Disney Cruise Line is known for its incredible entertainment, character meet-and-greets with beloved friends, and top-notch service, but in my mind, what sets Disney apart is its dining. On the all-new Disney Destiny, the best food on the ship can be found everywhere from the table service eateries to the quick service stands that line the pool deck.
I recently got to sail on the Disney Destiny on a preview cruise, and let me just say, no one is going hungry on this ship. I was able to try everything from the new dinner show, Pride: Lands Feast of the Lion King, the adult-only Enchanté, and even a few beloved favorites while watching movies on the Funnel Vision.
If you’re sailing on Disney Cruise Line’s new ship anytime soon, you’re going to want to keep reading because I’m sharing the best food on the Disney Destiny. And with sailings that range from four to seven nights, you’ll have plenty of time to try all of the options.
Best rotational dining restaurant: Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King
Unlike other family-friendly cruise lines, where one massive main dining room serves thousands of guests at one time, Disney has three main dining rooms that you rotate through during your cruise. These include 1923, which specializes in fresh California cuisine; Worlds of Marvel, which is a celebration of all of the iconic Marvel heroes and villains; and the new Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King.
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If you only make it to one night of dinner in the main dining rooms, you must ensure that it’s Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King. The dinner show might be better than Plaza de Coco on the Disney Treasure, which is a big statement since I absolutely loved Plaza de Coco.
During your meal, you’ll dine on African-inspired cuisine, including black-eyed pea hummus, green papaya salad, curried apricot chicken sosaties (skewers), and my favorite, the shrimp curry with rice and roti. The shrimp curry is spicy and flavorful, without being too hot. I also loved the roti, which was the perfect way to sop up all of the extra curry sauce left in my bowl. This was my favorite dish on the Disney Destiny.
Along with the exceptional meal, families can watch a performance on the central stage. Two singers, a small band, and a dancer all recount how Simba went from cub to king through iconic songs from the animated and Broadway versions of The Lion King.
Best quick service option: Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods
There’s honestly nothing better than going on a Disney cruise, grabbing a snack, and heading to a lounge chair in front of the Funnel Vision to watch a movie. While you can always go to Marceline Market, the onboard food hall-style buffet, I absolutely love the Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods kiosks outside on the pool deck.
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Here, you’ll find everything from BBQ and pizza to chicken tenders and tacos. My favorite is Donald’s Cantina, where build-your-own tacos, bowls, and burritos are all on the menu, and guac does not cost extra. And if you’re looking for a delicious Disney Cruise Line hack, make your taco bowl sans rice, then grab a plate of fries from Goofy’s Grill. Once you have both dishes, top your fries with your Tex-Mex bowl for some of the best loaded fries you’ve ever had. Just don’t forget to put some of the spicy salsa on top.
Best coffee shop: Cafe Megara
There are four main coffee shops onboard the Disney Destiny. The first is the adult-only Cove Cafe, which is near the adult pool at the back of the ship. There’s also one at the front of Marceline Market. The other two coffee bars are just off the Grand Hall on decks four and five. These are Cafe Megara and Cafe Merida, respectively.
All four locations have different menus, but my favorite is Cafe Megara, which is themed to the iconic damsel in distress, Megara, from Hercules. The small cafe has a few small tables and a bar lined with stools, so you can enjoy your drink there or have it made to go. I typically opted for enjoying a cup of coffee or a cocktail at the bar. Of course, the Disney Cruise Line signature coffee, the salted caramel coconut latte, is available here, with a fun Hercules character imprint on top.
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I also loved the coffee bar’s take on an espresso martini, the Hades Ash and Cocoa, which infused the flavor of toasted coconut, maple, and Nutella into the cocktail. While that may sound like a strange combination, the strong espresso really balanced out all of the sweet flavors, making for a drink worthy of Mount Olympus.
Best celebration meal: Enchanté
While sailing on the Disney Destiny, I had the chance to finally try out Enchanté. This adult-only restaurant features a menu created in partnership with three Michelin-starred chef Arnaud Lallement, and it’s truly a gastronomic feast. My dinner began with a perfect welcome cocktail and house-made sourdough bread with rich butter. Through the two-and-a-half-hour meal, my dinner companions and I ate everything from lobster and Japanese A5 wagyu to sumptuous chocolates and petit fours for dessert. This is a perfect celebration meal for couples on a cruise.
Best lounge for food: Cask & Cannon
Cask & Cannon ended up being my hangout spot on Pirate Night, which is fitting since the bar is themed after the Pirates of the Caribbean attractions around the world. The sports bar features a wide variety of rum-based cocktails, a few exclusive beers, and a full menu of extra-charge snacks. During my time inside the bar, I ordered the Dead Man’s Chest, which is a drink meant for two to share. It’s served in an actual treasure chest filled with smoke. The drink is quite the show once it reaches your table.
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This is also where you’ll find a host of bar bites like chicken wings, giant German pretzels served with beer cheese, bangers and mash, a cheeseburger, and fish and chips. My pirate crew opted for the giant pretzel, served warm and perfectly salted. We also tried the loaded potato puffs: tater tots loaded with beer cheese, nacho cheese, jalapeños, bacon, scallions, and sour cream. Talk about a late-night snack worthy of walking the plank for.
Best lounge for drinks: The Sanctum
When I first heard there would be a Dr. Strange-themed lounge on the Disney Destiny, I was so excited. I spent multiple nights in The Sanctum. I can confidently say it’s the best lounge on the ship. The cocktails and mocktails are super creative, most have an interactive element, and they just taste really good.
The Distortion Effect seemed to be a popular option, made with Stoli Elit, lychee, strawberry pink peppercorn, Fever Tree Lime & Yuzu, but it’s the interactive element that makes this so cool. The drink is set on an interactive coaster that puts “electricity” inside the cup. Think of those lightning orbs at your mall’s Discovery Channel Store in the late 90s.
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I also loved the Eye Opener, which is a tea-based cocktail with Saigon Baigur, smoked oolong tea, and Amaro Montenegro. While the drink was light and perfectly sippable, the presentation was what really blew me away. The drink is served on a wooden tray that has a massive ring with a suspended glass teapot in the middle. Then you can tip the tea into a serving cup before pouring it into two tiny mugs. The drink can be shared, but it’s not necessarily designed as a drink for two.
Best room service treat: Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bar
And if you’re still hungry after chowing down on the must-gets on the Disney Destiny, there’s always free 24-hour room service. Of course, there are the chicken tenders, but you simply cannot go on a Disney Cruise without getting a Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bar to enjoy while watching your favorite Disney movie. For me, that means turning on Ratatouille, The Princess Diaries, or Sleeping Beauty.
