There are so many dining options at Disney World, that we’ve dedicated an entire blog to it!

Head to Disney Springs for over 50 different restaurants — some of them are actually better than the ones in the parks! (Sorry, not sorry.) In our expert opinion, there are some restaurants that are without a doubt must-try-best-meal-ever level restaurants. And while kids are welcome pretty much everywhere in Disney, there are some restaurants that work slightly better than others for families with kids.

While you’re on vacation, the last you want to do is pack the same ol’ lunches and cook the same ol’ dinners as you do at home (well, probably…you do you!).  This is your vacation and eating out and letting someone else prepare the meal and clean the kitchen is part of that splurge!

But it can be tricky with wiggly kiddos and picky eaters, and we feel that pain, too. Well, we’ve scoured all of Disney Springs 50+ dining options to bring you our BEST picks for Disney World restaurants for kids.

We’re breaking down our restaurant ratings into table service restaurants (where you generally need to make a reservation), counter service (no reservation required), and desserts! If you’re not sure where to eat in Disney Springs, we’re about to make your decision a whole lot easier.

So, now that we’re done with the fine print of this post, let’s get into it!

Table Service

5. T-Rex

Some basic stats right off the bat:

• Service Style: Table Service restaurant, so Advance Dining Reservations are highly recommended
• Type of Food: American, Unique/Themed Dining,
• Location: Marketplace, Disney Springs
• Famous Dishes: Cotton-Tini (Candy Cotton cocktail), Paleozoic Chicken Sandwich, the Bronto Burger, and the Chocolate Extinction dessert
• Price Point: $$ ($15-$34.99 per adult)

T-Rex certainly sticks out when you’re strolling through Disney Springs. The exterior of the restaurant features HUGE dinosaur skeletons and prehistoric vibes. And the fun CERTAINLY doesn’t stop when you head inside.  There are GIANT dinosaur robots EVERYWHERE inside. Yup, that includes Tyrannosaurus Rexes! The schtick here is exactly what you find across the way at Rainforest Cafe: you’re IN the creatures’ world while you eat your chicken nuggets or pizza.

The menu is full of creative names, but the cuisine itself is pretty standard. You’ll find classic favorites like burgers, pasta, and even some seafood options like coconut shrimp. The kids menu is pretty hearty, too, with familiar favorites like mac and cheese, pizza, and corn dogs. This spot isn’t winning any culinary awards, but it provides some kid-pleasing options, and enough unique options that it’ll likely be a fun memory, too.

A word of warning for those sensitive to noises, every 20 minutes or so, there’s a meteor shower that makes part of the restaurant go dark or change color while sound effects happen! You can even see the meteors in the meteor room. So, if your kids are into dinosaurs but not loud noises, bring earmuffs, earplugs, or other devices that can soften this feature for your tyke.

REVIEW: This is the Chili’s of Disney World. And It’s Filled With Robot Dinosaurs.

4. Splitsville Luxury Lanes

The overview:

• Service Style: Table Service restaurant, so Advance Dining Reservations are highly recommended
• Type of Food: American, Pub food
• Location: The West Side, Disney Springs
• Famous Dishes: Loaded Fries, Cheeseburger Sliders, BBQ Chicken Pizza, Sushi (Volcano Roll, Fantasy Roll)
• Price Point: $$ ($15-$34.99 per adult)

You don’t have to bowl to eat here, you don’t even have to be into bowling to eat here. It’s a large and lively restaurant with tons of seating and has a great atmosphere for energetic dining, group or family gatherings, and this spot knows how to throw a birthday party (if you’re in the market for that sorta thing). It’s such a fun and lively environment that your kiddo will have plenty of distractions to keep them from getting bored at dinner.

The menu here does NOT disappoint from sushi to pizza and nachos to sandwiches, adults and kiddos will be completely delighted with the options Splitsville serves up. One of our favorites was a french fries/nachos hack we discovered a few years ago (Frychos?)…

Loaded Fries ARE on the menu (basically cheesy bacon ranch fries), but we wanted to step the fry game up a notch. We noticed the massively delightful sounding Macho Nachos on the appetizer menu and our Spidey-senses (Cheesy-sense? Is that a thing? Totally coining that.) started tingling. Our waiter mentioned the most popular apps were the Loaded Fries and the Nachos…but he likes to combine them. BOOM. Mind blown, right? We ordered the Macho Nachos and substituted the tortilla chips with fries. Yes, it’s totally doable and yes, it was as glorious as it sounds.

Review! Is One of the BEST Food Hacks in Disney World In…A Bowling Alley?!

