With over 200 restaurants at Walt Disney World, buffets remain some of the most popular (and most debated) dining options on property. Between the chance to meet some of your favorite characters, the all-you-can-eat spreads, and the convenience of not having to worry about there being food that everyone in your family will love, it’s no wonder that buffet restaurants fill up fast when dining reservations open 60 days in advance.

But here’s the thing…not all Disney World buffets are created equal. Some deliver incredible food that rivals any sit-down restaurant in Disney World, while others get a reputation for great character interactions but leave you wanting more when it comes to the food. So, which buffets are actually worth your time (and money) and which ones should you skip?

I’ve eaten at every buffet restaurant in Walt Disney World more times than I can count, and I’m ranking them all from best to worst. Whether you’re a first-timer trying to figure out where to make a dining reservation or a Disney regular looking for something new, this list has you covered!

1. 1900 Park Fare (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa)

Located inside Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, 1900 Park Fare is a beautifully redesigned buffet restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner. The dining room has a whimsical, Victorian-inspired feel that matches the hotel’s overall theme with pastel colors, golden carousels, and an upscale feel that sets it apart from every other buffet on property. 1900 Park Fare is also a character dining experience where you’ll have the chance to meet Mirabel and Princess Tiana (in her Tiana’s Bayou Adventure outfit!), along with Cinderella and Aladdin.

So, why does 1900 Park Fare take the number one spot? It comes down to the food and the overall experience. The buffet here is a serious standout, especially the famous Grand Floridian Strawberry Soup, which is worth the reservation alone. The breakfast spread is loaded with tasty options like Croissant Breakfast Pizza, Bread Pudding with Vanilla Crème Anglaise, and Cheesy Potato Casserole. Dinner is equally impressive with options like Tiana’s Gumbo and carved meats. Beyond the food, though, the character lineup is one of the most unique in all of Disney World, and the Grand Floridian’s location means you’re just a monorail ride or a short walk away from Magic Kingdom. If you can only book one buffet on your trip, make it this one.

2. Boma — Flavors of Africa (Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge)

Tucked inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Boma is a breakfast and dinner buffet that draws inspiration from over 50 African countries. The restaurant has an intimate, marketplace-style atmosphere and offers one of the most diverse spreads you’ll find anywhere at Disney World. Think dishes like Durban-spiced chicken, pap and chakalaka, bobotie, and watermelon rind salad alongside more familiar options like roasted salmon and carved meats. And you absolutely cannot leave without trying the Zebra Domes for dessert!

Boma takes the number two spot because the food is, in a word, incredible. This is hands-down one of the most underrated dining experiences in all of Walt Disney World. While it doesn’t have character interactions, it more than makes up for it with flavor and variety. The only downside is that Boma’s menu is geared toward the more adventurous eater. If you or someone in your party prefers to stick with familiar dishes, you’ll still find options, but the real magic of Boma is in the globally-inspired dishes you won’t find anywhere else on property. It’s a bit out of the way at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, but trust me, it’s worth the trip. This is actually my family’s favorite buffet if we’re dining without the kiddos!

3. Tusker House Restaurant (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)

Tusker House Restaurant is located in the Africa section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This buffet-style character dining experience gives you the chance to meet Mickey, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy, all dressed in their safari best. The dining room is designed to feel like an open-air African marketplace, and the menu draws inspiration from African and Indian flavors with dishes like curry chicken, peri-peri salmon, and a variety of chutneys and sambals.

Tusker House is one of the most underrated character dining locations in all of Disney World, and that’s exactly why it ranks this high. The character interactions here feel more intimate and intentional than at some of the larger restaurants since the dining room is a bit smaller, meaning you might even see the characters come by your table more than once. The food is flavorful, well-prepared, and offers something different from the standard character dining fare. Just keep in mind that the menu leans toward the adventurous side. There are still kid-friendly options and familiar dishes available, but if you have extremely picky eaters in your group, you may want to set expectations accordingly.

4. Biergarten Restaurant (EPCOT)

If you’ve ever wanted to experience Oktoberfest without leaving Central Florida, Biergarten Restaurant in EPCOT’s Germany Pavilion is as close as it gets! This all-you-can-eat buffet serves lunch and dinner and features a spread of traditional German fare, including bratwurst, schnitzel, spaetzle, pretzel bread, roasted chicken, and hand-pulled apple strudel. The restaurant is designed to feel like an outdoor German village at twilight, and the communal biergarten-style seating adds to the atmosphere. Plus, there’s even a live show during your meal!

While the food is very good (and well-liked by pretty much everyone), what really makes Biergarten stand out is the atmosphere. A live German band performs throughout the day, playing traditional Oktoberfest music, ringing bells, blowing alpenhorns, and even inviting guests (kids included!) up to dance. It’s truly one of the most fun dining experiences you can have at EPCOT, and the food is delicious to boot. One thing to know is that you may be seated with other guests if you have a smaller party, so this isn’t the best pick for a quiet dinner. But it’s a blast for families and large groups. And because there are no characters, it tends to be less expensive than other all-you-can-eat options in Disney World.

