Best Disney World Restaurants in 2020

If you are looking for the best Disney World restaurants to visit in 2020, you have certainly come to the right place. When it comes to visiting Disney World, we often get so consumed on our vacation with all of the attractions we are going to visit and all of the rides that we are going on, so much so that we forget about where we are going to eat! The good news is that there are lots of great restaurants in and around Disney World.

In fact, you have 200 places to choose from, including 90 full-service restaurants. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best Disney World restaurants.

San Angel Inn

We cannot talk about the best restaurants at Disney World without mentioning what is possibly the best-themed restaurant design in all of Disney World. When dining at this table-service restaurant, you can expect to enjoy a romantic and dark waterfront dining experience next to a massive Mayan pyramid.

It feels like you are under the stars outside of a small Mexican town, with boats floating by quietly, filled with riders on the nearby Gran Fiesta Tour. If you let the staff know that you are celebrating a special occasion, they will seat you right next to the water. And, of course, what’s not to love about Mexican food?

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater

With an amazing retro/sci-fi atmosphere, this restaurant is on one of the less-traveled walkways in Hollywood Studios. You can watch old movies while dining in a car. Why not have a bit of peace and let your children have their own car? The menu is a la carte, with everything from shrimp to pasta to hamburgers on the menu. It is also one of the cheaper places to eat while at Disney World, which is always a plus!

This is a very family-friendly place to dine; where kids can have a great experience as they watch some cartoons and eat their meals.

The food isn’t extraordinary by any means but the atmosphere is really cool.

Artist Point

This is one of the most unique restaurants to visit at Disney World that offers storybook dining. You do not need a park ticket to go to this restaurant, as it is located inside of the Wilderness Lodge at Walt Disney World. You can expect exciting and unique dishes while enjoying a three-course meal here.

In addition to having amazing dishes, such as a truly delicious vegetarian dish that features butternut squash, arugula, and gnocchi to butter-poached Snapper, the presentation of the dishes are incredible. The trio of desserts is pretty incredible, boasting a poison apple theme. Not only will you get to enjoy a true feast for your tastebuds, but you can visit the Evil Queen herself. 

Victoria & Albert’s

If you are looking for a fine dining experience while at Walt Disney World, this is one of the best Disney World restaurants to incorporate into your trip. However, do not expect to simply roll in straight from the parks, as women are expected to wear a skirt with a blouse, fancy pantsuit or a nice dress while men need to wear dinner jackets. You can expect to spend a few hundred dollars on a meal for two here, and it is worth noting that children under ten years of age are not permitted.

Victoria & Albert’s has won many awards in the dining industry and for several years was named the top restaurant to dine at in the United States. While there is a dress code, guests will find a very comfortable and relaxed environment. I highly recommend participating in the Chef’s Table experience where you’ll meet and talk with the chef one on one about each of your dishes.

Victoria & Albert’s requires advanced reservations which I talk about below.

Chef Mickey’s

If you are looking for a character dining restaurant that provides a good combination of kid-oriented fun and tasty food, this is probably one of the best Disney World restaurants to consider. Not only will your kids be occupied here, but the food tastes great and there are healthier options as well. You will find this restaurant inside the Contemporary Resort, offering buffet-style breakfast, brunch, and dinner.

If you only go to this restaurant once, we recommend going for brunch. There is everything from salmon and pot roast to bacon and eggs. The iconic Mickey waffles are a must, of course! While you are enjoying your food, Goofy, Pluto, Donald, Minnie, and Mickey are there to keep your children mesmerized and sign autographs. They love a good dance too! 

‘Ohana

One of the best Disney World restaurants outside of the parks is ‘Ohana. You will find this restaurant at the Polynesian Village Resort. The Hawaiian-themed restaurant provides family-style dining, with Lilo and Stitch providing breakfast visits, as well as the famous Mickey Mouse and his friends donning Hawaiian shirts, of course.

