The Most Surprising Restaurant at Disney: Maya Grill

I love food and I love Walt Disney World, so it’s no surprise that if I’m given the chance to eat a meal on Disney property, 99.9% of the time, I’m ready and willing. However, up until very recently, there was one restaurant that, when mentioned as a possibility, I avoided. The past chatter was just too negative, the location was literally at the end of a dead-end hall, and it just didn’t seem appealing. Yes, Maya Grill, I’m looking at you. 

I stayed at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort for my birthday, and as part of the stay, I finally relented and an Advanced Dining Reservation was made for a meal at Maya Grill. 

If you’ve never heard of it before (which is entirely possible), Maya Grill is one of the resort’s four table service restaurants. It’s located at the end of the hall that leads guests past El Mercado de Coronado, the resort’s food court. The overwhelming color of the restaurant is orange, which, to be honest, was enough to turn me off. Call me crazy, but aesthetics are everything, and the restaurant’s outdated styling and dusty orange aura did nothing to woo me.

First of all, please let me make it clear that I was wrong about Maya Grill. I couldn’t have been more wrong, in fact. When my hubby and I approached the host desk, we met viewers who were staying at Disney’s Beach Club Resort and had traveled over to Coronado Springs just to eat at Maya Grill. In fact, they said, they make a point to eat at the restaurant every time they visit Walt Disney World. Hmm, I thought. Could it really be that good? The short answer was yes. A loud, resounding yes. 

A leader showed us to our table, and in a warm and authentic manner, told us of how very good the food is and that everything made in Maya Grill’s kitchen is from scratch. Later in the meal, she came back to check on us, and she mentioned that the live guitarist we passed on the way to the table and had enjoyed throughout our meal played there seven days a week.

Maya Grill has an extensive bar menu, and, much to my delight, also offers several mocktails. I ordered the Non-Alcoholic Sangria for $7. It was a delicious and fruity combination of orange, lime, lemon and apple in sparkling water, and I enjoyed every sip. 

For our starter, we chose the House Guacamole ($14), which boasted of hand-crushed avocado, charred jalapeño and cucumber salsa. Friends, when I tell you that this is a must-get, I mean it. The guacamole was bright and savory, and the cucumber salsa was a nice twist. The chips were substantial without being too much so. Maya Grill’s guac beats the Signature Guacamole served at Three Bridges Bar & Grill, which I’ve held in high esteem for years. 

My entree is something that I cannot wait to return to enjoy again. I chose the Chicken Enchiladas ($30), and what arrived to the table was glorious. Three chicken tinga enchiladas were served absolutely covered in Oaxaca and Chihuahua cheeses. It was a fabulous, melty situation, and I was in cheese heaven.

The dish comes with a side of fried plantains, which sealed the deal for me. The chicken tinga was incredible, and that flavor juxtaposed with the bright notes of the salsa verde is something I’m still thinking about. 

My hubby chose the Chicken Fajitas for $26, which, if fajitas are a go-to for you, you simply must try. The chicken was seasoned similarly to the chicken tinga, and the toppings were plentiful. The menu didn’t mention the street corn that would be served on the side, but when everything was said and done, that corn was the thing that stood out in my hubby’s mind the most. It was delicious, and had a pleasant kick to it. 

If you’re bringing friends or family along for the ride, it’s worth noting that there are three choices on the menus labeled as Family Style Sharables. These range from a Veracruz Snapper to Carne Asada, and are around $70. 

I can’t say enough good things about Maya Grill. Our server was wonderful, and took the time to share the restaurant’s back story with us. The live music added to the experience, and is another way that Maya Grill stands out from other restaurants on Walt Disney World property. Maya Grill is a third-party restaurant, but absolutely brings the Disney charm and warmth. 

To say that I was simply surprised by my experience at Maya Grill would be an understatement. I was shocked, and I can absolutely see why people would make their way there from another resort. It’s worth every minute in an Uber and then some. 

If you’d like to watch the video of my experience at Maya Grill, please click below: