Updated March 5, 2024

One of the most important parts of your Disney World day (in our opinion) is what you choose to eat! There are lots of great options for snacks and meals in the parks, but there are also some less-than-stellar eats to watch out for.

We’re in Disney World every single day, and we’ve tried just about everything there is to eat there. We’re here to help you find the best possible food, drinks, and snacks! Come along with us to see the best places to eat in Magic Kingdom.

In this post, we ranked the 5 best table service (sit-down) restaurants, the 5 best counter service (fast food-style) restaurants, and the 3 best places to get a snack or treat. Of course, there are a lot more options than what’s listed here, but we focused on only the BEST eats for this list. If you want to see the rankings for ALL the restaurants in Magic Kingdom, check out our video on that topic.

Now, on to the best eats!

Table Service Restaurants

You will need a reservation for table service restaurants in Disney World. You can start making those reservations 60 days before your trip. These meals tend to be more expensive than most counter service meals, and they’re also usually bigger and fancier. But which table service spot should you choose? We’ve got the answer.

5. Be Our Guest Restaurant

Coming in at number 5 is the Be Our Guest Restaurant. At this Fantasyland restaurant, you can dine inside the Beast’s castle! There are 3 different themed dining rooms: the ballroom, the art gallery, and the West Wing. Diners can also spot the Beast himself walking through the restaurant.

This restaurant only serves lunch and dinner, and both feature a prix fixe menu, meaning you’ll pay one set cost and then choose an appetizer, entrée, and dessert. Eating in a castle doesn’t come cheap — currently, the meal costs $70 for adults and $41 for kids.

In our experience, the food here has been pretty good (especially the French Onion Soup!) but not knock-your-socks-off-amazing. So you’re really paying for the ambiance and setting rather than the food.

PROS:

• Beautiful setting — don’t forget to walk around and see all the different rooms.
• You might meet the Beast!
• It has good food (albeit not incredible food).

CONS:

• It’s pricey for what you get.
• There’s only a prix fixe menu available (no option to get a la carte instead).
• The meal can take a while, so you’ll lose time in the park.

OVERALL: 7/10

Click here for our most recent review of Be Our Guest Restaurant.

4. Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace is located at the top of Main Street, U.S.A., with views of Cinderella Castle outside the dining room windows. This restaurant recently welcomed back characters, so you’ll dine with Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and Eeyore.

The food is served in a buffet, with options like carved meats, roasted veggies, Walt’s favorite chili, and a kids’ station. The food is pretty good, especially for buffet standards, with a few unique options like shrimp creole and plant-based curry.

With the return of characters came a hefty price increase. Currently, this spot is $61 per adult and $40 per child for lunch and dinner. Breakfast (with the characters) is a little cheaper, at $48 per adult and $30 per child.

PROS: 

• This is the only place to see all 4 of the Hundred Acre Woods friends in one spot.
• There are lots of options on the buffet.
• It’s not as crowded or hard to get reservations for as the other character dining locations.

CONS:

• It’s still pretty pricey for what you get.
• Not much on the menu for plant-based eaters or more adventurous eaters
• The restaurant isn’t really “Disney” themed besides the characters — it’s themed after the Crystal Palace greenhouse in Hyde Park in England.

OVERALL: 7/10

See our most recent review of Crystal Palace here!

3. Cinderella’s Royal Table

The icon that most people think of when they think about Disney World is Cinderella’s Castle. So, of course, the ultimate dining experience has to be eating INSIDE that castle, at Cinderella’s Royal Table!

The food here is good, but not great. It’s not bad by any means, but what you’re really paying for is the experience of eating in the castle, complete with vaulted ceilings and royal decor. A meal here for lunch and dinner costs $84 per adult and $49 per child, and breakfast is $69 per adult and $42 per child.

This spot used to have more of a character element, with the Disney princesses visiting guests at their tables, but currently you’ll just say hello to Cinderella before you go inside, and then she might pop in for a few minutes at a time to wave to everyone from her balcony.

PROS:

• You’re eating INSIDE the iconic castle — it doesn’t get more “Disney” than that.
• You’ll get to visit with Cinderella.
• Views outside the windows of Fantasyland and the Hub are amazing.

CONS:

• Character sighting is underwhelming — there used to be more of a character element than there currently is.
• The food isn’t great (not terrible, not amazing).
• It’s expensive for what you get.

See our most recent Cinderella’s Royal Table review here! 

OVERALL: 7.5/10

2.  Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen

One of our favorite places to eat in Magic Kingdom is also one of the most underrated. The Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen is located in Adventureland, near the Jungle Cruise ride, which this restaurant is based on! According to the Disney legend, Alberta Falls (granddaughter of Dr. Albert Falls) took over the family shipping business and opened up the Skipper Canteen to host guests before or after they go on their Jungle Cruise ride.

The eats here are more unusual and unique than what you’ll find at most Magic Kingdom restaurants. They’re inspired by cuisines from around the world, so this is definitely a good choice for more adventurous palates.

Make sure to walk around and take in all the decor here — there are a ton of details that are easy to miss if you’re not looking! Adult entrées here range in price from $23 to $38, and kids’ meals are $12 to $15.

PROS:

• It has more adventurous options than some other restaurants.
• There’s great theming and a cool backstory.
• The hilarious Jungle Cruise skippers are your waiters.

CONS:

• Menu options are not great for picky eaters.
• Unlike some other spots on this list, it’s not super “Disney” (unless you know the deep history of it).
• There’s not an awesome view outside the windows (unlike Crystal Palace and Cinderella’s Royal Table).

OVERALL: 9/10

See our recent review of Skipper Canteen here.

