USA TODAY 10Best
Best Amusement Park Restaurant: Aunt Granny's Restaurant
Best Amusement Park Restaurant (2018)
Gone are the days when amusement park food consisted of overpriced hot dogs and cotton candy. These 10 amusement park restaurants were nominated by a panel of industry experts and voted the best in the U.S. for their food, atmosphere and service.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Amusement Park Restaurant are as follows:
- Cafe Orleans - Disneyland
- Biergarten Restaurant - Epcot
- Le Cellier Steakhouse - Epcot
- Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant - Knott's Berry Farm
- Mythos Restaurant - Orlando
- Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant - Disney's Hollywood Studios
- Three Broomsticks - Universal Studios Hollywood
- Be Our Guest Restaurant - Magic Kingdom
- Marco Polo's Marketplace - Busch Gardens Williamsburg
- Aunt Granny's Restaurant - Dollywood
Photo courtesy of Disneyland Resort
No. 10:
Formerly known as Creole Cafe, this casual table service eatery in New Orleans Square has been serving hungry Disneyland visitors since 1966. Order a cup of coffee from the same espresso machine that served Walt himself in his day, or sit outside on the patio to enjoy shrimp & grits, a three-cheese Monte Cristo or some Mickey-shaped beignets with views of the Mark Twain Riverboat and Sailing Ship Columbia.
Photo courtesy of Sam Howzit / Flickr
No. 9:
It's Oktoberfest all year long inside Epcot's Biergarten Restaurant. This German buffet, fashioned after a traditional Bavarian village, features favorites like German sausages, sauerkraut, schnitzel and Bavarian cheesecake made fresh daily. Several german beers and wines are on offer for of-age diners.
Photo courtesy of Diana Zalucky / Walt Disney World Resort
No. 8:
Styled after the cozy cellar of a Canadian chateau, Epcot's Le Cellier Steakhouse showcases north-of-the-border flavors in dishes like P.E.I. mussels, filet mignon and maple creme brûlée. Adult diners have their choice of Canadian wines and beers as well.
Photo courtesy of Knott's Berry Farm
No. 7:
This family restaurant at Knott's Berry Farm has been serving famous chicken, biscuits, and boysenberry pie since 1934, back when Mrs. Knott did all of the cooking. Since then, it’s estimated that over 20 million people have eaten chicken dinners here but current offerings include farm fresh breakfasts and family-style meals as well as salad and gluten-free options.
Photo courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort
No. 6:
The unique setting of Mythos, a fine dining restaurant, alone is a feast for the senses. Guests step into 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.
Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World Resort
No. 5:
This guest favorite restaurant at Disney's Hollywood Studios recreates the experience of a 1950s drive-in movie theater. Diners sit at tables shaped like classic cars, watch kitschy sci-fi movie clips and dine on nostalgic comfort foods like burgers, onion rings, wedge salads and warm glazed doughnuts.
Photo courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood
No. 4:
If you've ever wondered what a Butterbeer tastes like, head to Three Broomsticks within Universal Studios Hollywood's The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Cast-iron chandeliers and weathered wood beams recreate the famous watering hole, while the menu showcases British fare like fish & chips or shepherd's pie.
Photo courtesy of David Roark / Walt Disney World Resort
No. 3:
Named for the famous “Be Our Guest” scene in Beauty and the Beast, this dining experience at Magic Kingdom Park features three different themed rooms including a magnificent ballroom, the Beast’s West Wing study and the Castle Gallery designed as a replica of Belle’s private library. The same menu of American and French cuisine is featured throughout with quick-service ordering by tablets at each table during lunch and breakfast. Dinner is a more formal sit-down affair.
Photo courtesy of iStock / mphillips007
No. 2:
This market-style restaurant within Busch Gardens Williamsburg is ideal for families or groups of friends who can't decide what to eat. There's a bit of everything on offer — pizza, pasta, orange chicken, vegetable lo mien and even customized cannoli.
