The next step after a fun day of entertainment and shopping is to look for the best place to eat in Disney Springs. Whether you just want to grab a quick bite, or enjoy a fine dining experience, there are a staggering 62 options to pick from. So here are a few things to know to help narrow down your options and pick the place that meets your requirements for the best Disney Springs restaurant for kids and families!
What is Disney Springs?
Simply put, Disney Springs or Downtown Disney is a haven at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, offering something for everybody. Geared towards kids and adults alike, there are economical options for shopping, entertainment and eating. It’s perfect for when you need a break from the excitement of the Disney parks, with plenty of things to do with kids.
The extensive promenade is situated around bubbling springs, with cute waterfront towns, natural scenery and gorgeous historical buildings. There are four main neighborhoods to explore – The Landing, Marketplace, West Side and Town Center.
Transportation to Disney Springs
With three new parking garages, (5 in total, Grapefruit, Lime, Orange, Lime, Strawberry and Watermelon) simply drive down and park for free. Disney Springs does offer preferred spots and valet services for an extra cost if you’d like. However, make sure you arrive at least an hour before any scheduled events as slots fill up very quickly!
If you are staying at the Disney Resort hotels, don’t stress, just hitch a ride on a complimentary bus. Some select hotels even offer ferries or pedestrian bridges to reach the Springs.
Tidbits and Tips
If you just want a quick bite, the Quick Service snack stands, kiosks and carts provide fast food to eat on the go. Table Service is where you can sit and eat served food. These can be simple or elaborate, and are more suited for meals to fuel up.
Before your next trip to Disney Springs, spend $25 on the Landry’s Select Club lifetime membership card for great benefits. It’ll get you shorter wait times and permanent reservations at Landry restaurants like the T-Rex cafe and Rainforest cafe.
Best Disney Springs Restaurants for Toddlers
T-Rex Cafe
Go on a Jurassic Adventure with a meteor shower, flashing lights, and moving and roaring dinosaurs! Each room has different themes – Coral Reef, Fern Forest, the Geo-Tech Room, Sequoia Room, Shark Bar, and Ice Cave.
This place is perfect for large groups, making it the perfect spot to use your Landry card. Keep your bill in check with ease, while munching on some of the best eats in Disney Springs. Make sure you do not miss the smoky monstrous dessert – Chocolate Extinction! Kids will be excited by the Build-A-Dino workshop that’s held there, making this a one-stop destination for all things yum and fun!
T-Rex cafe is not just for food, the shaded dinosaur Paleo Digging Zone, is one of the free things to do in Disney Springs!
Rainforest Cafe
With real parrots and fish, and some realistic animals like elephants trumpeting, lions roaring, it can get a bit noisy inside this rainforest jungle themed restaurant, but it’s all good family fun. Whilst the noise of the occasional rainstorm and thunder might make some little ones a bit wary, most, including ours didn’t flinch and were excited at seeing the animals, including the pretend gorilla!
Kids have a separate menu that they can choose from with the familiar nuggets, pasta, burger, pizza, wings etc or can choose from the Rainforest Cafe Disney Springs menu below. Kids are given a coloring/puzzle sheets and pencils whilst they wait for their food. Ask about the Landrys card here to save money and get a preferred reservation time. It’s easy to see why this is one of the best Disney Springs restaurants for kids!
Best Disney Springs Restaurants for Tweens and Teens
Splitsville Luxury Lanes
You would probably never guess that one of the best foods in Disney Springs is at a bowling alley – and that it’s sushi! Well it is.
Retro meets modern in this fun atmosphere of sporty entertainment and amazing dining. Based on your mood, try a big, juicy burger or keep it classy with brunch mimosas.
The staff even makes accommodations for people with dietary restrictions to ensure that all feel welcome at this fun joint. Splitsville definitely deserves to be at the top of everyone’s Disney Springs restaurants list!
