At Walt Disney World as well as all of the rides, attractions and shows to see and do there is also a lot of food to eat. There is such a large selection of restaurants that we thought we share our favorites in this ‘Eating at Disney World’ series of articles. So, to begin let’s start with our 10 favorite Disney World Table Service Restaurants.
More on Dining:
- Fun Orlando Restaurants
- Restaurants to Avoid
- Best Quick Service Restaurants at Disney World
- The Best Disney Springs Restaurants
Best Table Service Restaurants at Disney World
Let’s dive into my choices for the best table service restaurants at Disney World, starting at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
1. Tusker House (Animal Kingdom)
Tusker House is in Africa at Animal kingdom and is a buffet style character dining experience. We always try to secure Tusker House for our Disney World Vacations as there is such a wide variety of food on offer. The characters (Mickey, Donald, Daisy and Goofy) in their safari outfits make for a great photo opportunity but we really think the food selection is great. You have carved meats, fish, curry and rice’s as well as some really good child friendly offerings too. You can also book a Rivers of Light Dining package here where you can get tickets for Rivers of Light as part of the package. One of our favorite Table Service Restaurants that provides great food and characters too.
What We Love Most About Tusker House
- The variety of Food.
- The Characters in their safari outfits.
- It’s a buffet so you can eat as much as you like.
- You can get a Rivers of Light Dining Package.
You can find out more about all the places to eat at Animal Kingdom here or by clicking the image below.
2. Chef Mickeys (The Contemporary)
Another Buffet and character dining experience. Chef Mickey’s is in a great location as it is a short walk from Magic Kingdom to the Contemporary resort. It is a great location to take a break from Magic Kingdom. We have had breakfast and lunch here many times and always enjoy the selection of food on other. This a great choice if you have younger kids as you can meet Mickey, Minnie, Goofy & Pluto and the restaurant has a family friendly vibe. There is plenty of space for photos with the characters and it is great to dine in the Contemporary with the monorails passing through too.
A great Table Service Restaurant to meet Characters and close to Magic Kingdom.
What We Love Most About Chef Mickeys
- Its walking distance from Magic Kingdom.
- The Characters.
- It’s a buffet so you can eat as much as you like.
- It’s great for families.
You can read about our favorite Character Meals here or by clicking the image below.
3. Sci Fi Dine In (Hollywood Studios)
The theme of this table service restaurant is great. It is a 1950’s drive in theme where you dine in cars. A cinema screen is situated at the front of the restaurants showing clips from 50’s movies. Our kids love sitting in the front of a car whilst we sit at the back. The old 50’s footage that is being shown fascinates the kids and we don’t mind it either. I always enjoy the food; I usually get the ribs, but the burgers are very good too. The milk shakes here are really good too and I highly recommend the strawberry shakes. Sci Fi Dine In is a very unique restaurant and definitely worth trying if you haven’t yet.
What We Love Most About Sci Fi Dine In
- The theme is great (including the cars you sit in to dine).
- The milk shakes are great.
- It’s very different to most other restaurants (in a good way).
- Great for diners who enjoy burgers and ribs.
4. Cinderella’s Royal Table (Magic Kingdom)
Probably one of the most sought-after Table Service Restaurant experiences at Disney World. Cinderella’s Royal Table is a fantastic and very special dining experience. The restaurant is located inside the castle and you are greeted by Cinderella before being taken up the winding staircase to the restaurant and your table. The food is signature dining and we have always found it to be to a very high standard and on top of this during your meal various Disney Princesses are introduced and which you will get to meet at you table for a photo and autograph (usually Snow White, Ariel, Jasmine and Aurora). You will need to use 2 Table Service credits per person if you are on the dining plan but we think it is worth it especially if you are celebrating a special occasion. Gratuity is included too.
What We Love Most About Cinderella’s Royal table
- You are dining inside Cinderella’s Castle.
- The service is fantastic.
- You get to meet the Disney Princesses.
- It is a really magical experience.
5. Garden Grill (Epcot)
Located in the Land at Epcot this Table Service restaurant slowly rotates so as you dine you get too see various scenes from the Living with the Land attraction located below. Chip n Dale are so much fun as they work their way around the diners, and you get to see Farmer Mickey too and Pluto. This restaurant is family style dining so the food will keep coming to the table should wish to keep eating. This means unlike a buffet meal you don’t need to leave your table. We always book a very early breakfast here as you are located very close to Soarin’ and as you are in the park before the official opening time you can get to the attraction before the crowds start building up. We have literally walked out of Garden Grill and walked straight on to Soarin’.
What We Love Most About Garden Grill
- It’s great for an early breakfast.
- Chip n Dale are so much fun.
- Chips Sticky Bun Bake is delicious.
- That you can book for an early breakfast and beat the crowds to ride Soarin’ Around the World.
Garden Grill is located inside the Land at Epcot but there is a lot of Dining options around World Showcase too. You Can read our complete guide to World Showcase here.
