We know a thing or two about dining at Disney World!
Not only have we dined at every restaurant at Disney World, but we have even stayed at every hotel in Disney World. We have ranked hotels and restaurants, but then we thought, “What if we ranked Disney World hotels just based on their restaurants instead?” So that is precisely what we are going to do!
Buckle up because this list is long! We will be going from our least favorite to our favorite.
16. Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs is home to one quick service location and one table service location. They also have a window that serves quick bites to golfers who are golfing on the Lake Buena Vista Golf Course.
While this resort does have a table service restaurant, the Turf Club is just okay for us. The theming is dated, and the menu is not too spectacular — despite having gotten an overhaul recently. It is still a good place to dine if you are staying at the resort, but we would not go out of the way for it.
Artist’s Palette is the resort’s quick service location; you can find rotational menu items and single-serve pizzas. The menu is tiny, which is why Saratoga Springs is ranked last on our list, but you can find some fun cupcakes here!
15. The All-Star Resorts
All three All-Star Resorts (Movies, Music, and Sports) have a bar and a food court. The food court menus are extensive and cater to a large array of tastes.
There are no table service locations for this resort, which ranks it as low, but we placed it a bit higher than Saratoga Springs since the menus at the food courts offer much more.
14. Pop Century and Art of Animation
Just like the All-Star Resorts, Pop Century and Art of Animation only have food courts as their dining option as they are Value Resorts.
Just like the All-Star Resorts, they have an extensive menu. We ranked these two resorts to be higher than the All-Star Resorts since they are within walking distance of each other, meaning it is easy for you to check out both food courts.
These resorts also have a Skyliner station, which means you have easy access to other dining options at the other Skyliner hotels.
13. Old Key West
Up next, we have Old Key West. This resort is home to Olivia’s Cafe, that serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can even Mobile Order from this table service restaurant.
There is also a bar, The Gurgling Suitcase, along with a quick service option. While we love the menu at Oliva’s Cafe, Old Key West ranks lower as all the dining options are in one location far from many hotel buildings.
12. Caribbean Beach
Caribbean Beach is on the Skyliner line and is home to one of our favorite all-you-care-to-enjoy restaurants, Sebastian’s Bistro. This location serves up a great family-style meal for a decent price.
There is also a quick service location that offers grab-and-go items and there is also a quick service window, Spyglass Grill.
11. Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
Fort Wilderness is home to the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue, which is an all-you-care-to-enjoy meal that features alcohol included in the price of your meal. Combine this with a fun dinner show, and it makes it the perfect reason for you to visit Fort Wilderness.
If you want to try the delicious food at Hoop Dee Doo but do not want to sit for a table service meal, you can dine right next door at Trail’s End as they serve many of the same menu items.
And if you are looking for some bar eats and fun western cocktails, you can head to Crockett’s Tavern, which shares the same building as Trail’s End.
10. Port Orleans — French Quarter and Riverside
We have two words for you– Mickey Beignets. That is right, Port Orleans French Quarter is going to be the one place where you will find Mickey Beignets at Disney World.
Both French Quarter and Riverside have quick-service dining options as well as a few lounges. If you are looking for a table service meal, you will need to head over to Riverside to dine at Boatwright’s Dining Hall. Also, at Riverside, you will find Yehaa Bob Jackson at River Roost Lounge on select nights. He is a staple of this resort, and people go out of their way to see him perform.
9. Coronado Springs
Coronado Springs is home to some really great dining options and some just okay options. The great dining options help boost Coronado Springs up on the list.
We love to grab a bite to eat at Three Bridges Bar and Grill. This location is in the middle of the water and is so popular that most nights, there is a wait. You can also Mobile Order from this location.
On the top floor of the Gran Destino Tower, you will find the Dahlia Lounge, which offers quick bites and drinks with an expansive view of Disney World.
And right next door, you will find the beautiful Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood. The architecture in this restaurant is so pretty, and the food is also excellent.
Coronado Springs is also home to a food court. You will also find Rix Sports Bar and Maya Grill near the food court. Rix Sports Bar, unfortunately, tends to rank at the bottom of most of our restaurant rankings, and Maya Grill does as well due to its limited hours.
With all of that being said, Toledo, Dalia Lounge, and Three Bridges significantly help Coronado Springs’ ranking.
8. Contemporary Resort
With a prime location right next to Magic Kingdom, the Contemporary is a great spot to stop at for breakfast before you head into the parks or a great stop for a mid-day break from the parks.
The Contemporary is home to Chef Mickey’s, which is an all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet that doubles as a character meal!
For a more casual but still elevated dining experience, you can check out Steakhouse 71, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you are in the mood for a nicer table service meal, you can head up to the top floor of the resort and dine at California Grill. This restaurant not only has a delicious menu but has stunning views of the Magic Kingdom. Trust us, you are going to want to dine here during fireworks.
Along with table service meals, the Contemporary is also home to a bar and a quick-service location.
7. BoardWalk Inn
The BoardWalk shines at night when it is all lit up and filled with different entertainment acts. Here, you will find fun bars like Jellyrolls and AbracadaBar.
If you are looking for a quick bite to eat, you can check out the deli, ice cream shop, pizza window, and the newly opened Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs.
For table service, the BoardWalk has both an Italian restaurant, Trattoria al Forno, and a seafood restaurant, Flying Fish.
Plus, the BoardWalk will soon be home to the Cake Bake Shop. It is also very close to EPCOT and other resorts, which means even more dining options!
7. Wilderness Lodge
Wilderness Lodge is home to so many different dining options. You can dine at Whispering Canyon, where your servers get in on the fun. This location is also all you care to enjoy.
