Whether you're craving churros at Nomad Lounge or fresh seafood at Flying Fish, Disney World culinary reporter Shay Spence has you covered.
Even while Mickey Mouse and old-school attractions bring in the big bucks at Walt Disney World, the "most magical place on Earth" is hiding a secret—its equally amazing underground food scene—right under your nose (and fork).
One of the four Michelin-starred restaurants in Orlando, CAPA, a Spanish-inspired steakhouse at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando near Walt Disney World, has been open since 2022, and the city's fine dining scene is booming. However, this is far from Disney World's only claim to fame when it comes to its culinary offerings.
The resort's high-end lodgings boast tasting menus that have won AAA Five Diamond awards, Florida's only wine bar operated by a master sommelier, and other restaurants that have been recommended by Michelin and Bib Gourmand.
However, many guests mistakenly believe that the menus at the Disney hotels and parks only include hot dogs, which is far from the truth. In order to find out the best restaurants in Disney World, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, and their respective resorts, we consulted Shay Spence, a food writer and Disney dining expert located in Florida. "I think the biggest misconception about Disney World food is that it's all low quality and super expensive," said Spence, who has over two million followers on his website and publishes food reviews and culinary guides.
"The SpeciaList"
Key West, Florida-based culinary journalist Shay Spence is always on the go. Spence presently makes food-related videos for TikTok and Food and Wine; she was formerly the food editor for People Magazine. Every month, in search of the finest new bites, he makes his way north to Disney World and its surrounding kingdoms.
"As far as quality goes, you don't have to settle," he remarked. "Disney has world class restaurants spanning just about every cuisine imaginable." "Even standard theme park snacks like churros and corn dogs are next level if you know where to get them," he says, showing that he isn't beyond playing it safe. While dishes like Dole whip and enormous turkey legs may be the first to pop into your head when you think of Disney cuisine, those are only the beginning. The culinary and beverage staff at the Magic Kingdom are always inventing new delicacies using ingredients from a top-secret flavor lab. Plus, the most popular vacation spot in Florida has hundreds of eateries, so even the pickiest eaters may find it difficult to narrow their options.
When Shay Spence visits Walt Disney World, these are the seven foods she loves the most.
One of the top seafood spots in Disney's BoardWalk is Flying Fish.
"This is one of the most underrated restaurants in Disney World, hands down," he added. Located on the charming BoardWalk, a coastal promenade with a variety of attractions that evoke yesteryear, Flying Fish is a great place to people-watch. At Disney World's finest seafood restaurant, you may enjoy modern, elegant dining while being escorted with a white glove by none other than Mickey himself. "The service is effortlessly impeccable," Spence said.
Tip
Expenditures at Disney World, particularly for meals, may quickly add up. "One of the best ways to save money is to find filling snacks around the parks," he added. "Table service bills not only add up fast, but they can suck energy and cut into valuable time if you're prioritising getting through rides." The chipotle BBQ loaded fries from Casey's Corner are his current favorite fast and inexpensive snack. Priced for less than $8 (£6.30).
Spence prefers one of the chic restaurant's long-time staples over the extensive menu of sustainable seafood and changing seasonal dishes. "The signature potato-wrapped red snapper with leek fondue is crispy on the outside, flaky on the inside and really a modern marvel," stated the chef. Despite the menu's heavy emphasis on seafood, it does include a few surprises. "Meat lovers will love the char-crusted New York Strip," he remarked.
Link: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/boardwalk/flying-fish/ on the Disney World website
Reach us at (407) 939-3463.
#2: The Science-Fi Dine-In Theatre at Hollywood Studios for retro cuisine
Spence suggests the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theatre at Disney's Hollywood Studios, which he describes as delightfully offbeat. "Not all restaurants at Disney World are about the food," he remarked. "It is a theme park after all, and you can't beat the theming here." As diners go into the dimly lit space, their vision will be whisked away to a drive-in theater from the 1950s, providing a welcome respite from the scorching Florida sun.
A huge screen plays loops of old-timey favorites, such as advertising for antique kitchen appliances and goofy horror flicks, while guests munch on American comfort food in vintage-style automobiles. "I know there are some haters out there, but the secret here is to stick to the basics and not get any bright ideas," he remarked. "Get yourself a burger, a shake, maybe some onion rings, and enjoy the show."
Even if it's controversial, he likes it. "I love a restaurant where you're encouraged not to talk to the people you're with, especially after spending days in a hot theme park together – everyone can just shut up and chill out for a bit."
The website for the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater at Disney World is https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/.
Reach us at (407) 939-3463.
3. Nomad Lounge in Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the best place to get food inspired by many cultures.
The most picturesque location of the resort, Disney's Animal Kingdom, serves you escapism on a silver platter. Spence and other Disney regulars love the various dishes at the theme park's tried-and-true eatery, but they really love the quirky Nomad Lounge. "It's just so pleasant, you don't feel like you're in a theme park," according to him. "And cocktails are almost always on point."
