Are you looking for a delicious meal at Walt Disney World Resort that you don’t have to plan way in advance for? Check out these 9 Underrated Disney Restaurants that you won’t want to miss!

The 9 Best Most Underrated Disney Restaurants

While Disney World is known for its iconic dining experiences, there are also some hidden gems that often go unnoticed. In this article, we will explore the 9 most underrated Disney restaurants that offer awesome food and dining experiences.

These underrated restaurants are perfect for foodies or park fans who are looking for something beyond the average theme park dining location. And the good news is you can usually snag a reservation or a table here the same day, or even sometimes at the last minute!

From table service restaurants to quick-service locations, there is something for everyone at the Walt Disney World Resort. So if you’re in the mood for a yummy and unexpected dining experience, keep reading to discover the best restaurants that might just become your new favorites.

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Underrated Disney World Restaurants at the Parks

The Disney Parks at Walt Disney World offer up magic, thrills, iconic snacks, and more. But did you know that there are also underrated Disney World restaurants within the parks?

These dining locations offer a fun and tasty dining experience for visitors looking for delicious food and a break from the popular dining spots. Let’s explore three of these hidden gems:

Skipper Canteen

Skipper Canteen, located in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom, is a table service restaurant that in my opinion is the MOST underrated restaurant at Walt Disney World. It offers its own unique menu experience themed to the famous Jungle Cruise attraction.

The menu features flavors and great food from around the world, including Asia, South America, and Africa. I highly recommend the Curried Vegetable Crew Stew, Nile Nellies Noodle Bowl, and Falls Family Falafel.

They have awesome allergy-friendly options, as well as a fun kids’ menu. Keep in mind that their kids’ menu isn’t the typical chicken nuggets or pizza, though they do have mac n cheese. It’s also one of just a few restaurants in the Magic Kingdom that serve cocktails, and there are some fun ones including Jungle Bird and Skippers Sangria!

With its themed decor and adventurous cuisine, Skipper Canteen is a must-visit for those who love Adventureland, the Jungle Cruise, and/or are fans of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers.

Columbia Harbour House

Located in Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom, Columbia Harbour House is a quick-service restaurant that serves up delicious and even some healthy food options. Set in a charming colonial setting, the restaurant offers a menu that includes fan favorites like lobster rolls, fish and chips, and clam chowder. They also offer some vegetarian options like mixed greens salad and plant-based crab cakes, as well as a great allergen-friendly menu.

The upstairs dining room seating area is huge and you can (usually) find tables easily, some with a view of the breezeway between Fantasyland and Liberty Square. With its cozy atmosphere and good, quick food, Columbia Harbour House is a hidden gem for seafood lovers and hearty eaters alike. And the benefit of it being a quick-service is you don’t have to have an advanced dining reservation!

La Creperie de Paris

La Creperie de Paris is a recent addition to the Disney Parks. This table service restaurant specializes in savory and sweet crepes, offering a delicious taste of French cuisine. It is located in the new area of the France Pavilion in Epcot, next to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.

From classic flavors like ham and cheese to Caramel Apple dessert crepes, La Creperie de Paris is definitely worth checking out. They also have soup, salad, and a prix fixe menu that’s a heck of a deal at $39.95. This includes one sweet and one savory crepe, as well as soup, salad, and a glass of hard cider, soda, or juice. Another great deal is the kids’ prix fixe menu which is $16.95 and includes one sweet and one savory crepe.

I consider this one of the best deals in Epcot. My favorites are the Chevre, and Ratatouille in the savory category. And the Pomme, and Gourmande are delicious sweet crepes!

La Hacienda de San Angel

This restaurant definitely isn’t hidden- it’s right there in the middle of Mexico at Epcot. But it’s sister restaurant, San Angel Inn, gets more attention from newcomers as it sits INSIDE the Mexico Pavilion Building. Though San Angel Inn is in a gorgeous setting, the food leaves much to be desired. However, it’s sister, La Hacienda de San Angel, is both delicious and lovely.

La Hacienda de San Angel is on the World Showcase Lagoon and offers amazing fireworks views. It also has wonderful authentic Mexican food, and delicious Margaritas, and is easy to grab a last-minute reservation. They pipe in the music for the fireworks so I highly recommend getting a late reservation and staying for the show.

My favorites there are Chile Rellenos and the Queso Fundido, but you can’t go wrong with most of their menu items. They can also make adjustments for food allergies.

Underrated Disney Restaurants at Disney Resorts

The Disney resorts also offer a range of underrated dining options that are often overlooked. Here are some hidden gems that are worth checking out:

Geyser Point Bar & Grill

Geyser Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is a hidden gem with wonderful views of Bay Lake and a menu of delicious American cuisine. Whether you’re looking for a small plate/app, burger, sandwich, or salad, Geyser Point’s outdoor seating and lounge area provide a relaxing atmosphere and a variety of menu items, including kids meals and desserts too.

It’s right next to the pool and pool bar, so it’s very casual and usually very easy to grab a table. They also offer a variety of beer, hard ciders, and hard seltzers, as well as a huge selection of featured and specialty cocktails. And their name doesn’t lie- they are right next to a geyser that goes off regularly!

