Top 20 Themed Disney World Restaurants
Trying to find the Walt Disney World restaurants with the best atmosphere and coolest design? Our part 2 of our best themed table service restaurants series covers the best themed choices with options in the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, and a resort (well, campground). It only features table service dining options–so no counter service or bars were eligible.
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you might recall that we did a post on the Top 10 Themed Restaurants at Walt Disney World (link opens in new tab) a few years ago. If you haven’t read that, you should start there before continuing with this post. As that post stresses, I think theme is incredibly important to Walt Disney World’s restaurants. You can get great food in the real world–but awesome theming is far harder to find.
I’m in the process of editing old posts, and the original top 10 was on the agenda last night. As I started editing, I realized I had about 15 worthy restaurants that weren’t on the list–and that was just off the top of my head. Given how many thematically-worthy restaurants there are at Walt Disney World, I felt it was a disservice to cap the list at 10. Instead, I’ve expanded upon it with another 10 restaurants, and edited the original list, bumping some from the original top 10 for newcomers.
Just a friendly reminder (because many commenters on the original post seem to have “forgotten” 🙂 ) these rankings are based on theme, not cuisine. These restaurants could be serving cardboard covered in copious amounts of stale gravy and still make the list. (That’s not to say you should dine at a restaurant serving cardboard, but you get the idea.) We might briefly mention food just so you have an idea of what we think of it, but the rankings are in no way cuisine-based.
Here are our rankings along with a brief synopsis of each restaurant. Click the links within the synopses to read our full reviews of each restaurant. All of these restaurants participate in the Disney Dining Plan.
20. Beaches & Cream — It seems like Beaches & Cream finds itself on every top 10 list we make for Disney Dining. What can I say—we love the place. It combines a charming, bygone-era soda shop with great food and cheap prices.
What’s not to love?! The theme here is fun and well-executed, but it’s those latter two variables (great food and cheap prices) that separates Beaches & Cream from the pack to give it the last spot on our list.
19. Takumi-Tei – We consider this one a sleeper pick, but few World Showcase restaurants embody their host countries as well as Takumi-Tei in the Japan pavilion. The service is second to none, which is very on theme for Japan. (Hey, this list considers atmosphere an extension of theme–it’s not all design!)
The interior is no slouch, either. There are multiple dining rooms, each of which is quite intimate and very reminiscent of Japan. It’s not the pinnacle of Imagineering, but the complete package is pretty great.
18. The Boathouse – It might seem odd to find the Boathouse on this list given that theme was one of my quibbles in our review. However, that was in the context of the price points, and our belief that it skewed a bit too casual given the menu.
Standing on its own, the theme is interesting and varied, with a huge fleet of classic watercraft that include amphicars, water taxi, and myriad other boats, almost all of which are exotic in appearance. This is where the Boathouse scores points with us and earns it a place on the list. Elements of the interior design are imperfect, but you’ve gotta give this place props for all those boats. The whole package here has made this a new go-to spot for us.
17. T-REX Cafe – There’s no subtlety in the theme of T-REX, but it’s not as if dinosaurs are creatures renowned for their peaceful dignity and grace. T-REX has a vibrant and raucous energy, and I love every minute of it.
While there are parallels to Rainforest Cafe (a restaurant of which I am no fan), T-REX feels like a more extravagant and polished production (and one with better food). T-REX certainly won’t appeal to everyone, but for any red-blooded, dinosaur-loving patriot, it’s a hoot.
16. Hollywood Brown Derby – The first of three high-ranking restaurants at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (quite a feat for a park widely considered to have the worst dining, overall), the Hollywood Brown Derby makes the list for its mix of brilliant old hollywood charm and excellent cuisine, and because it’s a rare fine-dining experience inside a theme park.
Hitting these three notes is what makes it one of our overall favorite Walt Disney World restaurants. Not only is the restaurant’s design themed after the original Hollywood Brown Derby, but the menu draws inspiration from the original, too. Talk about getting the details right!
15. Tusker House – C’mon, this is Animal Kingdom…it should be no surprise that the theming at Tusker House is top notch. The restaurant is styled to look like a weathered marketplace you might find in Africa, and the attention to detail nails this theme.
In this market, Disney characters roam freely while tourists graze from one of the best buffets at Walt Disney World; it’s the ultimate utopia that basically screams “IN YOUR FACE!” to all of that Orwellian nonsense.
14. Garden Grill – This is the second character meal that makes the list, and its presence has nothing to do with characters (character meals are a different category–check out our list of the Top Character Meals on the Disney Dining Plan). Instead, Garden Grill makes the list because it rotates and offers views into Livin’ with the Land during the meal.
Garden Grill also serves some of our favorite cuisine at any ‘all you care to enjoy’ restaurant, some of which is sourced from the greenhouses in Epcot. Ride Livin’ with the Land before or after your meal to complete the themed experience (and to learn something about your meal in the process!).
13. Sanaa, Boma, and Jiko – Of course no ‘best of’ list would be complete without a bit of a cop-out. Each of these three restaurants has a distinct theme, but they’re all similar enough that we’re rolling them into one. Each of these restaurants have some great African art and design, with their own twists as to why they are compelling choices.
Sanaa features a view of animals grazing on the savanna, Boma executes the mood and look of an African marketplace–and has delicious food, and Jiko has a more refined feel with brilliant lighting mimicking the sunset.
