Top 10 Disney World Table Service Restaurants
Walt Disney World has tons of table service restaurants, and this list ranks the 10 best. We’ve done all of the top dining in WDW’s parks, resorts, Disney Springs, plus third-party hotels in Orlando, Florida, and these are our favorites. With so many great options, it’s difficult to narrow down this list! (Updated May 1, 2020.)
To avoid this challenge, in the past we’ve done lists of the best value-maximizing Table Service restaurants for the Disney Dining Plan (if you booked the Free Disney Dining Plan or the Disney Dining Plan in general, that is the list to consult for booking restaurants, not this list), the most romantic restaurants, and the best character dining options for the Disney Dining Plan. These are just a few ways to break down the types of restaurants to avoid narrowing the restaurants to an overall top 10 list.
With the exception of the #1 restaurant, all restaurants listed participate in the Disney Dining Plan. Most are Signature Restaurants, meaning they cost two-credit table service restaurants on the Disney Dining Plan. (Really, if you’re planning on dining at these restaurants, the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan–or paying out of pocket–is the way to go.) Eight also accept the Tables in Wonderland card for a 20% discount. We update this list regularly based on recent meals we’ve had at Walt Disney World, and a few restaurants seem to come and go every year…
In fact, a trio of new entries on the list opened just last year–and two more newcomers arguably could’ve made the cut. It’s fairly unprecedented to have so many additions in a single year, and we don’t expect a repeat of that in 2020. While Epcot’s Space 220 Restaurant will (probably?) open at some point this year after several delays, we’re expecting that to be more about ambiance and theme than high quality cuisine. Hopefully we’re wrong about that!
With that said, we still have more to try! Four Seasons Orlando, Waldorf Astoria, Swan & Dolphin, and other high profile Orlando, Florida hotels that are technically on Walt Disney World property all have highly regarded restaurants at which we’ve yet to dine. We plan to revisit these hotels and potentially open up the list to those fine dining options, as well.
It’s also worth noting that this list emphasizes cuisine over theme. Many Walt Disney World fan-favorite restaurants, including some that we love, have been “snubbed” from this list. That doesn’t mean that they aren’t great options, especially for families.
Solid choices that didn’t make the cut include Narcoossee’s, Restaurant Marrakesh, Boma, Morimoto Asia, Jaleo, Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’, Via Napoli, Biergarten, Teppan Edo, Tusker House, ‘Ohana, Raglan Road, and Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen. Moreover, for our 2020 update, we’ve removed Hollywood Brown Derby, Be Our Guest Restaurant, and Sanaa.
Below is a brief synopsis why each restaurant makes the Top 10 list of Walt Disney World table service restaurants. Click the restaurant name for our full review of each restaurant. Okay, let’s take a look at which Walt Disney World restaurants made the cut…
T10. Jiko – The Cooking Place – Previously in our top 3, two recent so-so experiences at Jiko during which we ordered an array of dishes have soured us on it a bit. The restaurant still has enough going for it to keep Jiko – The Cooking Place in the top 10, but it’s barely hanging on. (The wild boar, lamb shank, and beef short rib are still all-stars, so no worries about those beloved dishes!)
Moreover, ambiance of Jiko continues to make it an Animal Kingdom Lodge highlight. The color palette of the restaurant changes to mimic an African sunset as the night progresses. The service is also excellent, with servers who are knowledgeable about the menu and the extensive drink list. Its prices are in line with other Signature restaurants, so it’s no gem from a value perspective, but the cuisine is worth the prices.
T10. The Boathouse – In the last few years, Disney Springs has gone from a place only to be visited if you wanted to get some shopping done, or maybe dinner at Raglan Road, to an integral part of any Walt Disney World vacation. There are a number of reasons for this, but the main one is unquestionably dining.
