Disney World Restaurants You'll Need to Try in 2023

It’s officially 2023 and we know that many of you have Disney World trips planned this year!

Are you headed to Disney World this year?

You’ve probably already figured out where you’re staying, what attractions you want to ride, and what activities you want to do, but have you thought about where you’re going to eat? Well, we’re going to help you by listing out the Disney World restaurants you need to try this year!

Magic Kingdom

Skipper Canteen

Okay, so way too many Disney World guests are sleeping on Skipper Canteen, although it’s one of our favorite dining spots in Magic Kingdom. Where else in this park can you experience adventurous food with a side of a Jungle Cruise theme thrown in for good measure? The servers are punny, the food is delicious, and the atmosphere will make you feel like you’re on an adventure.

We will warn you that this isn’t a place to take picky eaters, but if you want to eat a little something different than hot dogs and hamburgers in Magic Kingdom, this is your spot.

Cinderella’s Royal Table

Hear ye, hear ye! Cinderella’s Royal Table is about to become a must-try spot again in Magic Kingdom because character dining will be returning here in February 2023! That means you’ll be able to dine on a delicious prix fixe meal while meeting some of your favorite Disney princesses, including Cinderella, Aurora, Snow White, and more.

Of course, that also means you’ll want to hop on those advance dining reservations ASAP — this is about to become a very popular dining location in Magic Kingdom again.

Columbia Harbour House

If it’s quick service food you’re looking for, Columbia Harbour House might be the best fast food in Magic Kingdom. Here you can get some pretty good seafood, like a Lobster Roll, a New England Shrimp Boil, Grilled Salmon, and more.

For those who don’t like seafood, the Chicken Strips are also a pretty solid choice. It’s fast, it’s relatively inexpensive, and it’s good.

EPCOT

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall JUST reopened in late 2022, so if you have never been there, or if it’s been a while since you’ve visited, you’ll want to make a reservation in 2023! The food at this character dining experience is Norwegian-inspired, but there are plenty of American options to please picky eaters.

This is also a must for Disney princesses fans because you’ll get a chance to meet Aurora, Ariel, Jasmine, Belle, and Snow White while dining.

Garden Grill

If you’re a fan of Living With The Land and want to eat some of the food you see on that attraction, head on over to Garden Grill. The food here is the freshest you’ll find in Disney World as it’s literally grown RIGHT THERE. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet Chip ‘n’ Dale, Farmer Mickey, and Pluto.

Also, the Behind The Seeds tour recently returned to EPCOT, so if you do that tour, you’ll learn even MORE about the food you’ll be eating at Garden Grill. Again, this is another location that many Disney World guests sleep on, so getting a reservation might be a little easier than at other character dining locations.

Connections Cafe & Eatery

One of the newest dining spots in EPCOT is a quick service with plenty of good food that will please everyone in your party. Here, you can grab a variety of burgers, GOOD pizza slices, salads, and more. PLUS the cafe is a Starbucks in case you need to caffeinate.

This is also one of those rare quick service locations with plenty of seating, so if you just want to grab a snack and rest your feet, here’s your chance.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Roundup Rodeo BBQ

Andy’s backyard is about to get a brand new arena that will also serve up some barbecue fare. Roundup Rodeo BBQ is set to open in the spring of 2023, which means it will be THE place to go if you’re looking for a fun family-style table service meal.

The restaurant is themed around the idea that Andy created it using crafting supplies and lots of tape. There will be two dining rooms, featuring “surprising, playful details, like some fan-favorite Pixar characters as they’ve never been seen before.”

Fairfax Fare

If you’re looking to grab some quick food to-go, Fairfax Fare just changed its menu and now has savory waffle bowls that go beyond what you might expect from typical theme park fare.

You can choose from a Buffalo Chicken Waffle Bowl, a Korean Barbecued Pork Belly Bowl, a Barbecued Beef Brisket Bowl, and a Plant-based Soba Noodle Salad Bowl — how’s that for different?

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Satu’li Canteen

Satu’li Canteen is another unique option for food in Disney World, but if you go for anything, go for the Cheeseburger Pods. However, everything here is good, including the bowls where you can choose your own protein, base, and sauce.

Some new Avatar: The Way of Water bowls were also recently added here, too — we don’t know how long these will be on the menu, so try them while they’re available.

Nomad Lounge

Looking for the perfect place to unwind in Animal Kingdom? Nomad Lounge serves up some unique cocktails and African-inspired bites. You can also get the Tiffins Bread Service here, which we will always recommend. The menu also features Charcuterie, Fish Tacos, and Lobster Macaroni and Cheese.

If you’re looking for something sweet, the Churros here are some of the best in Disney World.

Disney World Hotels

BoardWalk Deli

There’s a new spot to grab breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, and it’s BoardWalk Deli. This used to be BoardWalk Bakery, but the menu has been revamped to include homemade bagels and breakfast sandwiches, as well as sandwiches like the Warm Pastrami Reuben and the Italian Sub.

If you were a fan of the Grilled Cheese Sandwich and Tomato-Basil Soup at the BoardWalk Bakery, don’t worry — it’s still available here.

Carousel Coffee

The BoardWalk Inn also got a new coffee shop located just off the hotel’s lobby. Carousel Coffee serves up a selection of Joffrey’s beverages, as well as a few snacks, including a Mickey Sugar Cookie, a Raspberry Danish, and the NJ Crumb Cake.

There are also some seasonal specialty coffee drinks available, like the Cinnamon Bun Frozen Blended Coffee.

The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers

The BoardWalk is ALSO getting a new pastry shop/restaurant called The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers. The shop will offer an assortment of pastries (like macarons — yum!), as well as sandwiches and an afternoon tea service.

The Cake Bake Shop doesn’t have an exact opening date yet, but it is set to open sometime in 2023.

Rosa Mexicano

Just next door to Disney’s BoardWalk is the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort, and it’s getting a new restaurant. The restaurant chain Rosa Mexicano will be opening its first location in Orlando at the hotel and will offer “an elevated fiesta dining experience, including signature menu items and award-winning margaritas.”

The restaurant will be 5,500 square feet and will feature a 30-person bar, a private dining room for up to 50 people, and a main dining room for up to 300 guests.

California Grill

So for Disney World’s 50th anniversary, California Grill has a special prix fixe menu for guests. But here’s the thing — the 50th anniversary ends in March, so will that menu remain or will it be replaced with something new?

That’s reason enough to visit California Grill, especially if we get a new menu or a return to the previous menu. Regardless, this dining spot may be a bit different than it’s been over the past few years.

So be sure to add these restaurants to your list for your 2023 Disney World trip and make those advance dining reservations as soon as you can (this is usually 60 days from the first day of your Disney World trip).