USA TODAY 10Best
Venture into the delicious world of theme park cuisine with these 10 must-visit restaurants
Best Theme Park Restaurant (2023)
Gone are the days when amusement park food meant overpriced greasy burgers and cotton candy. The nation's top parks are catering more and more to sophisticated palates with restaurants boasting high-quality food in unique environments. We asked a panel of theme park insiders to nominate their top 20 amusement park restaurants, then readers voted for their favorites. Here are the 10 best theme park restaurants you've got to try.
No. 10: Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria - EPCOT
Hearty pastas, wood-fired pizzas and other Southern Italian favorites fill the menu at Via Napoli in EPCOT's Italy Pavilion. This casual and family-friendly eatery also serves Italian wines, beers (by the pint or pitcher) and specialty cocktails.
Photo courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort
No. 9: Mythos Restaurant - Universal's Islands of Adventure
The unique setting of Mythos alone is a feast for the senses. Guests step into a grotto with intricate carvings of ancient figures on the walls and towering rock formations. A seasonal menu offers salmon, risotto, pad thai, burgers and more. A full wine list is also available while outside seating provides views of Islands of Adventure's inland sea and colorful islands.
No. 8: Aunt Granny's Restaurant - Dollywood
Aunt Granny's restaurant is a sit-down dining restaurant located in Rivertown Junction at Dollywood. Guests choose from a variety of comfort food proteins and sides, such as fried chicken and macaroni and cheese, served family-style at the table so that each guest can help themselves to as much as they want. Bread and desserts are also included to round out the meal.
Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens Williamsburg
No. 7: Trapper's Smokehouse - Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Follow the intoxicating aroma of outdoor pit barbecue to the New France section of Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and you'll find Trapper's Smokehouse. Nothing beats hickory- and oak-smoked spareribs and slow-smoked chicken with a selection of sides, including baked beans, fried pickles, and mac and cheese.
Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
No. 6: Zambia Smokehouse - Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Zambia Smokehouse at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a casual dining eatery with an open barbecue pit that offers a variety of proteins, sandwiches, salads and sides. For adults, a beer and wine selection is on the menu, and both indoor and outdoor seating are available.
Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens Williamsburg
No. 5: Das Festhaus - Busch Gardens Williamsburg
With a restaurant decked out like a Bavarian beer garden, this taste of Germany will transport you to the Old Country. Sample their knackwurst, bratwurst, sauerkraut and German potato salad in air-conditioned comfort while being entertained with singing and dancing. It's a great place to take a break and relax while touring Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
Photo courtesy of Landry's Inc.
No. 4: Yak & Yeti - Disney's Animal Kingdom
Yak & Yeti, a Nepalese-style restaurant inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom, serves a menu of pan-Asian dishes – ahi tuna nachos, pork potstickers and tempura chicken – at the base of Expedition Everest. Adult diners can sip on Asian beers, chilled sakes and creative cocktails from the full-service bar. An adjacent quick-service restaurant offers lunch and dinner on the go.
Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World Resort // Todd Anderson
No. 3: Space 220 - EPCOT
Space 220 at EPCOT offers a preview of what it would be like to sit down for lunch or dinner on a space station. Huge video screen "windows" offer views of Earth as the restaurant slowly orbits our home planet. Helping to complete the illusion, guests must take a special "space elevator" to reach the dining room. The menu has fixed-price two-course lunches and three-course dinners; entrees get fun names like Galactic Salmon and Blue Moon Cauliflower.
Photo courtesy of The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio
No. 2: The Chocolatier - Hersheypark
Here's the sweet secret about The Chocolatier: it's not just about chocolate, but rather a full-service restaurant with some of the best views of Hersheypark from its second-story patio and bar. "Chocolate lovers will delight in this restaurant that incorporates cocoa into many dishes from salads to burgers," says expert Jamie Davis Smith.
