The 19 Best Disney World Restaurants to Visit in 2023 (at Every Price Point)
Oh, you thought Disney was all turkey legs and Mickey-shaped ice cream bars? Think again. The Happiest Place on Earth is home to some surprisingly good places to eat—including Victoria & Albert’s, which has won AAA’s Five Diamond Award for 22 years straight—with a variety of options for whatever mood you’re in and whatever park you’re closest to. We’ve dined at more than our fair share over the years, and we combined our experiences with the top-reviewed spots to bring you the best Disney World restaurants of 2023, all organized by which park—or part of Kissimmee—you’re closest to.
The Best Time to Visit Disney World (and the Absolute Worst)
DISNEY SPRINGS
1. The Edison
BEST OVERALL EXPERIENCE
Walt Disney World
Expect to Spend: $16 to $35 per person
Craving dinner and a show? Head to this roaring ‘20s-themed restaurant, which features a range of live acts (musicians, aerialists, you name it). The cocktail menu is top-notch—and if you order A Fire in Vermont, expect a tableside show, as they give your light your drink afire (to caramelize the absinthe in this rye- and brandy-based drink)—though it can get as pricey as the entrees. In terms of meals, opt for the citrus-brined roast chicken or short ribs drenched in red wine mushroom gravy. The portions are so generous you could easily split your meal.
2. Morimoto Asia
BEST SUSHI
Walt Disney World
Expect to Spend: $30 to $65 per person
Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s first Pan-Asian restaurant is right in the heart of Disney Springs, featuring open, exhibition kitchens that let you watch chefs cook as you wait for your meal. The moody, dark interior and 20-foot-long chandeliers are a total vibe (one that feels miles away from Mickey), but what’s most impressive is the sushi, ramen and Peking duck. While there aren’t specialty rolls, fans rave about how fresh the sushi tastes, and the tonkotsu and duck ramen have been known to lure people back for multiple visits during a single Disney vacay.
3. Pepe by José Andrés
BEST SANDWICH SPOT
Expect to Spend: $10 to $20 per person
José Andrés’s famous food truck has a permanent, fast casual spot in Disney Springs, and it’s not to be missed. Pop in for a sandwich (the Bikini de jamón y queso, a pressed sandwich featuring serrano ham and Manchego, is a fan favorite) and a side of fried potatoes or chicken croquetas (fritters), and you won’t be disappointed.
4. Chicken Guy
BEST SANDWICH SPOT
BEST FOR PICKY EATERS
Chicken Guy
Expect to Spend: $7-$15 per person
Are your kids firmly in the “if it’s not chicken nuggets, I don’t want it” phase of life? We get it. Hit up Guy Fieri’s fast-casual joint, Chicken Guy, for all kinds of tenders and chicken sandwiches. Just to keep things interesting, the restaurant offers 22 different sauces for dipping (from classics like honey mustard and Buffalo to less-expected options, like cumin lime mojo and Donkey Sauce, a blend of mayo, roasted garlic, mustard, Worcestershire and lemon juice). Fair warning: It’s pretty popular, so expect a line at any time of day.
BOARDWALK & DISNEY RESORTS
BEST SANDWICH SPOT
5. Trattoria Al Forno
BEST SANDWICH SPOT
BEST ITALIAN FOOD
Disney World
Expect to Spend: $15-$35 per person
Located on Disney’s BoardWalk (another free dining and shopping area akin to Disney Springs, albeit smaller), this Italian restaurant has all the classics (pizza, pasta, gelato), plus a full breakfast menu that mixes crowd-pleasers like Mickey-shaped Belgian waffles with egg-topped breakfast pizzas. Character dining isn’t currently available, but the shrimp pappardelle, truffle gnocchi and margherita pizza will make you forget all about breaking bread with Goofy.
6. Flying Fish
BEST SANDWICH SPOT
BEST SEAFOOD
Walt Disney World
Expect to Spend: $35-$60 per person
Another BoardWalk favorite, Flying Fish is a bit pricier than Trattoria al Forno, but it’s the place to go if you love seafood. There’s nothing bland or half-hearted on the menu: plancha-seared scallops are served atop a bed of grits and a sweet corn and peppadew emulsion; the seafood pearl pasta is studded with shrimp, lobster, scallops, mussels and clams; even the shrimp cocktail isn’t served with watery cocktail sauce—it’s a blend of blood orange, horseradish and Black Cyprus sea salt.
