5 Of The Best Less-Crowded Restaurants At Disney World Orlando, According To Reviews

To say a lot goes into planning a Disney World vacation is an understatement. From all the hidden costs people forget to factor in to avoiding the most expensive times for tourists, the logistics are enough to make your head spin. Plus, when it comes to dining, Disney is not a small world after all. With more than 200 places to eat (including options for quick service, table service, and character dining), this magical destination presents an important question: To meal plan or not to meal plan?

For the most sought-after dining experiences like Be Our Guest and Cinderella's Royal Table, advance dining reservations (known as ADRs in Disney speak) are a must and frequently fill up 60 days in advance. The good news is you don't have to plan all of your meals months ahead of time to eat well without a wait. To determine the places that fit the bill, we combed through dozens of reviews from the most widely regarded unofficial Disney experts, including Disney Tourist Blog, AllEars, Disney Food Blog (DFB), and Theme Park Hipster, to share five Disney dining options that dish out the delicious without the crowds. 

There are certain experiences you can only have in the Caribbean, but you don't have to leave the country (or even Disney) to experience laid-back tropical vibes. Every reputable list of the most underrated Disney restaurants includes Sebastian's Bistro, serving island flavors in a Caribbean chic setting (think less cartoon, more calm). Disney Tourist Blog says this family-style sit-down restaurant in Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort is quite possibly the best buffet or family-style meal in the World, "Far superior to Cape May Cafe, Tusker House, and (sorry) even 'Ohana.'" Disney Food Blog calls the oven-roasted citrus chicken one of their favorite Disney chicken dishes, and sings praises for the signature dessert, a house-made coconut pineapple bread pudding.

Despite glowing reviews, Sebastian's Bistro remains blissfully accessible. Disney Tourist Blog reported "ample, even same-day" ADR availability, and just a five-minute wait using the Walk-Up Waitlist via the My Disney Experience app. The atmosphere here is cool Caribbean with an overall elevated tropical feel, and subtle nods to the restaurant's namesake crab. Dinner here is prix fixe at $39 per adult and $21 per child. AllEars considers Sebastian's the best value when it comes to Disney's "all-you-care-to-enjoy skillet and family-style meals." Sebastian's off-the-beaten-path location keeps crowds away, but it's not as far away as you think, with access via the Skyliner, Disney's aerial gondola.

At this lakefront open-air locale, Disney Tourist Blog advises, "Come for the best burger at Walt Disney World, stay for the view." Leave the chaotic Magic Kingdom lunch crowds and take a water taxi via the Red Flag Route to Wilderness Lodge for a bite at Geyser Point Bar & Grill. The casual dining spot offers counter and table service serving small plates, handhelds, oversized salads, and heartier entrees like the half-rack of ribs. The natural setting is inspired by the Northwest's beautiful mountains and lakes. Disney Food Blog notes the cocktail list features spirits from distilleries in the Northwestern United States to authenticate the ambience.

A Tripadvisor reviewer who dined at Geyser Point with their family of four said, "It was nice to get away from the crowds, but really it's about the bison burgers, which [were] excellent." The restaurant's much-buzzed-about bison cheeseburger is dressed with bacon, crispy sweet onion straws, marionberry sauce, and a garlic aioli. While there's not usually a wait at lunch, Disney travel and lifestyle blog Polka Dots and Pixie Dust warns of longer waits for dinner. You can't make reservations at Geyser Point, but you can use the Disney app to check live wait times and take out some of the guesswork. 

It makes sense that the majority of Disney World restaurants with the best food and least crowds are found at the resorts, off the beaten amusement park path. However, if you're in Epcot and can't imagine adding even one more step to your day, head to Spice Road Table. Disney Food Blog (DFB) calls Spice Road Table a "hidden oasis in a very busy World Showcase." Disney Tourist Blog deems it one of the best value restaurants in Disney World with "nearly-perpetual walk-up (waitlist) availability, and small-plate prices that are almost on par with a counter service restaurant." This place does get crowded for nighttime fireworks because of its waterfront location, but DFB notes that Spice Road Table has somehow escaped the massive crowds of other spots along the World Showcase Lagoon.

Theme Park Hipster calls Spice Road Table "a hidden gem that every foodie must try." The Mediterranean restaurant is tucked away in the Morocco Pavilion, with a menu inspired by the rich flavors of Morocco's delicious food. Diners can share small plates, including the favorite house-made hummus fries, and sip on buzzy pomegranate mimosas with lagoon views. AllEars says the citrus chipotle sauce that comes with the hummus fries has a kick, "but the fries on their own reminded us of a cake pop made with hummus." 

Out of all the parks in Disney World, Magic Kingdom arguably has the most underwhelming options when it comes to dining, not to mention the biggest crowds. If you're looking for tasty food without a wait, head to Columbia Harbour House in Liberty Square. Disney Tourist Blog says Columbia Harbour House is easily their top pick in Magic Kingdom for seafood lovers, and considers it the best counter service restaurant (really the only one) in the Magic Kingdom that's worth your time. "From the lobster roll to the grilled salmon to the shrimp skewers, the menu is ambitious and satisfying."

While they might not serve one of the world's best lobster rolls, Disney Food Blog says the restaurant's lobster roll is what keeps them coming back, "It's very well cooked, very well seasoned, and flavored against all of the crunchy green lettuce." The lobster roll comes with fries for $18.99, which would be a great value even outside the park. Amazingly, all of these glowing reviews, and Columbia Harbour House remains a relatively quiet, uncrowded gem. Don't question it, just go with it.

One of Disney Tourist Blog's top five counter-service restaurants in Disney World, Satu'li Canteen is a fast-casual, quick-service restaurant located in Pandora — The World of Avatar inside the Animal Kingdom. The airplane hangar-like eatery was designed to handle large crowds in a space that was formerly a mess hall. Recent reviewers on Tripadvisor noted that the line moved quickly here, with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating available. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus feature healthy offerings with an international flair and colorful desserts. Customizable bowls feature fresh ingredients, all for under $20 each, and a few under $15.

Disney Food Blog gushes, "Seriously, it's worth just making multiple stops to this restaurant in the same day for different meal times because chances are you're going to find yourself torn between multiple dishes to try — just know we tried to warn you how addictive it is!" DFB's favorite dishes include the cinnamon French toast for breakfast and cheeseburger "pods" made with bao buns, an Asian twist on the traditional cheeseburger slider. In addition to ample seating, you can cut your wait during peak meal times by mobile ordering ahead when you start to get hungry. You can also avoid crowds across the parks entirely by going in the summer, the unexpected time of year to visit Disney World for fewer crowds and warmer weather.

To determine the five best Disney World restaurants without crowds, we combed through dozens of reviews from the most widely regarded unofficial Disney experts, including Disney Tourist Blog, AllEars, Disney Food Blog (DFB), Polka Dots and Pixie Dust, and Theme Park Hipster.  We looked at restaurants consistently considered the best overall, then cross-referenced these places with reviews of Disney's "hidden gems" and most underrated restaurants to determine which ones you can enjoy without the crowds or hard-to-get reservations.

We tried to incorporate options both in and out of the parks, as well as a variety of restaurant types (counter service, table service, etc). We then confirmed the findings by looking at the most recent reviews (within the last six months) on the aforementioned Disney sites, as well as Reddit, Tripadvisor, and Google.