Top 8 Appetizers at Disney World

Sometimes, I get so caught up in running around the theme parks at Walt Disney World that I forget to eat. However, once I force myself to actually slow down and seek sustenance, I love treating myself to some of the amazing appetizers found around Disney- inside and outside the theme parks! If I’m not hungry enough for a full meal, or I want to save my appetite for a late dinner reservation, appetizers are definitely the way to go. But, like everything at Disney, there are hundreds of items to choose from! Luckily, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite appetizers, and though I couldn’t include everything, I think this list will satisfy several various flavor palettes!

8 – Sea Salt-dusted Potato Brioche- Steakhouse 71, Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Disney’s Contemporary Resort has a new lobby restaurant renamed Steakhouse 71, which offers reimagined dining just in time for the 50th-anniversary celebration. While there is a great selection of appetizers at this restaurant, the Sea Salt-dusted Potato Brioche served with butter and a roasted garlic-tomato spread is my favorite. The bread is simply delicious and the perfect way to start the meal!

7 – The Spaniard for Two- Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Toledo is located on the rooftop of the Gran Destino Tower. It is a Spanish-themed restaurant with a unique menu of tapas, steak, seafood, and drinks, as well as a fantastic view of the surrounding Disney parks. This high-end, table-service restaurant is inspired by the Spanish city of Toledo and the writers and artists who lived there in the 1930s. A fantastic appetizer option is The Spaniard for Two, which is the chef’s signature selection of artisanal charcuterie and cheeses. Not only is it delicious, but there is plenty for everyone!

6 – Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup- Le Cellier, Epcot 

Le Cellier, located in the Canada Pavilion at Epcot, is known for its amazing steak. It’s a Signature Dining location, which means reservations are necessary, and the menu is pricey. But the food is totally worth it- especially the Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup, one of the best appetizers I’ve ever had! Served with pretzel bread, the soup is rich, creamy, and mixed with Moosehead Beer and covered with Nueske’s Applewood-Smoked Bacon. I actually found it quite tangy the first time I tried it! The soup is very popular with guests, so much so that they often offer it during the Epcot Food and Wine Festival at the Canada Booth. No matter which way you get it, make sure to enjoy and savor every bite (or slurp)!

5 – Beer-battered Onion Rings- 50’s Prime Time Cafe, Hollywood Studios

If you’re looking for comfort food, 50’s Prime Time Café has you covered. The theming of this restaurant is top-notch- you are made to feel as though you are dining in a family living room during the 1950s, and your servers play the part by reminding you to eat your vegetables and to leave your elbows off the table (you’ll probably want to clean your plate, too). Aside from the antics, the meals here are great quality. The beer-battered onion rings served with horseradish sauce are my favorite appetizer, and I can’t recommend it enough! You’ll want to save room for the entrees as well, which include traditional meatloaf, pork chops, pot roast, and fried chicken. Comfort food for the win!

4 – Church Lady Deviled Eggs- Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’, Disney Springs 

Since it opened, Homecomin’ has been one of my favorite additions to Disney Springs. Every item on the menu is so flavorful, and the vibe feels really relaxed. This restaurant boasts many great Southern-inspired appetizers, but my favorite has to be the Church Lady Deviled Eggs, with bacon on top. They are served in a ceramic egg carton and are so creamy that they literally felt as though they were melting in my mouth (I know that’s such a cliché thing to say, but in this case, it was true)! Make sure to stop here the next time you’re in Disney Springs, and save some room for the fried chicken as well!

3 – Glazed Chicken Wings- Kona Café, Disney’s Polynesian Resort

Kona Café is located in Disney’s Polynesian Resort and in my opinion, has some of the best food on property. For breakfast, they serve the famous Tonga Toast. When coming for dinner, however, I always opt for the Glazed Chicken wings as an appetizer. They are made with sticky sauce, and you’ll need plenty of napkins when chowing down on these! But they are delicious; the chicken wings are soaked in a honey-marinated dressing and are covered with sesame seeds and mustard sauce. The dish is enough for two people to share, and it makes an excellent substitute for a full meal if you’re not outrageously hungry. This appetizer is definitely a must-do if you’re a true Disney foodie!

2 – Guacamole and Chips- Frontera Cocina, Disney Springs 

Eating tortilla chips with salsa is a staple at most Mexican restaurants, but Frontera Cocina in Disney Springs takes it to the next level. You can get traditional chips with a smoky chipotle, herb-filled salsa Verde, or you can treat yourself to one of their many varieties of guacamole. I enjoyed the simple Guacamole & Chips (which also comes with salsa Verde). Still, you can also choose Verde Guacamole (which comes with roasted poblanos, tomatillo, pepitas, cilantro, and onions) or a seasonal Guacamole such as mango or pineapple. All of these choices are fantastic and will give you that authentic Mexican flavor.

1- Indian-Style Bread Service- Sanaa, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

My best friend in high school was from Bangladesh, and I always loved getting invited over to her house for dinner. Since then, nothing has genuinely compared to those home-cooked Indian meals, but the freshly baked naan bread served at Sanaa comes close. This Indian-style Bread Service comes with five different flavors of naan bread and is served with nine dipping sauces that vary from the savory Roasted Red Pepper Hummus to the sweet Mango Chutney (and some are just a little bit spicy, like the Red Chile Sambal). Of course, the view at Sanaa doesn’t hurt either- the restaurant has tables that face the savannah at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and diners get stunning views of the animals and birds that call the resort their home.