We’re often struck by the interesting names Walt Disney World devises for attractions, rides, and restaurants, and we know lots of you are, too.

What’s behind the name ‘Ohana? Why is it called Victoria & Albert’s? You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers! Today we’re taking a look at some of the most clever Disney World restaurant names — and why they’re called that!

‘Ohana — Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

If you haven’t visited this popular table service restaurant at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, you might think the name comes from Disney’s animated hit Lilo & Stitch, but in truth, the restaurant came first!

Pre-pandemic, you could meet Lilo and her ‘dog’ Stitch at breakfast! (That’s not currently available as of the last updates to this post, but be sure to check and see what the situation is like during your trip. We’ll update you when/if character dining returns.) At ‘Ohana, it’s all about family. That’s because ‘ohana means family in Hawaiian!

Not only does ‘ohana refer to your immediate family, in a broader sense it means your extended family, your cultural family, and your global family.

So at ‘Ohana, your waiter is your cousin, and the family style service echoes the sentiment of togetherness and shared experiences. (Also there’s ‘Ohana Bread Pudding, which we find really brings people together!)

Get the recipe for ‘Ohana Bread Pudding here!

Whispering Canyon Cafe — Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

You know where we’re going with this one! Whispering Canyon sounds like a peaceful spot to explore in the wild, right? But at Walt Disney World’s Whispering Canyon Cafe, whispering is not on the menu. Whispering Canyon Cafe is loud, raucous, and full of fun. Ask for a to-go box and you might get…this.

Turns out irony is not dead — and Whispering Canyon is keeping it alive! From pony races to giant cups of soda, this restaurant’s name becomes part of the joke!

Click here to see some of the antics you might encounter at Whispering Canyon Cafe!

Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ — Disney Springs

When Homecomin’ came to Disney Springs, that meant one thing for lots of guests: Fried Chicken. That staple comfort food is a Chef Art Smith specialty, and we knew it would be delicious. Less certain: the restaurant’s name! It started as Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming (with Florida Kitchen Southern Shine tacked onto the end).

Here, the Florida Native and James Beard award winning Chef Art was literally coming home to launch this new Florida restaurant. But just over half a year later, the ‘g’ was dropped, an apostrophe added, and Homecomin’ was born.

The new moniker was a dialectical and tonal change, bringing the name more in line with the restaurant’s overall style and vibe. The laid-back atmosphere and menu full of comfort food mean you can drop your ‘g’s and relax!

Click here to see our page full of our reviews of Homecomin’

Beaches & Cream — Yacht and Beach Club Resort

Beaches & Cream is a popular, old timey soda shop that specializes in classic food like grilled cheese and tomato soup and wows diners with massive sweet treats like the No Way Jose sundae. Beaches & Cream is a play on peaches and cream, a simple, soul-satisfying dessert that provides comfort and familiarity to those who love it.

Beaches & Cream manages to evoke that comfort while also identifying its location (at the Beach Club!) and giving a hint to its signature treats (ice cream galore!). That’s three connotations in one clever name!

Click here to see what’s returned to Beaches & Cream

Victoria & Albert’s (Temporarily Unavailable) — Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Victoria & Albert’s is a historically interesting name, inspired by Queen Victoria and her husband, Albert, Prince Consort. The Victorian Era, named after England’s second longest-reigning queen, was the height of power for England and was characterized by richness, exclusivity, and conservativeness.

Disney’s award-winning Victoria & Albert’s is all that and outstanding food. Dining here is pricey even by Disney standards, but the service, food, and overall experience are top-notch — not just at Walt Disney World, but in the actual world (we’re talking AAA Five Diamond Award, James Beard Foundation Award nominations for Best Chef South, etc!).

Like the queen for whom the restaurant is named, Victoria & Albert’s strives for prominence in the world and finds it. Click here to read one of our reviews.

Interestingly, for years the restaurant referred to all of their servers as either “Victoria” or “Albert” depending on their gender. The practice has, thankfully, been dropped.

Note that Victoria & Albert’s is temporarily unavailable at the time of the last updates to this post, but it is set to reopen in 2022.

Click here to see more about Victoria & Albert’s

Le Cellier — EPCOT’s World Showcase, Canada Pavilion

Le Cellier, je t’aime. In this case, the language and the translation matter. Le Cellier reflects Canada’s rich French Canadian heritage, but it uses a term that won’t scare anyone off because this isn’t a fancy French restaurant; it’s the cellar!

Le Cellier matches the expectation set by its translation in the decor, which plays with arches, light, shadow, and stone to create a moody dining space. The food, we’re happy to say, is typically good, which is why this restaurant is so popular (despite the steep prices and two-credit requirement on the Disney Dining Plan. Note that the dining plan is currently unavailable but set to return soon).

And, bien sur, there’s plenty of poutine. See what we thought in this review of three types of this Quebecois delicacy!

Click here to see if Le Cellier is still an EPCOT staple

Tangierine Cafe (Currently Used for EPCOT Festival Offerings) — EPCOT’s World Showcase, Morocco Pavilion

Tangierine Cafe is another wonderful place name that provides a frame of reference for the restaurant it identifies. Tangier is the third most populated city in Morocco with nearly one million residents, and it’s been an important port for centuries. In fact, the fruit tangerine took its name from this city. And now you see how Tangierine Cafe is more than a clever place name; it’s a play on words, too.

Note that while Tangierine Cafe has not fully reopened with its regular offerings, it has been utilized various times over the past months as a food booth at EPCOT’s various festivals, serving a limited number of special items.

Click here to see more about this spot!

Dining at Walt Disney World is exciting for so many reasons, not the least of which is the thoughtful design from restaurant names to dining rooms to menus. With so many new restaurants still to come this year, we look forward to decoding the names and eating all the things. 😉

Click here to browse through our Disney World Restaurant Guide!

Which restaurant name is your favorite at Walt Disney World? Let us know in the comments!