Disney Signature Restaurants Ranked with Considerations for 2025

Disney offers an abundance of choices for signature dining. To be exact, approximately 25 fine-dining restaurants are competing for your reservation. Most consider these restaurants among the most sought-after dining reservations at Walt Disney World. For many of us, a lavish meal with sophisticated cuisine is part of the Disney experience.

Signature dining focuses on the restaurant’s location, ambiance, and food preparation. If you are interested in culinary arts or consider yourself a gourmet, you’ll want to secure at least one fine dining reservation.

Below, we’ll review several commonly asked questions about signature dining at Disney. Then, I’ll share what we consider being among the best signature dining restaurants at Disney World. Finally, toward the end, we’ve listed every fine dining restaurant available at Walt Disney World by location.

These rankings have been updated for 2025.

Questions about Disney Signature Dining

Here are a few questions you might have regarding fine dining experiences at Walt Disney World.

What is signature dining? Simply put, signature dining is fine dining or fancy restaurants. We’re talking about five-star restaurants. Signature dining also translates to expensive, so make sure you preview the menus before making that reservation.

Do signature dining restaurants have a dress code? Yes, you’ll want to adhere to the following general requirements.

• For men: Khakis, Slacks, Jeans, or Dress Shorts with Collared Shirts. Sports Coats are optional.
• For women: Capris, Pants, Skirts, Dresses, Jeans, or Dress Shorts
• Not Allowed: Tank Tops, Swim Suits, Swim Suit Cover-Ups, Hats for Gentlemen, Cut-offs, Torn Clothes, no T-shirts with offensive language or graphics, Flip-Flops

Keep in mind that this is Disney World. It’s not uncommon to see guests dressed casually. However, you will probably also see guests dressed to the nines.

Is signature dining available on the Disney Dining Plan? Guests using the Disney Dining Plan can redeem two table service restaurant credits for one meal at participating restaurants. Table service credits at brunch, lunch, or dinner include the choice of an entree, dessert, and beverage (including an alcoholic beverage, to those applicable). As a whole, the Disney Dining plan includes:

• 1 Quick-Service Meal (per night of your stay)
• 1 Table-Service Meal (per night of your stay)
• 1 Snack or Nonalcoholic Drink (per night of your stay)
• 1 Resort-Refillable Drink Mug (per person)

We recommended saving a few dining credits to exchange for a signature dining experience. For example, you might enjoy breakfast in your room for a couple of days or split a counter-service meal with someone in your group instead of using a table-service credit.

See our list of Disney Dining Plan Restaurants for 2025.

Do I need reservations for signature dining?

Yes. It is rare to find seating at a signature restaurant without advanced dining reservations. Therefore, as soon as your reservation window opens, it is best to secure any desired dining reservation immediately. Reservations are available up to 60 days in advance. Resort guests can make reservations up to 60 days in advance for the entire length of their stay.

Best Disney Signature Restaurants

Now that we’ve covered the basics for signature dining, let’s discuss what we consider the best signature restaurants at Walt Disney World. Of course, with so many options, we haven’t dined at every single location. However, we’ve likely experienced more than the average guest.

As a whole, we recommend selecting the restaurant that most interests you. However, there are a few that we favor more than others. If you visit regularly, we recommend making a list of the signature dining options that most interest you. Then, change things up by picking a new one for each visit. Fair warning. When you find a restaurant you love, it’s difficult to stray away from it on your next visit. But, of course, that’s not the worst problem you could have. Here’s an overview of our top choices for signature dining.

#1 Shula’s Steak House

Never in a million years did I expect to rank Shula’s Steak House so highly on this list. But a recent dining experience proved this to be one of the best meals I’ve had in ages. Of course, I’ve only heard rave reviews of Shula’s. But I had written it off as just another place to order a decent steak. I was wrong.

Shula’s Steak House is off the lobby of the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, around the corner from the Mandara Spa. On our visit, the ten of us tried almost everything. Unfortunately, since this was a dinner with old friends from out of town, I didn’t take the time for a formal review.

However, I snapped a few photos with my phone. This is the Cowboy Rib-eye, which was a whopping 22 ounces. Since we were at Shula’s, I knew I had to try a steak, and it was one of the best steaks I’ve ever had. There was so much leftover that I took it home and enjoyed it for dinner the following evening.

A friend ordered the Miso-glazed Halibut. There were no complaints here, either.

If you desire a side at Shula’s, you’ll need to order it separately. They are large enough for 2-3 guests. Since we were such a large group, our server suggested we order one of each side. So we did. While everything was delicious, the cream spinach was our favorite as a group. Here is the asparagus.

Like our sides, our server said we should order one of each dessert to share between the ten of us. He was right again. Here we have the apple crumble.

Next, we have the chocolate souffle.

Here is the molten chocolate lava cake. Of these three, we unanimously agreed that the apple crumble was the winner. Again, each dish disappeared quickly. You can preview the entire menu on Shula’s website.

# 2 Disney’s California Grill

Unfortunately, Shula’s Steak House has knocked our beloved California Grill down a spot in the rankings. It would never have happened if Disney hadn’t changed the restaurant to a prix fixe menu some time ago. Previously, California Grill offered an exceptional menu with classics like goat cheese ravioli, stunning sushi preparations, and even a special brunch on Sundays.

Unfortunately, those things are no more, and we have found the current menu restrictive to a few select items. On our last visit, I had the cast-iron grilled pork tenderloin, which was an excellent dish.

We also enjoyed several desserts, but all agreed the Grand Marnier Crème brûlée, was the best dessert of the night.

