The main cheese!

Table Service

There are a LOT of restaurants in Disney World, some of which are located in spots you’ll have to take a trek to get to — but which ones are worth it?

Best Restaurants at Disney World Hotels

California Grill

The California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is truly a masterpiece of fine dining and has been recognized by the Michelin Guide for its innovative chefs, market-inspired menus, and incredible quality.

THE VIEWS

Starting April 1st, 2023, California Grill will serve a 3-course selection menu featuring “contemporary, market-inspired cuisine.”

Major Menu CHANGES Announced for California Grill in Disney World

‘Ohana

Let’s talk about a fan favorite — ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort! ‘Ohana has been a popular choice for YEARS thanks to its delicious all-you-care-to-eat Polynesian feast served family-style and chill island atmosphere. The noodles here are so famous that when the restaurant reopened without them on the menu, people RIOTED on the internet and get them brought back.

We love you, ‘Ohana noodles

This restaurant is incredibly popular and hard to get reservations for, so you’ll want to plan in advance.

Review: Return of Characters Nearly DOUBLES Cost of ’Ohana Breakfast in Disney World — Is It Worth It?

Sanaa

Let’s head on over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge to look at Sanaa (located at the Kidani Village side of the resort). Here, you can dine with a view of the savanna, so make that midday reservation for a chance to see the animals!

Watch for animals

Sanaa has a spectacular bread service, along with some classic African cuisine. It’s a meal that’s typically made for adventurous palettes, but it remains one of our favorite restaurants on Disney World property year after year. Definitely pay this underrated restaurant a visit!

Click Here to See Our Sanaa Review!

Steakhouse 71 

Opened in 2021 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, this restaurant has a traditional American steakhouse vibe, with varying menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Steakhouse 71 Stack Burger and Wedge Salad

We’re not always the biggest fans of sit-down meals in Magic Kingdom, and if you aren’t either, then this restaurant is just a short walk away, a little reprieve from a busy park day. We have to recommend the burger (it’s a classic!) and the French Onion Soup has been a favorite for many as well.

Read Our Steakhouse 71 Dinner Review Here!

Victoria & Albert’s

And finally, we have to mention the king of all Disney World restaurants, Victoria & Albert’s. This AAA five-diamond restaurant is a culinary experience for those truly dedicated to finding the BEST food on property. During your meal you’ll be served by two dedicated servers and treated to personalized menus.

Chardonnay Time

The Chef’s Tasting Menu in the main dining room includes between eight and twelve courses. It’s a multi-hour experience, and it’s certainly a meal you won’t soon forget!

Click Here to See Our Review of Victoria & Albert’s!

Yachtsman Steakhouse

There are several dining rooms with an upscale vibe. You’ll spot lots of wood incorporated into the design of the space, with those nautical details, and plenty of natural light (if you happen to dine here before sunset). The streamlined curves, natural woods, and soft linens all lend themselves to that classic nautical feeling.

8-oz Filet Mignon

And while the upholstery isn’t going to captivate you, the showpiece of the restaurant is the open kitchen and the butcher block where you watch as chefs expertly carve out each unique steak — because the real star here is the meat. No fireworks or characters at this restaurant, because you’ll want to focus all of your attention on the prime choice cut of steak you’re about to enjoy.

You Won’t Be Mad at Yachtsman Steakhouse in Disney World… Probably

Worst Restaurants at Disney World Hotels

 Big River Grille & Brewing Works

Yes, it’s an ACTUAL brewery where you can sample some brews that have won awards. Inside, you’ll find floor-to-ceiling glass walls where you can watch the beer being made — how cool is that? With SO MUCH great bar food and beer around Disney World now though, this spot has to be STELLAR to warrant a trip over (unless you’re already at the BoardWalk Inn and Villas!), and it’s just not.

Big River Grille & Brewing Works

So, here’s the truth — we’re not super impressed with the food here, and it IS fairly standard bar food (even the nachos didn’t impress us, and they had CHEESE on them). If you want some unique beer options and are close by though, give it a try.

Review: Beer-Grilled Burgers and Sneaky Lettuce? If Only These Disney Tricks Paid off at Big River Grille.

Honorable mention

Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood

Toledo — Tapas, Steak & Seafood is located at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, on the top of the Gran Destino Tower. It offers a rooftop dining experience with small plates inspired by flavors from Spain. Some dishes are winners, while others did not rank as high on our list.

The view

The real kicker here though is the setting. There are floor-to-ceiling windows with views out to Walt Disney World that are truly spectacular! 

The Restaurant That Might Truly Challenge You in Disney World

Quick Service

Quick-service spots are places where you generally order at the counter and then bring your food to a table yourself.

