As a local that grew up in Orlando, a past Disney Cast Member, and a Disney World regular; I get asked this question all of the time…what are my favorite Disney Restaurants?
My favorites vary from Signature Table Service Restaurants to Quick Service Restaurants from Theme Parks to Resorts. All of the restaurants have great food and unique atmospheres that make me want to dine there over and over again.
One of my favorite restaurants, right at #5 is Columbia Harbour House. This restaurant is hidden away in Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom Park, right across from the Haunted Mansion. This Quick Service Restaurant features fish and chips in a Colonial restaurant with a nautical theme. I have been dining at this restaurant for over 20 years and it is still one of my favorites. What makes it my favorite? It is the chicken nuggets! This entree is under $10 and features breaded chicken nuggets served with french fries.
Some of the other favorites at Columbia Harbour House include the Lobster Roll, Grilled Salmon, Lighthouse Sandwich and the Fried Shrimp Platter. The Lobster Roll is a huge portion served with french fries. The Grilled Salmon is served with your choice of couscous or steamed broccoli. The Lighthouse Sandwich is a popular vegetarian entree with hummus, tomato and broccoli slaw on a toasted bread served with chips. The Fried Shrimp Platter is served with cole slaw, steamed broccoli and fries. Columbia Harbour House is on the Disney Dining Plan and is considered a Counter Service/Quick Service Dining location. This restaurant can get quite busy, so be sure you check the upstairs seating. It is usually quiet and has a great view of Magic Kingdom.
ʻOhana at Disneyʼs Polynesian Resort is #4 on my list of favorites for breakfast and dinner. It makes my favorite list for the food and atmosphere. The restaurant name ʻOhana means family. This restaurant is in a comfortable setting with super friendly serving staff, games for the kids, and usually live entertainment like Polynesian singers. It is a wonderful way to enjoy breakfast or dinner. To make this restaurant even better is the location. ʻOhana sits on the top floor of the Ceremonial House with a spectacular view of the resort and in the distance a view of Magic Kingdom, including Cinderella Castle. If you are lucky enough to schedule your dinner during the Wishes Fireworks, you can enjoy this show right from your table. Disney pipes in the music and show right into the restaurant.
The food is simply amazing at ʻOhana for breakfast and dinner. For breakfast, you cannot beat the all-you-can-eat meal served family style with a few of your favorite Disney Characters. You may see Mickey Mouse, Lilo, and Stitch all in their Polynesian attire. The menu includes scrambled eggs, potatoes, pork sausage, bacon, fruit, and assorted breads. Be sure you try the Hawaiian bread!
For dinner, you get a great value with an all-you-can-eat meal. The meal is similar to the Brazilian Steakhouses. The meat is cooked on a fire pit (in the middle of the restaurant) and then brought to your table on skewers. However, the price is a huge steal at ʻOhana for this kind of meal.
You start off your dinner with bread and appetizers, all served family style. Some of the appetizers include mixed greens, chicken wings, dumplings, noodles, and steamed vegetables. The main skewers of meat include chicken, pork loin, steak, and shrimp.
Save room for dessert, because that is another one of my favorites. Your “cousin” or server will bring you bread pudding with ice cream, bananas, and caramel sauce. The end to a delicious meal. ʻOhana is another popular restaurant at Disney World. You can often get a walk up at the first seating. However, I do recommend Advanced Dining Reservations.
My next favorite restaurant ranked at #3 is right next door at Disneyʼs Grand Floridian Resort. This popular restaurant is called Narcoosseeʼs. As a Florida gal who loves seafood, Narcooseeʼs is always a treat. This restaurant has excellent seafood and steaks, all served in a romantic setting next to the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon lake.
The atmosphere is also the highlight of this restaurant. Narcooseeʼs features a spectacular view of the evening Wishes Fireworks at Magic Kingdom Park. You can sit outside and watch these fireworks or enjoy them from inside the restaurant. The music and show is piped right into the restaurant, for your enjoyment.
