It’s a new year and a new opportunity to enjoy all the eats Disney World has to offer!

At the beginning of each new year, we like to preview what’s in store for Disney World and for this one, we’re focussing on restaurants. We’ll be taking a look at the best of the best when it comes to Disney World dining, and which restaurants you should visit based on your priorities. This is a big one, so without further ado, let’s jump right into it!

What’s NEW

Last year didn’t exactly usher in a totally new era of Disney World restaurants, but there were some newbies that should be on your radar, starting with the grand re-opening of a super popular character dining experience.

1900 Park Fare

After several years of being closed, 1900 Park Fare reopened last April at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. As we previously mentioned, this restaurant is a character dining location featuring breakfast and dinner buffets where you’ll be able to meet famous characters like Aladdin, Mirabel, Cinderella, and Tiana.

We definitely recommend grabbing an extra scoop of the chilled strawberry soup during your next visit!

Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs

Last August the Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs kiosk FINALLY opened at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and became a hotspot for experimental corn dog creations like that super controversial pickle corn dog with the peanut butter dipping sauce.

We’re major fans of the giant mozzarella stick but could do without its whopping $15.50 price tag. It does come with a side of Lay’s Potato Chips, which is a slight bonus.

The Cake Bake Shop

After years and years of asking, The Cake Bake Shop and Bakery finally answered the call and opened a location at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn.

This new Table Service restaurant opened in October 2024 and serves sweet AND savory items for brunch, lunch, and dinner. And you can always swing by the Cake Bake Shop’s walk-up bakery to grab a dessert or drink without a reservation.

Summer House on the Lake

Summer House on the Lake at Disney Springs is still relatively new-ish and is a table service open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

This restaurant serves California-inspired bites from pizza and pasta to fresh salads and sandwiches. Additionally, like The Cake Bake Shop, Summer House also features a walk-up bakery inside the restaurant where you can grab a cookie or baked good to go.

eet by Maneet

Staying in Disney Springs, eet by Maneet Chauhan is a quick-service restaurant that serves traditional Indian cuisine with a modernized flair.

This location also offers a happy hour menu from 2 to 5 PM daily where you can order exclusive entrees that aren’t typically featured on the regular menu such as the cheese quesadilla with Indian pico and a side of Raita.

Wailulu Bar and Grill

Wailulu Bar and Grill opened at the Polynesian Village’s NEW DVC Island Tower in December and has provided guests a new place to enjoy drinks and dine while overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon.

Pirates Lounge

A new lounge themed to the classic Pirates of the Caribbean attraction is also slated to open in Adventureland in Magic Kingdom in 2025! The Pirates of the Caribbean tavern will be a “first-of-its-kind experience extending the story of Pirates of the Caribbean.”

Spaceship Earth Lounge

Finally, the Spaceship Earth-themed Lounge at EPCOT is opening in 2025, as well!

This lounge’s look will be inspired by the “stories, shapes, and enduring legacy” of the park’s icon — the giant “golfball-looking sphere” herself!

What Needs More LOVE

Several existing Disney World dining experiences could be overlooked and are currently overlooked. Whatever you do, DON’T skip out on these underrated restaurants until you get to know them.

Skipper Canteen

Starting us off on an underrated gem is Jungle Navigation Co. Skipper Canteen over in Magic Kingdom.

This restaurant ties into and expands upon the Jungle Cruise attraction’s backstory and inside you’ll encounter three dining rooms — the Falls Family Parlor, the Crew Mess Hall, and a once-secret meeting room for the Society of Explorers and Adventurers.

Guests are treated to Asian, South American, and African-influenced dishes, and, best of all, your server is will be a wacky Jungle Cruise Skipper like those you’ve probably met on the Jungle Cruise ride!

Many folks tend to steer away from this restaurant unfortunately and, despite its fun theming, it tends to be overshadowed by other themed sit-down experiences like Cinderella’s Royal Table and Be Our Guest. However, if you’re looking for a more adventurous dining experience with lots of fun theming and food that bucks the standard theme park food trend, it’s usually not too difficult to get a reservation at Skipper Canteen.

Skipper Canteen also usually has a secret menu where you can order select bites and drinks that aren’t directly listed on the menu itself. The menu switches up a lot but more often than not you should be able to order the Pao de Queijo Brazilian cheese bread, served with a side of poblano cream with red pepper flakes and chimichurri sauce. Just ask your server about the secret menu after you’re seated!

