Staying at one of the resorts near Epcot provides guests with easy access to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and all of the fabulous dining options inside those parks.
So beloved are many of the restaurants in the nearby parks that it may come as a surprise that there are some equally fabulous choices for dining – or even grabbing a cocktail – outside the park gates at the Epcot-area restaurants and lounges.
From the plentiful entertainment options surrounding Disney’s Boardwalk to the nearby Fantasia Gardens miniature golf course to just needing to escape from the nearby parks, there are lots of reasons to find yourself near one of the restaurants in the Epcot-area even if you aren’t staying there.
Think you might want to try one (or more) of them out? Check out the list of all of the Epcot-area restaurants and their pros and cons below.
Note: even though the Caribbean Beach Resort is technically considered part of the Epcot Resort Area, their restaurants aren’t included in the list below since they aren’t easily accessible by foot or boat from Epcot.
Breakfast
The Market at Ale & Compass (breakfast)
Quick Service
Location: Yacht Club
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Plenty of grab-and-go options and specialty coffee plus bakery cases and Coke Freestyle machines for drinks and refills
Cons: Limited selection and no outdoor seating
Beach Club Marketplace (breakfast)
Quick Service
Location: Beach Club Resort
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Great place to grab quick breakfast basics
Cons: Limited menu, can be busy
Picabu (breakfast)
Quick Service
Location: Walt Disney World Dolphin
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, 0 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Open 24 hours, lots of options
Cons: Disney Dining Plan not accepted, a lot of food is mediocre, lines can be long
Fresh Mediterranean Market (breakfast)
Quick Service
Location: Walt Disney World Dolphin
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Fresh, affordable food
Cons: Disney Dining Plan not accepted
Belle Vue Lounge (breakfast) – Temporarily Closed
Quick Service
Location: Boardwalk Inn – Reopening 7/2/2021
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Often quiet, comfortable seating, great place to grab standard breakfast items
Cons: Limited menu
Boardwalk Bakery (breakfast)
Quick Service
Location: Boardwalk Inn – Reopening 7/2/2021
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Large selection of baked goods
Cons: Limited seating
Trattoria al Forno – Bon Voyage Breakfast (breakfast) – Temporarily Closed
Table Service
Location: Boardwalk Inn – Reopening 7/2/2021
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Unique breakfast offerings and the only place to see Rapunzel and Flynn Rider & Ariel and Prince Eric together
Cons: Service can be slow at times
Tips: A small selection of princess and prince apparel and accessories are available to purchase right as you enter.
Garden Grove (weekend breakfast)
Table Service
Location: Walt Disney World Swan
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Buffet and a la carte menu options, characters appear on the weekend, easier to get a reservation here than most other character meals, nice ambiance
Cons: Not on the Disney Dining Plan, can't charge to your Disney resort room or use Disney gift cards here since this isn't an official Disney hotel, inconsistent service
Tips: Unlike the other character meals, in addition to their buffet, Garden Grove also offers a menu that can be ordered from instead.
Garden Grove (weekday breakfast)
Table Service
Location: Walt Disney World Swan
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Buffet and a la carte menu options, nice ambiance
Cons: Not on the Disney Dining Plan, can't charge to your Disney resort room or use Disney gift cards here since this isn't an official Disney hotel, character dining only available Friday-Sunday, inconsistent service
Ale & Compass (breakfast)
Table Service
Location: Yacht Club
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Breakfast buffet option offered, reasonably priced
Cons: Difficult to get to using Disney transportation unless you are staying in the Epcot resorts area
Cape May Cafe (breakfast) – Modified Experience
Table Service
Location: Beach Club Resort
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Nice variety of foods to choose from (such as chorizo with eggs, Mickey waffles, cheese grits, bacon, etc.), characters (Donald, Goofy and Minnie) are dressed in beach attire, often easier to find a reservation here than other character dining locations
Cons: Only 3 characters here, fairly expensive for breakfast food Modified Experience: No characters will be available at this time. Food will be served family style.
