food Café — Animal Kingdom

Quick Service | View Menu

This quick-service eatery is one of my family’s favorites! Located outside the full-service Yak and Yeti restaurant, it offers Asian dishes like fried rice, honey sesame chicken, tempura shrimp, and Tikka Masala. We love the pork egg rolls, which we get with chicken fried rice to share for a filling, delicious lunch. The nearby outdoor seating is shaded and secluded, offering beautiful views of Expedition Everest and the surrounding lake.

Our Pick: Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe — Magic Kingdom

Quick Service | Mobile Orders Accepted | View Menu

While the parks have gotten more innovative with food options over the years, sometimes you want a simple burger and fries. Cosmic Ray’s hits the spot, offering bacon cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, and chicken strips with fries. The kid’s menu also includes mac and cheese. The eatery has three separate “bays” that serve the same menu but allow more guests to order simultaneously. This eatery can get busy, so I suggest mobile ordering your food to avoid waiting in a long line.

Runner Up: Regal Eagle Smokehouse — EPCOT

Quick Service | Mobile Orders Accepted | View Menu

A salute to all foods, but mostly BBQ. Located inside the American Adventure Pavilion at EPCOT, this counter-service restaurant includes comfort food and celebrates the BBQ regions around the nation, like Kansas City, Memphis, and Texas. Picky eaters will enjoy staples like ribs, BBQ burgers, mac and cheese, and chicken. There are a few options for the more adventurous eaters, like the BBQ Jackfruit Burger and Power Greens Salad. Muppets fans: look out for Sam Eagle and other Muppet-themed details throughout the décor.

Earworthy: Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater — Hollywood Studios

Table Service | Reservations Recommended | View Menu

Casual diner fare is served in this 1950s drive-in themed restaurant. Every booth is placed inside a 1950s convertible (two adults can usually fit in each row), and you eat while watching clips of science fiction movies from the 1950s that were popular at drive-ins. Menu selections include burgers and classic American appetizers like onion rings and chicken wings.

A note to picky eaters (from a recovering picky eater): be mindful of gimmicks at certain restaurants that will playfully call you out for your pickiness. At 50s Prime Time Café (Hollywood Studios), my meal came with green beans I didn’t intend to eat. Our server pointed it out and teased that she wouldn’t bring the dessert menu until the green beans were gone. It was all in motherly fun, and luckily, a family member took care of my green beans so the table could order dessert. In addition, if you ask for ketchup at Whispering Canyon (Wilderness Lodge), the servers tell everyone to bring all the ketchup bottles in the entire restaurant to your table. They’ll stay there until someone else asks for ketchup. Good luck trying to find a place for your plate!

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Our Pick: TIE! Gaston’s Tavern and Sleepy Hollow — Magic Kingdom

Quick Service Snacks | Mobile Orders Accepted (Sleepy Hollow)

This pick might be a bit controversial if you’re looking for a full-fledged, sit-down, bacon-and-eggs feast. But a lot of Disney World visitors are on the run first thing in the morning, anxious to get their day started with lots of rides and excitement. So our top breakfast picks are places where you can get quick fuel without wasting any time.

Both Gaston’s and Sleepy Hollow serve too-good-to-pass-up breakfast pastries that are worth mentioning. Gaston’s Tavern is known for its colossal cinnamon rolls and LeFou’s Brew (frozen apple juice). Located toward the back of Fantasyland, it’s a fair distance away from the Starbucks on Main Street and is one of the best places to grab a to-go breakfast and coffee if you’re in that area of the park. Sleepy Hollow is an often-overlooked open-air eatery located toward the right when you enter Liberty Square. It often features seasonal treats and is known for its chocolate/hazelnut spread (Nutella) and fruit waffle sandwiches.

Runner Up: Kona Café — Polynesian Village Resort

Table Service | Reservations Recommended | View Menu

Kona Café is a second location at the Polynesian where you can find the famous Tonga Toast. The café also features omelets, egg platters, and specialty griddle dishes like Macadamia Nut Pancakes with Pineapple Sauce.

