Out of 135 Disney World Restaurants we’ve narrowed it down to the 10 best restaurants. (These are table service restaurants and do not include the best quick service meals at Disney World)
Plus, remember you will need to make your dining reservations at Disney World 180 days out. I know it sounds ridiculously early, but the good locations do fill up that far out even in low season.
Don't miss our other tips and tricks as you are Disney World Planning
BEST Disney World Restaurants
The following restaurants are the best table service restaurants at Disney World, but are in no particular order.
Whispering Canyon
If you are looking for a quiet escape from the park during the day, you are going to love the fun atmosphere and mouth watering food served at the Whispering Canyon Cafe in the Wilderness Lodge.
Just take a quick boat outside of the Magic Kingdom to get to this restaurant. Remember to allow time for transportation and to wander around this stunning lodge. My favorite part is the pool that overflows under the resort – it’s very cool!
The restaurant has a nice relaxed old timey feel.You’ll be served your drinks in ball canning jars and kids will get a chance to take a ride on wooden horses around the restaurant once during your meal.
Hint: Ask your waiter for ketchup and enjoy the show!
The food is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!
Mama Melrose
We love to dine at this picturesque Italian restaurant tucked in the back of Hollywood Studios as part of the Fantastmic Dinner Package so that we not only get great food, but great reserved seats for one of the best shows at Disney World.The low lit restaurant is great for a family meal or romantic dinner for couples. Plus the staff here is top notch!
You’ll enjoy the traditional food complete with a Mickey arranged Spaghetti & Meatballs on the kids menu.
Biergarten Restaurant
This restaurant in the Germany Pavilion in Epcot is a hidden gem. You’d never guess how amazing the restaurant looks on the inside from the exterior. From the traditional Bavarian costumes the cast members wear to the quant neighborhood setting you’ll eat in, you’ll feel like you are in the black hills in Germany.
As an added bonus there is a fantastic show with traditional music throughout. (Make sure to ask when you book if you are eating during a show)
As if the atmosphere wasn’t enough, you will enjoy all-you-can-eat German food including salads like Bavarian Sausage Salad, breads like the amazing Pretzel Bread, Sauerbraten, Potato Dumplings, Cheese Spatzle, Pork Schnitzel, Bavarian Cheesecake, Black Forest Chocolate Cake, Apple Strudel, and more.
50s Prime Time Cafe
Step right in to to a traditional 1950s kitchen for a scrumptious homemade meal that is sure to impress! This restaurant is one of our favorite places to eat in Hollywood Studios – right by Echo Lake.
This place is charming with character up to wazoo! You will feel like you are in your Grandma’s kitchen with a TV playing black and white shorts from “back in the day”. Your waiter will introduce herself as your cousin and will encourage you to eat your vegetables, keep your elbows off the table, and kids not to fight. It’s such a fun place to eat.
The food is what keeps me coming back. Enjoy generous portions of homemade meatloaf, mouth watering roast, HUGE sundaes, a S’more treat, and even milkshakes as a drink. Trust me – you’ll have way more than you can eat!
Sci Fi Diner
We held of eating here worried if the Sci fi movies would be too much for our young kids. After eating here once I wish we’d come here our first trip to Disney World.
First of all, the theming is outrageously FUN! You will enter a room filled with cars at the drive in. You will be seated in rows in your car to eat. Kids will be entertained with hilarious “old school” sci fi shorts. (This isn’t a great place to chat though)
The food is really good too. The burgers and steaks are great! (The steak we get here is our favorite at Disney World) Don’t miss the apple donut sundae for dessert – it may sound weird, but it is DELICIOUS!
Boma
If you have the time to pop over to the Animal Kingdom Lodge you are in for a treat. Not only will you get a chance to explore the gorgeous resort (including free roaming giraffes, zebras, and other animals on property), but you will get to try some exquisite food in this African Buffet.
As I mentioned before, it it a little out of the way and you’ll need to allow 3+ hours total to get here, eat, and get back. But the food and atmosphere is amazing. Take time to wander around and look at the wood carvings, sint in a rocking chair and stare out the windows, and observe the animals roaming. We like to come here on a free day or after visiting the Animal Kingdom as that park typically closes at 5pm and we have a free evening anyway.
The salad and soup selection is impressive; don’t miss the peanut soup! Plus the carved meats here are especially flavorful and moist. Dessert includes a variety of delicious treats; don’t miss guest favorite Zebra Domes.
Nine Dragons
We ate at this restaurant to "try something new" and were super impressed!