3. City Works Eatery & Pour House

The overview:

• Service Style: Table Service restaurant, so Advance Dining Reservations are highly recommended
• Type of Food: American, Pub food
• Location: The West Side, Disney Springs
• Famous Dishes: Duck Nachos, Cheese Curds, Peanut Butter Snickers Pie
• Price Point: $$ ($15-$34.99 per adult)

City Works is home to an extensive craft beer menu, and it’s so much more than that! With plenty of high-def TVs (including a 165-inch screen) showing live sporting events, this is another of those fun and lively atmospheres that offers plenty of seating, plenty of table space (for all of those accessories that come with having kids), and plenty of engaging views to help keep kids entertained while everyone enjoys a meal and some much-needed air conditioning.

So you have your seat, and your kid is situated, but what to order? There’s plenty on this menu that will fill your belly without emptying your wallet, but one thing kids and adults can all agree on is MAC ‘N CHEESE. And City Works has created its own cheesy noodle masterpiece.

Whether you choose the classic Smoked Cheddar Mac ‘N Cheese, or the more hearty Tex Mex Mac ‘N Cheese you will not be sorry, and you will not walk away hungry. The portions are big enough to share or ask for a box to take those leftovers back to your room for a midnight snack (or an early breakfast before rope drop, we won’t say we haven’t done that…).

Adults can watch the game and sip on a unique brew, kiddos have plenty of space to unwind and lots of stuff to watch either on any of the numerous TVs or people watch through the window-wall facing Disney Springs, and everyone’s happy with some mac ‘n cheese. Yep, City Works is a winner!

Behind the Scenes of MAC & CHEESE at City Works in Disney Springs!

2. Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ 

The overview:

• Service Style: Table Service restaurant, so Advance Dining Reservations are highly recommended
• Type of Food: American, Southern favorites
• Location: The Landing, Disney Springs
• Famous Dishes: Art’s Famous Fried Chicken, Church Lady Deviled Eggs, Fried Chicken & Doughnuts, Hummingbird Cake
• Price Point: $$ ($15-$34.99 per adult)

Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ is a table service restaurant in the Landing in Disney Springs. It was created by celebrity chef Art Smith, and the menu features Southern cuisine inspired by local Florida wildlife and agriculture. On the weekends, you can even grab brunch!

Get the classic Art’s Famous Fried Chicken or go for artisan options like the Thigh High Chicken Biscuits or the Cuban Sandwich. Don’t forget to splurge on a side of Cheddar Cheese Drop Biscuits or get the pineapple-banana Hummingbird Cake!

As a popular restaurant, it’s not an easy task to snag a reservation at Homecomin’, and it’s not exactly the healthiest (or cheapest!) meal you can find in Disney Springs. Still, if you’re looking for a comforting and filling meal, this is it! And the approachable menu with something familiar and fun for even the pickiest eaters in your group.

Click here for our review of Homecomin’!

1. Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant

The overview:

• Service Style: Table Service restaurant, so Advance Dining Reservations are highly recommended
• Type of Food: Irish, Unique/Themed Dining
• Location: The Landing, Disney Springs
• Famous Dishes: Bangers and Mash, Gers Bread and Butter Pudding, Fish & Chips (also available gluten-free)
• Price Point: $$ ($15-$34.99 per adult)

Kids aren’t the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the phrase “Irish Pub?” Ok, we feel you, but trust us on this. This spot is a hoppin’ good time! Live music and Irish dancers keep this place entertaining for the kiddos and loud enough that you don’t really have to worry if your hyper seven-year-old is being a bit loud.

And the kids menu is high quality but also very familiar. Fried or grilled chicken, mac n cheese (because it’s a kid menu staple), and a kid version of fish and chips, if your kiddos enjoy their seafood! This is really a great spot for everyone to have a good time!

The Great Irish Hooley Event Is BACK at Raglan Road in Disney Springs — Come Along With Us!

Quick Service

Disney Springs has so many quick service options, and some of your favorites may not have made the top 5 list here, and sometimes, as much as we love the food, when you factor in juggling the kiddos, the food, the stroller, the park bag or shopping bags, the last thing you wanna do is balance your food on a tray while searching for practically non-existent seating. So, a BIG selling point on a lot of these spots is if they have ample seating available. So, though we do enjoy The Daily Poutine, Disney Food Trucks, and Pizza Ponte, they didn’t make the cut, purely based on lack of seating.

But let’s see what spots did!

