There are plenty of dining locations to experience in the Walt Disney World Resort, with everything from quick-service to full-service locations, character and signature dining experiences, and more. With so many to choose from, it’s not always easy to decide which ones to dine in. Most Guests will have their favorites, but there are also locations that you’ll eat in once before skipping them.
While we hate to write restaurants off, there are some that we’ve dined in once and won’t be returning to again. Here’s our list of Disney restaurants to dine in once before you are done!
Rainforest Cafe
Rainforest Cafe probably springs to mind when you think of themed dining. However, the Walt Disney World Resort consists of many themed restaurants that can often overshadow Rainforest Cafe. While this restaurant provides a fun dining atmosphere, the food isn’t too much to shout about.
There are two locations to choose from in Walt Disney World: one in the Marketplace at Disney Springs; and a second at the entrance to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You may want to dine at Rainforest Cafe once, but after that, we think you’ll have your fill and choose to dine elsewhere.
Be Our Guest
This dining location is beautiful in Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom Park. The theming is second to none, with each room in the Beast’s castle creating a perfect Disney dining experience. That being said, to dine in Be Our Guest is an expensive experience. While the Prix-Fixe menu includes three courses, it comes with a cost of $67 per adult. The menu is inspired by French cuisine, and lunch and dinner are served each day. Make sure to secure an advanced dining reservation if you wish to dine in Be Our Guest, as walk-in availability is limited.
We definitely recommend dining here at least once to experience the beautiful surroundings, but then you can check it off your list!
Boatwright’s Dining Hall
This dining location is the full-service restaurant at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort. Guests can enjoy a view of the Sassagoula River from an ex-boat warehouse converted into a cavernous dining hall. The menu serves up dishes inspired by the flavors of Louisiana, including Jambalaya, crispy Cajun chicken, Shrimp and Grits, and more. To finish up, Guests can enjoy Mississippi Mud Creme Brûlée and Bananas Foster Bread Pudding.
While Boatwright’s Dining Hall is an ideal place to dine if you’re a Guest of Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts who doesn’t wish to venture too far from your Resort room, we’d rather place a quick-service order at the Riverside Mill or catch the boat down to Disney Springs. Dine once to experience the Bayou cooking, but you’ll likely find you’re done with this Disney restaurant afterward.
Citricos
Located in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Citricos offers Guests a fine dining experience in a restaurant inspired by Mary Poppins Returns (2018). The menu offers Floridian cuisine that is influenced by the Mediterranean, all of which has been crafted by Chef Andres Mendoza. Citricos is the perfect restaurant to dine in for a special occasion or for those Guests who are looking for a signature dining experience without the price tag of its neighbor, Victoria & Albert’s.
Citricos offers sophisticated dining in an elegant space; however, the menu may be a little fancy for some Guests and comes with a price tag too. We recommend saving this Disney restaurant for a special occasion so that you can remember your experience before checking it off your list. After visiting once, you may choose to dine at California Grill in Disney’s Contemporary Resort in the future.
Le Cellier Steakhouse
Follow the path through the Victoria Gardens at the Canada Pavilion in EPCOT, and you’ll find Le Cellier Steakhouse. Enjoy a menu of steaks and seafood in the cozy cellar of a Canadian chateau. This is also the place to enjoy Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup and Le Cellier Signature Poutine year-round. Le Cellier is often a restaurant that requires an advance dining reservation, so make sure to secure yours ahead of visiting to avoid disappointment.
We admire the ambiance created in this signature dining location and the quality of food served up, however, we much prefer to enjoy a view of World Showcase Lagoon when dining in the Disney Park.
Tony’s Town Square
Known from Lady and The Tramp (1955), Tony’s Town Square is the place where Lady and Tramp shared their first kiss over a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs. Located at the top of Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom theme park, the restaurant serves up favorite Italian dishes in a lovely restaurant. While this is a great location to dine in if you are looking for a full-service meal during your day in Magic Kingdom Park, it’s not our first choice of an Italian restaurant in the Walt Disney World Resort. We’d prefer to dine in Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The Turf Club Bar and Grill
Looking for a restaurant with a golf course and lake view? Then this is the place to dine in. The Turf Club Bar and Grill can be found at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort. The menu features classic American cuisine in a laidback clubhouse displaying vintage equestrian memorabilia. One of the lesser-known Disney restaurants, this is an excellent spot to visit if you are looking to be able to walk-in. That being said, you may find yourself a little underwhelmed by your dining experience, just as we did. We’re glad we gave it a go, but it’s a no from us from now on.
Story Book Dining at Artist Point
This Disney restaurant’s character dining experience makes it a must-visit for most Guests. The Prix-Fixe menu serves up a fanciful dinner alongside characters from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). The atmosphere in the restaurant helps to set the ambiance perfectly, with delightful music and fairy lights hung between the trees.
The experience is a little pricey, though, making it a restaurant to visit once, and you’re done. Meeting Grumpy, Snow White, Dopey, and the Wicked Queen completes the dining experience, but otherwise, we’ll choose to visit Whispering Canyon Cafe next time. We love the interactive Disney experience you get here instead; not to forget the delicious skillets too!
Chef Mickey’s
This famous Disney dining location can be found in Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Guests can enjoy breakfast and dinner at this Walt Disney World Restaurant in the company of Mickey Mouse and friends. It’s a restaurant that’s pretty popular amongst Guests, requiring an advance reservation most days. While we think this is a great place to dine, especially during your first visit to the Walt Disney World Resort, there are other locations where we prefer to enjoy a character meal. If we’re looking for a character dining experience for breakfast, you’ll find us in Topolino’s Terrace or Cape May Cafe instead.
Have you dined in any of these restaurants and checked them off your list? Or are there some that you’re yet to try? Remember to secure a Disney dining reservation before your visit to guarantee your dining experience.