A Foodie’s Guide to Disney
Disney World is a feast for the senses, and that includes your taste buds! With hundreds of dining options across the parks and resorts, it can be overwhelming to choose where to eat. Fear not, fellow foodies! We've compiled a list of our top restaurant recommendations that not only we love, but our clients do too!
Barbara’s Favorite…
Fine Dining Restaurant: Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
Brunch Spot: Character Breakfast at Four Seasons Orlando & Cape May Cafe
Megan’s Favorite…
Fine Dining Restaurant: Topolino’s Terrace at the Riviera Resort
Brunch Spot: The Boathouse at Disney Springs
To help you navigate the vast culinary landscape of Walt Disney World, we've compiled a list of our top restaurant picks by park, with some extra Disney dining tips at the end.
MAGIC KINGDOM:
Cinderella's Royal Table: Live out your fairytale dreams with a meal inside Cinderella Castle! This character dining experience lets you meet Cinderella and other princesses while savoring a prix fixe menu. (Character Dining)
Location: Inside Cinderella Castle
Description: A royal dining experience with princesses in the grand setting of Cinderella Castle. Guests enjoy a fairytale meal with characters like Cinderella, and sometimes other princesses like Aurora, Ariel, or Snow White.
Perk: Ask for a table by the window for breathtaking views of Fantasyland.
Must-Try: The "Magic Carpet Ride" (a spiced pork tenderloin with couscous and a roasted red pepper coulis) is a popular choice.
Crystal Palace: Enjoy a buffet-style feast with Winnie the Pooh and his friends in a Victorian greenhouse setting. This is a great option for families with young children. (Character Dining)
Location: Main Street, U.S.A.
Description: A buffet-style meal with Winnie the Pooh and friends, including Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet. This character dining offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner options.
Perk: Arrive early for breakfast to enjoy a less crowded experience and potentially catch a glimpse of the characters before the restaurant officially opens.
Must-Try: The puffed French toast is a fan favorite!
Be Our Guest Restaurant: Step into the enchanted world of Beauty and the Beast! Dine in the grand ballroom, the West Wing, or the mysterious Rose Gallery. (Character Dining - Beast roams the halls during dinner)
Location: Fantasyland
Description: While not technically a traditional character meal, Be Our Guest occasionally features visits from the Beast during meals, especially during dinner. The restaurant's setting mimics the grand ballroom from Beauty and the Beast, and the menu offers French-inspired cuisine.
Perk: Try the "grey stuff" – it's delicious! (And ask for a special occasion celebration if applicable)
Must-Try: The French-inspired menu has something for everyone, but the "Master's Cupcake" (a chocolate cupcake with "the grey stuff") is a must.
EPCOT:
Garden Grill Restaurant: This rotating restaurant offers a unique dining experience with charming views of Living with the Land. (Character Dining)
Location: The Land Pavilion
Description: A rotating restaurant where guests enjoy a family-style meal while meeting characters like Chip 'n' Dale, Mickey Mouse, and Pluto. The food is fresh, farm-to-table, with an emphasis on seasonal produce.
Perk: Enjoy a family-style meal with Mickey and friends while taking in the sights of the "living" greenhouse.
Must-Try: The food here is fresh and seasonal, with many ingredients sourced directly from the Land pavilion.
Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria:
Location: Italy Pavilion, World Showcase
Description: Authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas cooked in wood-burning ovens, with a vibrant Italian atmosphere.
Perk: Watch the pizza chefs toss the dough in the open kitchen.
Must-Try: The pizzas are named after Italian volcanoes – try the "Mount Vesuvius" for a truly shareable experience.
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall: Dine like royalty in a medieval castle setting and meet several Disney Princesses. (Character Dining)
Location: Norway Pavilion, World Showcase
Description: A princess-themed dining experience where guests can meet popular princesses like Belle, Ariel, Snow White, and others. It's a buffet breakfast, lunch, or dinner with Norwegian-inspired cuisine.
Perk: This is a great option for princess fans of all ages.
Must-Try: The "Kjottkake" (Norwegian meatballs) are a traditional and delicious dish.
Le Cellier Steakhouse: Indulge in a sophisticated steakhouse experience with delicious Canadian cuisine in a cozy, wine-cellar setting.
Location: Canada Pavilion, World Showcase
Description: Cozy, upscale steakhouse with a focus on Canadian cuisine, offering a refined dining experience.
Perk: Consider celebrating a special occasion here. The staff often goes above and beyond to make it memorable.
Must-Try: The Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup is a classic for a reason!
DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
Hollywood & Vine: Dine with Disney Junior characters at this buffet-style restaurant. (Character Dining)
Location: Echo Lake
Description: A seasonal character dining experience that changes depending on the time of year. It features characters from Disney Junior (like Vampirina, Doc McStuffins, and Mickey & Minnie during "seasonal" months). The buffet offers classic American cuisine.
Perk: This is a great option for families with young children who love Disney Junior shows.