You do not need park admission in order to visit this restaurant. It is also reasonable in price. If you want to see all of the characters, you will need to get there for breakfast. However, dinner at this restaurant is also a lot of fun, as there are evening fireworks, music, and a fun parade.

There are some really delicious dishes on the menu as well, including teriyaki noodles, sweet-n-sour chicken, pork dumplings, and ‘Ohana pineapple-coconut bread. We definitely recommend finishing off your meal with ‘Ohana Bread Pudding à la mode topped with caramel sauce and bananas.

Satu’li Canteen

If you are more concerned with the food you are going to be eating than the theme of the building, this is a great spot, which we highly recommend. It’s excellent for anyone who is looking to save a bit of money or eat healthily while on vacation. It is situated next to Avatar Flight of Passage in the Animal Kingdom and it promises fast service, affordable food, and most importantly, a great meal.

The fish, chicken, and beef bowls are cheap and fast, so if you’re starving after a day exploring the park, you won’t have to wait long here. One of the best dishes on the menu is the blueberry cream-cheese mousse, so we definitely recommend trying this if you have any room for dessert. 

Cítricos

Cítricos has become a favorite dining spot for a lot of people who visit Disney World. It is situated next to the fancy Victoria and Albert’s restaurant and it delivers inspired Mediterranean fare. When compared with the fine dining establishment next door, the food here is a lot cheaper and the atmosphere is less formal.

It is a lively and colorful place, with supreme attention give to the food and the way it is presented. Some of the signature dishes include quinoa and Provençale ratatouille, which comes with tomato confit and a chickpea sauce, as well as beef short ribs braised in red wine and served with polenta.

In terms of appetizers, some of the highlights on the menu are the pork belly served with a chermoula sauce, as well as the crisp arancini enhanced with smoked tomatoes.

Cinderella’s Royal Table

Many people looking for the best Disney World restaurants will be interested in enjoying a themed dining experience. Served in the iconic Cinderella Castle, Cinderella’s Royal Table provides a unique dining experience. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner here. Most people will agree that the food is better in the evening as well, with everything from pan-seared chicken to braised pork shank.

Of course, it is not all about the food at Cinderella’s Castle. Once you are inside the castle, you will have a photo opportunity with Cinderella herself, along with a magic sword or wand for your little ones once you are seated.

A lot of Cinderella’s friends will stop by your table while you enjoy your meal, including Rapunzel, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Jasmine. All of the actors own their roles and they are very engaging, personable, and warm. This is certainly a great restaurant for young children, providing them with special memories they will remember for a lifetime. 

Flying Fish

As the name suggests, you can expect delicious seafood when visiting this restaurant at Disney World resort. However, you won’t get the old-school, crumb-crusted fish here. Instead, you can enjoy seasonal and creative entrees, which are prepared in an open kitchen at the restaurant. The accompaniments are just as exciting as well, including the likes of roasted fennel, leek fondue, and heirloom radish.

If you are not a fan of fish, don’t worry; you won’t need to sit with an empty plate!

There are a lot of non-seafood options on the menu as well, including buttermilk-marinated chicken, a half rack of lamb, and filet mignon. If you are someone who likes to wash their meal down with a nice glass of win, you will be spoilt for choice here, as the wine list is extensive.

The wine on offer can be paired with the main dishes, as well as the menu of artisanal cheeses that is available.

You can really make an occasion of it as well, as AbracadaBar is opposite this eatery. AbracadaBar is one of the coolest places to get a drink at Disney World, as there are so many exciting concoctions for you to choose from. We definitely recommend stopping here for a couple of drinks once you have finished your delicious meal at Flying Fish. 

Via Napoli

Another restaurant in Epcot, Via Napoli has long been one of the favorites with diners since it opened. If you want to enjoy authentic Italian food, this is the place to go. One of the great things about this restaurant is that if you have forgotten to make a reservation, you can often find that you will be able to squeeze in at the last minute, which isn’t the case for most restaurants at Disney World. 

