Dining is a crucial part of any Disney vacation. The Walt Disney World Resort is known for its many different restaurants, and the dining experiences offered to Guests. There are over 200 places to eat in Lake Buena Vista. Disney restaurants are located in the Disney Parks, Disney Springs, and Disney Resort hotels. These include the following experiences:
- Disney character dining, such as Akershus Royal Banquet Hall and Chef Mickey’s
- fine and signature dining found at Victoria & Albert’s, Yachtsman Steakhouse, and California Grill
- casual dining in locations like Kona Cafe and The Polite Pig
- buffet restaurants, including Boma – Flavors of Africa and Cape May Cafe
- family-style dining in ‘Ohana and Sebastian’s Bistro
- quick-service restaurants found throughout Walt Disney World
But where are the best places to eat in each Disney Park? Here are our thoughts on the best full-service and quick-service restaurants found in each of the Disney Parks in Walt Disney World. We’ve also included a considerable mention of each Disney Park. This offers a great alternative should our preferred restaurants be unavailable on the day of your visit or if the menu doesn’t appeal to you or your party.
Magic Kingdom
The original Disney Park has eight full-service restaurants available to Guests each day. These are:
- Tony’s Town Square
- The Plaza
- Liberty Tree Tavern
- Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen
- The Diamond Horseshoe
- Cinderella’s Royal Table
- The Crystal Palace
- Be Our Guest
Additionally, there are also twenty-two quick-service restaurants. Some of these restaurants in Magic Kingdom offer a full menu with seating areas for Guests to dine in. Other smaller locations serve snacks and beverages for Guests to enjoy on the go. But which are the best restaurants in Magic Kingdom Park?
Full-Service – Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen
If you’re looking for one of the most underrated restaurants in Walt Disney World, then the Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen is the place to eat. You’ll find it in Adventureland in Magic Kingdom Park, next to Sunshine Tree Terrace and across from the Swiss Family Treehouse. Dining here is your opportunity to eat like the Jungle Cruise skippers. The dishes are inspired by exotic flavors and are served to Guests in one of three quirky dining rooms. When visiting, explore the restaurant before leaving to admire all the weird and beautiful decorations and artifacts displayed.
The Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen is open daily for lunch and dinner. The Disney restaurant opens from 11 a.m. through 9 p.m. daily. While walk-in tables may be available, we recommend securing an advance dining reservation before visiting Magic Kingdom.
Quick-Service – Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
Regarding quick-service dining in the Magic Kingdom theme park, we love to stop at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe. You’ll find it on the corner of Frontierland, serving up South Western fare, including fajitas, rice bowls, nachos, tacos, and churros. Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe has extensive indoor seating, making it a great place to take a break from the sun. Alternatively, please pick up your order from this Old Western saloon and enjoy it outside while waiting for the Festival of Fantasy Parade to begin.
Considerable Mention – Casey’s Corner
While Casey’s Corner isn’t our first choice of quick-service restaurant in Magic Kingdom, it’s our considerable mention. This famous Disney restaurant is located at the top of Main Street, U.S.A. Pick up American favorites, such as hot dogs, french fries, and corn dog nuggets. Casey’s Corner is generally open from mid-morning until 30 minutes after Park close daily.
EPCOT
EPCOT has a wide selection of full-service restaurants available for Guests to enjoy. There are nineteen restaurants to choose from:
- Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria
- Tutto Italia Ristorante
- Tokyo Dining
- Teppan Edo
- Takumi-Tei
- Spice Road Table
- Space 220
- San Angel Inn
- Rose & Crown Pub
- Nine Dragons
- Restaurant Marrakesh
- Monsieur Paul
- Le Cellier Steakhouse
- La Hacienda de San Angel
- La Creperie de Paris
- Garden Grill
- Coral Reef
- Chefs de France
- Biergarten
- Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
Meanwhile, there are twenty-six quick-service restaurants throughout EPCOT. Most of these locations can be found around World Showcase. This count does not include the Outdoor Kitchens that feature around World Showcase Lagoon as part of the EPCOT International Festivals.
So which restaurants are the best to dine in at EPCOT Park?
Full-Service – Space 220
Are you looking for a dining experience that is out of this world? Look no further than Space 220 in World Discovery at EPCOT. One of the newest restaurants to have opened in the Walt Disney World Resort, Space 220 allows Guests to dine in a space station. Just as you would on board an actual space station, you’ll get fantastic daytime and nighttime views of Earth and EPCOT while you enjoy your lunch or dinner.
Guests who dine in Space 220 will be treated to a prix-fixe meal that features modern American cuisine inspired by space. A 2-course prix-fixe menu is available at lunch, from 11:30 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. In contrast, a 3-course menu is served at dinner, from 4 p.m. to 8:40 p.m. Space 220 is one of the most popular dining experiences in Walt Disney World, so you should book an advance dining reservation to guarantee eating there.
Quick-Service – Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie
There are plenty of quick-service restaurants in EPCOT, but our favorite is found in the France Pavilion. Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie is the perfect spot to enjoy soups, sandwiches, salads, and pastries. Pair the tempting delicacies with wine, champagne, gourmet coffees, and beer.
Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie opens at 9 a.m. each day through to Park close. Seating is available inside to take a break from the sun. Alternatively, we love to pull up a chair at one of the tables outside on the street.
