They say that you eat with your eyes first. If that’s the case, then at these Walt Disney World restaurants, your meal begins before you even get to your table, thanks to some incredible, memorable views. We’re talking animals, sunsets over the water, aerial panoramas, firework spectaculars and even outer space.
Whether you’re going on a Disney date night, are celebrating something or someone special or are simply looking for a great place to eat while on vacation, read on for our list of the 18 best Walt Disney World restaurants with a view.
Looking for a view of a different kind? Disney character dining experiences allow guests to get up close and personal with some of their favorite characters. Alternatively, Disney dinner shows bring the fun with their bottomless eats and onstage entertainment.
18 Best Restaurants with a View at Disney World
At Disney World, choosing where to eat is as crucial as deciding which rides to go on and shows to see. It’s an integral part of your vacation experience. So, needless to say, if you’re hoping for a breakfast with flair, a dinner with pizzazz, then your best bet is making an advanced dining reservation for a restaurant with an unforgettable view.
Keep in mind that with such spectacular vistas, these restaurants at Walt Disney World tend to be incredibly popular, meaning it can be challenging to book a reservation, let alone join the walk-up list. So, if one of these restaurants is on your must-eat list, be sure to plan ahead and secure your table as soon as you can.
Now, without any further ado, grab your cell phone or camera (you know, for all those selfies you’ll be taking) and get ready to have a meal to remember at one of the 18 best restaurants with a view at Disney World.
Rooftop Restaurants with a Bird’s-Eye View
Without a doubt, some of the best views at Walt Disney World can be had from the loftiest heights. These rooftop restaurants offer panoramic vistas of the massive Central Florida resort along with some next-level dining, literally.
California Grill & Lounge at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Located on the 15th floor overlooking Magic Kingdom Park, California Grill is the crowning glory of the Disney Contemporary Resort. Along with stunning views of the theme park, including the Magic Kingdom fireworks, this signature restaurant serves up refined California-style cooking. It continues to be a perennial favorite among Disney World fans and foodies.
In honor of Disney World’s 50th anniversary, California Grill is offering a special 50th Anniversary Celebration Menu with dishes inspired by those offered when Magic Kingdom first opened. Unfortunately, reservations can be difficult to come by here. Fortunately, the adjoined lounge offers some select menu items and the same delightful view, but without booking a table. A dress code is required.
Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera at Disney’s Riviera Resort
The cliffsides of the European Riviera are peppered with restaurants clinging to the rockface, gazing out over the coastline below. Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera at Disney’s Riviera Resort takes its inspiration from the ingredients and dishes served there, swapping out those shoreside views for sweeping vistas of the Walt Disney World resort, including the Epcot and Hollywood Studios fireworks.
This elegant restaurant serves elevated French and Italian cuisine, including handmade pasta and an array of wines from the Mediterranean coast. Or, start your day with a creative and playful twist by going to Breakfast à la Art with Mickey & Friends, an art-themed Disney World character dining experience offering refined AM classics.
Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort has been going through a bit of a glow-up recently because of the addition of the Gran Destino Tower. Sitting atop the tower below the surrealist-inspired vaulted ceilings and a pair of olive trees, with a plate after luscious plate of Spanish tapas before you, you’d be forgiven for feeling closer to Barcelona than the Animal Kingdom Resort Area.
Perfect for a Disney World date night, you’ll find an assortment of romantic and shareable selections, from classic tapas and cheese-and-charcuterie plates to the Chef’s Signature Dinner for Two. This two-person meal is perfect for date night and stars pintxos and a hand-cut Spanish chuletón bone-in rib-eye steak made for sharing. If you time your reservation right, you can even watch the Hollywood Studios and Epcot fireworks.
Capa at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando
Tucked away in the exclusive Golden Oak community just down the street from Magic Kingdom, Capa at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando is the definition of elevated Disney dining. The pinnacle of the swanky resort, Capa dazzles with its Spanish steakhouse menu and sophisticated setting as much as its breathtaking views, making for an authentic taste of Disney luxury.
Recognized as one of the Top 100 Wine Restaurants in the US by Wine Enthusiast magazine and a AAA Four-Diamond restaurant, this stylish spot specializes in smoke-kissed prime meats (Miyazaki wagyu beef, anyone?) cooked on a wood-burning grill. Not only perfect for an adult trip to Disney World, the Young Culinarians menu at Capa even offers pint-sized versions of upscale dishes like a petite filet mignon.
Lakefront Restaurants with Water-filled Views
Florida is a swampy state, where an afternoon downpour in the summertime is virtually a foregone conclusion. But, there are also some beautiful waterfront views to be had at several restaurants overlooking some of Disney World’s lakes and rivers.
