56 Best Restaurants in Walt Disney World Orlando, Florida

This massive restaurant offers a Beauty and the Beast theme; French flair; a prix-fixe menu for lunch and dinner; and a long list of wines, beers, and ciders. Seating is in one of three theme rooms—the Grand Ballroom, whose ceiling sports cherubs with the faces of Imagineers' children; the tattered West Wing, with a slashed painting that changes from prince to beast during faux storms; and the Castle Gallery. It's entirely likely that the Beast will stroll through the dining room between the soup and the main course. Decor is directly from the movie, and most people adore the creepy West Wing or dining in the ballroom where Beast and Belle first danced. Food is prepared from scratch on-site. The menu choices naturally include French onion soup, choice of filet mignon, haricots verts, chicken, trout amandine, or pan roasted zucchini. The signature kids' soft drink comes in a light-up castle cup, and desserts, while sweet, are made without refined sugar. Be sure to accept a dollop of "the grey stuff—it's delicious."  This is one of the hottest restaurants in Walt Disney World, so make sure to book well in advance.

For those fans of the Jungle Cruise attraction—or those looking for a few laughs amidst a delicious meal—head to the Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen, more commonly known as the Jungle Skipper Canteen. Here your server will keep up the corny jokes from the famous attraction, maybe warning you that the water has been double filtrated through helmets to get most of the fish out, or asking if the rest of your party was detained by a hungry crocodile. The food here, such as Dr. Falls Signature Grilled Steak or the curried vegetable crew stew, nods to the restaurant's theme while being delicious, and the wine list includes unusual choices from South America and South Africa. The decor also has lots of hidden touches, so be sure to make a lap of the restaurant while you wait for your food.

This complex of three restaurants is a haven of authentic Italian served up by two internationally known chefs (though the Disney "story" tells of an immigrant Italian couple who convert the Disney Springs Air Terminal into the eateries). Maria & Enzo's offers fine Italian cuisine in a sophisticated setting; neighboring Pizza Ponte has pizza by the slice, Italian pastries, and belly-filling sandwiches; Enzo's Hideaway, set in a former cast-access tunnel, serves classic dishes seldom seen in Florida, like fried artichokes and house-cured antipasti.

If an authentic Irish pub—actually transported from the Old Country plank by plank—is your thing, Raglan Road is the place. In addition to excellent fish-and-chips and shepherd's pie, the inventive chefs twist Irish cuisine to include dishes like Gulf shrimp and risotto with buffalo mozzarella and fresh peas. The entertainment alone makes this place worth the visit. "Trad" bands play nightly, and a troupe of Irish dancers performs several times on weeknights and on weekends between 10 am and 3 pm during the Rollicking Raglan Brunch. Musicians also play outside for guests dining alfresco. A store called Shop for Ireland sells Irish merchandise. Around the corner, the Raglan-affiliated Cooke's of Dublin offers fast-take fish-and-chips, pies, and deep-fried "battered burgers."

Set in the heart of Pandora, Satu'li walks a line between fast-casual and fine dining with counter service and surprisingly sophisticated, internationally inspired dishes. The menu features grain bowls with fresh-cooked ingredients and kids' meals that are actually nutritious.

Inspired by the worldwide journeys of Disney Imagineers, this wildly popular, upscale restaurant is possibly the best theme-park eatery—period. The menu is international, the inventive space has enough unique Disney decor to fill a museum, and the attached Nomad Lounge (the park's only air-conditioned bar) serves small bites and handcrafted cocktails. Meat-free offerings are every bit as good as their carnivorous alternatives.

This good-value restaurant offers all-buffet dining three meals a day, and a Donald's safari-theme character crew complements the African-esque decor and menu. In addition to standard kids fare, the menu has healthful dishes like curry chicken, marinated salmon, strip loin rubbed with berbere (an African spice mix), and saffron-infused root vegetables. Kids will be happy to see corn dog nuggets and mashed potatoes on the buffet, but this is a great chance to add something unusual to their palet. This restaurant has a large vegetarian selection.

If you grew up in Middle America in the 1950s—or you're just a fan of classic TV series like I Love Lucy and The Donna Reed Show—you'll appreciate the vintage atmosphere and diner-classic menu here. At tables with Formica tops, you can feast on meat loaf, pot roast, or fried chicken accompanied by a malted milk shake, a root-beer float, or a bottle of wine or a cocktail from the Tune-In Lounge next door. The place also offers lighter dishes like a grilled salmon salad. If you're not feeling totally wholesome, go for Dad's Electric Lemonade (vodka, blue curaçao, sweet-and-sour mix, and Sprite). Just like Mother, the menu admonishes, "Keep your elbows off the table."  If you're a party of two looking for a way to eat here without a reservation, grab a seat at the bar in the attached Tune-In Lounge. The entire menu is offered here, and the bartenders are some of the best on Disney property.

