The best restaurants in Disney World, Orlando

Dining at Disney World Orlando

Disney World really does have it all. Incredible rides under brilliant sunshine, more activities than you could possibly fit in on one vacation, incredible sights and photo opportunities, and a vast range of delicious, immersive restaurants that all bring something unique to the table. 

DIsney World is made up of four parks, with more resorts located in the surrounding area, all with tons upon tons of restaurants and dining options for you to sample. From themed restaurants, to character dining, to a huge range of cuisines from all around the world and quick service eateries where you can carry on with your day after a quick lunch, there is something for every taste, every budget, and every itinerary.

But with so much choice over such a vast area, it can be difficult to know where to begin and which restaurants you will remember the most. So, for starters, read this handy guide to our absolute favourites at the Disney World parks, including our favorite table service options, quick service options, iconic snacks, resort restaurants, and the very best for certain cuisines or something a little extra special. 

Let’s get to the main course of the article.

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The Best Restaurants in Disney World – Table Service

Table service restaurants are often the most beautifully themed, interactive and immersive. Prices are typically higher, but what you get in return is certainly worth it. Have a look at the best table service and sit down restaurants across the four Disney World parks. Please note that while restrictions are ongoing, some character dining options may be a little more distanced than normal.

Best restaurants in Magic Kingdom

Cinderella’s Royal Table

Fancy dining with Disney’s most famous princesses? Cinderella’s Royal Table is one of the most popular character dining experiences at Disney World. Located at Cinderella Castle, it offers guests the opportunity to meet Cinderella and her princess friends in an amazing storybook setting. The restaurant is styled as Cinderella’s grand dining room and features ornate tapestries, soaring ceilings, and leaded glass windows overlooking Fantasyland.

Due to its popularity, you’ll need to book in advance to dine at this venue. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience so it’s well worth a visit.

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Be Our Guest

The best restaurants at Disney World, little cakes from the be our guest restaurant
Be Our Guest

Another big favorite with Disney fans, Be Our Guest restaurant offers unforgettable table-service dinners. Located in Fantasyland, it is themed on the Disney blockbuster Beauty and the Beast and has three different dining rooms; the West Wing, the Grand Ballroom, and The Castle Gallery. Whichever room you choose to dine in you’ll get to feast on delicious French cuisine and feel as if you’ve been transported inside the beloved movie.

You may even be lucky enough to spot Beast himself passing through the restaurant while you enjoy your meal!

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Liberty Tree Tavern

Enjoy a dinner date with history in the Liberty Tree Tavern, with beautifully themed rooms paying homage to famous and pioneering Americans. Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Betsy Ross are just some of the famous faces immortalized in the decor, and the classic, hearty American food on offer is just as iconic.

It is a family-friendly restaurant with an all you care to eat menu offering Thanksgiving style food. It is also famous across the parks for its Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake with chocolate sauce and ice cream, which is well worth a taste if you head to the Liberty Tree Tavern!

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Best restaurants in Epcot

Garden Grill

Enjoy the produce as fresh as it gets at the Garden Grill Restaurant, where dishes incorporate veggies and fruit from the ‘Living With The Land Experience’. The restaurant is family-style, offering all-you-can-eat dining as well as character experiences. Look out for Chip, Dale, and other Disney friends as you dine!

The restaurant slowly rotates as you eat, which means every time you look out the window in between mouthfuls, you will be treated to a new view each time. 

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Tepan Edo

Enjoy traditional delicacies of Japanese cooking at Teppan Edo, where the food preparation is as much a part of the experience as eating. The communal Tappan-yaki style of cooking is the name of the game, and diners witness skilled chefs preparing delicious stir-fries, sumptuous meat, and sushi.

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Chefs de France

Enjoy French nouvelle cuisine at this family-friendly brasserie which overlooks the World Showcase promenade. The menu changes seasonally but may include options such as beef tenderloin, roasted duck, and French onion soup. Diners aged 21 and over can pair their meals with a selection from the extensive list of imported French wines.

We recommend making your reservation well in advance if you want to eat at Chefs de France, as it tends to book up quite quickly.

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Best restaurants in Animal Kingdom

Yak and Yeti Restaurant

Located at the base of Expedition Everest, this Nepalese-themed restaurant serves up a variety of tasty Asian fare. You’ll find everything from sweet and sour chicken and teriyaki beef bowls, to egg rolls, sushi, fried rice, and more. There are some great kid-friendly options too, including cheeseburgers, noodles, and fries.

