At this point, it’s widely known that Disney World restaurants are as magical as the rides and attractions in the parks! After all, we’re called Disney FOOD Blog, not Disney RIDE Blog!

Some of the most iconic spots in Disney World restaurants can feel as familiar and magical as Main Street, U.S.A., but even the most popular restaurants have cool spots that not many people know about!

From underrated restaurants and lounges to under-the-radar dining spaces and elite tables, Disney World restaurants are teeming with surprises!

Whether it’s a splurge-worthy special occasion or a casual cocktail in a Disney World resort, these are the coolest spots in Disney World restaurants that FEW experience!

The BOATHOUSE

There’s nothing secretive about how wildly popular The BOATHOUSE is! This surf & turf mecca is routinely one of the most crowded — and crowd-pleasing — spots in Disney Springs!

But the coolest spot is an area most folks probably don’t even realize exists! It’s the back docks behind the restaurant, which are pretty hidden and not easy to see for most people.

Added bonus: these seats are kept open for first-come, first-serve guests! This is great since The BOATHOUSE isn’t exactly the easiest restaurant to snag a reservation. Another exclusive spot at The BOATHOUSE is to dine in a boat. 

There are plenty of tables at this seafaring restaurant, but not many are in an actual boat!

REVIEW: Put On Your Captain’s Hat and Crank Up the Yacht Rock! We’re Heading to The Boathouse in Disney Springs!

Victoria & Albert’s

If money is no object (and if it EVER reopens), then one of the single-most AMAZING seats in all of Disney World is easily the elite chef’s table at Victoria & Albert’s.

Sure, it’s also the most expensive seat in Disney World (which is why FEW have experienced it, naturally), but the opportunity to literally dine in the kitchen of this Grand Floridian fine-dining gem is an opportunity you won’t soon forget.

Review: Is There Such a Thing as TOO MANY Truffles? We Find Out at Victoria and Albert’s in Disney World!

Spice Road Table

Here’s our little secret: Spice Road Table is probably the MOST underrated restaurant in EPCOT (if not all of Disney World tbh)! This is true for its cocktails, for its food, and certainly for its view!

In fact, the outdoor table closest to the water at this Morocco Pavilion restaurant has some of the best views for fireworks and compared to some of the more popular waterside restaurants in World Showcase, this is one that very few have done! Don’t let the term “spice” deter you, this restaurant packs in the flavor and the views!

Review: This EPCOT Restaurant Only Serves Small Plates But Left Us With a HEFTY Bill

Be Our Guest

In general, a lot of folks haven’t experienced Be Our Guest simply because it’s a hassle to get a reservation! That aside, for those who HAVE dined inside the Beauty & the Beast castle, the fact remains that some rooms and sections are cooler than others.

If we’re picking faves, the West Wing room is a winner for a few reasons: it’s got less of that concert hall-like volume of the ballroom, and it’s less, umm, plain than the Rose Gallery.

The coolest spot in the West Wing? The table closest to the wilting Enchanted Rose! It’s fun to feel tucked away from the main fray of the restaurant, with an endless flower show on a loop. The darker lighting in this area may make it difficult to snap that Instagram-quality photo of your meal, but the experience makes up for it!

Review: Is Be Our Guest Still a Must-Do Disney World Restaurant? Let’s Find Out!

Crew’s Cup Lounge

How do we know that Crew’s Cup Lounge is one of the MOST underrated bars in Disney World? Because, we’d venture to guess that if you mention this place to anyone vacationing here, they’ll look at you with a blank, confused stare.

It’s the casual lounge-y alternative to Yachtsman Steakhouse in Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, and it’s totally overlooked by its Table Service counterpart, which makes it feel like a total hidden gem.

Plus, the whole space (especially the intimate bar area) feels like a cozy wood-lined hideaway on a luxury yacht. Love that!

First Look: Can’t Get a Table at Yachtsman Steakhouse? Eat Here Instead at Disney World.

Yak & Yeti

When it comes to top-tier dining experiences at Animal Kingdom, Tiffins and Nomad Lounge tend to get a lot of the glory. Heck, even the Cheeseburger Pods at Satu’li Canteen are more renowned than Yak & Yeti!

