My Best Friend Wants to Eat Like a Disney Expert, So I Sent Her These 19 Restaurants

One of the best parts about working at AllEars is that I get access to ALL the latest Disney news and get to write about it to share with all of you, BUT I also get the chance to share it with my friends and family who may be taking trips soon!

And that’s LITERALLY happening this week — my good friend is on her way to Disney World later this week with her family, and while I’m sad she’s not making room in her suitcase to kidnap me and bring me along, I wanted to make sure she eats at all the RIGHT restaurants on her vacation. Here’s the list of the BEST restaurants in Disney World that I sent to her!

Now listen, we have our official recommendations here on AllEars that are a combination of all of our thoughts, and most of them I agree with. But me? I’m a picky eater, and while my friend is more adventurous than I am, she’s not into fancy meals either. Even if you’ve been to Disney World before, o I put together this list for her so she’ll never have to second guess where to go on this trip!

She found this very helpful, so now I’m sharing JP’s Ultimate Guide to Disney World Restaurants with you too!

Magic Kingdom

Starting with none other than Magic Kingdom, the OG Disney World park, my first recommendation seems basic, but it’s NOT. It’s a STAPLE. Go grab yourself a Cinnamon Roll from Gaston’s Tavern!

It’s MASSIVE, meaning it’s shareable, which helps you save money. Or, if you’re me, you can eat it by yourself and not be hungry for several hours, which ALSO saves money! It’s a win-win — if you’re a fan of sweets, ignore every single other cinnamon roll and run straight for this one (oh, and extra icing is worth the cost).

If you’re looking for the ultimate quick service restaurant, it’s Columbia Harbour House, end of story.

It’s EXTRA impressive that I’m recommending this because I hate seafood. So much so that I refuse to eat it, actually, AND YET this restaurant has something for everyone. I grab chicken fingers when I’m here and am happy as a clam (pun very much intended), but the rest of your party has a bit more variance of options compared to other quick service restaurants.

As for a table service restaurant in Magic Kingdom, this park really isn’t known for great sit-down meal options that are worth the money, BUT if you’ve got adventurous eaters in your party, the whole AE team recommends Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen!

While this one is a little too adventurous for me, maybe I’ll work up to it someday. Some of my friend’s family members have less picky tastebuds, so I still think this is a great recommendation for most parties.

But my personal table service meal recommendation is Liberty Tree Tavern — Thanksgiving dinner WHENEVER YOU WANT!

I’ve eaten here once and was obsessed. Someone take me back. ?

EPCOT

Ah EPCOT. It’s known for being the best park for dining, and I don’t disagree! For a table service spot, I find myself going back to Sunshine Seasons on nearly every trip.

The term “there’s something for everyone” really comes to life here, and I love that. There are options for picky eaters like me, options that will appease the family members who want something a little more interesting, and options in between too!

But if you’re looking for an AMAZING table service character meal that won’t completely shatter your budget, the team and I absolutely recommend Garden Grill!

Not only is the family-style meal here great quality at all meal times, but you get to meet some of your favorite Disney characters MULTIPLE times! Mickey and his friends usually each come around to your table numerous times, and we love that you really feel like you’re getting your money’s worth. Also, you look out over into Living With The Land — there’s nothing better!

However, I can’t leave out Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. If you’re like my friend and Disney-bounding as some of your favorite Disney Princesses, this is an absolute must!

Many Disney World fans agree that this is the BEST table service Princess dining experience in all of Disney World, and I totally agree! It’s a HUGE restaurant and you get to meet so many of your favorite characters. Plus, we haven’t been disappointed by the food, which is, of course, the main point of the meal. (That’s a lie, the main point is definitely the Princesses.)

Another AllEars favorite that I had to include is over in the France pavilion. It’s Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie!

This restaurant transports you to a French bakery and has so many different choices from savory to sweet. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu so it had to be on this list!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios is hard because while it’s my favorite park, I’m well aware that most of the dining options here are severely lacking. However, I do love Ronto Roasters!

Getting a Ronto Wrap is a big must-do anytime I’m in Disney World (not the breakfast one though, only the lunch version!) and I think everyone’s gotta try one at least once. They even have a vegetarian option if you don’t eat meat.

However, I also think Docking Bay 7 is TOTALLY underrated in this park too! It just so happens that the two I’m recommending are in the same area of the park, but even a picky person like me can appreciate the quality and variety in this restaurant.

If you want a meal that’s unique in the best way and FILLING, this is the place to check out!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

In many ways, Animal Kingdom rivals EPCOT when it comes to the food options, and it might actually beat it out in my opinion! I practically begged Aspen to make sure she stopped at Flame Tree Barbecue so I could live vicariously through her.

I finally got a chance to dine here earlier this year (aka I was finally brave enough to step out of my comfort zone) and now I crave the Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese at least once a week. It’s familiar enough for pickier tastebuds while also adding in some different flavors and ingredients subtly!

Over in Pandora, Satu’li Canteen is also a fantastic place to go if you’re looking for some more adventurous eats!

I, however, come over here for one reason and one reason only — the Cheeseburger Pods (no one is surprised). They’re like a McDonald’s cheeseburger in a fluffy bao bun and that’s so wonderful I find it slipping into my dreams sometimes (I’m aware of how sad that is, you don’t have to tell me). But there are also tons of other options here that can be a great source of protein while you’re busy running around the parks at full speed!

If you’re looking for a place to chill with some great dining options, put yourself on the walkup wait list for Nomad Lounge and get ready for a great time.

This, to me, is perfect for when you need a break on your vacation but don’t want to feel like you’re wasting time — seriously, everyone needs to try it at least once!

While my friend is more focused on dining in the parks, I did want to give some additional quick recommendations! Disney World hotels have so many fantastic restaurants spread out all over, but some of my favorites are:

• Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (a staple and right on the Magic Kingdom Resort Monorail line!)
• Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort (a fantastic character dining breakfast right on the Skyliner route)
• Kona Cafe at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (LISTEN, this Tonga Toast? Put a ring on it, most of the team is obsessed — plus you can get a vegan version that tastes almost identical!)

And over in Disney Springs, some of the best places to go are:

• Chickey Guy! (y’all this is my KRYPTONITE — I am unhealthily obsessed with this place. It’s JUST chicken…but it’s good chicken)
• Wine Bar George (I don’t drink personally, but this is a classy place to grab a glass of wine and have a bite to eat — especially for a date night!)
• Homecomin’ (the ultimate breakfast spot if you’re looking for heavy, comforting, Southern-style breakfast! Their lunch/brunch is also fantastic — just be ready to feel a little sluggish for a hot second afterward)

The whole AllEars team is always here to bring you the latest and greatest Disney World news and recommendations, so stay tuned to AllEars!

I Used to IGNORE This Disney World Perk. I’ll Never Make That Mistake Again.

What restaurant would you add to this list? Tell me in the comments below!

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