Thelife- I live close to Disney World and usually visit the theme parks and resorts about four times a week.
- I love eating at Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom and Chefs de France in Epcot.
I live right near Disney World and visit the parks about four times a week. I enjoy the rides and shows, but one of my favorite things to do on the property is eat.
I've dined at about 60% of the restaurants at Disney World (both table service and quick service), and there are hits and misses. Here's a list of places I always go back to.
Magic Kingdom
Skipper Canteen
Out of all four of Disney World's theme parks, I consider Magic Kingdom to have the most subpar dining options. But if I'm too hungry to hop over to Disney's Grand Floridian or Disney's Polynesian for a bite, I eat at Skipper Canteen in Adventureland.
Unlike many of the other restaurants at the park, I find the food at Skipper Canteen to be flavor-packed.
I always order Skipper Dan's Dan Dan Noodles with tofu instead of pork. These spicy noodles are delicious and just filling enough to get me through a night at the park.
Plus the restaurant's theming is incredible. It's filled with lots of wooden and glass decor and has a secret library passageway leading into one of the dining rooms.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace is a character-dining restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you're going for breakfast, I highly recommend trying the churro Mickey-shaped waffles. These might be the best waffles on the property.
My favorite part about eating here is meeting Pooh Bear, Eeyore, Tigger, and Piglet. The characters here tend to take a lot of time at each table, which isn't always the case at other character-dining restaurants.
Hollywood Studios
The Hollywood Brown Derby
I don't normally order a salad when I go out to eat, but I do when it's the famous Cobb at The Hollywood Brown Derby.
The salad is made with roasted turkey, bacon, egg, tomatoes, blue cheese, avocado, and "classic" dressing. I normally don't eat bacon, but I do when it is in this salad since it is just so delicious.
It's a great way to experience one of Disney World's signature restaurants and enjoy the golden-age Hollywood theming without having to spend so much because the salad is only $22.
You can also dine at the lounge and still order off the restaurant's menu. It's essentially the same experience, but you're eating outside and don't need a reservation.
Fairfax Fare
Although there's only outdoor seating at Fairfax Fare on Sunset Boulevard, it's worth enduring the heat for the waffle bowls.
My favorite is the Buffalo-chicken bowl, which consists of Buffalo chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, and coleslaw. I enjoy the contrast between the savory chicken and mashed potatoes with the sweet waffle bowl.
The menu offers other waffle bowls, including barbecued beef brisket, Korean-barbecued pork belly, plant-based soba noodles.
Epcot
Chefs de France
If I am celebrating something, Chefs de France is a top pick. It has large windows, which are nice if you like people-watching while you eat.
The gratin de macaroni (macaroni and cheese) is very cheesy and served just the way I like it. The portion is big enough that I'm usually able to wrap up half for the next day's lunch.
The restaurant also provides each table with a complimentary baguette with butter, which is great because I usually don't spend extra money on an appetizer.
San Angel Inn Restaurante
If you're looking for an immersive dining experience at Epcot, I always recommend San Angel Inn inside the Mexico Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase.
Although it can be difficult to snag a reservation here, it's worth refreshing the app to try to grab one last minute.
The food is flavorful and you're surrounded by a beautiful view of a replica Mayan pyramid. If you're seated at a table closest to the pyramid, you can even see the boats from the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros attraction.
My favorite menu items are the enchiladas de pollo and the guacamole. Even though the entrées are pricier, they're delicious, so it's worth it to me.
Animal Kingdom
Tiffins
If you're looking for a more upscale dining experience at Animal Kingdom, Tiffins is a great option.
It has one of the best bread services on the property. It consists of Brazilian pão de queijo, Indian pappadam, and Thai milk bread. The three dipping sauces (guava jam, ginger-pear chutney, and coconut sauce) each complement the bread offerings.
The restaurant is also very romantic with the warm lighting created by the animal-shaped lanterns and artwork. It's larger with multiple dining rooms, so make sure to spend some time looking around each one after your meal.
Disney World resorts
Ale & Compass Restaurant
I recommend Ale & Compass to everyone, whether they're first-time visitors or annual passholders. I eat there at least three times a month.
The Yacht Club restaurant serves breakfast (which I enjoy), but I tend to dine here for dinner. My favorite menu item is the truffle fries with roasted shallot mayonnaise. For $6, the portion is fantastic and the fries are thoroughly cooked and not soggy.
I also enjoy the pappardelle pasta and the chipotle-barbecue chicken flatbread.
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop
It can be quite difficult to snag a reservation at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop at Disney's Beach Club, but it's worth the hassle. As someone who almost always orders dessert, it never misses the mark.
Although I enjoy the restaurant's casual fare, including grilled cheese and tomato soup, I usually only order dessert when I come here.
My favorite treat is the fudge-mud-slide sundae.
'Ohana
If I had the money to eat at 'Ohana in Disney's Polynesian Resort for dinner every night of the year I would. This Polynesian-inspired meal is delicious and all you can eat.
My favorite parts of the meal are the pork dumplings tossed in garlic-chili sauce and the 'Ohana noodles.
I always make sure to save room for the 'Ohana bread pudding served à la mode with homemade caramel sauce. I consider this to be one of the best desserts at Disney World.
If you align your meal during the time of Magic Kingdom's fireworks, you'll more than likely be able to see them from your table and the music is piped into the restaurant.
Topolino's Terrace
Even though Topolino's Terrace is an expensive restaurant, it's worth it for the delicious food and fireworks views.
The Riviera Resort restaurant specializes in Italian and French cuisine, and I always order the rigatoni, which is the best pasta I've had at Disney World. The savory dish is served with wild mushrooms and black truffle for $34.
The restaurant serves breakfast, but it's not nearly the same caliber as dinner.
I'd recommend bringing a jacket as it can get a bit chilly up on the rooftop restaurant. Also try to align your dinner reservation with the time of Epcot's fireworks as they can be seen from the restaurant's balcony.