With dining reservations now harder to get than ever which restaurants are often overlooked but great places to dine in? If the restaurant you wanted to dine in is fully booked what is a great alternative?
Here are the best hidden gem restaurants at Disney World!
Magic Kingdom
The Plaza
This Main Street restaurant is sometimes overlooked but always receives good reviews. If you are looking for some tasty American food, and thick milkshakes, The Plaza is a great option.
Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper’s Canteen
This Jungle Cruise themed restaurants offers foods from Asia, Africa and South America and is an exciting alternative for those seeking some exotic flavours.
Tomorrowland Terrace
This quick service restaurant is currently serving food from the fan favourite Columbia Harbour House which makes it a great place to grab a bite to eat.
The Crystal Palace
This restaurant was previously a character dining buffet with Winnie the Pooh but because character dining is temporarily suspended here a lot of people are overlooking it. Luckily the new menu is awesome!
EPCOT
Sunshine Seasons
This is a great quick service location in EPCOT and serves a range of different cuisines and also offers healthier options. Plus some of the food that is served is grown in EPCOT and you can see where it happens by riding Living with the Land, which is right next door!
Teppan Edo
Delicious Japanese food combined with some fantastic table theatre makes this hibachi restaurant a great option for a table service meal whilst at EPCOT.
Spice Road Table
This Middle Eastern restaurant reopened with a new menu last year and the food is delicious! You can now select a range of small plates and enjoy the awesome flavours of Morocco. This restaurant doesn't accept reservation so simply head to the restaurant to dine or add your name to the walk up waiting list.
Rose & Crown Dining Room and Rose & Crown Pub
For a taste of British cuisine, the Rose & Crown Dining Room offers some classic dishes, such as fish and chips and bangers and mash, all in a pub setting.
If you are just wanting the fish and chips then head next door to the quick service Rose & Crown Pub to get this British delicacy for a much cheaper price!
Biergarten Restaurant
If you are looking for hearty food, large portions and a fairytale setting then be sure to get a reservation at this restaurant! Dine on German cuisine at this family-style meal whilst enjoying the entertainment and beer. Prost!
Regal Eagle Smokehouse
If you are a fan of barbecue then don't miss this quick service restaurant in the American Pavilion.
Hollywood Studios
Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo
This quick service restaurant in Galaxy’s Edge is one of the newest dining locations at Hollywood Studios but has quickly become a fan favourite. If you are looking for some galactic grub stop here!
ABC Commissary
This large quick service location has a range of different cuisines meaning there is something for everyone! If you are looking for something a bit more exciting than typical theme park fare this is a good choice for you.
Hollywood & Vine
Hollywood & Vine is one of the only restaurants currently offering character dining. Come here for breakfast to see Disney Junior characters, whilst at lunch and dinner meet Minnie and her pals! A new menu was launched for the reopening of this restaurant and the options are much improved!
Ronto Roasters
This quick service location in Galaxy's Edge doesn't have a large menu but the wraps are famously good! Recently they also added plant-based options for the first time so everyone can now enjoy these galactic dishes!
Mama Melrose’s Italiano Ristorante
This Italian restaurant is great for those craving some classic dishes. Fill up on pizza, pasta and a whole host of other Italian favourites.
Animal Kingdom
Flame Tree Barbecue
This restaurant consistently gets good reviews and it a great option for fans of barbecue!
Satu’li Canteen
This quick service restaurant in Pandora has quickly become a fan favourite. You have the option to create-your-own bowl by choosing from a selection of proteins, bases and sauces to create a meal tailored to your taste!
Tiffins Restaurant
There aren't currently many table service restaurants at Animal Kingdom and many people choose to head to the awesome Yak & Yeti Restaurant. If you can't get a reservation and are looking for similar cuisine then be sure to visit Tiffins Restaurant! This is not one to be overlooked.
Nomad Lounge
This lounge serves small plates of food and is a great choice if you are looking for a quick bite to eat in a relaxed setting. You can also get the famous Tiffins Bread Service here!
Disney Springs
Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza
At Blaze you can select from a range of pizzas or create your own! With tons of toppings to choose from the ability to make a pizza exactly how you want it is a big bonus for this quick service location.
Erin McKenna NYC Bakery
This bakery serves all the sweet treats you could dream of, cakes, pastries, cupcakes and ice cream. And it is all vegan and gluten-free! Perfect for groups travelling with mixed dietary needs.
House of Blues Restaurant and Bar
Offering a large menu there is something for everyone at this legendary restaurant. If you are a fan of cajun and creole food then don't miss out and make a reservation here!