California Grill

Another one of the best Disney World restaurants is California Grill. This is perfect if you are looking for a fancy restaurant yet not quite on the level of Victoria & Albert’s restaurant. You will check-in for this meal at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, on the second floor. However, the actual dining area is on the 15th floor.

This means you get an amazing view of the Magic Kingdom and all of the resorts around it. Plus, the fireworks and sunset add that extra wow factor to your dining experience. While there is a dress code here, it is not as strict as Victoria & Albert’s restaurant. You can wear jeans, so long as they are in good condition. However, do be aware that men are asked to wear collared shirts. There are lots of tasty and exciting dishes on offer here as well.

The menu is inspired by the Pacific coast, with some delicious fresh foods and flavors to enjoy. Examples include rack of lamb, oak-fired Angus filet, yellowfin tuna, goat cheese ravioli, sashimi, and sushi. 

Jiko – The Cooking Place

Next, we have Jiko, which is located in the Animal Kingdom Lodge at Disney. If you are looking for an exotic fare, you will struggle to find a better restaurant than this. The inspiration for the restaurant comes from Africa. Of course, Africa is a big and varied place, and this is definitely reflected in the menu that is on offer.

The menu changes depending on the season, yet some of the popular and delicious meals you may be able to enjoy include seared ostrich fillet with spiced chickpeas, Swahili curry shrimp with coconut rice, and seared maize pudding with chakalaka (a spicy South African relish). You won’t get the typical theme park burgers and fries here, that’s for sure!

It is not only the food that is impressive at Jiko, as there is a great selection of wines from South Africa as well. Plus, if you are a tea fan, you are going to be in heaven, as there is even a specialty teas menu, which features a number of blends from Africa. 

Sanaa

Another restaurant that we highly recommend is Sanaa, which can be found at the Kidani Village. You may think that this is another African-inspired restaurant by looking at photos of the place, as the decor is very much African-themed. However, the food does not merely take you on a tour of Africa, as it has just as many Indian influences as it does African.

It is a clever hybrid menu that fuses the two cuisines together in an incredible manner. This means your main African-inspired Biryani rice dish can be teamed with delightful naan bread for a wonderful fusion.

This restaurant is also a great choice for lunch meals, with a lighter menu available. From a South African sausage sandwich to a pulled pork sandwich served with Kenya coffee barbecue sauce; there are many options.

Or, if you would prefer, why not visit Sanaa for breakfast instead? One of the most popular breakfast options is the eggs topped with tomato chutney and served with a coconut Johnny Cake. You can expect a funky chic atmosphere here, with big windows that look over the savannah, delivering amazing views of animals like giraffes and zebras. 

Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood

This restaurant only opened in 2019, and it definitely had to feature on our list of best Disney World restaurants for 2020. Here you will get to enjoy tapas, which has been inspired by Spain, as well as seafood and steak.

There are some really mouth-watering dishes on the menu, which instantly resulted in Toledo being one of the most talked-about eateries at Disney World.

Some of these dishes include scallops served with roasted carrots, olives, harissa vinaigrette, fava hummus, and yogurt powder, as well as the Chuletón, a 28-ounce bone-in rib-eye for two.

While the food is reason enough to visit this restaurant, there are a lot of other great reasons to come to Toledo, including the stunning views that you can enjoy from the dining room, as it has a stunning rooftop setting.

The name Toledo actually comes from a city in Spain, and so you cannot only see the Spanish inspiration in the food but also the restaurant itself. The ambiance is very much a vintage one, recalling the writers and artists that flocked to the city in the ‘20s and ‘30s.

Le Cellier Steakhouse

Before we delve deeper into this amazing restaurant and everything that it has to offer, let us tell you one thing: you will definitely need to make a reservation as soon as possible! This is because Le Cellier is one of the most popular restaurants at Disney World.