Our list of the best table service restaurants at Disney Springs features 5 locations that arguably could’ve made this list. The best among these is The Boathouse, which offers fine dining and a fun atmosphere. While the theme may seem at odds with the Signature status, it works for the style of restaurant on the waterfront at Disney Springs. Then there’s the food, which is almost all excellent (they, too, have a top 5 Walt Disney World dessert with the Baked Alaska), and it’s easy to see why the Boathouse has already attracted a legion of dedicated fans in only a couple of years.
9. Tiffins – A tribute to the explorations and travels that provided the genesis of Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, Tiffins simultaneously feels like dining in an art gallery, and eating at a high-end, low-key restaurant where globe-trotting Imagineers would themselves dine. Fortunately, it’s not a hodgepodge or scholar’s den of eccentricities, and instead is a carefully-curated art gallery, with great attention to detail.
The menu at Tiffins is delightful, with a variety of ambitious dishes that are adventurous and reflective of the restaurant’s overarching theme. Again, it’s all about attention to detail here, with everything from presentation to the confluence of flavors making Tiffins a winner. There are several approachable options here, but Tiffins is a great place to challenge your taste buds, step outside your comfort zone, and take a veritable adventure in dining.
8. Yachtsman Steakhouse – A carnivore’s paradise, Yachtsman Steakhouse is the place to go at Walt Disney World for glorious cuts of meat. This is apparent as soon as you walk in the entrance where you see…a butcher in a case booth making the “magic” happen. It also manages an upscale setting, with sophisticated design, rich woods, and a classy interior.
You really can’t go wrong with the cuts of meat here–no matter what you get, you’re in for a treat. Although Yachtsman Steakhouse has other menu items besides awesome cuts of meat, these are where the menu shines. The ‘classics’ makes it the most approachable Signature Restaurant at Walt Disney World, and something that even “meat and potatoes” kinds of guests will enjoy and appreciate.
7. California Grill – Offering incredible ambiance, sophisticated decor, and undoubtedly the best views of any restaurant at Walt Disney World, California Grill is a winner. When dining at California Grill, a window table is almost a must. Make ADRs for about an hour before the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks, and be willing to wait for a window table.
Dinner at California Grill is the perfect way to spend an evening at Walt Disney World, but we’re even bigger fans of “Brunch at the Top.” This all you can eat meal with mimosas does both quality and quantity exceptionally, and the live music makes for a sophisticated meal. You can even come back later to watch the fireworks from their private viewing deck!
6. Toledo Steakhouse – Grade inflation is always a concern for new Walt Disney World restaurants, as are menu and quality erosion. However, of the 2020 newcomers to the list, we’re least concerned about Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood being dumbed down or falling from our graces.
Not only is the concept ambitious and fun, but the food is delicious, the views are exceptional, and the prices–for the quality of the cuisine–are not inflated too much by Walt Disney World standards. The fact that Toledo caters heavily to conventioneers plays a huge part in all of this, and will likely ensure that the restaurant maintains its high standards. It arguably belongs in the top 5, and perhaps we’ll test a few more meals at Toledo, just to be safe.
5. Flying Fish – What Yachtsman Steakhouse is to steak, Flying Fish is to seafood. That is to say, it’s the place to go at Walt Disney World if you want some excellent seafood. Located on the BoardWalk, Flying Fish is the perfect adult’s night out, as you can enjoy the ambiance of the BoardWalk after a meal at the restaurant. The ambiance of Flying Fish is also great, with nice decor and an open kitchen and nice bar that add to the energy of the restaurant.
The Signature Flying Fish Cafe “Blue Crab Bisque” is a popular appetizer, but the “Tour of the Coast” is a good way to sample a variety of options. In terms of entrees, the filet is shockingly good, but we’d recommend sticking to seafood (go to #2 if you’re in the mood for a steak). Dessert rounds out the experience with a lot of interesting options. For a Signature seafood restaurant, prices are surprisingly fair, which also helps bump Flying Fish into the top 5.
