What Are the Best Places to Eat in EPCOT with Kids?

Planning a family vacation to Walt Disney World Florida?  Luckily, almost all Disney Parks restaurants are kid-friendly.  However, the seemingly endless number of options can be overwhelming when trying to narrow down the best fit for your family—particularly the kids in you family.

In this article, I’m going to recommend some of the best places to eat in Disney World with kids, focusing specifically on the EPCOT Area.  I will provide insights into menus at each restaurant and detail why each choice works well for a family.  These restaurants are organized by type, ensuring great options for all ages and price points make the list.

As you will see when taking a look at the dishes served at the following restaurants, a lot of the food here is very culturally influenced.  For families with picky eaters, or for those looking for a traditional meal, skip ahead to the Garden Grill for an all-you-care-to-enjoy meal, Via Napoli for a table service option, and Sunshine Seasons for a great quick service meal.

These restaurants are either Buffet Style, Price Fixed, or All-You-Care-To-Enjoy “Family” style.    

  • Akershus
    Location:
    Norway Pavillion
    Type:
    Family Style Character Meals
    Price: $$ ($15.99-$34.99 per adult)-$$$ ($35.99-$59.99 per adult)
    Best For: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Located steps away from the new Frozen Ever After attraction in the Norway Pavilion, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall transports guests into a gorgeous Medieval castle framed with high ceilings and royal artwork. 

Children (and adults) will be amazed as five classic Disney princesses meet & greet with each table, taking photos and interacting with guests.  A rotation of five princesses makes Akershus an excellent place to meet many princesses in one place.  Character interactions here are reported to be among the best in all of Disney World, as noted by Disney Tourist Blog and A Pinch Of Pixie Dust.

Breakfast at Akershus gets a lot of mixed reviews, which you may have noticed if you clicked on Disney Tourist Blog’s review.  The price you pay (almost $50 per adult) certainly leaves much to be desired.  On the dining plan, however, every meal at Akershus is worth only 1 table service credit.

Breakfast is an all-you-care-to-enjoy meal of scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, and potato casserole.  This meal is accompanied by a Norwegian Smorgasbord of traditional meats, cheeses, and salads.  These choices may prove to be difficult for families with picky eaters.  However, due to the quality of the character interactions and ability to enter EPCOT for pre-park opening, I am still recommending breakfast if everyone in your party would enjoy this menu.

Lunch and Dinner are my favorite meals at Akershus Royal Banquet.  These meals are served price fixed.  Each meal begins with their signature “Taste Of Norway” appetizer buffet offering fresh Scandinavian seafood, traditional cured meats, specialty cheeses, fruits, and salads. 

Next up is a choice from seven unique entrees all cooked with a Norwegian flair.  My favorite is the Traditional Kjottkake dish, savory Norwegian Meatballs served with mashed potatoes and a delicious Lingonberry Sauce. This meal is so unique and different, you cannot find anything like it elsewhere in Disney World! 

To complete your meal, Akershus serves up a delicious “bottomless” plate of assorted Norwegian inspired desserts, including my favorite the traditional rice cream!

The Children’s menu during Lunch and Dinner is definitely more suited to picky eaters than Breakfast.  Children have a choice of Macaroni & Cheese, Pizza, or Meatballs. 

More adventurous children will love the Children’s Mickey’s Check Meals menu featuring Junior Grilled Beef Medallions, Fresh Salmon, and Grilled Chicken all served with steamed rice and vegetables.  Children are also welcome to try out the appetizers offered in the “Taste Of Norway” buffet.

Despite some mixed reviews on Breakfast, Akershus is an excellent option for families looking for an amazing character dining experience with unique food options. 

Tip: Book a pre-park opening breakfast reservation for amazing family photos while the park is empty, and hop on Frozen Ever After following your meal to beat the line!

  • Garden Grill
    Location: The Land Pavilion
    Type: Family Style Character Meals
    Price:$$ ($15.99-$34.99 per adult)-$$$ ($35.99-$59.99 per adult)
    Best For:
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Located in the Land Pavilion in Future World, The Garden Grill rotates very slowly around the Living With The Land attraction.  Children and Adults alike will love the amazing scenes from the attraction, including a prairie, a lush jungle, and a traditional American farmhouse. 

As guests enjoy their meals, Chip & Dale and other classic Disney characters visit each table to meet & greet and take photos.  Chip & Dale never fail to delight families with silly jokes and fun games. 