Choose from a range of exotic drinks to wash including special teas, warm sake, Asian beers, and cocktails.

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Rainforest Cafe

This is one you are sure to have heard of! The famous Rainforest cafe is an awe-inspiring restaurant, serving up delicious American eats against a backdrop of jungle flora and animatronic animals. Periodically, there’s a ‘thunderstorm’, and the ‘animals’ spring into life as you dine.

You can migrate over to the Safari Bar bar for a tasty tonic – selections range from beers and wines to signature cocktails. Adjacent to the restaurant is a souvenir shop selling Rainforest Cafe-themed merchandise.

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Tiffins

Restaurants at Disney World Orlando
Tiffins

Tucked away in the heart of Animal Kingdom, Tiffins is one of the best restaurants at Disney World. Located close to Pandora: World of Avatar, it features Asian and African decor throughout its three spacious dining rooms. Chef David Njoroge cooks up fine dining dishes such as Wagyu beef, house-made charcuterie, and whole fried Florida Keys Snapper. This restaurant celebrates the adventures that inspired the Disney Imaginners who then went on to build the Disney Animal Kingdom park.

You can also wash down your meal with a choice of house cocktails, beers, wines, liqueurs, and specialty drinks.

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Best restaurants in Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Brown Derby

Take a trip back to the Golden Age of Hollywood at this authentic replica of the iconic Brown Derby in glitzy L.A. Classic American dishes are on the menu here, along with delicious cocktails, and it is particularly well-know for its delicious Cobb salad.. The Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant is an authentic replica of the famous Brown Derby in Hollywood, and around the whole restaurant you will be able to spot caricatures of famous people. 

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50’s Prime Time Cafe

Disney's Hollywood Studios' best restaurants, woman holding plates of food
50’s Prime Time Cafe

Travel back in time at this fabulous 1950s themed kitchenette where diners get ‘warnings’ about misbehaving at the table or not cleaning their plates – all in the spirit of fun. The 50s Prime Time Cafe menu consists of classics like meatloaf, fried chicken, pot roast, and milkshakes, and your server will play a familiar, friendly role, and make sure you are having fun throughout your meal. 

Try and get reservations for this restaurant in advance. Though if you are unable to reserve your table, there is a lounge connected to the main restaurant where you can still enjoy the food.

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Sci Fi Dine in Theater

You can picnic ‘under the stars’ in a classic car-shaped booth at this unique Hollywood Studios-based restaurant. Modeled after a traditional drive-in theater, you can sit in 1950s cars and watch clips from old science fiction movies as you eat. The movies clips are all pretty funny and include ‘Plan 9 From Outer Space’, the ‘Amazing Colossal Man’, and other B-Movie classics.

The cars hold around 6 people each and there are a few tables in the back of the restaurant. The most popular menu items are the milkshakes. The rest of the menu ranges from burgers to pasta to sandwiches, ribs, and salads.

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The Best Quick Service Restaurants in Disney World

The clue is in the name – quick service restaurants at Disney World are ones that run a lot quicker than the fancier table service establishments in Disney World. You can simply pop in, order your food either by an app or at the counter, and expect to have it very quickly. Quick service is the best option for Disney World restaurants if you are keen to crack on with your day and want to head out to the next exciting attraction for your visit. 

Have a look at our top picks for fast service restaurants across the four parks at Disney World.

The best restaurants in Magic Kingdom

Sleepy Hollow

Waffle sandwiches and funnel cakes are on offer from this delightful quick-service restaurant near Cinderella’s Castle. You don’t need a reservation to dine at Sleepy Hollow, so it’s perfect for a sweet and speedy snack when stomachs are rumbling.

They are best known for their Fresh Fruit Waffle Sandwich with Chocolate Hazelnut Spread, so make sure you pick that dish if you head over to Sleep Hollow. There is also outdoor seating at this restaurant, with cover provided rain or shine.

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Casey’s Corner

restaurant sign reading casey's corner

This awesome baseball-themed quick service joint not only hits the spot; it hits a home run! The menu is stuffed with American game favorites, including ballpark hot dogs, corndog nuggets, fries, and soft drinks. 

There is some indoor seating at Casey’s corner, though it is pretty limited. However, there is outdoor seating with umbrella coverage, and even occasionally have a pianist outside filling the air with hit DIsney tunes.