4. Topolino’s Terrace – Along with Toledo, this is one of two new restaurants that offer superlative rooftop dining that surpasses perennial favorite California Grill. As Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera is still only a few months old, we have some lingering concerns about its longevity, but for now, it’s a superstar.
Located at Disney’s Riviera Resort, it’s an easy Skyliner gondola ride from several resorts plus both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and offers fireworks views of both parks. While dinner is the reason it makes this list, families should not overlook the exceptional Breakfast à la Art with Mickey & Friends, which is our new favorite character meal at Walt Disney World.
3. Monsieur Paul – Despite being the most refined restaurant in the parks at Walt Disney World, Monsieur Paul is mostly approachable. It’s opulent and well-appointed without being too intimidating or overly stuffy. The Art Nouveau design, details, and table settings make clear that Monsieur Paul is a fine dining restaurant, but wall photos of the late Chef Paul Bocuse with giant mice and a rat help to remind that this restaurant is indeed in a Walt Disney World theme park.
Cuisine at Monsieur Paul is a veritable Tour de France, with each dish offering tremendous nuance and variety. Presentation is meticulous and exquisite, flavors are bold and inventive, and service is attentive. With that said, Monsieur Paul won’t be for everyone. As noted, Monsieur Paul is fine dining, and the emphasis here is on quality over quantity. If you’re looking for one of the best meals you can have at Walt Disney World, look no further. If you’re looking for one of the biggest meals, look elsewhere.
2. Takumi Tei – Epcot’s newest restaurant is a lot like Monsieur Paul, but totally different. Whereas France’s flagship eatery is Epcot’s most refined, Takumi Tei is its highest concept. Both are incredibly sophisticated, but ultimately illustrate the differences between service and cuisine in Japan and France.
While the food is absolutely spectacular (especially the Omakase Tasting Menu, which is highlighted by Wagyu and bone marrow), Takumi Tei is all about Omotenashi. This is the Japanese concept of service with great attention to detail and from the bottom of the heart. It’s incredibly warm, gracious, and welcoming. Oh, and the food cannot be overlooked–from seafood to duck to that glorious beef, Takumi Tei is an absolute winner, and its top tier meals give Victoria & Albert’s a run for its money…
1. Victoria & Albert’s – Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is the absolute best restaurant at Walt Disney World, and by a wide margin. It’s the only AAA 5-Diamond restaurant in the Orlando area and one of the top-rated restaurants in all of Florida. The restaurant is quiet and well-appointed, and the service is exquisite.
Victoria & Albert’s offers a prix fixe six-course meal (we won’t fixate on each “best” menu item) consisting of gourmet and specialty fine dining options, along with other “premium” items that can be ordered for an additional charge. If you’re a real foodie, you can also book the Chef’s Table for a unique, albeit less romantic, dining option. Given all of this, why would Victoria & Albert’s not be #1 on anyone’s list?
Price. The fixed-price cost for the regular dining room starts at $185 per person and with wine pairings and upgrades, the cost can easily eclipse $600 for a couple. That said, even the price can’t prevent Victoria & Albert’s from snagging the #1 slot here by a wide margin. This is because, for the type of restaurant it is, it’s pretty well priced, and because the food really is that good.
Everything about the restaurant is exquisite, making it far and away the best restaurant at Walt Disney World. It’s somewhere everyone who enjoys fine dining should eat at least once. In terms of value, even at its high cost, I would rate Victoria & Albert’s very highly. In my mind, it’s one of the few restaurants at Walt Disney World that would not be overpriced in the real world for the food and service it offers. That’s high praise for a meal that cost us over $300!
There you have it, our top 10 list of table service restaurants at Walt Disney World. You may notice that a lot of popular restaurants didn’t make this list. This includes a handful of Signature Restaurants, a high number of superlative Disney Springs options, and a few under-the-radar fan favorites. As we said above, it was difficult to narrow the list down to the 10 best table service restaurants at Walt Disney World…but we managed to do it!
