When most people think of dining in Walt Disney World, they probably imagine noisy, crowded character meals or long lines at quick service restaurants. However, as a father, I can attest to the fact that there are plenty of eateries with a dad-friendly menu and/or theme. So whether you enjoy pizza or steak, whether you are into sports or science fiction, Walt Disney World has a restaurant that will satisfy your appetite.
Best Disney World Restaurants
With that in mind then, here are the best Disney World Restaurants (according to a Dad).
Biergarten at EPCOT
No matter what time of year you visit it’s always Octoberfest at this lively restaurant, beautifully designed to resemble a twilit Bavarian village. Sing along with a live polka band, raise a stein or two, and feast on an all-you-care-to-menjoy meal of traditional, and delicious, German cuisine. The buffet at Biergarten is a good value for your theme park dining dollar; just be sure to bring a hearty appetite!
Via Napoli at EPCOT
As a native New Yorker, I am pretty particular about my pizza (yes I realize that comment just reeks of New York elitism). Therefore I would never order pizza in a theme park.
Photo by Cliff Wang
That is until I experienced Via Napoli, where I enjoyed some of the best pizza I ever had, in or out of a theme park; thin-crusted, made with fresh ingredients (some of which are imported from Italy), and cooked in wood-burning ovens. Beautiful décor and a friendly wait staff make Via Napoli a must-do.
Teppan Edo at EPCOT
My family and I always enjoy a little entertainment with our dinner, and so Teppan Edo is one of our favorite restaurants at Disney World. Authentic, and delicious, Japanese cuisine is prepared fresh at your table by chefs with more than a little showmanship. Expect the typical hibachi tableside schtick but with a few touches of Disney. All entrees are served with salad, rice, and udon noodles.
Liberty Tree Tavern in Magic Kingdom
Your dad won’t go away hungry, and neither will you, at this charming, Colonial-themed restaurant, where all you care to enjoy a meal is served family style. Befitting its theme, the Liberty Tree Patriot’s Platter is a Thanksgiving feast, which includes roasted turkey, pot roast, pork, mashed potatoes, vegetables, stuffing, and house-made macaroni and cheese. And try to save some room for their famous dessert, the Oooey Gooey Toffee Cake.
Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen at Magic Kingdom
After groaning your way through the endless dad jokes on the Jungle Cruise, come experience even more cringe-worthy humor from the wait staff at the best restaurant in Magic Kingdom. The hanger steak and lamb chops are standout items. And be sure to order the delicious Brazilian cheesy bread from the not-so-secret menu.” (Not sure why this is still considered a secret; it’s been on the menu for years and the servers tell you about it right up front.)
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Where else but Disney World could you eat dinner inside a car at an indoor drive-in while watching trailers from cheesy 1950s sci-fi flicks. The overall experience is a blast but the menu here is somewhat limited; nevertheless, the burgers and crispy onion rings are awesome.
Photo by Judd Helms
(NOTE: This restaurant is extremely popular, making an Advance Dining Reservation hard to come by. Be sure to start checking availability a full 60 days in advance.)
50’s Prime Time Café at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Go back in time to a family kitchen from the 1950s and watch clips from vintage TV shows while dining at this kitschy, highly-themed restaurant. For lunch or dinner, enjoy hearty comfort food favorites like onion rings, fried chicken, pot roast, and meatloaf. But be sure to mind your manners, or the sassy wait staff may just give you a lesson in table etiquette.
Steakhouse 71 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
This retro-themed restaurant, named for the year that Disney World opened, is home to the best steaks in the resort. Choose from all the best cuts of beef, including Filet Mignon, Top Sirloin, New York Strip, and Prime Rib, then pair with such classic steakhouse sides as potatoes au gratin, creamed spinach, and red wine-glazed mushrooms. For lunch try the awesome Stack Burger. And take a few moments to check out the vintage photos of the resort being built.
Rix Sports Bar & Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Sports-loving dads rejoice! You can take in all the day’s action on 31 state-of-the-art TVs at this upscale sports lounge while chowing down on such classic sports fare as wings, nachos, mozzarella sticks, and burgers. There’s also a large selection of classic and hand-crafted beers to wash it all down. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, 7 AM to 11 PM.
Cape May Café at Disney’s Beach Club Resort
If your dad loves seafood, like me, then this restaurant, which serves a New England-inspired buffet, is the place for him. Start with New England clam chowder, move on to seafood pasta salad, then enjoy a traditional steam boil featuring clams, mussels, shrimp, corn, and red potatoes. You can also upgrade your dinner with snow crab legs, for an additional charge.
