77 Best Restaurants in Walt Disney World Orlando, Florida

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.

One of Disney World's finest restaurants—a high-ticket night out that's worth the price—has a menu heavy on seasonal seafood as well as steaks. Options include filet mignon, red snapper, and sea bass, as well as exotic fare like Verlasso salmon. Those looking for an extravagant meal can try the shrimp trofie pasta with shrimp, lobster, scallops, clams, and mussels. Special chef's table menus are available by reservation. The sparkling dining room is decorated with schools of glass fish flying overhead and gold highlights everywhere. Free self-parking is available; inform the entry booth that you are dining.

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.

In addition the wide-ranging musical soundtrack that's equal parts groovy, funky, and soulful, the House of Blues has a menu that offers everything from ribs to shrimp and grits to a tasty chicken Caesar salad. Consider trying the Juicy Lucy, a bacon cheeseburger with jalapeño and chipotle mayo; the pulled-pork sandwiches and the cornbread are also delicious. A worthy dessert is the bourbon-white-chocolate-banana-bread pudding. Consistently popular is the Gospel Sunday Brunch, where an elaborate Southern buffet (chicken and waffles, made-to-order omelets, shrimp and crawfish étouffée, bourbon bread pudding, etc.) is served with a side of live gospel music. For a faster meal, visit the quick-service barbecue counter The Smokehouse.

Jaleo (pronounced huh-lay-oh) means "revelry," and in this contemporary and spacious setting, diners celebrate with authentic paellas cooked over a wood fire, as well as chef and humanitarian José Andrés's signature gambas al ajillo (shrimp sautéed with garlic and chili) or croquetas de pollo (Spanish chicken fritters). The extensive tapas options are perfect for taste-driving a variety of items—the Jaleo Experience prix fixe includes traditional and modern tapas, or go Jose's Way, with a larger and more elaborate selection of the chef's favorites. And remember: when you hear the bell, it’s paella time! Entire pans of paella are available for parties of eight or more with advance notice. Pick up a container of beautiful gazpacho next door at Pepe, a stationary food truck offering grab-and-go items.

Knife-wielding chefs prepare world-class sushi and sashimi, as well as other Japanese treats like soups and salads, at this sleek sushi bar, where bamboo-style floor tiles and dark teakwood furnishings set the scene. Popular items include the Dragon Roll (giant shrimp and tuna), Banzai Roll (spicy tuna, avocado, and krab), and Bagel Roll (smoked salmon, cream cheese, and cucumber). Cocktails are a draw, too, along with entertainment in the form of nightly karaoke.

Open only for dinner, this restaurant combines authentic Mexican entrées with a perfect location to view the fireworks. The alambre de res (flank steak with bacon in poblano and bell peppers) is delicious, while the chiles rellenos is an excellent vegetarian dish. Be sure to order a hand-crafted margarita, such as the orange-mango fire that includes a tajin powder rim, or the wild one, mixed with mango-passion fruit puree.

Stone arches and dark woods help to evoke a cozy, well-heeled château setting at this restaurant, where a unique cellar of Canadian wines and beer complement such dishes as Prince Edward Island mussels, cheddar cheese soup, and AAA Canadian tenderloin. Lighter fare includes a plant-based Canadian tart or wild caught scallops. If you're itching to try yet another Canadian specialty, order one of the poutine dishes as a side. Desserts that nod to the land up north include crème brûlée made with maple sugar and a brown-butter pecan tart with maple ice cream.

Every day is Thanksgiving in this tavern, which holds a prime spot on the parade route, so you can have a good meal while you wait. Each of the six dining rooms commemorates a historical U.S. figure (e.g., Betsy Ross or Benjamin Franklin), and both lunch and dinner feature the family-style, "all you care to enjoy" Patriot's Platter, with turkey, pot roast, sliced pork, and sides. A protein-based alternative is always available as well. The restaurant is decorated in lovely Williamsburg colors with Early American–style furnishings and lots of brightly polished brass. Wait times may be long, but don't let the always-crowded lobby put you off—the food is surprisingly good.

There is, of course, a sushi bar at this sleek, expansive Masaharu Morimoto establishment, and the Iron Chef himself takes control of it on the rare occasions when he's in town, though it's fun to watch any of the chefs at work. There's also an open kitchen and multiple dining spaces and lounges where the menu features pan-Asian favorites like Chinese duck, Korean noodles, and Singaporean laksa. A quarterly omakase (chef's choice) experience runs $250 and requires an advance deposit. The bar runs nearly the length of a football field as it snakes from the ground floor to the top floor, where an outdoor terrace overlooks the water. There's late-night munching at the Forbidden lounge, complete with an interesting cocktail menu, a balcony, and an outdoor street food window.

The dining room, with Victorian-style columns, high ceilings, and hardwood floors, is not only a great place seafood and steaks, but also to gaze out at the nightly fireworks over the Seven Seas Lagoon (an announcement is made when fireworks commence, and music is piped in). The menu changes regularly, but typical choices are blackened redfish and the surf-and-turf centerpiece—a butter-poached lobster tail and a tender, grilled filet mignon. The name of the place, incidentally, was not coined by Disney Imagineers; it's the name of a river and a small Central Florida town, both of which predate Disney. The bar, one of the more intimate in the resorts, specializes in fine whiskeys and spirits.