12. Yak & Yeti Restaurant – Yak & Yeti Restaurant is a hodgepodge, and I mean that as the best form of praise possible. Thematically, think of it as an episode of “Hoarders” but instead of collecting Santa Claus dolls or old newspapers, these proprietors in the Himalayas have assembled a treasure trove of gorgeous antiquities.
Despite all of the stunning artifacts and its size, the restaurant maintains an unexpected quaintness and intimacy. Arguably the most detailed restaurant in Walt Disney World, Yak & Yeti is a favorite of ours due to its theme and cuisine. High marks all around.
11. Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen – It’s rare for a restaurant in Magic Kingdom to be under-appreciated. Given the park’s popularity and the weak overall dining slate, anything even remotely good draws high accolades. Unfortunately, Skipper Canteen is the exception to that. Depending upon which of us you ask, this is either the #1 or #2 restaurant in Magic Kingdom. For me, it’s #1.
Thematically, it feels like a mash-up of three of my favorite Disney eateries: Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, The Explorer’s Club Restaurant, and Magellan’s, plus a dash of Jungle Cruise thrown in for good measure. There are a couple of misfires with the menu, but both it and the theme are ambitious and solid as a whole.
For restaurants 1-10 on the list, click here!
Even with this list now at 20 restaurants, there are still deserving candidates that didn’t make the list, potential restaurants we have not yet tried, and soon-to-open spots at Disney Springs that could make the list. That’s the problem with narrowing down a list like this to a top 10 or even 20.
Walt Disney World prides itself on theming, and there are at least 40 restaurants that do a really good job executing their theme. Our list still just scratches the surface of these, and probably skews a bit towards some of our sentimental favorites. Perhaps this list is deserving another sequel…? (Hey, if the Transformers franchise can keep getting sequel after sequel despite its flagrant sucktacularness, anything is possible!)
For where else to eat, try out our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews page. If you want to save money on tickets or determine which type you should get, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. For where to stay, check out our Walt Disney World Hotel Reviews page, which offers quick-hit capsule reviews of the strengths and weaknesses of every Walt Disney World hotel. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at unconventional things you should take on your trip. Once you arrive at the parks, our Walt Disney World “Ride Guides”are great for determining what to do and when to do it. For overviews of all of these topics and so much more, the best place to start is our comprehensive Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide to make the most of your experience!
Your Thoughts
With so many well-themed restaurants at Walt Disney World, there’s bound to be some disagreement on this one. Which restaurants would be in your top 10? Your top 20? Any here you feel should be higher…or not on the list at all? Share which ones you think we missed and the ones you think we got spot-on in the comments!
One frustrating part of this post and quite a few others we’ve been reading in your blogs over the past couple of months is that you’ll often mention names of places or attractions (in this case, restaurants) without saying anywhere within the article where they’re located. Which park? Which resort? Most you do say, one way or another, but there are also a significant number that leave us guessing. We know you’re very, very experienced and to you the locations are all familiar, but please do keep us relative newcomers in mind, too.
Thanks! We’re enjoying the blog!
We didn’t appreciate the theming at Yak and Yeti because our table view was an elevator, our table and chairs were sticky and the restroom did not look well maintained. We did not have a Landry’s card, so we might give them another chance to see if we can get better seating.
Best themed table in all of Disney World is the last table on the second floor veranda area of the Yak and Yeti.
I think Tiffins probably deserves a slot as well, maybe on the 21-30 list? Loved the bar area especially.
We really like Tiffins, and I’d agree that it would probably make the 21-30 list!
I think where you sit and the time of day you go can factor into how much of the theme you really experience. I went to CRT in February, and unfortunately we were seated at the first table from the top of the stairs. It was still great, but I think the theme would have been better experienced if we had been seated near a window or in the center of the restaurant. Also, it was daytime, and I think the theme would come across in a more dramatic way if we’d gone at night. Next time!
Sucktacularness!
You are a genius!
This list is spot-on! We loved T-Rex, Trail’s End breakfast (SO peaceful), Tusker House, and Cinderella’s Royal Table on our last visit. One thing we love so much about Disney dining is how all of the restaurants are themed differently. In the real world, it’s so easy to find restaurants that look and feel the same, so being immersed in another world while dining at Disney is really something special! And Tom, I would heartily support more sequels to this list!!
Your photos of Cinderella Castle are superb – crisp and clean and full of detail. Plus it was sweet of you to include T-Rex Café, I always thought the place looked a little paper mache-ish!
All this info on food and restaurant has me thinking about free dining offer…any news? Don’t hold out on us Tom 😉
Great list(s)! Be Our Guest is our favorite!
Tusker, Cinderella’s Royal Table, Biergarten, SciFi, 50s, Be Our Guest are all places we dined and loved (food, atmosphere, all of it!) last visit 2 years ago. Whispering Canyon does surprise me on this list- yes they are fun but it had no sense of atmosphere for us. Look forward to trying some of these others next time – thanks for the great articles!
Tusker House was the sleeper hit of our trip when we went. As soon as you enter the atmosphere is almost overwhelming, with tons of places for the eyes to roam. Add to it a great character experience and truly outstanding food and a cool break after the heat of Animal Kingdom, I think it’s a totally repeatable experience. I also like how the space is broken up; we felt like we were tucked into a quiet corner but when I looked around carefully, there were many tables like that. I think Tusker House is far and away a better choice than Chef Mickeys.