8 Disney Resort Restaurants Worth Going Out of Your Way For
My favorite part of planning any Disney trip is deciding where I am going to eat. I always love trying new places even if it means going out of my way to visit a restaurant at a Disney resort.
With restaurant capacities for the summer and fall being reduced, it may be difficult to obtain a reservation to some of the more popular in-park dining experiences, so I’m sharing my favorite Disney resort restaurants. I did try to rank them, but I love them all so much I just couldn’t.
So, in no particular order…
Sanaa (Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village)
Step inside this exquisite, East African-inspired eatery, which evokes a traditional spice market, decorated with handcrafted wares under the graceful branches of an acacia tree. Experience the art of African cooking with Indian flavors, as exotic animals roam the Sunset Savanna before you.
Step inside an exquisite, East African–inspired eatery that evokes a vibrant spice market filled with handcrafted treasures and the soft glow of lantern light beneath the sweeping branches of an acacia tree. Savor dishes that blend the bold flavors of Africa and India, all while gazing out at giraffes and zebras roaming the Sunset Savanna just beyond your table.
Category: À la Carte
Open: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Popular Menu Items: Indian-style bread service, Vegetarian sampler (Paneer Cheese and Spinach, Stewed Lentils, Spicy Cauliflower, Onions, Tomatoes, and Mint), Tandoori meats, slow-cooked short ribs.
The bread service here is a MUST. I love making a reservation around sunset and requesting a table by the window so Annabelle and I can watch the animals as the sun sets over the savanna. It is a truly unique dining experience (and, as a bonus, it’s only one credit on the Disney dining plan)!
California Grill (Contemporary Resort)
As one of the more luxurious Disney resort restaurants, you ascend to the 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort via a private elevator, where you’ll discover exquisite panoramic views of the shimmering lagoon, Floridian woodland and Cinderella Castle. Inside, enjoy the vibrant sights and sounds of the onstage kitchen, where chefs combine global flavors in deliciously inventive new ways to create Californian cuisine that celebrates fresh, seasonal ingredients and the international, melting-pot culture of the Golden State.
Category: À la Carte, Signature Dining
Open: Dinner
Popular Menu Items: Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli, Sushi and Sashimi, Sundae Sampler for dessert
While the draw of California Grill is the view of the fireworks, the food still makes this worth a visit. If you weren’t able to snag a reservation, walk up and see if they have availability in the lounge. My husband and I like to just get some appetizers and drinks there and save some serious $$$$!
Trail’s End (Fort Wilderness)
Feast on a down-home buffet for breakfast, dinner or a weekend brunch at this tasty Frontier mainstay. Round up your settlement and sail across Bay Lake to a time of pioneers. Nestled on 750 wooded acres inhabited by enchanting wildlife, Trail’s End Restaurant is one dining destination you’ll want to allow plenty of time to reach. Getting there is a trailblazing adventure unto itself! Inside, beamed ceilings, split-log walls, mounted animals, and a potbellied stove keep things cozy—all while you and your kin tuck into a hearty spread of countrified fare.
Category: Buffet
Open: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Popular Menu Items: Ribs, Pasta, Pizza, Carved Meats, Chili, Seasonal Cobbler
Trail’s End is one of Disney’s best-kept secrets for families who want big flavor and big value. You’ll find the same hearty favorites served at the famous Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue—only here, it’s all-you-can-eat! For moms who want to make sure every dollar of their Disney investment counts, this buffet delivers some of the best bang for your buck on-property. Personally, my family and I love to grab a meal from their to-go window and rent a pontoon for a unique picnic option with an incredible view.
1900 Park Fare (Grand Floridian)
Cheaper than a dinner at Cinderella’s Castle, 1900 Park Fare is by far one of my favorite Disney resort restaurants! Delight in breakfast and dinner buffets (plus a merry afternoon tea party!), each hosted by Disney Characters. Supercalifragilistic Breakfast features Disney Friends for this fabulously festive, all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast buffet. Enjoy Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner with an enchanting buffet as the honored Guest of Cinderella and Prince Charming!
Category: Character Dining, Buffet
Open: Breakfast, Dinner
Popular Menu Items: Mickey Waffles, Bananas Foster Pancakes, Mojo roast pork loin, Mongolian beef stir-fry, Mississippi fried catfish
This is one of my favorite character meals! If you can’t get one of the coveted Princess meals, this is a great option. The Tremaine family is so much fun! I don’t think the buffet alone is worth it, but when character experiences resume, this is well worth the boat ride from the Magic Kingdom.
Narcoossee’s (Grand Floridian)
Slip away to this casual waterfront setting for coastal cuisine with spectacular views. Delight in superb seafood, steak and more in this waterfront hideaway. Narcoossee’s serves a spectacular, innovative selection of fresh seafood from both local waters and around the globe—of all the Disney resort restaurants, it’s the only place on-property you can get a whole-steamed Maine lobster.