Considerable Mention – Garden Grill
Our considerable mention is Garden Grill in World Nature. Guests can dine in the company of Chip ’n’ Dale, Mickey Mouse, and Pluto, with a view of scenes from the Living with the Land attraction. Guests can enjoy family-style lunch or dinner on a feast that includes vegetables from the EPCOT greenhouses. Secure your advance dining reservation at Garden Grill between 11:30 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Five full-service restaurants are currently open in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, with a new addition coming soon to Toy Story Land. Guests can enjoy full-service dining in the following restaurants in the Disney Park:
- Sci-Fi Dine-In Theatre
- Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano
- The Hollywood Brown Derby
- Hollywood & Vine
- 50’s Prime Time Cafe
From March 23, 2023, Guests will also be able to dine at Roundup Rodeo BBQ.
If you’re looking for quick-service dining, you can choose from seventeen Disney’s Hollywood Studios locations. There’s something to suit everyone in the Disney Park.
But of these dining locations, where do we choose to eat whenever we visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
Full-Service – Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano
Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano is a hidden gem in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You’ll find it on Grand Avenue, near Muppet Vision 3D. Dine in a casual and colorful Italian eatery lit by string lights. You can enjoy home-style Italian dishes with a Californian twist. The same menu is served throughout the day from 10:45 a.m. through 9:30 p.m. and features a selection of appetizers, entrees, and desserts.
Are you hoping to see Fantasmic! during your day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano is part of the Fantasmic! Dining Package in the Disney Park. Enjoy an entree with your choice of appetizer or dessert, for $54, and you’re guaranteed preferred seating in the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater.
Quick-Service – Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo
You’ll want to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to dine in this quick-service restaurant. Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo offers unusual flavors and exotic offerings in unfamiliar ways. Sit in a working hangar bar to tuck into your intergalactic grub. Lunch and dinner are served at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo. Mobile ordering is also available at this quick-service restaurant.
Considerable Mention – Sci-Fi Dine-In Theatre
You’ll want to visit the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theatre if you enjoy watching a movie while eating. Please find it in Commissary Lane at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. American cuisine is served here, including burgers, salad, and pasta. Take a seat at your 50’s drive-in theatre car, come table, and chow down while watching thrilling and chilling sci-fi scenes. A walk-up list is available, but an advance dining reservation will secure your dining experience at a particular time.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
There is a smaller selection of restaurants dining in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This is, however, where you will find the more exotic restaurants offering unique and international dishes. Full-service restaurants in Disney’s Animal Kingdom are:
- Yak & Yeti
- Tusker House
- Rainforest Cafe (located at the entrance of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park)
- Nomad Lounge
- Tiffins
Pizzafari is currently unavailable, but this restaurant offers family-style dining in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Regarding quick-service restaurants, there are twenty-five to choose from in the Disney Park. Many of these locations offer a variety of beverages to quench your thirst. If you’re looking for food, you are likely only to find snacks at these locations, but other restaurants that offer a variety of entrees will be nearby. Surprisingly, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the Disney Park that provides the most beverage locations in all Disney theme parks.
Which restaurants do we consider to be the best in Disney’s Animal Kingdom?
Full-Service – Tusker House
Of all the restaurants in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Tusker House takes our number 1 spot. We never say no to dining with Donald, Mickey House, Goofy, and Daisy Duck. We also can’t resist the incredible buffet that is served. If you’re looking for Simba and Mickey Waffles, safari bread, fruit, eggs, meat, yogurt, and pastries, secure an advance dining reservation for breakfast. Make sure to order Jungle Juice to sip during your breakfast. Alternatively, if spit-roasted tandoori chicken, green curry shrimp, roasted root vegetables, bread, and dips make you hungry, then dine at Tusker House for lunch or dinner. You’ll have a wild time at this Disney character dining experience.
Quick-Service – Satu’li Canteen
Undoubtedly, Satu’li Canteen is the best quick-service restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park. Find this restaurant in Pandora – The World of Avatar in the Disney Park. This is the restaurant where Guests can enjoy exclusive dishes such as combination bowls and the famous cheeseburger steamed pods. Dine like the Na’vi in the RDA mess hall.
Considerable Mention – Tiffins
Our considerable mention in Disney’s Animal Kingdom is Tiffins. Guests pass this signature restaurant near the entrance to Pandora – The World of Avatar from Discovery Island. Feast upon a menu of international cuisine in a restaurant that is inspired by travel and culture. Take time after your dining experience to explore the three exquisite dining rooms in Tiffins. You can admire photographs, paintings, and sculptures inspired by the fieldwork and notes of the Imagineers who helped create Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park.
How many of these restaurants have you dined in? Which of them are you still yet to experience? Please make plans to experience them during your future Disney vacations. They will add to your Disney experience in Lake Buena Vista.
Remember that there are also excellent dining options available in the Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Some of the best dining experiences aren’t found in the Disney Parks. Remember to plan to spend some time visiting the Disney hotels and take advantage of all there is to offer in them. Every Guest can access the Disney hotels by using the complimentary Walt Disney World Transportation System. Use the bus stop for your destination at any of the Disney Park bus stations. Alternatively, make use of the Disney Monorail, Disney Skyliner and FriendShip Boats to access the Disney Resort hotel of your choice.
Remember to secure advanced dining reservations before visiting the Walt Disney World Resort. Doing so will guarantee your dining experiences at a specific time and can vastly reduce your wait time during busy periods. Download the My Disney Experience app and take advantage of the mobile ordering system to save time when visiting quick-service dining locations. Most Disney quick-service restaurants offer mobile ordering. Collection points are clearly labeled and usually located near each restaurant’s registers.