Docking Bay 7

Docking Bay 7 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is also often overlooked even though it’s inside the incredibly popular Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge area. It blends in seamlessly with its surroundings so much so that you might walk past it without realizing it. But it also offers an adventurous menu that can deter some.

Offering Batuuan Beef and Crispy Topato, Smoked Kaadu Pork Ribs, and even the Endorian Fried Chicken Tip Yip, we get it, but this quick-service spot deserves a chance is a lot more familiar than you might think. For example, the Endorian Fried Chicken Tip Yip is pretty much just fried chicken.

For those who are a tad more adventurous, but not SO adventurous that they want their food actually tasting as unique as it sounds, this is a solid choice with great Star Wars theming with portion sizes that actually match its slightly higher prices.

Olivia’s Cafe

Olivia’s Cafe is a hidden gem since it’s all the way out at Disney’s Old Key West Resort, so it’s not super convenient to visit unless you’re already staying there. However, if you do make the journey out to Old Key West for an Olivia’s Cafe meal, this Table Service restaurant will serve you classic American fare with items directly inspired by the Florida Keys.

This spot serves daily brunch (a rarity at Disney World) and is a wonderful place to grab a late morning heaping of Banana Bread French Toast topped with a Bahamian Banana-Rum Syrup, Crème Anglaise, and Whipped Cream, then served with your choice of Bacon or Sausage.

Olivia’s Cafe is one of the few Disney resort restaurants that has a Table Service To-Go option which is amazing when you want to take your meal with you elsewhere. You can order this meal the same way you’d place a mobile order on your My Disney Experience app.  Keep in mind that you’re still ordering table service food here, so your pick-up time won’t be as speedy as what a quick service provides.

Crews Cup Lounge

Crew’s Cup Lounge over at Disney’s Yacht Club has amazing Prime Rib Sliders and is another hidden gem. This cozy little lounge open for dinner from 5 PM to 10 PM and late-night dining from 10 PM to 11 PM.

The menu features a variety of food straight from the adjacent Yachtsman Steakhouse restaurant in addition to an extensive wine, cocktail, and draft beer list.

What Won’t Break The Bank

Look, dining at Disney World isn’t cheap. We can’t deny that fact.

Columbia Harbour House

But there are ways to save money and that includes dining at affordable (and reliable) options, such as Columbia Harbour House at Magic Kingdom.

This quick-service restaurant features a variety of England-inspired surf-and-turf such as seafood platters, lobster rolls, and maple mustard-glazed salmon. It’s also super affordable, with adult entrées costing around $11-$15.

We recommend picking up a basket of hush puppies as an extra side or a little afternoon snack, which luckily returned to the menu full-time in July 2024. The pricing here is very reasonable, save for the famous lobster roll, which will set you back $19.

Unfortunately, folks are still mourning the loss of the plant-based Lighthouse Sandwich that was once available at Columbia Harbour House. This sandwich was made with hummus, tomato, and broccoli slaw, making it very popular among many guests. However, EPCOT’s Sunshine Seasons now serves an upgraded version of the Lighthouse Sandwich called the Mediterranean Vegetable Sandwich, which is made with roasted red pepper, red onion, tomato, arugula, hummus, and balsamic vinaigrette. Don’t worry, Columbia Harbour House still has plant-based options that you can dig into!

Regal Eagle Smokehouse

If you’re craving barbecue, stop by Regal Eagle Smokehouse in EPCOT! This fast-casual restaurant celebrates the famous regions of American BBQ and delivers great craft brews. We especially love the prices here, but keep in mind that craft beer costs do add up. Drinking in Disney World ain’t cheap.

Flame Tree Barbecue

Flame Tree Barbecue is another quick-service barbecue spot we recommend. Located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Flame Tree Barbecue is home to delicious Pulled Pork and Cheese Fries that are so good that if all we did was fly to Disney World, get these fries, and then go home, it could be considered a good trip.

This restaurant offers all types of loaded fries like the A-Maize-Ing Magic Munch Fries, which are topped with sweet corn, chipotle mayonnaise, chili-lime-spiced cotija cheese, and popcorn. Of course, you can also get hearty barbecue entrées here, as well!