Best Restaurants at Disney World Hotels (Quick Service)

Capt. Cook’s

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is home to SO MANY great dining options, but one of our favorite spots for a quick bite is Capt. Cook’s! Consistently, this location is a fan favorite.

We told you it’s massive!

This counter-service location usually serves up Tonga Toast at breakfast and pulled pork nachos that are worth leaving Magic Kingdom for!

The One Disney World Restaurant Where You Can’t Avoid Disney Adults

Primo Piatto

Primo Piatto is a quick-service location at Disney’s Riviera Resort, the newest hotel in Disney World. The decor features black and white photos of Walt Disney and vintage lighting fixtures. Take the Disney Skyliner as a fun way to get here.

Croque Monsieur at Primo Piatto

Offering several Italian and French-inspired dishes and salads, burgers, and quick snacks, The Croque Monsieur gets rave reviews!

Disney Food Blog Review: No Lie…We May Have Found the Perfect Disney World Lunch

Worst Restaurants in Disney World Hotels (Quick Service)

El Mercado de Coronado

El Mercado de Coronado serves up some unique Spanish-themed options. You’re not going to find things like Roasted Mojo Pork Loin, Ancho Rubbed Bone-In Chicken Breast, and Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf at any other food court in Disney World. However, recent reviews show guests receiving cold food or over-cooked meats. Another complaint has been long lines.

El Mercado de Coronado

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is a large resort with several other dining options.

EVERY Late-Night Dining Option in Disney World

End Zone Food Court

This food court inside Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort welcomes sports fans, however many of our readers give this location a thumbs down.

End Zone Food Court

We often hear complaints about the lack of food variety as well as long ordering lines. 

The Complete Guide to Eating at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

Good’s Food To Go

Standard menu items are on the menu at this quick service restaurant is located at Disney’s Old Key West Resort.

Good’s Food To Go

Our readers seem to dislike the outdoor limited seating and small menu.

The Complete Guide to Eating at Disney’s Old Key West Resort

Honorable mention

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory

When guests visit Disney’s Port Orleans — French Quarter Resort they know they’ll find an array of Creole and Cajun dishes, snacks, and drinks. We’ve found the food here to deliver terrific flavor. 

Let’s go inside!

If you are visiting the resort, we recommend taking the Sassagoula Riverboat from Disney Springs.

Where did your favorite Disney moderate resort rank in our poll?

Lounge/Bar

It can be a difficult decision to pick a place to get your drink on. So, what are the best and worst bars and lounges at the Disney resorts? You will find no shortage of places to meet friends before dinner or to grab an evening cocktail, but some of the bars and lounges are just a bit more memorable — even after an E-ticket evening of imbibing.

Best Lounges at Disney World Hotels

California Grill Lounge

You’ve heard about that amazing fireworks view at the California Grill, well, at the Lounge you can see the fireworks without having to first secure a reservation.

California Grill Lounge – watch the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks from here!

The lounge is first come, first served, and as you can imagine, people tend to try to get a table around fireworks time. A great tip is to go earlier in the evening to avoid the fireworks rush, because as long as you return with your receipt, you can still access the observation area to watch the fireworks.

Click here to see the latest menu changes at California Grill!

Crew’s Cup Lounge

This favorite, located at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, is just a cozy little lounge, but the menu features some of the most amazing food from the adjacent Yachtsman Steak House. If it’s a full-on prime rib dinner you’re looking for, you’ve found it here.

Crew’s Cup Signature Old Fashioned

You can also enjoy bar snacks like truffle fries, and the menu features all of your classic lounge favorites like scotch and cognac, plus an extensive wine list and some local draft beer.

Have you overlooked THIS Walt Disney World steakhouse?

Enchanted Rose Lounge

A lounge based on a love story? Awwww, yes, please! Set in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, The Enchanted Rose Lounge serves up sips and snacks in a space reminiscent of that tale as old as time, Beauty and the Beast.

New eats at Enchanted Rose Lounge

And because this is the Grand Floridian, you won’t find pub grub here. The menu takes your average bar food and makes it both elegant and enticing. With options like Crab Macaroni and Cheese, Artisanal Cheese Selection, and the famous Truffle Fries, you won’t even miss the Grey Stuff — the whole menu is delicious.

See the complete list of restaurants at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Geyser Point Bar and Grill

Not quite a pool bar, Geyser Point Bar and Grill is just near the main pool at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Nestled in the Pacific Northwest setting of the resort, the open-air bar has both a table service lounge and a walk-up quick service counter. The menu has excellent options for the foodie in the family.

