Your Disney vacation budget is never as big as you’d like. You must spend money on travel, tickets, accommodations, and souvenirs. These needs shrink your food budget, and you might wince when the bill comes for your latest meal. Sometimes, you deserve to live a little, though. And a handful of Disney restaurants justify the hefty cost. Here are seven Disney restaurants that are worth every penny.

Be Our Guest

Image: DisneyThe hottest meal at Walt Disney World has claimed that title since its opening in 2012. Even today, odds are good that the restaurant will be sold out months in advance of your arrival. You’ll need Advanced Dining Reservations to dine here, and Disney’s even altered the rules recently to charge more.

Dinner at Be Our Guest is a prix fixe meal featuring authentic French cuisine. This three-course meal starts with delicious appetizers like artisanal meats and cheeses or escargot, and it ends with a tray of desserts including the legendary Grey Stuff. You’ll lick your fingers after you’re done, as it’s one of the finest meals on the Disney campus.

The ambience at Be Our Guest is impeccable, too. You’ll enter a castle and sit in one of the three marvelously designed dining areas. Belle’s Library, Beast’s Study, and The Grand Ballroom are the options, and I’m fondest of the last one. Disney’s done a special effect that creates the perception of snow, a lovely disconnect during a 100-degree day in Florida. Even at a higher price, Be Our Guest remains one of the best places you can eat during your vacation.  

The BOATHOUSE

Image: DisneyDisney Springs is home to many Signature Dining experiences and a few other eateries whose prices may give you sticker shock. I actually recommend several of them, depending on the composition of your party and your travel style. But one towers above the rest.

At The BOATHOUSE, you’ll dine by the water, and the nautical theme is unmistakable. A sailboat is even one of the possible seating areas here. While you’re here, you can ride one of the Amphicars, a combination of boat and car that is available for an admittedly stiff fee ($125 at time of publication). It’s a lovely trip, but you’ll want to eat here even if you could care less about Amphicars.

The food is the gold standard at Disney Springs. I also believe that the prices are more reasonable than the restaurant’s reputation would suggest. It famously opened with a steak that cost $115, and opinions locked at the time. Since then, I’ve eaten here a couple of times for less than $60 for a party of two, which is pretty good for Disney. Then again, I’ve also had meals in large parties where the tickets averaged $55 a person or more. A lot depends on what you order here, but the seafood and steaks available are fabulous.

The BOATHOUSE is my go-to nice meal at Disney Springs.