We all know those hot ticket places to eat on Disney property. Everyone wants the Cinderella’s Royal Table or the Chef Mickey’s BUT I have a few “sleeper” locations that you just MAY be overlooking for breakfast, lunch, AND dinner during your visit at Walt Disney World Resort. You don’t always need the highly sought after dining reservation to achieve totally foodie heaven!

Breakfast

So let’s start this day out with some breakfast. I’m not looking for buffets or characters…..I am looking for pancakes! And not just any pancakes. I am talking about the blueberry bacon pancakes with lemon creme from Ale and Compass at Disney’s Yacht Club. Most folks may not have even heard of this amazing upscale nautical pub in the main lobby area of the Yacht Club, but trust me, once you go there, you’ll never forget it. It’s one of those places that has the best quality and you can almost always snag a reservation at the last minute! But back to the pancakes….I didn’t say blueberry pancakes with bacon on the side…..I said BLUEBERRY AND BACON INSIDE these pancakes people! And topped with the most delicate lemon creme on top. No syrup is needed for these puppies! It is the best breakfast dish on property that you most likely haven’t heard about! 

Lunch

Let’s move on to lunch. Journeying through Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you will find the most amazing place to grab a midday meal of the utmost comfort and culture. Nomad Lounge is one of my favorites go-to’s! This is a lounge so the concept is first come, first serve so no reservations are required. Drinks, appetizers, small plates, and FRESH MADE churros, this is the place I could spend an entire day. And on more than one occasion that may have just happened. My favorite dishes for a fun lunch here are the lobster Mac and cheese (no surprise there) and the amazing bread service, which in my opinion puts Sanaa’s bread service to shame! Shocking, right?? What also makes this lunch stop so cool, they actually have a full children’s menu! And let’s not forget, the Nomad is the absolute most exotic place for a cocktail! 

Dinner

On to dinner. This restaurant may or may not be on your radar, but I find many times it is overlooked because of its signature status, but it is one of my all time favorite meals from start to finish on property. The Hollywood Brown Derby is one of those sure bet great meals. From the charcuterie board and lobster bisque to the famous Cobb salad and one of a kind grapefruit cake and grapefruit martini, this meal screams Disney food to me in the most comforting and fabulous of ways.

This location does require a reservation, but if you have a special occasion or are looking for that special in park meal to celebrate something special, this one is a home run for me every single time!  So there you have it, my list of not so familiar places to grab a meal at any time of the day! Don’t ever assume that you will be let down in the food department if you don’t snag a character buffet or “well known” restaurant during your stay. Doing things a little differently will usually pay off, especially when great food is involved. And if it’s great food you crave, it can be found everywhere in Disney, even in places you may not expect!