5. D-Luxe Burger

The overview:

• Service Style: Quick Service/Mobile Order available
• Type of Food: Burgers, fries, and shakes
• Location: Town Center, Disney Springs
• Famous Dishes: El Diablo Burger, Southern Burger, Smoked Bourbon Gelato Shake
• Price Point: $ ($14.99 or less per adult)

D-Luxe Burger is a Disney owned and operated location specializing in gourmet burgers made with signature blend patties, freshly cut fries (with TONS of sauces), and artisanal gelato shakes — including “adult” versions. And yes, there is plenty of seating, indoors, outdoor, and even some high-top bar seating complete with charging outlets (in case your phone or tablet is low on juice).

It’s all burgers, fries, and shakes at D-Luxe Burger! And if you’re craving the traditional take, it can be all yours with an order of the Classic Cheeseburger, Fresh-Cut Fries, and a good ol’ Vanilla, Chocolate, or Strawberry Shake. And what’s better than fresh-cut french fries? Having 6 (!) special sauces to dip them in! Because who doesn’t like a nice variety of dipping sauce?

Whether you go for the classic cheeseburger or embrace one of the bold seasonal burgers, these hearty burgers will leave you satisfied. And for kiddos who love burgers, fries, and shakes, well, this is a great spot for them! Plus, with Mobile Order, you don’t have to worry about hangry kids (or spouses) unraveling while waiting in line to order. You can order in advance, then just check in online and grab a seat, avoiding that whole line!

 We’re Warning You — Disney World’s New Burger Comes With Some Consequences

4. Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza

The overview:

• Service Style: Quick Service
• Type of Food: Pizza
• Location: Town Center, Disney Springs
• Famous Dishes: Pizza!!, S’mores pie, Blood Orange Lemonade
• Price Point: $ ($14.99 or less per adult)

Have you ever wanted to have a Subway sandwich experience but with pizza? That’s what Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza is! This is a chain, so it’s very likely that you might have visited one in a major city near you, but it is a great option for a budget-friendly and delicious meal in Disney Springs. Indoor and outdoor seating are available, with outdoor offering some terrific waterfront views.

Here you can customize your own 11-inch pizza for just $10.45. Or, if you want just 1 topping, it brings it down to $8.95, with 2 toppings coming in at $9.95. There’s also the option to modify to a gluten-free or cauliflower crust for an up-charge.

This is a great place for the group that can’t agree on pizza toppings and everyone wants their own, or if you want to split a pizza with someone, since these are customizable and you can totally make your half your own. Plus, pizza makes some great leftovers to keep in your hotel mini-fridge for when you just NEED a snack after a long park day!

Pizza is usually a slam dunk for kiddos, and the fact that they can customize their own pie makes it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza for the win!

The Best Pizza Places in Disney World

3. Earl of Sandwich

The overview:

• Service Style: Quick Service
• Type of Food: American, Sandwiches, Salads, Soups
• Location: Marketplace Disney Springs
• Famous Dishes: The Original 1762, The Full Montague, The Holiday Turkey Sandwich
• Price Point: $ ($14.99 or less per adult)

Earl of Sandwich in the Disney Springs Marketplace offers a variety of reasonably priced hot and cold sandwiches, smoothies, lemonade, and prepared “Grab & Go” items. Breakfast offerings include several cold items as well as hot breakfast sandwiches. The menu for lunch and dinner is significantly more expansive.

Headliners are delicious sandwiches served on freshly baked artisan bread, filled with meat that’s roasted daily using historic ‘Earl’ family recipes. Indoor seating in a dining room and a limited amount of outdoor seating are available. Lines here are often long at this popular spot, but they tend to move quickly! And this is a great spot if you’re looking to veer away from all of the fried foods and hope for your family to eat something marginally healthier.

If you have the Earl of Sandwich loyalty app, you can place your order in advance, and there are rewards for frequent purchases and special gifts on your birthday. But even if you don’t wanna download yet another app on your phone, you can still get through the line pretty quickly. These hot sandwich and the variety of sides helps you and your family customize your meal just the way you want it. And that warm, buttery bread keeps us coming back time after time!

And, recently, Earl of Sandwich has expanded their menu with more plant-based options, really considering every palate out there.

Did We Just Find One of the BEST Sandwiches in Disney World?

2. Polite Pig

The overview:

• Service Style: Quick Service
• Type of Food: “Modern” BBQ and Drinks on Tap
• Location: Town Center, Disney Springs
• Famous Dishes: The Southern Pig, Burnt Ends BBQ Meatballs, Buttermilk Chess Pie
• Price Point: $ ($14.99 or less per adult)

Chances are, if you’re in Disney Springs, you can smell The Polite Pig at some point during your shopping/dining quest. The Polite Pig features Modern Barbecue in a variety of wood-fired smoked and grilled items, and all drinks are served on tap. The owners, James and Julie Petrakis (in partnership with Chef Brian Petrakis), are already well-known in the Orlando area for their restaurants The Ravenous Pig and Cask & Larder which focus on using local seasonal ingredients.