6. 50’s Prime Time Café (Hollywood Studios)
Another table service restaurant with a great theme. This all about classic American comfort food from the 1950’s set in a family styled atmosphere. All diners are called cousins and you are expected to keep your elbows off the table and eat all your food (I got a sticker for clearing my plate)!
Sometimes diner are made to stand up and perform ‘I’m a little teapot’ as punishment and on some occasion unfinished vegetables are brought back out as dessert. Don’t worry the serving staff are very good with children and if you don’t want to take part in any of the fun you don’t have to.
There is some great fried chicken here too and they all offer a sampling of all the top dishes in the form of A Sampling of Mom’s Favorite Recipes (fired chicken, pot roast and meatloaf with all the fixings).
What We Love Most About 50’s Prime Time Cafe
- It’s a lot of fun and everyone is your cousin.
- The fried chicken.
- That you shouldn’t put your elbows on the table.
- How you waiting staff shout your name to tell you your table is ready.
You can find out more about all the places to eat at Hollywood Studios here or by clicking the image below.
7. Coral Reef (Epcot)
We find Coral Reef to be quite a relaxing table service restaurant that is great to dine in after day at Epcot. The panoramic views of the coral reef that is located in the Seas with Nemo and Friends is really nice watch with all the species of fish, turtles and even sharks swimming by. The fish dishes are good and there is also steak and chicken on offer if like me you not too big a fan of fish dishes.
There are also some interesting sea themed cocktails on offer such as the Abyss, Captain Rum’s Runner and a Coral Rita. A good way to end a long day at Epcot.
What We Love Most About Coral Reef
- The relaxed atmosphere compared to other restaurants
- All the fish swimming by.
- It’s a nice way to finish a day at Epcot.
- The fun cocktails.
8. Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano (Hollywood Studios)
I love this restaurant because I absolutely love the charred strip steak on offer here. This dish is my favourite table service dish at Disney World, and I can’t wait to get back there and have it again. All the pasta dishes here are good and the atmosphere is nice and relaxed. Mama Melrose’s is a favorite with all our family as we all enjoy our pasta dishes and the adults can enjoy a glass of prosecco too.
What We Love Most About Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano
- I absolutely love the steak here.
- For years it has been a consistently good restaurant for us.
9. Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ (Disney Springs)
One of our favorite table service restaurants at Disney Springs. Homecomin’ is a lovely restaurant offering farm to fork cuisine themed around Florida’s bygone era with most ingredients sourced locally. Another great location for delicious fried chicken if like me you enjoy it. You can dine inside and outside and overall everything about Homecomin’ from the service to food is to a really good standard.
What We Love Most About Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’
- Just like 50’s Prime Time they have great fried chicken here too.
- There are some great starters like the Deviled Eggs.
- There is a nice selection of beers and cocktails.
- You can have fried chicken and doughnuts.
10. Be Our Guest (Magic Kingdom)
Table service at this location is allocated to dinner and has recently been upgraded to signature dining meaning you will need 2 table service credits per person if you are on the dining plan. This restaurant is all about the experience of dining in the Beast’s Castle where you will either dine in the Grand Ballroom, the West Wing or the Castle Gallery.
After dinner you can meet the Beast for a photo, so this is definitely one for any fans of Beauty and the beast. Breakfast and lunch are quick service in this location too which is always an option if you don’t want to go for a dinner reservation.
We have had lunch here quite a few times now and have always enjoyed it, but it is definitely a more calm and organised experience at dinner. Don’t forget to try the grey stuff!
What We Love Most About Be Our Guest
- The theming is fantastic.
- You can meet the beast after dinner.
- Breakfast and lunch are quick service.
- You can try the grey stuff (it’s delicious).
Best Disney World Table Service Restaurants – Honorable Mentions
There are so many table service restaurants to choose from at Disney World. Each one mentioned above are the ones that we have frequently dined at and enjoyed.
Here are a few honorable mentions too.
The Rose and Crown (Epcot)
Located in the United Kingdom pavilion The Rose and Crown pub has British favorites such as fish and chips. This location is also great for watching the fireworks if you can get seated outside.
Via Napoli Ristorante Pizzeria (Epcot)
Another World Showcase table service restaurant but this time located in the Italy pavilion. Worth considering if you enjoy a good pizza. There are a few Table Service Restaurants in Italy.
Trattoria al Forno (Boardwalk)
This table service restaurant located on the boardwalk offers a great breakfast experience. The Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast where you enjoy breakfast whilst meeting Ariel, Prince Eric, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. Great to start a day before heading to Epcot or Hollywood Studios.
If you are planning a Disney World Vacation, I hope that some of our restaurant picks above have helped you. Remember that if you are on the Disney Dining Plan that you can book 180 days from check in. This date can be crucial to make sure you get some of the more popular table service restaurants.
You can also find our 15 Disney Dining Plan Tips article here or by clicking the image below.
Take a look at the Snacks I think you should try at Disney World here
My 10 Best Table Service Restaurants at Disney World
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Thanks for stopping by, you can read our previous article here.
See ya real soon.
Darren
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