The best restaurants at Disney World in 2024 - The Points Guy (2024)

Even when you're surrounded by Disney magic, you still have to eat.

At Walt Disney World, mealtime can range from quick burgers and fries to immersive experiences that transport you across the globe — or even into space. It's not uncommon to spend as much time strategizing about where to eat at Disney as which attractions to ride. That's certainly our approach.

When you visit Disney World, you'll need to think of dining in two separate categories: quick-service meals that serve as a way to fuel up before getting back to the action and table-service meals at one-of-a-kind venues that provide entertainment, character meet-and-greets or global cuisine that will change the way you think about theme park food.

However, not all Disney food — and dining experiences — are created equal. Once your kids know they can eat in space or that Mickey, Minnie or the princesses can join them for dinner, you may have to choose between a budget-friendly meal and creating lasting memories during a pretty pricey dining excursion.

We do the "hard" work of testing — and revisiting — as many Disney World restaurants as we can each year so you know which ones to add to your itinerary ... and which ones to skip. Here are the best restaurants at Disney World for 2024.

FOR NO-COST ASSISTANCE WITH PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR NEXT DISNEY VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG'S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS.

Best Disney World restaurants

Best Disney World restaurant: Takumi-Tei

The best restaurant at Disney World is, without question, Takumi-Tei. It wins for not only the quality of the food but the refined service, unique atmosphere and memorable experience that will leave you in disbelief that you are still in Central Florida.

There are only two options here, both of which are inspired by traditional omakase meals: a plant-based menu for $150 per person and one with meat for $250 per person. Children younger than 8 aren't allowed, and both menus take two to three hours to enjoy, so plan accordingly and savor your brief escape to Japan.

Related: The best Disney World hotels for your next magical stay

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Best restaurant at Epcot for guests of all ages: Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria

While Takumi-Tei takes our top spot on this list, we'll add another good Epcot option that is more affordable and welcomes all guests.

In the heart of the Italy Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase, this long-standing favorite features legitimate Italian food that would pass muster in New York City's Little Italy. The restaurant uses ingredients straight from Naples, including flour and tomatoes. Even the water used in Via Napoli's pizza dough is shipped in from Pennsylvania because the pH is similar to that of the water in Naples.

Pizzas are more expensive than your local pizza delivery spot, but they are large enough to share. A large costs between $36 and $42 and can feed three to four people. If you are extra hungry or have a larger group, the massive half-meter pizza serves up to six people and costs between $48 and $58. You can opt for traditional flavors like Meat Lover or Margherita or branch out and try a pie with prosciutto and melon or artichokes and truffle oil.

Via Napoli also serves pasta, salad, desserts and small plates like calamari and homemade focaccia. Most entrees cost no more than $30. The eatery also offers a full selection of co*cktails, sangria and wine.

Best restaurant at Disney's Hollywood Studios: The Hollywood Brown Derby

This Hollywood Studios replica of the California icon has an air-conditioned dining room that's ideal for a lunchtime escape from the Florida heat.

Service here isn't always fast, and the prices aren't cheap, but it is a glorious way to fill up while getting a legitimate break from the park. The Cobb salad ($25) is a classic, and you can't go wrong with the filet mignon served with horseradish cream and peppercorn sauce ($49).

Best restaurant at the Magic Kingdom: Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen

Unless what you're after is an expensive character meal, there's no better sit-down restaurant in the Magic Kingdom than Skipper Canteen. This claim is especially true if you enjoy the Jungle Cruise ride and slightly more adventurous eating than stereotypical theme park fare like burgers and fries.

On the lunch and dinner menus, you'll find dishes such as Falls Family Falafel ($12) and "Tastes Like Chicken" Because It Is! ($28), sweet chili-glazed fried chicken served with jasmine rice and seasonal vegetables. There's also a sustainable fish course featuring Asian flavors for $32.

If you like spicy noodle dishes, Skipper Dan's Dan Dan Noodles ($28), a noodle dish topped with crispy pork, vegetables and a spicy chili sauce, is unlike anything else you'll find in the Magic Kingdom.

Best restaurant at Disney's Animal Kingdom: Tusker House Restaurant

This was a tough call, but we'll give Tusker House the slight edge over Tiffins Restaurant, another Animal Kingdom favorite, as Tusker House allows you to see characters in unique, cool costumes.

