This post was originally published on January 12, 2022 and was most recently updated on March 6, 2024.
Disney World is much more than an assortment of rides—each section (or "land") of the theme parks is intended to transport you somewhere magical, whether that's a Parisian streetscape or a galaxy far, far away. From the buildings and landscaping to the cast members' uniforms and garbage cans, everything in sight reflects the intended setting.
The theming also carries over to the decor and menus of Disney World's restaurants. For example, you can enjoy a meal fit for a princess at Cinderella's Royal Table, with a price tag to match. But you can also have a fun themed dining experience on a budget.
From Moroccan cuisine to alien desserts, here are my picks for the best budget-friendly themed dining at Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom, plus a few honorable mentions at the Magic Kingdom.
Epcot: Tangierine Cafe, Morocco
The whole point of Epcot's World Showcase is the theming of the various country pavilions, from the Bavarian-inspired Germany Pavilion to the pyramid at the Mexican Pavilion. However, I think the Morocco Pavilion is on its own level: the craftsmanship of the buildings is awe-inspiring, and because it seems to draw fewer people than the other countries, it feels more immersive.
The Tangierine Cafe has some of the tastiest vegetarian snacks at Disney World—the regular menu features a stone-baked Moroccan bread with a trio of plant-based dips, and festival food offerings are often vegetarian, like a Mediterranean flatbread topped with chermoula (a North African herb spread), roasted vegetables, artichoke, olives, and feta.
In addition to indoor seating, there are outdoor bistro tables where you can enjoy your snacks and pretend you're in Morocco.
Runner up: Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie in the World Showcase's France Pavilion serves a delicious selection of sandwiches, pastries, and desserts. The cafeteria-style setup and gift shop somewhat detract from the ambiance, so we like to eat outside at one of the bistro tables that line the picturesque street. My favorite picks are the croissant, chocolate caramel tarte, and the half baguette (at $2.75, it's best culinary bargain at Disney World).
Disney's Hollywood Studios: Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, Galaxy's Edge
From patrolling Storm Troopers to spherical Coke bottles with alien lettering, the Star Wars-themed Galaxy's Edge at Hollywood Studios is Disney World's most meticulously themed land. Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, a counter-service eatery, is no exception—it feels like you've stepped into a spaceship hangar from a Star Wars movie, and there's a similarly thematic patio.
The entrees have otherworldly names and looks to match, like the Smoked Kaadu Pork Ribs served with a blue-tinged corn muffin. Other menu items include a beef stir fry, tuna poke, and fried chicken. I opted for the Felucian Kefta and Hummus Garden Spread, which included some well-seasoned planted based meatballs with a hearty texture (there was definitely some quinoa involved) and a pita.
Runner up: Ronto Roasters, another restaurant in Galaxy's Edge, has a similarly immersive feel, including a pitmaster droid turning a chunk of meat on a spit. However, there isn't as much seating as Docking Bay 7, the menu is more limited, and they're not open for dinner. It's still worth a peek inside even if you decide to dine elsewhere.
Animal Kingdom: Satu'li Canteen, Pandora
Animal Kingdom's Pandora land is truly awe-inspiring. Modeled after the planet from the 2009 movie Avatar, it's a lush space complete with gravity-defying floating islands. After dark, the pathways and plants glow. Satu'li Canteen is meant to look like a former RDA mess hall that has been transformed by the Na'vi into a nature-inspired eatery with otherworldly food (I recommend watching or rewatching Avatar before your visit—everything will make so much more sense.)
Most of the menu consists of build-your-own bowls: pick a base, a protein (beef, chicken, shrimp, or tofu), and a sauce. This format makes Satu'li Canteen an especially good option for those with special dietary needs or allergies. I've enjoyed the tofu bowl with the hearty salad base as well as the Ocean Moon Bowl, which is made with otherworldly blue noodles, tuna, and vegetables.
Be sure to order dessert—both the blueberry cream cheese mousse with passion fruit curd and the chocolate Metkayina Mousse are excellent.
Runner up: I think that the Africa portion of Animal Kingdom doesn't get enough credit for its theming—it evokes an east African port town and the attention to detail is incredible, from the faded posters on the buildings to the line of laundry drying on a rooftop. The best place to slow down and appreciate the setting is at Harambe Market, an open-air plaza with a lunch menu of salads, rice bowls, pita sandwiches, and beverages.
Magic Kingdom
Although the Magic Kingdom is my favorite park to visit, it's my least favorite place to eat—the lineup of budget-friendly cuisine skews classically American, with pretty uninspiring plant-based options (think veggie burgers and cheese pizza). However, if you do need a meal in the Magic Kingdom, here are my favorite themed picks.
Mike and I have a soft spot for Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe in Tomorrowland. While the menu isn't anything special—a standard lineup of burgers, chicken sandwiches, and chicken strips—it has a retro-space vibe that we enjoy, including an Animatronic alien that plays the piano and cracks jokes. They have some vegetarian and vegan options, like a Greek salad and plant-based patty melt.
Pinocchio Village Haus in Fantasyland serves flatbreads, salads, and chicken strips in a vaguely tavern-style space inspired by the classic film. For me, it's worth visiting for the seating area off to the side, which overlooks the boarding area for my favorite ride, it's a small world.
Columbia Harbour House in Liberty Square has a menu of seafood specialties (including a surprisingly good lobster roll) with a spacious two-floor seating area styled after a 1700s New England coastal tavern.
Further reading: 5 reasons adults should stay at Disney's Art of Animation resort
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