All meals at the Garden Grill are served all you care to enjoy family style. There is not a specific children’s menu here, but the food is classic American style that even the pickiest of palates will enjoy.

For breakfast, enjoy Chip’s Sticky Bun Bake (my favorite!), Mickey Waffles, Scrambled Eggs, Breakfast Meats, Hash Browns, and Fresh Fruit alongside hot tea, coffee, and fresh juice selections. Adults can enjoy a mimosa or bloody mary with this meal. 

For lunch and dinner, classic American dishes like Roasted Turkey Breast and Homestyle Pot roast are served alongside Macaroni & Cheese, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, French Fries, and fresh vegetables.  Finish off your meal with mouth watering bottomless short cake topped with fruit compote and vanilla bean whipped cream.  Adults will love the extensive wine, beer, and cocktail menu. Try out the Citrus Freeze, my favorite!

With all of the cultural menus that are common in EPCOT, the Garden Grill is an excellent option for a traditional American meal with great entertainment.

Tip: Book a pre-park opening breakfast reservation for amazing family photos while the park is empty, and beat the crowds to Soarin’ Around The World!

Table Service Options

These EPCOT restaurants are typical style where guests order their meals with a server who will bring the food to the table.

  • Rose & Crown
    Location:
    UK Pavillion
    Price:
      $$ ($15.99-$34.99 per adult)-$$$ ($35.99-$59.99 per adult)
    Best For: Lunch, Dinner

Dine for lunch and dinner at this beautiful British style pub restaurant in the UK Pavilion and feel like you are stepping out of EPCOT and into the heart of London. 

Featuring grand wood accents and frosted windows inside, with quaint waterside dining outside, Rose & Crown is a truly amazing restaurant. During dinner, nightly entertainment delights guests with fun sing a longs and witty jokes.

The menu for adults is decidedly British, featuring classic dishes like Fish and Chips, Bangers and Mash, and Shepherd’s Pie.  There are two New York Strip Steak dishes and a Welsh Pub Burger for those seeking a more traditional option.  For dessert, do not miss the Sticky Toffee Pudding, served warm with Vanilla Custard and hot Butter-Rum sauce, it is so good!  There are also delicious imported British beers, scotch, and wines served here.

Very picky children may have a little bit of trouble with the kid’s menu, but most will be fine.  The Children’s Menu features smaller portions of classic British meals like Fish & Chips, Steak & Chips, and Bangers & Mash, alongside more classic options like Spaghetti & Turkey Meatballs.  Children are also offered soup and salad appetizers, and their own dessert menu featuring classic English Trifle.

As Disney Food Blog  agrees, Rose & Crown offers a great atmosphere and delicious comfort food to guests, and is a great choice for families looking to relax for a couple of hours after touring EPCOT.

Tip: Reserve a table close to the night’s showing of Illuminations, and try to grab an outside spot.  This is one of the best places to watch the show!

  • Le Cellier
    Location: Canada Pavillion
    Price: $$$ ($35.99-$59.99 per adult)
    Best For: Lunch, Dinner

Families looking to enjoy a Disney Signature Restaurant for lunch or dinner at EPCOT will love Le Cellier.  This one books up extremely quickly, make your reservation at the 180 day mark if possible.  Modeled after classic French Canadian Chateaus, this famous steakhouse evokes an intimate, candle-lit setting that is truly spectacular.

Adults choose to dine a la carte or prix fixe, both are excellent choices, but the prix fixe menu is definitely more limited.  To start, try out one of the traditional, gourmet french style appetizers.  My favorite is the Canadian Cheddar Cheese soup, served with Applewood-Smoked Bacon.

As Le Cellier is primarily a steakhouse, four delicious cuts of steak are served alongside options for guests who prefer chicken, fish, or vegetarian meals.  The Filet Mignon has attained somewhat of a cult status at Disney World.  I can safely say this AAA Canadian Tenderloin served with a rich truffle mushroom risotto is truly amazing and will not disappoint.  Another favorite dish here is the Porterhouse Steak For Two served with Blue Cheese Fondue, Crispy Onions, and Loaded Mashed Potatoes.

Do not skip dessert! As Disney Food Blog writes, desserts here are some of the best in Walt Disney World.  The traditional Nanaimo Pie with Chocolate Hazelnut Crust and House-Made Coconut Ice Cream is unique and decadent.

