Best dining restaurants to try, say Disney travel experts

Dreaming of dining at Disney? Our Disney travel experts weigh in on how much your time and money are worth the next time you visit the Happiest Place on Earth.

When it comes to Disney restaurants, there is something for everyone. Kids love character food, mom and dad prefer fine/signature dining. Counter-service and casual dining areas are also available. We’ll cover counter-service areas in a later article, but for now we’ll focus on Walt Disney restaurants that offer table service. Attention: If you take reservations, make them ASAP. Booking windows generally open within a 60-day window.

Below, magical vacation planner Sarah Armbruster, Laura Lyden of Pixie and Pirate Destinations, owner of On the Road Travel, LLC, and Seana Beard of Wish Upon a Star tell us about their favorite places to travel with us. Walt Disney World. In no particular order, here are the best restaurants Disney travel experts say you should try.

1. Wine Bar George

Disney Springs

“Don’t let the words ‘wine’ and ‘bar’ put you off dining here. George’s Wine Bar at Disney Springs offers an extensive menu, including many options for children. Wine lovers can enjoy over 140 wines by the glass, bottle and ounce. It’s easy to make a full meal from the small plates and boards – homemade meatballs and saganaki on fire (flaming cheese) are favorites. The skirt steak with roasted potatoes, chimichurri and vegetables serves two to four and is a great option. Reservations are recommended and can be made at winebarrgeorge.com. – Chris Cook-Leitz

2. Chef Art Smith’s Home Comin’

Disney Springs

“Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin is a great farm-to-fork restaurant in Disney Springs. Nothing compares to Chef Art’s fried chicken. I often joke that fried chicken has spoiled me. My favorite is fried chicken and donuts. And I always start with the church lady’s eggs. If you’re looking for adult drink options, you can’t beat a moonshine flight. – Laura Lyden

3. Giko – the place of cooking

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

“Honestly, it’s hard to narrow it down to my favorite Walt Disney World restaurants. Geco – The Cooking Place is a wonderful signature restaurant located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. If you are staying on Disney property other than the Animal Kingdom Lodge and are using a car, this is your best option for getting to Geico. If you don’t have a vehicle, I suggest the easiest and least stressful way to get here is a Disney minivan or other vehicle ride option.

“My favorite dish here is the seared scallops with nichovies and peanuts for the entree and the oak-roasted filet mignon with four-cheese macaroni, rainbow cauliflower and chocolate-red wine demi-glace for my entree. They also offer a variety of beers, after-dinner drinks and coffees with an African flair. Wonderful!

“Reservations for this restaurant fill up quickly, so getting in within 60 days of your 7 am EST reservation is the best option. This is a restaurant with few last-minute cancellations, so be diligent – the last few days before you want to eat here is a good time to make a last-minute reservation. You won’t be disappointed.” !Since this is a fine/signature dining table service restaurant, you’ll want to make sure you leave yourself at least an hour to an hour and a half so you don’t rush this wonderful experience.—Sarah Armbruster

4. Three Bridges Bar and Grill in Villa del Lago

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

“Three Bridges Bar & Grill at Villa del Lago is a wonderful outdoor dining option at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. This hidden gem is located in the middle of the resort’s lagoon and is accessible via three bridges that connect this delightful dining establishment. This is a great place to relax after a long day at the parks or after a conference if you’re lucky enough to have your business choose the place to hold your event. I am fortunate to be able to do both.

“This restaurant offers plenty of comfortable seating for groups to get together and enjoy. If you’re not dining in a group, there are also booths and tables to enjoy with your side or family.”

“From small shareable bites to upscale casual entrees, there are so many great choices on the Three Bridges menu. My favorite dish here is the La Fresa Lemonade, which starts with the grilled corn fritters with tortilla chips. Then for my entree I choose the pulled pork tacos with slaw, salsa verde, cotija cheese, and toasted fruit. No visit here is complete in my opinion without warm churros with chocolate sauce – perfectly childish and delicious all at the same time!

“Some may argue that this isn’t out of your way to try, but I beg to differ. If you find time to try this restaurant, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Get here early and put your name on the waiting list because they don’t take any seats. This is a popular place; In particular, there is a conference going on in Coronado Springs. If the wait is long, don’t despair. Grab a cocktail from one of the nearby lounges and enjoy one of the many lounges around the lake, or maybe take a leisurely stroll along this wonderful resort. – Sarah Armbruster

5. California Grill

Disney Contemporary Resort

“My favorite restaurants wouldn’t be complete without the California Grill. This is the signature restaurant at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. It’s a great place for a holiday dinner or simply to enjoy a great meal with one of the best views on Disney property. Really bad things about this restaurant.” I’ve never been and I’m not ashamed to say I’ve eaten here many times.The menu rotates roughly four times throughout the year, so you may not always find the same offerings on repeat visits.