In 2022, The Polite Pig was recognized by the Michelin Guide, so yeah, they mean business at this little quick service spot. Some award-winning eats on a budget? Yes, please! And remember how much we love dipping sauces at D-Luxe Burger? Well, Polite Pig has a Sauce Bar. Yep, a Sauce Bar!

With options ranging from sandwiches to salad and sharable appetizers to hearty smoked meats, your family can build their own perfect meal, complete with market-fresh sides that rival any upscale spot, like Sweet Potato Tots, Mac and Cheese, and BBQ Cauliflower.

The seasonal offerings keep this menu fresh and fun and something you should definitely check out during your next visit for a tasty award-winning meal for the whole family without breaking the bank, or even needing reservations!

REVIEW: We Tried The New SWEET TEA Fried Chicken (!!) in Disney World

1. Chicken Guy!

The overview:

• Service Style: Quick Service
• Type of Food: Chicken Tenders and more!
• Location: Town Center, Disney Springs
• Famous Dishes: Chicken Tenders, Flavortown Frozen Treats, Loaded Fries, Mac Daddy Mac ‘N Cheese
• Price Point: $ ($14.99 or less per adult)

If you’re more in the mood for something quick in between shopping stops, then Chicken Guy! is our spot for you. D-Luxe Burger has 6 special condiments for their fries, Polite Pig has their Sauce Bar to find that perfect BBQ flavor for your meal, but Chicken Guy! has 22 dipping sauces for their chicken tenders! 22!

We LOVE the high-quality chicken strips here, plus the super melty cheese will always win points with us. Plenty of sauces to choose from for folks who like to keep it classic or some wanting a splash of something more daring.  So many good things here: Super melty cheese ✔️, tons of flavorful sauces ✔️, even yet another iteration of macaroni and cheese ✔️. Yep. Chicken Guy! is approved by both DFB and kiddos!

Does This Newly Opened Eatery Give Chicken Guy! in Disney Springs a Run for Its Money?!

Desserts

5. Goofy’s Candy Company

The overview:

• Service Style: Shop
• Type of Food: Candy, Confectionery Case
• Location: Marketplace, Disney Springs
• Famous Dishes: Create-Your-Own Treat (when available), Packaged Candy, Goofy’s Glaciers
• Price Point: $ ($14.99 or less per adult)

This might surprise you. With so many sweet and treat offerings in Disney Springs, why would a candy shop make this list? We love the portability of these treats. For any of these snacks (well, Goofy Glaciers excluded), you can eat them right way, or store them in their packaging to snack on later.  You can even have the best of both, nibble a bit, and save the rest.

Plus, it’s hard to pass up the create-your-own-treat, whether is a Mickey-shaped krispie treat or a caramel apple. Those are iconic, memorable, and delicious!

The Definitive List of the BEST Desserts in Disney Springs!

4. Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC

The overview:

• Service Style: Bakery/Quick Service
• Type of Food: Vegan and Allergy-Friendly Baked Goods
• Location: The Landing, Disney Springs
• Famous Dishes: Samoa Donut, Veggie Bomb
• Price Point: $ ($14.99 or less per adult)

Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC specializes in allergy-friendly, vegan baked goods. Erin McKenna is the founder of BabyCakes NYC, and she provides the following statement on printed materials in her location in The Landing of Disney Springs: “We focus on the underserved people with gluten, dairy, egg and soy sensitivities, the heath-minded, and, most importantly, allergic kids who are often unable to indulge. Our goal is to make eating vegan and gluten-free fun and delicious.”

So, if anyone in your party has an allergy, this might become your favorite spot. But even if you don’t Erin McKenna’s serves some delicious treats that may just assuage the guilt with a bit less sugar while still packing in all of the flavor!

Erin McKenna creates treats that are beautiful, tasty, and delicious for everyone! Grab a quick nibble after dinner, or order a dozen to bring back to your room for future snacks! And for those kiddos, no easier way to help them eat healthier than when it’s coved in icing!

REVIEW: Vegans — We Found a 50th Anniversary Disney World Dessert For You!

3. Swirls on the Water

The overview:

• Service Style: Snack Stand
• Type of Food: DOLE Whip Soft Serve Treats
• Location: Marketplace, Disney Springs
• Famous Dishes: DOLE Whip Flight
• Price Point: $ ($14.99 or less per adult)

Do you love DOLE Whip? Well then, you’ll be thrilled by the Swirls on the Water! This location specializes in the iconic soft-serve treat, serving up DOLE Whip in the classic Pineapple along with other swirled flavors with a little something extra (like Habanero Lime, for instance)!