Artist Point — Story Book Dining with Snow White offers a unique character meal where you can meet Snow White, Dopey, and Grumpy.
For a more relaxed table service meal, Geyser Point Bar and Grill has excellent views of the water and the resort. This spot also offers Mobile Order. Plus, the resort has a great quick-service grab-and-go option as well.
6. Polynesian Village Resort
The Polynesian is home to many popular dining spots. Here you will find ‘Ohana, which is an all-you-care-to-enjoy meal. In the morning, for breakfast, you can find Stitch, Lilo, Mickey, and Pluto here.
If you are looking for other breakfast options, you can get the famous Tonga Toast at both Capt. Cook’s and Kona Cafe. Kona Cafe, a table service, also offers Mobile Order. Capt. Cook’s is a solid quick service option for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
There are also plenty of great bars at the Polynesian. You can grab a coffee and sushi at Kona Island. If you want to grab a drink and try some of ‘Ohana’s most popular dishes, you can dine at Tambu Lounge.
And how could we forget? The Polynesian is home to Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, which might arguably be one of the most popular bars at Disney World! A line usually forms before Trader Sam’s even opens!
5. Riviera Resort
As Disney World’s newest resort, the Riviera has solid dining options. You can dine on the top floor at Topolino’s Terrace for breakfast and a character meal. At nighttime, Topolino’s Terrace offers a delicious menu with stunning views of EPCOT.
There are also great casual options here, like their quick service location, Primo Piatto, and their bar, Bar Riva. The Riviera is also home to one of our favorite spots to grab a coffee at Le Petit Café.
The Riviera is also on the Skyliner line, connecting it to other resorts for other dining options.
3. Yacht and Beach Club
While they are two separate resorts, Yacht and Beach Club are so close together that it is almost like they are one combined resort.
At Beach Club, you will find Cape May, which is a buffet for breakfast and dinner. During breakfast time, Minnie’s Beach Bash takes place, where you can meet Minnie and her friends.
Beach Club is also home to Beaches and Cream, where you can order the iconic Kitchen Sink Sundae.
Over at Yacht Club, you will find great options like Ale and Compass Restaurant and the Ale and Compass Lounge. If you want to dine at a steakhouse, you are in luck at you will find Yachtsman Steakhouse here. Next door to Yachtsman is the Crew’s Cup Lounge, which offers a laid-back environment with some of the same eats you can find at Yachtsman.
To round out these two resorts, they each have their own grab-and-go and quick service locations. Plus, they are super close to EPCOT and the BoardWalk, which means more dining options.
2. Animal Kingdom Lodge
Who would not want to dine with safari views? Animal Kingdom Lodge is home to solid dining locations, and we will go out of our way to eat here!
You can find African-inspired cuisines at Boma, The Mara, Sanaa, and Jiko. Boma offers a buffet for both breakfast and lunch. Sanaa is one of our favorite places to dine, and the bread service is a must-get.
The Mara also offers quick grab-and-go meals, and there are plenty of bars and lounges around the resort, which is why it ranks so high on our list.
It was so hard for us to place Animal Kingdom Lodge in second since we think it truly has some of the best dining locations on the property, but our number one pick has Animal Kingdom Lodge just beaten by a little.
1. Grand Floridian
And for our number one pick, we have the Grand Floridian. The Grand Floridian is home to SO MANY dining locations. It is also in the perfect spot where you can walk or take the monorail from Magic Kingdom to dine here before or after your park day.
Dining at the Grand Floridian is so good that we even think highly of its quick service location, Gasparilla Island Grill. You can find an all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet and character meal at 1900 Park Fare. For another casual table service meal with no characters, you can dine next door at the Grand Floridian Cafe.
For more upscale dining, you can dine at both Citricos as well as one of our favorites, Narcoossees. Narcoossees is right on the water and has a great view of Magic Kingdom’s fireworks. And for the most upscale dining experience of them all, you can dine at Victoria and Alberts.
The Grand Floridian is even home to a Beauty and the Best themed bar, the Enchanted Rose Lounge.
Based on the number of dining options and its proximity to the Magic Kingdom, it had to make the top of our list.
And there you have it! While all of these resorts have their pros and cons for dining, there are so many great options, and each resort or nearby the resort, that you will not have trouble finding a good place to eat.
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Mike Certain says
I don’t think anyone can argue with 1 and 2. You can try, but you can’t do it. lol!
After that though…. I think Yacht and Beach Club are too high. Hot take – Beaches and Cream isn’t all that in my opinion. The ice cream is good, and the kitchen sink sundae for first timers (especially kids) is wonderful, but the food is very meh.
I also think the Poly is overrated. Another hot take. I’m not a fan of Ohana. I don’t think the food is worth the price, especially since you can get the best dishes for way less at Tambu Lounge (which I recommend!).
The Contemporary has to come in at #3. Steakhouse 71 and California Grill are within steps of each other. Contemp Cafe is good as well, and Chef Mickey’s, though over rated, is the most iconic character meal on property after Cinderella’s Royal Table. All this has to elevate it over Yacht and Beach Club, among others.
I know Old Key West is hard to get to, but ranked behind moderate resorts and Fort Wilderness? They have the second best fried chicken on property, after Homecomin’. Their brunch is wonderful as well. Sorry, this might be the biggest miss on the list.
I would put Coronado Springs higher as well. Toledo and Dhalia Lounge are incredible. I could just sit in Dhalia all night with a bottle of wine, ordering small plates, and enjoying that view in peace and quiet.
Well, food, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder … errr … eater. lol!