Lunch
Leaping Horse Libations (lunch)
Quick Service
Location: Boardwalk Inn – Reopening 7/2/2021
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Convenient location especially if you have a room near the pool
Cons: Limited menu and hours
The Market at Ale & Compass (lunch)
Quick Service
Location: Yacht Club
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Plenty of grab-and-go options and specialty coffee plus bakery cases and Coke Freestyle machines for drinks and refills
Cons: Limited selection and no outdoor seating
Boardwalk Pizza Window (lunch)
Quick Service
Location: Boardwalk Inn – Reopening 7/2/2021
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Convenient to grab a pizza to eat on the Boardwalk or back in your room
Cons: No indoor seating
Picabu (lunch)
Quick Service
Location: Walt Disney World Dolphin
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, 0 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Open 24 hours, lots of options
Cons: Disney Dining Plan not accepted, a lot of food is mediocre, lines can be long
Fresh Mediterranean Market (lunch)
Quick Service
Location: Walt Disney World Dolphin
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Fresh, affordable food
Cons: Disney Dining Plan not accepted
The Fountain (lunch) – Temporarily Closed
Quick Service
Location: Walt Disney World Dolphin
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, 0 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Fairly good diner food (hot dogs, burgers, ice cream), but the ice cream offerings (including milkshakes) are a highlight here
Cons: Kind of pricey, not on the Disney Dining Plan
Boardwalk Bakery (lunch)
Quick Service
Location: Boardwalk Inn – Reopening 7/2/2021
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Lots of fresh baked goods and a few sandwich options available
Cons: Limited menu for entrees, limited seating
Hurricane Hanna’s Grill (lunch)
Quick Service
Location: Beach Club Resort
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Some tasty options for a pool bar, kids meals are served in a pail
Cons: Birds are often around and can snag your food
Beach Club Marketplace (lunch)
Quick Service
Location: Beach Club Resort
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Good place to grab a quick snack or meal
Cons: Limited menu, can be busy
ESPN Club (lunch) – Temporarily Closed
Table Service
Location: Boardwalk Inn – Reopening 7/2/2021
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Good sports bar food and lots of TVs to watch sporting events (even in the bathroom!)
Cons: Can get really busy on game days
Ale & Compass (lunch)
Table Service
Location: Yacht Club
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Reasonably priced, food appeals to many people
Cons: Difficult to get to using Disney transportation unless you are staying in the Epcot resorts area
Big River Grille & Brewing Works (lunch)
Table Service
Location: Boardwalk Inn – Reopening 7/2/2021
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Extensive drink menu (including several beers brewed here), glass walls give you the ability to watch the brewing process, both indoor and outdoor seating options (choose outdoor seating if you want to overlook the Boardwalk area)
Cons: Limited menu, food is often not great
Beaches & Cream (lunch)
Table Service
Location: Beach Club Resort
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Great burgers and ice cream (including The Kitchen Sink sundae which can be shared by several people) plus some amazing alcoholic milkshakes
Cons: Menu is kind of limited, seating is more limited than most other Table Service locations
Dinner
Leaping Horse Libations (dinner)
Quick Service
Location: Boardwalk Inn – Reopening 7/2/2021
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Convenient location especially if you have a room near the pool
Cons: Limited menu and hours
The Market at Ale & Compass (dinner)
Quick Service
Location: Yacht Club
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Plenty of grab-and-go options and specialty coffee plus bakery cases and Coke Freestyle machines for drinks and refills
Cons: Limited selection and no outdoor seating
Boardwalk Bakery (dinner)
Quick Service
Location: Boardwalk Inn – Reopening 7/2/2021
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Lots of fresh baked goods and a few sandwich options available
Cons: Limited menu for entrees, limited seating
Beach Club Marketplace (dinner)
Quick Service
Location: Beach Club Resort
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Good place to grab a quick snack or meal
Cons: Limited menu, can be busy
Boardwalk Pizza Window (dinner)
Quick Service
Location: Boardwalk Inn – Reopening 7/2/2021
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Convenient to grab a pizza to eat on the Boardwalk or back in your room
Cons: No indoor seating
Picabu (dinner) – Temporarily Closed
Quick Service
Location: Walt Disney World Dolphin
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, 0 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Open 24 hours, lots of options
Cons: Disney Dining Plan not accepted, a lot of food is mediocre, lines can be long
The Fountain (dinner) – Temporarily Closed
Quick Service
Location: Walt Disney World Dolphin
