The Best Disney Restaurants in Each Park (They Aren’t the Ones You’d Think)

Walt Disney World Resort restaurants are some of the best in the world. Two Disney restaurants were even included on the 2023 Michelin list! That’s impressive for what some would call “theme park food.” And while we drool over most of the Disney restaurants, some are definitely better than others.

While I’ve made it a point to visit every restaurant on the property (yes, literally), there are some I go back to again and again. They’re like old friends. Every time I go, they give me that warm fuzzy feeling. Some shine brighter than others, whether it’s the ambiance, the delicious food, or a combination of the two.

Let’s go on a tour of Walt Disney World and express the BEST restaurant in each park!

Magic Kingdom Park 

Magic Kingdom boasts two of the most popular restaurants on the property, including Be Our Guest and Cinderella’s Royal Table. Guests love the idea of eating inside a castle, and both restaurants fit the bill, but neither is my pick for the best place to grab a bite in Magic Kingdom.

My favorite spot to eat here at Magic Kingdom is actually Jungle Navigation Co. Skipper Canteen, located in the heart of Adventureland.

I’m a sucker for a good backstory, and this restaurant has just that! The premise is that the Jungle Navigation Co. (which owns and operates the Jungle Cruise) has opened its canteen to the public so adventurers can enjoy a meal before or after their cruise through the jungle.

Skippers serve as wait staff here, and you’ll be treated to all of the delightfully awful puns you’ve come to know and love from your Jungle Cruise Skipper.

EPCOT

Man, this is a hard one! Of the four parks, EPCOT has the best food, hands down.

This park has several table service restaurants, including fine dining establishments such as Monsieur Paul and Le Cellier), and two character meal locations (Garden Grill and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall). The food truly is a destination at EPCOT. Sometimes, the ability to have dinner here more than once per trip is the sole reason we get a Park Hopper Pass in addition to a ticket.

That said, I can’t choose just one restaurant here.

I have to choose the best breakfast and best lunch/dinner because breakfast at EPCOT truly deserves a spot of its own.

When discussing breakfast here, there’s only one choice: Garden Grill! Not only is the food phenomenal, but so are the character interactions! You’ll meet Mickey, Pluto, Chip, and Dale, which is reason enough to go.

Character meals are insanely popular at Walt Disney World and have a price tag to match. Breakfast is the least expensive meal, so it’s my go-to for meeting characters. The food is served family style, and you’ll find something for everyone in the spread. From fresh fruit to sausage and bacon, they’ve truly thought of everything (and yes, they have Mickey Waffles).

Breakfast at Garden Grill is also a strategic move. Did you know you could book “pre-park opening” meals and get access inside before the park even opened? Plan your meal for an hour and a half before opening, and then BOOM! You’re finished just as the floodgates open. Now you’re in prime position to rope drop Soarin’ because it’s just an escalator ride away.

Lunch and dinner are a different story.

Related: Recipe for EPCOT’s Canadian Cheese Soup

Any of EPCOT’s exceptional cuisine could top the list, but my go-to is always Le Cellier. The cheese soup alone is worth a visit.

Themed after a cozy wine cellar in a Canadian château, this signature dining restaurant serves unforgettable steaks and incredible seafood. Like the cellar it’s themed after, the atmosphere is dimly lit and cool, making it a fantastic midday break to fuel up and recharge.

The Canadian Cheese soup cannot be missed! It’s a creamy beer cheese soup made with Moosehead Pale Ale and topped with crispy bacon. It’s good enough that you’ll scour the internet looking for a copycat recipe to enjoy at home (or just check out our recipe above).

Another must-try is the maple Crème Brûlée. It’s Canada, so of course, maple had to make an appearance, right? This dessert is decadent and delicious and will satisfy any sweet tooth.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Unlike EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will never win any culinary awards. It’s certainly not the first park you think of when it comes to great food, but they do manage to have a few hidden gems.

My favorite? Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant!

This is a really surprising addition to the list because a few years ago, I would’ve called this restaurant “all hype.” The food was unimpressive. The quality has improved in recent years, though, and I honestly think it’s the best restaurant in the Park now!

Do yourself a favor and stick to the more casual options. They do burgers extremely well! With a variety of milkshakes for dessert, this spot is a hit with the younger members of your group, too.

The real reason to check out Sci-Fi? The atmosphere! Once you step inside, you’ll be transported to an old-school drive-in movie theater where you’ll dine in classic 50s-style cars! On the big screen, you’ll be entertained with classic monster movie trailers like The Creature From the Black Lagoon and The Thing! The ambiance in this restaurant is unforgettable.

Because of its novel atmosphere, reservations are extremely hard to get. You’ll want to reserve your spot exactly 60 days in advance.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

There are so many things to love about the food at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! Even the quick service locations are fantastic!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom sports the most exotic food at Walt Disney World, and because of that, it’s not for everyone. But, my pick for the best restaurant has something the whole family will love.

I’ve eaten at every restaurant in this park several times, but the one I go back to again and again is Yak & Yeti Restaurant, located in the Asia portion of Animal Kingdom.

Related: Disney World Announces Exclusions, Limits to the Disney Dining Plan

For the pickiest ones of the bunch, you’ll find familiar (Americanized) Asian dishes here, like sweet and sour chicken and even burgers. For those who want an adventure, you’ll find some genuinely upstanding options.

The Malaysian Seafood Curry is one of my favorite things to eat at Walt Disney World! This dish combines jumbo shrimp & crab ravioli, zucchini, spinach, tomatoes, and mushrooms, all tossed in red curry coconut sauce for a meal out of this world! The firecracker shrimp appetizer is a must-try! The spicy fried shrimp is a crowd-pleaser.

Which Disney restaurants are your favorite? 

No matter which restaurant you choose, you won’t go wrong with any of the ones on this list (or most restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort).

Disney prides itself on world-class cuisine– no typical theme park food here exists. With ever-evolving menus, this list will change with time, so stay tuned here at Disney Dining because we will always keep you updated on the best of the best!

As always, book those Disney dining reservations 60 days before you plan to dine to ensure a table will be available for you and the family. Visit the Walt Disney World website to view the full list of restaurants with reservation options.

What is your favorite Disney restaurant? Let us know in the comments!