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Pecos Bills Tall Tale Inn & Cafe

Known for its incredible Mexican cuisine, the Pecos Bills Tall Tale Inn & Cafe is located in Frontierland, and  themed as an Old West Saloon. Expect fajitas, southwestern salad and cheeseburgers, as well as a selection of sweets for afters, including mini churros. 

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Lunch and Dinner Menu – $ ($14.99 and under per adult)

The best restaurants in Epcot

Festival booths

In Epcot, seasonal cuisine booths are on offer throughout the year, with the menus changing depending on the season. The booths are located in front of each country, and offer food and drinks themed to that location during any festivals occurring within Epcot. And, seeing as it is quite rare for there to not be a festival going on, there is a very good chance the booths will be open and serving up incredible culinary delights to please your taste buds.  

Regal Eagle Smokehouse

A fairly new eatery located in the American Adventure pavilion in Epcot, the Regal Eagle Smokehouse offers barbeque themed cuisine, including Beef Brisket sandwiches, burgers, Pork ribs, and plenty of sides including french fries and coleslaw. They do also offer a plant-based burger to cater to vegetarian diets, as well as kid meals that are a bit more gentle on flavour. Here you can also purchase craft beers, wine, and the Regal Eagle Smokehouse specialty cocktail.

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Lunch and Dinner Menu – $ ($14.99 and under per adult)

Katsura Grill

Step away from the hustle and bustle of the Disney Parks with the serene and calming setting of the Katsura grill, serving up incredible Asian cuisine in the World Showcase at Epcot. Taiko drums play in the background as you tuck in to your teriyaki, sushi, or curry, and sip your draft beer, sake, or plum wine. This is a fantastic option for a real, authentic experience in the middle of the Disney parks. 

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Lunch and Dinner Menu – $ ($14.99 and under per adult)

The best restaurants in Animal Kingdom

Satu’il Canteen

restaurant sign reading Satu'li canteen

Immerse yourself in the world of Pandora in this Avatar-inspired quick-service restaurant. Themed food and beverages bring the world of the Na’vi to life, with artwork from the movie-making things feel even more authentic. The Satu’li Canteen is a great option for those looking for a health kick. Build your own bowl from the goodies on offer, including grains, meats and vegetables, with vegan and vegetarian food on offer. They are also known for their cheeseburger pods, which can be best described as a cheeseburger Bao bun.

This restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating.

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Flame Tree Barbecue

Turn up the heat and indulge in some smokey barbeque goodness. Tender meat, fries, and salads are served up slathered in sauce and steaming hot from the grill. There is plenty of outdoor seating here, and it is a fantastic place to settle in and enjoy a meal whilst getting a great view of the new Kite Tale show.

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Yak & Yeti Local Foods cafe

The Yak & Yeti Local Food cafes is a counter service booth located in Asia at the Animal Kingdom park. With incredible Asian fare on offer, sink your teeth into teriyaki beef bowls, fried rice, egg rolls, and much more, with more kid-friendly cuisine also on offer. 

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Lunch and Dinner Menu – $ ($14.99 and under per adult)

Breakfast Menu – $ ($14.99 and under per adult)

The best restaurants in Hollywood Studios

Ronto Roasters

Head to Ronto Roasters in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge to chow down on delicious spit-roasted meat, cooked in front of your very eyes by a (mostly) friendly pitmaster droid. It’s the perfect snack or light lunch to grab as you explore the rest of the Tatooine market.

THey are best known for their ‘Ronto Wraps,’ with a breakfast version available if you are heading up to Hollywood Studios bright and early. There is also a Ronto Wrap which is suitable for vegan diets.

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Breakfast menu – $ ($14.99 and under per adult)

Lunch and Dinner menu – – $ ($16.00 and under per adult)

Docking Bay 7

inside of a star wars themed restaurant

You don’t need to journey to a galaxy far, far away to get a great meal, simply park your star speeder at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo. This Star Wars-inspired quick-serve eatery serves up an exciting concoction of dishes from across the galaxy. 

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Woody’s Lunch Box

Round up the whole gang for a rootin’ tootin’ meal at Woody’s Lunch Box. This Toy Story-themed quick-service joint serves up classic American dishes and tasty treats in the heart of Toy Story Land.