Earworthy: Olivia’s Cafe— Old Key West Resort

Table Service | Reservations Recommended | View Menu

Olivia’s Café is a hidden gem and is one of the best Disney World restaurants for brunch. Their selections go beyond the traditional Mickey waffles and omelets served at other breakfast eateries on property. I enjoyed the Banana Bread French Toast. Other selections include the Sombrero Beach Omelet, fried chicken, and Chicken Caesar Salad. The restaurant also has brunch-style co*cktails like Loaded Bloody Marys and Olivia’s Eye Opener.

Our Pick: Satu’li Canteen — Animal Kingdom

Quick Service | Mobile Orders Accepted | View Menu

Every restaurant at Disney World has allergy-friendly and plant-based menus. However, Satu’li Canteen has these options available on their regular menu. The menu contains a variety of power bowls, which include a starch base, a protein, and a sauce. Options include Chimichurri-Braised beef, Chili-Garlic Shrimp, and the Ocean Moon Bowl. The Cheeseburger Bao Bun Pods are also a big hit.

Runner Up: Garden Grill — EPCOT

Character Dining (All You Can Eat) | Reservations Recommended | View Menu

Family-friendly and health-conscious, the Garden Grill features character dining with Chip, Dale, Mickey, and Pluto for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. All the veggies used in the dishes are grown at the EPCOT greenhouses, steps from the restaurant. Menu items like grilled beef, turkey, and salads are served family-style in large platters at your table. Another unique feature is that the entire restaurant slowly rotates through various food-growing environments, including a rainforest, a prairie, and farmland during your meal.

Earworthy: Teppan Edo — EPCOT

Table Service (Hibachi Style) | Reservations Recommended | View Menu

This restaurant inside the Japan pavilion offers traditional hibachi meals like stir-fried veggies, soup, salad, rice, tempura meats, and sushi.

Our Pick: Topolino’s Terrace Breakfast — Riviera Resort

Character Dining | Reservations Recommended | View Menu

Since Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera opened in December 2019, guests have raved about the delicious food and excellent character interactions during Breakfast à la Art. It’s one of the hardest-to-get character dining reservations, and it’s easy to see why. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy are dressed in très magnifique outfits that pay homage to European artists, like painters, poets, and dancers. Its rooftop location offers impressive views. The prix fixe menu selection goes beyond other character dining buffets, including European-style pastries, quiches, waffles, smoked salmon bagels, and Brûlée Bread Pudding.

Runner Up: Cinderella’s Royal Table — Magic Kingdom

Character Dining | Reservations Recommended | View Menu

Noted as one of our top picks for best Disney World restaurants for character dining, Cinderella’s Royal Table is truly a magical experience. Children and adults alike marvel at getting to eat inside Cinderella Castle. The royal ambiance makes it one of the top places to get engaged at Walt Disney World. Pose for pictures with Cinderella in the main lobby, then head upstairs for your meal while princesses like Ariel, Snow White, Jasmine, and Aurora come around to your table.

Earworthy: Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White — Wilderness Lodge

Character Dining | Reservations Recommended | View Menu

A newer addition to character dining at WDW, this Snow-White-themed restaurant allows you to dine with unique characters you won’t find anywhere else. Snow White, Dopey, and Grumpy visit your table, and there’s a special photo op with the Evil Queen. The restaurant is beautifully decorated to look like an enchanted forest, and the prix fixe menu includes themed dishes like Hunter’s Pie, “Cottage” Beef Stroganoff, and Sorceress Spell “Tricken” Chicken.

Our Pick: Victoria & Albert’s — Grand Floridian

Luxury Dining | Reservations Required | Learn More

The “culinary crown jewel” of Walt Disney World is internationally recognized, receiving the AAA Five Diamond Award and the Forbes Travel Guide 5 Star Restaurant Award. It’s also mentioned in the Michelin Guide. There’s an award-winning wine list with over 500 wines dating back nearly one hundred years. The restaurant includes three distinct dining experiences with a prix fixe menu: the Chef’s Tasting Menu, the Chef’s Degustation Menu, and the private Chef’s Table experience (the most elite and exquisite dining on property).

