What are the ten best restaurants in Disney World for 2024? Among the top are restaurants like Sanaa, an Animal Kingdom Lodge must-do, Garden Grill in Epcot for food quality, and Cinderella’s Royal Table, one of the most magical meals you can have! And being Passholders and Florida Residents, we’ve tried almost every single one! And that’s why we created the ultimate best Disney restaurants list.
So if you’re ready to look at the best Disney World restaurants in 2024 read on!
SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for the best time to visit Disney World be sure to go straight to our Disney Crowd Calendar!
Although Disney World has over 150 restaurants that include quick service as a general rule of thumb, the best Disney World restaurants will be the sit-down restaurants that require advance dining reservations and many of the character dining experiences. The most popular tend to be Cinderella’s Royal Table, Topolino Terrace, and California Grill. Now as you’ll see below the best restaurants aren’t always the hardest to get restaurants which is especially true at Disney.
The main reason is that many of the best Disney World restaurants on this list have some of the most amazing theming in the world which at times can push a restaurant with good food over the top to become an excellent experience. During my three years of living in the Disney bubble, I’ve been able to try every single one of the best Disney restaurants picking the best of the best for the food, theming, and overall experience. So, whether you’re looking for a Disney character meal, an exquisite date night, or cheap delicious food – we’ve got you covered.
Before we dive into details, below is a quick overview of the 10 Best Disney restaurants in 2024:
If you are planning a Disney World vacation and are having a hard time finding a reservation at one of the most popular Disney World restaurants be sure to check out our Disney World dining reservation scraper!
Want a quick tip to ensure you get your Disney World dining reservation? Very simply visit during the off-peak season at Disney. Not only can this quick tip help you get your favorite dining reservations but it can also help save you a ton of money. Why you might ask? Like Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World theme park tickets now fluctuate based on the time of year you visit. So one of the easiest ways to pick the slowest time to visit Disney is to compare the cheapest Disney World ticket prices. The cheaper the tickets the more likely the parks won’t be as crowded during that time of year.
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Location: EPCOT – Land Pavilion
What to Expect: A slowly rotating restaurant with a fresh menu, and playful character meet and greet with Chip, Dale, Mickey, and Pluto! This best restaurant in Disney has some of the freshest, best-tasting food on property with the most lively character interactions. All around an A+ experience, especially being set in the Living with the Land attraction!
Type of Food: American family-style
Must-Try Menu Items: The whole menu at Garden Grill had us drooling, from the creamy mashed potatoes to the sticky wings. Most importantly – the spoon cornbread was buttery and delicious!
With or Without Kids: Garden Grill is one of the best restaurants at Disney World for kids, as it is our favorite character meal. The character interactions are incredible, as we even had Chip sit at our table and enjoy our meal with us for a few minutes. The menu was delicious and familiar and is perfect for adults or kids visiting the parks!
Related Post: Complete Guide to the Best Restaurants in EPCOT
Location: Animal Kingdom Lodge
What to Expect: A hidden gem and simply one of the top Disney restaurants! Surprisingly enough, Sanaa is typically pretty easy to get a reservation for. Expect a stellar meal with views of the animals on the resort’s savanna during breakfast and lunch. We’ve eaten here multiple times and the consistency of the food and service also make Sanaa one of the best Disney World restaurants due to the excellency!
Type of Food: A fusion of African and Indian cuisine
Must-Try Menu Items: Grilled Lamb Kefta, Indian-style bread service, and Tandoori Shrimp.
With or Without Kids: Definitely check this one out with kids—even though the menu doesn’t feature typical American grub, there is something for even the pickiest of eaters on their menu. Plus, the theming and savanna views make it a totally memorable experience for kids! Where else can you see giraffes while dining on a delicious meal?!
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Location: Magic Kingdom
What to Expect: A blast into the past, with an all-you-care-to meal that will leave you stuffed to the brim. Guests can enjoy a “Thanksgiving” style meal at Liberty Tree Tavern with classics like carved turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, and more. There is also the coveted dessert, the Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake, which has put it on the map as one of the best Disney World restaurants.