No. 1:
Aunt Granny’s offers the biggest all-you-care-to-eat buffet in Pigeon Forge, featuring wide variety of comfort food such as chicken and dumplings, a taco bar and Salisbury steak in addition to in addition to a salad bar and other healthier options. The restaurant opens 30 minutes before Dollywood, should you want to grab a quick and hearty breakfast.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Robb Alvey (ThemeParkReview.com), Doug Barnes (Season Pass Podcast), Austin Carroll (Fastpass to the Past: The Theme Park History Podcast), Monet Massa-Sena (The Theme Park Princess), Clint Novak (In the Loop), John Stevenson (Coaster101.com) and Josh Young (Theme Park University) were chosen based on their knowledge and experience of amusement parks in North America.
Congratulations to all these winning restaurants!
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
Austin Carroll
Austin Carroll is the creator and host of Fastpass... Read More
Austin Carroll is the creator and host of Fastpass to the Past: The Theme Park History Podcast, a popular podcast that explores the strange origins of the world’s most iconic theme parks and rides. As a relatively new voice in the industry, she has garnered critical acclaim for applying traditional research methodology to theme park history. A former Disneyland cast member, she is currently on a quest to visit all the Disney Theme Parks worldwide before 2020. Follow her on travels on Instagram at @fastpasstothepast.
Austin Carroll
Austin Carroll is the creator and host of Fastpass to the Past: The Theme Park History Podcast, a popular podcast that explores the strange origins of the world’s most iconic theme parks and rides. As a relatively new voice in the industry, she has garnered critical acclaim for applying traditional research methodology to theme park history. A former Disneyland cast member, she is currently on a quest to visit all the Disney Theme Parks worldwide before 2020. Follow her on travels on Instagram at @fastpasstothepast.
Clint Novak
Clint Novak has been a fan of the Amusement... Read More
Clint Novak has been a fan of the Amusement Industry for almost 20 years. Along with his close friends “The Legend” and “Drew the Intern” he has been hosting an amusement park podcast called In the Loop for 14 years and they have become mildly popular with their YouTube channel. Clint visits parks weekly and is easy to spot at on the midway with his trademark propeller beanie.
Clint Novak
Clint Novak has been a fan of the Amusement Industry for almost 20 years. Along with his close friends “The Legend” and “Drew the Intern” he has been hosting an amusement park podcast called In the Loop for 14 years and they have become mildly popular with their YouTube channel. Clint visits parks weekly and is easy to spot at on the midway with his trademark propeller beanie.
Doug Barnes
Doug Barnes is the Owner/Producer/Host of the Read More
Doug Barnes is the Owner/Producer/Host of the Season Pass Podcast. Podcasting on Themed Entertainment for over 11 years, Doug took his lifetime hobby of theme park fun and turned into the largest audio archive of creative stories, career origins, and attraction development, told by the industry creators themselves, on the Internet. Doug has interviewed 500 plus themed entertainment creatives, media, celebrities, and fans; and has moderated multiple convention panels based on themed entertainment.
Doug Barnes
Doug Barnes is the Owner/Producer/Host of the Season Pass Podcast. Podcasting on Themed Entertainment for over 11 years, Doug took his lifetime hobby of theme park fun and turned into the largest audio archive of creative stories, career origins, and attraction development, told by the industry creators themselves, on the Internet. Doug has interviewed 500 plus themed entertainment creatives, media, celebrities, and fans; and has moderated multiple convention panels based on themed entertainment.
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.
Josh Young
Josh Young is Editor of Theme Park University, a... Read More
Josh Young is Editor of Theme Park University, a website that covers all aspects of the themed entertainment industry. TPU is a leader in theme park news, insight and analysis.
Josh Young
Josh Young is Editor of Theme Park University, a website that covers all aspects of the themed entertainment industry. TPU is a leader in theme park news, insight and analysis.
Monet Massa-Sena
Monet Massa-Sena is the owner of The Theme Park... Read More
Monet Massa-Sena is the owner of The Theme Park Princess and The Memory Makers. She is a former Walt Disney World Cast Member who spent two semesters on the Disney College Program and one semester as a professional intern for the Disney Parks Live Entertainment team. She is currently a social media manager for NowThis.
Monet Massa-Sena
Monet Massa-Sena is the owner of The Theme Park Princess and The Memory Makers. She is a former Walt Disney World Cast Member who spent two semesters on the Disney College Program and one semester as a professional intern for the Disney Parks Live Entertainment team. She is currently a social media manager for NowThis.
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.