So, while the restaurant has some excellent selections, the previous menu felt inspired and changed seasonally. This was a location where we returned four to five times every year. Each time, we ordered something different.

That said, we still rank the restaurant highly. You can’t beat the ambiance and the opportunity to return for a special view of the Magic Kingdom Fireworks. We prefer to dine here at sunset. You can probably see why from the photo below. (Those window view tables are often the luck of the draw.)

#3 Jiko, The Cooking Place

Jiko, The Cooking Place, comes in as our third choice for the best signature restaurant at Disney World. But it could just as easily come in as our top choice. Jiko (pronounced Gee-Koe) is at the Jambo House portion of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Its location is spectacular. One perk of enjoying a meal here is that you can tour the lodge before or after your dinner. You can explore the tremendous lobby or walk out and see what animals are grazing on the savannas.

As far as dinner, the food makes this restaurant stand out amongst the crowd. You’ll find completely unexpected food combinations and expertly prepared cuisine. Anticipate a mix of African and Indian inspired flavors while dining in this serene setting. It will be a relaxing evening. This is a restaurant where you want to take your time and I must recommend ordering a specialty tea.

#4 Disney’s Hollywood Brown Derby

Our fourth choice for the top signature dining restaurant is Disney’s Hollywood Brown Derby. (We actually end up eating here more often than anywhere else on the list.) This restaurant is in the heart of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a few steps away from the Chinese Theater replica.

Because of its theme park location, the Brown Derby offers lunch and dinner. You might have noticed all the resort signature restaurants only offer dinner service. For those who can’t get a reservation, this restaurant has an outdoor lounge that takes walk-ups. (See our Brown Derby Lounge Review for more details.)

Inside, the Brown Derby provides the atmosphere you’d expect in old Hollywood. Everything is black and white with a mix of gorgeous wood tones and pops of red.

On one visit, I tried the sustainable fish. It was a treat, and I ate every bite.

However, the restaurant is famous for its Cobb salad. You’ll see quite a few of these delivered to surrounding tables during your visit.

Related: Disney’s Hollywood Brown Derby Review

#5 Yachtsman Steakhouse

It’s no secret that we love everything about Disney’s Yacht Club, including its fine dining location, Yachtsman Steakhouse. Yachtsman is oh so good! The only reason it ranks as our fifth choice for fine dining is that the competition is tough.

Anyone who appreciates quality steak will want to secure reservations at Yachtsman Steakhouse. Yachtsman even has its finest beef on display at a counter inside the restaurant.

It’s the perfect place to order a filet mignon. That is what I had the first time I dined there. We enjoyed the rib eye steak and prime rib on returning visits. Both were delicious.

Don’t get me started on the amazing onion dinner rolls. They come with a plate of roasted garlic, soft butter, and salt. You can spread as much on them as your heart desires.

Related: Yachtsman Steakhouse Review

#6 Tiffins Restaurant

Tiffins is Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s signature dining establishment. This is a restaurant where you’ll feel the urge to try something new, and from our experience it never disappoints. Even writing this, I feel bad that it’s number six because it has every right to come in as one or two. It’s that good. Similar to the Brown Derby above, Tiffins is open for lunch and dinner service.

#7 Topolino’s Terrace, Flavors of the Riviera

Topolino’s Terrace, Flavors of the Riviera is our last choice for the best signature dining locations at Disney World. It’s a beautiful rooftop restaurant at Disney’s Riviera Resort.

List of Disney Signature Restaurants

Before we wrap things up, I wanted to share a list of all the signature dining options at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Signature Restaurants in the Disney Parks

We’ll start with the theme park’s signature dining options. Most serve lunch and dinner, but not all. Remember, you must have valid theme park admission to enter a park. You’ll also want to allocate one and a half to two hours for fine dining experiences.

Magic Kingdom 

• Cinderella’s Royal Table (Serves-Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. This location doubles as a character dining experience.)

Epcot 

• Le Cellier Steakhouse (Epcot’s Canada Pavilion, Serves Lunch and Dinner)
• Monsieur Paul (Epcot’s France Pavilion, Serves Dinner Only)
• Takumi Tei (Epcot’s Japan Pavilion, Serves Dinner Only)

We have a separate Takumi Tei Review if you want to learn more about this experience.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Disney’s Hollywood Brown Derby (Serves Lunch and Dinner)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• Tiffins Restaurant (Serves Lunch and Dinner)

Signature Restaurants at Disney Springs

Next, we have a list of signature dining establishments at Disney Springs.

Disney Springs

• The BOATHOUSE
• Jaleo by Jose Andres
• Morimoto Asia
• Paddlefish
• STK Orlando

See our list of the Best Restaurants at Disney Springs to learn more.

Signature Restaurants at the Disney Resort Hotels

This next section covers the signature dining locations at Disney’s Resorts.

Disney Signature Dining Packages

Disney occasionally offers special dining packages at select signature locations. Unfortunately, we haven’t seen any plans available lately.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this article provided you with a good overview of signature dining at Walt Disney World. If you want more information about dining, you can browse our list of Disney Restaurant Reviews. You might also be interested in the following:

• Disney World Character Dining Guide
• List of Disney Resort Restaurants
• Disney World Quick Service Restaurant List
• How to Use Disney’s Mobile Order Service

Or you might enjoy our entire Disney World Dining Guide, which offers an overview of everything related to dining on your vacation.

In the Comments

Have you decided which signature dining experiences you must try on your next vacation? Do you have any other questions about Disney signature dining?