The menu at this restaurant does include seafood and steaks. Some of my favorite appetizers include the Mushroom Bisque, Heirloom Apple Salad, and the Lump Crab Cakes. The Mushroom Bisque features crab and cheese with just a touch of truffle cream and chives. The Heirloom Apple Salad includes lettuce, apples, pistachios, sunflower seeds, gouda and a light vinaigrette. The Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes are accompanied with a spicy mustard sauce and candied pecans. For entrees, my favorite is the Pan-seared Georges Bank Day Boat Scallops. This entree includes scallops with mushrooms, lemon-thyme-mustard jus, and pasta with raisins, almonds, beans, and herb cream. Some other popular entrees includes Grilled South Carolina Stone Bass, Grilled Filet Mignon, and House-Made Fettuccine “Scampi”.
The Grilled South Carolina Stone Bass includes roasted potatoes, cauliflower, corn puree, vinaigrette, crispy shiitakes and arugula. The Grilled Filet Mignon includes whipped potatoes, yellow was, and beans with a wine sauce. The House-Made Fettuccine “Scampi” includes Florida wild sustainable jumbo shrimp and Maine lobster with baby tomatoes and a cream sauce.
Narcooseeʼs is a Signature Table Service restaurant. This restaurant is on the Disney Dining Plan. Disney does require (2) sit down meals for this restaurant. I also recommend Advanced Dining Reservations, since this restaurant does book up early.
On our way to my final favorite Disney World Restaurants includes #2 at Kona Cafe. This restaurant is a favorite for breakfast at Disneyʼs Polynesian Resort. This restaurant is also located on the top floor of the Ceremonial House at Disneyʼs Polynesian Resort. This open restaurant is a relaxing setting with a Polynesian flair. Kona Cafe serves one of my favorite breakfast menus including the delicious Tonga Toast. The Tonga Toast is a banana stuffed sourdough bread, rolled in cinnamon sugar, and served with Strawberry Compote and your choice of ham, bacon or sausage. Add a cup of Kona Coffee and it is a great way to start off your day at Disney World.
Some other favorites for breakfast at Kona Cafe include the Macadamia Pineapple Pancakes and The Samoan. The Macadamia Pineapple Pancakes include a Macadamia nut butter with pineapple sauce and your choice of ham, bacon or sausage. The Samoan are poached eggs with Hollandaise served over smoked pulled pork hash.
Are you ready for a Kona Cafe breakfast? This restaurant is usually available for walk up service. However, I do recommend Advanced Dining Reservations. You can call 407- WDW-DINE to book or contact your local travel agent.
My newest favorite is also a super popular one for guests visiting Disney World. My new #1 restaurant at Disney World is Be Our Guest. This restaurant in the new Fantasyland expansion area serves a Counter Service/Quick Service lunch and a Sit Down/Table Service dinner. The lights go down as the romance of Be Our Guest Restaurant sets the table for dinner. The dinner menu is exceptional, offering everything from fine French-inspired starters and entrees to scrumptious desserts. My favorite entree is the Sauteed Shrimp and Scallops. This entree includes a creamy lobster sauce with seasonal vegetables served in a puff pastry. Some other popular entrees include Rotisserie Cornish Hen and Layered Ratatouille. The Rotisserie Cornish Hen comes with potatoes and seasonal vegetables. The Layered Ratatouille features oven-baked zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms, tomatoes, and onions. They are layered with quinoa and served with bell pepper sauce.
The food makes this restaurant one my favorites, but add the amazing atmosphere and it makes the top of my list. Be Our Guest features three completely separate dining rooms including the eery West Wing, Belleʼs book-filled library, or the incredible ballroom. Each room has special touches from Beauty and the Beast including the “rose” in the West Wing, Belle and Beast dancing in the library, and the floor to ceiling mural outside the ballroom with snow flurries. Yes, it actually snows in Florida! The Be
Our Guest Restaurant books up quickly. Contact your travel agent or call 407-WDW-DINE to book your Advanced Dining Reservations for this restaurant.
I hope you get to experience one of my Top 5’s during your next Disney World vacation.