Charcuterie Board

Drinks here take on the Pacific Northwest theme of the resort and some native beers. But one of the real draws of this bar is the location. The Wilderness Lodge is already beautiful, but with the waterfront views offered at this location, and the fireplace to warm up to on a cool evening, it’s easy to see why this ranks among our favorite spots.

There are Mickey-shaped WHAT at this Wilderness Lodge restaurant?

Tambu Lounge

What could be better than listening to Polynesian music while sipping a fruity tropical drink out of a pineapple? Doing it at the Tambu Lounge at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.  The Lapu Lapu, served in a whole pineapple, is a treat right off the beach in Hawaii, with dark rum and tropical fruit. You can almost feel the beach breeze.

Lapu Lapu

Even more tastes of the tropics can be found in the Hawaiian Mule or the Polynesian Mai Tai.

A NEW $32 POG Juice and Souvenir Cup Combo Is Available in Disney World!

Territory Lounge

Warm wood, cozy seating, and soft lighting aren’t the only highlights of the Territory Lounge. And while a lot of the top bars and lounges on our list get there based on elaborate theming or unique drinks, this hang-out is a standout when it comes to lounge eats. The menu varies seasonally, so you are likely to find a seasonal soup, plus there’s usually a charcuterie and a mouth-watering dessert.

Territory Popcorn Sampler

You’ll find this lounge tucked behind the great fireplace at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.

Is Disney’s Wilderness Lodge the right resort for you? Find out HERE.

Three Bridges Bar and Grill

Create your own Sangria. Need I go any further? Three Bridges Bar and Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is the home of Sangria University where an actual sangria sommelier will educate you on sangria. Guys, you can get a SANGRIA DIPLOMA. Okay, we may be a little too excited, but what an incredibly unique experience, and one of the big reasons Three Bridges makes our favorites list.

A Pretty Drink with a Pretty View

The bar has a bright, tropical feel with some comfy seating options, and the eats here are pretty darned delicious. The shareables, like the house-made guacamole and the roasted corn dip, are crowd pleasers; and the entrees like the poke bowls and the steak frites pack a flavorful punch (just ask for the fries on the side if you go for the steak frites to avoid losing some of the crispness of the fries).

Check out the Sangria Flight at Three Bridges Bar and Grill 

Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto

Jungle Cruise fans will remember Trader Sam from his days as the “head salesman” in the jungle, but you gotta love his side hustle. Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto brings to light Sam’s devotion to drinks, and his mad love for mixology.

We love hanging out in here!

Tucked into a back corner of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, this lounge is a little crazy and a lot of fun. And if you’re looking for some kid-free time, you’ll find it here after 8PM.

Top 16 Bars and Lounges at Walt Disney World

Worst Lounge at Disney World Hotels

Outer Rim

The Outer Rim is your main, standalone watering hole at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. And it is popular on monorail bar crawls! However, we find it lacking in ambiance.

Outer Rim Lounge

If you’re looking for a lounge experience, nearly any other lounge on Disney property will offer you more in terms of interesting food and drink as well as setting and themeing.

The Complete Guide to Eating at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Honorable mention

Scat Cat’s Club

You’re in Walt Disney World, but you’re in New Orleans. How’s that for some Disney magic? Scat Cat’s Club is a soulful, jazz-filled, joy of a lounge located at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter. The club will take you right to the heart of Bourbon Street, with live jazz music playing several nights a week, and NOLA famous cocktails.

Scat Cat’s Club

Come here for the music and the drinks but stay for the food.

Where did your favorite Disney moderate resort rank in our poll?

Character Meal

Best Character Meals in Disney World Hotels

Artist Point — Story Book Dining with Snow White

We’ve got some royalty securing the number three spot! If you’ve got princess fans, you might want to head over to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort to Artist Point where you’ll find Story Book Dining with Snow White. Over a meal of more upscale plates, you’ll see Snow White, Dopey, and Grumpy; and have a chance to take a photo with The Evil Queen!

Desserts

We LOVE that you get to meet some unique characters. In fact, you’ll be hard-pressed to find Dopey or the Evil Queen anywhere else on property. You don’t need a park ticket to experience this restaurant, and it provides a bit more of an upscale menu, so you’ll really feel fancy dining here!

Disney Food Blog REVIEW: Story Book Dining Has Returned to Disney World. How Has It CHANGED?

Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera

Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera at Disney’s Riviera Resort showcases Breakfast a la Art with Mickey & Friends. With a gorgeous atmosphere, amazing food and cute character outfits, we can definitely recommend this character meal. The food also feels a lot fairer for the price than some other spots!

Mickey

Pretty much the only con with this one is that you have to make your way over to Riviera Resort — which is easy since this spot is on the Skyliner.

