If you’re headed to Disney World, sometimes dining at Disney World can get busy – reservations could be gone right when they open at 6 AM! Or if you have a big group, then things can get pricey fast.
Cozze E Vongole
As a former Disney Cast Member, I know that navigating dining off property can be just as overwhelming. There are so many great options! Our team of former CMs compiled the five best restaurants within five miles of Disney World that are just as good as Disney restaurants. These Cast Member-approved spots have food just as great as Disney, and sometimes, we even prefer them!
@ The Diner
@ The Diner is a family-owned and operated Orlando chain, with the closest location only three miles away from Disney Springs. They serve both breakfast and lunch, but their breakfast is the real Cast Member-approved favorite.
Boston Cream Pancakes © @ The Diner
Their breakfast options have gone viral for Instagram-worthy entrees at an affordable price point. For only $10-15, you can get the prettiest and tastiest pancakes of your life with flavors including Boston Cream, White Chocolate Macadamia, Fruity Pebbles, and Dubai Chocolate!
Four Flamingos
Four Flamingos, A Richard Blais Florida Kitchen, is a Florida-inspired surf and turf restaurant inside the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort, only three miles away from Disney Springs.
Four Flamingos
Their entrees are in the $50-70 range, but they’re so worth the price tag! We love all of the entrees we’ve tried from there, but the desserts are the real stars of the show. Grab their Baked Florida, a Baked Alaska with a Floridian twist – it’s frozen key lime pie, raspberry gelée, and flambéed meringue that’s lit on fire!
Our full review of Four Flamingos!
Simply Capri
Simply Capri is an Italian restaurant in the Flamingo Crossings shopping center, only 10 minutes from Animal Kingdom. Lots of Disney Cast Members live in the area and frequent their happy hour!
Simply Capri
They serve high-quality Italian dishes within the $20-50 price range, and we love their Cozze E Vongole, Ossobucco Di Vetello, and Delizia Al Limone. If you’re 21 and older, their Happy Hour from 10 PM to midnight is a great deal; get $7 wine, beer, and cocktails and $12 pizza & pasta.
Our full review of Simply Capri!
Skyline Chili
Skyline Chili is an uber-popular chain from Southern Ohio, and the Flamingo Crossings location, only 5 miles away from Animal Kingdom, is owned by retirees from Cincinnati.
©Skyline Chili
It’s a fast-casual restaurant known for its chili dogs and chili spaghetti. If you’ve never had it before, it might look intimidating – but we promise it’s worth a try!
Publix
Publix is a popular grocery store chain in Florida. While their main product line is groceries, Publix is a Florida staple for its deli offerings, with quick, customizable subs with a similar setup to Subway.
©Publix
While Publix has dozens of different sub varieties, the chicken Tender Sub is the most popular – it’s diced chicken tenders with lettuce, tomato, and provolone cheese. Still, the subs are all fully customizable to your liking. Unless you’d opt for double meat, it’s included!
©Publix
We frequent these Orlando spots when Disney World is crowded, or if we don’t have a park ticket. We hope you’ve found your new favorite Cast Member-approved restaurant! Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more Disney World tips!
I’m a Disney Cast Member. Here Are 5 Things I Wish You Knew Before Going to Disney World.
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
What’s your favorite Orlando restaurant? Comment below!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
TRENDING NOW
We're checking out the Disney World crowds this Fourth of July!
A new Florida line will affect dining in Disney World.
These shoes won't let your feet down!
This brand-new Bullseye popcorn bucket is so cute!
This is a busy weekend for travel!
Ever wondered what some of the most expensive things at Disney World are? Merch? Food?...
There are some HUGE Passholder perks you don't want to miss in Disney World!
Amazon's Prime Days are LOADED with Disney deals.
If you're getting ready for your next vacation, these Target finds solve some of the...
Want to be That Guy at Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor in Disney World? A former...
A Disneyland visitor fell down the 50-foot drop on Tiana's Bayou Adventure.
A popular restaurant at EPCOT is closing this year!
A big change just happened over at the EPCOT park entrance!
A new permit was filed for The Magic of Disney Animation.
We're getting worried about the holiday season at Disney World...
The NEW Mattel theme park in Arizona is going to be PACKED with nostalgic-themed offerings!
We're going INSIDE Universal Kids Resort's brand new hotel!
Disney just revealed some behind the scenes secrets of The American Adventure and we're obsessed.
Let's watch EPCOT's Fourth of July fireworks!
I have a favorite Disney World restaurant, and I am about to make it everyone’s...