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, 0 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Fairly good diner food (hot dogs, burgers, ice cream), but the ice cream offerings (including milkshakes) are a highlight here
Cons: Kind of pricey, not on the Disney Dining Plan
Todd English’s bluezoo
Table Service
Location: Walt Disney World Dolphin
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, 0 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: One of the best restaurants at Disney World with great food and ambiance
Cons: Disney Dining Plan not accepted, pricey
Beaches & Cream (dinner)
Table Service
Location: Beach Club Resort
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Great burgers and ice cream (including The Kitchen Sink sundae which can be shared by several people) plus some amazing alcoholic milkshakes
Cons: Menu is kind of limited, seating is more limited than most other Table Service locations
Trattoria al Forno (dinner)
Table Service
Location: Boardwalk Inn – Reopening 7/2/2021
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Often easy to get in without a reservation, all wines are Italian
Cons: Service is inconsistent, food is often mediocre
Shula’s Steak House
Table Service
Location: Walt Disney World Dolphin
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, 0 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Great steak in a sports-themed restaurant, service is usually fantastic
Cons: Disney Dining Plan credits not accepted, noisy
Kimonos
Table Service
Location: Walt Disney World Swan
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, 0 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Voted 1 of the top best sushi spots in Orlando by the Orlando Sentinel
Cons: Disney Dining Plan credits not accepted here, reservations not accepted
Il Mulino (dinner)
Table Service
Location: Walt Disney World Swan
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, 0 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Delicious Italian options, groups can opt for family-style dishes (piatti per il tavolo)
Cons: Not on the Disney Dining Plan
ESPN Club (dinner) – Temporarily Closed
Table Service
Location: Boardwalk Inn – Reopening 7/2/2021
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Good sports bar food and lots of TVs to watch sporting events (even in the bathroom!)
Cons: Can get really busy on game days
Crew’s Cup Lounge (dinner) – Temporarily Closed
Table Service
Location: Yacht Club
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Specialty drinks available (in addition to standard drink options), good appetizer options, usually pretty quiet
Cons: Disney Dining Plan not accepted
Yachtsman Steakhouse (dinner) – Temporarily Closed
Table Service
Location: Yacht Club
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 2 Table Service credit(s)
WDW Prep Favorite: Yes
Pros: Amazing service, fantastic food
Cons: Expensive
Garden Grove (dinner)
Table Service
Location: Walt Disney World Swan
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Good ambiance, characters offered nightly (depending on the day, the characters can include Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale), more availability at this location than most other character dining meals
Cons: Not on the Disney Dining Plan, can't charge to your Disney resort room or use Disney gift cards here since this isn't an official Disney hotel, inconsistent service
Tips: Unlike the other character meals, in addition to their buffet, Garden Grove also offers menu items that can be ordered instead.
Flying Fish (dinner) – Temporarily Closed
Table Service
Location: Boardwalk Inn – Reopening 7/2/2021
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 2 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Though they serve many great fish dishes, their steak is especially good
Cons: Pricey
Ale & Compass (dinner)
Table Service
Location: Yacht Club
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Reasonably priced, food appeals to many people
Cons: Difficult to get to using Disney transportation unless you are staying in the Epcot resorts area
Cape May Cafe (dinner) – Modified Experience
Table Service
Location: Beach Club Resort
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Wide variety of seafood (all-you-can-eat crab legs are very popular), lots of non-seafood options as well
Cons: Expensive if paying out-of-pocket
Big River Grille & Brewing Works (dinner)
Table Service
Location: Boardwalk Inn – Reopening 7/2/2021
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Extensive drink menu (including several beers brewed here), glass walls give you the ability to watch the brewing process, both indoor and outdoor seating options (choose outdoor seating if you want to overlook the Boardwalk area)
Cons: Limited menu, food is often not great
Everything Else
AbracadaBar (Lounge)
Quick Service
Location: Boardwalk Inn – Reopening 7/2/2021
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Fun themed drinks and atmosphere
Cons: Small with limited seating, limited food options
The To-Go Cart – Temporarily Closed
Quick Service
Location: Boardwalk Inn – Reopening 7/2/2021
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, snack credits, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Great spot to grab popular quick food items like hot dogs, wings, and chicken fingers