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Best Snacks at Disney World

Magic Kingdom – Gaston’s Tavern

Gaston’s Tavern is a fairy-tale themed restaurant that looks as quaint as a cottage lifted right out of a story book. This dine-in restaurant is located in Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom, and offers up a delightful snack menu of sweet treats, a small savoury dish, and plenty of beverages. The iconic snack here at Gaston’s Tavern is the unmissable giant cinnamon roll. 

Epcot – Karamell Kuche

For a quaint and cosy experience, head to the Karamell Kuche located in the Germany Pavilion in Epcot. A warm and welcoming little bakery, you can enjoy a huge range of freshly baked treats, such as cakes, cookies and brownies. The real winner here though is the caramel popcorn, so make sure you give it a try if you are passing by!

Animal Kingdom – Pongu Pongu

restaurant sign reading pongu pongu

Pongu Pongu is a themed stand inspired by the movie ‘Avatar.’ You may feel like you’re in a movie if you walk through here, but don’t be hesitant to stop to buy this stand’s most famous item: the Night Blossom. Not a snack, but rather Pongu Pongu’s specialty beverage, it is made of Apple and Desert Pear Limeade and topped with Passion Fruit Boba balls.

Hollywood Studios – The Market

If you’re in the market for a popular cookie, then head to the Market in Hollywood studios. A walk-up snack counter, the simple and fuss-free booth packs a mighty punch. Offering the classic park snacks such as Mickey pretzels and churros, you can also find the popular ‘Num Num cookie’, which we are sure you won’t be able to have just one of.

Best Disney World Resort Restaurants

If you are happy to journey out a little further from the Disney parks, then the surrounding Disney Resorts have some fantastic restaurants on offer. Find out more below.

Topolinos at Riviera Resort

inside of a decadent restaurant

Enjoy a unique breakfast or dinner experience at one of Disney World’s premier character dining venues. Diners enjoy delicious food in the company of favorite characters, including Mickey and Minnie Mouse and Donald and Daisy Duck, dressed in unique outfits which can only be seen at Topolino’s. The food is a delicious array of meat, seafood and pasta dishes, infused with Mediterranean flavors of Italian and French cuisine. Here, you can also get an amazing view of Disneyworld. 

Make sure you make a reservation in good time for Topolinos. However, if you cannot get a reservation, there is also a first come, first serve bar available.

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California Grill at the Contemporary Resort

We’re heading for the Pacific Coast at this award-winning restaurant. Before you even get to the exquisite food, there’s a big ‘wow’ in the form of a spectacular panoramic view of the lagoon and Cinderella’s Castle from the restaurant’s vantage point of the 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Once you’ve settled into your seat, enjoy flavorful Pacific Coast cuisine from the exciting on-stage kitchen.

The California Grill is also a fantastic place to go to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks, as you have a great view from both the restaurant itself, and its balcony. 

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‘Ohana at the Polynesian Resort

Let the sunshine into your life with a dining experience at ‘Ohana, a Polynesian-inspired tropical restaurant. Prepare for fruity flavors and Hawaiin hospitality at this popular venue, just a short walk or monorail ride from the Magic Kingdom, at the nearby Polynesian Resort.

It is a family style restaurant with an all you care to enjoy meal, offering BBQ’d meats, noodles and vegetables – though we would recommend trying out the banana bread pudding!

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Citricos at the Grand Floridian Resort

Located at the Grand Floridian Resort close to the Disney Parks, is Citricos. There is fine-dining abound at this opulent restaurant, which is reimagined and inspired by the movie, Mary Poppins Returns, it is based on a beautiful garden scene with flowers and butterfly motifs throughout. With an award-winning wine list on offer, Floridian Cuisine infused with Mediterranean flavours, this is a great place to head to if you are after a full three-course meal, in a location where you will feel truly spoiled.

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Dinner Menu – $$$ ($35 to $59.99 per adult)

Best for…

Best Disney World pizza and Italian – Via Napoli

The Via Napoli is, in our opinion, the best place to go for authentic Italian cuisine and amazing pizzas. With warming, hearty flavours full of character, to fresh salads and wood-oven crafted Neapolitan pizzas, there is something on the menu for everyone here. It is located in the World Showcase in Epcot park, and is particularly well-known for its giant, shareable pizzas.