Want more dining recommendations? Check out our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. For info on whether the DDP is right for you, read our Ultimate Guide to the Disney Dining Plan. For comprehensive vacation advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
Do you agree with our top 10 table service restaurants at Walt Disney World? Any restaurants that you’d add to the list? Any dining spots we list that you do not think are worthy of a spot? What are your favorite table service restaurants in Walt Disney World? Any questions? Hearing your feedback—even when you disagree with us—is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
TASTE, as always, is a matter of TASTE, but if you can’t find the place … was it poor writing, bad editing & proof reading or what that did not in crude LOCATION in each review? I read ana Dre-read some of you reviews to try and find out WHERE in The the eatery being reviewed was located. ALAS, you did not tell us. PLEASE , RE-read your article and ADD THE LOCATION to the places that DO NOT currently have that info. DO you need help finding the reviews with missing locations? Okay, try numbers 8, 6, and 3. saying a place is “In a Disney Theme park” narrows the search, but only a little.
I definitely want to check out Victoria and Albert’s, it looks so good! Topolino’s Terrace is a great choice and we love to visit The Boat House! Great choices 🙂
My daughter is a CM at California Grill.
Just a few points that you absolutely need to know and which are not accurately reflected in your blurb about the Grill.
1) There are not enough window tables for everyone who wants one and asking for one at the time of reservation doesn’t guarantee one.
2) There are very few 2-top window tables and they rarely put a 2-top on a 4-top window table.
3) The advice to make an ADR one hour before fireworks actually causes massive stress on the restaurant and the possibility of upset or disappointed guests. Fireworks times vary throughout the year and on party nights.
4) People often linger at their tables to see fireworks from the table although the decks are open for outside viewing. This tendency causes extended waits for guests with later dining reservations, fyi.
5) Anyone who dines at the Grill on a given day has access to the outside decks for fireworks. This means that if you have a 5pm reservation, you can come back and watch the fireworks later from the deck.
6) The Grill has several waiters who are so highly regarded that guests specifically request them. The Grill also does some special things—marriage proposal packages, pixie dust and pixie art on the tables, etc, which add to its popularity.
7) The dinner menu changes frequently and the wine list is fantastic.
My son is a bus driver, and he told me your daughter was wrong. So, take that 😉
Well the security guard focused more on random facts than searching my bag said you’re both wrong
I LOVE Sanaa! Like you said, it’s flavors are for the more adventurous and the foodies out there. I usually go about four times a year. There service is also fantastic. I’ve been going since 2015. Truthfully, I wouldn’t expect to take someone who dines on more typical American cuisine, or Italian cuisine and expect them to fall in love. From the Butter Chicken, the Braised Beef, the Shrimp Tinashe and the BREAD SERVICE. Heaven. I’m going to Jiko: The Cooking Place next week and I am nothing but thrilled. My advice as a foodie and one who believes there’s a right fit for everyone, look at the menu of each Walt Disney World restaurant before you go. Their offerings are all there online. And do an online search to see if you’d like this kind of cuisine. Because at the end of the day, find the right fit for your and your family’s tastebuds.
Can you please make a list for top Restaurants for Vegetarians.
thanks
A lot of the places listed are signature – I would like to see your list for one credit places. I’ve been to Sanaa with two teenage daughters and we respectfully disagree that this is in the list. Besides the steak and bread (extra on dining plan), that’s it. My 14 and 16 year olds hated what they got and not the most pleasing plating. The only good part was the animals as we got a window table. Other better choices – yak and yeti, bayside, the princesses at Epcot – all beat Sanaa. Just my thoughts. I’ll have to try the others on your list.
I agree entirely. My wife and I found Sanaa very disappointing. It’s the only WDW restaurant we’ve ever been to which we wouldn’t want to go to again (although Tony’s Town Square runs a close second).
We both like exotic and spicy foods and found the food rather bland. We also found the service was the worst we’ve experienced at WDW.
