Best Places to Eat at Magic Kingdom

Scenario 1: It’s 3 o’clock. You’ve been at the parks since rope drop. You’re exhausted and hungry and you want to sit down somewhere cool and grab something to eat.

Scenario 2: It’s 3 o’clock, there are minimal wait times, and you’re in the middle of tackling every ride in Tomorrowland. The last thing you want to do is stop and sit down for a meal, so where can you grab something quick? 

Whether you’re part of the first group or the second, finding the best places to eat at Magic Kingdom can be tough, especially considering how many options there are for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. So, to help, we took the guessing out of it! Here’s a list of the best places to eat at Magic Kingdom (as well as which ones you should definitely avoid). 

How Many Restaurants Are at Magic Kingdom? 

There are a total of 31 places to grab something to eat in Magic Kingdom, with eight of them being table service locations and the remaining all quick service dining locations. 

To make it easier for you to plan your Walt Disney World vacation, we’ve broken these restaurants up by best and worst table service and quick service locations (and why). Let’s get started: 

Disney World Table Service vs. Quick Service (What’s the Difference?)

Before we get into the best table service restaurants at Magic Kingdom, what does table service actually mean? Table service at Magic Kingdom is the equivalent of a regular restaurant where you will be asked to take a seat and order food off a menu. 

However, at Disney, table service could also refer to a restaurant that has a buffet, such as the Crystal Palace. 

Quick service, on the other hand, is when you will place your order at a kiosk and bring it back to your table or elsewhere throughout the park. For example, though you can order one of those tasty, oversized warm cinnamon rolls from Gaston’s Tavern and take a seat inside, you can also get it to go and sit outside or devour it while walking to the next attraction. 

Best Table Service Restaurants in Magic Kingdom

Now that we’ve got the lingo down, here are the best table service restaurants in Magic Kingdom:

Cinderella’s Royal Table

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• Price: $35-$59.99 (breakfast), over $60 (lunch and dinner)
• Advanced Reservation? Yes
• Mobile Order: No

I feel like Cinderella’s Royal Table is one of those table service restaurants that guests either really love or really hate and truthfully I can understand the points made from both sides of the aisle. In terms of price, it’s by far the most expensive restaurant at Magic Kingdom. However, in terms of food, theming, and overall experience, this restaurant knocks it out of the park. 

The inside of the restaurant makes you feel like you’re one of Cinderella’s guests and the view over Fantasyland is unlike anything you’ll see anywhere else in the park. Traditionally, this restaurant offered character dining with Cinderella and several of her princess friends, but this has been temporarily suspended due to the ongoing pandemic. Because of this loss, many guests don’t believe it’s worth the price, but if you can deal without the walk around characters, this is still a great dining option. I recommend trying it at least once. 

Read more: Cinderella’s Royal Table Dinner Review

Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen

• Price: $15-$34.99
• Advanced Reservation? Yes
• Mobile Order: No

Located a hop and a skip (see what I did there?) away from the famed Jungle Cruise ride, Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen continues the story, as those same skippers have jumped ship and opened up their own restaurant. 

The restaurant is quirky in the same way the Jungle Cruise is kind of quirky. It has three rooms (the Jungle Room, the S.E.A. Room, and the Mess Hall). The food served here was inspired by all the skippers’ adventures and features a lot of African, Latin, and Asian staples.

While advanced dining reservations are suggested, I’ve been able to snag walk-up reservations here. Despite how good the food is here, it tends to get overshadowed a lot so I’ve never really had a long wait time. 

The Crystal Palace

• Price: $35-$59.99
• Advanced Reservation: Yes
• Mobile Order: No

I may be a little biased, but I’m always up for a meal at the Crystal Palace. Like Be Our Guest and Cinderella’s Royal Table, this is also a character location that features Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and Eeyore. 

