60 Foods Everyone Should Try at Least Once When Visiting Disney World
If you think all theme park snacks are the same, get ready to be blown away. There’s plenty more than nachos, pretzels and popcorn on offer at Orlando’s massive parks — if you know where to look, that is. From the best fried chicken, steak and sundaes you’ll ever eat to in-the-know fan favorites you’ll be hungry to try, these are the best sweets and treats to plan your next visit around:
Tonga Toast
If you haven't stayed at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, you may have never tried this cinnamon sugar-dusted slice of sweet sourdough—all the reason more to swing by Captain Cook's or Kona Café before starting your day.
Falafel
Halfway between the Asia and Africa sections of Animal Kingdom lies Mr. Kamal's, a food stand serving up these delightfully fresh chickpea fritters.
Turkey Legs
Did you truly take a Walt Disney World vacation if you didn't get your hands on one of these boheamoth oversized legs? It's not worth finding out.
Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup
This Epcot favorite is tastier than it may sound, and more upscale, too — it's served at Le Cellier in the Canada Pavilion, one of the finest steakhouses on property.
Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake
Don't skip out on dessert next time you're sitting down to lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern in the Magic Kingdom. This name says it all.
D-Luxe Burgers
Whether you go for the Veggie, the "Cluck,” or a specialty option—a spicy chorizo-blended El Diablo, perhaps—there are plenty of mouthwatering hamburgers to munch on at the new D-Luxe Burger at Disney Springs.
Hummingbird Cake
Chef Art Smith's Homecoming may be new to Disney Springs, but his famous pineapple-banana and cream cheese frosting-topped cake already has guests coming back for more.
Tie-Dye Cheesecake
It's only fitting that Pop Century Resort themes everything from the decor to the desserts. In fact, its Everything Pop food court is the only place in Disney World to grab one of these multicolor sweets.
Char Siu Pork
The food at Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen, like this Cantonese-style pork appetizer, is way better than those jokes its Jungle Cruise companions like to crack.
Warm Colossal Cinnamon Roll
Need we say more? Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery has your Animal Kingdom breakfast covered.
Grapefruit Cake
The Hollywood Brown Derby still lives on at Hollywood Studios, where its famed citrus cake pleases as many guests as it did movie stars back in the '30s.
Kakigori Shave Ice
Cool down with one of Kabuki Cafe's sweet frozen delicacies, offered at the Japan pavilion at Epcot's World Showcase.
Beignets
An added bonus of staying at Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter is the close proximity to these delicious, New Orleans-style fritters, which are exclusive to this resort.
Caramel Popcorn
If the sugary smell doesn't beckon you into Epcot's Karamell Kuche store, the free sample of this addictive snack at the Germany Pavilion will.
Schoolbread
A coveted Kringla Cafe favorite for years on end, this creme-filed custard bun is also a delicious distraction while waiting in line at Epcot's Frozen Ever After attraction.
Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich
The only thing better than a French pastry is one that's stuffed with ice cream from Epcot's L'artisan Des Glaces.
Funnel Cake
There are plenty of sights to see at Epcot's World Showcase, but a brick of ice cream that famously resembles a slab of butter may be the most impressive one.
Sand Pail Sundae
Consider the soft-serve, sprinkles and caramel sauce in this dessert from Lottawatta Lodge at Blizzard Beach just an obstacle in your way to building sandcastles.
Flavored Popcorn
Tokyo Disneyland is famous for its wildly flavored popcorn, and at a sleepy stand outside Epcot's Future World, you can have a taste of the spicy-or-sweet glory.
Zebra Domes
If you didn't save room for these chocolate treats with liquour-infused mousse at Boma, just pop into Animal Kingdom Lodge's Mara, where they're often in the grab-and-go fridge.
Ribs
There's plenty to enjoy at Chef Morimoto's phenomenal restaurant at Disney Springs, so long as these sweet chili hoisin-slathered ribs are ordered, too.
Bread Pudding
The Polynesian Village Resort is filled with cult-favorites, and this caramel and banana-topped delight may be the best of them. If you can't snag a table at 'Ohana restaurant, you can even order it at the neighboring bar, Tambu Lounge.
Oregon Pinot Gris Fondue
When you've tired of the parks' plastic-y cheese dip, re-awaken your palette at Territory Lounge at Wilderness Lodge Resort and indulge in the creamy offering, which comes with fresh mini-loaves of pretzel bread.
Bananas Foster Mickey Waffles
The only thing better than a traditional Mickey waffle is Wilderness Lodge's iteration, which comes slathered in sweet buttered rum-flavored sauce — or topped with chocolate or strawberries instead, if you prefer.
Hummus Fries
A taste of Morocco at Epcot's Spice Road Table will have you rethinking why fried potatoes get all the hometown glory.
ICE STK
Because the only thing better than ice cream after a delectable steak dinner at STK in Disney Springs is three ice creams.
German Pretzel
Though the Mickey-shaped pretzels are rather irresistable, this only-in-Epcot option at the Germany pavilion is fresher, saltier, and perfect when topped with mustard.
Dole Whip
You may be inclined to call it pineapple soft-serve, but among Disney fanatics, Dole Whip obsession reaches spiritual proportions. Grab a cone at Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom or just outside of Polynesian Village Resort.
Citrus Swirl
Only true Disney fans know if this Magic Kingdom treat is the superior or inferior version of Dole whip—and there's only one way to decide which is better.
Chocolate Extinction Dessert
End your meal at the dinosaur-filled T-Rex at Disney Springs with an asteroid-sized sweet, like this bubbling, sundae-topped fudge cake which is truly out of this world.