D-Luxe Burger
This quick service dining service is as All-American as it gets. It’s wooden buildings with iron and leather fixtures lend a rustic country charm, where it’s perfect to unwind. The customized gourmet burgers, crispy fries and unique gelato shakes are simply mouthwatering. The showstopper? Hands-down, the homemade garlic ranch.
They have a super inclusive menu that caters to all kinds of diets, so pick up your order, head outside to the patio and munch away as you watch the blue spring waters. This is one of the best places to eat at Disney Springs when one needs some R&R.
Best Disney Springs Restaurants for Lunch for Families
Raglan Road
Rebuilt close to the water after being shipped from Ireland where it was originally built, Raglan Road is today one of those historic places to eat in Disney Springs that you just cannot miss! The place brims with an infectious atmosphere, where the main stage brings the Emerald Isle to life with Irish dancing and Celtic music bands.
On weekends, the “Rollicking Raglan Brunch” serves traditional Irish fare with a twist, even accommodating diet restrictions on request. So go ahead and feel the luck of the Irish when you try the speciality morning cocktails, flights of beer, whisky, or one of their signature brews at this truly authentic bar
When the Rhythms of Raglan Dance Show comes onstage to groove from noon to 3:00 PM, make memories of a lifetime by stomping about with your kids amongst boisterous laughter, songs and storytelling. It’ll be a story of your own, to retell over a lifetime!
Boathouse
Watch pristine blue waters from this refined waterfront restaurant which is popular for providing some of the best food at Disney Springs. Chow down on seafood and steaks, complete with generous sides, at prices that certainly match the quality.
For parents, the multiple bars have superb selections to scan, with expertly paired nautically themed menus. After some sophisticated gourmet food, allow your stomach to settle as you enjoy a tour of the Lake in vintage amphicars.
The Boathouse is one of the most popular places to eat at Disney Springs, so it’s best to reserve your seats well in advance for a hassle-free experience!
Best Disney Springs Restaurants for Breakfast For Families
Everglazed Donuts and Cold Brew
If you are not eating donuts for breakfast at Magic Kingdom, then consume your weight in sugar with these sweet delicacies that are simply out-of-this-world! Starting your mornings with classic and seasonal donuts, savory sandwiches with fries, and fantastic cold brews is the best way to vacation if you ask me.
Not only are the treats at Everglazed Donuts and Cold Brew yummy, but also totally Insta-worthy. Vibrant colors and creative presentations make them a treat for the eyes as much as one for the tastebuds, which is all the more reason to visit before noon (better for photos!).
Parents will also be thrilled to uncover Everglade’s well-kept little secret – their spiked coffee. Get there quick as these fresh baked and brewed goodies and beverages are limited and sell out fast!
House of Blues Restaurant and Bar
This legendary restaurant offers the best breakfast at Disney Springs, with nice Southern-inspired food for the soul. Gracing the walls are musical curios and African American art that enhance the understated ambiance.
Dig into the weekend Cajun brunch that caters to all kinds of diets. Some of the popular orders include burritos, hash, grits and bottomless mimosas for adults, all at very reasonable prices. Friendly vibes, lip-smacking food and live blues performances – what more can you ask for?
Best Disney Springs Restaurants for Dinner for Families
Paddlefish
Paddlefish is the only restaurant in Disney Springs to offer rooftop-level, waterfront seating for dining. It is most certainly a sight for sore eyes. In fact, the floating steamboat replica offers its visitors some of the most magical views of the lake for taking sunset photographs.
Walk aboard and indulge in some exclusive seafood along with crafted cocktails. Visitors flock here every Friday and Saturday night for some luxurious dinners accompanied by live entertainment on the roof. The menu does include gluten-free and vegan options too, so visit here worry-free. Advanced reservations are recommended.
Planet Hollywood
Hollywood isn’t just a place, it’s a way of life, and what better place to celebrate it than at Planet Hollywood? The observatory-styled dining spot showcases stars from the cinematic universe and has a huge immersive video wall for movie memories, crowd cameras, and sing-alongs.