The Children’s Menu at Le Cellier is one of the largest of all table service restaurants in EPCOT.  Offering something for everyone, more picky children will enjoy the Mickey Shaped pasta with Marinara sauce and Grilled Cheese,  while children looking to sample gourmet options will love the Grilled Sirloin and Seared Salmon options.  Children also have a choice of three Children’s Dessert options, including Chocolate Mousse and Ice Cream.

Le Cellier is the best option for families looking to enjoy a signature meal in the EPCOT area.  The food for adults is unique and top notch, and children will love the extensive menu.  The intimate, relaxing atmosphere offers the perfect break from a long day of park touring.

Tip: Reserve ASAP, at the 180 day mark if possible.  The limited number of tables in this popular restaurant fill up incredibly quickly.

  • Via Napoli
    Location: Italy Pavilion
    Price: $$ ($15.99-$34.99 per adult)
    Best For: Lunch, Dinner

Step into Via Napoli and take in the authentic Neapolitan atmosphere.  Voted the best “Theme Park Restaurant” by the Orlando Sentinel, Via Napoli serves up wood-fired pizza and Neapolitan style entrees in the Italy Pavilion.

Adults and Children will all enjoy the extensive wood-fired pizza menu, with toppings ranging from traditional cheese to unique.  Disney Food Blog named Via Napoli’s pizza the best in Walt Disney World. 

All pizzas are offered in individual, medium, and large sizes, so it is possible to enjoy a very economical table service meal here without sacrificing unique, delicious food.  Try out the Carciofi Pizza, served with artichoke, fontina, mozzarella, and truffle oil, it is delicious! 

In addition to pizza, there is a large Entree menu for adults featuring Italian style appetizers, fresh salads, pasta, chicken, and meat dishes. The large Children’s menu features Spaghetti & Meatballs, Kid’s Cheese Pizza, and Fried Mozzarella bites.  If your children are extremely picky, this may be your best bet for a table service meal in EPCOT.

Finish off your meal with an Italian style Cappuccino, and delicious gelato or tiramisu.  Via Napoli is an excellent option to enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner for a great price.

  • Teppan Edo
    Location: Japan Pavilion
    Price:  $$ ($15.99-$34.99 per adult)-$$$ ($35.99-$59.99 per adult)
    Best For: Lunch, Dinner

If everyone in your family enjoys Asian style cuisine, Teppan Edo is a great option for a table service meal in EPCOT.  On high crowd level days, it is easier to get in here last minute than other, more popular restaurants.

Meals here are served Japanese-yaki style, where chefs stir fry food on a large grill in front of guests.  Chefs love to entertain adults and children, performing tricks and fun games as they expertly cook up your food.

The menu here is similar to a Japanese Hibachi restaurant. For the main entree, guests choose from a variety of meat, poultry, seafood, and vegetarian options which the chefs will prepare in front of you along with sides of udon noodles, fresh vegetables, and sukiyaki beef rice. 

To compliment your meal, a wide variety of appetizers and sushi rolls are also on the menu.  Try out the Wafu Ribs, ginger pork braised ribs served with sake and soy sauce, they are great!

As I mentioned in the beginning of this review, children here must be open to eating Asian style food.  Children have a choice of shrimp, chicken, or julienne steak stir fry served with miso soup, vegetables, sukiyaki beef rice, and udon noodles.  These are delicious, filling meal options that Children who are fans of Japanese or Asian food will love.

Finish off your meal with some of Teppan Edo’s delicious, unique dessert options including my favorite Green Tea Mousse Cake.  I definitely recommend Teppan Edo as a solid table service restaurant for families, you will not be disappointed.

Quick Service Options

The following EPCOT restaurants feature counters where guests order food to take to their chosen tables themselves, there are no servers at these restaurants.  EPCOT has some of the best, most unique Quick Service meal options in all of Walt Disney World. 

  • Sunshine Seasons
    Location:
    Land Pavilion
    Price:  $ ($14.99 and under per adult)
    Best For: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Named by Disney Tourist Blog as one of the best Quick Service Restaurants in Disney World, Sunshine Seasons is an excellent option for families to dine for any meal.  Located inside the Land Pavilion in Future World, Sunshine Seasons offers one of the largest menus of any Quick Service Restaurant. 