Tusker House offers a buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's a bit pricey at $62 per adult and $40 per child, plus taxes and tip, for lunch and dinner (or $47 per adult and $30 per child, excluding taxes and tip, for breakfast), but you can make as many return trips to the buffet as you like.

You'll find traditional fare like pastries, bacon, sausage and Mickey waffles at breakfast. Lunch and dinner have more African-inspired flavors like berbere-marinated pork, South African-spiced vegetables and green curry shrimp. There's a standard kids menu for picky eaters, too.

To accompany your meal, you can enjoy an assortment of co*cktails, from safari-themed drinks such as a Tikiti Punch to traditional drinks like a Moscow mule, beer, wine and cider for an extra cost.

Best quick-service meal: Satuli Canteen

If you want quick-service food at its Disney-fied finest, head to Satuli Canteen next to Avatar Flight of Passage in Disney's Animal Kingdom.

The fast-casual spot's beef, chicken and fish bowls (which cost between $13.29 and $17.99 per bowl) make for a quick, cheap and healthy lunch or dinner. As an added bonus, there's also a selection of wine and beer, should you wish to wind down after the "Avatar" experience.

If you save room for dessert, order the spherical blueberry cream cheese mousse ($5.79). It's easily a highlight of the entire menu.

Best fancy meal: Victoria & Albert's

If you want to savor the best award-winning food at Disney World while celebrating a special occasion like a major anniversary, a milestone birthday or an epic celebration, head to the in . Just don't expect to roll in straight from the parks; this is an upscale venue with a Michelin Star and a strict dress code.

Related: How to rent Disney Vacation Club points and save hundreds of dollars on your vacation

Children younger than 10 aren't permitted here, and you should expect to spend several hundred dollars on a multicourse tasting meal for two — surpassing $1,000 is common if you and your dining companion decide to include wine pairings. Book the chef's table to watch the kitchen team prepare your incredible meal.

Best lounge meal: Nomad Lounge

If you want a nice daytime break while at Disney's Animal Kingdom, there's no better place than Nomad Lounge. In fact, it's arguably worth visiting the park on its own.

Located right before you enter Pandora — The World of Avatar, Nomad Lounge is the absolute best place for a snack if you like items that are a bit more worldly and flavorful. Though it can easily take an hour or more to have your turn come up on the walk-up waitlist, you'll be rewarded handsomely once inside (or on the patio).

Nomad Lounge favorites include the bread service from the connected Tiffins Restaurant ($18), the sliders with amazing yucca fries ($15) and the churros ($10). The menu items are all shareable, so you and your group can try several things without filling up too much in the middle of the day.

Best Disney World snacks and treats

Dole Whip

While there are a bunch of excellent snacking options around the parks and resorts, if you're looking for the best street treat at Disney World, there's one that reigns supreme: the Dole Whip.

What's Dole Whip? It's a pineapple-flavored soft-serve concoction that you can add pineapple juice to ... if you're smart. On a hot day, this refreshing treat (which starts at $5.99 for a cup) is perfection.

At Disney World, you can get your Dole Whip just beyond the Magic Kingdom's Magic Carpets of Aladdin at Aloha Isle. You can also find Dole Whip in Disney's Animal Kingdom at Tamu Tamu Refreshments — adding a shot of alcohol to the treat is an option here — and at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort just behind the main building as you head toward the pool.

If you want to change things up, Disney sometimes has other flavors, including raspberry, strawberry, lime and mango. We're big fans of the coconut version, though you can never go wrong with the original.

Gideon's Bakehouse cookies

If you're a cookie person, the hottest thing on the Disney block is the half-pound, freshly baked cookies from Gideon's Bakehouse in Disney Springs. These cookies are massive and decadent, and they come in a variety of craveable flavors.

On the regular menu, you'll find the original chocolate chip cookie ($6), plus peanut butter crunch ($6), triple chocolate chip ($6) and a few other more exclusive, limited-time flavors that can, and do, sell out early in the day. A selection of cake slices, cookies dipped in chocolate and cold brews is also available (don't sleep on the Peanut Butter Cold Brew).

If you want one or more of these cookies (you can only purchase up to six at a time), plan on joining the virtual queue as soon as you get to Disney Springs by going to Gideon's and adding your number to the list. An hour or two of virtual waiting is usually required before you need to wait 10 to 20 minutes in a physical line to get your goodies. The cutoff to get in the virtual queue is sometimes a few hours before closing, so you'll want to join the line before 7 p.m. to have a good shot at cookie bliss.

