Dining at a Disney theme park offers you a wealth of tasty options, but some Disney restaurants offer more than just fine dining. With elaborate Disney theming, these restaurants take you away from the theme park and off on a world tour… or a magical adventure… or back in time… or just offer some really good eats in a great setting.
Though there are many must-visits for great food, here we’re talking about great themes — and though most any Disney eatery could qualify, we’ve narrowed it down to our eight favorites that everyone ought to check out at least once.
1. Anywhere in the World Showcase, Epcot, Walt Disney World
Biergarten© Disney
Our first choice is a cop out, we know. But the fact is that the entire World Showcase is fantastically themed, with each restaurant fitting perfectly into its around-the-world setting. The eateries here aims to offer you unique — and highly themed — experiences that will send you around the world both visually and culinarily.
While you can’t go wrong with the theming, some types of food may be more appealing than others. If you’re craving schnitzel and sauerkraut, hit up Biergarten in Germany, themed to look like an outdoor Biergarten on an Oktoberfest evening. For Mexican, visit the San Angel Inn which, similarly, seats you in a faux outdoor Mexican marketplace — which makes both a great choice for hot summer days. Monsieur Paul offers fine French dining in a Parisian setting, Spice Road Table offers Mediterranean appetizers in a Moroccan-style cafe, and… really, need we go on?
2. Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar, Disneyland Hotel, Disneyland Resort
Trader Sam’s© Disney
The Jungle Cruise is one ride that begs to have a matching themed dining experience (can you imagine the puns on the menu?), but until Disney decides to do that we’ll have to make with Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel (which is a long walk from the Jungle Cruise experience). Long-time Jungle Cruise fans will recognize Trader Sam as the head salesman of the jungle (let that sink in), and his bar has a definite Adventureland flair.
There are tiki towers with eyes that open and close (like the Tiki Room has), postcards from around the world framed on the walls, a view of a sometimes-erupting volcano from the window, and plenty of mementos from the adventures of Sam and others. The menu is similarly themed (and does have plenty of puns) with a number of exotic drinks and plenty of nibbles to go with them.
For Disney World fans disappointed that they don’t get their own tiki restaurant, never fear — Trader Sam’s is headed to Disney World’s Polynesian Village Resort as Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto in 2015.
3. Garden Grill, Epcot, Walt Disney World
Garden Grill© Disney
There’s not a bad seat in the house at the Garden Grill, because the restaurant slowly spins to provide you with unique views of Living with the Land as you dine. Tropical rainforests? Check. A quaint farmhouse? Check. Thunderstorms rolling in over the plain? Check. Your view is never dull!
Food here is all-you-can-eat, served family style with farm-fresh fare. Fitting the Land Pavillion’s theme of sustainability, there are a number of organic options on the menu and the fish is sustainable. While you eat, Farmer Mickey as well as Pluto, Chip, and Dale come by to visit — the small number of characters (and the round shape of the restaurant) makes for a quieter character meal thank some, and the views make this a worthwhile stop even if you aren’t looking to say hi to Mickey.
4. Carthay Circle Restaurant, Disney California Adventure, Disneyland Resort
Carthay Circle Restaurant© Disney
Take a break from the bustle of the theme park by zipping back in time to 20s Hollywood in the Carthay Circle Restaurant. Though all of Buena Vista Street is themed on the 20s, the Carthay Circle Restaurant takes things to another level with an exquisite interior with dark wood paneling, large photos of Walt Disney, and ceilings painted with art inspired by Snow White.
Of course, if that’s not enough, the Carthay also has a great menu of food and vintage cocktails — and if you can’t get a reservation, the lounge has great ambience and good nibbles, too!
5. Be Our Guest Restaurant, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World
A perfect setting for any fairy tale prince or princess, Be Our Guest in New Fantasyland takes you into the heart of Beast’s castle with the chance to sit in the West Wing, the Rose Gallery, or the massive ballroom. You can take a peek into Beast’s study — where you might even run into Beast himself!
The ballroom features cherub-painted ceilings, massive chandeliers, and windows overlooking the snowy mountains below the castle. If you’re seated in the West Wing, you’ll find a much darker tone as this was the Beast’s side of the castle that Belle was forbidden from visiting — but it’s here you’ll find the film’s Enchanted Rose sitting under a glass dome and shedding petals throughout the day. In the Rose Gallery, you’ll find portraits of your favorite characters as well as a massive music box Belle’s father made to celebrate their wedding.
6. 50s Prime Time Cafe, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World
50s Prime Time Cafe© Disney
As much as we love the opulence of Be Our Guest, the homey setting of 50s Prime Time Cafe is just plain fun. This relaxed atmosphere offers comfort food in a family setting, with TVs at many tables rolling black and white sitcom clips throughout your meal. The decor throughout is all 50s kitsch, with black and white tile floors, knick-knacks adorning shelves and walls, and brightly colored curtains and wallpaper. Be sure to explore the waiting area and lounge!
In addition to the homey kitchen theming, the service at the cafe is decidedly unique. Your server will chide you about eating your vegetables and washing your hands if you’ve gone to the restroom — a lot like being at home, only you don’t have to cook or do the dishes.
7. Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater© Disney
If you don’t want to eat your vegetables, the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, also in Hollywood Studios, might be a better choice, without skimping on theming. Here, you’re also going back in time to the 50s, but this time in the guise of a drive-in movie theater. Sit at car-themed tables — complete with lighted tailfins and a stylish Disney logo — and enjoy burgers, fries, and shakes to the accompaniment of classic monster movies playing on the big screen.
8. Blue Bayou, Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland
Blue Bayou© Disney
If you’re heading to Disneyland, you need to take the time to visit the Blue Bayou restaurant inside Pirates of the Caribbean. (Yes, inside.) This eatery puts you on an outdoor terrace on the Lousiana bayou, where you can enjoy the constant twilight, twinkling fireflies, chirping crickets, and colorful paper lanterns overhead. While you dine, boats from Pirates of the Caribbean sail by your terrace, and though you might assume it makes the restaurant overly noisy, it’s a quiet scene on the ride where the boats drift lazily over the water — making for a peaceful scene whether you’re on the ride or in the Blue Bayou itself.
The food matches the setting, with cajun styling including Disney’s famous (and delicious) Monte Cristo sandwiches… though they’re sized such that you might want to order one to share.
Have your own favorite themed restaurant at Disney? Let us know about it in the comments!