This restaurant has character buffets at all three meals, with an array of Disney princesses, including Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Snow White, Aurora, Mary Poppins, and even an occasional cameo appearance by Cinderella. The breakfast menu is American, but lunch and dinner feature an ever-changing assortment of Norwegian specialties. Appetizers usually include herring, goat-milk cheese, lefse bread, and gravlax (cured salmon served with mustard sauce), or fiskepudding (a seafood mousse with herb dressing). For a main course, you might try traditional ground pork and beef kjottkake (dumplings), fillet of salmon, or seared pork tenderloin with apricot glaze. Children will be happy choosing among mac 'n' cheese, corn dog nuggets, or Norwegian meatballs. Aquavit, wine, and specialty drinks are offered. All meals are prix-fixe.

This eatery re-creates a downtown Los Angeles corner pub, serving California wines and craft beers. Charcuterie boards featuring California cheeses and Bavarian pretzels with fondue are snackable highlights.

Oktoberfest runs 365 days a year at this restaurant, where cheerful crowds and an oompah band set the stage for a buffet of German specialties. The menu and level of frivolity are the same at lunch and dinner. Mountains of sauerbraten, bratwurst, chicken or pork schnitzel, sausages, spaetzle, apple strudel, Bavarian cheesecake, and Black Forest cake await at the all-you-can-eat buffet, overlooking a three-level dining room and entertainment stage. Patrons pound pitchers of all kinds of beer and wine on the long communal tables—even when the yodelers, singers, and dancers aren't egging them on. Prices change seasonally.  The massive buffets and raucous music make this a surprisingly fun place for kids.

Strange but good brews—Rocket Red Ale, Southern Flyer Light Lager, Steamboat Pale Ale, Gadzooks Pilsner—abound at this microbrewery, where you can sip your suds inside amid giant stainless-steel tanks or outside on a lake-view patio. The menu emphasizes meat and fish, with baby back ribs dry-rubbed and topped with honey chipotle barbecue sauce, elaborate hamburgers, or blackened fish tacos. Wine and cocktails are available for the nonbeer-drinking crowd.

Perhaps the contemporary, upscale BOATHOUSE uses all CAPITALS in its name to draw attention not only to itself but also to its fresh seafood, raw bar, and premium steaks and chops—served dockside or in a classic boathouse setting. After dinner, indulge in dessert (Key lime pie in a Mason jar, maybe) and explore the restaurant’s impressive on-site fleet of classic boats. Not on the menu are guided tours by Amphicar, vehicles that drive like cars on land and glide like boats on water—they depart from the dock by the restaurant.

At Casey's Corner there are multiple ways to enjoy a classic American hot dog—complete with pulled pork or Chicago style. The corn-dog nuggets are a perfect snack to grab while waiting for the parade, and try a pressed penny silk pie for a taste of yesterday.

Superstar chef Art Smith, recognized by foodies for having worked for Oprah and cooked for heads of state, incorporates ingredients from nearby farms, ranches, and fisheries in this tribute to down-home Southern cooking. Having been a part of Disney's College program (the native of Jasper, Florida, started his career with a culinary internship here), he's returned to present dishes like his famous fried chicken, deviled eggs, shrimp and grits, pork chops, fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes, and Southern slaw. The portions are enormous, and the flavors are bold. Try the Jasper Board sampler—smoked fish dip, pimento cheese, Tasso hams, bread-and-butter pickles, candied pecans, and buttermilk crackers—for a taste of everything. Save room for the Moonshine Mash (there's a long list of cocktails) and Smith's signature hummingbird cake.

This plush, bustling brasserie remains true to the spirit and the vision of Paul Bocuse, Gaston Lenôtre, and Roger Vergé, three of France's most famous chefs (Bocuse's son, Jerome, continues to run the restaurant). Classic escargots, a good starter, are prepared in a casserole with garlic butter; you might follow up with salmon marinated in white wine and lemon and served in a champagne sauce or grilled beef tenderloin with green peppercorn sauce; naturally, ratatouille is available, as is the occasional three-course, prix-fixe meal. Finish with your pick of a Parisian dessert.

Family-style meals are served here as the restaurant revolves, giving you an ever-changing backstage view of the Living with the Land boat ride. Offering quantity over quality, the restaurant serves all-you-can-eat meals with visits from Chip ’n’ Dale, Pluto, and occasionally Mickey. Typical choices include grilled beef, barbecue chicken, and seasonal veggies, plus kiddie favorites like mac and cheese. Beer and wine are available as well. Those who prefer a plant-based diet will appreciate a feast crafted just for them.  Except for the princess meals in Norway, this is the only EPCOT restaurant that has Disney character meet and greets during meals.

Cinderella and other Disney princesses appear at this eatery in the castle's old mead hall, offering prix-fixe Fairyland dining as only Disney can supply. The Fairytale Breakfast offers options such as beef tenderloin and eggs and caramel apple–stuffed French toast; the Fairytale Lunch or Dinner includes entrées like spiced-crusted pork tenderloin or Parisian gnocchi. When you arrive at the Cinderella Castle, a photographer snaps a shot of your group in the lobby.  Extremely advanced reservations are required.