The BOATHOUSE at Disney Springs
Disney Springs is home to some of the best dining at Disney World, and, without a doubt, one of the restaurants that never fails to charm guests is The BOATHOUSE. This surf-and-turf restaurant overlooking the water dishes up coastal classics like a raw bar, fresh fish, burgers and Gibsons Heritage steaks. There’s even the Captain’s Sing-Along Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, with entertainment provided by a pair of dueling pianos.
While you’re there, be sure to check out the restaurant’s vintage Amphicars. These quirky amphibious vehicles drive straight into the water for a guided, 25-minute tour of the Disney Springs waterfront.
Paddlefish at Disney Springs
Like The BOATHOUSE, Paddlefish also offers a variety of surf-and-turf selections. Only instead of riding on a boat to see the sights, you’ll instead be dining from a steam-powered paddleboat anchored in the lake. With three levels, including rooftop (or rather, boat-top) seating and 360-degree vistas of the water and the rest of Disney Springs, it’s another delicious option for refueling after a day in the parks.
Geyser Point Bar & Grill at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney Springs is a ton of fun, but for those looking for a more subdued meal, we suggest you soak up the sunset from the banks of Bay Lake at Geyser Point Bar & Grill at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. With an open-air pool bar with a walk-up window, plenty of seating and an upscale bar menu inspired by the Pacific Northwest, you don’t just need to be splashing around in the pool to enjoy Geyser Point.
Order something rustic and filling, like roasted salmon or the bison cheeseburger with marionberry sauce, then make your way to the outdoor deck. While you’re there, don’t forget to wash it all down with a stiff drink, like a cocktail made with Idaho potato vodka or a glass of Washington State wine.
Restaurants with Views of the Disney World Fireworks
With a pyrotechnic-filled nightly spectacular at three of the four theme parks, watching the fireworks is a must for any Walt Disney World vacation. And while you could just stake your claim on a patch of concrete for an hour, we suggest you make a reservation at one of these Disney World restaurants with fireworks views.
As an undeniably magical (i.e., popular) dining experience, securing a reservation to watch the Disney fireworks from the comfort of your dinner table can be tricky. Try to make your reservation for around 45 to 60 minutes prior to the show’s start time, and plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled reservation time to check in. Not all seats offer fireworks views, so ask the cast member for a table that does. Just keep in mind that you may need to wait a while before you sit down.
‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
When it comes to watching the Magic Kingdom fireworks outside the parks, California Grill, with its rooftop views, often comes to mind first, but there are a few other places to take in the show around the resort monorail loop. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is located directly across Seven Seas Lagoon from Magic Kingdom. Aside from the resort’s beach, there’s no better place to enjoy the fireworks display than ‘Ohana.
With bottomless palate-pleasing Polynesian dishes such as pork dumplings, honey-coriander chicken wings and teriyaki beef, you’ll have more than enough to keep you busy until the show begins. Then, just take a peek outside the restaurant’s wall of windows.
Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Are you looking for something a little more refined? Narcoossee’s next door at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa serves up coastal cuisine befitting of the resort’s waterfront setting. Sitting along Seven Seas Lagoon gazing out at Magic Kingdom, this signature restaurant specializes in seafood from Florida and the rest of the world.
The restaurant is tiered, meaning you can continue to nosh on sophisticated dishes as you take in Disney Enchantment from the comfort of your table. Or, you can also catch the show from the outside deck. A dress code is required.
Spice Road Table at EPCOT’s Morocco Pavilion
With plenty of viewing locations sprinkled around World Showcase Lagoon like pixie dust, figuring out where to watch Harmonious, the new EPCOT fireworks show, can be a challenge. However, Spice Road Table is hard to beat with a front-row seat to the show – including some outside – and a menu filled with flavorful Moroccan eats.
Best of all, you don’t need to worry about trying to pick the perfect reservation time as the restaurant offers the Spice Road Table Fireworks Dining Package. For $72 per person ($31 per child), you receive a reserved spot for the show along with two small plates, a dessert platter and bottomless beverages.
Rose & Crown Dining Room at EPCOT’s United Kingdom Pavilion
If Spice Road Table sounds too adventurous, no worries – there’s another EPCOT fireworks dining package offered at the Rose & Crown Dining Room. This classic pub touts waterfront seating and British favorites like Fish & Chips and Shepherd’s Pie, along with covetable views of World Showcase Lagoon.
For $89 per person ($39 per child), the Rose & Crown Fireworks Dining Package comes with patio seating, as well as an appetizer, entrée, dessert platter and bottomless beverages.
Unique Restaurants with Memorable Views
While watching the fireworks at Walt Disney World is a quintessential experience, a few restaurants provide a meal and atmosphere that are every bit as memorable and uniquely Disney. So whether you wish to be transported to the African savanna, dive to the depths of the ocean, gaze down upon Planet Earth or simply get a different perspective on a classic EPCOT ride, these Disney World restaurants are sure to leave a lasting impression.
Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is an absolute must when it comes to resort hopping at Walt Disney World. And, it’s all because of the centerpiece of the resort: African savannas teeming with wildlife. So, stop by for breakfast, lunch or dinner to dine on African-style cooking with an Indian twist as you watch animals like giraffes and zebras roam past your window.
In the morning, try breakfast dishes with African and Indian flavors like curry-spiced potatoes and house-made, South African-style sausage. Indian-style bread service is the perfect addition to lunch or dinner and a delicious beginning to a meal of curries and tandoori chicken. For the less adventurous among you, a Sanaa Burger is also available at lunchtime.
Space 220 Restaurant at EPCOT’s World Discovery
For a meal that’s truly out of this world, go to Space 220, one of EPCOT’s newest restaurants. Using a healthy dose of Disney magic, diners are blasted 220 miles above the Earth’s surface to dine among the stars from the ultimate vantage point: a space station. Dig into delicious modern American dishes like Blue Moon Cauliflower, the Centauri Burger or salmon as you marvel at the world passing by beneath you.
Coral Reef Restaurant at EPCOT’s World Nature
Travel to an alien-like world of a different kind at the Coral Reef Restaurant. Dine on ocean-fresh seafood from around the globe at this EPCOT restaurant. With immersive views of the pavilion’s living coral reef – home to over 2,000 sea creatures – this memorable Disney World restaurant is sure to make a splash. After your salmon or mahi-mahi, end on a sweet note with The Chocolate Wave flourless cake.
Garden Grill Restaurant at EPCOT’s World Nature
Located next door in The Land Pavilion, Garden Grill Restaurant may not have the wow factor of Coral Reef Restaurant, but it’s still a charming place to eat with bird’s-eye views of the Living with the Land boat ride, a classic EPCOT attraction. Unlike the other restaurants on our list, this unique EPCOT restaurant rotates slowly as you eat, giving diners an ever-changing overlook of some of the ride scenes below.
What’s more, Garden Grill Restaurant is also a Disney character dining experience. So, not only can you look out on a lush rainforest or a quaint farmhouse, but you can also meet classic characters like Mickey Mouse and Pluto in their best farmer gear at Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Harvest Feast. Like most character meals at Disney World, Garden Grill is an all-you-can-eat affair, with some dishes even made from ingredients grown right there in the pavilion.
Quick Service Restaurants with Great Views on the Cheap
Typically, a great location doesn’t come cheap. However, these Disney World quick-service restaurants dish up tasty food and magnificent views, all at a price that’s easy on the budget. These are also excellent alternatives for diners who cannot snag a reservation at one of the dining outlets above.
Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Don’t want to pay table-service prices for a good view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks? Gasparilla Island Grill at the Grand Floridian is perched near the resort’s marina, looking out toward Cinderella Castle. This fast-food outlet offers both indoor and outdoor seating, but for the best views, you’ll want to head outside. Munch on kid-friendly American-style favorites including pizza, burgers, sandwiches, salads and macaroni & cheese.
Flame Tree Barbecue at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
From snack stands to signature restaurants, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is filled with a bounty of delicious dining options. So, it’s saying something that a quick-service restaurant continues to land near the top of the list. Flame Tree Barbecue serves up smoky meats and saucy baked beans in a shaded, open-air setting. Once you’ve grabbed your BBQ, make your way to one of the restaurant’s dining pavilions. Although there are several to choose from, all with fans for a nice breeze, our favorites are down by the water looking out towards Expedition Everest rising in the background.
La Cantina de San Angel
With lagoon-front restaurants being so in demand, dining reservations with a view for watching the EPCOT fireworks can be in short supply. Fortunately, you don’t need an advance reservation to dine at La Cantina de San Angel. Overlooking World Showcase Lagoon next to its sister restaurant with a similarly great view, La Hacienda de San Angel, this quick-service restaurant is the place to go for affordable Mexican food and front row seats to Harmonious.
Grab some tacos or empanadas, then make your way to the covered seating area to claim your table. Keep in mind that since reservations aren’t required to eat here, seating does get scarce quickly. As such, we recommend you arrive at least 90 minutes before start time for the best view.
Well, Disney foodies, that concludes our list of the best restaurants with a view at Walt Disney World. No matter what kind of atmosphere or vista you’re looking for, there’s sure to be a dining experience to match somewhere on Disney property.
While you’re visiting, make the most of your time with our 1-day plans for Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Then, set aside some food money by booking our discounted Walt Disney World tickets.
Have you tried any of the restaurants on our list? Were there any we missed? What Disney restaurants with a view are your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