The selection of small meals inspired by cuisines throughout the world is always evolving, and chef Spence advises diners to be open to trying new things. However, the churros are one food that, if taken away, may spark a riot. Different from the frozen-to-fried churros available elsewhere, they are dubbed the "best churros at Disney World" by Spence. Served with dips like a zesty strawberry-guava sauce, the pillowy bites are unexpectedly gluten-free.
With an exclusive cuisine and an adventure theme, this bar serves up some of the greatest drinks on the site and has both indoor and outdoor seating. Spence proposes a variant on the Moscow Mule called the Snow Leopard Salvation. An amber lager with a strong cardamom flavor, Kungaloosh Spiced Excursion lager is created specifically for Disney and is sure to be a hit with beer enthusiasts.
Here is the website for the Nomad Lounge: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/animal-kingdom/.
Reach us at (407) 939-3463.
4. Jiko - The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is the best destination for a lavish meal.
Spence never misses an opportunity to treat himself at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. You won't believe you're in central Florida when you visit the imitation safari resort, which is set on a verdant grassland with majestic African giraffes. Plus, the resort's themed restaurants are well regarded. "The Indian-style bread service from Sanaa gets all the glory for good reason," he remarked. "But my favourite thing to eat is actually from Jiko – The Cooking Place."
The resort's posh but inviting steakhouse is lit by wood-burning ovens. An open display kitchen prepares the menu's innovative dishes and inventive takes on classics, while the extensive wine list has the world's biggest selection of South African wines served outside of Africa.
The oak-grilled filet mignon with chocolate-red wine demi-glace is the only dish that has Spence's undivided attention. "The oak-grilled filet comes with the most delicious, garlicky four-cheese mac," he remarked. "I've never really ordered anything else off this menu because I'm so loyal to this dish." As a result of its long history of satisfied customers and its association with Disney legends, Jiko is notoriously difficult for guests to get a reservation at.
Here is the link to the website: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/animal-kingdom-lodge/jiko-the-cooking-place/...
Reach us at (407) 939-3463.
5. The Spice Road Table at EPCOT is the best hidden treasure.
At EPCOT's World Showcase, a miniature version of the World's Fair with eleven nation pavilions, you won't hear much about Morocco's Spice Road Table, even though it's one of several excellent restaurants there. "I really don't know why this spot isn't more popular, but I'm grateful I can always get a table here whenever I want it," he remarked. Tapas inspired by the Mediterranean make up the little menu; Spence claims to dream about the tiropitakia (phyllo triangles packed with cheese) often, and it is his favorite meal. "The menu really is banger after banger." There you may find his go-to beverage, the Moroccan Mule, which is a vodka drink flavored with figs.
Vibrant colors and lighting fixtures complemented with gold create an ambiance that is very hypnotic. Plus, Spence knows something else about the best kept secret in Disney World. "This is the perfect little secret viewing spot for EPCOT's night-time fireworks show, Luminous."
Here is the link to the Spice Road Table: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/spice
Reach us at (407) 939-3463.
6. The Sleepy Hollow Refreshments at Magic Kingdom are the best guilty pleasure treats.
With one notable exception, the kid-friendly Magic Kingdom isn't exactly renowned for its exceptional culinary offerings. "This is, without a doubt, the highest-quality quick service establishment in Magic Kingdom," he remarked. Located in the park's Liberty Square portion, the modest kiosk known as Sleepy Hollow Refreshments is almost too simple to miss. Its modest cuisine receives a much-deserved upgrade to that of a Disney culinary ritual. "They have a Mickey waffle with strawberries and cream that's so much better than any Mickey waffle you'll get at your resort breakfast buffet," he remarked.
Other than that, he loves savory waffles with crunchy slaw and spicy fried chicken and sweet waffles with Nutella and fresh berries. Spence vouched for the corn dogs at Sleepy Hollow, calling them "the best in the business" and praising their handmade quality, frying them "without a heat lamp in sight" and allowing them to be dipped and fried in front of your own eyes.
The website for Sleepy Hollow is https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/magic-kingdom/.
Reach us at (407) 939-3463.
7. EPCOT's Karamell-Küche is the best dessert.
Karamell-Küche, situated in the Germany pavilion at EPCOT, is the place to go for parkgoers who are both knowledgeable and addicted to sweets. The alluring scent of caramel wafts out of its entrance, so they won't have any problem locating it. The finest delicacies on this site, such the iconic Werther's Original caramel popcorn, are housed in this little corner, which Spence lauds.
"Everyone tells you to get the caramel corn (which is valid) but really the whole pastry case is an absolutely stacked all-star line-up of sweets," he remarked. "It's hard to go wrong, but the Gingerbread Salted Caramel Cookie Sandwich is simply the best cookie creation ever concocted." The buttercream and salted caramel adorn freshly made gingerbread cookies, giving them a flavor as exhilarating as a ride on Space Mountain.
Here is the link to their website: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/shops/karamell-kuche/.
Reach us at (407) 939-3463.