The 10 Best Disney World Hotel Restaurants Ranked
One of the most common questions we receive from our readers is where to dine at the Disney Resort Hotels. With so many restaurants, the reservation process can be overwhelming. Additionally, you may not know how things will work once you arrive. Will you even return to the hotel for a meal, or will everyone want to stay in the parks without a break?
While we’re at a stage of life where we enjoy our time in the parks, we also look forward to leisurely time spent at the resorts, including late breakfasts, lingering lunches, and an occasional dinner at one of our favorites. Of course, if you read this site regularly, you know we find ourselves dining more at the resort lounges in the evening hours than anywhere else, but that’s an entirely different topic I’ll try to get to soon.
For this article, we’ve ranked the best table service options exclusive to Disney Resorts. Our choices are based on food quality, ambiance, and overall dining experience. I’ve worked through our list to narrow it down to 10 options. To provide a balance, I’ve listed seven restaurants that won’t break the bank, followed by three noteworthy splurges.
Whether you want to dine in an elegant setting with fine cuisine or enjoy a respectable meal at a reasonable price, you’ll have options. Please note that I have not listed restaurants where the menu has significantly changed since our last experience. Therefore, the lack of a restaurant’s name on this list doesn’t mean it’s a bad choice. These are just the places I’m excited to recommend when someone asks.
Last Update: November 1, 2025 (We’ve updated our guide with new rankings for 2026. Don’t miss our honorable mention section toward the bottom for an old favorite.)
#10 Grand Floridian Cafe
I remember our first visit to Disney’s Grand Floridian Cafe like it was yesterday. We were staying next door at the Polynesian (so long ago it was when the lobby still had a waterfall. We walked next door to the Grand Floridan for dinner. On the way, we ran into Cinderella’s carriage pulled by white miniature horses outside the wedding chapel. We had our first of many dinners at the resort’s popular table service restaurant that evening. These days, we frequent the cafe. However, most of our meals are between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. We enjoy that you can order breakfast for lunch in addition to the regular lunch menu.
The Grand Floridian Cafe is the perfect place to enjoy a meal during a resort hop, for breakfast before a busy day at Magic Kingdom, or whenever you like. Make sure to secure reservations, and note that the restaurant closes briefly between lunch and dinner. Below is a photo of the steak and eggs dish on the breakfast menu. I substituted the eggs for the cheesy hash brown casserole and a fruit cup.
I’ve tried almost everything on the menu at Grand Floridian Cafe. A few favorites include the Avocado Toast, the Heirloom Apple Salad, the Buttermilk-fried Chicken and Waffle, the Club Sandwich, the Miso-Glazed Salmon, and the Shrimp Cocktail.
Related Reviews:
#9 Steakhouse 71
Steakhouse 71 is a table-service restaurant on the first floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. It’s a quick walk or monorail ride from the Magic Kingdom. We frequent this restaurant for lunch and breakfast. This restaurant is often busy, so you’ll want to ensure you get advanced reservations, even if you stay at the resort. I enjoy the Steakhouse 71 seasonal pancakes and Walt’s Prime Rib Hash for breakfast. For lunch and dinner, I recommend the Steakhouse 71 Chopped Salad, the Fork and Knife Caesar Salad, the Gourmet Grilled Cheese, and the Turkey Club. This is also one of our top locations for using to-go mobile orders at Disney World.
Related Reviews:
- Our Favorite To-Go Orders from Steakhouse 71
- Steakhouse 71 Breakfast Review
- Steakhouse 71 Lunch Review
Pro Tip: If you can’t get a table, you can dine in the Steakhouse 71 Lounge or bar later in the day. You can still order from the regular menu.
#8 Boma, Flavors of Africa
Boma, Flavors of Africa, is a buffet at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge that serves breakfast and dinner. I’m not a big fan of buffet-style meals, but I’ll make an exception for Boma. If you have a resort day and want to explore the Animal Kingdom Lodge, incorporating a meal here is an excellent way to do so. You might have a late breakfast (they seat guests until around 11:30 a.m.) and then take some time to see the hotel.