7. Victoria & Albert’s
BEST SANDWICH SPOT
BIGGEST SPLURGE
Walt Disney World
Expect to Spend: $375+ per person
Only two restaurants in the state of Florida earned AAA’s Five Diamond rating in 2022 (out of 59 worldwide), and this gem happens to be right in the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa at Walt Disney World. This fine dining establishment is capital-F Fahhncy: The tasting menu constantly changes to highlight seasonal flavors, the wine menu boasts 500+ bottles, reservations are required and kids have to be 10 years old or older to dine there. The Victorian-inspired space is inspired by Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Celebration, and it’s revered for being an elegant, opulent escape that lets you feel like royalty for the evening (with a price tag to match).
ANIMAL KINGDOM
BEST SANDWICH SPOT
8. Tiffins
BEST SANDWICH SPOT
Walt Disney World
Expect to Spend: $35-$60 per adult; $12-$26 for kids
Like all of the restaurants located in Disney parks, you’ll need to pay for admission into the park to enjoy a meal at Tiffin’s, but it’s an indulgent escape when you need a break from all the rides, shows and lines. The global-inspired menu runs the gamut, from surf and turf with a South African Braai seasoning to butter chicken alongside chickpea-rice croquettes. It’s worth taking a little time to explore the artifacts on the walls, perhaps while sipping a Snow Leopard Salvation—a popular blend of ginger beer, lime, mint, pear liqueur and Snow Leopard Vodka (a brand that donates 15 percent of its proceeds to snow leopard conservation).
9. Satu’li Canteen
BEST SANDWICH SPOT
COOLEST MENU
Walt Disney World
Expect to Spend: $10 to $20 per person
If you’re looking to save a few bucks—but you still want to sit back and enjoy a great meal—head to Satu’li Canteen, right in the heart of Pandora – The World of Avatar. There’s ample seating available (but if you’re in a rush, you can place a mobile order), and the menu focuses on chicken, beef and tofu bowls, often studded with gummy Boba balls and colorful veggie slaws that make the meals feel Na’vi-inspired. (Hot tip: Don’t miss the cheeseburger steamed pods—aka bao buns stuffed with ground beef, cheese, pickles, ketchup and mustard.)
EPCOT
BEST SANDWICH SPOT
10. Coral Reef Restaurant
BEST SANDWICH SPOT
BEST VIEWS
Walt Disney World
Expect to Spend: $15 to $35 per person
Go under the sea at this magical restaurant in the World Nature area of EPCOT, where one entire wall consists of a giant aquarium. Prepare to be mesmerized as sharks, sea turtles, stingrays and scuba divers glide by (the place is home to 2,000+ sea creatures). Just, uh, don’t look in Nemo’s eyes as your chow down on your seared Mahi Mahi or orange-glazed salmon.
11. Biergarten Restaurant
BEST BUFFET
Expect to Spend: $49 per person; $27 for kids ages 3-9
Every day is Oktoberfest at this communal-style restaurant located in EPCOT’s Germany pavilion (natürlich). Bavarian classics like bratwurst, spätzle and schnitzel feature heavily, but there are also family favorites like rotisserie chicken, potatoes and salad. Make sure to save room for the apple strudel (and a stein of beer for adults).
12. Spice Road Table
BEST BUFFET
BEST MEDITERRANEAN FOOD
Walt Disney World
Expect to Spend: $15 to $35 per person
Located at the Morocco pavilion, Spice Road Table offers great ambience and food meant for sharing. There’s an entire allergy-friendly small plates menu, featuring fried calamari, pomegranate-chili crispy cauliflower, stuffed grape leaves (dolmas) and the restaurant’s standout dish, its housemade hummus fries. The Jenga-like sticks of fried hummus come with preserved lemon and a citrus chipotle sauce for dipping. And you can enjoy it all at the outdoor seating, overlooking the water.
HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
BEST BUFFET
13. Sci-Fi Dine-in Theater
BEST BUFFET
MOST FUN DINING EXPERIENCE
Walt Disney World
Expect to Spend: $10 to $30 per person
Travel back in time at this retro diner, where you can kick back in car-shaped booths and watch old sci-fi clips while eating classic American fare like burgers, mac and cheese and chicken wings. (Oh, and don’t miss the adults-only Oreo milkshake that’s laced with chocolate liqueur.)