Type of Food: Family Style – American
Must-Try Menu Items: Pot roast, stuffing, and of course, the Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake
With or Without Kids: We’ve been here multiple times, and since it’s rather low-key, you can absolutely bring the kids. As one of the places to eat at Disney World, kids will also enjoy these familiar foods on the menu. The signature dessert is also a winner for younger Disney goers since it has everything they love! Ice cream, chocolate, cake, caramel and more!
Related Post: What are the Best Desserts at Disney World?
Location: EPCOT, Canada pavilion
What to Expect: A cozy, inviting, and excellently-themed restaurant that feels like an authentic steakhouse you’d find in Canada. Prepare to pay a higher price for each meal as the quality of food here is impeccable.
Type of Food: Hearty and heavy! Le Cellier is known for its delicious meats and poutine.
Must-Try Menu Items: Le Cellier Filet Mignon, Mushroom Risotto Truffle Butter Sauce, and the Asparagus-Tomato Relish.
With or Without Kids: While the menu here is more upscale, the waitstaff and menu are perfectly suitable for children. Making this one of the must go to restaurants in Disney World. Keep in mind that it is rather dark in the building though, which can make reading the menu difficult. While it isn’t the most “Disney” restaurant on our list, the food is worth the trip.
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Location: Contemporary Resort
What to Expect: Fine dining in a classy atmosphere while taking in the views of the Magic Kingdom and Seven Seas Lagoon. This is an award-winning gourmet restaurant that caters to a more sophisticated palate. Even if you’re only traveling with your significant other, prepare to spend a couple hundred dollars on dinner. However, Disney’s California Grill is without a doubt one of the best Disney World restaurants for adults.
Type of Food: Pacific Coast
Must-Try Menu Items: Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli, The Cowboy-cut 19-oz. Rib-eye steak and aged gouda mac and cheese.
With or Without Kids: While kids are welcome at California Grill, we’d recommend saving this restaurant for adults only. With such a high-priced, sophisticated menu, it makes a better option for adults celebrating milestones such as anniversaries, birthdays, anniversaries, and more. As one of the top Disney restaurants, you’ll also get an incredible view of the Magic Kingdom, which is truly special.
Related Post: Complete Guide to the Best Restaurants in EPCOT
Location: Magic Kingdom Theme Park
What to Expect: Cinderella’s Royal Table is typically high on everyone’s bucket list when it comes to the best restaurants in Walt Disney World. We ranked it so high on our list for two reasons: The location as you simply can’t beat dining inside of Cinderella’s castle but also you have the chance to meet Cinderella and other princesses during your meal.
Type of Food: American, three-course meals
Must-Try Menu Items: Tenderloin of Beef and Jaq & Gus (whipped cheesecake) for dessert.
With or Without Kids: Cinderella’s Royal Table is the perfect character dining experience for kids of all ages. If your kids want to meet princesses, or even get a chance to be inside of Cinderella Castle, this is a must-do experience. With that in mind, it’s going to cost you a pretty penny, but we still recommend trying this Disney World best restaurant at least once!
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Location: Disney’s Riviera Resort
What to Expect: Disney’s Topolino Terrace has quickly become one of the best dining experiences at Disney World. It’s one of the newest Disney restaurants and is located at Disney’s Riviera resort. The views from this restaurant are amazing and it’s also a character dining restaurant which makes it that much more enjoyable. The rooftop experience is why we feel like it is one of the best restaurants in Walt Disney World for 2024.
Type of Food: French and Italian fusion
Must-Try Menu Items: Winter pumpkin ravioli and the smoked breakfast salmon. For breakfast, we love the sour cream waffles! We get them every time.
With or Without Kids: The character dining experience makes this the perfect meal to bring the kids. Who doesn’t want to see Mickey in a painter’s outfit? The characters go the extra mile to play their part and make Topolino’s feel like an exclusive experience, which we truly love.
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Location: Disney Springs
What to Expect: Breathtaking views of the water are accompanied by some seriously unique and delectable bites. The restaurant itself is quite large, but we highly recommend making reservations in advance as this is one of the best restaurants outside of Disney World parks, at the Springs.
Type of Food: Steaks, seafood, burgers, and more.
Must-Try Menu Items: Mahi Mahi tacos, filet mignon sliders, and shrimp & andouille mac n’ cheese.
