Is this popular Disney World hotel restaurant overrated?
We review EVERY Disney World restaurant — multiple times — but that doesn’t mean we don’t care about your input! From checking out your AllEars user reviews to asking you your thoughts on Facebook, we value your opinions tremendously. In fact, we currently asked you about some Disney World restaurant surprises and y’all had lots to say!
In a Facebook post, we wrote:
“You’ve probably had that moment where you walked into a Disney restaurant expecting one thing… and got something totally different. Maybe it was a ‘just okay’ spot that blew you away — or a hyped-up favorite that left you wondering what on EARTH everyone else was raving about. ?
So we’ve gotta ask: which Disney World restaurant surprised you the most (in a good OR bad way)? Was it the food? The service? The theming? Tell us your story — we love a good plot twist! ???”
Noting how your answers could affect the travel plans of anyone who reads them, y’all gave some really thoughtful responses!
Starting us off, one reader was very blunt about Steakhouse 71 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Reader Lindsey wrote, “The dining disappointment for us was Steakhouse 71. The food was nowhere near what we’ve heard people rave about.”
Our readers generally tend to like Steakhouse 71, as it currently holds an 8.61 rating out of 10 and an 84% recommendation rate on over 50 reviews. Still, that means there’s room for dissatisfaction, just like Lindsey experienced. We have also really enjoyed our experiences here in the past!
We recently did a lunch review here, and the Sea Salt-dusted Potato Brioche became one of our favorite bread appetizers! We love how light and fluffy it is! We also dug the Gourmet Grilled Cheese for its earthy and cheesy flavors, as well as the Steakhouse 71 Signature Chocolate Cake, which is one of our favorite cakes in all of Disney World.
Reader Lindsey did add, however, “The surprisingly good one was Brown Derby. It did live up to the hype!”
We concur, as we consistently praise the Hollywood Brown Derby and its famous Cobb Salad!
‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has been the subject of criticism over the past few years, and those complaints have not stopped. Reader Dianne said it used to be a favorite, but a previous visit ended in disappointment.
Over the past few years, we’ve noticed ‘Ohana’s word of mouth has become more negative, mostly for its dinner service. We get it. The atmosphere has gotten louder, some dish quality isn’t consistent (like the famous noodles), and it’s not exactly the cheapest restaurant at Disney World.
Reader Shannon was also unimpressed by Animal Kingdom’s Yak and Yeti, which we’ve usually found to immerse you in its unique setting while serving up tasty asian cuisine.
However, there were plenty of pleasant surprises as well! Reader Lori wrote, “Spice Road Table took us as walk ins and gave us firework views. The food and service was great! They even surprised us with dessert!”
We agree — this restaurant is super underrated, especially if you’re an adventurous eater and/or love Mediterranean cuisine!
Reader Carissa added, “The Liberty Tree Tavern doesn’t get enough hype! Been twice, and as of 2025 it’s the BEST table service restaurant on property in my opinion!”
We also have only good things to say about the Magic Kingdom restaurant! Serving up a Thanksgiving meal year-round, this underappreciated restaurant certainly leaves you feeling stuffed with hearty eats that will have you coming back for more, and more, and more.
Sebastian’s Bistro at the Caribbean Beach was also brought up multiple times by readers like Felicia and Amy as a positive dining experience! Reader Felicia wrote, “100/10! Delicious, amazing value, cozy, great views, a stroll from Riviera!”
This hotel restaurant is one of our favorites, and we think it should be added to everyone’s Disney World itinerary! Affordable and featuring our favorite bread pudding, Sebastian’s is a must-try Disney World dining experience.
Reader Grant also lauded Tusker House at Animal Kingdom, saying, “The food was GREAT. I would have been happy to simply have been able to find something to eat, but instead I was SO pleasantly surprised. I loved it.“
Tusker House is AWESOME! We’ve never been disappointed here, and the food is always delicious and fresh. We love how great the variety of options are here for both picky eaters and adventurous eaters alike. Also, the pricing is super fair, especially when you remember it’s a character meal!
Which Disney restaurants have surprised you? Let us know in the comments, and continue to follow us here at AllEars for all the latest from Disney World!
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What are your favorite and least favorite Disney World restaurants? Let us know in the comments!
Over the years our family has eaten at each of the restaurants you discuss here. All restaurants change every couple of years and opinions vary with those changes. Our favorites list revolves, never constant for more than two or three years. The only specific comment I will make here is that Steakhouse 71 is a moderately priced restaurant. The meals are quite good for the price. Often times restaurant hype is misinterpreted. If one is expecting a $70 steak dinner for $38, then one will be disappointed at this restaurant. The key to dining at WDW is to understand what is being offered and try to set one’s expectations accordingly.
I have eaten at Steakhouse 71 two or three times and have enjoyed the Beef Tenderloin and Filet Mignon. Maybe I am missing something special at higher priced restaurants and steakhouses at Disney, but I am just not willing to pay those prices. So, I will continue to enjoy Steakhouse 71.