You’re about to make a giant Disney World mistake if you don’t plan on visiting these restaurants while you’re there. Hey everybody, it’s AJ for Disney Food Blog, and it’s time for a classic Article all about, you guessed it, food!
There are some Disney World restaurants we’ve come to rely on like old friends over the years, and we want to share them with you today so that you know where we love to go for a satisfying meal that’s worth the money.
Get ready because I’m about to show you our all-time favorite restaurants in each of the parks, as well as in Disney Springs and across some of the hotels too.
Hollywood Studios
Signature Dining: Hollywood Brown Derby
We’re starting off with what is legitimately the best restaurant in all of Hollywood Studios, no contest. Hollywood Brown Derby is as delicious as it is historic, considering it’s a replica of the famous Hollywood restaurant from back in the day. It’s the sole signature restaurant of Hollywood Studios, so reservations tend to fill up quickly. Secure your spot at Hollywood Brown Derby as soon as you can, which is 60 days before your visit.
As a signature restaurant, Hollywood Brown Derby is on the pricier side. Entrees typically cost around $25 to $50 per person, not including appetizers, desserts, or specialty cocktails. It’s also a fairly heavy meal, which might be a mistake if you’re planning to ride Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster or other dizzy rides afterward.
However, the old Hollywood vibes truly remind us of the golden age of Tinseltown. Our favorite dishes include the famous Cobb salad and grapefruit cake. Other popular options are the creamy tomato soup, escargot, grilled Aura king salmon, and the grapefruit cake martini.
If you’re having a hard time getting reservations, consider the Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge, which only accepts walk-up guests on the day of your park visit. The lounge offers many of the same classic menu items as the full-service restaurant.
Quick Service: Backlot Express
Backlot Express isn’t only known for its $1 giant plastic cheese cups, although that’s one reason we love it. Located in Echo Lake, it’s themed to look like a production warehouse, complete with props and decorations that make you feel like you’re behind the scenes of a movie or TV set. The food here may not be life-changing, but it has a good assortment of high-quality options. The chicken tenders are my go-to, especially with that $1 plastic cheese. Other recommended items are the teriyaki chicken bowl, teriyaki tofu bowl, and the Cuban sandwich.
Backlot Express also offers plenty of indoor seating, making it a great place to escape the elements and enjoy your meal without feeling crowded.
Epcot
Family Style Dining: Garden Grill
Garden Grill in the Land Pavilion is a unique restaurant with a slowly spinning dining room. This restaurant offers unlimited mac and cheese and Mickey Mouse in overalls, which is a hit with kids and adults alike. Located on the second floor of the Land Pavilion, Garden Grill is hosted by Chip ‘n’ Dale, and the food is fresh, with many ingredients grown in the Living with the Land greenhouses located below.
The all-you-care-to-enjoy options include cornbread with honey butter, roasted chicken, farm-fresh green beans, homestyle mashed potatoes, and lots of comfort classics. For plant-based eaters, there is a plant-based Harvest Feast option.
High-Quality BBQ: Regal Eagle Smokehouse
For barbecue lovers, head to Regal Eagle Smokehouse in the American Adventure Pavilion. This quick service spot, hosted by Sam the Eagle from the Muppets, offers a variety of barbecue options inspired by different states known for their BBQ specialties.
Options include Kansas City smoked half chicken, Texas beef brisket sandwich, North Carolina smoked pork butt platter, and Memphis dry rub pork ribs. The different BBQ sauces available are a highlight, offering flavors from North Carolina vinegar to Texas brisket sauce.
The portions at Regal Eagle are decently sized and come with side options like mac and cheese, baked beans with burnt ends, or beer-battered onion rings. Prices range between $10 and $17 for adult entrees.
Animal Kingdom
Lounge Dining: Nomad Lounge
Nomad Lounge, attached to Tiffins Signature Restaurant on Discovery Island, is a laid-back spot offering small plates and specialty cocktails. The lounge offers a more budget-friendly way to enjoy high-quality bites from Tiffins’ kitchen. Indoor seating and a covered patio surrounded by lush greenery make it a relaxing retreat in the middle of a busy theme park. Specialty cocktails include the Tempting Tigress and Night Monkey, and there are also several mocktails available.
Nomad Lounge doesn’t take advanced dining reservations, so you’ll need to join the walk-up waitlist through the My Disney Experience app on the day of your visit.
Eclectic Fast Food: Satu’li Canteen
For a unique quick-service experience, head to Satu’li Canteen in Pandora – The World of Avatar. This cafeteria-style, Na’vi-themed restaurant offers customizable bowl options, including chili-spiced crispy fried tofu and cheeseburger pods. Adult bowls range in price between $14 and $18, while kids’ bowls are about $9 each.
Magic Kingdom
Themed Dining: Skipper Canteen
Skipper Canteen in Adventureland is themed after the Jungle Cruise ride and offers a unique dining experience with dishes influenced by Asian, South American, and African cuisines. Favorites include Falls Family Falafel, Nile Nellie’s Noodle Bowl, and Kungaloosh! reservations here are usually easy to snag even on the day of your visit. Adult entrees range from $25 to $40, while kids’ meals are around $11 to $14.
Fast Food Seafood: Columbia Harbour House
For seafood lovers, Columbia Harbour House in Liberty Square offers New England-inspired dishes like lobster rolls, maple mustard-glazed salmon, and hush puppies. Prices for entrees range from $10 to $15.
Disney Springs
Southern Cuisine: Homecomin’
Homecomin’ by celebrity chef Art Smith is known for its Southern and Floridian cuisine, especially the fried chicken and thigh-high chicken biscuits. The menu also features tasty side dishes like church lady deviled eggs, spicy cauliflower wings, and cheddar cheese drop biscuits. For brunch, try the Rise ‘n’ Shine brunch on weekends with options like hush puppy Benedict and Hallelujah biscuit.
Non-Plastic Cheese: Cookes of Dublin
For a change from Disney’s usual plastic cheese, Cookes of Dublin offers authentic Irish dishes like fish and chips and Dubliner Irish cheese and bacon dip. The menu is smaller than neighboring Raglan Road, but the quality makes up for it.
Resort Restaurants
Best Prix-Fixe Meal: Storybook Dining at Artist Point
Located at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Artist Point offers a character dining experience with Snow White, Grumpy, Dopey, and the Evil Queen. The food quality is high, with appetizers like wild mushroom bisque and entrees like Royal Prime Rib Roast. The desserts are also memorable, with options like the Poison Apple and the Fairy Tale Gooseberry Tart.
Romantic Dining: Jiko and Sanaa
Both located at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jiko – The Cooking Place offers impressive dishes like filet mignon with mac and cheese and braised short ribs. Sanaa, at Kidani Village, features Indian and African-inspired food with a view of the Savannah. The Indian-style bread service is a must-try.
Best Mac and Cheese: Gasparilla Island Grill
Gasparilla Island Grill at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa serves excellent house-made macaroni and cheese. The quick service spot also offers flatbread pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, and seasonal bakery items.
These are just a few of the many great dining options at Disney World. For more recommendations and detailed guides, check out the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining.
Share Your Favorites
Let us know in the comments if there are any restaurants you love that we didn’t mention. Your experiences can help fellow Disney fans make the most of their dining adventures. Thanks for listening and watching, everyone! This is AJ for Disney Food Blog, and we’ll see you real soon.