Photo courtesy of Knoebels Amusement Resort
No. 1: Alamo Restaurant - Knoebels
While some parks jack up food prices and treat their captive audience as a big profit center, the Alamo is as friendly to the pocketbook as it is to families, with burgers and hot dogs still priced under $5. The menu at this eatery located on the park's main boulevard also includes a few fun treats, like a pickle on a stick and apple dumpling served with ice cream.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Jamie Davis Smith
Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She... Read More
Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She was born with deeply ingrained wanderlust and has visited 45 countries and counting. She often brings her children along for the adventure and is passing her love of travel on to the next generation. Jamie has written for Insider, Fodor's Travel, Yahoo, the Huffington Post, the Washington Post, Viator and Reviewed among many other publications. Jamie is from Philadelphia and now lives in Washington, DC, where she takes advantage of everything the region has to offer. Jamie can be reached at jamiesmithwrites@gmail.com and can be found on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
Jamie Davis Smith
Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She was born with deeply ingrained wanderlust and has visited 45 countries and counting. She often brings her children along for the adventure and is passing her love of travel on to the next generation. Jamie has written for Insider, Fodor's Travel, Yahoo, the Huffington Post, the Washington Post, Viator and Reviewed among many other publications. Jamie is from Philadelphia and now lives in Washington, DC, where she takes advantage of everything the region has to offer. Jamie can be reached at jamiesmithwrites@gmail.com and can be found on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
Jason Leppert
Jason Leppert is a San Diego-based cruising expert... Read More
Jason Leppert is a San Diego-based cruising expert with more than 140 sailings under his belt and a fresh, millennial perspective on the industry. He has been cruising since before he was two years old, thanks to his parents’ shared passion for traveling and their desire to experience all journeys together as a family. Now, he regularly sails and writes “he said, she said” cruise columns with his wife Heidi. He is the founding editor of Popular Cruising, producer of the successful Popular Cruising YouTube channel and Cruise Editor for TravelAge West.
Jason Leppert
Jason Leppert is a San Diego-based cruising expert with more than 140 sailings under his belt and a fresh, millennial perspective on the industry. He has been cruising since before he was two years old, thanks to his parents’ shared passion for traveling and their desire to experience all journeys together as a family. Now, he regularly sails and writes “he said, she said” cruise columns with his wife Heidi. He is the founding editor of Popular Cruising, producer of the successful Popular Cruising YouTube channel and Cruise Editor for TravelAge West.
John Stevenson
John Stevenson is the founder of Coaster101.com, a... Read More
John Stevenson is the founder of Coaster101.com, a roller coaster and amusement industry website featuring in-depth articles about the fundamentals of roller coaster design, theme park guides, roller coaster reviews, interviews with industry experts, the latest coaster news and more. In 2017, John authored Libertyland: Images of Modern America, a book detailing the history of the former Libertyland amusement park in Memphis, Tennessee, which operated from 1976 until 2005 and was home to the Zippin Pippin, Elvis Presley's favorite roller coaster. John has traveled from coast to coast riding over 230 roller coasters in the US.
John Stevenson
John Stevenson is the founder of Coaster101.com, a roller coaster and amusement industry website featuring in-depth articles about the fundamentals of roller coaster design, theme park guides, roller coaster reviews, interviews with industry experts, the latest coaster news and more. In 2017, John authored Libertyland: Images of Modern America, a book detailing the history of the former Libertyland amusement park in Memphis, Tennessee, which operated from 1976 until 2005 and was home to the Zippin Pippin, Elvis Presley's favorite roller coaster. John has traveled from coast to coast riding over 230 roller coasters in the US.
Kyle McCarthy
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of... Read More
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. FTF’s award-winning publications: MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations and The Family Vacationist e-newsletter provide destination reviews, tips and seasonal roundups for all aspects of travel. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravelforum.
Kyle McCarthy
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. FTF’s award-winning publications: MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations and The Family Vacationist e-newsletter provide destination reviews, tips and seasonal roundups for all aspects of travel. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravelforum.