“If I had to pick a favorite offering, it would be starting with the spicy dragon roll sushi, moving on to the scallops and ending with the creme brulee – perfection for me!

“Some will be lucky enough to sit at a table by the window where you can see Magic Kingdom Park and other attractions around Seven Seas Lake. One of the hidden gems of this restaurant is the view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks. If you dine at this restaurant anytime throughout the day, you can bring your receipt back to the restaurant doors to access the Observation Deck to enjoy the Magic Kingdom Fireworks Show. This is truly one of the best places outside of the Magic Kingdom to catch this beautiful fireworks display.

“Whether you’re just going for a meal or you’re going to take in the whole fireworks experience – California Grill is sure to please you either way! You’ll want to try to secure a reservation for this great Walt Disney World restaurant within your 60-day reservation window. If that doesn’t work, keep looking and hopefully something will be available a few days before your vacation starts. – Sarah Armbruster

6. Sanaa

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village

“Two words: bread service. The trip to Animal Kingdom Lodge is worth it just for Sanaa’s Indian-style bread service, which includes five different breads with a variety of dips and spreads. The salad sample is a good accompaniment to the breads, and if you like curry, there is a good choice. There is a full bar menu, and the Malawian mango margarita is a favorite.

“Sanaa is perfect for a mosqueter and the kids’ menu offers Indian-inspired and kid-friendly items. Savannah views of the sunset are an added treat at this dining spot. Reservations are recommended for breakfast, lunch and dinner.” – Chris Cook-Leitz

7. Yak & Yeti™ Restaurant

Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park

“Yak and Yeti at Animal Kingdom Park is a great place for lunch or dinner. The menu offers a large selection of Asian-inspired dishes, but the Kobe beef burger is also a great option. Pork and eggplant are two recommended starters. Korean beef, honey chicken, and teriyaki chicken are among guests’ favorites—and mine, too.

“Tip: Arrive early and ask to be seated upstairs near the window. You’ll have a great view overlooking a busy intersection in the park. Reservations are strongly recommended. – Chris Cook-Leitz

8. Eating a storybook with an artist’s score with Snow White

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

“When it comes to character dining, this reservation is not to be missed! Storybook dining at Artist’s Point with Snow White features a whimsical themed menu with something for everyone. Kids’ platters include a special jar where they can make their own buttermilk. The only thing special about this meal is the attendees.” Here are the guests – Snow White, Dopey and Grumpy. The night offers a special invitation to visit the Evil Queen herself!” – Sean Beard

9. ‘Ohana

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

“’Ohana is a must for my family on every visit. This dish is prepared family style and the first course comes soon after you sit down! Everything is delicious with the hospitality and service you get when you dine here. Our favorites are the honey-canned chicken wings and ‘ohana bread pudding. Time your reservation and you can watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks!” – Sean Beard

10. Topolino Terrace – Taste of the Riviera

Disney’s Riviera Resort in the EPCOT Resort area

“The beautiful rooftop restaurant Topolino Terrace serves breakfast and dinner. I love breakfast. It’s a non-traditional character dish but very low-key. I like to have breakfast later in the day so that I don’t have to eat lunch. The menu is prix fixe and I like to order the wood-fired butchers steak with a side of schnapps sour cream waffles. (They don’t charge extra)” – Laura Lyden

11. Sebastian’s Bistro

Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort in the EPCOT Resort area

“This is a new discovery and a new favorite for me. Sebastian’s Bistro is open for dinner only and is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The family-style, Caribbean-style dinner includes buttery house-baked rubber rolls, spiced neck salad, oven-roasted lemon chicken, mojo pork, grilled flank steak, cilantro rice and beans, vegetable curry and broccolini. Coconut-Pineapple Bread Pudding. This is one of the best prices on the property at $29 per adult. – Laura Lyden

12. Beer garden restaurant

EPCOT World Showcase

“When you’re at EPCOT, escape the crowds and head to German for lunch or dinner. This buffet restaurant has fantastic German favorites like schnitzel, a variety of sausages and spaetzle, as well as dishes for less adventurous palettes. The atmosphere here is mesmerizing as you dine in the town square while listening to live polkas and alpine horns. – Sean Beard

Related Reading:

1. 10 amazing restaurants to try in Disney Springs
2. 9 Amazing New Things at Walt Disney World The Whole Family Will Love
3. Here are the dates for 3 popular Disney Character dining experiences returning this fall.