Category: À la Carte, Signature Dining
Open: Dinner
Popular Menu Items: Maine lobster bisque, Prince Edward Island mussels, Steamed Whole Maine lobster, Filet Mignon, Candy Bar, Sunday Brunch
I think this might just be my favorite spot on the list. It strikes that perfect balance: it’s elegant enough for an anniversary or special celebration, yet relaxed and welcoming for families. The Poached Lobster Tail and Filet are absolute standouts (and trust me, that’s saying something coming from a Boston girl!). Time your reservation for sunset if you can—the view from the porch is breathtaking. Unless you’re set on catching the fireworks, this golden-hour glow is pure Disney magic.
Artist Point (Wilderness Lodge)
Experience Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White—a delicious, fanciful dinner with visits from Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy and even The Queen!
Category: À la Carte, Character Dining
Open: Dinner
Popular Menu Items: Choose your entrée from a prix fixe menu. Feast on the Royal Prime Rib Roast, Brother’s Grimm Roasted Chicken, Magic Mirror Slow-braised Pork Shank, Beef Stew and Bashful’s Butter Poached Sustainable Fish. Or enjoy the vegetarian option—A Stroll Through Nature—featuring asparagus, leeks, arugula and gnocchi. Children can choose from a selection of kid-friendly items, including Royal Prime Rib Roast, Grilled Chicken, Princess Pasta and Vegetarian Steam Bun.
This spot recently made the switch from a solid signature dining experience to an absolutely incredible character prix fixe meal—and honestly, I’m obsessed. Even if the characters aren’t making the rounds, the prix fixe menu alone is worth the visit. Apart from 1900 Park Fare, it’s one of favorite Disney resort restaurants. And if you’re on the hunt for a character meal with truly delicious food (not just photo ops!), this one wins, hands down.
Toledo (Coronado Springs)
Dine on tapas, seafood and steak in style at this Spanish haven inspired by surrealist art and the 1930s avant-garde. Savor dishes and small plates inspired by the flavors of Spain while feasting your eyes on the sweeping views from this rooftop restaurant.
Category: À la Carte
Open: Dinner
Popular Menu Items: The name says it all: Tapas, Steak, Seafood. Most of the “cazuelas” tapas and side dishes are sure to please those in search of traditional Spanish flair with some familiarity.
This one might be a bit tricky to get to, but it’s so worth the effort. Perched high above the new Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs, this restaurant is one of Disney’s hidden gems. With floor-to-ceiling windows framing sweeping views of nearly the entire property, you can even catch both the EPCOT and Hollywood Studios fireworks from your table. I’ve only been once, but the serrano ham appetizer and scallop entrée were perfection. The couple next to me couldn’t stop raving about their dishes either, and honestly, I’m already dreaming about going back to try more!
Geyser Point (Wilderness Lodge)
Looking for a rustic retreat without the pain and hassle of a campout? Look no further than Geyser Point, where you’re free to chow down on hearty helpings that include anything from hamburgers to a rich chocolate mousse worthy of a campfire tale or two.
Category: Quick Service, Lounge
Open: Lunch, Dinner
Popular Menu Items: A step up from most standard quick service fare, lighter lunch and dinner options include a grilled salmon BLT and a veggie-packed grilled portobello mushroom salad. While a regular burger is available for those in search of classic flavors, the upgraded bison cheeseburger with Tillamook cheddar and marionberry barbecue sauce is my favorite.
Geyser Point is one of my favorite areas in all of Walt Disney World. I love to take a relaxing boat ride over from the Magic Kingdom and grab a lakeside table in the lounge. It’s an open-air establishment, but the breeze from the lake and overhead fans keep it cool. I love to get a Huckleberry Moscow Mule (they even carry huckleberry vodka!), a drink I discovered during my time in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Even if I have a dinner reservation somewhere later in the day, I can never wait to dive into the brisket dip (served with potato chips) and a buffalo burger. Just be sure to save room for desert!
No matter which of these Disney resort restaurants tops your list, one thing’s for sure—budgeting is just as important as choosing where to eat. With so many incredible dining options across Walt Disney World, it’s easy to get swept up in the magic (and the menus!). But with a little strategy, you can make every dollar count without sacrificing amazing meals or experiences.
If you’re wondering whether the Disney Dining Plan is the right fit for your family—or how to stretch your dining budget without missing out on the magic—I can help you find the perfect balance. Let’s take the stress (and guesswork) out of meal planning so you can focus on what really matters: making unforgettable memories together.
Who is Christina?
Christina Vieira, a Traveler, a Planner, and a Mom. She is also the owner of Showcase the World Travel, a modern travel agency that helps busy Moms take the vacation they deserve without adding “planning it all” to their to-do lists. After all, Mom should get to enjoy their vacation too.
She specializes in Disney, Caribbean, Europe and has helped dozens of families have magical vacations that they will always remember. She loves traveling with her four-year-old daughter, Annabelle. Her favorite destinations include Walt Disney World, Wyoming, and Prague.