For breakfast, you can enjoy popular staples such as freshly prepared eggs, pancakes, and biscuits and gravy. Dinner includes fried chicken, prime rib, shrimp creole, and fresh seasonal vegetables. Meals here are buffet style and a selection of beer and wines are now available for purchase. 

While the food here isn’t anything to write home about, it’s a great option right now if you have young children, considering the other character locations either only have characters available during certain times (like the Beast only appearing at Be Our Guest for dinner) or are still operating on a modified schedule like Cinderella’s Royal Table.

Liberty Tree Tavern

• Price: $35-$59.99
• Advanced Reservation? Yes
• Mobile Order: No

If you’ve ever wanted to enjoy a tasty Thanksgiving-inspired dinner while at Disney, you’re in luck because that’s exactly the kind of dining experience you get at Liberty Tree Tavern. 

The food here is served family style, which means you’ll serve yourself. Only available for lunch and dinner, this restaurant serves a variety of delicious food, including the Patriot’s Platter which includes pot roast, mashed potatoes, roasted turkey, stuffing, and macaroni and cheese. They also have a vegan option in the Impossible Meatloaf as well as a variety of specialty cocktails. 

Each of the six rooms is themed to an important figure in history including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Paul Revere. But trust us – you don’t have to be a history buff to love this restaurant. 

It’s one that definitely flies under the radar and you may not even realize you’re passing it while you cross through Liberty Square to get to the Haunted Mansion. But, if you can, this is a dining experience I highly recommend having – just be sure to make a reservation for later in the evening. It’s a lot of food to eat and eating too early could make you really sluggish for the rest of the day. 

The Diamond Horseshoe

• Price: $35-$59.99
• Advanced Reservation? Yes
• Mobile Order: No

If you wanted to try the Liberty Tavern, but couldn’t because it was all booked up, you can enjoy the same menu at the Diamond Horseshoe (only here it’s referred to as the Saloon Feast). 

Also located in Liberty Square, the Diamond Horseshoe offers a relaxing, unique dining experience. Set to the theme of an Old West music hall, this restaurant is also only open for lunch and dinner. 

Like Liberty Tree Tavern, this restaurant is better suited for late-night meals. 

The Plaza Restaurant

• Price: $15-$34.99
• Advanced Reservation? Yes
• Mobile Order: No

If there’s one word to describe the Plaza Restaurant on Main Street, U.S.A, it’s opulence. This charming little eatery can be found at the end of Main Street, U.S.A. serving up tasty dishes such as seared crab cakes, chili, meatloaf, hamburgers, and salads. 

Though the menu isn’t super unique in terms of the meals served, what makes it rank as high as it does is that, depending on where you sit, you can get spectacular views of Cinderella Castle. Plus, out of all the table service locations in Magic Kingdom, the Plaza Restaurant is one of the most affordable. 

My personal recommendation is to try and snag a reservation during the fireworks. That way you’re still enjoying the show but not having to deal with all the large crowds. 

Worst Table Service Restaurants in Magic Kingdom

…And now we find ourselves on the other side of this list: the worst table service locations in all of Magic Kingdom. The good news is that there, thankfully, aren’t many. The bad news is that we listed one of the most popular restaurants here. Keep reading to find out why. 

Be Our Guest Restaurant

• Price: over $37 (ages 3-9), over $60 (ages 9 and up)
• Advanced Reservation? Yes. 
• Mobile Order: No

I hate to put Be Our Guest Restaurant on this list because I know many people love it, but considering how immersive the theming is and the marketing surrounding it, the experience leaves a lot to be desired in terms of quality. The restaurant has three exquisitely themed rooms including the West Wing, Grand Ballroom, and Castle Gallery. 

First and foremost, lunch costs at least $60 per person. Those are dinner prices, and the idea of a family of four spending over $200 just for lunch seems so ridiculous, even by Disney standards. Furthermore, the menu only offers a prix fixe, 3-course meal with options such as potato leek soup with caviar, filet mignon or fish, and small, bite-sized desserts. Children can choose from chicken and macaroni and cheese. 