Capt. Cook’s

Finally, it’s worth mentioning that Capt. Cook’s at Polynesian Village Resort is way too underrated. It’s the most affordable place to grab a meal at this deluxe resort and offers plenty of variety, such as pulled pork nachos or Thai coconut meatballs for lunch and dinner.

Speaking of affordable, Capt. Cook’s is the cheapest place that serves Tonga Toast at the resort, and is an ideal spot if you’re looking for late-night snacks.

What’s H-O-T

We’re not always going to tell you to visit the most hyped-up places at Disney World, but these restaurants are hyped up for a reason.

Les Halles

Starting this list off is Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie in EPCOT!

You’ll find this restaurant at the very back of the France Pavilion and you can enter through the gift shop you exit into after watching the Beauty and the Beast sing-a-long show. Despite being so tucked away in the back of the park, there’s almost always a line zigzagging around this place. Fortunately, the line is also typically pretty quick, although seating is very limited.

The menu includes both sweet and savory items, such as house-made sandwiches, baked goods, and desserts like beignets, tarts, eclairs, macarons, and more. The prices here are super solid, typically offering treats in the $4 to $10 range.

Satu’li Canteen

Back at Animal Kingdom, Satu’li Canteen is popular for good reason. This unique fast-food Disney joint serves tasty steamed Cheeseburger Pods (bao buns filled with ground hamburger, cheese, and pickle) as well as a variety of customizable bowls.

Of note, the sauces that you can include with your customizable bowl are unique and include options like charred green onion vinaigrette, black bean vinaigrette, and creamy herbed dressing. If you wanna try a sauce without fully committing to it, you can always order it on the side. You can also choose boba pearls that normally come on top of your bowl to be placed on the side, as well. The customization aspect here is a great draw and one wish was more abundant at Disney World.

Be Our Guest Restaurant

Over in Magic Kingdom, Be Our Guest Restaurant in Fantasyland gives you the chance to dine inside the Beast’s castle!

Be Our Guest features three different themed dining rooms: the ballroom, the Rose gallery, and the West Wing. You can also spot the Beast himself walking through the restaurant on occasion.

This restaurant only serves lunch and dinner prix fixe meals and it ain’t cheap. Currently, a meal at Be Our Guest is gonna set you back $72 per adult and $43 per kid, so this will be a “one and done” experience for most folks.

Cinderella’s Royal Table

Staying in Fantasyland, Cinderella’s Royal Table might just be the most POPULAR restaurant in ALL of Disney World.

Eating here and meeting several Disney princesses is the dream for many, but, once again, you’re looking at a prix fixe dining experience that will set you back $88 per adult and $52 per child. Breakfast is slightly cheaper with $74 per adult and $45 per child.

If you’re looking for a cheaper royal meet-and-greet dining experience that takes place inside a castle setting, turn your attention to Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in EPCOT instead. Located inside the Norway Pavilion, this spot is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Akershus serves all-you-can-eat, family-style Norwegian specialties such as the Traditional KjØttkaker (Norwegian meatballs) and the Kylling og Melboller (similar to chicken and dumplings).

While this spot is cheaper than other castle dining options, it’s still a bit pricey, coming in at $59 per adult and $38 per child.

What’ll Hook You Up With Last Minute Reservations

When visiting Disney World during a busier time of year, restaurant reservations can book up FAST, but there are some restaurants that are usually reliable for last-minute reservations.

Liberty Tree Tavern

These overlooked restaurants can sometimes be booked day-of and are pretty solid, such as Liberty Tree Tavern in Magic Kingdom.

Liberty Tree Tavern serves family-style, all-you-can-eat Thanksgiving-style dining in a colonial chic setting.

The food here is delicious, but best eating among larger company or you could get full very, very fast.

Spice Road Table

EPCOT’s Spice Road Table is a great spot for last-minute reservations and it’s often overlooked because it resides in the Morocco Pavilion where there aren’t a ton of offerings in general.

Spice Road Table serves up tapas-style dishes, or small plates, including Hummus Fries, Pomegranate-Chili Crispy Cauliflower with red pepper sauce, spiced lamb Kefta, and so much more. It also offers both indoor and outdoor seating.

One of the more adventurous options at Disney World, this spot isn’t for everyone but it is incredibly unique and has been consistently good in our experiences.

Chefs de France

Another EPCOT restaurant that tends to have last-minute availability is Chefs de France. This classic French cuisine restaurant offers some tasty eats, such as Filet de Beouf, Gratin de Macaroni, and Ratatouille sur Quinoa.

