Culinary Hidden Gems.
The best dining on all of Disney property with beautiful venues.
Walt Disney World is the place to go for a foodie, and it has some of the best restaurants in the world! I think the hidden gems for your taste buds are at the Disney owned resorts!
Most of the WDW resorts offer bars options, lounge options, Quick Service options, Table Service options (at different price points), and grab and go bakery/coffee/snack style options. Disney makes sure you never have to leave the resot if you don’t want to because they want the resorts to be an enhanced experience when visiting Disney property!
The WDW Resorts add a huge variety, and the quality of restaurants on property are second to none. These restaurants can take some maneuvering to get to, but I promise it is worth it!
$ – $14.99 and under
$$ – $15- $34.99 per adult
$$$ – $35-$59.99 per adult
$$$$ – Over $60 per adult
My Favorites
All-Star Movies Resort
These food courts have everything, so if you have a large group, there is something for everyone at the Value resorts! And you can have a great meal without having to leave the pool at the pool bar!
All-Star Music Resort
These food courts have everything, so if you have a large group, there is something for everyone at the Value resorts! The pool bar is more of a snack place, so I suggest getting food in the food court and taking it out to the pool.
All-Star Sports Resort
These food courts have everything, so if you have a large group, there is something for everyone at the Value resorts! The pool bar is more of a snack place, so I suggest getting food in the food court and taking it out to the pool. The cocktails are great at Grandstand though!
Animal Kingdom Lodge
After a day at Animal Kingdom, I recommend heading to one of these restaurants just to visit the resort with the African animals! Do not let the African-inspired flavors scare you. The servers know exactly what to recommend if you just tell them about your flavor palette. Boma is a buffet and better for kids. Sanaa is beautiful and overlooks the savannah. The bread service at Sanaa is famous! Jiko is the fanciest version of all, and the food is incredibe. Kids may not like this atmosphere as much though.
Art of Animation Resort
These food courts have everything, so if you have a large group, there is something for everyone at the Value resorts! The pool bar is more of a snack place, so I suggest getting food in the food court and taking it out to the pool.
Beach Club Resort
Beaches and Cream is home to the Kitchen Sink dessert, and it is enough for 4-6 people! Cape May Cafe has that New England feel, and it is a great option if you like that type of sea food and want a beachy atmosphere! Remember, Cape May Cafe has Minnie Mouse and friends at breakfast, but the characters do not appear at dinner!
Boardwalk
Boardwalk has some beautiful restaurants with even better food! The bars and lounges are full of well-trained bartenders to create the perfect cocktail. The ice cream and shakes at Boardwalk Ice Cream have a beachy feel because of the location! Flying Fish has some fantastic fresh fish options, and Trattoria al Forno has authentic Italian dishes tat will leave your mouth watering to top it off with their delicious desserts! There is a reason why this is one of the most luxurious resorts!
Caribbean Beach Resort
Banana Cabana has a drink called “Banana Cabana.” It is everything you ever wanted from a beach cocktail! Sebastian’s Bistro also has great citrus flavors if you want a different and very fresh taste! The pork tacos at Spyglass Grill are a hit as well and perfect by the pool!
Contemporary Resort
The original Walt Disney World resort has plenty of amazing options! California Grill is the best in this collection because it has the best view of Magic Kingdom – imagine eating dinner while watching the fireworks! The food is also delightful, and I highly recommend the crème brulee! Chef Mickey’s is the perfect place to take your kids because they can visit with Mickey and his pals while enjoying a great breakfast or an even better dinner! Outer Rim has a great bourbon selection – I recommend getting it straight. Steakhouse 71 is known as one of the best steakhouses on property, and althought the sides are a la carte, they are worth it, so grab a couple and share!
Coronado Springs Resort
Coronado Springs is breathtaking, especially the lobby area, so be sure to check this one out! These restaurants are what I like to call “fancy Mexican.” Everything is what you would expect from a Mexican establishment, but the flavors are elevated and extra fresh! I love Maya Grill for the rich flavors and great presentation, and Toledo presents seafood in a whole new way – those two are my go to!
Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Everything about Grand Floridian is fancy and will take you back to Victorian times. You don’t have to dress fancy to eat fancy, and you will eat fancy here! 1900 Park Fare is a character dining experience with a buffet everyone will love. It has everything from a kid bar to a carving station! Citrico’s is your Mary Poppins themed restaurant with delectable courses, including duck and seafood options. There is a daintiness about it that extends to the place settings! Enchanted Rose is like walking right into the study at Beast’s castle. The bartenders make eccentric Old Fashioned’s and the French creations are interesting and yummy – remember, these drinks are very expensive! Victoria and Albert’s is the most expensive restaurant on property, but it is an experience of a lifetime with all the royal treatment! If you do not want an adults only experience to break the bank, but you still want a fancy feast, try Narcoossee’s. It has a beautiful menu and is sure to impress.