Whole-Fried Sustainable Fish
At Animal Kingdom's delightful new restaurant Tiffins, dinner is something of an artform—and maybe, if you think about it, a predator.
Via Napoli Pizza
If you can't decide on a pie, don't worry. Each pizza cooked in Via Napoli's wood-burning ovens at Epcot's Italy Pavilion is made with Italian flour and fresh mozzarella for a difference you can taste.
Whispering Canyon Skillets
All-encompassing doesn't even begin to cut it at Wilderness Lodge's playful lobby restaurant, where the grub offered on their all-you-can-eat platters doesn't nearly outweight the server shenanigans bound to occur.
Fish + Chips
Yorkshire County Fish Shop in Epcot's UK Pavilion is the best place to grab fresh strips of fish and fries, just like the Brits enjoy.
Sāmores Baked Alaska
The only thing tougher than cutting through this massive slice of rocky road ice cream and chocolate at The Boathouse in Disney Springs is finding enough people to help you finish it.
Kitchen Sink Sundae
When beloved ice cream shop Beaches & Cream heaps every topping they have atop enough ice cream to feed four people, there's really only one name you can call it.
Steamed Maine Lobster
Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridian resort is your best bet for surf and turf, but the fish is so fresh, you may just end up sticking to the former.
Mickey Bar
The greatest part of this legendary chocolate-dipped ice cream bar isn't its delightful taste—it's that you can get one practically anywhere.
Le SpherƩ
Is it a magic show? Is it chocolate? At Epcot's Monseiur Paul, it's a bit of both—but most of all, delicious.
Le Cellier Poutine
French fry fans will be blown away by Canada's slathered concoctions at Epcot's Le Cellier, which can be ordered three ways: the gruyere cheese-slathered French Onion, braised short rib-covered Korean BBQ and Canadian cheddar and truffle-topped Signature.
Sprinkles Cupcake Sundae
Sprinkles is a welcomed new addition at Disney Springs, and not just for their famed Cupcake ATM. This ice cream-filled concoction is truly a two-in-one sweet tooth pleaser.
Focaccia
Ravello at the Four Seasons may be of the nicest restaurants on property, but don't jump straight to the entrees and skip this delightfully soft mozzarella and tomato-topped starter.
Berries and Cream Pancakes
This plate of breakfastime joy from Trattoria al Forno at Disney's Boardwalk comes topped with berry compote, flavored whipped cream, and an instant smile on the face of whoever's about to eat it.
The 'Grey Stuff'
If you can actually secure a reservation at Be Our Guest, the Beauty and the Beast-themed resaurant inside Magic Kingdom, you simply must try the signature cookie cream dessert. (Lumiere was right — it is delicious.)
A Sampling of Momās Favorite Recipes
Get the best of '50s Prime Time Cafe's homestyle cooking with an assortment of fried chicken, pot roast, meatloaf—and of course, some ridicule from the dated personas of its entertaining waitstaff.
Air Pirate's Pretzels
Delivered right to your table in a metal plane, these bagel-like dippers from Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar are lightly Indiana Jones-inpsired, just like its surroundings.
Guacamole
Rick Bayliss' famed Mexican cuisine recently landed at Walt Disney World with Frontera Cocina, offering a collection of impeccable margaritas, enchiladas and of course, guacamole done to perfection.
Ample Hills Ice Cream
Whether you enjoy scoops from Brooklyn-based Ample Hill Creamery in candy-covered cones or atop ooey gooey butter cake sundaes, don't skip out on Sally Sells Seashells, an orange marshmallow variety exclusive to Disney's Boardwalk.
Indian-style Bread Service
This popular starter at Animal Kingdom's Sanaa comes with five kinds of naan, nine types of dip and not enough room to devour the rest of the food on their fantastic menu.
Cake Pops
The only thing better than cracking up at Mike Wazowski's jokes is enjoying this sweet bite of him at Magic Kingdom's Big Top Souvenirs.
Smoked Mushroom Bisque
Unwinding after a long day at the parks is a must, and this fine herb and foraged mushroom-topped velvety soup from Artist Point at Wilderness Lodge does the trick.
Pot Roast Macaroni & Cheese
When time on your Magic Kingdom Fast Pass is running out but you desperately need sustinance, this filling feed from The Friar's Nook will satisfy all your meal-on-the-go urges.
Sashimi
There are a handful of places to get great sushi in Walt Disney World, but none other come with the stellar view of the Contemporary Resort's California Grill.
Grilled Buffalo Ribeye
At Jiko - The Cooking Place inside Animal Kingdom Lodge, guests can order fresh takes on traditional African food, like this dynamic, clay oven-cooked steak.
Cheeseburger Spring Rolls
If the Adventureland stand selling these at the Magic Kingdom is open, grab a pair—the most elusive Disney snack has wacky operating hours, making these burger-filled snacks all the more legendary.
Carrot Cake Cookie
Plenty is changing over at Disney's Hollywood Studios, but this reliable dessert—which is now served at Sweet Spells—still remains.
Ahi Tuna Nachos
If you squint at the green bits in this mountain of deliciousness, you can almost call this adored appetizer from Animal Kingdom's Yak & Yeti Restaurant a salad.
Smoked Ribs
Flame Tree Barbecue has built up a rabid fanbase over the years, and these deeply flavorful ribs are part of the reason why.
Specialty Candy Apples
Whether you grab one that looks like Minnie Mouse, Monsters, Inc., or something spooky come Halloween, these oversized, sugar-doused desserts available throughout Walt Disney World are a forever favorite.
Lobster Roll
The sheer fact that the Magic Kingdom serves a lobster roll inside Columbia Harbour House is noteworthy, and that it fits the theme? All the better!