While you can often find us chowing down on Mickey Pretzels and Dole Whip in the parks, some of our favorite Disney World dining locations are actually found outside of the parks!

The Disney World Resort hotels are home to some iconic restaurants. Of course, there are the quintessential spots like ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. But, there’s one Disney World hotel that we bet you don’t typically think of when it comes to dining…but you totally should!

That’s right, we’ll say it — Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort has surprisingly good food!

The hotel recently received a MAJOR refresh with the opening of the new Gran Destino Tower. And, along with 545 brand new rooms, the Tower also added several new dining options to the resort!

Between the long-standing restaurants and recent additions, Coronado Springs now features a solid variety of dining options from casual Quick Service to up-scale Table Service experiences. So, let’s take a closer look at this hidden gem and share a few of our favorite spots to snag food in Coronado Springs!

Three Bridges Bar and Grill

When we’re talkin’ about Three Bridges Bar and Grill, we have to start by giving a shout-out to the AWESOME location. It’s located out on the water of Lago Dorado, so your meal will come with a nice side of gorgeous lakeside views of the resort. And, you won’t have to get all dressed up to visit — Three Bridges is more of a casual restaurant with a laid-back vibe.

But the views aren’t the only reason to visit, they also serve up some REALLY tasty food, specializing in upscale Spanish-inspired bar food and cocktails.

This is a great place to head for a late-night bite or cocktail. But, it does tend to get crowded during mealtimes, so keep that in mind if Three Bridges is on your Disney bucket list!

We’ve had a few stand-out items from Three Bridges that we would DEFINITELY order again, like the guacamole, steak frites, and coconut chicken curry, to name a few.

This spot is also the home of Sangria University! So if you’re looking for a unique, adult-centric (but still kid-friendly) experience to learn the background of this iconic drink and take a stab at making your own personalized creation, you’ll want to check it out!

So, if you’re looking for unique cocktails and tapas in a gorgeous setting, we’d definitely say Three Bridges is worth a try — especially for a late-night bite or nightcap!

Check Out Our Full Review of Three Bridges Bar & Grill HERE!

Rix Sports Bar & Grill

As the name suggests, Rix Sports Bar & Grill is your go-to place for pub-style food. It also features over 30 (!!) TVs, so it’s a great place to head if there’s a game you gotta catch while you’re on vacation!

Now, full disclosure — this isn’t exactly one of our favorite restaurants, and it’s probably not a destination-worthy spot for most guests. But, there is ONE menu item that gives this place a well-earned shout-out on our list…Watchos!

A mashup of “waffle fries” and “nachos,” this appetizer is made with crispy waffle fries topped with queso blanco, bacon, and scallions. Sure, it might not be the most innovative menu item we’ve ever tried, but it is just as delicious and that’s what really counts!

So, kick back, relax, and enjoy all the Watchos you can. We won’t judge you for skipping the Disney Parks and enjoying some grub while you watch Sunday football!

We Found an Awesome Dessert at Rix Sports Bar & Grill…On the Kids Menu! Learn All About It HERE!

Toledo — Tapas, Steak & Seafood

If you’re looking for an upscale, impress-your-significant-other meal, Toledo — Tapas, Steak & Seafood is a great option!

This restaurant is located on the rooftop of Gran Destino Tower, which means that it offers some GORGEOUS views across Disney World property including the nighttime fireworks shows at both Magic Kingdom and EPCOT!

When it comes to the food, Toledo specializes in Spanish-inspired cuisine and offers a large selection of Spanish wines for those that are interested in pairing.

This spot is still a relatively hidden gem, so you might find it easier to snag a reservation here than another fancy spot like California Grill. And, between the excellent views, delicious food, and upscale atmosphere, you’ll be getting a very similar experience!

Check Out Our Full Review of Toledo — Tapas, Steak & Seafood HERE!

Dahlia Lounge

The next spot is located right next door to Toledo…welcome to Dahlia Lounge!

Just like Toledo, Dahlia Lounge is also located atop Gran Destino Tower. And yes, you’ll still get plenty of great views (including fireworks) here as well! What makes this spot different (and potentially even preferable) is that there’s even some outdoor seating available for those looking to really take in the bird’s eye view.

Now, this is a lounge, so the menu isn’t too expansive — but, you can still find some tapas (which are identical to the Pintxos options available at Toledo) and there are plenty of craft cocktails and Spanish wines to choose from here as well.

So, if you’re looking for some small bites or a fancy way to cap your day in Disney World, Dahlia Lounge is the perfect place to visit! It may be a bit out of the way for those who aren’t staying at the hotel, but if you have a reservation at Coronado Springs, then this spot just might be a great addition to your day!

Here’s Our Full Review and Photo Tour of Dahlia Lounge!

Additional Dining Options

Didn’t see something up your alley on our list of highlights? Don’t worry, Coronado Springs has even MORE to offer! In the Dig Site pool area, Siestas Cantina serves up drinks and a fairly robust food menu for a pool bar…

…or, if you prefer to sip your cocktail lakeside, Laguna Bar is located right by Lago Dorado. They’ve got a few small bites and signature drinks on the menu for you to explore!

For grab-and-go food options, check out El Mercado de Coronado. This food court offers a wide variety of choices, which makes this a solid option if your family can’t agree on what sounds good!

And, both Barcelona Lounge and Cafe Rix offer snack items like pastries and coffee for a quick pick-me-up! Plus, the stained glass background is inspired by Antoni Gaudi’s La Sagrada Família Basilica making it a nice spot to bask in the culture and elegance while you nosh on your snacks!

And finally, Maya Grill is another Table Service dining option that celebrates “Nuevo Latino” cuisine.

Well, we’d say that’s a pretty impressive spread of dining locations for one hotel! But, why are there SO MANY dining locations in this seemingly random hotel? Well, Coronado Springs is one of Disney’s convention hotels! This can bring quite a few larger groups to the resort from time to time and explains why there is such a wide range of plentiful dining options. And, while the resort may be set up with the business-type in mind, this can actually be a great place to book your hotel stay if you have picky eaters or plan to spend a lot of time at the resort instead of hitting up the parks.

Here’s Our Full Review of Maya Grill!

All in all, whether you’re looking for a quick snack poolside or a swanky rooftop dinner, Coronado Springs Resort has you covered! And, the fact that several of these spots are still fairly under-the-radar is an added bonus. Of course, we’ll continue to bring you our full reviews of all the dining spots you can find in Disney World (even the ones you may have never heard of!), so be sure to stay tuned to DFB to help you plan your next trip!

Why Is It Called That? The Stories Behind Disney’s Best Restaurant Names!

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What’s your favorite restaurant at Coronado Springs Resort? Let us know in the comments!

The post This Disney World Hotel Has Shockingly Good Food first appeared on the disney food blog.