I concur as well. My family regularly dines at Jiko but Sanaa for us was a very poor experience. We had a far-below-average meal in terms of taste, value, quality, and service, and decided to never return for another meal at Sanaa. That was probably our worst dining experience, even below Tony’s!
Have you been to Takumi-Tei yet?
Fantastic theme, and next to V&A the best dining experience we have had at WDW.
I would have a hard time deciding between it and Magellan’s as my 2nd favorite Disney restaurant world wide.
Not yet. I’m concerned that the restaurant is having trouble attracting an audience, which will cause the menu to change sooner rather than later. We’ll probably dine there in November or early December.
I have yet to eat at the Boathouse, because it’s just a few steps away from Morimoto and every time I’m thinking about dining at Disney Springs I cannot avoid going to Morimoto. I think it’s the biggest exclusion from this list, maybe because there are already too many restaurants challenging the common taste?
Anyway, I could possible rate Sanaa higher than Morimoto only for lunch and with a window table. Otherwise just thinking about food, I’d go to Morimoto. But why choose? I’m at WDW right now and I have both Morimoto and Sanaa planned 😀
Morimoto is #3 on the Disney Springs list, and would *probably* be on this if it were a top 15 list. In the grand scheme of WDW dining, that’s still very, very good!
I noticed Narcoossee’s isn’t on your list, and curious, I went to your review of it, which as far as I can tell since there are no dates for your posts, was maybe back in 2017 based on the dates of comments. From your review, I feel like you guys HAD to have gone on an off-night. Give Narcoossee’s another shot! It’s our favorite restaurant at WDW, and we never miss an opportunity to go at least once to watch the fireworks. Next time, be sure to get the almond-crusted cheesecake for dessert!
We’ve done Narcoossee’s twice more in the last 3 years; one visit was very good and another was just fine. Maybe it’s just us, but both Narcoossee’s and Citricos sort of fall flat. They’re not bad, just not as good as other Signature Restaurants.
Of course, others’ experiences vary, and we know people who love both Grand Floridian Signatures!
I agree with Kate M. Narcoosssee’s is our favorite restaurant at WDW. We try to go there for dinner 2-3 times anytime we visit WDW for a week, and have had nothing but excellent meals in the over 15 times we have dined there.
Last year we took our first WDW trip without children, allowing us to eat at the better places we couldn’t afford to take a family of five. From this list we ate at Jiko, Sanaa, and Be Our Guest (before the renovations).
We were going to splurge and go to Victoria and Albert, but then we discovered the Wanyama Safari dinner at Jiko. For less money we got an amazing safari tour and chef’s tasting diner with a small group of VERY interesting guests. If you want a special night out, I consider this a great value. We went to Sanaa on our first night and it was fabulous.
BoG was just to loud and crazy for me to enjoy. Also the server made a number of mistakes that resulted in a visit by the manager who was very appologetic and gave us gift cards at for any WDW gift shop. So that will not be on our top list.
Update. Victoria & Albert is now the same set menu with no choices in the main and Queen’s room running you $235pp and $150pp for the wine pairing so now a couple will be closer to $1,000.
That pushed us out.
This post needs a slight update as you recommend skipping dessert at Be Our Guest. But now that dessert is part of the package, you would not want to skip dessert 🙂
I think a good idea for a top 10 list would be the “Top 10 Restaurants that are 1 meal credit” or something like that.
I agree. Just because I would not go to a 2 credit restaurant. I would like to know what the top 10 dinner credit restaurants. We can spend a little more now because of no kids but we cannot go crazy;,but would like to have a nice vacation
Is tiffins worth using 2 table service credits to do the special seating/dinner combo for the light show?
Don’t cut Tiffins short. It’s really very good restaurant.
I had always used Wishes as my big draw to California Grille, i’m curious to hear your thoughts now that Happily Ever After relies so heavily on Castle projections. Is it still worth trying to book a reservation during the show now?