To see our REVIEW of this breakfast, click here!

Worst Character Meals at Disney World Hotels

Chef Mickey’s

When folks usually think of character meals, Chef Mickey’s is what comes to mind! It is one of the most popular spots and snagging a reservation here is not for the faint of heart. Even though this iconic dining location is uber popular, it’s not one of the highest ranked. Just remember that you are paying as much — if not more — to see those characters than you are for the food, so you will ultimately have to decide if it’s in your budget to dine here and if it’s worth it.

Biscuits and gravy with brisket and cheesy potatoes

The atmosphere can be loud and chaotic, and the food is typically only okay. However, we were pleasantly surprised by the breakfast buffet.

Every Disney World Buffet Ranked From BEST to WORST

Honorable mention

Cape May Cafe

Over at Disney’s Beach Club Resort is a fun spot called Cape May Cafe in Disney’s Beach Club Resort. We recently welcomed back Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast in the morning.

The prettiest breakfast plate you ever did see!

If you’re looking for a solid breakfast buffet with a TON of character interaction, consider giving Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast at Cape May Cafe a try! But if character meals aren’t your thing and you don’t want to shell out $45 for breakfast — this probably isn’t the spot for you!

Click here for a recent REVIEW of Cape May Cafe!

Pool Bar

Just steps from the resort pools, these bars offer an oasis for guests seeking out refreshments.

Best Pool Bars at Disney World Hotels

Banana Cabana Lounge

It can be a bit of an undertaking to make your way to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort if you aren’t staying there, but Banana Cabana Lounge may just make it worth a trip. Caribbean flavors abound at this outside, waterfront lounge, and you can sample a Jamaican Frozen Runner and a Caribbean Mai Tai if luscious libations are what you’re after.

Banana Cabana at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

The real Caribbean flavors, though, are in the food. Pineapple-Coconut Bread Pudding will almost make you forget the ‘Ohana bread pudding (the recipe was created by a chef from ‘Ohana, so it’s not like you’re cheating or anything if you love this one just as much). There’s jerk chicken and a bright, fresh Sebastian’s Salad with Grilled Shrimp, so put yourself on island time and stay awhile.

The Complete Guide to Eating at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Barefoot Pool Bar

Aloha from Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort! Next time you’re at the Polynesian Resort and are looking for a quick little snack to munch on by the pool, we totally recommend checking this pool bar out!

Barefoot Pool Bar

Everything we ordered was so fresh and different compared to the typical pool bar foods.

Disney Food Blog REVIEW: Now We Have One More Big Reason to Love Barefoot Pool Bar in Disney World (Hint: FOOD!)

Bar Riva

Bar Riva is located adjacent to the pool at Disney’s Riviera Resort! This stylish, yet casual, open-air pool bar serves European and Mediterranean inspired cuisine, as well as cocktails and drinks made-to-order.

Bar Riva

It really has great food, excellent drinks, and a gorgeous room to enjoy them in — or take ’em outside and enjoy the pool view.

REVIEW: Other Disney World Bars Need to Get On This Level

Worst Pool Bars in Disney World Hotels

Grandstand Spirits

Just like its sister pool bars Singing Spirits and Silver Screen Spirits, Grandstand Spirits — the one and only bar at All-Star Sports Resort — lacks a bit in the atmosphere department.

Grandstand Spirits

Another common complaint is that the bar has very limited seating.

See all of the dining options at Disney’s All-Star Resorts HERE!

Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill

Hurricane Hanna’s is located in the common area of the Stormalong Bay pool at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort. While the location is convenient for guests enjoying time at the pool, many readers note that there is a lack of seating here. And with no covered seating, this isn’t the place to weather an afternoon storm.

Hurricane Hanna’s

So, we don’t necessarily have the highest hopes for pool bars. They aren’t a destination for the average Disney World guest. But it would be nice to see a menu change for guests hanging out at the pool.

Find more Yacht & Beach Club Resort Restaurants here!

Honorable mention

Maji Pool Bar

If you’re headed to Animal Kingdom Lodge, you may want to stop by the Maji Pool Bar to try some of sips and eats!

Maji Pool Bar

A few full entrees and snacks are even available during the afternoon hours, so you don’t need to step far away from the pool. Take a breather and relax at this secluded African retreat.

Review: 3 for 3 — These NEW Meals Were Winners in Disney World

If you’re planning a trip, refer back to this list so you can have the most amazing dining experience possible. We’ve tried all these spots firsthand, and we give them our stamp of approval (or disapproval)!

The post The Best (and Worst) Disney World Hotel Restaurants first appeared on the disney food blog.