Binge on their world famous Chicken Crunch, the speciality LA Lasagna, or the Big Bite Burgers and Signature Sandwiches by Celebrity Chef Guy Fieri. There is something for all the family.
The portions are healthy and not too heavy on the pocket, so pick up some fun souvenirs and gifts to commemorate your visit from the onsite store. Before you leave, make sure you capture a bit of that Hollywood glamour and glitz for yourself by taking family pictures among the movie memorabilia and costumes.
Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante
Childhood sweethearts reuniting by fate makes for a heartwarming love story…and an airline-themed restaurant! High ceilings hover over the terminal ringed with travel-related murals and a retro-styled globe at the very middle.
Specialising in Italian cuisine, the food is delectable and plentiful. A bonus for adults is the vast selection of wines to choose from. The desserts too are to die for! For Italian foodies, this is undoubtedly one of the best places to dine in Disney World.
Best Disney Springs Quick Service Restaurants for Families
Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza
When in a rush, get in line and leave with a fresh brick oven-baked pizza in under 3 minutes! High-quality ingredients lend a wholesome taste to the artisanal pizzas made here.
Baked on signature 11” bases with an assortment of healthy toppings to pick from, the build-your-own pizzas will appeal to kids and adults alike. They even have a gluten-free crust!
With portions that fill up even the most empty stomachs while still not breaking the bank, this pizzeria is most popular among large groups. It’s especially perfect for a famished pizza-loving family!
Earl of Sandwich
This eatery comes to you straight from the descendants of the pioneer of the sandwich, John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich. The cafeteria-style eatery has a simple menu primarily specializing in sandwiches, and is the best meal on-the-go at any time of the day. Food is reasonably priced and the Holiday Turkey is a must try!
Best Disney Springs Table Service Restaurants for Families
The Edison
If a scientific trip to the past is what you want, The Edison at Disney Springs is the place to be. With design elements mimicking a gothic 1920s electrical company, its seven rooms are remodelled to emulate a vintage industrial vibe.
American cuisine is what’s on the menu. Expect to try brilliant appetizers, lovely drinks and heady beverages that are worth relishing after a long day. Entertaining shows further add magic to this one-of-a-kind dining experience. A big reminder that while it is family-friendly during the day, it transforms into an adults-only place post 10 p.m.
Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’
Possibly number one on our list of best places to eat in Disney Springs, the food here is simply – “chef’s kiss!” Featuring the finest Southern cuisine prepared from native Floridian ingredients, dining at this farm-themed restaurant will feel like a feast for the family.
Fried Chicken and Doughnuts, the Art Burger, and more such carefully curated delicacies by the award-winning celebrity chef Art Smith soothe the homesick southern soul. Sit down for breakfast on weekends for the Rise n’ Shine Brunch. Add a little moonshine to your meal for an extra kick, you will definitely end the meal with plans to return!
Kiosks/Food trucks
Sprinkles
If you feel your blood sugar getting low (although unlikely at a place like Disney Springs), head to the “Cupcake ATM” just outside Sprinkles. Tap on the screen at this powder pink kiosk to get cute brown packages of cupcakes and cookies 24/7.
For more decadent treats, simply head inside for cakes, brownies, ice creams and more. It’s best that people with severe food allergies give this one a miss as there is a potential risk of cross-contamination as per the website.
4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck
4 Rivers Cantina is a bright red truck selling Mexican cuisine. Eat BBQ, taco cones, burritos, quesadillas and so much more. For those with a sweet-tooth, the Margarita Bar is an absolute must-try. Overall, this is one place with a strong novelty-factor that’s worth visiting to satisfy your inner tourist. And don’t forget to take pics for the gram!
Hot Diggity Dogs
This bright blue food truck went viral when a TikTik video emerged in January. It was about the secret King Dog item that could only be ordered by a special incantation.
Choose between a variety of mouthwatering hotdogs and then make it to-go. Carry on with your Disney Springs explorations with a scrumptious hotdog in hand, without wasting any time.
Did we include your favorite in this guide to the best restaurants in Disney Springs for families? Let us know down below!
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