The 10 Most Distinctive Dining Destinations at Walt Disney World

While many guests enjoy dropping into the Briar Patch on Splash Mountain or barreling around the tracks on Space Mountain or even smuggling goods on the Millennium Falcon on Smuggler’s Run, others enjoy the more relaxing elements of a Walt Disney World vacation when they can sit down, relax, re-charge, and enjoy an amazingly delicious meal at one of the great restaurants around the Disney World resort.  Here is our list of the ten most distinctive dining locations at Disney World!

10 – Tiffins (Animal Kingdom)

The newest dining addition to Animal Kingdom is also one of the most distinctive – situated on the banks of the Discovery River, guests will find Tiffins on the walkway leading them from Discovery Island to Pandora: the World of Avatar.  You’ll want to make some time either before or after your meal to enjoy a relaxing drink at the Nomad Lounge that is attached to the restaurant.  Once seated, guests can enjoy lunch or dinner at Tiffins with a selection of delectable appetizers, as well as entrees that will dazzle your palette – butter chicken, a braised short rib, or South African-spiced fish to name a few.  The menu is slightly more adventurous than your typical restaurant, but your stomach is sure to find something to enjoy!

9 – Art Smith’s Homecoming (Disney Springs)

Nestled about in the center of Disney Springs and built overlooking the water,  Homecoming is everything that you can ask for in a homestyle restaurant.  Guests of age will want to try one of their craft moonshine cocktails or other adult beverages.  Come with an appetite because you’ll want to try one (or three) of the starters – hush puppies, shrimp cocktail, and deviled eggs are among the choices.  For your main course, guests have their choice from amazing sandwiches, salads, and main plates such as fried chicken and donuts, chopped pork plate, or a country fried steak.  This is also a restaurant to save room for dessert – guests can have a delicious chocolate cake, a hummingbird cake (pineapple and banana), or even a chocolate pecan pie!

8 – Toledo (Coronado Springs Resort)

One of the newest restaurants on property was part of the addition to the Coronado Springs Resort at the Gran Destino Tower.  Atop the tower, guests will find Toledo that serves up dinner each night to guests.  The menu is distinctive in the small plates they serve.  Guests can choose to start with charred octopus, garlic shrimp, or a variety of salads.  On the entrée menu, guests can find a perfectly seasoned steak, short ribs, chicken, and even scallops with a vegetable mixture.  Make sure to take in the view of the surrounding parks – both Epcot and Hollywood Studios are visible from the restaurant!

7 – 50’s Prime Time Café (Hollywood Studios)

The food served to guests here is what you would expect to find on your mom’s kitchen table growing up — meatloaf, roast beef, fried chicken, and all the sides.  However, what makes this restaurant unique is not the menu, but the service.  You’ll be treated like you’re one of the family — staff will make sure that you’ve washed your hands, eaten all of your vegetables before letting you order dessert, and yell at you to keep your elbows off of the table.  In addition to great food, guests will want to try one of the great cocktails or milkshakes from the Tune-In Lounge attached to the restaurant.

6 – Tokyo Dining (Epcot)

Guests loving sushi will definitely want to grab a reservation for a meal here.  Tokyo Dining is located in the Japan Pavilion and invites guests to sample a variety of handmade rolls, nigiri, and other entrees for guests who may not like seafood.  Kids can also find a varied menu here if the normal menu proves to challenging.  What elevates a meal at Tokyo Dining is if you are lucky enough to get a reservation towards the end of the night before the fireworks are shown.  The entire restaurant sits a story above the World Showcase Lagoon and the wall nearest the World Showcase Lagoon is all windows, so you’ll have a great view!

5 – Narcoossee’s (Grand Floridian Resort and Spa)

Serving dinner to guests, Narcoossee’s is a destination for a special occasion.  The restaurant is built partially over the water of the Seven Seas Lagoon, so you are offered great views of the Magic Kingdom and passing boats on the water.  The menu has a wonderful selection of seafood, but you can find dishes that appeal to land lovers, as well.  The dessert menu is diverse with selections of sorbet, tarts, tortes, and cakes — so bring your appetite!

4 – Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue (Fort Wilderness Campgrounds)

This restaurant is distinctive because, in addition to a great meal, guests are treated to an amazing dinner show.  Guests need to make advanced dining reservations and pay for their meal in advance if they choose to dine here.  But, on the menu, guests will find a homestyle feast of salad, cornbread, baked beans, fried chicken, ribs, and a savory strawberry shortcake for dessert.  The meal is served during the performance and also includes all-you-care-to-enjoy drinks for the adults.

3 – Via Napoli (Epcot)

Located in the Italy Pavilion, Via Napoli invite guests to enjoy hand-tossed pizza that was cooked in one of the three large ovens.  Guests can start their meal with a delicious salad, as well as a selection of small plate appetizers like fried calamari and prosciutto.  Additionally, if you are not in the mood for a handmade pizza, guests can also find amazing Italian dishes like spaghetti, ravioli, and lasagna.

2 – Cinderella’s Royal Table (Magic Kingdom)

Guests will find their meal at Cinderella’s Royal Table to be distinctive based on the location of their meal, as well as the guests they share their meal with.  The restaurant is located on the second floor of the Cinderella Castle with guests having views of the Magic Kingdom from their table.  Cinderella’s Royal Table serves guests for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and during each meal, guests will be visited by a collection of Disney princesses while enjoying their food. 

1 – Ohana (Polynesian Village Resort)

The final restaurant on our list is located at the Polynesian Village Resort.  At breakfast, guests can enjoy a family-style platter of food including Mickey waffles, eggs, sausage, and bacon all while visiting with some classic Disney characters — Mickey, Pluto, Lilo, and Stitch.  At dinner, guests can enjoy all-you-care-to-enjoy platters of food featuring noodles, chicken wings, and dumplings.  Guests will also enjoy a selection of skewers will sweet and sour pork, shrimp, and steak.  Guests will enjoy a wonderful view of Happily Ever After from the Magic Kingdom during their meal, or afterwards, from the beach on Seven Seas Lagoon!

We love dining at Disney World and enjoying all of the options the resort has to offer at the parks and resorts!  What distinctive dining destination do you want to try first?