With or Without Kids: While you’ll certainly find yourself paying the Disney Springs markup when it comes to prices, we’d still recommend bringing the kids along to experience The Boathouse due to its theming, views, and overall magical experience. We love this Disney Springs restaurant and think it is a staple of any Disney World trip.
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Location: Animal Kingdom Theme Park
What to Expect: Technically I’m not sure if this is even considered a restaurant but more like a cocktail bar that serves food, however, it’s simply one of the best dining options at Disney World. Located right next to Tiffins in Animal Kingdom, guests can pick from an amazing variety of small bites and drinks.
Type of Food: Drawing inspiration from distant locations around the world (Disney’s words not mine)
Must-Try Menu Items: Impossible Sliders and Tiffins Bread Service
With or Without Kids: While kids are welcome at the Nomad Lounge it is a cocktail bar so you will find better options in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. We find this to be the best restaurant at Disney World for adults looking to relax for a couple of hours and get out of the sun. There is almost always room for those looking for a walk-up reservation, and the atmosphere is so relaxing, that it doesn’t feel like you’re in a theme park at all.
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Location: Disney’s Hollywood Studios
What to Expect: Out of all the theme park table service restaurants, Hollywood Brown Derby tops the list of delicious, high-quality meals. Dressed in wood panels, you’ll feel like you stepped right into the Golden Age! With that being said, it is incredibly hard to snag a reservation at this Disney World best restaurant, so make sure to be diligent.
Type of Food: Contemporary American cuisine
Must-Try Menu Items: Cobb salad, truffle forest mushroom whipped potatoes and the filet of beef
With or Without Kids: While the food here is excellent, the old-fashioned theming will most likely fall flat for kids. That said, there are plenty of other kid-friendly restaurants in Hollywood Studios like Sci Fine Dine In Theater and the 50s Prime Time Cafe which are geared towards kids and also serve some great menu items.
Related Post: What are the Best Restaurants in Hollywood Studios?
Location: Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground
What to Expect: A live dinner show that brings tons of laughs and all-you-can-eat family-style food. It’s been a Walt Disney World staple for as long as I can remember and it’s a great choice for the price point which includes all-you-can-eat food, and all-you-can-drink sangria, wine, and beer.
Type of Food: American comfort food.
Must-Try Menu Items: Fried chicken and strawberry shortcake for dessert.
With or Without Kids: The Hoop De Doo Review is tons of fun for guests of all ages! There is an incredible lively show, that marks this experience in our list for the best dining Disney World has! The price is a little expensive, so we recommend planning it for a super special trip, anniversary, or birthday.
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A: By Calling (407) 939-3463. Phone reservation lines are open from 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM Monday-Friday and 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday and Sunday EST. Guests can also make reservations on the WDW Website/The My Disney Experience App
A: Guests can make their Walt Disney World Dining reservation up to 60 days in advance if staying off property. On-site Disney World hotel guests receive an extra 10 days bringing the total to 70 days before the date they plan to dine in Disney. It’s important to note that all of the best Walt Disney World restaurants above are extremely popular and reservations for them go quickly!
A: Last but not least, let’s take a look at another very popular question which is, how much does Cinderella’s Royal Table cost? Cinderella’s Royal Table costs $84 per adult and $49 per child ages 3-9 for both lunch and dinner. There is no breakfast option at this time for Cinderella’s Royal Table. It is important to note that the cost of Cinderella’s Royal Table must be paid in full in advance in order to make your Disney reservation. Even with this up-front cost, it is still one of the most popular and best restaurants in Disney World.
Our Disney World Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices, and average temperature. We also break down the best time to visit Disney World based on specific times of the year and special events.
Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Be sure to speak with a Disney World Travel Agent for the most recent deals and promotions. The Park Prodigy will provide a Free Quote for all Disney World Vacation Packages. The Park Prodigy can also help you save up to $20 per ticket when purchasing your Walt Disney World Tickets, and we offer promotional discounts for special events such as Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Tickets and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets. If you’re brand new to Disney vacation planning we recommend our Walt Disney World Planning Page! Learn more about Disney hotels by reading our Walt Disney World Hotels Review page.
Don’t forget to check out our wonderful friends over at Theme Park Today, as well!