Magical Dining: The Best Restaurants at the Walt Disney World Resort

With four amazing theme parks, more than 25 hotels & resorts and one of the area’s largest shopping dining and entertainment districts in the State of Florida, you can bet there are a number of great restaurants at the Walt Disney World Resort.  

Many of these dining experiences are located not only within the theme parks or at Disney Springs, but some of the best are located at a number of the resort hotels.

In this article we share our list of the best restaurants throughout Disney World. While everyone as different tastes, especially when it comes to food, your list may vary but we built our list based on those on-site restaurants that serve the highest quality food in a distinctive setting. 

While several of the Endless Summer favorites did not make the cut, we believe that those on our list stand above the many dining options at Walt Disney World.

Victoria & Albert’s

Victoria & Albert’s is one of the most well known fine dining experiences at Walt Disney World.  Located within Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, this amazing restaurant has been a AAA Five Diamond Award winner since 2000.

This signature dining restaurant has classic Victorian décor and serves a prix fixe menu that begins at $295.00 per person, with optional wine pairings from $155.00 per person and zero proof pairings from $115.00 per person. The menu changes often, so treat the courses below as an example.

• First Course: Imperial Caviar with Alaskan King Crab
• Second Course: New Zealand Lagoustine
• Third Course: Glacier 51 Toothfish and Nantucket Scallops
• Fourth Course: Maple-glazed Manchester Quail
• Fifth Course: Texas Wild Boar
• Sixth Course: Australian Kobe-style Beef
• Seventh Course: Selection of Cheese, Vanilla Gelato with Plum Compote & White Chocolate
• Dessert Course: Trinitario Chocolate Mousse and Avocado Gelato

The restaurant features over 700 wine selections with 4,200 bottles in its cellar.  There are a number of rare vintages that will appeal to every aficionado. 

Open exclusively for dinner service, reservations are required and can be made up to 60 days in advance.

STK Orlando

Located in the heart of Disney Springs, STK Orlando is one of the finest steakhouses within Walt Disney World.  This Disney “Signature Dining” restaurant is among the very best at Disney Springs and features a DJ in the main dining room, indoor fire pit lounge and an outdoor rooftop terrace.

Fine steaks include the 14 oz. dry-aged Delmonico ($104.00), the 6 oz. Japanese Wagyu A5 Spinalis, the 10 oz. filet ($67.00) and the 16 oz. cowgirl ribeye ($92.00).  Other entrees including Maine lobster linguini ($62.00), Chilean sea bass ($54.00) and free range chicken ($46.00).  In addition to the main menu, the restaurant offers a raw bar menu as well as includes a large selection of beer, wine and specialty cocktails.

STK Orlando is open for both lunch an dinner service and starts at 11:00 AM.  Brunch is also service on weekends and there is a late night menu from Thursday through Saturday starting at 10.00 PM.

Todd English’s bluezoo

Located on the ground floor of the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel is Todd English’s bluezoo.  This Disney Signature Dining restaurant specializes in seafood and has an award winning wine list.

Entrees include bluezoo’s simply fish which changes daily ($37.00), lobster bucatini ($35.00), linguine con vongole ($28.00), angus beef ($55.00) and steamed pumpkin nudi ($26.00).  Starters include Peking duck birria tacos ($23.00), tuna poke tacos ($21.00) and teppan seared sea scallops ($23.00).  A children’s menu is offered as well as a variety of beer, wine and specialty cocktails.

Bluezoo is open for dinner service which starts at 5:00 PM and advanced reservations are highly recommended.

California Grill

Guests dining at the California Grill enjoy one of the best views in all of Walt Disney World.  Located on the 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, this Disney Signature Dining restaurant overlooks the Seven Seas Lagoon and the Magic Kingdom Park.

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World, the restaurant is offering a specialty 3-course tasking menu that costs $89.00 per adult and $39.00 per child (plus tax and gratuity).  The menu offerings are as follows:

• Market Inspirations: sushi classics trio, lobster & parsnip bisque, heirloom apple salad, braised beef short rib wontons, artisanal-style Duck A’ L’ Orange pizza, and a cascade roll.
• Chef’s Journey: filet of beer, Florida black grouper, pork tenderloin, 35 oz tomahawk rib-eye for two, wild Alaskan halibut, Plancha-seared chicken and wild mushroom ravioli.
• Sweet Creations: “5 Magical Bites 50 years in the Making”, valrhona chocolate torte, California cheeses, “EARidescent Grand Mariner Creme Brulee”, and lavender sugar doughnuts.

The California Grill is open daily for dinner service from 3:30 PM to 10:00 PM and reservations are highly recommended.  If possible, try to time your reservations for the Magic Kingdom fireworks show.

Cinderella’s Royal Table

One of the most exclusive dining experiences at Walt Disney World is Cinderella’s Royal Table.  Guests dine on American cuisine in the banquet hall within Cinderella Castle which is the park icon of the Magic Kingdom.  

A price fixed menu is offered for breakfast ($42.00 per adult / $27.00 per child), lunch and dinner ($62.00 per adult / $37.00 per child).  Dinner entrees include Tenderloin of Beef, When Will My Life Begin Chicken & Pasta, Sustainable Catch En Papillote, Magic Carpet Ride (Pork) and Chickpea Panisse. Kids entrees include fish, chicken nuggets, beef tenderloin and macaroni & cheese.