14. Woody’s Lunch Box
BEST BUFFET
BEST GRAB-AND-GO LUNCH
Walt Disney World
Expect to Spend: $8 to $15 per person
When you need something to eat and you needed it, uh, 30 minutes ago, get thee to Woody’s Lunch Box. It’s a quick-service restaurant with outdoor seating (which happens to look like oversized Babybel cheese wheels and toys), with a range of surprisingly affordable sandwiches and sides. Whatever you do, don’t leave without ordering the totchos—a bowl of tater tots loaded with beef chili, cheese, queso, tomatoes, green onions, sour cream and corn chips. It’s a hearty treat that will leave you feeling full throughout the often hour-long-and-climbing wait for Toy Story Mania.
15. Oga’s Cantina
BEST BUFFET
BEST FOR ‘STAR WARS’ FANS
Walt Disney World
Expect to Spend: $10 to $25 per person
You’ll need to make a reservation well in advance to crack your “Han shot first” jokes in this Star Wars-inspired restaurant. Animatronic droids will perform for you while you dine, and the cantina is open for breakfast through dinner…provided you’re on a liquid diet. (It’s more of a bar than a restaurant, really.) You can order a Happabore Sampler, aka a charcuterie board with pork cracklings, or Batuu Bits, dried veggies with a spicy dip, but the menu is really catered toward drinks. There are boozy and alcohol-free menus; if you’re into the former, try a fruity, vodka-based Jedi Mind Trick. If you’re feeling the latter, try a Blue Bantha, which feature’s the park’s famous Blue Milk (a blue, tropical-tasting smoothie, essentially) topped with a vanilla-butter sugar cookie.
MAGIC KINGDOM
BEST BUFFET
16. Be Our Guest Restaurant
BEST BUFFET
BEST THEMED DINING
Walt Disney World
Expect to Spend: $67 per adult; $39 for kids aged 3-9
This reservations-only eatery inspired by Beauty and the Beast is worth a trip for the decor alone. Think: Talking suits of armor, sparkling chandeliers, colorful mosaic windows and a hologram of the enchanted rose (complete with dropping petals). Located in the Beast’s castle in the Magic Kingdom, you’ll have a hard time deciding between French-inspired fare like trout amandine, roasted poulet rouge chicken and Vadouvan-spiced vegetables. (Good luck trying not to burst out into song as your dinner arrives. After all, they serve the Grey Stuff! And we can confirm, it is delicious.)
17. Casey’s Corner
BEST BUFFET
BEST HOT DOGS
Candace Davison
Expect to Spend: $10 to $20 per person
Hot dogs at an amusement park? Yeah, yeah, it sounds as groundbreaking as florals for spring, but hear us out, Miranda Priestly: These fully loaded dogs are next level. You can get ‘em smothered in Walt Disney’s favorite chili (a decades-old recipe that endures) and cheese, served up Chicago-style or enjoy a plant-based dog topped with pickled slaw, barbecue aioli and roasted corn relish. Plus, there are plain dogs and corn dog nuggets for the kids.
18. The Diamond Horseshoe
HEARTIEST MEALS
Expect to Spend: $39 per adult; $21 per kid aged 3-9
OK, OK, Disney doesn’t do “buffets”—it’s technically “all-you-care-to-eat,” where servers bring family-style plates of food, but they’ll keep bringing more as long as you’re hungry. But the Diamond Horseshoe features a range of classic comfort food that makes for a good “lunner” (aka lunch and dinner, if you’re looking to spend less time in restaurants and more time on rides). There’s salad, mashed potatoes, seasonal veggies, herbed stuffing, mac and cheese and impossible meatloaf if you’re vegetarian; as well as roasted turkey, pot roast and oven-roasted pork. The only challenge is saving room for the Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake for dessert.
19. Sleepy Hollow
BEST FOR SWEET-SAVORY FANS
Expect to Spend: $8 to $15 per person
You can’t decide whether you want something sweet or savory (Have you smelled those turkey legs? And the funnel cakes?!), but you need to eat something before you dash into the line for the Haunted Mansion. We hear you. Right near there is Sleepy Hollow, a quick-service restaurant that offers you the best of both worlds. You can have your funnel cake and turkey leg here, but we suggest you deviate and go for the Sweet-and-Spicy Chicken-Waffle Sandwich, a Belgian waffle folded in half, stuffed with a honey-sriracha-glazed chicken breast and broccoli slaw.
