Disney World resort restaurants offer some of the best dining experiences on Disney property. Stay at one of these 7 Disney World hotels for easy access to the best Disney resort restaurants in Orlando.

Vulcan spice, Strawberry Soup, Malva Pudding, Flight of Four Pinxtos … these are just a few of the hundreds of exotic flavors at Walt Disney World Resort restaurants.

Most Disney resorts menus have at least a few unique items on them, but these seven resorts can surprise even the most well-traveled palates.

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Find the Best Disney World Resort Restaurants at These 7 Hotels

These are the seven Disney World Resorts with the best restaurants:

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Disney’s Riviera Resort

Every resort on this list offers something unique you won’t get anywhere else—a rare dish, an Evil Queen, or magical ambiance.

Not surprising, Deluxe category resorts dominate the list, but in the last few years, Disney has really upped the delectable dishes at Moderate resorts. 

Note: Due to ongoing COVID-19 safety protocols, some of these dining experiences may not currently be offered and are subject to change.

Want an in-depth look at Disney’s finest dining? Subscribe to our monthly print magazine. Each month, we bring you detailed reviews with stunning photos of the best food at Walt Disney World. Just $8 an issue!

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Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Restaurants

Africa, Animals, and Ancient Grains

Inside Animal Kingdom Lodge. Photo by Cliff Wang

Three lounges, signature dining, exotic Quick-Service, two unique themed dining options, and munching on one of the best dishes at WDW while giraffes saunter by—you’ll find all of these at the amazing restaurants of Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Here, you can experience the flavors of Ethiopia, Tunisia, Senegal, South Africa, Botswana, and even EPCOT. Yep! There is a salad at Jiko featuring greens from the EPCOT Land Pavilion.

If you wanted to try and visit all these places to try the food, you would be on a plane for about 62 hours round trip from Orlando.

 

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Or you can just eat your way through a magical stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Below is a full list of Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurants:

• Boma – Flavors of Africa. Currently serving breakfast and dinner buffets.
• The Mara. A food court open from morning until evening. This location is famous for the Zebra Dome dessert.
• Uzima Springs Pool Bar. Currently only serving drinks starting at 11 AM.
• Victoria Falls Lounge. The home of the Vulcan Spice. Find it on the Braai Burger. This is a favorite date night spot!
• Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar. An intimate area near Jiko with an extensive list of wines. (At the time of writing, this has sadly not reopened.)
• Jiko – the Cooking Place. Often considered one of the fanciest restaurants at Disney, after Victoria and Alberts, Jiko is a place for dressing up and having as much fun ordering dishes like Tibs in Brik, Malva Pudding, and Melktert as you do eating them. The Tour of Africa is also a must.
• Maji Pool Bar at Kidani Village. Poolside eats and drinks typically starting at 11 AM.
• Sanaa at Kidani Village. The restaurant where you can savor Naan drenched in scrumptious Butter Chicken sauce while a giraffe walks by the windows.
• Sanaa Lounge at Kidani Village. A stunning late-night spot to grab an Indian Style Bread Service and a lager from Kenya.

Tip: Kidani Village is not actually located inside Animal Kingdom Lodge. It’s a scenic half mile or so away. The Disney busses do stop here, but you can also bring your walking shoes.

Grab a bite to eat at Victoria Falls. Photo courtesy of Disney

The real standout dish at Animal Kingdom Lodge is the Butter Chicken with Naan at Sanaa. Disney food fans (yours included) have called this one of the best dishes with one of the most unique views at Walt Disney World.

Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter Restaurants

A Fresh Batch of Beignets

It’s always Mardi Gras at Port Orleans French Quarter. Photo by Brett Svenson

Disney food fans flock to Port Orleans – French Quarter for one dish: the freshly made melt-in-your-mouth beignets.

These delicious nuggets of sweet goodness can be found at Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory and are 100% worth the trip.

Oh wait, did I forget to mention the beignets also come in a Mickey shape? You can even get them vegan!

Vegan Beignets at Port Orleans French Quarter at Walt Disney World. Photo by Rain Blanken

The full list of restaurants at Port Orleans – French Quarter includes:

• Mardi Grogs. Pool bar serving light snacks and drinks.
• Sassagoula Floatworks. Food court where the beignets are made fresh to order. Tiana and her dad also got out the wooden spoon and made up some gumbo that can be enjoyed at lunch and dinner.
• Scat Cat’s Club. Lounge serving Tiana-worthy treats like chicken and waffles and crawfish etouffeé. Also home to the Baton Rouge Beignets, which can be jazzed up with your choice of a shot to inject into your beignets.