Ronto Wrap

If you ask us, the best food within Disney's Hollywood Studios' Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is undoubtedly a grab-and-go wrap from Ronto Roasters.

There are two versions of the tasty Ronto Wrap (both around $14), which features grilled pork sausage wrapped in a warm pita. The breakfast version (the superior option) adds eggs and cheese, while the original comes with peppercorn sauce, roasted pork and slaw. (Note that there's a vegan sausage option, too.)

Egg rolls

It isn't always open, but if you're hungry and see a line forming at the egg roll cart at the entrance to Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom, you'd be wise to join the queue.

Here, you can get two egg rolls in flavors such as pepperoni pizza, cheeseburger and buffalo chicken. That may sound a little weird, but each version tastes amazing. You'll pay $9.50 for your choice of two egg rolls.

Margaritas

For adults, what could be better than an (air-conditioned) tequila cave? Sometimes, there is a bit of a wait, but at the end of La Cava del Tequila's line, you can get your pick of a variety of top-shelf margaritas, including our favorite, the avocado margarita, which is made with melon-orange liqueur, fresh avocado, lime juice, a hibiscus salt rim and, of course, tequila ($17.50 or $19.50 for a mezcal version).

If you want a snack to go with it, you can add some chips and guacamole, too.

Beignets

If you want the best beignets at Disney World, head to Scat Cat's Club — Cafe at Disney's Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter. It's the only place at Disney World where you can find Mickey-shaped beignets. These Mickey-shaped beignets are a very affordable and shareable snack, with three available for $8 or six for $11. Each order comes with one dipping sauce (salted caramel, strawberry or chicory chocolate ganache), but you can add additional flavors for 99 cents (so you might as well get all three).

Some specialty beignets are also available, such as the Baton Rouge Beignets ($12.49), which come with your choice of Baileys Irish Cream, Kahlua or RumChata.

Best Disney character dining experiences

Best character meal at the Magic Kingdom: Cinderella's Royal Table

This is an expensive meal, but it is well worth the high price tag, as you and your kids will get to dine in the castle with all their favorite Disney princesses.

Breakfast is the cheaper option here, costing $69 per adult and $42 per child. Lunch and dinner are a little more expensive, at $84 for adults and $49 for kids, but during these service times, you'll enjoy much better food selections, including a crab-topped catch of the day, a Castle Salad that combines romaine with Brussels sprouts, and dessert options such as a chocolate ganache tart with salted caramel-coffee mousse.

Best character brunch with Mickey and Minnie: Topolino's Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera

Cinderella has a run for her slipper in the top spot because Topolino's Terrace offers an equally memorable character brunch at the top of Disney's Riviera Resort with top-notch service, delicious food and some pretty famous characters in unforgettable costumes. Plus, you don't have to pay park admission to dine here, and the views from the terrace are spectacular.

The breakfast at Topolino's Terrace features a pastry basket, juice, coffee and an entree from a menu geared toward adults or kids. For adults, the selection includes smoked salmon, avocado toast, sour cream waffles and a wild mushroom scramble, all of which cost $49 each. Meanwhile, kids 9 and younger can choose from $30 options such as fruit and yogurt, Mickey waffle dippers and scrambled eggs.

The food is consistently tasty, but it's the characters that really set this dining experience apart. Minnie, Mickey, Daisy and Donald don their finest Mediterranean outfits and are introduced with music that is very fun and unique to this spot.

Best character brunch with some cool characters: 1900 Park Fare

If you ever wanted to have a meal and grant wishes with Princess Tiana from "The Princess and the Frog," Mirabel from "Encanto" and Prince Ali from "Aladdin," then the newly revamped 1900 Park Fare brunch at the Grand Floridian is the best Disney meal for you. Oh, and you'll find the lovely Cinderella there, too.

At a cost of $54 for adults and $34 for children, you'll get your pick from the buffet of the iconic Grand Floridian. Brunch options include strawberry soup, cheesy, potato casserole, beef and potato hash, bone-in ham, cinnamon pull-apart bread and various pastries.

This might be an even better experience if you aren't a party of four that ends up in tables pretty close to each other, so I'd prioritize this when you're a party of six.

If dinner is more your style, it's not much more at $66 for adults and $41 for kids.