Along with flavor variations, you’ll also find DOLE Whip served in a variety of fashions! From DOLE Whip Floats to DOLE Whip Nachos (and did somebody say “DOLE Whip Flights??”), along with options to spike your DOLE Whip, this little spot on the water boasts some big offerings when it comes to this fan-favorite treat!

Choose your favorite flavor or get one of each and share them among your family. When in Disney, why not indulge in an iconic Disney snack like DOLE Whip? There are seasonal flavors that rotate through this location, as well.

Our big tip? Grab plenty of napkins!! These pretty treats melt quickly in the Orlando summer sun, so unless you want a pack of stick fingers for the rest of the day, get a handful of napkins to clean up the post-DOLE Whip indulgence!

STOP EVERYTHING — There’s a New Dole Whip Flight in Disney Springs!

2. Salt & Straw

The overview:

• Service Style: Quick Service
• Type of Food: Ice Cream, Handmade, Small Batch
• Location: West Side, Disney Springs
• Famous Dishes: Honey Lavender Ice Cream, Chocolate Gooey Brownie Ice Cream, Cookie Dough Ice Cream
• Price Point: $ ($14.99 or less per adult)

Salt & Straw is scooping up its unique signature ice cream flavors on the West Side of Disney Springs! The family-run business (cousins Kim and Tyler Malek are the creators of Salt & Straw) is known for unique flavors of handmade, small batch ice cream utilizing local, organic, and sustainable ingredients.

We’ve learned to expect the unexpected from the Salt & Straw location in Disneyland Resort’s Downtown Disney, with flavors like Turkey, Spiked Eggnog, and more! The Disney Springs location includes favorites like Honey Lavender and Chocolate Gooey Brownie, along with unique flavors specific to Florida, including The Salty Donut Guava & Cheese and Panther Coffee Chocolate Tres Leches. (You can even get a treat for your pup.) Check out the full menu here!

You and your crew can find some classic flavors here, like that Chocolate Gooey Brown, or try one of the bolder seasonal flavors, like in the summer when they offered Deviled Egg ice cream. Salt & Straw is a popular spot! Find out how you can avoid the long lines here, and find out how the Virtual Queue works on BUSY days at Salt & Straw HERE.

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1. Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew

The overview:

• Service Style: Quick Service
• Type of Food: Donuts and coffee (and MORE — including flavored milks and sandwiches)
• Location: West Side, Disney Springs
• Famous Dishes: DONUTS (like Cinnamon Toast Crunch)!, The Grilled Cheeeeeese (on a griddled sweet bun), Reese’s Nitro Cold Brew, Fruity Pebbles Flavored Milk
• Price Point: $ ($14.99 or less per adult)

Donuts aren’t just for breakfast, but that seems to be when most people think of them. While the throngs of guests may race over to Gideon’s Bakehouse to wait 3+ hours for a cookie or two, you can head over to Everglazed to get a donut that can substitute for a meal and for less than a Gideon’s cookie. Now, we’re not hating on Gideon’s those cookies are absolutely delicious, but Everglazed doesn’t seem to get the recognition it deserves for offering some delicious and bakery-level confections and is much easier to get into. And when you have kids hankering for something sweet, you want a quick fix, not delayed gratification.

There’s more in store than the name implies. Guests can also order up offerings like sandwiches served on a sweet bun (OR you can upgrade to a griddled glazed donut bun, if preferred) and loaded fries. You can even grab a flavored milk (Fruity Pebbles, anyone?) to go along with your snack! And, yes, THIS is the home of the world famous Grilled Cheeeeeese on a glazed donut!

You’ll find this sweet stop on the West Side of Disney Springs… and you can place your order ONLINE even before you get there — Click here to learn how to skip the lines at Everglazed!

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So there you have it, our top picks for the best kid dining in Disney Springs. Some places you might have to plan to spend a bit more money on, and some are right in the middle of that Disney dining price point. You’ll definitely want to be on your Advanced Dining Reservation game to make sure you secure your spot at these table service restaurants, but luckily we tossed in a few counter service “back ups” just in case your schedule requires a bit more flexibility.

For more tips on dining, shopping, and, well, all things Disney, stay plugged in to DFB. Check out some of these other posts to keep informed on all things Disney food!

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What’s your favorite Disney Springs restaurant for kids? Did yours make the list? Comment below!