Raglan Road
This Irish restaurant offers a huge range of traditional dishes and a fun atmosphere! With so many restaurants at Disney Springs this dining location can sometimes be overlooked but if you are looking for a hearty meal and some Guiness this is the place to visit!
The Polite Pig
This quick-service barbecue restaurant is highly praised by fans of BBQ!
Jaleo by Jose Andres
This Spanish restaurant is always highly recommended. Choose from a range of beautiful tapas dishes to share (or enjoy all to yourself!)
Earl of Sandwich
For a cheap and quick meal grabbing some sandwiches or salads from Earl of Sandwich is a winner! Breakfast is also available.
D-Luxe Burger
Are you are looking for a burger to enjoy then stop by this quick service location to choose from a huge range of different burger toppings!
Wine Bar George
This table service restaurant gets rave reviews. If you are looking for a delicious meal and excellent wine this is the place to come.
Disney Resorts
Dining at a Disney Resort can often be overlooked if you aren't staying at that particular resort. But some of the best hidden gem restaurants can be found at the Disney Resorts!
With so many free transportation options you can easily hop over to one of these resorts to enjoy some amazing cuisines after your park day, or even as a way to take a rest out of your day.
All Disney Resorts can be reached by the complimentary Disney Buses but for more fun ways to travel check out the following!
Hop on the monorail from Magic Kingdom to quickly be dining at the Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort or Polynesian Village Resort.
You can even take a boat from Magic Kingdom to the Grand Floridian Resort, Polynesian Village Resort, Wilderness Lodge or Fort Wilderness.
Take to the sky in the Disney Skyliner where you can visit Caribbean Beach Resort, the Rivieria Resort, Art of Animation Resort and Pop Century Resort from both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
You can take a boat ride from EPCOT or Hollywood Studios to the BoardWalk Resorts: Beach Club Resort. BoardWalk Inn and the Yacht Club Resort.
Now that you can easily travel to some of the best hidden gem restaurants at Disney World check out the places you should dine at the Disney Resorts!
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Sanaa
This restaurant is always called a hidden gem and quickly becomes a favourite once it has been discovered! Dine on delicious African and Indian foods whilst watching the amazing animal out on the savannah.
Contemporary Resort
The Wave…of American Flavors
This restaurant is always on lists of the best restaurants that people don’t know about. Offering fresh American fare this contemporary restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and is super close to Magic Kingdom making it a fantastic place to dine.
Grand Floridian Resort
Grand Floridian Café
This quaint restaurant is perfectly in keeping with the olde worlde feel of Grand Floridian Resort. Offering American food in a charming setting you can enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner from a large menu. There will be something for everyone here!
Narcoossee's
This fine dining restaurant has excellent seafood and also has great plant-based options which makes it a great place to dine for groups with mixed dietary needs. If you are looking for a restaurant for a special meal this is a fantastic option! A great alternative to California Grill.
Old Key West
Olivia’s
This table service restaurant is always on hidden gem lists! Serving home cooking with a Florida twist. The fried chicken is raved about!
Polynesian Village Resort
Kona Café
This restaurant offers an Asian twist on American dishes and Polynesian fare for breakfast. Famous for its Tonga Toast, Macadamia Nut Pancakes and Loco Moco for breakfast this is a great restaurant to start your day before heading to Magic Kingdom. For lunch and dinner be sure to check out the sushi kitchen.
Capt. Cook's
If you are looking for somewhere to have breakfast on the way to Magic Kingdom be sure to stop off at this quick service restaurant, where you can get the famous Tonga Toast without needing a reservation!
Riviera Resort
Topolino’s Terrace
This is one of the newer restaurants at Disney World and has already become a favourite. At breakfast you can enjoy one of the only character meals at Disney World. Enjoy delicious breakfast favourites whilst seeing Mickey and his pals! Dinner offers fine dining gourmet foods. Set at the top of the Riviera Resort you get stunning views over Walt Disney World Resort. A perfect choice for an elegant sunset meal.
Wilderness Lodge
Whispering Canyon Café
Offering family style dining you will get to enjoy a whole host of barbecue delights served on a skillet. And the best thing – you can order as much as you like! Whatever you would like more of your server will be happy to bring to you.
Yacht Club Resort
Ale & Compass Restaurant
This coastal inspired restaurant is themed on dining in a lighthouse. Offering New England inspired dishes. Breakfast is also served and includes the Dark Chocolate Waffle.
With over 200 restaurants available across Walt Disney World Resort there will always be a fantastic choice there for you! If the restaurant you wanted to dine in is fully booked I hope this list helps you choose another excellent location for you to enjoy!
To find out everything there is to know about dining at Disney World be sure to check out my following guides!
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