Best character meal at Epcot: Garden Grill Restaurant

Located in Epcot's Living with the Land Pavilion, the Garden Grill Restaurant doesn't look all that interesting or impressive at first glance. In fact, for years, we just walked right past it. However, now that we've tried it, we suggest giving it a shot, especially if you're after some relaxing time with classic characters.

Priced at $62 for adults and $40 for kids for lunch and dinner (or $47 for adults and $30 for kids for breakfast), the all-you-care-to-enjoy Chip 'n' Dale Harvest Feast features a family-style platter with options like barbecue chicken, seasonal veggies, grilled beef, salad, bread and macaroni and cheese. The restaurant physically rotates, and at times, you can see scenes from the Living with the Land ride, which is where some of the ingredients may have been grown.

While the food here is solid, the characters steal the show. As you dine at your booth, Chip, Dale, Mickey and Pluto make regular visits.

Best character meal for tweens and teens: Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White

One of the somewhat newer character meals at Disney World is also one of the best.

Found at Disney's Wilderness Lodge (meaning you don't need a park ticket to visit), the full three-course meal at Artist Point goes well beyond burgers and fries. Menu options include a shrimp co*cktail starter, sustainably sourced fish with risotto and a truly amazing vegetarian dish with asparagus, leeks, arugula and gnocchi. Additionally, you'll have four included desserts to choose from, ranging from a "poison" apple to a cookies and cream panna cotta with chocolate gems.

The main draw, though, is the meet-and-greet with the Evil Queen herself. Keep your eyes peeled for Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, too, as they're known to wander around the dining room.

Most underrated all-you-care-to-enjoy meal

An underrated all-you-care-to-enjoy meal at Disney is found in the Magic Kingdom. If you're hungry and ready for a hearty meal, it's hard to beat Liberty Tree Tavern. You'll find this Colonial-style restaurant in the Magic Kingdom's Liberty Square.

On the menu is all-you-care-to-enjoy mixed green salad, roasted chicken, pot roast, mashed potatoes, seasonal veggies, stuffing, gooey toffee cake and more. Open for lunch and dinner at $42 for adults and $23 for children, it's a relative bargain by Disney standards compared to similar offerings.

Best outdoor meals at Disney

The Boathouse

A fantastic outdoor dining experience, this waterfront Disney Springs restaurant is an ideal spot to savor some fresh seafood.

Start your meal with the exceptional honey butter rolls (which are complimentary and worthy of the trip all on their own), then fill up on seafood dishes like crabcakes ($32.50), tuna poke ($19.75) and macaroni and cheese with shrimp and andouille ($25). If you're not into seafood, don't fret: The cheeseburger ($19) and Yacht Club club sandwich ($22), both of which come with tasty fries, are also hits.

Related: The best restaurants for outdoor dining at Disney World

Geyser Point Bar & Grill

Overlooking Bay Lake at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, the open-air Geyser Point lounge is a walk-in spot well worth visiting, even if there's a wait to get in.

Menu items range from chicken wings in a teriyaki glaze ($15) to a bison cheeseburger topped with bacon ($23). A mix of co*cktails is available, too, should you wish to imbibe after a busy day in the parks.

Best dinner show at Disney World

Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue

If you like laugh-until-your-belly-hurts kind of fun, this is the restaurant for you. If the laughing doesn't make your belly ache, then the all-you-can-enjoy fried chicken and fixings will do the trick.

This dinner show at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort is a Disney classic and a ton of fun for kids and adults, as long as you like singing along to American classics and laughing at corny jokes. The strawberry shortcake and bottomless sangria, wine and beer are additional reasons why you should check out this lively venue.

While prices vary depending on where you sit, expect to pay $66 to $74 per adult and $39 to $44 per child.

Pro tip: If what you really want is your fix of the same fried chicken, cornbread and strawberry shortcake, you can get a full family meal deal that can feed up to four people for about $35 next door at Fort Wilderness at the Trail's End quick-service restaurant.

Honorable mention restaurants at Disney

Roundup Rodeo BBQ

If you are at Disney's Hollywood Studios and need a serious protein refuel with a side of childhood nostalgia, there's one clear winner: Roundup Rodeo BBQ.

This is a newer Disney World restaurant that opened within Toy Story Land in the spring of 2023. It may not have character meet-and-greets or live entertainment (though there are voiceovers that occasionally yell that Andy is coming), but it's a cute addition to the park and serves a ton of mouthwatering food.