Second, breakfast is served with the same kind of paper cups you’d get at the All-Star Resorts. I’m not trying to complain, but for the amount of money you’re paying, you’d think they’d stay true to luxury theming throughout. Overall, this restaurant just really misses the mark for me, and truthfully, for a lot of people from what I’ve heard over the years.

Tony’s Town Square Restaurant

• Price: $15-$34.99
• Advanced Reservation? Yes
• Mobile Order: No

I feel like this is one of those restaurants where if you know, you know. Part of me really hates to put this restaurant here because the theming of it is so cute. Sadly, not even a Lady and the Tramp theme is enough to save this disaster of a restaurant. 

The reason why is that the food is just genuinely not good. It’s gotten better over the years, but Tony’s Town Square Restaurant leaves a LOT to be desired in terms of taste, which is a shame because it serves large portions of spaghetti and meatballs, fettuccine alfredo, and chicken parm. 

In my opinion, what ends up hurting Tony’s Town Square Restaurant is the fact that a lot of guests have high expectations of good Italian food, and end up just being let down by the quality here. It’s like the Olive Garden of Walt Disney World. 

While this isn’t a restaurant that ranks high on my list, it’s cute for lunch and I think everyone should try it at least once. As I said, the quality has been steadily improving – I just think there are better, more affordable choices in Magic Kingdom. 

Best Quick Service Locations in Magic Kingdom

Jumping to the best quick service locations in Magic Kingdom, the good news is that there are A LOT of them. This is good news for your tastebuds and bad news for your wallet. 

Aloha Isle

• Price: $14.99 and under
• Advanced Reservation? No
• Mobile Order: No

If you’ve followed my other articles or even on Instagram (hi @courtstorymania, follow me, let’s be friends), then you’re probably not going to be surprised by my first ranking: Aloha Isle. 

Located in Adventureland right near the Enchanted Tiki Room, Aloha Isle serves a variety of tasty pineapple-infused treats including Dole whip, Dole whip floats, and other specialty drinks such as the Pierre Mon Ami Float and Tropical Serenade. These options switch up during the year, so there’s always something new and tropical to try and fall in love with.

Casey’s Corner

• Price: $14.99 and under
• Advanced Reservation? No
• Mobile Order: Yes

Again, no shocker here, because Casey’s Corner is the best and I won’t entertain any sort of disagreement (I mean, I will, but I won’t be happy about it). 

Casey’s Corner is perfect for an on-the-go snack. They serve mini corn dog nuggets, as well as giant, foot long hot dogs that come either plain or with interesting toppings such as chili, funnel cake, and cranberry mustard (depending on the season). Because Casey’s Corner is as popular as it is, the line can get sort of long, especially in the afternoons, so it’s recommended that you use Mobile Order. 

My only issue with Casey’s Corner is that Mobile Order can take an incredibly long time depending on the demand for it, so I would avoid using it in the hour to an hour and a half leading up to the fireworks. Otherwise, you’ll be waiting for a long time for your order — trust me.

Westward Ho

• Price: $14.99 and under
• Advanced Reservation? No
• Mobile Order: No

A lot of people don’t know this but you can also purchase those tasty mini corn dog nuggets here, at Westward Ho. Located in Frontierland, they also serve frozen lemonade, breakfast sandwiches, and jalapeno poppers. 

This is one of those little secret gems at Magic Kingdom because they serve snacks you won’t be able to find anywhere else. 

Pinocchio Village Haus

• Price: $14.99 and under
• Advanced Reservation? No
• Mobile Order: Yes

Maybe I’m biased but I’ve always thought this place was underrated. First, it’s really cool to be able to see into “it’s a small world” and wave to guests, but it also has an awesome Monstro mural on the back wall – and we don’t really get too much Monstro or Pinnochio love at the parks, so it’s nice to see the characters represented. The line isn’t usually long, either, which I think is a big plus. 