Runner Up: Monsieur Paul — EPCOT

Signature Dining | Reservations Recommended |View Menu

This elegant French restaurant blends classic French cuisine with a modern “gastronomic” twist, all while offering views of the World Showcase Lagoon. Chef Paul Bocuse, a world-renowned chef, showcases his culinary talents with innovative dishes that display his creativity. The restaurant provides a prix fixe menu that features contemporary interpretations of traditional French cuisine.

Earworthy: The Hollywood Brown Derby — Hollywood Studios

Signature Dining | Reservations Recommended |View Menu

Contemporary American fare meets old Hollywood charm at this replica of the famous restaurant of the same name in L.A. Caricatures of celebrities adorn the walls, just like they do at the original location. The restaurant is also home to the original Cobb Salad, invented by Bob Cobb, the owner of the original Brown Derby. Menu selections for lunch and dinner include shepherd’s pie, pork, lamb shank, Faroe Island salmon, and chicken and dumplings.

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Our Pick: Biergarten Restaurant — EPCOT

Table Service (Buffet) | Reservations Recommended | View Menu

Biergarten places you in the middle of an Oktoberfest celebration every day of the year. Traditional German musicians play upbeat polka tunes (complete with lederhosen) while you enjoy classic German dishes like sausages, bratwurst, sauerkraut, and schnitzel. As you may expect, there’s also an extensive beer selection. Snagging a reservation here is relatively easy, thanks to its large communal tables (though that means you may be seated with other families). It’s often one of the dining options included with EPCOT festival dining packages, which include your meal and reserved seating at a concert or Candlelight Processional show.

Runner Up: Boma – Flavors of Africa — Animal Kingdom Lodge (Jambo House)

Table Service (Buffet) | Reservations Recommended | View Menu

Modeled after the African marketplace, Boma features dishes from more than 50 African countries. You’re in for a diverse culinary expedition with selections like Tabbouleh, Tunisian Couscous, peanut or coconut rice, and Moroccan Harira. There are also some American choices for picky eaters and kids, including mac and cheese, chicken bites, and an assortment of pasta.

Earworthy: Tusker House — Animal Kingdom

Table Service (Buffet) | Reservations Recommended | View Menu

This all-day character buffet is located near the Kilimanjaro Safari ride in Africa. Here, you’ll meet Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Mickey dressed for a safari adventure. Typical character buffet fare like Mickey and Simba waffles is included in the morning, while dinner selections include Moroccan Spiced Beef, chicken, and Curry Shrimp.

Our Pick: Akershus Royal Banquet Hall — EPCOT

Character Dining | Reservations Recommended | View Menu

The character dining at Akershus (located in the Norway Pavilion) is on par with Cinderella’s Royal Table and is generally an easier reservation to get. If you can’t find a reservation at Cinderella Castle (or you’ll be at EPCOT more than Magic Kingdom), Akershus is a great alternative. Princesses could include Belle, Aurora, Ariel, Jasmine, Tiana, and Snow White. The lunch and dinner menu is traditional Norwegian, but there are some basic options like green beans, mac and cheese, and corn dog nuggets.

Runner Up: Be Our Guest — Magic Kingdom

Table Service | Reservations Recommended | View Menu

Be Our Guest is great for families because it offers an upscale, fine-dining, family-friendly atmosphere. Plus, who wouldn’t want to dine in the grandiose ballroom of the Beast’s castle? It’s one of the more difficult advanced dining reservations to get. Don’t forget to try the gray stuff…we hear it’s delicious (*spoiler* it tastes like cookies and cream mousse).

Earworthy: ‘Ohana Best Friends Breakfast — Polynesian Village Resort

Character Dining (All You Can Eat) | Reservations Recommended | View Menu

Dine with Lilo, Stitch, Mickey, and Pluto in this Hawaiian-themed restaurant with views of the Magic Kingdom. Breakfast is served in huge family-style platters, offering all-you-care-to-enjoy selections of Mickey waffles, sausage, bacon, eggs, and select pastries.

‘Ohana is equally enchanting at dinner time. Though the characters are absent at night, views of Cinderella Castle (perhaps even including the fireworks) — along with a tasty menu of flame-grilled meats and Polynesian favorites — make it a popular spot.