Best Mexican restaurant at Disney World – 4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck

The absolute best Mexican available in the Disney area is at Disney Springs. Look out for the bright red food truck, where you will find an incredible range of Mexican cuisine, authentically prepared with a variety of barbeque-style techniques. The food truck is brought to you by the same people who created the award-winning Florida-based 4 Rivers Smokehouse, so you know what you’re eating is going to be full of flavour, and top quality.

Best noodles – ‘Ohana

The restaurant ‘Ohana is lucky enough to be featured again, as no other restaurants can beat it when it comes to noodles. With an all you care to eat buffet style, you can eat noodles until you simply cannot eat anymore. The ‘Ohana is located at the Polynesian Resort just outside of the parks, and it is well worth a visit.

Best fish & chips – Rose & Crown

In the mood for a classic British dish – fish and chips? Then head on over to the Rose and Crown. Dine in a family-friendly British pun, with all the traditional meals on offer, including bangers and mash and cheesy pasta. You can eat indoors, or head outside to the patio to dine while you overlook the World Showcase Lagoon. 

Best Disney World burgers – D-Luxe burger

So, where does the ultimate burger fan go in Disney World? To D-Luxe Burger in Disney Springs! Serving awesome gourmet burgers and fries, including vegan options and incredible gelato shakes, D-Luxe Burger offers everything for the fast food connoisseur. Dive into their classic cheeseburger and Buffalo chicken sandwich, or mix it up with one of their epic signature dishes!

Best for something different – Space 220

sign reading space 220 restaurant

It’s fair to say that this dining experience is out-of-this-world! Space 220 is one of Epcot’s most loved venues, taking diners on an astronomical adventure through the stars. The stellar menu includes fillet mignon, the Centauri burger, and blue moon cauliflower, all with a breath-taking view of the Earth and space out of the window. Exploring the cosmos is hungry work, after all!

Best Disney World buffets – Tusker House

Although buffets are generally fairly limited at the present time due to restrictions, the all you care to eat at Tusker House is considered the best. It is jam-packed full of family-style food with tantalising African-inspired flavors, as well as plainer items such as chicken and roasted potatoes for the less-adventurous eaters. Children especially may love this restaurant, as they will be delighted to see Donald Duck and some of his friends wandering around while you dine.

Disney World restaurants FAQ

Which restaurants are best for vegan/vegetarian diets and guests with allergies?

Over the past few years, Disney World has worked hard to expand its menus to include options for a range of dietary requirements. In particular, table service restaurants are the best places to go for a great selection of veggie, vegan, and allergy-friendly options. For diners’ peace of mind, each kitchen has its own mini allergy-friendly kitchen to ensure that food is not cross-contaminated. In quick-service restaurants, options are more limited when it comes to allergies and dietary requirements.

When you make a dining reservation, you are able to state your allergy, then when you check in at the restaurant you will receive confirming your dietary requirements. It is pretty common that a chef will visit your table and let you know what they can do to cater to your needs. 

For vegans and vegetarians, there are always at least one or two different options on each menu. Take a look at our post about fantastic vegan options at Disney World to find more plant-based restaurants in the park.

Do restaurants have to be booked in advance?

We recommend booking any table service restaurants that you particularly want to eat at 60 days in advance of your visit. Popular restaurants such as Be Our Guest, Cinderella’s Royal Table, Topolinos, Space 220, and Ohana get booked out 60 days in advance, so make sure that you get in early to secure your table. Restaurants can be booked on the My Disney Experience App. If you miss out on reserving a table at a restaurant but still want to dine there, you can join a waitlist for some restaurants for the day that you visit.

How do you book at a restaurant?

There are two ways to book restaurants at Disney World.

  1. Use the My Disney Experience App. To book on the app, you need to create an account, log in and select your dates. A credit card will be required when booking. (This will only be charged if you don’t turn up)
  2. Contact guest services at disneyworld.com/dine.

When are the busiest dining times for Disney World restaurants?

Restaurants can get very busy at lunchtime, between 12.30pm-1.30pm, so plan for an earlier or later meal if you prefer to go in off-peak times. For dinner, most head to the restaurants between 5.30pm and 8.00pm.

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Emma is an avid traveler and writer, who can be found either dreaming of her next adventure or scribbling in a notebook. She frequented the Middle East on her gap year after university, and her favorite trips overall have been exploring the bazaars of Istanbul, and trekking through the mountains in Morocco.

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