Cons: No indoor seating
Splash Terrace
Quick Service
Location: Walt Disney World Dolphin
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Nice selection of subs, snacks, and drinks (including vegetarian options)
Cons: Not on the Disney Dining Plan, open seasonally
Java Bar
Quick Service
Location: Walt Disney World Swan
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Spot to grab a quick coffee and pastry at The Swan, a new bigger location with grab and go options will be opening later in 2019
Cons: Disney Dining Plan credits not accepted
Il Mulino Lounge
Quick Service
Location: Walt Disney World Swan
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, 0 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Nice ambiance, good drink options, light menu available
Cons: Not open mid-day
Funnel Cake Cart – Temporarily Closed
Quick Service
Location: Boardwalk Inn – Reopening 7/2/2021
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Delicious funnel cakes and fried ice cream available here
Cons: Usually only open in the evenings
Cabana Bar and Beach Club
Quick Service
Location: Walt Disney World Dolphin
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Good food and drink selection, more upscale than many other lounges
Cons: Service varies a lot, can be noisy
Boardwalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas
Quick Service
Location: Boardwalk Inn – Reopening 7/2/2021
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, snack credits, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Quick place to grab a margarita and a snack (like a Mickey pretzel)
Cons: Limited menu
Belle Vue Lounge – Temporarily Closed
Quick Service
Location: Boardwalk Inn – Reopening 7/2/2021
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Often quiet, comfortable seating, great place to grab a drink (drink menu is fairly extensive compared to many locations), board games available
Cons: Limited food options
Ale & Compass Lounge (evening lounge)
Quick Service
Location: Yacht Club
On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit(s)
Pros: Contemporary design with a cozy and intimate setting, good appetizers and drinks
Cons: Small seating area, limited food options
Todd English’s bluezoo Lounge
Table Service
Location: Walt Disney World Dolphin
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, 0 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Ability to grab a drink at the bar or order from the full restaurant menu, delicious food
Cons: Pricey, Disney Dining Plan not accepted
Shula’s Lounge
Table Service
Location: Walt Disney World Dolphin
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, 0 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Great steak in a sports-themed restaurant, service is usually fantastic
Cons: Disney Dining Plan credits not accepted, noisy
Martha’s Vineyard
Table Service
Location: Beach Club Resort
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, 0 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Quiet spot to grab drinks and appetizers
Cons: Only open in evenings, Disney Dining Plan not accepted
Phins
Table Service
Location: Walt Disney World Dolphin
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Great place to grab a cocktail, lots of seating
Cons: Limited options
Kimonos Lounge
Table Service
Location: Walt Disney World Swan
On the Disney Dining Plan? No, 0 Table Service credit(s)
Pros: Extensive drink menu (including Japanese sake and whiskey), karaoke
Cons: Can get busy
Getting to your reservation at one of the Epcot-area restaurants
You can access the Epcot-area resorts via bus and boat (and someday in the future, via gondola!). To figure out which you’ll need to use check out the WDW Prep School Navigator.
Other reasons to dine at the Epcot-area restaurants
The holidays at Disney World are another time when heading to the resorts around Epcot for a meal or even a cocktail might make sense. During the holiday season, all of the resorts will be decked out in their finest with lots of seasonal decorations to explore. If you are visiting during the holiday season, it is well worth it to set aside a couple hours to check out what they have to offer.
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Are you planning to eat at any of these restaurants? We’d love to hear your thoughts on the Epcot-area restaurants in the comments.
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One Response
Hello! I am planning a tentative 2022 stay at the beach club resort with a group of 7 adults (parents, grand parents, and uncles/aunts), 3 children, and 1 infant. i’m trying to figure out which combination of rooms you can request to be connecting. the children need their own room with a door (so like the 1 bedroom suite or a CONNECTING basic rooms with 1 parent per room. are any 2 br suites connecting to smaller rooms?
I am aware that these are not guaranteed upon request but we’d rather not have to separate our nuclear family too much if possible. (for reference- the alternative is 3 adjoining suites at AoA which would be way cheaper but fewer perks). what i’d really love is an actual map of the rooms that connect so i can make a specific request later this year when we make the reservation.