One question I get asked ALL the time: “What are your favorite Disney restaurants?”

And my answer is always the same: “My favorites are always changing, because the only consistent thing about Disney restaurants is that they’re inconsistent!” That said, I do have a few that I head back to over and over again… .

It’s fun to seek out new things, to be sure. And Disney is always introducing new restaurants! But still, it’s always comforting to go back to the same place each visit and have your favorite meal.

So today, my question for YOU is: What is your favorite restaurant in each of the four Walt Disney World Parks? What table would you park your feet under during each and every visit if you could? (Or do you?)

I’ll share my picks first, and then I can’t wait for you to jump in by adding your answers in comments below!

Liberty Tree Tavern at Magic Kingdom

Ah, Liberty Tree. You have been around since the dawn of time. (Or at least since pretty much the first day that Magic Kingdom was opened.)

And while lots of fantastic places to eat in Magic Kingdom have come about since then, I’d still eat at Liberty Tree Tavern during every single visit if I could.

Lots of Disney fans prefer dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern, which is a family-style, all you care to eat affair, offering carved meats and sides. Having traditional Thanksgiving foods all year around is a treat, after all! But I really prefer lunch, because I can get my favorite: the amazing Liberty Tree Tavern Burger!

And there’s no better way to finish the meal than one of my favorite Disney desserts, the Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake! This has been on and off the menu in recent months, but we’re always glad when it’s on-again.

Sometimes I have to resort to making it at home with this recipe when a craving strikes before my next advance dining reservation!

Chefs de France/Via Napoli/Rose and Crown/Garden Grill in Epcot

It’s hard to go wrong with many of the restaurants in Epcot, especially in World Showcase. Sure, some are better than others, but each offers you a unique opportunity to immerse yourself into the culture of another country. Not only do you have the chance to sample dishes from around the world, but servers are from host countries as well, and are always eager to discuss their homelands with curious guests.

A year ago, if I were asked to choose one restaurant in Epcot that was my return-all-the-time choice, I would have said Le Cellier — hands down. However, now that this Canadian restaurant has increased prices SO substantially, I just can’t keep it on my best-of list any longer. 🙁 It’s just not worth it anymore when there are so many other good places in Epcot that don’t cost quite as much and still deliver great food.

As a result, if I am forced to choose just one World Showcase restaurant to represent Epcot, it would have to be um… Les Chefs de France/Via Napoli/Garden Grill/and Rose and Crown. (What?! Narrowing down to one is REALLY hard to do!)

Let’s start with Chefs de France!

This completely charming spot, styled so realistically as a Paris bistro, will transport you. It’s one of the easiest places of all to lose yourself in the themeing around you and believe you’ve stumbled into France. At least for an hour or two.

Whether you decide to take in lunch or dinner at this charming spot, I think you’ll be pleased with your choice. The menu offers many classic French dishes to make the immersion complete!

But whatever you choose to enjoy, be sure to save room for those amazing Profiteroles au Chocolat!

Next up: Via Napoli.

This pizza joint is so much more! Via Napoli features thin-crust, wood-fired pizzas made in the classic Italian tradition, but the pastas here are great as well. They’ve even introduced a craft beer program!

This is my husband’s must-do restaurant on every trip!

Moving on — Rose and Crown Pub and Restaurant.

Rose and Crown is a classic English pub and restaurant featuring all of the beer, cider, and delicious comfort-food eats you’ve been searching for. We love trying new menu items, and popping into the pub on a weekday afternoon to see Carl and have a pint and a scotch egg is always a treat.

Finally, when you have the kiddos in tow (or not…you know…whatever…), Garden Grill is the place to be.

This rotating restaurant (yup!! it rotates!!) features Disney characters (including Mickey Mouse himself), an all-you-can-eat family style meal, and fun views of the Living with the Land attraction below.

 

I have fond memories of this spot when I was a kid (it was a fancy schmancy steakhouse then), and it’s just as much fun today.

50s Prime Time Cafe at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Speaking of immersive experiences, it doesn’t get much better than 50s Prime Time Cafe. So pull up a sparkly Naugahyde aluminum chair to a formica table — and for Pete’s sake, keep your elbows off!

I love this comfort food spot for the kitschy decor, the campy, awesome staff — and the delicious food. Tops on my list? The Fried Herb and Garlic Cheese!

But you won’t go wrong with other favorites, like Aunt Liz’s Golden Fried Chicken or the yummo Peanut Butter and Jelly Milkshake!

Restaurantosaurus at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Are you sensing a theme here? Food is super important — but my favorite spots offer more than just great food. They’re places where the genius of Disney Imagineering shines through in a big way.

In fact, I’d argue that my love for Restaurantosaurus at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is more about theme than food!

The food, after all, is largely standard Disney counter service, with a few interesting options, like the Macaroni and Cheese Hot Dog, thrown in for good measure. And they do have the best Chicken Nuggets in the whole world.

But really, the brilliant thing here is the story. How in the world did they come up with it??

As it goes, the restaurant is the shared house of paleontology students, and you see hilarious details of their antics everywhere you turn. The airstream that’s become part of the building is probably my favorite bit. You can actually sit at a table INSIDE it to eat! 🙂

Now It’s Your Turn!

Let’s hear from you guys! I want to hear what your favorite, can’t miss restaurants are in each of the four parks! What are the spots that you can’t resist visiting every single time you visit Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios?

Join in the conversation by leaving a comment below!

Want More Fun Reviews of Disney World Restaurants?

Check out our reviews of every single Disney World restaurant (and counter-service location, snack cart, kiosk, etc…) in the DFB Guide To Walt Disney World Dining e-Book!

Whaddya get in the book? Over 400 pages and 300 full-color photos with everything you need to know to have your best Disney World trip ever. Whether this is your first or your fiftieth visit to the World, this e-Book is a must-read before your trip.

And the best part? Pick up your guide today to instantly download the 2013 Edition…but we’ll automatically send you the 2014 Edition when it’s published in January! YUP — two books for the price of one! Enjoy and Bon Appetit!