Old Key West
The Gurgling Suitcase is a great place to sit back and enjoy a few drinks with appetizers to match. Olivia’s Cafe serves surprisingly good crab cakes for a Quick Service joint!
Polynesian Village Resort & Bungalows
Tonga Toast is the name of the game at Kona Cafe, and it has a huge following for that reason. They also have great sushi and sushi complements. The fish tacos at Oasis are super yummy, especially by the pool, and Tambu lounge has specialty cocktails you will love – grab the huge pineapple drink! Ohana is the best restaurant at Polynesian – it is a character dining experience with all you care to enjoy food, and the noodles and pot stickers have a following all their own. Do not miss the family feel of Ohana! I especially love the bread pudding!
Pop Century Resort
These food courts have everything, so if you have a large group, there is something for everyone at the Value resorts! The pool bar has some great options if you don’t want to get dressed and go all the way back to the food court. I love a smoothie by the pool!
Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
Mardi Grogs has yummy smoothies and snacks, and there is something for everyone at Sassagoula Floatworks. The beignets at Scat Cat’s Club are the real showstopper at Port Orleans though! They have several different styles of beignets, and each one is amazing!
Port Orleans Resort - Riverside
Boatwright’s Dining Hall has some cajun options – I recommend the boudin balls and jambalaya. River Roost is a fun options if you want some different styled appetizers to go with their neat cocktails!
Riviera Resort
Topolino’s Terrace is the best restaurant at Riviera, and it has a terrace view of Magic Kingdom! They also have characters at breakfast, and the food options are more gourmet. I recommend the scallops or lamb chops at dinner! Primo Piatto has some yummy soups, and the pizzas are wonderful by the pool! Don’t forget to grab a couple pastries from Le Petit Cafe, and their breakfast croissants are perfect before a long day at the parks!
Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
The totchos at The Artist’s Palette are great if you want a heavy snack, and I loved the quesadillas at Chip n Dale’s. If you want a healthier option, try the salads or tacos at The Paddock Grill. Turf Club is your steakhouse, and they cook the meats perfectly based on your preferences.
Wilderness Lodge
Geyser Point is one of the best pool bars because it has a ton of food options. Roaring Fork has some really heavy options if you are super hungry and do not want to have a full sit down meal. Try the salmon flatbread or loaded mac and cheese at Territory Lounge for some different flavors, and if you are super hungry, you cannot beat Whispering Canyon Cafe for their signature skillets topped off with a giant milkshake! The real winner here is Storybook Dining at Artist Point because you get to hang with Snow White and friends. I love the experience here and the drink selections, but the food at Whispering Canyon is better.
Campsites at Fort Wilderness
The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is a great time, but the food is just okay to me. I prefer the snacks at Crockett”s Tavern or Trail’s End, and the s’mores at The Chuck Wagon are a perfect campfire snack!
Yacht Club Resort
Ale and Compass has some great drink options if you like dark liquor, and it is a great place to hang out and enjoy an evening. Crew’s Cup Lounge has the best breads, and the offerings are all yummy in their own way, especially paired with one of the flights. Yachtsman Steakhouse really goes all out on their meat quality, so you can’t go wrong here either.
WDW Dolphin Hotel
I love Cabana Bar because of the lighter options. All have tasty flavors! Picabu is a great place for breakfast, but grab a picabu bowl if you are super hungry for protein options! Shula’s Steakhouse has great options, but it is pricey, and they have Shula’s around the USA, so it is not unique to Disney. I really prefer Rosa Mexicano for the special guacamole – you can get it however you want! Todd English’s bluezoo is good, but it is nothing special to me.
WDW Swan Hotel
Il Mulino has some exquisite Italian dishes, especially the flavorful sauces and dips in their cuisine! I also really like Kimonos if you want some upscale Asian options, and Java is great if you want a pastry with your coffee.
WDW Swan Reserve Hotel
The hummus and flatbreads are excellent quick options at Stir, and Tangerine has really good guacamole. Swan Reserve has some pretty good options, but Swan and Dolphin Hotel are a bit better, so it is worth the trip to those instead.
Customize Your Taste Buds!
