Any Walt Disney World fan knows that the food can be just as much of an attraction as the rides. Whether it’s a full-character meal or a snack at a kiosk, there are plenty of options for delicious food at the parks. Here are some of the best restaurants at the Magic Kingdom for whenever you get hungry and need a break.
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The Best Restaurants at the Magic Kingdom
Like other Disney World theme parks, the Magic Kingdom offers a variety of different dining experiences, including character meals, buffets, table service restaurants, quick-service restaurants, and snack kiosks. They can all be very popular, so you do need to be strategic.
For instance, table service restaurants can (and should) be booked 60 days in advance. You’ll also need valid park tickets to enter the park, and you’ll need a park reservation. Just having a restaurant reservation doesn’t cover your park reservation.
Quick-service restaurants do not require or accept reservations. To avoid lines and crowds, it’s best to go early or later, and not in the middle of peak mealtime. Otherwise, it can be challenging to find seating, especially away from the sun and heat.
Some of the quick service restaurants and kiosks also offer mobile ordering, on the My Disney Experience app. We recommend downloading the app and using it wherever possible. Once you arrive at the restaurant, you can pick up your food at the mobile ordering area. This can help you save time.
Dine at Cinderella’s Royal Table to See Disney Princesses
Located right at the top of Cinderella Castle in the middle of the Magic Kingdom, Cinderella’s Royal Table offers a princess character meal featuring Cinderella and other princesses. For young kids (and those young at heart) it can be a dream experience to dine right in the castle.
Cinderella’s Royal Table offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Once you are checked in on the main level, you’ll either climb a staircase or take the available elevator up to the beautiful dining room.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all offered at a set price. You’ll receive a menu with entree selections to choose from. For breakfast, you’ll get fruit and pastries to start before your entree, and for lunch and dinner, you can choose all three courses.
Because Cinderella’s Royal Table is expensive, I’d recommend booking it if you have a child who really wants to dine there (or if you yourself want to go there). It’s a splurge but can be a lot of fun.
Be Our Guest
This newer Magic Kingdom restaurant, located in the Beast Castle in the new Fantasyland area, has been extremely popular since it opened. It’s an absolutely beautiful space, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into the movie Beauty and the Beast.
There are three themed rooms in Be Our Guest – and each one is unique. The grand ballroom is elegant and beautiful, with a gorgeous ceiling and gothic elements, while the west wing and the castle gallery are more understated (but still beautiful).
This is not a character meal, so keep that in mind. Like Cinderella’s Royal Table, lunch and dinner at Be Our Guest are offered at a set price, and guests can choose their entrees from a set menu.
It’s a French-inspired menu, with some standard children’s meal options that will appeal to kids. This prix-fixe menu is different from what was offered in the past, so it’s a good idea to look at the menu and pricing in advance.
Dine at Crystal Palace to See Winnie the Pooh and Friends
Even when I was a child, I loved dining at the beautiful Crystal Palace, which is located in the front of the park at the end of Main Street USA. On a hot busy day walking around the theme parks, it’s one of my favorite places to relax and eat lunch or dinner.
Winnie the Pooh and friends host the character meal and do a little parade around the restaurant in addition to greeting guests at each table. This was always my kids’ favorite. Even as teens, this is the one restaurant they always want to visit.
The Crystal Palace currently offers lunch and dinner. Both are buffets, offering lots of choices for discerning and picky eaters. Because my kids are picky, I always found the buffets to be great options for them.
This is a really popular restaurant, and you’ll often see families trying to get in without a reservation. Unfortunately, it’s usually booked up in advance, so you’ll want to make a reservation as soon as you can.
Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen
The newest Magic Kingdom restaurant is Jungle Cruise-themed and brings you into the story. The “mess hall” for the skippers on the cruise features a few different rooms, and all make you feel like you are part of the adventure.
Skipper Canteen offers lunch and dinner, with an a la carte menu. Food is Asian, South American, and African-inspired, and a bit on the adventurous side.
