We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Disney World food is inconsistent.
Disney fries are served piping hot and fresh one moment, and cold and hard the next. We’ve had fresh, delicious churros, and we’ve almost broken a tooth on one that was cold and stale (ok, not really, but it wasn’t great). Trying to decide where to eat through all of this confusion can be a challenge, but thankfully, there are a few restaurants that just hit different. We mean the old standbys that we can rely on time and time again. Let’s take a look at three of the restaurants that haven’t let us down yet.
Columbia Harbour House
Ok, so you’re in Magic Kingdom, and iconic snacks are everywhere. We’re talking Mickey pretzels, DOLE whips, and Cheeseburger Spring Rolls, people. But, you’re looking for a place to get a substantial lunch, and you can’t figure out what makes the most sense.
Sure, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe is full of energy (and tunes from the zany alien crooner downstairs, when he’s there), but does the food always knock it out of the park? Not exactly. Sure, we’ve had some really tasty eats here, but when we’re counting on a place to really give the name “theme park food” a fighting chance, we go to Columbia Harbour House.
First of all, this place is great for seafood lovers looking for a good option when they’re in the parks. We’ve had fresh and satisfying Grilled Salmon and Grilled Shrimp Skewers. When we’re looking for something heartier and more comforting, the Trio Platter is full of deliciously fried food.
But, even those who don’t want seafood can find some amazing options here. We’ve been blown away by the Mixed Greens Salad that was topped with perfectly fried Chicken Strips. There are even Plant-based options on the menu!
So, between the consistently good food and options for everyone to enjoy, Columbia Harbour House is a great, reliable option when you’re looking for a meal in the park.
Garden Grill Restaurant
Alright, now you want a table-service meal that you can count on to knock it out of the park. Guess what? Garden Grill does just that — and it’s a character meal! With character meals, the food isn’t always memorable, to say the least. You’re usually paying for the experience — but Garden Grill is a (not-so-hidden) gem that has great characters and good food.
Guests get to say hello to (and hug, of course) Mickey, Pluto, Chip, and Dale in this family-style dining location. But the cool part is it’s right above Living With the Land and much of the produce is even sourced from the greenhouses down below. Oh, and I forgot to mention that the dining room SPINS. Don’t worry, it’s really slow. But, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of scenes from the attraction downstairs as you pass by (ever so slowly).
As we mentioned, the food here is reliable. It’s all you care to enjoy, and the rotating menu for lunch and dinner can include grilled steak, roasted chicken, and sustainable fish of the day.
And don’t forget, the character breakfast has returned! The food at breakfast is your standard breakfast fare — save for the delicious Cinnamon Breakfast Loaf and Cheesy Potato Casserole.
Overall, we think Garden Grill is a consistently great choice!
Raglan Road
Lastly, you’ve decided to spend a night in Disney Springs. Raglan Road offers up some authentic Irish dishes with a contemporary twist — and some of the best entertainment on property!
On the weekend, the Rollicking Raglan Brunch serves adventurous eats in a fun, pub-style atmosphere, complete with the Rhythms of Raglan Dance Show on the Main Stage. You’ll find unique options here, like The Irish Porker and the Stars & Scrumpet Breakfast.
Later in the day, try the Fish & Chips or the Shepherd’s to Die for Pie! If you like a lively atmosphere and enjoy trying new foods — Raglan Road is a pretty solid option that has been consistently great when we’ve been.
What do you think? Would you add any restaurants to this list? Let us know in the comments below, and make sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news!
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The post 3 Restaurants in Disney World That Won’t Let You Down, We Promise first appeared on the disney food blog.