Nearly 100 beers as well as eight wines on tap provide reasons enough for Disney guests (and a fair share of Disney cast members) to frequent what's called the "ultimate sports bar." Paired with a global collection of rare, limited, and special brews are meals large enough to share, burgers big enough for one, and bar bites like nachos and wings to whet your appetite. The multitude of high-def televisions make watching live sporting events a natural in this active joint. Happy Hour specials run from 3:30 to 6 on weekdays, and there's a weekend Rock n' Roll Brunch from 10 to 3.

With three kitchens offering a range of American-, French-, and Asian-inspired dishes, there's something for everyone at this brightly covered eatery. Picky eaters can enjoy an American burger or chicken sandwich, while those with sophisticated taste buds can savor the French Bistro Burger or an Asian-inspired salad. Disney is working on expanding its plant-based offerings, shown here in the California Burger or Niçoise-style salad. And make sure to save room for dessert. The Liège waffle and Black Forest baumkuchen (tree cake) are both delicious!

With stunning views of the 5.7-million-gallon aquarium, dining at Coral Reef is as entertaining as it is delicious. As you watch marine life—and sometimes scuba divers—swim by, enjoy dishes from a seasonal menu that's heavy on seafood offerings. Options might include shrimp and grits or seared mahi-mahi in a coconut and cilantro-lime sauce. This is a great option for those wanting to try upscale dining with younger kids, as they'll be able to either test new items such as lobster bisque or play it safe with grilled chicken. Plus, the aquarium is a great distraction while waiting for the food to arrive!

A lovely Victorian setting is the perfect place for the old-fashioned and lovable Winnie the Pooh and friends to greet your kids via A Buffet with Character, offered here three meals a day. Upscale goodies are served for adults while a separate children's spread features foods more appealing to them. A pre-9 am breakfast reservation is available. Request a window table for the spot to watch the Magic Kingdom parades and fireworks.

This hangar bay transformed into a quick-service restaurant by chef Strono “Cookie” Tuggs serves out-of-this world meals. Try the braised beef stir-fry or the fried chicken tip yip with roasted vegetables. Those with egg or gluten allergies will find multiple options here, and if the line looks overwhelming, order online with the My Disney Experience app.

A massive brick structure that, according to Disney lore, was the original power plant for the town of Disney Springs, houses this entertainment arena of more than a half-dozen distinct and richly themed rooms where food and drink mingle with palm readers, aerialists, contortionists, and other sideshow acts. The steampunk decor includes a massive clock in the main lobby and a dramatic, working steam engine. The daytime menu reinvents bar food like signature burgers, hawker-style lamb balls, and the whimsical candied bacon strips hung on a miniature clothesline. After 10 pm, a dress code goes in effect as the space becomes an over-21 club with dancers and a live band powering up the power plant.

Unusual waffle bowls may not sound very California, but these tasty entrées can be a delicious meal or split as a snack for the whole group. The two soba noodle bowls are chock-full of veggies and give a welcome respite to the fried foods so often found in theme parks, while the Korean barbecue pork belly bowl is a delight. Kids will love the specialty drink with boba pearls.

This quick-service eatery is one of the park's relatively undiscovered gems; there's nothing fancy here, but you can dig into ribs, chicken, and pulled-pork sandwiches. Tables beneath intricately carved wood pavilions make great spots for a picnic, and they're not usually crowded.

Under the watchful eye of celebrity chef Rick Bayless, Frontera brings a sophisticated yet casual approach to classic Mexican food. Look for genuine dishes from Oaxaca and Mexico City like house-made guacamole and short-rib tacos, as well as exquisite pan-roasted Florida shrimp. The bar is a popular hangout for its craft cocktails, beers, and wines as well as daily drink specials like Margarita Mondays and Tequila Tuesdays

Carved into the walkway leading to the Wildlife Express train, this four-station food mart offers a selection of shrimp or chicken bowls and salads. Everyone will want their own watermelon lemonade.

Disney Channel stars come to life at this restaurant (a great choice for toddlers) through its Disney Junior Play n' Dine breakfasts. Vampirina, along with friends of Sofia the First and Doc McStuffins, are among the cheerful characters marching around the room, singing and dancing to the delight of energetic fans. During lunch and dinner Minnie takes over the dining room, offering seasonal events where she and her friends don various costumes. The buffet features entrees such as carved turkey breast or beef tenderloin, or macaroni and cheese with shrimp.

At this reproduction of the famous 1940s Hollywood favorite, the walls are lined with caricatures of old-time movie stars, and the specialty is a Cobb salad, which was invented by Brown Derby founder Robert Cobb and is still tossed table-side. Waiting for a table might take a while, so as an alternative, try the outdoor lounge, where you can order appetizers and drinks. Other menu choices include filet mignon and seafood cioppino.    If you request the Fantasmic! dinner package, make a reservation for no later than two hours before the start of the show.