I’ve eaten there several times and have always enjoyed my meals. For picky kids, the children’s menu does offer a few unique selections, as well as standards like chicken and mac and cheese.
The Plaza Restaurant
One of the smaller table-service restaurants at the Magic Kingdom is the Plaza Restaurant, which is located on the corner of Main Street USA, on the Tomorrowland side. It’s a beautiful, elegant restaurant, but has a casual menu and vibe. We love eating there when we are looking for a quick table service lunch.
The Plaza has offered breakfast in the past, but it is currently unavailable. Lunch and dinner are still available, however.
The Plaza menu offers American entrees including meatloaf, burgers, and chicken sandwiches. For kids, options include chicken, burgers, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. There are also some plant-based options.
Casey’s Corner
Located on Main Street USA, Casey’s Corner is a baseball-themed quick-service restaurant. It’s one of the more popular quick-service restaurants, due to its central location and fun theme.
Casey’s Corner’s menu includes American-inspired favorites, like hot dogs, chili, french fries, and corn dog nuggets. Vegetarians will also appreciate the plant-based hot dogs on the menu.
Mobile ordering is available at Casey’s, and there are some tables outdoors where you can eat and relax.
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café
This large quick-service restaurant in Tomorrowland is a good option for a quick bite. The menu offers some standard options that appeal to a wide variety of people, and it’s a big enough place that you can usually find a seat.
Menu items include chicken, burgers, salads, and hot dogs. Mobile ordering is available, and I highly recommend that you use it.
It’s so much easier than waiting in line, and because this restaurant is so big, the lines can be intimidating.
Pinocchio Village Haus
This quick-service restaurant, adjacent to it’s a small world in Fantasyland, holds a lot of nostalgia for me. It’s one of the places we always visited when I was a kid, and while it’s changed a bit, much of it is the same. There is a small seating area that overlooks the boat loading area for it’s a small world, which can be so much fun to watch.
Pinocchio Village Haus offers an Italian-inspired menu, which mostly consists of flatbreads. It’s one of those places where everyone in the family can find something they like, and there’s even a plant-based flatbread.
Mobile ordering is available. It does get busy, so again, this is something you should take advantage of if possible. When we eat at Pinocchio Village Haus, we like to go early to avoid the lunch rush. I’ve found that the best time to avoid a long line is around 11 am for lunch.
Columbia Harbour House
In my opinion, Columbia Harbour House is one of the most underrated table service restaurants in all of Walt Disney World. It’s tucked in the back of the park in Liberty Square and offers American-inspired dishes including a lobster roll, clam chowder, chicken, and salads.
While it may look like a small restaurant, there is a second floor. So, there’s a good amount of seating. Mobile ordering is available. It’s a great place to sit down, get away from the sun, and eat before heading out for more fun.
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe is another popular choice for families, due to the large seating area and substantial menu. There are lots of choices on the menu, including burgers, salads, and rice bowls.
Mobile ordering is offered, and there is plenty of seating. This is one of the best places if you are with a larger group because the menu has options for everyone.
Snacks at the Magic Kingdom
Of course, you can’t miss out on the Magic Kingdom snacks. There are so many great kiosks and cafes offering quick bites. Here are a few favorites along with the best snacks offered:
Aloha Isle: Located in Adventureland, and offering one of the most popular Walt Disney World treats – the Dole Whip!
Sunshine Tree Terrace: Offers orange-flavored Dole Whip as well as the popular Citrus Swirl and traditional soft-serve ice cream treats.
Sleepy Hollow: Get waffles, waffle sandwiches, and topped funnel cakes at this Fantasyland kiosk.
Main Street Bakery: Get your morning (or afternoon) Starbucks as you head into the park.
Gaston’s Tavern: You can try the famous Grey Stuff cupcake, as well as LeFou’s Brew at this new Fantasyland cafe.
Liberty Square Market: Get fresh fruit and other healthy snacks at this kiosk.