And that’s a shame because this ornate two-story Asian restaurant is as beautiful as it is delicious, especially when you can get one of the window-side tables upstairs, with an action-packed view of the park while also being surrounded by amazing Asian artifacts and art!

Review: We Thought We Couldn’t Love Yak & Yeti More. We Were WRONG.

Dahlia Lounge

Disney World has no shortage of high-flying restaurants and lounges with STUNNING views. But for every popular go-to, like California Grill, there’s a sleeper hit waiting to be discovered. Enter: Dahlia Lounge.

Perched atop Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, we’d reckon to say Dahlia Lounge has some of the most breathtaking views in Disney World, and the outdoor terrace is an ideal vantage point from which to drink it all in — while simultaneously drinking in a Gran Gin Tonic, of course.

Review: Need a Break From All the “Disneyness” of Disney World? Go Here.

Enchanted Rose

Psst: Be Our Guest isn’t the only place in Disney World for a Beauty & the Beast VIBE. Much easier to get into, Enchanted Rose is the chic lounge inside Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and it’s got a few lesser-known nooks and crannies to explore.

Most people opt to sit under — or in the proximity of — the grand gold chandelier in the main bar, which makes sense considering it’s the most Beauty and the Beast of all the lounge spaces here.

But there’s actually an outdoor patio here that tends to get overlooked! What it lacks in gown-like chandeliers it more than makes up for in tranquility and PRIME Grand Floridian views!

Is Disney World’s Enchanted Rose Lounge as Enchanting as We Remember? Read Our Latest Review!

Il Mulino New York Trattoria

Not every cool spot in Disney World restaurants is actually an elite table or a prime seat. Case in point: one of our favorite “cool” spots is actually a grand cheese display in Il Mulino New York Trattoria! Because, really, what’s cooler than a veritable throne of cheese?

Situated in the middle of the restaurant at Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort, surrounded by bustling tables, the HUGE display features an array of enticing cheeses and wine, with a long mirror above it providing another view.

It’s a cheesy photogenic moment, in the best possible sense. And it’ll make you want to order the Parmigiano Reggiano.

Review: We Bet You’ve Never Heard of One of Disney World’s BEST Italian Restaurants

Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen

This Adventureland classic is another restaurant we’re just completely obsessed with, no matter where we’re sitting or what we’re eating! And truly, there are no “loser” seats in the Skipper Canteen. This restaurant boasts unique views and secret details at every turn.

One of the more selective dining areas is the Falls Family Parlor. This room, just off of the S.E.A. room has a large collection of the Fall family heirlooms and artifacts collected from their adventures. 

If we’re gonna pinpoint the coolest spot here, we’d definitely sit in the Falls Family Parlor. The quieter, smaller dining room has SO many knickknacks to look at!

Review: We’re Back at Disney World’s World-Famous Jungle Cruise… Restaurant

River Roost

Like Crew’s Cup Lounge, River Roost is another SUPER underrated and lesser-known bar in Disney World, located inside Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside.

Now that the resort has reopened, it’s prime time to cozy up a spot in the corner of this comfy, musical bar, over by the charismatic pianist, and enjoy an evening of spirited live music and spirited cocktails — might we suggest the Spicy Poblano Margarita? But be warned, even though this spot isn’t widely known among Disney guests, those who do know are loyal will often stake out a seat hours in advance. So if you want to claim a spot, be prepared to arrive early!

PHOTOS and VIDEOS: See Yehaa Bob’s Return to Disney’s Port Orleans — Riverside

Sanaa Lounge

Last but certainly not least, we have to tip our caps to Sanaa Lounge at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Not to be confused with Sanaa, the main restaurant that everyone knows and loves, this is the cozier, smaller, and lesser-known lounge space, and we’d venture to say it’s the best-kept foodie secret in Disney World! 

It’s cool ‘cause you can get similar menu items as Sanaa (including our beloved Indian-Style Bread Service!), without struggling to get a reservation! Plus, the vibe just feels so relaxed and cozy, we could linger all day over those NINE Bread Service sauces!

So the next time you’re feeling hungry for something DIFFERENT in Disney World, even if it’s at a restaurant you’ve been to a hundred times, seek out these cool alternative spots for a fresh new take on the Most Magical Dining on Earth!

Stop Skipping These Disney World Restaurants

What’s your favorite “secret” spot in a Disney World restaurant? Let us know in the comments!