We recommend trying the impressively cheesy French onion soup to kick off your meal!

Steakhouse 71

Steakhouse 71 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort offers casual table service dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Named in honor of the year Disney World opened — 1971 — this steakhouse has some great eats alongside its cuts, such as the very cheesy Stack Burger, the Bacon and Eggs Appetizer, and French Onion Soup!

If you show up to this restaurant without any reservations and walk-up availability is nonexistent, grab a seat in the attached Steakhouse 71 Lounge which operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Here, you can order a selection of small bites and drinks instead, and some of our favorites like the Stack Burger and Bacon and Eggs are still available!

Grand Floridian Cafe

Finally, the Grand Floridian Cafe at the hotel of the same name serves hearty brunch fare daily with breakfast items available up until 2 PM.

The Buttermilk-fried Chicken is a favorite here and is served as an entrée with sides during dinner (it’s a Chicken and Waffles entrée during breakfast and lunch). Check it out!

What NEVER Let Us Down

We visit these restaurants time and time again and they ALWAYS make us smile, thus they wind up consistently on our Top Restaurants lists.

Le Cellier

Le Cellier is one, for example, that always pops up.

This signature restaurant is located in the Canada Pavilion in Canada and serves up some all-time greats like meat and potatoes, poutine, and Canadian cheddar cheese soup.

The big downside here is that this small restaurant has the tables very close together, but we recommend asking the host to be seated at the end of a banquette seating row IF they don’t have any standalone two-tops available, just so you’re not shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers.

Nomad Lounge

Over at Animal Kingdom, Nomad Lounge is an all-time favorite. Attached to the signature Tiffins restaurant, Nomad Lounge offers spacious indoor and outdoor seating as well as refreshing hand-crafted cocktails and filling lounge bites, including delicious churros.

Be sure to add yourself to the walk-up waitlist via the My Disney Experience app or in person and be mindful that the list opens around 10:30 AM. It can fill up fast so be punctual!

Sanaa

Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is PEAK Disney World dining and one of the best restaurants in all of Disney World.

Located in the Kidani Village section of the resort, Sanaa offers authentic African and Indian-inspired food next to giant windows that overlook the resort’s savanna.

Unfortunately for Sanaa, it’s often forgotten since it’s out of the way of the other hotels and theme parks aside from Animal Kingdom. Still, we recommend booking lunch here rather than dinner, unless you’re planning on having an early dinner. After sunset, you’ll miss out on seeing the animals so it’s best to maximize daylight.

As a side note, if you’re looking for a cheaper Sanaa meal option, visit in the morning for a quick service Kumasha breakfast, which comes with options like Eggs Benedict, banana brûlée french toast, and Mickey-shaped waffles.

What’s ENTERTAINING

You’re at Disney World, which means entertainment is a must. Fortunately, you’ll find plenty of dining options that give you good food and good entertainment to boot!

Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto

One such place is the immersive Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

The restaurant is based on Trader Sam — the famous Head Salesman of the Jungle Cruise — and his collection of artifacts that he has accumulated from his travels around the world. Most of the drinks featured on the menu have an elaborate backstory and ordering one will trigger an event inside the grotto, so get ready for vibrant light tricks, sounds, over-the-top reactions from the bartenders and servers, and — occasionally — a harmless little prank.

From 3 PM to 8 PM, this lounge is family-friendly, but after 8 PM, it becomes a 21-and-older bar with a more adult atmosphere until closing. We recommend arriving early to put your name on the waitlist because this lounge is small and fills up fast.

Biergarten

Up for an exciting meal filled with Oktoberfest celebrations and polka music galore? Head over to EPCOT’s Biergarten in the Germany Pavilion!

This restaurant has a theater-style buffet and is set up to look like an authentic German beer garden filled with long, family-style tables. Celebrate Oktoberfest every day here with authentic German live performances — lederhosen and all!

Raglan Road

Sticking with the European theme, Raglan Road in the heart of Disney Springs is an authentic Irish pub that serves up a classic Irish dishes with a contemporary twist.

We’re especially fond of the frequent live Irish music and dancing performances that you can experience during your meal. You can check on those updated performance times via the Disney World/ Raglan Road websites.

Hoop-Dee-Doo

Lastly, we’re heading over to the ONLY dinner theater show on Disney World grounds: Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort!