The menu consists of traditional quick service staples including but not limited to chicken fingers, pizza, and salads. 

Pecos Bills Tall Tale Inn and Cafe

• Price: $14.99 and under
• Advanced Reservation? No
• Mobile Order: Yes

Between this and Tortuga Tavern, Pecos Bills Tall Tale Inn and Cafe wins by a landslide – mainly because they serve up some tasty Mexican dishes. 

No, the food here isn’t spectacular, but it’s good enough. Plus, it usually always has ample seating available. I’ve never had any issues finding a seat here, even on the most crowded days. And, I love the fact that it offers options when it comes to sitting inside in the cool air or outside in the shade. 

The menu here is pretty similar to what you’d find at a lot of other quick service locations in Magic Kingdom: cheeseburgers, salads, etc. The main difference is the Mexican-inspired menu, which features walking tacos, nachos, and rice bowls. 

Sleepy Hollow

• Price: $14.99 and under
• Advanced Reservation? No
• Mobile Order: Yes

Another hidden gem that’s grown in popularity over the past few years is Sleepy Hollow, tucked away in Liberty Square. 

This quick service location is famous for its waffles. Here, you can order a mickey-shaped waffle doused in powdered sugar, served with strawberries as well as a fresh fruit waffle sandwich and other goodies. 

Sometimes, Sleepy Hollow will offer limited-time offerings such as corn dogs and turkey legs, so it’s always a good idea to ask a Cast Member at the window what’s available, including hard-to-find popcorn buckets and sippers. 

Sunshine Tree Terrace

• Price: $14.99 and under
• Advanced Reservation? No
• Mobile Order: Yes

Is this one actually better than Aloha Isle? If not, they’re pretty neck and neck. Located on the right-hand side as you enter the heart of Adventureland, Sunshine Tree Terrace sells Citrus Swirls – a mix of vanilla soft serve and frozen orange juice. 

Like Aloha Isle, you can also get orange-infused Dole Whip cups here, as well as specialty floats like the I Lava You Float. They also sell fried pot stickers with a delicious orange sesame ginger sauce that’s *chef’s kiss*. 

Because of how popular Aloha Isle is, a lot of people don’t realize that Dole Whip-related items are also available at this location. So, if you don’t mind switching up pineapple flavors for orange, this is a great option for you – especially since the line is NEVER as long as it is at Aloha Isle. 

Plaza Ice Cream Parlor

• Price: $14.99 and under
• Advanced Reservation: No
• Mobile Order: No

Another must do on your Magic Kingdom trip is a stop at Plaza Ice Cream Parlor on Main Street, U.S.A. 

The ice cream isn’t anything extraordinary – just regular flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and cookies and cream – that you’d find anywhere else. However, it’s a very quaint location that serves a refreshing treat on a warm day. Just be prepared to wait in line here for a long time, especially toward the end of the night when everyone wants to get an ice cream cone while they wait for the bus back to their resort. 

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe

• Price: $14.99 and under
• Advanced Reservation? No
• Mobile Order: Yes

If you have kids and you want to take a break inside to enjoy the air conditioning, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe is a must do. 

Sure, the restaurant is totally outdated, which is ironic considering it’s in Tomorrowland, but that’s kind of what gives it its charm. The menu is simple: hamburgers, salads, and chicken fingers, but you get to see and hear Sonny Eclipse “perform.” It’s a cute little animatronic and a fan favorite amongst parents. 

Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies

• Price: $14.99 and under
• Advanced Reservation? No
• Mobile Order? No

This is always a must do for my husband and for good reason – the milkshakes are out of this world! While their milkshake menu isn’t extensive (they typically only serve chocolate), they often sell a lot of cute-themed sundaes depending on the season, such as the Lock, Shock, and Barrel Sundae for Christmas. 