Our Pick: The Edison — Disney Springs

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Head back to the Roaring 20s in this steampunk/art deco restaurant. The restaurant has seven themed spaces spanning multiple levels, with a large dance area and stage on the bottom floor. Nightly entertainment includes a live big band that performs covers of today’s pop hits in jazz-age style (think Postmodern Jukebox). Occasionally, you can find other performers, such as stilt walkers and flapper-style dancers.

Runner Up: Jellyrolls — BoardWalk Inn Resort

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A staple at Disney’s BoardWalk for almost 30 years, Jellyrolls is one of the original dueling piano bars. This club has become a hidden gem tucked away in plain sight along the resort’s lakefront boardwalk. The pianists are entertaining and take requests. It’s a fun and unique experience! Be sure to eat before you go—it’s a traditional bar and doesn’t serve food (other than free popcorn that they sometimes have). There’s also a cover charge, so you’ll want to budget for that.

Earworthy: Scat Cat Club — Port Orleans French Quarter

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This is a personal favorite of mine. It’s the only place at Disney where you can enjoy some fresh Mickey-shaped beignets and listen to a live jazz musician. This small lounge is located just off the lobby at the French Quarter and has entertainment Wednesday through Sunday starting at 7:30 pm. Drinks include standards and southern favorites like the Bonfamilies Bourbon Peach Tea and Bebop Bloody Mary. The lounge also serves up several food items in addition to beignets, including sliders, Po’boys, and wings.

Our Pick: Beaches & Cream — Beach Club Resort

Table Service | Reservations Recommended | View Menu

Beaches and Cream is a poolside ice cream shop known for its indulgent dessert, The Kitchen Sink. It’s a dessert lover’s dream that includes scoops of classic ice cream flavors like vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, mint chocolate chip, and cookies’ n’ cream sprinkled with every topping imaginable, such as hot fudge, Snickers, brownies, peanut butter, cherries, and sprinkles. This epic concoction feeds four people and is served in a miniature sink (complete with a faucet). They also serve a variety of ice cream flavors, sundaes, and signature treats such as Cookie Fries, No Way José, and Frozen Sunshine.

Runner Up: Aloha Isle — Magic Kingdom

Quick Service Snacks | View Menu

Aloha Isle is the home of the world-famous Dole® Whip at Magic Kingdom, which we recognize as the most Instagrammable Disney snack. While there are other places to get a Dole Whip at the parks and resorts, there’s something magical about enjoying it at Magic Kingdom. Plus, mobile ordering makes getting your Dole Whip easy and efficient.

Earworthy: Ghiradelli Soda Fountain — Disney Springs

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The world-famous chocolatier has an ice cream parlor next door to its retail shop in Disney Springs. The parlor creates classic ice cream treats like banana splits and Hot Fudge Sundaes, as well as themed desserts like the Sea Salt Caramel Sundae and the Magical Sundae—which includes chocolate-dipped waffle “ears” in the shape of a Mickey. Seating is pretty limited inside, so I recommend taking your ice cream and enjoying it while walking around Disney Springs.

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Our Pick: ABC Commissary — Hollywood Studios

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ABC Commissary doesn’t wow anyone in the décor or atmosphere category. It has a simple layout modeled after a working television studio’s cafeteria. The only notable décor are posters of currently running ABC shows along the walls. However, this no-frills eatery offers plenty of options at affordable prices. Entrees start at $12 and include items like Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese and Pork Carnitas Tacos.

Runner Up: Restaurantosaurus — Animal Kingdom

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Like the dinosaurs that inspired this quick-service eatery, the offerings here go back to when most of Disney’s food offerings were glorified fast-food joints. You can find plain (and cheap) meals here, with entrees ranging between $12 – $15 each. If you get a hankering for a foot-long chili cheese dog or a no-frills cheeseburger, this is the place for you.