5. The Crystal Palace (Magic Kingdom)

The Crystal Palace is a Victorian greenhouse-style restaurant located on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner in buffet style, this bright and airy dining spot features Winnie the Pooh and friends from the Hundred Acre Wood, who visit your table for photos and autographs throughout your meal. The location here is pretty unbeatable, as the restaurant overlooks Cinderella Castle and sits right in the heart of the park.

The Crystal Palace earns its middle-of-the-list spot for a few key reasons. First, the location is prime real estate, especially for an early-park-opening breakfast where you can walk right onto Main Street after your meal. Second, this is the only place in all of Disney World that you can meet Piglet and Eeyore, and you get to forego a long wait to meet Pooh and Tigger in the park later. And third (this is the big one), the breakfast buffet serves Churro Waffles. Yes, Churro Waffles! Those alone are worth making a reservation. The lunch and dinner options are solid too, with carved meats, pastas, and seasonal dishes. It’s a great pick for families with young kids who love the Hundred Acre Wood gang or families who have particularly picky eaters in tow.

6. Cape May Cafe (Disney’s Beach Club Resort)

Cape May Cafe is a New England-themed buffet restaurant at Disney’s Beach Club Resort that serves both breakfast and dinner. The breakfast is a character meal featuring Minnie and friends in their adorable beach attire, while dinner is a character-free seafood and clambake-style buffet. You’ll find dishes like steamed crab legs, peel-and-eat shrimp, baked fish, clam chowder, and mussels on the dinner spread, along with non-seafood options like roasted chicken and pasta.

Cape May lands at number six because the food is really good, especially if you’re a seafood lover. The dinner clambake buffet is one of the better values in Disney for seafood fans. However, this is where the ranking gets a bit tricky. If you have a picky eater in your group or someone who is sensitive to smells, the seafood-forward dinner might not be the best fit. The smell of a full seafood spread can be a bit overwhelming for those who aren’t fans. If that sounds like someone in your family (or you), consider booking Cape May for breakfast instead, where the menu is a more traditional spread with fewer seafood options. Plus, you’ll get the added bonus of a character experience. It’s a fantastic restaurant, but it has a more niche appeal compared to others on this list.

7. Hollywood & Vine (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)

Hollywood & Vine is a buffet restaurant located on Hollywood Boulevard in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but the character experience changes depending on the meal. Breakfast is your only chance to meet Disney Junior characters (like Doc McStuffins and Vampirina) anywhere in Disney World, making it a huge draw for families with preschool-aged kids. For lunch and dinner, the restaurant transforms into Minnie’s Seasonal Dining, where Minnie and friends celebrate whatever holiday or event is happening at the time, from Halloween to the holidays and even summer.

The themed seasonal dining at Hollywood & Vine is unique, and the rotating character costumes give you a reason to come back again and again throughout the year. And, while the food used to be lackluster, it has improved over the years, and now you’ll find a decent spread of American buffet staples. That said, it’s still not overly impressive for the price, and the quality doesn’t quite stack up to some of the higher-ranked restaurants on this list. If you have little ones who are obsessed with Disney Junior, the breakfast here is a must-do. And if you love seasonal events, the holiday and Halloween dining experiences add a special touch that you can’t get anywhere else. Just go in knowing that the characters and the experience are the main attraction here, not necessarily the food.

8. Chef Mickey’s (Disney’s Contemporary Resort)

Chef Mickey’s is located at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and it is arguably the most iconic character buffet in all of Disney World. Serving breakfast and dinner, this restaurant gives you the chance to meet Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto (the Fab 5!) in one spot. The restaurant sits right inside the Contemporary, which means the monorail passes through the building above you as you eat. And because the Contemporary is a monorail resort, you’re just a quick ride away from Magic Kingdom.

So, why does Chef Mickey’s rank last? Between the character music, the excitement of kids seeing Mickey, and the open layout, the restaurant can be loud and feel chaotic. And, the food is, unfortunately, not the best. The buffet spread is fairly standard with dishes that don’t stand out, especially given the premium price tag. You’re paying for the experience here, not the meal. That said, Chef Mickey’s is still one of the most popular character restaurants in all of Disney World for good reason. Meeting the Fab 5 in one place is tough to beat, and the energy in the room is electric for first-timers. It’s absolutely worth checking out as long as you go in with the right expectations. Just know that you’re paying a lot for a meal that won’t wow you, but a character experience that just might.

Tips for Booking Disney World Buffets

Before you rush to book your reservations, here are a few things to keep in mind. Buffet restaurants, especially character meals, fill up fast, so set your alarm for when your 60-day dining reservation window opens. If you purchased the Disney Dining Plan, most buffets count as one table service credit, which can help offset the higher price tags. And if you’re looking to save, breakfast buffets are often significantly cheaper than dinner while still offering character interactions at some restaurants. Plus, starting your day with an all-you-can-eat meal means you can snack your way through the parks without needing a big lunch.

All in all, every Disney World buffet offers something different, and the “best” one for your family depends on what you’re looking for. If food quality is your top priority, Boma and 1900 Park Fare are your best bets. If you want the most fun atmosphere, Biergarten and Tusker House deliver. And if it’s all about the characters, Chef Mickey’s and Hollywood & Vine have you covered.

No matter which buffet you choose, be sure to check out our complete guide to Disney World dining for more restaurant recommendations across the resort!

Comments

What’s your favorite Disney World buffet? Did we get the ranking right? Let us know in the comments below!