For $45 per adult and $25 per kid, you get an all-you-care-to-eat selection of meats, appetizers and desserts. On top of the beef brisket, smoked ribs, pork sausage and barbecue chicken that come standard with the meat platter, you have your choice of four can't-miss sides, such as macaroni and cheese, baked beans, loaded tater tots and fried pickles. As an added bonus, all tables get an order of homemade biscuits served with outrageously good sweet pepper jelly.

Space 220 Restaurant

A newer addition to Epcot, Space 220 virtually transports diners 220 miles above Earth for a meal in "space."

While "dining in space," you can enjoy items like the Starry Calamari, the Galactic Miso Salmon, the Gemini Burger and the Spaceghetti & Shrimp, all of which are options within the multicourse, prix fixe menu that costs $55 at lunch and $79 at dinner for adults, and $29 for kids at lunch and $35 at dinner. Extras like sides, desserts and alcoholic beverages (all with space-appropriate names) are also available.

Although the food is solid (albeit pricey), the highlight of the experience is the feeling of blasting off and then dining above Earth. As you eat, you'll be able to spot ships and space tourists passing by the windows, an experience you won't get anywhere else at Disney World.

Pro tip: If you can't quite swing the high price or lack the time required for a multicourse meal, visit the lounge or bar to see if a walk-up spot or reservation is available. These high-demand options are a great way to get a taste of the experience for less.

Yak & Yeti Restaurant

Yak & Yeti is a sit-down and quick-service venue in Disney's Animal Kingdom. The quick-service window offers a stripped-down version of the menu available inside.

Though Yak & Yeti isn't cheap, with main dishes starting around $22, the pan-Asian cuisine is quite good, making it one of our favorites at Animal Kingdom. The decor mimics what you'd expect to find while eating in a Nepalese market.

To keep your total check affordable, order one of the shareable plates like the ahi tuna nachos ($21.99). The portion size is plenty for two or more people.

Regal Eagle Smokehouse

Regal Eagle is a newer kid on Epcot's block.

Nestled within the American Adventure Pavilion in the space that previously housed the Liberty Inn, the eatery features a variety of barbecue plates and draft beers. However, unlike the barbecue spot in Toy Story Land, this option only offers a la carte items, which makes a meal cheaper and easier to share.

Purists hailing from barbecue meccas like Central Texas won't necessarily fall in love with the fare, but the barbecue is good and a solid value (especially by Disney standards) for families. Entrees such as the Kansas City Smoked Half-Chicken served with Texas Toast and a side of your choice clock in at less than $15.

The Crystal Palace

On the way to Adventureland from Main Street, U.S.A., in the Magic Kingdom, this buffet restaurant offers good food and a few characters from the Hundred Acre Wood. Some even say the food at The Crystal Palace is better than what's available at Cinderella's Royal Table.

During lunch and dinner, the buffet offers seasonal salads, fried chicken covered in gravy, shrimp Creole and a dessert platter. While alcoholic drinks cost extra, all the food is included in the set price of $61 per adult and $40 per child.

To save a little money, skip the lunch and dinner service in favor of breakfast, which costs $48 per adult and $30 per child. The morning buffet features numerous breakfast staples, including yogurt, eggs, pastries and Mickey waffles, but it's known for one very special dish that you can't find anywhere else at Disney World: churro Mickey waffles. These waffles are covered in a crisp cinnamon-and-sugar coating that will have you making multiple return trips to the buffet.

While you dine, Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and Eyeore will visit your table for photos, hugs and autographs. You'll also receive a postcard with all of their signatures to take home with you.

Oga's Cantina

Oga's Cantina, the "Star Wars"-themed bar inside Disney's Hollywood Studios' Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, is really light on actual food items, and the drinks are all premade. However, the experience is so over-the-top and unique that we had to include it on this list.

You're not really here for the food or even the quality of the drinks. Instead, you come to see DJ R-3X spin tunes and interact with the bartenders, who are in full costume and character. The vibe will turn even the most anti-"Star Wars" person into a smiling participant.

Make a reservation if you want to visit, even if just for a drink, as this spot gets very busy. Try the Fuzzy Tauntaun ($18.50) for a fun sensation.

Trader Sam's Grog Grotto

Speaking of themed Disney World bars that are worth a visit, we have to mention Trader Sam's Grog Grotto at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort.