Set in a huge barn, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue features a stage with musical numbers where guests will literally be served buckets of comfort food like fried chicken and mashed potatoes in an all-you-care-to-enjoy fashion.

This is also the only restaurant at Disney World where you can get unlimited draft beer, wine, and sangria if you’re over 21. We’re not gonna lie — the quality of the beverages isn’t great. But they are unlimited!

What’s Filled With CHARACTER

Storybook Dining

We’ve already gone over some character dining experiences but there are so many more, including Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White inside Wilderness Lodge!

Here, you’ll find a prix fixe menu with fairytale-themed cuisine as well as jovial Disney characters from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Meet the dwarfs and even the high villainess herself, The Evil Queen!

As for the atmosphere, you’ll feel like you’ve just been dropped into an enchanted forest, surrounded by tons of enchanted twinkling trees. The seating here is very open and spacious, and is great if you want to walk around to take in all the surrounding scenery or redeem your “royal invitation” to get your picture taken with the Evil Queen.

Garden Grill

Another great spot for character dining is over at EPCOT with Garden Grill!

Dining at Garden Grill gives you the opportunity to meet Farmer Mickey, Pluto, Chip, and Dale during breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This restaurant serves an all-you-care-to-enjoy meal that’s not too dissimilar from a Thanksgiving dinner, aside from breakfast which offers an assortment of pastries, fresh fruit, Mickey waffles, skillet potatoes, bacon, scrambled eggs, and more.

The most unique part about this restaurant is that it very slowly rotates during the course of your meal, giving you different vantage points of Living with the Land while you eat!

Chef Mickey’s

Admittedly, Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort isn’t exactly our favorite character dining experience, but it is popular among Disney fans since you can meet all five of the Fab Five.

Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, and Donald each make appearances in cute chef’s attire and they do look adorable.

Chef Mickey’s is a buffet-style breakfast and dinner restaurant just a short walk from Magic Kingdom, but be warned that this place gets loud and chaotic at times.

What’s Date Night Worthy

Disney World is a great place to celebrate love and these next restaurants offer sophisticated theming, high-end quality, and romantic vibes perfect for date night.

Jiko

Starting us off is Jiko — The Cooking Place at Animal Kingdom Lodge!

Jiko might not have the amazing savanna views like Sanaa, but it does offer a romantic setting and great eats. The details here are exquisite, such as the rings on the large columns in the restaurant which represent the rings worn on women’s necks in some African tribes. Additionally, the back wall is meant to resemble a beautiful African sunset. You’ll also find a hidden Mickey above the smokestacks over at the flatbread station!

The food features African, Indian, and Mediterranean flavors, but be warned that the menu changes seasonally to keep each visit unique and fresh.

We also recommend checking out the wine list, which boasts South African Wines.

Hollywood Brown Derby

When it comes to high-end theme park dining, it doesn’t get much better than The Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

The Hollywood Brown Derby is a signature restaurant that serves as a Florida homage to its California counterpart. It is well known for its Famous Cobb Salad and Grapefruit Cake, but, really, there are so many delicious options. You can order charcuterie platters, filet mignon, lamb shank, and tons of different cocktails.

If you can’t snag reservations while they’re available, you can always try to get a first-come, first-served seat at the Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge which offers many options straight from the restaurant’s main menu!

Dahlia Lounge

The Dahlia Lounge can be found on the top floor of Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and is situated right next to the Toledo — Tapas, Steak, & Seafood restaurant. This restaurant features Spanish Modernism in its interior design and plenty of tapas, specialty cocktails, and Spanish wines.

This romantic lounge is especially notable for its relaxing atmosphere and gorgeous views of the fireworks from the outdoor seating area.

Three Bridges

Staying at Coronado Springs, Three Bridges Bar and Grill doesn’t take reservations whatsoever but you can head over when it opens around 4:30 PM and put your name on a waitlist.

Once seated, you’ll get to dine at a beautiful open-air Mexican-inspired restaurant that overlooks the lake. Be sure to check out the house-made sangrias!

Which restaurants did we leave off these lists? Which ones did we get absolutely right? Let us know and continue to follow us right here at the Disney Food Blog for all the latest Disney World dining tips, reviews, updates, and more!

Best Disney World Restaurants

What are your favorite Disney World restaurants? Let us know in the comments!

The post The Best Restaurants in Disney World in 2025 first appeared on the disney food blog.