Nicky Omohundro
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of Read More
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of LittleFamilyAdventure.com, the popular family travel & lifestyle website that inspires families to leave no child left inside. Since 2013 LFA has been providing inspiration to get families outdoors, eat well, and travel everywhere from their own backyard to around the world. Always up for a family adventure, she has traveled to 37 states and 6 countries to zip-line through a Costa Rican rainforest, see Finland’s Northern Lights, and go camping throughout the US. Nicky is the co-founder of Tourism WorX a travel consultancy group. Connect with her Twitter and Instagram.
Nicky Omohundro
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of LittleFamilyAdventure.com, the popular family travel & lifestyle website that inspires families to leave no child left inside. Since 2013 LFA has been providing inspiration to get families outdoors, eat well, and travel everywhere from their own backyard to around the world. Always up for a family adventure, she has traveled to 37 states and 6 countries to zip-line through a Costa Rican rainforest, see Finland’s Northern Lights, and go camping throughout the US. Nicky is the co-founder of Tourism WorX a travel consultancy group. Connect with her Twitter and Instagram.
Nikky J
NikkyJ is a theme park super fan, Author of The... Read More
NikkyJ is a theme park super fan, Author of The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide, the founder and owner of ThemeParkHipster.com, a wishful Food Critic, coffee enthusiast, and a lover of life! She currently resides in Orlando, Florida where she enjoys spending time with her husband and two little girls while discovering the beautiful attractions of Florida. You can watch her on YouTube or listen to her podcast.
Nikky J
NikkyJ is a theme park super fan, Author of The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide, the founder and owner of ThemeParkHipster.com, a wishful Food Critic, coffee enthusiast, and a lover of life! She currently resides in Orlando, Florida where she enjoys spending time with her husband and two little girls while discovering the beautiful attractions of Florida. You can watch her on YouTube or listen to her podcast.
Robb Alvey
Robb Alvey is the owner of ThemeParkReview.com,... Read More
Robb Alvey is the owner of ThemeParkReview.com, started in 1996 and one of the longest running and largest theme park fan sites with over 3 million followers. Robb travels to theme parks all over the world each year including Europe, Asia, Australia, and all around the Americas, has visited hundreds of different parks and ridden about 2,000 different roller coasters. His background in theme parks started as a cast member for Disneyland when he was 17 years old and has continued more than 30 years later.
Robb Alvey
Robb Alvey is the owner of ThemeParkReview.com, started in 1996 and one of the longest running and largest theme park fan sites with over 3 million followers. Robb travels to theme parks all over the world each year including Europe, Asia, Australia, and all around the Americas, has visited hundreds of different parks and ridden about 2,000 different roller coasters. His background in theme parks started as a cast member for Disneyland when he was 17 years old and has continued more than 30 years later.
Shea Peters
Shea Peters is a NYC based writer and frequent... Read More
Shea Peters is a NYC based writer and frequent world traveler that looks to the history of a location in order to tell the story. Growing up in a Southern family that loves to travel, Shea has seen 44 of the 50 US states and believes that every place has a story worth telling, regardless of how populated or rural. She's currently a regular contributor discussing travel, culture, history, food, wellness, and business at Travel + Leisure, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Oprah Daily, Women’s Health, TripAdvisor, Cosmo, and Revolt TV. When she's not traveling, rooting for some unlikable sports team, or taking a pilates class, you can find Shea in her rooftop garden that is currently flourishing above the streets of New York City. You can follow Shea on Instagram and Twitter.
Shea Peters
Shea Peters is a NYC based writer and frequent world traveler that looks to the history of a location in order to tell the story. Growing up in a Southern family that loves to travel, Shea has seen 44 of the 50 US states and believes that every place has a story worth telling, regardless of how populated or rural. She's currently a regular contributor discussing travel, culture, history, food, wellness, and business at Travel + Leisure, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Oprah Daily, Women’s Health, TripAdvisor, Cosmo, and Revolt TV. When she's not traveling, rooting for some unlikable sports team, or taking a pilates class, you can find Shea in her rooftop garden that is currently flourishing above the streets of New York City. You can follow Shea on Instagram and Twitter.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.