Mobile order isn’t available, but you’ll hardly ever have a long wait here. 

Storybook Treats

• Price: $14.99 and under
• Advanced Reservation? No
• Mobile Order: No

Storybook Treats is a fairytale come to life. Located in Fantasyland, this quick service location is home to all of those beloved, character-themed treats you see plastered across your Instagram feed. 

Though the menu is always changing, you’ll find famous treats such as the Seven Dwarfs Speciality Cone, Snow White Cone, and Heigh-Ho Sundae. They also serve regular floats and hot fudge sundaes, as well as assorted fountain beverages and bottled water. 

Whenever I want to take a cute photo for my Instagram feed, I always snag a treat from here because they not only taste good but look good, too. 

Cool Ship 

• Price: $14.99 and under
• Advanced Reservation? No
• Mobile Order: No

Have you ever been jealous that Disneyland gets churros? Well, don’t be because you can actually find them at Cool Ship in Tomorrowland! Hardly anybody knows this, too, making this place a true secret treasure in Magic Kingdom. Beside the churros, you can find Mickey-shaped ice cream bars and beverages. 

The Friar’s Nook

• Price: $14.99 and under
• Advanced Reservation? No
• Mobile Order: Yes

Biscuits and gravy but with tater tots instead – you’re welcome. The Friar’s Nook serves up a delightful menu, all of which is themed to the classic film, Robin Hood. 

Truth be told, this quick service location tends to fly under the radar. In addition to the item mentioned above, you can also get bratwurst, hamburgers, hot dogs, and macaroni and cheese. Oftentimes, the food here is so filling that it ends up being a viable option for lunch, especially because it can save you a ton of money compared to other dining locations on this list. 

Golden Oak Outpost

• Price: $14.99 and under
• Advanced Reservation? No
• Mobile Order: No

Another one that tends to fly under the radar, the Golden Oak Outpost in Frontierland serves chili cheese fries and chicken strips covered in sour cream and cheddar cheese. 

Though the menu is sparse, what it does offer is very different from other spots in the park. Plus, the chili used for the fries was one of Walt’s personal favorites, so there’s a little bit of Disney nostalgia hidden in this eatery. Keep in mind that the Golden Oak Outpost has weird hours, so if you want to try it out, be sure to visit between noon and 5:00 pm. 

The Lunching Pad

• Price: $14.99 and under
• Advanced Reservation? No
• Mobile Order: Yes

Churros, cream cheese-stuffed pretzels, Caribbean jerk chicken…if you’ve never dined at the Lunching Pad before, you’re really missing out. The menu, while small, is pretty wild. Plus, it never really has a long wait time, either. 

Seating is limited, which can be a bit of a problem, but since there’s so much available seating in Tomorrowland in general, this usually ends up working out anyway. Plus, you can get Walt’s chili recipe here, so if you missed out on the Golden Oak Outpost, you’re still in luck. 

Worst Quick Service Locations in Magic Kingdom

While we’re going through the worst table service spots in Magic Kingdom, why not go over the worst quick service locations, as well? 

Gaston’s Tavern

I know everyone always raves about the giant cinnamon buns but…they’re not really that good. They’re very generic and anytime I’ve ever had them, they seem pretty dry and the icing barely helps. The same goes for Lefou’s brew — it’s just alright and not anything to write home about. Though, it can be quite refreshing on a humid day. 

Personally, what I love about Gaston’s tavern is the theming because it really does feel like a lounge where Gaston and his buddies would hang out and compare muscles and failed relationships. But outside of that, the menu options aren’t great. So unless you’re specifically in the mood for something that can only be found here, there are better places to go. 

Read more: Where to Grab Breakfast at the Magic Kingdom

Cheshire Cafe

• Price: $14.99 and under
• Advanced Reservation? No
• Mobile Order: No

I might be in the minority on this one and that’s okay. While I do like the Cheshire Cafe for the Cheshire Cat Tail, my main issue with this quick service location is just that… its location. 