This Polynesian-themed restaurant offers two thoroughly entertaining, though incredibly different, experiences. Early in the day, the Best Friends Breakfast with Lilo & Stitch is destination-worthy, and by night, you'll find a Hawaiian-theme dinner. The intergalactic Stitch and a human sidekick join families for the morning meal, and Mickey and Pluto join in periodically while kids parade around the restaurant with maracas and wide grins. At night, the restaurant serves family-style, all-you-can-eat Hawaiian specialties and lots of meat, dumplings, and signature 'Ohana bread. The kids have coconut-rolling contests using brooms, and even dads are known to try out the hula hoops between courses.

Housed in a paddleboat on Lake Buena Vista, this sophisticated seafood destination has multiple outdoor dining areas, where same-day, fresh-catch selections are presented in any number of ways, from raw bar delicacies to the traditional Gulf-shore jambalaya or the Build-Your-Own Seafood Boil. There are non-seafood dishes like filet mignon and pork chops, as well as vegetarian options. The casual rooftop bar offers views of the entire Disney Springs complex.

The James Beard Award–nominated chef-owners of the Ravenous Pig gastropub in nearby Winter Park opened this sit-down restaurant to give Disney visitors a taste of Orlando's finest. Not only do they source as many ingredients as possible from local farmers and purveyors, but they also house-smoke the ribs, brisket, and chicken, and they offer special Southern sides like tomato-and-watermelon salad or smoked corn with lime butter. Bar options include locally made beer and cocktails; a selection of nearly 100 whiskies adds an extra kick.

At this tropical-themed chain restaurant your meal will be accompanied by singing birds (of the Audio-Animatronic type), aquariums full of fish (real), and an occasional thunderstorm (artificial). The menu features seafood, beef, chicken, and pasta dishes, as well as burgers prepared in a variety of ways, with a selection of seasonings. Kids can choose from a more limited selection, but everyone can share in the Sparkling Volcano, a towering chocolate brownie served with vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, and whipped toppings. Delighting adults is the Lava Lounge, an impressive serpentine bar with a wide selection of beers, wines, and specialty cocktails.

Under the leadership of Neapolitan chef Fabrizio Schenardi, Ravello is a chic, modern Italian restaurant. Hand-tossed pizzas emerge from the oven—perhaps finished with house-made ricotta, arugula, and truffle oil; the pastas might be familiar or ambitious, like ravioli made with veal, spinach, and wild mushrooms; and the entrées are simple yet hearty, perhaps a 16-ounce, dry-aged rib eye with Fabrizio's special rub or a swordfish fillet. In the morning, the dining room is fresh and bright, perfect for a buffet or à la carte breakfast. On select mornings, this is also the backdrop for a Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy & Pals character meal. The $46 adult/$24 kid price tag includes a buffet with an omelet station plus a pic of each guest with Goofy.

This all-American smokehouse offers barbecue from Texas, Kansas, Memphis, and the Carolinas. Although some aficionados might find it sacrilegious, consider having everyone in your party order a different type of barbecue and then decide which region should reign supreme. The beer-battered onion rings are the perfect side, and the Tennessee lemonade, made with Jack Daniel's, finishes the meal.

If you're looking for a quick meal in Galaxy's Edge, this is the place. Among the meats that have been "roasted over a pod racer engine," you'll find pork rinds, roasted pork, and vegetable wraps. For a small bite, the Andoan fruit with muja sauce is a spicy treat. Those who rushed straight for Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run will be happy to know they can pick up breakfast here between flights.

If you're an Anglophile and you love a beer so thick you could stand a spoon up in your mug, head here—not only to soak up the suds but also to enjoy the British pub culture and feast on the best fish-and-chips in town. Other traditional English fare includes Scotch eggs, shepherd's pie, and, at times, bangers and mash (sausage over mashed potatoes); vegetarians can always find an adapted item, such as a savory hot pot. For dessert, try the sticky toffee pudding. A dinner package is available to enjoy a meal and one of the best fireworks-viewing seats at EPCOT.

Set at a Mexican market in perpetual twilight, this restaurant gets high marks from guests for its food and atmosphere. Everyone enjoys sharing the guacamole or queso fundido, and the camarones a la diabla (pepper and garlic-sautéed shrimp over poblano rice and crispy Brussels sprouts) are especially good. Although kids will enjoy tacos or quesadillas, their highlight might well be when the boats from the Gran Fiesta Tour attraction next door float by your table.

Most of the flavors are from India, yet Sanaa is really a celebration of the Spice Islands—locales off the coast of Africa that, for centuries, enticed traders from the world's far corners. Exotic yet approachable lunches and dinners make it a true find on the outer edges of the Disney empire; views of zebras and giraffes on the savanna right out the picture windows are another draw. Potato-pea samosas are good starters. For the main course, try the tandoori chicken or the potjie-inspired meal, a bowl with a mix of a protein and unique base. This is the only sit-down restaurant open for lunch at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.