The food here is ample and hearty, with some delicious signature dishes, including a filet mignon served with mushroom risotto, truffle-butter sauce, and asparagus-tomato relish, which is to die for.

There are also some more adventurous dishes on the menu if you are someone who likes to try something new. We would definitely recommend the Cocoa Coffee-crusted Venison Osso Bucco, which is served with herb polenta and eggplant and squash caponata. What about dessert? Well, if you have room for it, we highly recommend the Maple Crème Brûlée.

If you are more of a starter person, the Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup, which includes bacon and beer – two of the favorite pastimes of the nation – is definitely one of the most popular appetizers on the menu.

The theme here is cool as well. It is welcoming, with a cool wine cellar theme, making it a good place to get away from the humidity and heat that is so commonplace in Florida.

Tiffins

Tiffins provides one of the most incredible restaurant experiences you will encounter while at Disney World. The menu here is adventurous and diverse, including influences from South America, Asia, and Africa.

Appetizers include black-eyed pea fritters that temper the heat of a peppadew purée with the cool accompaniment of a yogurt sauce, as well as grilled octopus, which is charred to perfection and served with saffron aioli.

For the entree, we cannot recommend the Ethiopian coffee butter-infused venison loin enough. Don’t be surprised by the jet-black appearance of this dish – it is not burnt! In fact, it is served with delicious leek ash.

The common areas and dining spaces at this restaurant are decorated with fascinating indigenous art, artifacts, and sketchbooks, which have been gathered by the incredible brains behind the Animal Kingdom. 

Be Our Guest Restaurant

Be Our Guest has to be mentioned on the list of the best Disney World restaurants. After all, you are going to be transported to the world-famous Grand Ballroom from the film Beauty and the Beast. Who hasn’t dreamed of dining in a room like this? The well-crafted, whimsical, and striking theme is enough to draw you in, and the food does not disappoint either.

The dishes have been inspired by France; a nation that really knows its food! One of the standout dishes is the Marseilles-style mussels and layered ratatouille on quinoa. Interesting fact: this was the first restaurant in the Magic Kingdom whereby you could order alcohol.

Nowadays, there are a number of other restaurants in the park whereby adult drinks can be enjoyed, so you do not need to worry about heading here if you fancy a pint of beer or a glass of wine. 

Monsieur Paul

Last but not least on our list of the best Disney World restaurants for 2020 is Monsieur Paul. This restaurant replaced Bistro de Paris, and you will find it on the second floor of the Epcot’s France pavilion. While replacing Bistro de Paris, it still has an elegant atmosphere. However, the great news is that the food is better than before.

If you consider yourself a bit of a foodie, we are sure you will be impressed with the food that is on offer here. All of the meals have a distinctive flavor, without being overpowering. Out of the appetizers on offer, the truffle soup, boasting an earthy umami taste of mushrooms, is one of the best.

A lot of people say that the baguettes that are served with the meal are the best in the entire resort, and that is saying something when you consider just how many eateries there are at Disney World.

There are lots of great desserts on the menu as well. We will give a special mention to La Sphere! This is a chocolate orb that is served with candied oranges ice cream, praline and chocolate cream, and chocolate almond cake.

As you can see, there are a lot of great Disney World restaurants available for you to choose from (and we haven’t even talked about all the amazing dining options at Disney Springs!). If you are planning on visiting Disney World in 2020, you won’t be disappointed if you visit one or several of the best Disney World restaurants that we have recommended in this blog post. There is definitely something for everyone and all tastes.

Planning Your Dining

Walt Disney World allows guests to plan their dining reservations 180 days in advance and for most of these places, we highly recommend doing so. If you’re not familiar with how to do this be sure to see my Planning Guide for 2020 which will help you plan your vacation and dining.

Park Savers also offer discounted tickets to the theme parks which can help you save a ton of money. We always like to think that these savings can go towards special dining opportunities like the ones I have listed above.