Earworthy: Chicken Guy! — Disney Springs

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Chicken Guy! offers fast food dishes created by Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives host Guy Fieri. This fried chicken place in the heart of Disney Springs offers fried tenders, chicken sandwiches, an array of sauces, fries, and salads. Sandwiches start at $6.99, tenders start at $7.99, and combo meals (with fries and a drink) start at $11.49.

If you’ve made it this far, you’ve seen just how plentiful the dining options at Disney World are! That’s why narrowing it down to our top three choices is challenging. Without further ado, here are our overall rankings for the best Disney World restaurants:

Victoria and Albert’s — Grand Floridian

Victoria and Albert’s is the most awarded restaurant on property, recognized globally for its culinary excellence. It’s among the most elite and sought-after dining reservations, so it deserves the top spot.

A meal at Victoria and Albert’s may not be in everyone’s vacation budget, and its luxurious Victorian atmosphere and menu selection aren’t exactly kid-friendly (those aged 9 and under are not even permitted inside). However, if you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime culinary experience to celebrate a milestone anniversary, wedding, engagement, or other special occasion, you’ll want to consider Victoria and Albert’s.

‘Ohana — Polynesian Village Resort

‘Ohana hits the mark in so many categories, which makes it one of the best restaurants at Disney World. It’s great for families, with all-you-care-to-enjoy, family-style dining, and ample space for parties of various sizes. Many delicious menu options are included with the prix fixe price, so even picky eaters will find something they’ll enjoy. We also like that they offer two separate dining experiences: a character breakfast in the morning and a refined, Hawaiian-inspired menu for dinner. Plus, large windows offer stunning views of Seven Seas Lagoon and Cinderella Castle. If you’re there during the nightly fireworks, they’ll dim the lights and play the music in the restaurant. Or, you can head downstairs to the beach area after your reservation and view the fireworks from there.

Cinderella’s Royal Table — Magic Kingdom

This iconic restaurant inside Cinderella Castle is a must-do at Disney — if you can get a reservation. Children and adults of all ages will love sharing their experience dining inside the castle. Princess lovers will enjoy posing for pictures with princesses like Cinderella, Aurora, Snow White, Ariel, and Jasmine. Foodies will love themed dishes and handcrafted desserts like The Clock Strikes Twelve. The ambiance and royal atmosphere make it one of the most romantic spots on property, which is why it’s one of the most popular places to get engaged at Disney World. It’s also a perfect place to celebrate a honeymoon or anniversary.

Best Disney World Restaurants: Final Thoughts

With more than 200 individual dining locations across Walt Disney World, picking where to eat at the theme parks may feel like a full-time job! This list will help you understand the plethora of different dining options available at Disney so you can plan a perfectly magical vacation.

Reservations for any sit-down restaurant are “highly recommended,” which is Disney’s way of saying they’re pretty much mandatory. And thanks to the return of the Disney Dining Plan as well as the popular Free Dining promotion, making your plans early is more important than ever!

Your restaurant booking window opens 60 days before your trip:

• If you’re staying at a Disney Resort, you can book all your dining reservations for your entire trip (up to 10 days’ worth) at the 60-day mark.
• If you’re staying elsewhere, you will need to book your dining day-by-day at the 60-day window.

Check out our dining reservation calendar to determine when reservations will open for your upcoming trip.

Need more information about dining at Disney World’s theme parks? Check out our other guides:

Best Places to Eat in Animal Kingdom, Best Places to Eat in Hollywood Studios, Best Places to Eat at Magic Kingdom, and Best Places to Eat in Epcot.

For more Disney World information, check out our Disney Crowd Calendar, Disney Travel Agencies, and Disney Transportation guides.

Get Free Help Planning Every Part of Your Trip

Planning a Disney vacation can be all-consuming.

Focus on the fun and let our friends at The Vacationeer help you plan an unforgettable vacation.

They’ll help you pick the best resort for your family, arrange theme park tickets, monitor deals and discounts (even after you’ve booked your trip), and make dining reservations for you during your 60-day window.

They’ll even monitor cancellations and additional reservation availability if you can’t get the reservation you want initially.

Those are just some of the many benefits of booking Disney through a travel agent. With free consultations and no-obligation quotes, there’s nothing to lose by contacting The Vacationeer today!

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