A big portion of the menu includes drinks, including very cute-themed slushies and Joffrey’s, but because of its close proximity to the other rides, you don’t really get a chance to take your time with these drinks and enjoy them because once you take a sip you’re basically already at your next ride. 

The menu itself isn’t bad, but it loses points for its location. If you do eat here, make sure you’re taking a break for a few minutes instead of taking everything to go. 

Main Street Bakery

• Price: $14.99 and under
• Advanced Reservation? No
• Mobile Order: No

I…HATE to put this here but it truly is one of the worst quick service locations in all of Magic Kingdom. Not necessarily because of what they serve, but because of the experience of being there. 

As the only place to get Starbucks in the park, Main Street Bakery is busy, especially first thing in the morning when everyone’s trying to scramble and enjoy the coffee they didn’t get a chance to back at their hotel. In some cases, I’ve spent between 30-40 minutes here just waiting to get a cup of coffee. With so many options for other caffeinated beverages and even Joffrey’s throughout the park, this one just isn’t worth it in my opinion. 

Tortuga Tavern

• Price: $14.99 and under
• Advanced Reservation? No
• Mobile Order: No

Tortuga Tavern gets points for offering ample seating, but with Pecos Bills right down the way, this just doesn’t have as much to offer guests in comparison.

The menu is pretty basic: chicken strips, hot dogs, and burgers. They do sell a peanut butter and chocolate hazelnut sandwich, which is pretty good, but outside of that, there are too many other options that have a better variety nearby, making a stop at Tortuga Tavern one more out of convenience than interest. 

Columbia Harbour House

• Price: $14.99 and under
• Advanced Reservation? No
• Mobile Order: Yes

I’m conflicted about adding this to the worst quick service location because the food is actually pretty good. However, the reason why it ranks here is that it doesn’t offer a lot of options if you don’t love, are allergic to, or aren’t in the mood for seafood. 

The menu mainly consists of grilled salmon, lobster rolls, and a shrimp boil. The only non-seafood option is a salad and chicken strips platter, which is why it ranks as one of the worst quick service locations. 

Also, walking around with seafood outside in the Florida heat isn’t giving this quick dining location a leg up on the competition. 

Liberty Square Market

• Price: $14.99 and under
• Advanced Reservation? No
• Mobile Order: No

This quick service location is good if you’re in the mood for an apple or banana, but outside of this, there are better places to grab a snack that doesn’t have as long of a line and has more variety. The menu is basically what you’d find at a convenience store: fruit, chips, cheese, and chocolate chip cookies.

They do get points, however, for being one of the few locations in Magic Kingdom that serves turkey legs. However, keep in mind these are only available after 11:00 am. Unfortunately, I’ve run into a lot of issues getting turkey legs here because they tend to run out rather quickly. 

Prince Eric’s Village Market

• Price: $14.99 and under
• Advanced Reservation? No
• Mobile Order: No

This place is convenient if you’re in the mood for a Mickey pretzel after getting off Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid, but outside of that, Prince Eric’s Village Market has barely anything to offer guests. 

The menu consists of turkey legs, pretzels, pickles, grapes, and slushies – and that’s it. You can’t even grab a bottle of water here. Because the options are so limited, it ranks at the bottom of the list of the worst quick service locations in all of Magic Kingdom. 

What You Need to Know About Disney Dining Reservations

If you need to cancel your Disney dining reservation for any reason, you must do so no later than two hours before your scheduled reservation. If you fail to do this, you will have to pay a $10 cancellation fee per person in your party. 

This cancellation fee will automatically go on the credit card you used to book the dining reservation. 

Do You Agree With Our List Of the Best Places to Eat Magic Kingdom?

Let us know what you think about our ranking in the comments. And, don’t forget to follow WDW Vacation Tips on Instagram for lists like this, plus all the latest Disney tips, tricks, and trivia.