10 Most Popular Restaurants at Disney World
Dining at Walt Disney World is one of the key parts of the Disney experience. We’ve eaten at a number of stand out restaurants, and featured below are the ten most popular table service restaurants at Disney World, with information on how to book and why these locations are so popular.
When you’re at Walt Disney World, dining can serve a number of functions. If you’re looking to meet a number of characters at one time, character meals can be a great way to maximize your time – seeing characters and enjoying a great meal at the same time.
Meals at Disney can also serve as a rejuvenation and relaxation time frame. Sitting down to enjoy a good meal in some air conditioning is also a phenomenal way to beat the heat in the hottest months of the year. And for foodies that enjoy a variety of flavors and presentations, there are ample options to try. For families visiting Walt Disney World, check out the ten most popular restaurants at Walt Disney World and see which ones would be the perfect fit for your trip!
Here are ten of the most popular restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort, and why they are among the most sought after dining options as well!
10 Most Popular Restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort
These are our picks for the most sought after dining reservations, as well as why we like them for families!
- Be Our Guest Restaurant
- Cinderella’s Royal Table
- ‘Ohana
- Le Cellier Steakhouse
- California Grill
- Chef Mickey’s
- Boma
- Yak & Yeti Restaurant
- Tiffins
- The Hollywood Brown Derby
Let’s go through our list of some of the most popular restaurants at Walt Disney World to see what sets them apart!
1. Be Our Guest Restaurant – Located in Magic Kingdom, this restaurant offers a unique dining experience inspired by Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. This is not a true character meal as no characters will come around to your table, however you may be able to capture a glimpse of the Beast strolling through the castle during your meal! And often he can be found in the library to snap a quick photo together before you leave.
2. Cinderella’s Royal Table – Inside Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom, this restaurant allows guests to not only dine inside the castle, but also meet Disney princesses during your meal. When you arrive you take a photo with Cinderella herself, and after you head up to the main dining area, you can often see princesses like Ariel, Snow White, Jasmine, and Rapunzel at this regal dining experience.
3. ‘Ohana – Situated in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, this restaurant serves delicious Hawaiian-inspired cuisine. One of our favorite times to eat here is for breakfast where you get hearty portions and this is also a fun way to see a number of characters, as Lilo, Stitch, and Pluto can often be found at this character dining.
4. Le Cellier Steakhouse – Found in Epcot’s Canada Pavilion, this restaurant is known for its mouthwatering steaks and cozy atmosphere. The food here was spectacular and this is definitely someplace you want to arrive with an empty stomach!
5. California Grill – Located on the 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, this restaurant offers stunning views of Magic Kingdom’s fireworks. The atmosphere is upscale and the food offers many flavorful combinations. This makes a great date night restaurant.
6. Chef Mickey’s – Situated in Disney’s Contemporary Resort, this character dining experience allows guests to meet Mickey and friends while enjoying a buffet. Chef Mickey’s is our kids’ favorite place to have a meal and we love the characters here!
7. Boma – Flavors of Africa – Found in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, this buffet-style restaurant offers a wide variety of African-inspired dishes. Boma is one of the most delicious meals at Walt Disney World and has an enchanting atmosphere as well, make sure to take some time to visit the animal viewing areas at the lodge while you’re there.
8. Yak & Yeti Restaurant – Located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, this Asian-inspired eatery serves up delicious dishes in a beautifully themed setting. Especially if you loved Asian-inspired dishes, this one is a must try when you’re at Walt Disney World. Our whole family loved this one and it is one we will return to trip after trip.
9. Tiffins – Also in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, this upscale restaurant offers a diverse menu inspired by global cuisines. The bread service is legendary and highly recommended! Our whole family enjoyed that one!
10. The Hollywood Brown Derby – Situated in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, this restaurant pays homage to the golden age of Hollywood and serves up classic American dishes. Commonly referred to as the best dining at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with a number of delectable offerings!
Our top ten restaurants all have one thing in common, an incredible experience. Each of them offer both a culinary flare and memorable atmosphere to make it a must do during your Disney trip. When we visit, we always like to try one or two new restaurants on each of our trips, so that allows us to try as many restaurants across Walt Disney World as possible.
And of course we can’t just mention only ten of the outstanding dining selections at Walt Disney World…
Honorable mentions go to Toppolino’s Terrace, Space 220, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Garden Grill, and Crystal Palace for additional sought after restaurants.
Why Book Dining at Walt Disney World
Dining at Walt Disney World is not just about satisfying your hunger, but also about creating unforgettable memories. With a wide range of themed restaurants and unique dining experiences, Disney World offers something for everyone. From character dining where you can meet your favorite Disney characters to fine dining experiences that transport you to different worlds, there is no shortage of options to choose from.
Honorable mention goes to Toppolino’s Terrace for breakfast… always one of our favorite meals to catch! The characters are in their creative finest and the view is unmatched!
By incorporating dining into your trip to Walt Disney World, you can enhance your overall experience and make it even more memorable. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply looking to indulge in delicious food, dining at Disney World allows you to immerse yourself in the magic of the parks.
Plus, with the convenience of advanced dining reservations, you can plan your meals ahead of time and ensure you don’t miss out on any must-try restaurants. So, make the most of your trip to Walt Disney World by savoring the flavors and creating lasting memories through the dining experiences it has to offer.
How to Book Disney Dining at Walt Disney World
Booking Disney dining at Walt Disney World is a relatively simple process that can be done online or over the phone. To start, it is recommended to make dining reservations as early as possible, especially for popular restaurants.
Reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance, and it is highly recommended to take advantage of this window to secure your desired dining experiences.
To book Disney dining online, you can visit the official Walt Disney World website and navigate to the dining section. From there, you can browse through the various restaurants and their availability. Once you have selected a restaurant and a preferred date and time, you can proceed to make a reservation.
The website will guide you through the process, and you will need to provide your personal information and credit card details to secure the reservation. Alternatively, you can also call the Disney dining reservation line and speak to a cast member who will assist you in making your dining reservations.
It is important to note that some restaurants may require prepayment or have specific cancellation policies, so it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the terms and conditions before finalizing your booking.
Hacks to Getting Your Preferred Dining Reservation
There are a few tools you can use, to secure those hard to find dining reservations. One tool we use before all of our trips, to search the reservations for us and alert us when a reservation that fits our desired time comes available.
Mousing Dining is a table alert service that can notify you either via text or email when your preferred reservation comes available. We have used this service to score reservations to Space 220, Chef Mickey’s, and even Cinderella’s Royal Table!
Sign up for the free version to receive emails when your reservations are available, or for a nominal fee they will send you a text alert. (And this allows you to get a jump on getting the reservation as soon as it is available!) We have used both kinds of alerts to get our dining reservations and depending on how much you are around your email may determine which option would work best for you.
Final Thoughts on Dining at Walt Disney World
Dining at Walt Disney World is one of our favorite parts of the experience and there are so many options to choose from! There dining options that are good matches no matter what kind of trip you’re taking, from a couple’s trip to multi-generational trip, there are great dining matches for all types of families at Walt Disney World.
These picks are some of our favorites, but check out our dining reviews of restaurants and quick service options at Walt Disney World for in-depth looks at a variety of eateries!
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