#7 Topolino’s Terrace
We find little fault with anything at Disney’s Riviera Resort, including the character breakfast at Topolino’s Terrace. This is a wonderful place to enjoy rooftop views of the surrounding areas, see classic characters, and enjoy a meal made from quality ingredients. If you aren’t interested in dining with characters, you might make reservations for dinner. We like to arrive early, grab a drink from the bar, and check out the outdoor terrace while we wait for our table. Either experience is worthy of making this list!
Related: Topolino’s Terrace Character Breakfast Review
#6 Geyser Point Bar and Grill
Is it a lounge or a restaurant? Geyser Point Bar and Grill is more of a table service restaurant. However, you’ll need to know they take walk-ups (first-come, first-served) instead of reservations. Therefore, you could encounter a wait. We like to enjoy lunch here more than dinner. During the winter, cast members put out heaters. But it can get a little chilly at night when it’s unseasonably cold. You can see the evening fireworks and Electrical Water Pageant from this location. However, it’s not a great view of the fireworks. We prefer staring out at Bay Lake from under the shaded pavilion during the daytime.
We’ve tried most of the menu items. Our favorites include the charcuterie flatbread, the handcrafted crab cakes, the fried chicken sandwich, and the multi-grain salad with salmon. A few menu items change seasonally. As of late, I’ve enjoyed the steak salad and am looking to try the Bison meatballs on our next visit.
Related Reviews:
#5 Sanaa
Sanaa is another resort table service restaurant that delivers on flavor. This restaurant is more geared toward adventurous eaters who might like Indian and African spices. However, they also have plain items like a New York Strip, a burger, and kids’ meals. So, if you have a picky eater, don’t let that deter you from planning a meal here. As you might have heard, the bread service is the most popular item on the menu. It’s a tremendous serving, so you’ll likely want to have at least two in your party to share it.
In addition to the Indian-style bread service, we like the sustainable fish (changes), the curry, and the grilled New York Strip. (The butter chicken is also exceptionally popular. Also, don’t forget to save room for dessert!)
Related Reviews:
#4 Ale and Compass Restaurant
Ale and Compass at Disney’s Yacht Club is our top choice for budget-friendly table service restaurants. For this guide, I wanted to reserve our top three choices as “splurges.” You can’t go wrong with Ale and Compass for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. We eat here more than at any other restaurant at Disney World. The pricing is reasonable, and the service (and food) are always consistent.
Chocolate waffles are a must-have for breakfast. They are not as rich as they look. Other favorites include the crab cake, the blue crab bisque, the Parker House Rolls with spreads, the Ale and Compass salad, the wedge salad, the fish and chips, and the burger. On our last visit, a member of our party tried the New England Seafood Pot Pie, and it did not disappoint.
Related Reviews:
- Ale and Compass Breakfast Review
- Ale and Compass Lunch and Dinner Review
- Our Favorite To-Go Orders from Ale and Compass
*The following restaurants are our top splurges for fine dining. The previous restaurants we’ve discussed have been more budget-friendly options.
#3 California Grill
California Grill was my favorite restaurant at Walt Disney World for many years. However, the restaurant drastically changed a few years ago. It formerly offered an outstanding Sunday brunch and a seasonal a la carte menu at night. Every visit meant trying something new, and it always felt a little more special than everything else.
I don’t brag about the California Grill as often because I don’t care about the prix fixe menu. It feels confined. Previously, we would order appetizers, sushi, entrees, and desserts. These days, you have to pick from a handful of items listed under the various courses offered. Unfortunately, I’m constantly comparing it to “the old version,” and I’m not sure that’s necessarily fair. If you plan a meal around sunset (and you really must), you can take in some of the most stunning views. You can also return for the nightly fireworks viewing. Bring your receipt, and a cast member will allow you to take the elevator back to the rooftop viewing area.
I recommend the Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli, the Barbecue Eel Roll, the grilled pork tenderloin, the halibut (seasonal), and any dessert with Valrhona chocolate, if available.