Must-Try: The buffet offers a variety of kid-friendly options, including mac and cheese and chicken nuggets.
50's Prime Time Café Travel back in time to a classic American diner. Enjoy comfort food favorites and playful interactions with the waitstaff who act like your family.
Location: Echo Lake
Description: This is not a traditional character dining experience, but it features "family" interactions where the waitstaff acts like family members, guiding guests through the meal with a nostalgic 1950s vibe.
Perk: Play along with the waitstaff's antics for a truly immersive experience.
Must-Try: The "Mom's Old-Fashioned Pot Roast" is a classic comfort food dish.
Oga's Cantina: Step into the Star Wars universe at this lively cantina. Sip on unique cocktails (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and enjoy the galactic atmosphere.
Location: Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
Description: Immersive Star Wars-themed cantina with unique cocktails (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and a lively atmosphere.
Perk: Reservations are highly recommended, as this is a popular spot.
Must-Try: The "Fuzzy Tauntaun" is a fun and interactive drink that will make your mouth tingle!
DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM
Tusker House Restaurant: Enjoy a delicious buffet with African-inspired flavors (Character Dining)
Location: Harambe, Africa
Description: A buffet-style meal featuring African-inspired cuisine. Guests can meet Safari Donald, Daisy, Mickey, and Goofy in their safari outfits. It's available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Perk: This is a great place to meet Donald Duck in a unique outfit.
Must-Try: The "Jungle Juice" is a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage.
Yak & Yeti Restaurant: Explore the flavors of Pan-Asian cuisine in a beautifully themed restaurant with a Himalayan atmosphere.
Location: Asia
Description: Pan-Asian cuisine in a beautifully themed restaurant with a Himalayan atmosphere
Perk: Request a table in the "tea room" for a more intimate dining experience.
Must-Try: The "Kobe Beef Burger" is a popular choice.
Tiffins Restaurant: Embark on a global culinary journey with dishes inspired by the park's animal adventures.
Location: Discovery Island
Description: Sophisticated dining experience with globally inspired cuisine, featuring artwork and artifacts from animal adventures.
Perk: Explore the unique artwork and artifacts throughout the restaurant.
Must-Try: The "Taste of Tiffins" is a great way to sample a variety of dishes.
CHARACTER DINING OUTSIDE THE PARKS
DISNEY RESORT HOTELS
Chef Mickey's at Disney's Contemporary Resort
A classic character buffet with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald. The fun, family-friendly setting offers breakfast and dinner, and it's a perfect spot for those wanting to meet the classic Disney characters.
'Ohana at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
A family-style meal with Mickey, Lilo, Stitch, and other characters, typically at breakfast. It features a fun Hawaiian-style atmosphere and a variety of dishes served family-style.
Topolino's Terrace - Flavors of the Riviera at Disney's Riviera Resort
This is a stylish, rooftop character breakfast with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy in their "art" outfits. It offers a French-inspired menu with options like crepes, omelets, and other continental breakfast items.
Mickey's Backyard BBQ (Seasonal, typically available in fall) at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
A lively outdoor buffet with a barbecue theme. Enjoy a casual meal while meeting Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Pluto. Guests can also enjoy live music and dancing.
Trattoria al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
A character breakfast with Rapunzel and Flynn Rider from Tangled, along with Ariel and Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid. It features a traditional Italian breakfast, including pastries and omelets.
Boma – Flavors of Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
While not a character dining experience per se, there are occasional character appearances during the morning breakfast buffet at Boma.
1900 Park Fare at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Seasonal character dining with Alice in Wonderland characters or Winnie the Pooh characters.
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa:
1900 Park Fare: Seasonal character dining with Alice in Wonderland characters or Winnie the Pooh characters.
Disney's Beach Club Resort:
Cape May Cafe: Enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet with Minnie Mouse and friends dressed in their beach attire.
Wilderness Lodge:
Storybook Dining at Artist Point- Snow White's Dine with a Villain: A unique dining experience featuring a villainous twist. Enjoy a prix-fixe menu while interacting with various Disney Villains.
Disney Springs
T-Rex Café
Description: This is not a traditional character meal, but it offers an interactive, prehistoric experience with life-sized animatronic dinosaurs. It’s fun for the whole family, though the characters are more part of the ambiance than dining hosts
TIPS FOR DINING AT DISNEY
Make reservations in advance: Dining reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance and are highly recommended, especially for popular restaurants.
Consider the Disney Dining Plan: If you're looking for a convenient way to pre-pay for your meals, the Disney Dining Plan may be a good option.
Be aware of dining restrictions: Some restaurants have dress codes or age restrictions.
Don't be afraid to ask for recommendations: Cast members are always happy to help you find the perfect dining experience.
Celebrate special occasions: Let your server know if you're celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion – they may have a surprise for you!
Be adventurous: Don't be afraid to try something new! Disney offers a wide variety of cuisines and dining experiences.