We celebrated my daughter’s 8th birthday here and it was perfect. The kids swam in the pool, and came back and forth while the adults relaxed. I highly recommend the Wilderness Lodge both as a place to stay and as a great resort for your non-park days! You can take a boat over from the Magic Kingdom.

Grand Floridian Cafe

Located at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the Grand Floridian Cafe offers a casual yet delicious dining experience with a diverse menu. From seafood to steak to salads and everything in between, there is something for everyone.

Whether you’re staying at the resort or taking a break from the parks, the Grand Floridian Cafe is an easy reservation to get and worth checking out. They offer traditional and hearty, breakfast items like Pancakes, French Toast, Waffles, and even Steak and Eggs or The “Grand” Breakfast (two eggs with bacon, sausage, and cheesy hashbrown casserole). Now that will fuel you well for a long day at the Disney parks!

The Cafe also offers lunch and dinner menus that include Steak, Pork, Salmon, Burgers, and Salads. They also offer plant-based options. I love the Farmer’s Market Vegetable Curry with Tofu (you can also get this dish with shrimp or chicken). Grand Floridian Cafe has a healthier and heartier kids menu than most Disney restaurants and offers a variety of allergen-friendly options and a full cocktail and bar menu.

The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is just a short boat ride, or monorail ride, away from the Magic Kingdom. This gorgeous hotel is also home to one of my favorite loungers, the Enchanted Rose. You can learn more about this Beauty and the Beast-themed upscale spot in my Best Bars and Lounges in Disney World blog.

Three Bridges Bar and Grill

Three Bridges Bar and Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is a great place to relax and enjoy delicious food and drinks by the water. With its unique location in the middle of the resort’s lake, Three Bridges offers a great spot to unwind and get some great food. This place is an open-air patio (but covered) restaurant with great theming that perfectly matches Disney’s Coronado Springs Spanish American vibe.

Their menu features both Latin Cuisine and Poke Bowls, as well as a few salads and a good kids menu, even for picky eaters. I’m a big fan of their cocktail menu, particularly their mojitos and Palomas. Pair one of those with the house-made guacamole, tacos, and the amazing view, and you are all set to thoroughly relax on your Disney vacation.

Another bonus- this place is open late- I’m talking 4:30 pm to Midnight late! So you can grab some food and chill after going all day and night at the parks.

Trattoria al Forno

Located on Disney’s BoardWalk, Trattoria al Forno is known for serving up a great meal in a charming atmosphere. Whether you’re in the mood for pasta, pizza, or fresh seafood, this Italian restaurant has a variety of menu options to please everyone. Though I miss the character breakfast- where else could you meet Rapunzel and Flynn AND Ariel and Eric (the answer is nowhere right now….)- it’s still worth checking out.

Trattoria offers a decent breakfast, but nothing too fancy. However, I’m a bigger fan of their dinner menu that features delicious Italian inspired entrees like Truffle Gnocchi (my favorite), Steak Florentine, or Shrimp Pappardelle as well as a variety of pizzas and wine.

Don’t forget to save room for their delightful dessert selections! They have an awesome Chocolate Flourless Torta, as well as gelato and Tiramisu. Though this restaurant often has last-minute reservations available, sometimes you don’t see it on the app. Be sure to check at the hostess stand, they may be able to get you in. It’s an easy walk over from Epcot, the Beach or Yacht Club, Swan or Dolphin, and super close if you are staying at the Boardwalk Inn.

Olivia’s Cafe

If you’re in the mood for Southern favorites and comfort food with an island twist, look no further than Olivia’s Cafe at Disney’s Old Key West Resort. This charming restaurant offers a menu that includes classics like fried chicken and shrimp and grits, as well as island fare like West Indian Tofu and Coconut Curry. And don’t forget to make room for a yummy Key Lime Tart- they do it well there, it’s a twist on the classic pie as they add blackberry meringue, but it’s delicious.

The laid-back atmosphere and friendly service make Olivia’s Cafe a must-visit for any Disney food enthusiast who has some extra time to make the trek to Old Key West. Even better if you are staying there, or close by. You can take a boat to Old Key West if you are staying at Port Orleans Riverside or French Quarter.

Conclusion

When visiting the Walt Disney World Resort, don’t overlook the underrated restaurants. These hidden gems offer a variety of dining options and provide a break from the popular dining spots, and you can often get into them a lot easier.

At the parks, you’ll find Columbia Harbour House in Liberty Square, La Creperie de Paris in the France Pavilion, or La Cantina de San Angel at the Mexico Pavilion in Epcot.

At the Disney resorts, you’ll find dining treasures such as the stunning views and American cuisine at Geyser Point, the diverse menu and casual elegance of Grand Floridian Cafe, and the relaxing waterside ambiance of Three Bridges Bar and Grill. For a hearty Italian experience, don’t miss Trattoria al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk, or enjoy Southern-inspired dishes in a charming setting at Olivia’s Cafe at Disney’s Old Key West Resort.

If I had written this a couple of years ago Trail’s End Restaurant at Fort Wilderness would have been in the top 3, but sadly they changed it into a marketplace quick service. It still has some decent options and good desserts but it’s nothing like it used to be RIP Trail’s End Buffet!

So, next time you visit the Walt Disney World Resort, be sure to check out these underrated Disney restaurants. You may just discover your new favorite spot!