This Epcot restaurant is beautiful on the outside and inside. The tables are very close together, but the atmosphere and food is worth it. Everyone in our dining party from kids to picky grandparents were impressed by the amazing food. Grandma who dreaded coming here still talks about how it was the best chicken she's ever had!
Make sure to catch the acrobatic show out front before or after your meal - they are impressive. Plus, if you time it right you can just stroll out of the restaurant in time to watch Illuminations from a usually uncrowded spot by the lake.
T-Rex Cafe
If you have time, the T-Rex Cafe in Downtown Disney (know renamed Disney Springs) is sure to be a hit! If you've ever eaten at Rainforest Cafe you'll get an idea of what this restaurant feels like - you will be immersed in a dinosaur world - lights will vary, "dino" noises, and even some moving dinosaurs.
There are many fun places to eat from the ice cave that changes color, by the squid (fish filled tank), by the T-rex, and more. There really isn't a bad spot. Plus your kids will want to come back to sit somewhere else next time.
But this place is way more than just a restaurant with a cool atmosphere - they have a yummy, varied, and generous portioned menu to satisfy everyone. From dino themed entrees for kids, to mouth watering burgers and succulent steaks for adults. And then there's dessert!
I highly suggest coming here on your first day, last day, or on a day one of your parks closes early so you don't miss any park time in transit. But it is a really fun place to eat you won't want to miss.
San Angel Inn
As soon as you ride the Three Caballeros Ride in the Mexico Pavilion at Epcot you will want to eat here! This restaurant is tucked next to the water, by a picturesque mountain, and under quaint star lit space. The atmosphere really can't be beat!
The food was good, think modern Mexican food. So if you are looking for chips, burrito, and churros or flan you may be dissapointed. But, if you are looking for yummy chips, a fantastic steak, and some modern desserts you will be delighted.
Our service has been every bad here on several occassions, but the food and atmosphere keep bringing us back. It is my son's favorite (non character) place to eat.
O'Hana
We've heard for a while this was a don't miss spot. This restaurant is in the easily accessible, via the monorail, Polynessian. Step in to past the large open flamed kitchen to one of the many cozy tables. While you wait fo ryour platter of scruptious appetizers to share, you'll enjoy some Hawaiin themed music performed table side. Next comes all-you-care-to-eat juicy, flavorful skewered meat (shrimp, chicken, steak) - you get a LOT of food. There is a chance for kids to use brooms to race around the restaurant pushing coconuts as they go. If you are looking for a chance to dine outside of the park, you will get your fill here.
Character Dining
I would be remiss if I didn’t point you to these Top 5 Disney World Character Dining. They not only include amazing character interactions, but each of them include amazing food served in picturesque settings like only Disney can!
Other Restaurants
Like I mentioned above, there are 135 restaurants at Disney World. Each has their unique flair and good food. But if you want the best-of-the-best, stick with the best Disney World Restaurants I mentioned above or the Top 5 Disney World Character Dining , but if you are looking for a quick opinion on other restaurants, here you go:
- Plaza Restaurant - basically non-inspired sandwiches, good ice cream sundaes for dessert (seemed like a poor use of dining credit)
- Chefs de France – good if you go with the traditional menu; S-L-O-W service
- Cinderella’s Royal Table – good food, 2nd best way to meet Princesses, great atmosphere, but WAY over priced
- 1900 Park Fare – only so-so buffet, in Grand Floridian, great chance to meat 5+ characters from Cinderella
- Spirit of Aloha Show - good food, 2nd half of show was great, easy to get to, unique experience (see full review)
- Hoop-de-do-Revue - fun old timy show, good food, fun experience (see full review)
- Hollywood and Vine – okay buffet, good service, nothing that special (unless you want to see Disney Junior characters for breakfast with your preschooler)
- Kona Cafe – interesting & varied Hawaiin inspired menu, decor is kind of bland, but it is easy to get to from Magic Kingdom - it is in the Polynesian accessible via the monorail. Would definetly go here again.
- Liberty Tree Tavern – good Thanksgiving style food, cute colonial atmosphere
- Restaurante Marakesh – great atmosphere, belly dancing entertainment, okay food
- Tony’s Town Square Restaurant – food was fine; food and atmosphere not that special
- Trails’ End Restaurant – atmosphere and service not that great; food was fine, but the buffet seemed small compared to every other one at Disney World.
- 8 Best Snacks at the Magic Kingdom
- 10 Best Quick Service Restaurants plus tips on the others
