The holiday season is fast approaching and we’re here to help you get ready for it in Disney World!
We’re sure a lot of you are already planning your holiday trips to the parks to check out those decorations, EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays, see Santa Claus, and maybe even go to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (which is back for the first time since 2019!). Another important thing to plan ahead of time is where you’re going to eat some of your meals, and if you’re looking for a special place to dine to get you in the holiday spirit, we’ve put together a list for ya! Let’s talk about the BEST restaurants for this holiday season in Disney World!
Liberty Tree Tavern
Over in Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square is Liberty Tree Tavern! This table service spot serves up a traditional family-style Thanksgiving meal that you can enjoy with your whole group. A lot of the foods eaten traditionally at Thanksgiving tend to appear back on the table for the holidays, so this is a great option for that hearty, traditional feel.
The meal includes the Declaration Salad, the Patriot’s Platter which comes with Roasted Turkey with Cranberry Sauce, Pennsylvania Pot Roast, and Oven-roasted Pork with Mashed Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, Herb Stuffing, and House-made Macaroni & Cheese, and Oooey Gooey Toffee Cake for dessert. YUM!
This is definitely great for those rare chilly days in December in Disney World, just know that this meal might weigh you down a bit, so you should consider booking it for dinner over lunch if you think you might feel super full. This is a cozy atmosphere that will make you feel like you’re sitting around the family table at home for a seasonal meal.
Click here to read our review of Liberty Tree Tavern!
Be Our Guest
Next up, we have Be Our Guest! This restaurant is located over in Fantasyland and is themed to Beauty and the Beast. It’s open for lunch and dinner, with both meals having a prix fixe menu. You can choose from things like the French onion soup, escargot, filet mignon, poulet rouge chicken, and more, and then get that special dessert trio for dessert (with one of the options being the famous Grey Stuff!).
What makes this mean especially fit for the holidays is that in the main dining room, which is made to look like the ballroom from the movie, there are Christmas decorations, trees, and snow falling outside of the windows!
It’s a little bit more on the expensive side, but if you want something more memorable and a festive atmosphere, this is the place to be!
Click here to see our review of Be Our Guest!
Hollywood & Vine
Moving over to Hollywood Studios, let’s talk about Hollywood & Vine! This is a buffet with character meals, and the characters actually change outfits seasonally depending on what time of year it is. Note that in the morning, this spot has Disney Junior characters, but in the afternoon and evening, it becomes Minnie’s Holiday Dine!
You’ll get to see Minnie and friends all decked out in their holiday BEST while you eat. They’re come around to your table to meet and greet, and you can take pictures with them.
On the menu are things like roasted pork, sour cream and chive whipped potato, macaroni and cheese with shrimp and bacon, herb-crusted tenderloin steak, caramelized Brussels sprouts, and the seasonal bread pudding!
Click here to see our review of our most recent trip to Hollywood & Vine!
Rose and Crown
Now, let’s go to EPCOT! There are a TON of places that you can eat in EPCOT around the World Showcase, and a lot of them are very tasty, but we think the spot with the most holiday vibes is over in the U.K. Pavilion — Rose and Crown Dining Room!
This place serves up traditional British comfort food in a cozy pub. You can get things like fish and chips, bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, and sticky toffee pudding. Potatoes and pie? That scream the holidays to us!
And, the U.K. Pavilion just looks SO picture perfect when it’s all decorated for the holidays, we definitely think you’ll be able to get into the spirit over here!
Click here to read our review of Rose and Crown!
California Grill
As for the Disney World Resort hotels, we would recommend California Grill on the top floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort for the holidays! This is if you want a very fancy meal that feels super celebratory. The view overlooks Magic Kingdom, so you’ll be able to see all of the pretty holiday decorations and lights below!
Right now, there is a special 50th anniversary prix fix menu at California Grill, which is only open for dinner. You get three courses and can choose from things like Florida Blue Crab bisque, braised beef short rib wontons, bucatini cacao e pepe, wild Alaskan Halibut, cast iron-grilled pork tenderloin, lavender sugar donuts, and more.
And, if you dine here during one of the nights that Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is happening, you can stay and watch the special holiday fireworks from the balcony! You’ll have an excellent view, and the restaurant pipes in the music so you can get the full experience.
Click here to see our review of California Grill!
Maria & Enzo’s
Let’s finish things up over at Disney Springs for some breakfast! Every meal we’ve talked about so far has been for lunch and dinner, so what kind of food blog would we be if we didn’t give you a breakfast option, too?! Luckily, a special holiday breakfast is happening over at Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante this year — you can eat breakfast with SANTA CLAUS!
Yep, this experience will have a breakfast spread of classic Italian menu items, a visit with Santa Claus, family-friendly holiday activities, take-home treats (and a complimentary mimosa for adults 21+), and a keepsake photo souvenir. This is the first time this event is taking place at Maria & Enzo’s!
Kids can share their wishes with Santa and take a photo with him after breakfast. There’s also platinum and gold seating packages are available, which will determine table location and the order that tables go to meet Santa.
Click here to learn more about this experience!
Those are the best restaurants to eat at this holiday season in Disney World! Go ahead and book those dining reservations as soon as you can, because they will fill up quick!
For more on the holidays in Disney World, check out the FULL LIST of entertainment announced for the 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays, how to book your Candlelight Processional Dining Package, and all the dates that are SOLD OUT for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Disney World.
Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney news, tips, and info.
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MORE Disney World Holiday INFO!
Learn About Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Get the Latest Information About the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
Get All the Details About Disney Jollywood Nights
Everything You Need to Know About Disney World Holiday Dining and Events
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Are you going to Disney World this holiday season? Tell us in the comments!
Jim McClure says
Is there a way to get into Disney World free to get to the restaurants?
DFB Gigi says
Hi Jim! You can eat at any of the Disney Springs and all of the resort restaurants without having to pay for any kind of admission, but you will need both a park ticket and park reservation in order to eat at a restaurant inside any of the parks.
Lou says
Are the restaurants such as Liberty Tree and Rose & Crown decorated inside for Christmas or are they the same as usual? I gather that menus don’t generally change though I believe some restaurants at the hotels or Disney Springs do have special menus?
DFB Gigi says
Hi Lou! Yes, there are Christmas decorations in the restaurants. 🙂