There are some food options here, such as Thai chicken flatbread, dumplings and sushi rolls, but the star here is the drinks ... and more accurately, the drinks that cause rain, fire, lava and angry tiki gods. Kids are permitted until 8 p.m., but you'll want to get on the waitlist way before then, as it can take a few hours to get in.

If you want to breathe some life into the tiki bar, we recommend the shareable tropical Nautilus with mango rum; the also shareable Uh-Oa with plantation dark rum, lime, guava, pineapple and a host of other flavors; and the Zombie.

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant

Cool and atmospheric, this restaurant is on a less-traveled walkway in Disney's Hollywood Studios. You can dine in your own "car" while watching old movies. Better yet, let your kids have their own car so you can eat in relative peace.

The menu is a la carte, ranging from hamburgers to pasta to salads. It's fairly easy to stay on a budget here, especially if you share, as each entree costs $19 to $30.

The old movie clips shown aren't likely to hold your kids' attention, and the food isn't always the star of the show, but it's still a cool experience to try at least once, especially given how much the cast members really get into their roles.

Rose & Crown Dining Room

This Epcot take on British fare serves as a convenient spot to enjoy an authentic plate of fish and chips ($28) or bangers and mash ($25) without hopping across the pond.

If you can't or don't want to sit down, there's a to-go counter next to Rose & Crown that's often open to serve the classics to those on the run. But if you aren't in a hurry, make a reservation at Rose & Crown and enjoy the ambience while noshing on pub grub.

California Grill

If you want an upscale Disney dinner that's not quite as fancy (or expensive) as Victoria & Albert's, try California Grill.

The check-in desk is on the second floor of Disney's Contemporary Resort, but the actual dining room resides on the 15th floor. This elevated location — which enforces a dress code, though not as strict as Victoria & Albert's — gives patrons phenomenal views of the sunset and nightly fireworks at the Magic Kingdom and surrounding resorts.

California Grill offers a multicourse dining experience that costs $89 for adults and $39 for kids. Expect fresh foods inspired by the Pacific coast, such as sushi and sashimi, goat cheese ravioli, oak-fired beef and ahi tuna, on the menu.

Related: Tips for visiting Disney World: 19 ways to save money and have more fun

Steakhouse 71

Steakhouse 71 is found inside the Contemporary Resort. This restaurant, which replaced The Wave a few years ago, ties its menu and stories back to the roots of Walt Disney and the opening of Disney World in 1971.

Menu standouts here are the sea salt-dusted potato brioche ($12), the Stack Burger with elevated touches such as lemon aioli and a brioche bun ($23), the Vegetable "Wellington" ($26) and the signature chocolate cake that has 16 layers to match the 16 floors of the Contemporary ($13).

Narcoossee's

Recently redone as part of the broader renovation of the Grand Floridian, Narcoosee's is a standout Disney World restaurant for a dinner that is both outside the park and not arranged as a set-price meal.

The really solid menu focuses on Southern coastal dishes, such as shrimp and grits ($19), gulf shrimp bucatini ($42), sweet-and-sour Brussels sprouts with applewood bacon ($11) and an outstanding bread basket. The outside terrace that runs along the water is a prime spot to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks.

Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya

While not the best restaurant at Disney, Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya is one of the newest restaurants at Disney World. It's in the Japan Pavilion in Epcot and largely staffed by a crew from Japan. What's great about this option is that it feels somewhat authentic without locking you into a pricey set menu the way you'd find at nearby Takumi-Tei. Here, you can stop by for lunch or dinner and order as little as one roll if you want.

This restaurant takes you through various seasons of the year, and while the sushi on my visit was just OK, the service was very good.

Being able to pop in for a proper sit-down meal and share an affordable (for Disney) item or two on a menu that goes beyond traditional options is not the worst idea. In addition to a variety of rolls and sushi options, there are choices such as a Temaki Sushi Set that lets you create your own hand-rolled sushi with a variety of proteins and fillings ($32) and pan-fried, grilled wagyu gyoza dumplings ($20 for three).

Our least-favorite Disney World meals

Even with all the magical pixie dust at Disney World, there are misfires. While all of these may have their followings, for us, the food is either too common or bland, too off-the-beaten-path or just too overrun.