Hanging decor in Sassagoula Floatworks at Port Orleans French Quarter. Photo by Brett Svenson

POFQ is the smallest Disney resort, has some of the most beautiful resort grounds, and offers regular boats to Disney Springs.

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Disney’s Art of Animation Restaurants

Eating in the Movies

Photo by Courtney Reynolds

A stay at Art of Animation (AoA) resort is almost like getting to stay overnight in the parks.

You get to wander through Radiator Springs, swim in the Big Blue Pool, and shower in Ariel’s cave.  

The dining options are slim, but AoA has one of the most unique features in a food court at any Disney Resort: themed seating areas inspired by the land or seascapes in Lion King, Cars, Finding Nemo and The Little Mermaid at Landscape of Flavors. 

Burger and fries from Landscape of Flavors. Photo by Brett Svenson

In total, you can choose between two Art of Animation restaurants:

• Drop Off Pool Bar. Open late but only has drinks and snacks, like chips and pretzels and cheese. The bartenders are totally cool with you bringing food from Landscape of Flavors.
• Landscape of Flavors. Food court with different stations offering breakfast and then pizza and pasta, burgers and chicken, and a heartier dish of fish or turkey. The standout is the themed character waffles and the pastry section.

Tip: Not a big eater? Order the kids meal waffles at breakfast. It comes with three waffles and a milk or small park-friendly bottle of water.

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Disney’s Grand Floridian Restaurants

A Grand Dining Experience

The luxurious Grand Floridian. Photo by Brett Svenson

If you’re looking for themed dining and have a big Disney wallet, the Grand Floridian is the resort for you.

Tied with Coronado and Polynesian for the most dining options, Grand Floridian has:

• 1900 Park Fare. Host to the Wonderland Tea Party and dinner buffets with Cinderella and the Tremaine family. The Strawberry Soup and Buttery Mashed Potatoes are so good.
• Garden View Tea Room. Features an elegant British afternoon tea.
• Beaches Pool Bar & Grill. Lobster sliders and Frosé while the kids are at the Tea Party themed splash pad? Very grand.
• Citricos. You can’t get a spoonful of sugar, but you can get a candied violet during dinner at this elegant and understated Mary Poppins-themed fine dining location.
• Citricos Lounge. Features some of the dishes at Citricos without the need for a reservation.
• Courtyard Pool Bar. Sandwiches, salads, and drinks poolside.
• Enchanted Rose. Beauty and the Beast-themed lounge with a variety of high-end cocktails. Make sure to visit the different seating areas and see the light fixture inspired by Belle’s gown.
• Gasparilla Island Grill. A great food court seasonal exclusive treats like the Jack Skellington Pumpkin Pie Pop or Sally’s Stitched Up Whoopie Pie Heart.
• Grand Floridian Cafe. All-day dining that’s great for when you’re feeling more casual.
• Narcoossee’s. Fancy waterfront dining with a dress code, amazing view, and shrimp and grits. 
• Victoria & Alberts. The finest restaurant at WDW. It’s so fancy they even bring a stool for your purse. Leave the picky eater, pack your fancy dress, and make sure to pace yourself. Ten courses is a lot.

You can’t get more foodie than the 10-course tasting menu at Victoria and Alberts. Imperial Caviar, Manchester Quail, Miyazaki Japanese Beef, and Avocado Gelato are just a few of the gourmet bites previously on the menu at the classic Victorian restaurant.

Coronado Springs and Gran Destino Tower Restaurants

A Variety of Latin Flavors

In the lobby of Coronado Springs. Photo by Cliff Wang

At over 2,300 rooms, Coronado Springs needs a lot of places to feed all those hungry park and convention goers.

For a deep dive into dining at Coronado Springs, subscribe to our print magazine. Our November Food issue takes an in-depth look at Coronado Springs as a foodie retreat.

We’ll be talking all about Coronado Springs restaurants in our November 2021 issue.

Subscribe by Oct. 31 to make our November issue your very first. Just $8 a month!

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Let’s start with the restaurants in Gran Destino Tower:

• Barcelona Lounge. Open very early to very late and serves Spanish Artisanal Cheeses and Charcuterie for a tasty late-night snack.
• Dahlia Lounge. Rooftop lounge open very late with many Barcelona-inspired tapas dishes. Bocadillo and Croquettes are a must.
• Toledo. High-end tapas open for dinner only. Go with a group and try all the tapas you can hold, especially the Flight of Four Pinxtos and The Spaniard for Two. Order a back issue of last year’s special Christmas magazine for our in-depth review of Toledo.

