Do You Know These “Secret” Dining Spots in Walt Disney World?

The Walt Disney World Resort is home to countless dining options, offering Guests the chance to enjoy everything from signature dining to grab-and-go snacks and treats in the Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, and Disney Springs. There are incredibly popular restaurants that Guests have to enjoy on every single visit including ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Be Our Guest Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom, California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Wine Bar George and Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurantin Disney Springs, essentially anywhere in EPCOT’s World Showcase, and so many more.

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With so many incredible restaurants to choose from and the ever-increasing crowds that love to visit the Walt Disney World Resort, Guests might sometimes feel a little overwhelmed by how busy certain locations can be. But those who are in the know can head to some amazing “secret” dining spots that are just slightly off the beaten path and typically quiet. These secret spots are the perfect locations to relax with some wonderful dining options during any visit to the Walt Disney World Resort!

Columbia Harbour House

The Magic Kingdom is home to several quick-service restaurants that are all very popular thanks to great theming and delicious menus. Columbia Harbour House in Liberty Square features a nautical theming that evokes the charm of a rustic New England seaside location in the 1800s. Guests can enjoy a menu of seafood favorites while surrounded by dark wooden paneling, props from ships including a large mast, framed artwork and maps, and charming windows that look out into Liberty Square.

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The majority of Guests obviously know about Columbia Harbour House, but many of them are unaware that there is an entire upstairs dining area that continues the immersive theming. The second level of the quick service restaurants features several different rooms that are bright and airy thanks to windows that offer up great views all the way to Tom Sawyer Island across the Rivers of America and plenty of props and artwork to continue the nautical theme.

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The upstairs of Columbia Harbour House is always much quieter than the main level and is also where a small bathroom that is typically never busy can be found. Guests who want to enjoy their fresh seafood options in a calmer setting definitely should check this location out!

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Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café

Another incredibly popular quick service location in the Magic Kingdom can be found in the heart of Frontierland between the Country Bear Jamboree and Splash Mountain. Pecos Bill Tale Tall Inn & Café is open for lunch and dinner each day and serves up a menu of southwestern favorites with bold flavors that Guests love.

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The interior has a rustic and charming design with lots of warm colors, natural elements, a beautiful courtyard setting, and comfortable wooden tables and chairs throughout several different dining areas. Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café definitely has plenty of tables, but it can be absolutely packed during peak meal times, leading to a loud and stressful experience.

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What many Guests who dine at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café don’t know is that there is an entire upstairs area complete with limited outdoor seating that is very rarely busy at all! Instead of stairs, there is a subtle ramp with a sign for additional seating that directs Guests to a smaller upstairs area where they can choose to dine in peace in an additional indoor dining area or on a small balcony that offers beautiful views of Frontierland.

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PizzeRizzo

The Grand Avenue area of Disney’s Hollywood Studios is where Guests can enjoy several experiences hosted by The Muppets including Muppet Vision 3D and a popular quick-service eatery. PizzeRizzo is a classic New York-style pizzeria run by everyone’s favorite wise-talking rat Rizzo, and the location features many humorous touches, courtesy of The Muppets along with subtle details that make Guests feel like they are in the heart of the Big Apple.

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Open daily for lunch and dinner, PizzeRizzo features neon lighting, exposed brick, classic red and white checkered table tops, subway signs, and more to evoke a laid-back, yet charming atmosphere and Guests love to indulge in traditional pizzas or a hearty Meatball Sub. As one of the few quick-service locations in this area of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, PizzeRizzo gets really crowded during meal times, and Guests can definitely feel frazzled trying to find seating or wait for their food in a loud setting.

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To avoid the chaos, Guests can head to an often overlooked area of PizzeRizzo that is literally hiding in plain sight. From the exterior, Guests can spot an upstairs outdoor patio that overlooks Grand Avenue with comfortable, covered seating. After ordering and receiving their meals, Guests should opt to head upstairs in PizzeRizzo and find a table outside where there are always lower crowds, great views, and wonderful breezes to enjoy any day.

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Flame Tree Barbecue

Any Guest walking through Discovery Island in Disney’s Animal Kingdom is aware of Flame Tree Barbecue, thanks to the mouthwatering aroma of barbecue that can be found around lunch and dinner each day. The quick-service Disney dining location serves up an array of regional barbecue favorites that pack bold flavors and hearty ingredients to create satisfying meals that many Guests love to stop and enjoy.

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The ordering area of Flame Tree Barbecue is an open-air counter location with bright colors and several bays to choose from to keep wait times low. While many Guests know what the ordering area looks like, they might be totally unaware of a serene and beautiful location to enjoy their meals only steps away.

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A large, multi-leveled outdoor patio can be found directly behind Flame Tree Barbecue and Guests have plenty of seating options to choose from either under covered structures, lush trees, and vegetation or in the sunlight. The further away from the ordering counter Guests get, the calmer the patios are and Guests can even go so far as down to the shores of the Discovery River where they can enjoy their meals paired with refreshing breezes and stunning views of Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain in the distance. This is the perfect location to enjoy some quiet Disney dining in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

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