Cinderella’s Royal Table opens for guests at 8:00 AM – reservations are highly recommended.  If you have breakfast reservations prior to the park opening time, your dining party will get to walk along Main Street without any other guests.  The Endless Summer family did this once and it was quite the experience.

Monsieur Paul

Located on the second floor above Les Chefs de France in the France Pavilion within Epcot’s World Showcase, Monsieur Paul is inspired by world renowned French chef Paul Bocuse.  This Disney Signature Dining experience is one of the best not only at EPCOT but also throughout the Walt Disney World Resort.

The $175.00 “Gastronomic Meal of the French” features a choice of three courses plus a choice of dessert. The courses are indicated as follows:

• First Course: Oxtail Broth with Braised Beef or Poached Lobster
• Second Course: Red Snapper or Seared Scallops
• Third Course: Beef Tenderloin or Chicken with Morel Cream Sauce
• Dessert Course: A variety of ice cream / sorbet / Meringue or Chocolate Almond Cake

French artisan cheeses and Beaujolais sorbet is also part of the dining experience.

Monsieur Paul is only open for dinner service and is one of the few restaurants within Walt Disney World that has a dress code. 

Jiko – The Cooking Place

Jiko – The Cooking Place is located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. This Disney Signature Dining restaurant features a variety of African, Indian and Mediterranean fare in a well designed setting with an open kitchen.

Entrees include Moroccan Lamb Shank ($47.00), Botswanan Seswaa Short Rib ($50.00), Oak-grilled Filet Mignon ($54.00) and Seafood Tagine ($49.00). In addition to the entrees, there area number appetizers as well as includes a large selection of beer, wine and specialty cocktails.

Jiko is open for dinner service starting at 5:00 PM and reservations are highly recommended.  After dining, guests should walk around the grounds of resort as they will find more than 30 species of African wildlife.

Il Mulino

Il Mulino is among our favorite Italian restaurants at Walt Disney World. Located in the Walt Disney World Swan in the EPCOT Resort area, this Disney Signature Dining restaurant features not only individual meals, but parties of four or more can opt for “family style” dining.

Entrees include Rigatoni con Funghi ($26.00), Spaghetti Al Frutti di Mare ($34.00), Risotto Al Frutti di Mare($35.00), Pollo Parmigiana ($30.00), Bistecca Rib-Eye ($47.00), Medaglione di Filetto ($55.00), Cernia ($36.00), Costoletta Di Vitello ($41.00), Vitello Parmigiana ($38.00) and Gamberi Francese ($35.00).  The restaurant offers a children’s menu and includes a large selection of beer, wine and specialty cocktails.

Il Mulino is open for dinner service starting at 5:30 PM and reservations are highly recommended.  

Shula’s Steak House

Shula’s Steak House is another Disney Signature Dining restaurant that specializes in fine steaks and chops.  Located in the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel in the EPCOT resorts area, Shula’s restaurant is themed after Miami Dolphins’ Coach Don Shula and the team’s 1972 “Perfect Season”.

Fine steaks include the 16-oz Prime New York Strip ($70.00), the 24-oz Black Angus Porterhouse ($65.00), the 12-oz Filet ($71.00), the 42 oz- Prime Tomahawk ($155.00) and the Coaches-cut Prime Rib ($51.00).  Additional entrees include Maryland style Crab Cakes ($44.00), Norwegian Salmon ($37.00) and a daily fresh fish.  Kids entrees are limited and include chicken breast ($14.00) and a cheeseburger ($9.00). There is also a large selection of fine wines, beer and specialty cocktails.

Shula’s Steak House is open for dinner service starting at 5:00 PM.

Be Our Guest Restaurant

Be Our Guest Restaurant is one of the most popular dining venues in Walt Disney World.  Located at the base of Beast’s Castle in the Magic Kingdom, guests will a regal dining experience in three highly themed dining areas: The Grand Ballroom, The West Wing and The Castle Gallery.

A three-course price fixed menu ($62.00 per adult or $37.00 per child ages 3 to 9) features American Cuisine.  Entrees include a Herb-salted Port Tenderloin, Vadouvan Spiced Vegetables, Poulet Rouge Chicken, Market Fresh Fish and a Center-cut Filet Mignon.  The children’s menu includes Grilled Beef Tenderloin, House-made Macaroni & Cheese and Pan-seared Chicken Breast.  Along with the entree, the meal includes an appetizer and dessert.

Be Our Guest Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner service starting at 10:00 AM.  Reservations are highly recommended.

Morimoto Asia

Morimoto Asia is a Pan-Asian dining experience which is lead by Chef Morimoto of Iron Chef America.  Located in Disney Springs, this Disney Signature Dining Restaurant offers Chinese, Japanese and Korean in a massive two-story dining room  with an exhibition kitchen.

Entrees include Mongolian filet mignon ($59.00), beef lo mein noodles ($25.00), Morimoto Gomoku fried rice ($31.00), orange chicken ($32.00), Morimoto Peking duck ($72.00), sushi & Sashimi, small plates and Dim Sum. In addition to the main menu, there is a children’s menu as well as a large selection of beer, wine and specialty cocktails.

Located in The Landing section of Disney Springs, Morimoto Asia is open for lunch and dinner service starting at noon.