Narrowing down our favorite Disney Park restaurants to a list of five is tough. In creating the list, I needed to think about where we always return to, the memories associated with the location, and would I include a quick service restaurant. These parameters helped me narrow down our best Disney World restaurants.
I love Disney and love sharing what I’ve learned. If you are planning a Disney, I can help. Check me out at alison-wishesandwizardstravelco or email me at alison@wishesandwizardstravel.com.
Making Dining Reservations
Booking dining reservations at Disney can be done 60 days in advance. You can make them all through the My Disney Experience app or by calling Disney at (407) 939-5277. However, not knowing what the best choice is can be tricky as there are so many options. Places fill up very quickly. Don’t be surprised if you still have to wait to be seated once you arrive to the restaurant as a reservation does not mean an automatic table. We have had to wait sometimes up to 30 minutes for our table.
1.Biergarten Restaurant, Germany Pavilion EPCOT
The Biergarten has always been a must for all of us. The restaurant is designed to look like a Bavarian-style beer hall. You may feel as if you were right in the middle of Oktoberfest in Munich, complete with large wood tables, the food and steins of German beer.
We love the German food, featuring schnitzel, all types of sausages, roast chicken, salads, spaetzle (a German-style noodle), and the desserts. The adults can try some of the German beer specialties. If you can’t decide which one to try, then try a flight of 4. Some of the beer options are a bit difficult to find in the USA, like the Warsteiner Dunkel. Kids love the sodas that come in the ½ liter steins.
The best part of this restaurant is the traditional German band with clarinet, trombone, trumpet and even an accordion player. They even play a tune with an alpine horn as well as a table of bells that when played according to sound of each bell, creates a wonderful melody. There is a dance floor positioned right in front of the band. Since our kids have been little, they have gone up to dance when the band plays. Now as teens and pre-teens, they still run down to dance. It has been and still is a pleasure watching them dance to the German tunes in the Biergarten restaurant of the German Pavilion in EPCOT.
2.The Crystal Palace
The Crystal Palace, located at the end of Main Street, USA in Magic Kingdom, makes our top 5 best Disney World Restaurants for both breakfast and dinner. Walking into the restaurants, guests will immediately feel as if they’ve been transported back in time to the early 20th century. The building is designed to look like the Crystal Palace located in London’s Hyde Park, built for the World’s Fair in 1851. Walking in, you will notice how spacious and open the restaurant is. The bulbous light fixtures are made to look they are straight out of a park from early 1900’s. The interior of the restaurant also resembles an early 1900’s greenhouse. There are topiaries all around, and when you enter, you are welcomed by large tropical palms.
The Crystal Palace hosts character meals with Winnie the Pooh and pals. This makes sense as both the Winnie the Pooh poems, originally written by A.A. Milne, and the Crystal Palace are from London. My favorite character from Winnie the Pooh is Eeyore. (Funny story: I once had an Eeyore stuffed animal that I toted around Disney World when I was a kid. I accidently dropped it in the 2000 Leagues Under the Sea Ride in Magic Kingdom. I cried so hard. That ride is no longer part of Magic Kingdom and nor is my Eeyore stuffed animal.)
The food is not going to change your world; it’s institutional cafeteria food. You are going for the location and the access to characters. The breakfast has pancakes, waffles, sausages, bacon, fresh-baked pastries, and fresh fruit. Dinner is an array of salads, peel and eat shrimp, carved meats, chicken, soups, and desserts. The desserts are the best part. You can find everything from little tarts, brownies, mousse pots, cupcakes, chocolate pudding, and self-serve ice-cream with toppings.
So, if it’s not the food, why is this on the list? We’ve found that some of the character meals don’t have enough characters, and kids need to wait a long time between encounters and autographs. Here, the characters make the rounds often, and include Pooh and Friends, who are sparse in the current World of Disney. The other advantage is that, as soon as you walk out, you are in the middle of the Magic Kingdom and looking at Cinderella’s castle. And that’s a breakfast the kids will remember!
3.Chefs de France, France Pavilion EPCOT
If you can’t get to France but are longing for a traditional French bistro with French onion soup, salads topped with roasted goat cheese, or maybe boeuf bourguignon, then Disney’s Chefs de France will fulfill that craving. Located in the French Pavilion of EPCOT, Chefs de France sticks to a traditional bistro menu.
Walking in you will feel like you are in a bistro in the city of Paris. The restaurant has tiled floor, windows outlined in green, tiled ceilings, mirrored walls, and chandeliers with big round lights. The prices are a bit high (consistent with most EPCOT sit-down restaurants. my husband always opts for the escargot (snails) appetizer. The bread is excellent baguettes served with butter; we need to tell the kids to slow down each time. I go with the onion soup or the salade de chèvre (roasted goat cheese salad). Desserts are less enticing being that they are simple, fresh fruit salad or a crème brulee. I would rather get a dessert at one of the many kiosks around EPCOT. After all, who can say no to a Mickey ice cream bar?
4.San Angel Inn, Mexico Pavilion, EPCOT
Our kids love eating here because of the Donald Duck Three Amigos ride, while I like eating here because of the food and atmosphere. Walking into the Mexican pavilion you will find little kiosks selling Mexican arts, a tequila bar, a ride, and the restaurant in the back. The restaurant area resembles an a 17th century Mexican hacienda. The backdrop for the restaurant is an evening sky and a Mayan Temple, with a periodically, erupting volcano.
