5 most underrated restaurants in Walt Disney World

Photo: Enriching Grains and Fruit / Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Sanaa.. Image Courtesy Disney
Photo: Enriching Grains and Fruit / Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Sanaa.. Image Courtesy Disney /
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One of the best parts of Walt Disney World is its amazing array of dining options. Sure, there are fast-food counter service spots, but the table service restaurants are incredible. From the main theme parks to the various resorts, there is literally something for everyone in terms of food offerings at Disney World. 

Many are pretty famous and easily packed at any time of the day. Some offbeat offerings may not get as much love but do appeal to some guests. Yet there are also Disney World restaurants that boast some of the best food in the entire area yet don’t get the fame they deserve. 

Many are in the resorts and can often be missed but the main parks can have some fun ones too. It can be hard to narrow them down, but these should rank as the five most underrated table service restaurants in all of Walt Disney World and prove that some of the best places are right under the noses of guests. 

5. Nine Dragons (EPCOT)

The oldest restaurant on this list, the Nine Dragons opened with the rest of the China pavilion at Epcot in 1982. 42 years later, it’s still an amazingly overlooked fine dining establishment. The ambiance is glorious, with upscale Chinese decor from wood etchings to glass statues that sell the nation’s history.

The food is terrific, mixing various Chinese dining styles and a rotating selection of specials. The appetizers may be even better than the main entrees, and the cocktail selection is also terrific. Best of all, the pricing isn’t as high as one might expect, and thus, Nine Dragons should be roaring to the top of the best places to eat in Epcot. 

4. Ale & Compass (Disney's Yacht Club Resort)

A nice refurbishment a couple of years ago aided this spot located at the Yacht Club resort. Ale & Compass is notable for its terrific brunch menu, which can be either regular meals or a buffet guaranteed to leave anyone full up for the day. The dinner menu has casual American dining — a mix of steak, chicken, and seafood — and the cocktail menu is good too.

The upscale dining is lovely, with nicely crafted tables and chairs in a dining hall setting, and the nautical theme is well done. So for one of the best breakfast spots, the Ale & Compass shouldn’t be missed.