Each of the theme parks at Walt Disney World has a hook. Magic Kingdom has the most wonderful assortment of amusement attractions on the planet, Animal Kingdom brilliantly combines a day at the zoo with one of Disney’s hottest roller coasters, and Hollywood Studios…is to be determined. Theoretically, it’s a recreation of the glory days of the Hollywood film industry in Florida. In practice, it’s a park in flux, but the idea is sound.
That leaves Epcot, a hodgepodge of several high concepts from Walt Disney’s personal think tank, the most noteworthy of which is World Showcase. It’s the theme park that explores the concept of It’s a Small World on a meta level. Given the unmistakable link between Walt Disney and the 1964 World’s Fair, it’s unsurprising that the company would create their version of a permanent World’s Fair at a park. The serendipitous outcome of the construction was a foodie’s haven.
With 11 different pavilions at the World Showcase, many of the most popular and exotic cuisines across the globe are available in one location. Since it’s Disney, all of the foods available are authentic to the point that they entice chefs from foreign lands to pick up stakes and move to Orlando, Florida. There, they create the delicious meals from their homelands, making it one of the finest food hubs in the United States. There are dozens of options for the ultimate in cuisine here, so you probably won’t have time to visit them all during a single trip to Walt Disney World. Here are the eight restaurants you should prioritize since they’re the best of the best at World Showcase.
8. Liberty Inn
At some point while you’re eating at the World Showcase, you’ll want a quick bite that’s basic in nature. The American Pavilion offers one of the best options for this. Liberty Inn is a Quick Service restaurant that features American favorites like cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and chicken nuggets. It also serves as a nice compromise selection if one or two members of the party are hungrier. There’s a New York strip steak that is surprisingly tasty at a ridiculously low cost of $11.99. You’d be hard pressed to find that kind of value at home, much less at a tourist destination like Walt Disney World.
7. Teppan Edo
If you enjoy watching your food get cooked in front of you, you’ll rank this one even higher. Teppan Edo at the Japan Pavilion focuses on cuisine such as stir-fry, and it pluses your dining experience by adding some entertainment. The highly trained chefs perform cooking utensil gymnastics as they slice and dice your ingredients. Yes, you can see the same thing at your local Benihana, but the food there falls well short of Epcot standards. Teppan Edo is the finest choice for Japanese cuisine at all of Walt Disney World.
6. Lotus Blossom Café
While Nine Dragons has its fans, it also has a number of detractors as well. If you like Chinese food but don’t want to take a chance on an expensive table service meal you may not enjoy, consider this cheaper alternative. Lotus Blossom Café features covered outdoor seating, so it’s a great choice on a day with a nice breeze. The food is divine, especially the orange chicken, pot stickers, and ginger ice cream. You’ll have plenty of menu options, most of which cost less than $10.
5. Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
If you want to enjoy a character meal while visiting World Showcase, there’s only one choice. The Akershus Royal Banquet Hall at Norway Pavilion calls its character experience the Princess Storybook meal, which tells you everything you need to know. It’s a table service buffet with a Scandinavian focus, so you’ll have ample samples of exquisite fish dishes. You’ll also enjoy meeting at least four Disney princesses during your meal. It’s a wonderful alternative to Cinderella’s Royal Table, both in terms of cost and popularity. You’ll have a much easier time eating at the Norway Pavilion than at the central hub of Magic Kingdom. Better yet, the food is unforgettably tasty.
4. San Angel Inn
Margaritas and Mexican food: a winning combination now and forever. The San Angel Inn is a surprisingly intimate restaurant with old world sensibilities. It’s a marvelous date night option for a couple looking to kick back and enjoy flavors from south of the borders plus potent potables that will make your brain fuzzy. Seriously, the tequila here packs a punch. And the food is, if anything, more powerful. San Angel Inn once had a reputation as a lackluster restaurant, but it’s worked hard to change that perception in recent years. Their tortilla soup recipe alone is worth the price of admission, and it’s always fun to eat somewhere that serves wahoo fish, even if they call it Peto en salsa Poblana.
3. Le Cellier Steakhouse
To my mind, there’s nothing better in the food industry than the word Steakhouse. I’m a carnivore, and steak is my special weakness. The Canada Pavilion’s Le Cellier Steakhouse is one of my happy places at Walt Disney World for this reason. Don’t let the name fool you, though. There are several non-steak options if you prefer. The Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup is decadence in a bowl, and the chicken and waffles would make Roscoe’s proud. There’s also delicious salmon on the menu, and if you want steak but not from a cow, the bison strip loin is exquisite. Alternately, you can do what I do. That means you do your best Captain Caveman impression and order the largest steak on the menu. I believe in the honest approach to steakhouse dining.
2. Monsieur Paul
If you hadn’t realized it, the French have something of a reputation in the world of haute cuisine. Chefs travel across the globe to train under France’s best chefs, and Disney has somehow managed to import some of the best of them to work at Monsieur Paul. It’s one of the priciest meals on Disney property, and for good reason.
This restaurant at the France Pavilion was once known as Bistro de Paris, but it’s undergone a dramatic renovation. Its entire focus now is on celebrating the career of Paul Bocuse, the chef who is so respected that the Bocuse d’Or named for him is considered the greatest honor in the industry. Bocuse was one of three people involved with importing Bistro de Paris, and his fingerprints remain on the new version. Monsieur Paul features staples of French cuisine such as Black Truffle Soup, Herb-crusted rack of lamb, and Roasted duck breast. Monsieur Paul represents the ultimate in high-end dining options on Walt Disney World property. If you ever want to celebrate an anniversary, engagement, or wedding at World Showcase, it’s the obvious choice.
1. Rose and Crown
Everyone has a favorite at the World Showcase. A couple of places I didn’t select, Biergarten and Restaurant Marrakesh, have ardent support among fans of Germany and Moroccan cuisine. For me, the British staples taste the best. Rose and Crown is not only my favorite restaurant at World Showcase but also my top preference out of all Walt Disney World offerings.
The most delicious dishes are Pan-roasted Scottish Salmon, English Meat Pies, and Cider-Braised Corn Beef. If you want to try one of the classics, however, that means Bangers and Mash or Fish and Chips. Personally, I choose the New York Strip steak, one of the best steaks at Walt Disney World. Whatever your choice, you should enhance the table service meal with a showing of Illuminations if you plan to eat dinner there.