The menu is all recognizable but veers more towards Mexican than Tex-Mex. The tacos are served with corn tortillas, accompanied with plantains, and served with crema Mexicana and cotija cheese. If you didn’t know, Caesar salad, the ensalada césar, was created in Mexico. There are vegetarian taco options as well. Don’t miss the guacamole served with chicharrons, fried pork skins.
If your kids get a little antsy waiting for entrees to arrive, then an adult can take them to go on the Three Amigos ride in the Mexican pavilion. It’s not a long ride, but will kill time while waiting for food. Plus, you get to pass by the Mayan temple while watching Donald adventure through Mexico.
If you plan the timing right, like going for dinner a bit later, then after dinner you can secure a perfect viewing spot for the end of the evening firework show.
5.Pecos Bill Tell Tale Inn & Café- Magic Kingdom
It’s a funny thing, but every time we spend a day in The Magic Kingdom, we seem to invariably be situated in Frontierland during lunch time. By that time, we also always need a break and want to sit, rest our feet, and refuel for the afternoon. We typically don’t like to do a table-service meal for lunch. Table service meals can sometimes take upwards of 2 hours especially with a large group. However, we do like a meal that will allow us to relax for a bit.
We always end up at the Pecos Bill quick-service restaurant. Given the location, Frontierland, the food is Southwest style. The restaurant itself is rather large, but the seating areas are split up, which makes a bit cozier. Be aware, though: Arriving during lunch time, you will find it a bit difficult to find a table. If your family splits up, some order while others find a table, you may also find it hard to find the family members due to the size of the restaurant.
Disney changed the menu of Pecos Bill in 2015, and I have to say it is much better. Prior to 2015 Pecos Bill offered burgers, chicken fingers and nuggets, and Uncrustables for the kids, making it feel like a true freezer-to-fryer joint. There was a definite upgrade when Disney changed the menu. Given that the restaurant is Frontierland decorated in a Western theme, Disney fell right in step with this and started offering Southwest style food.
For more substantial food, they have fajitas and nachos. You can also get Southwest salads with corn, bean, and salsa (you can also add chicken). I always go with the fajita platter, which comes with rice and beans, carnitas, and chicken. I find that the carnitas (braised pork) are better than the chicken. It’s an easy platter to split, with four tortillas and plenty of food to accompany it. The best part of the restaurant is the toppings bar. It has a pico de gallo salsa, corn salsa, pickled jalapeños, pickles, and onions. I don’t believe they are currently offering the toppings bar due to Covid, but here’s to hoping it will one day come back.
Honorable Mentions
Tusker House, Animal Kingdom
If you are planning to spend a day at Animal Kingdom, then I recommend making a character breakfast reservation here. Make sure you do it on the early side so you can get into the park before rope drop. The restaurant is located in the same area as the Kilimanjaro Safaris and not far from Expedition Everest. If you plan it right, you can have a character experience with Donald Duck and pals, eat a filling breakfast, and be one of the first to hit the rides.
Coral Reef, EPCOT
At the Coral Reef restaurant in EPCOT, you can watch hundreds of fish and sharks swim by as you dine on specialties like mahi mahi or a good steak. The kids were amazed by the colorful fish and wanted to jump in and take a swim with all of them. It’s a good way to keep them entertained while you can relax.
Kakigori- Japanese Snow Cone Stand, EPCOT
Kakigori is the Japanese version of a snowball or snow cone (the name depends on where you live). It is shaved ice flavored with your choice of sweet syrups and condensed milk. We stumbled upon this stand one night as we were walking around the worlds. It’s a huge mound of ice topped with Japanese favors like melon syrup, and just right to cool down on a humid Orlando night.
Like It? Pin It!
I love Disney and love sharing what I’ve learned. If you are planning a Disney, I can help. Check me out at alison-wishesandwizardstravelco or email me at alison@wishesandwizardstravel.com.
This post may contain affiliate links which means that we receive a small commission if you click on a link & purchase something that we’ve recommended – at no extra cost to you. This helps us to keep our site running so we can continue to provide free content.
Lisa Manderino
I have been to 2 of your favorites. I will have to go to the other three next time!
Lori Nielsen
Biergarten was the place where I first tried a polish sausage with sauerkraut. It was delicious! I also have enjoyed Pecos Bills. Thanks for the great list!
Taquia
I love Biergarten! We haven’t tried Chefs De France yet. It’s on our list for our next visit. Great list!
Five Family Adventurers
Thank you, Prost!
Stacey Billingsley
I love dining at Disney! I’ve been to Crystal Palace, San Angel Inn, and Coral Reef, but I need to try some of the others. My family is a little picky, but I can usually convince them to try somewhere once. Germany has been on my wish list for a while. I’m hoping to try it on our next trip!
Five Family Adventurers
I hope you get to Biergarten in the Germany Pavilion, so fun.
Laura
Sounds like some great food choices!
kmf
All of these Disney restaurants look fabulous! They make every experience so perfect.
Sara
Great info! I’m taking my little one in just a few weeks- hoping to take him to the Crystal Palace!
Five Family Adventurers
It’s currently not open, so I hope it is when you go!
Missy
I think that I would enjoy them all. I would start at Coral Reef restaurant in EPCOT to view the fish.
Five Family Adventurers
It is a bit relaxing after a long day
Barbara
Great descriptions and suggestions!
heather J Jandrue
The breakfast at Crystal Palace is one of my faves. Who can resist Winnie the Pooh?
Five Family Adventurers
Love Pooh
Cindy Moore
All of these look amazing! I’d like to try the French one.
Cindy Mailhot
I haven’t tried some of these but Germany has been on my list forever!