Disney Dining
A lot of people have been asking us what our favorite dining places are around Walt Disney World. So we put together a few of our favorites at the parks and resorts!
Quick Service Restaurants-The counter service locations for Disney.
Landscape of Flavor-located at Art of Animation Resort. In our opinion this is some of the best counter service food around Disney. You can build your own burgers, pizza, pasta and salads. And for breakfast they have made to order omelets. Just pick the ingredients and watch them make your omelet right in front of you!
The Mara-well we have to like this right!? Located in Animal Kingdom Lodge-Jambo House, this quick service serves African inspired dishes along with American favorites. And after you eat you can head to the viewing areas and watch some of the animals on the Savanna.
Earl of Sandwich-located at Disney Springs, this restaurant offers delicious sandwiches and salads, Great place to stop for a quick bite while you are shopping.
Columbia Harbor House– located at Magic Kingdom in Liberty Square. We have loved this restaurant since Mara worked there on her college program. It’s great for lunch or dinner because it features fish, chicken and shrimp baskets along with lobster rolls and delicious clam chowder
Pinocchio Village Haus-located in Magic Kingdom this is a fun quick service featuring Italian favorites including flatbread pizzas, pasta and salads. And if you can, get a seat by the windows that overlook Its a Small World ride and wave to the boat passengers!
Les Halles Boulangerie-located in Epcot in the France Pavilion. This little French café is a hidden gem! It is filled with traditional French bakery items, we love the crème brulee! Plus fresh baguette sandwiches, soups and salads. Wine, beer, coffee and champagne are also available!
Flame Tree Barbecue-located in Animal Kingdom Park, this restaurant offers an assortment of delicious smokehouse meats and chicken dinners along with baked beans and jalapeno cornbread! Don’t forget to wash it all down with a mandarin orange lemonade!
Table Service Restaurants
There are so many we love it was hard to pick, but here are a few we recommend.
The Wave of American Flavors-located at the Contemporary Resort. This is one of our favorites. Reservations are easy to get and the food and service are outstanding. If you are at Magic Kingdom for the day, it’s a great place to take a break and get a good meal, all you have to do is hop the monorail and you are there.
California Grille-also at the Contemporary Resort, this restaurant cost a bit more, but is worth it! This restaurant is located on top of the Contemporary, you have to take a special elevator just to get there and the views of Magic Kingdom are breathtaking. Plus if you dine there you can watch the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks show from their observation deck with the fireworks music piped in. We always try to get a late evening dining reservation in order to catch the fireworks show.
Trattoria al Forno-this is a new find for us and we are glad we found it! Located at the Boardwalk Resort, this casual Italian eatery features Italian favorites. It has an open kitchen so you can see them cooking your food! Also this restaurant features a great character breakfast, The Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast, featuring some of the most beloved Prince and Princesses like Ariel and Prince Eric and Rapunzel and Flynn Rider.
Chef De France in Epcot. We always try to book a reservation for lunch or dinner here! This family friendly restaurant provides excellent service and delicious French cuisine. We especially enjoy the french onion soup, the filet of beef and beef braised in cabernet. Of course you don’t want to miss their delicious desserts including the creamy crème brulee and their swan cream puff!
Sci-Fi Dine in Theater at Hollywood Studios. What fun! You are seated in a car shaped booth or table to eat your lunch or dinner all while watching sci-fi movies! It’s like you are really sitting in a 50’s drive in theater! We do have to warn you it is a bit dark in here, but that just adds to the fun! Dinner and show you can’t beat it!
Be Our Guest in Magic Kingdom. You get to dine in the Beast’s castle for a quick service breakfast or lunch or a sit down dinner. But you’ll have to grab a reservation early for this one because they book fast! The theming at the restaurant is incredible and you’ll be seated in one of three dining areas. And don’t forget to try the grey stuff…it’s delicious, just ask the dishes!
Cape May Café at Beach Club Resort. If you are looking for a seafood buffet you don’t want to pass this one up! The all you can eat dinner buffet offers clams, shrimp and crab legs to name a few. But don’t worry if some of your party doesn’t like seafood, they also have a great selection of chicken, ribs and more. Cape May Café also features Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast were you can eat breakfast with some of your favorite characters. But note characters only appear for breakfast.
Coral Reef in Epcot. This is a fun restaurant where you can eat lunch or dinner with some of your favorite under the sea friends! Every table has a great view of the aquarium to watch Nemo and his friends! And if you are lucky you might just catch a scuba diver!
Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant located in Disney Springs. This is a fun Irish restaurant the whole family will enjoy! Not only is the food delicious but there is free entertainment too! In the restaurant its fun to watch the Irish step dancers perform while you eat. And you can always catch a great band on their main stage and patio stage.
Character Dining
We love eating with Disney characters! It’s the perfect photo opportunity and a great way to get autographs. Here are just a few that we like:
Chef Mickey at Contemporary Resort: Eat breakfast, lunch or dinner with your favorite Disney Characters! You’ll be able to fill your plates at the buffet and the best part is the characters come over to your table while you dine!
Cape May Café at Beach Club Resort : Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast is super fun!
Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom. Enjoy a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner buffet with Winnie the Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Woods!
1900 Park Fair at the Grand Floridian Resort. Want to meet Cinderella and Prince Charming? Then be sure to book a reservation for Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner.
Well, that’s just some of our favorites. Of course there are always new dining places opening around Disney all the time and we will be sure to keep you updated on new ones we try! Any questions? Be sure to contact us and we will get back to you!