• Akershus Royal Banquet Hall: Character dining is a big part of the Disney experience. You might think you can save a few dollars by dining with the princesses at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Epcot instead of at Cinderella's Royal Table, but it's a poor substitute (unless you need a bite near the "Frozen" ride in Norway). Although your favorite princesses will join you for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the food just isn't on par with the other Disney eateries, and the types of cuisine may not be a hit with U.S.-centric families. That said, it's an easier reservation to snag than Cinderella's Royal Table, so keep it in your back pocket if you need a last-minute princess meal.
• Teppan Edo: This spot in the Japan Pavilion at Epcot is another letdown, especially compared to the spectacular Takumi-Tei. The food here is decent, but there's not a lot of performance factor at this teppanyaki place. Frankly, we've seen better performances at a more reasonable price point in teppanyaki restaurants in strip malls closer to home. At Disney prices, there are better values for your hard-earned dollars, with themes you can't easily recreate elsewhere.
• Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe: With a few exceptions, it's hard to find great food in the Magic Kingdom, but you should avoid the worst of the worst, which has recently been Pecos Bill. The quick-service menu looks interesting, with a mix of rice bowls, nachos, fajitas and burgers, but in the end, the service can be curt and the food a bit disappointing (and borderline inedible).
• Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe: Another Magic Kingdom misfire is Cosmic Ray's. The menu is very limited to theme park staples such as chicken fingers, burgers and fries, which would be OK, in theory, if that's what you were after. In practice, Cosmic Rays can get very crowded and run behind with orders ... all for an average plate of stereotypical American fare. If you must eat here during peak times, mobile order well in advance.
• Tony's Town Square: Not to intentionally pile it on against the Magic Kingdom venues, but Tony's Town Square is another one in the park that we don't really recommend. It's not that it's bad necessarily, it's just probably not worth your time or money to spend $27 on pretty basic spaghetti and meatballs or $28 on fettuccine alfredo that isn't really any better than what you'd have at Olive Garden. And while this is certainly a personal preference, we find the atmosphere a little tacky, too, with the fake flowers and tiny water fountain.

Our previous favorite Disney World meal that has fallen off the favorites list

For years, Ohana at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort was one of our favorite all-you-care-to-enjoy meals at Disney World. On the dinner menu here ($62 for adults, $40 for kids) are Hawaiian-inspired specialties such as Ohana noodles, salad, peel-and-eat shrimp, pot stickers and bread pudding with ice cream, to name a few. It's a lot of food, so you absolutely will not leave here hungry.

While we still enjoy a lot of the food, the last few times we visited Ohana, the service felt rushed and many of the tables were pretty crammed next to each other. It no longer felt as much like a special experience as it used to. So, given the price point, we are sadly taking Ohana off our best restaurants at Disney list ... at least, for now.

Pro tip: If you want some of the Ohana vibe and food without the whole meal, you can get the noodles, pot stickers and bread pudding a la carte next to the restaurant at Tambu Lounge in the evenings.

Disney World dining tips

• Make your reservations well in advance, starting up to 60 days before your trip begins. You can cancel or modify it if you change your mind, but it's good to have the option of being waited on in air conditioning. Services like Mouse Dining can help you monitor availability if you don't want to constantly look for a spot at one of your favorites.
• Book your Disney trip via an agent that specializes in Disney, such as our partners at Mouse Counselors, to get some professional help with snagging those hard-to-get dining reservations.
• When ordering from a counter-service restaurant, do so via the My Disney Experience app to avoid wasting time in line waiting to order.
• To rack up extra points, you can charge Disney meals to your room (using the app or your MagicBands) and then earn a bonus on all your in-park meals by paying at resort checkout with a card that gives you a bonus on travel. Paying with Disney gift cards you purchased at a discount is another great way to save a bit while dining at some of Disney World's best restaurants.
• If you have an annual pass, you can often save 10% at sit-down restaurants, so don't forget to ask about the discount.
• If you pay for your Disney meal on the spot with a card, use one that gives you the best payout on dining. Most Disney World restaurants do code as dining charges, even within the parks. This means you can earn 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) with the American Express® Gold Card or 3 points per dollar spent on dining with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, among other cards that are the best for dining.

Related reading:

• This affordable new Disney Springs hotel includes free hot food and 6 nightly drinks
• How to use points to buy Disney tickets
• Are the Disney Visa credit cards worth it?
• 12 reasons to stay at a Walt Disney World Resort property