Now to the options in El Centro. Here’s a full list of Coronado Springs restaurants:

• Cafe Rix. Open in the morning until lunch. They have a photo-worthy pastry section.
• El Mercado de Coronado. The food court serving all the meals.
• Laguna Bar. Great place to stop for a cocktail and a quick bite in the evening.
• Maya Grill. A fairly hidden gem serving Nuevo Latina cuisine.
• Rix Sports Bar & Grill. Get the buffalo chicken dip with a side of injectable donut holes. It’s not gourmet but sooo good. They also have a super fun cocktail definitely created by someone who spent a long day in the parks called Everything Hurts.
• Siestas Cantina. The pool bar that has been known to serve Mickey Waffles at breakfast.
• Three Bridges Bar & Grill. Open for dinner only in a beautiful open-air restaurant in the middle of a lake. Bring a friend and try all the shareable dips and Pan Con Tomate.

The atmosphere at Three Bridges is incomparable. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

Tip: If you’re not staying in the Gran Destino Tower, try getting a room in the Casitas area to be as close as possible to all the tasty options.

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Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Restaurants

The Loudest Meals in the Most Magical Place on Earth

Welcome to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Photo by Mike Billick

If you’re looking for a quiet meal away from the hustle and bustle from the parks, Wilderness Lodge is probably not the place to go.

If you’re looking for something memorable, tasty, and uniquely Disney, it’s a must.

These are the restaurants at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge:

• Geyser Point Bar and Grill. Lounge open late with great eats and views of Bay Lake and the Electrical Water Pageant.
• Roaring Fork. Food court with meals all day.
• Territory Lounge. Late-night rustic lounge. Try the seasonal bisque.
• Whispering Canyon Cafe. A noisy meal any meal of the day. Wear your comfy pants and be ready for the meat sweats. There is a dish called The Carnivore for breakfast and The Pig at lunch and dinner. Make sure to ask for ketchup.
• Storybook Dining at Artist Point. Arguably one of the best character meals in WDW with Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy, and the Evil Queen.

Storybook Dining is the standout with 100% themed food. For the shared appetizers and desserts, try the delicious Hunter’s Terrine and delectable Fairy Tale Gooseberry Pie. The Cottage Beef Stew with a Smoking Mirror cocktail will make you feel like you’re right in the Dwarfs cottage.

Roaring Fork has mobile ordering. Photo by Tina Chiu

Looking for more magical ways to meet your favorite characters? Each month, we offer tips on character autographs and meet-and-greets in our print magazine. Try it for three months for just $27!

Try for 3 Months!

Riviera Resort Restaurants

The Most Magical Character Meal Moment

A fountain at Disney’s Rivera Resort. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

Mickey and Minnie sometimes share a cute hug and kiss. You don’t see that everyday!

But you might at Breakfast å la Art at Topolino Terrace at Riviera Resort. Have your cameras ready when dining at one of the best Disney World Resort restaurants.

A romantic moment at Topolino. Photo by Trisha Daab

Topolino Terrace breakfast and dinner is enough to please any foodie, but the full list of Riviera restaurants includes:

• Bar Riva. Pool bar with hold and cold sandwiches. The Baked Brie in Puff Pastry and Hibiscus Coconut Refresher are perfect poolside treats.
• Le Petite Café. Lounge offering drinks and Paris inspired snacks.
• Primo Piatto. The food court that offers a Croque Madame and a Bellini.
• Topolino Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera. French and Italian food fans will find so much to love here — the bread basket at breakfast and the Heirloom Tomato Panzanella standout as the dishes to order seconds and try and recreate at home.

Want to explore even more of Riviera? Our December issue will dive deep into what it’s like to stay at the Riviera for Christmas. Subscribe by Nov. 30 to get our special Christmas issue delivered to your mailbox (we’ll leave the chimney deliveries to Santa).

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Disney World Resort Restaurants: Eating Outside the Parks

Is your stomach growling now? Visiting any of these seven Disney resorts is certain to delivery Mickey magic to any foodie. Which resorts are on your must-eat list?

Need help with Advance Dining Reservations? Chat with a Disney Travel Agent, who can handle all the stress of Disney planning for you—for free. You’ve just got to show up, strap on the bib, and dig in.

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