#2 Jiko, The Cooking Place
If you are interested in fine dining, Jiko, the Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, is another pleasant experience. While you won’t get sweeping views of the Magic Kingdom Resorts area, you will get that peaceful vibe of Jambo House that’s unlike any other. It’s worth the trade-off, and the food is a little more elevated here than anywhere else on the property.
I’ve had a selection from the Oak Grill with a chocolate demi-glace that was possibly the best dish I’ve ever had at Disney World. I would also recommend trying a specialty loose-leaf tea and dessert.
#1 Flying Fish
Our former top choice for the best restaurant at the Disney Resorts was Shula’s Steakhouse. Unfortunately, they closed in the summer of 2025 and were replaced by a new location called Bourbon Steak by Chef Michael Mina. We have not dined at this location yet, but we would consider both Bourbon Steak and Yachtsman if you’re looking for an expensive and quality steak dinner. I don’t believe you can go wrong with either. We love Yachtsman (especially the onion rolls), but have found the service to be incredibly slow on our last couple of meals. That’s really the only reason it didn’t make this list.
Our new ranking for the best table service restaurant at Disney World goes to Flying Fish at Disney’s Boardwalk. The restaurant is incredible, and we’ve enjoyed some of the best seafood at this location. If you’re looking for a truly pleasurable meal, I would recommend the potato-crusted red snapper, the restaurant’s signature dish, which comes with a leek fondue and cassis red wine reduction. It was divine. (Our service was also impeccable.)
Honorable Mentions
Before we wrap things up, I wanted to add two quick honorable mentions.
Il Mulino: Sadly, Il Mulino should probably rank somewhere in the top five. The only reason I don’t rank it is that it’s at Disney’s Swan and Dolphin. Unfortunately, while an excellent location, these hotels are owned and operated by Marriott, so they do not take the Disney Dining Plan. That said, we’ve dined there twice in the last couple of months. For people who review restaurants fairly regularly, it’s not common for us to return to a restaurant so quickly. But our meal was so good the first time that we had to return with friends. We’ve tried the branzino (superb), the Rigatoni con Funghi (perfect for truffle lovers), and the Gamberi Francese (an egg-battered jumbo shrimp with sauteed spinach). I don’t think you can go wrong here, and our service was incredible on both occasions.
1900 Park Fare: This character dining restaurant is at Disney’s Grand Floridian. We enjoyed the breakfast, but haven’t tried the dinner yet. We have a separate breakfast review at 1900 Park Fare if you want to learn more.
Toledo: Tapas, Steak, and Seafood: It’s been a while since we last dined at Toledo, but the menu has not changed. This rooftop dining location at Gran Destino Tower is a pleasant place to enjoy a more formal meal, but it is not necessarily too expensive.
Related: Disney’s Toledo, Tapas, Steak, & Seafood Review
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed this list of the best hotel restaurants at Walt Disney World for 2026. It was challenging to put together, even with a few clear winners. For more of our rankings, you might like the following:
- The Best Quick Service Restaurants at Disney World
- The Best Breakfasts at the Disney Resorts
- The Best Restaurants at Disney Springs
Or you might like to preview the entire list of Disney Resort Hotel Restaurants.
More Planning
Resorts Gal specializes in Disney World Resorts, Characters, and Dining. Explore our resources, including our Disney World Resorts Guide. It provides an overview of everything you need to know about the Disney Resort Hotels. For dining, our Disney World Dining Guide is an excellent place to start. Our Disney World Transportation Guide is a wonderful resource for planning your routes. It’s one of our most popular resources. If you plan to meet characters in the parks, we have an updated list of Disney World Characters. It includes every available character meet-and-greet in the parks, as well as where to find rare characters throughout the year. Lastly, our Disney Parks Guide provides a complete overview of all four theme parks and water parks.
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In the Comments
So, what do you think of these rankings? Do you agree? Do any of these restaurants intrigue you? Let us know in the comments section below.