For Breakfast, Adults will love the Cinnamon French Toast Bread Pudding, Breakfast Panini with arugula and tomato, and the classic Breakfast Platter.  Also available are a wide variety of fresh Breakfast pastries and fresh coffee.  Children have a special breakfast platter of their own served with Cinnamon French Toast Bread Pudding, scrambled eggs, Bacon, and a beverage. 

The best part- the entire Breakfast menu is under $10.00!

During Lunch and Dinner, Sunshine Seasons serves up a variety of fresh sandwiches, salads, grilled entrees, and Asian style meals from their Asian Noodle Shop counter.  

Adults will love the oak grilled rotisserie chicken, a fan favorite served with black beans and yellow rice.  Some other favorites of mine are the Mongolian Beef served with vegetables and rice, and the Spicy Fish Tacos topped with Cabbage slaw.  There are also Vegetarian and Vegan friendly options on the menu here.

Children can choose from a wide variety of options, ranging from more adventurous to classic favorites.  Picky palates will love the Grilled Cheese and Macaroni & Cheese, while the more adventurous children in the family will love the Mongolian Beef and fresh Salmon options.

Save room for dessert!  The dessert menu here is just as extensive as the entree menu.  Fan favorites include the Key Lime Tart and Carrot Cake Cupcake.

  • Katsura Grill
    Location:
    Japan Pavilion
    Price:  $ ($14.99 and under per adult)
    Best For: Lunch, Dinner

Located in the back of the Japan Pavilion, ascend up a flight of stairs to one of the most serene dining locations in EPCOT.  This is the perfect place to relax and escape the heat for a delicious meal.

The food here is Japanese style, if your family does not enjoy Asian style food, you may want to look elsewhere.  The Lunch and Dinner menus here feature fresh sushi, Ramen Noodle bowls, and Teriyaki Stir Fry options alongside a variety of Japanese beer, wine, and sake options.

  Disney Food Blog agrees that the Shrimp Tempura Udon and Chicken Steak Teriyaki Combo are excellent choices!  For dessert, try out the delicious Green Tea Cheesecake.

Children who enjoy Asian food will love Katsura Grill.  The Children’s Menu offers a choice of Chicken & Shrimp, Chicken, or Beef & Shrimp Teriyaki.  The portions are generous for a Children’s Menu price.

  • Liberty Inn
    Location: America Pavilion
    Price:  $ ($14.99 and under per adult)
    Best For: Lunch, Dinner

Families in search of classic American food among the culturally influenced menus of the EPCOT World Showcase will find it at the Liberty Inn. 

Located in the America Pavilion, this restaurant serves up classics like American Cheeseburgers, Surf N’ Turf burgers, BBQ Pork Sandwiches, among other fresh sandwiches and salads.  For Vegetarians, a Grilled Chick’N Sandwich served with Guacamole and Corn Salsa is available.

Children will find a large selection of classic choices like a Cheeseburger, Chicken Nuggets, a Hot Dog, and Pasta with Marinara Sauce.  Along with Sunshine Seasons, Liberty Inn offers the best quick service option for picky eaters in EPCOT.

  • La Cantina de San Angel
    Location: Mexico Pavilion
    Price: $ ($14.99 and under per adult)
    Best For: Lunch, Dinner

Located outside the Mexico Pavilion, La Cantina De San Angel serves classic Mexican dishes alongside the beautiful World Showcase Lagoon.  If your family enjoys Mexican food, you will be sure to enjoy this quick service option.

On the menu for adults are delicious options like Tacos filled with chicken, beef, and fish, Empanadas with Cheese, fresh Mexican Salads, and Nachos topped with beef and cheese.  Be sure to check out the drink menu, as Disney Dining notes, the large selection of freshly made margaritas are not to be missed! 

For children, Cheese Empanadas served with Tortilla Chips and Nacho Cheese and classic Chicken Tenders are on the menu.  More adventurous children may also want to try out the tacos from the adult’s menu. 

For dessert, everyone’s favorite Disney Churros are available here, making the perfect ending to a delicious meal!

Tip: Dine here during Illuminations for an amazing view of the show!

Walt Disney World restaurants are so well suited to families with children that no matter where a family chooses to eat, they can rest assured they will have a meal everyone will enjoy.  The options mentioned above are some of the best restaurants in Disney World for variety, quality of food, and atmosphere in the EPCOT area.  No matter where your family chooses to dine on your Walt Disney World Vacation, the experience will be truly magical.]

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