1. Liberty Tree Tavern

Our #1 pick for table service restaurant in Magic Kingdom is (drum roll please) Liberty Tree Tavern! This might be an unexpected pick, with options like Cinderella’s Royal Table available, but if you’re looking at the eats alone, this spot has the other places beat by a mile. It’s unlimited Thanksgiving food served all. year. long. How can you beat that??

The theming isn’t super “Disney” — instead, you’ll find dining rooms themed after influential U.S. historical figures. But there’s still some interesting decor to see, and it has a cozy vibe that we appreciate.

But what really seals the deal for us here is the dessert. The Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake is NOT something to be missed. It’s basically a warm toffee cake served with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce, and it’s one of our all-time favorite treats in Disney World. This spot is also cheaper than most other table service restaurants in this park, coming in at $42 per adult and $23 per child.

PROS:

• You’ll find delicious and filling food (all-you-can-eat Thanksgiving feast) here!
• The vibes are home-y and comfortable.
• We’re in love with that dessert!

CONS:

• The food is very heavy — it might not be great for a hot day.
• There are no super adventurous options (but it’s a good spot for picky eaters).
• It’s not “Disney” theming.

OVERALL: 9.5/10

Click here for our recent review of Liberty Tree Tavern.

Counter Service Restaurants

Now we’re moving on to the counter service restaurants in Magic Kingdom. You don’t need a reservation for these spots, and they tend to be much cheaper than the table service options. Check to see if the restaurant you choose has Mobile Order available. That can save you time because you won’t have to wait in line to order! There’s a pretty wide range of food types and quality in this park, so check out where you should eat here.

5. Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café (on Mobile Order)

Our #5 choice for counter service restaurants in Magic Kingdom is Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café, located in Frontierland, just before you get to Adventureland. This spot has Mexican food on the menu, albeit not the most authentic eats you’ll ever see.

But it’s still a good spot to grab a quick bite, and there’s a lot of indoor seating available, which means AIR CONDITIONING. We also really like the queso here, which you can add to any meal. We still miss the miles-long toppings bar, which hasn’t returned since the parks shut down due to the pandemic.

PROS:

• Lots of air-conditioned seating
• More interesting options than just theme park food
• Queso (need we say more?)

CONS:

• Not authentic Mexican cuisine
• Food is tasty and not too expensive but also not super exciting or fancy
• Miles-long toppings bar is still not available

OVERALL: 6/10

Check out our recent review of Pecos Bill here.

4. Pinocchio Village Haus (on Mobile Order)

Over in Fantasyland, you’ll find our #4 pick for Magic Kingdom counter service restaurants: Pinocchio Village Haus. This spot has mostly flatbread pizzas and salad, which tend to be a bit underwhelming but still tasty. We’ve really enjoyed a few seasonal specialty eats that you can sometimes find on the menu.

A big bonus of this restaurant is the seating. It has lots of indoor tables and chairs, and some seats are near a big window that overlooks the “it’s a small world” ride!

PROS:

• Some of the limited-time options have been surprisingly interesting and tasty
• Fun seating options (overlooking “it’s a small world”!)
• Lots of seating available — it’s a lesser-known spot, so you likely won’t have to fight for a table

CONS:

• Most of the food is fairly mediocre
• Nothing super adventurous on the menu most of the time — just pizza
• Dining room can get loud during peak times

OVERALL: 6.5/10

Check out a review of Pinocchio Village Haus here.

3. Casey’s Corner (on Mobile Order)

One of our favorite places to eat in Magic Kingdom is Casey’s Corner. Is it mostly because of the incredible location right in front of Cinderella Castle? Maybe…but not entirely. This is also the home of our beloved corn dog nuggets with plastic cheese!

You’ll find mainly theme park staples on the menu here, especially lots of hot dogs. So if that’s not your jam, you might want to opt for a different spot. But the food is pretty good and, like we said, you can’t beat this location. We recommend eating here during off-peak meal times (such as around 10:30AM or later in the afternoon, like at 3 or 4PM) because it can get very crowded for lunch and dinner.

PROS:

• Amazing location right at the top of Main Street, U.S.A.
• The ragtime pianist outside makes for a great ambiance
• Corn dog nuggets and plastic cheeeeeese

CONS:

• Pretty basic menu — if you don’t like hot dogs, this isn’t for you
• Can be crowded because of its location on Main Street, U.S.A.
• Most of the seating is outdoors, which means no air conditioning

OVERALL: 8/10

See our review of Casey’s Corner here!

2. Sleepy Hollow Refreshments (on Mobile Order)

The runner-up for the best quick service spot in Magic Kingdom has to be Sleepy Hollow Refreshments in Liberty Square. It has very limited seating (and none indoors), but the food here is good enough that we come to eat here all the time anyways.

The funnel cakes and Mickey waffles are great, but the real gems are the Fresh Fruit Waffle Sandwich (now available all day long instead of just for breakfast) and the Sweet-and-Spicy Chicken-Waffle Sandwich. They’ve also got hand-dipped corn dogs!

PROS:

• Fun and unique eats (we love those waffle sandwiches!)
• Easy to grab-and-go
• Good location — close to Cinderella Castle

CONS:

• No indoor seating, not a ton of outdoor seating either
• Limited menu
• Some of the food can be tricky to eat (those waffle sandwiches will require a fork and knife)

OVERALL: 9/10

See our review of Sleepy Hollow here!

1. Columbia Harbour House (on  Mobile Order)

And coming in the #1 spot for the best counter service restaurant in Magic Kingdom is Columbia Harbour House! This restaurant is SERIOUSLY underrated — many people pass it over for one of the more popular spots like Casey’s Corner. But you shouldn’t count it out! It has a surf and turf menu with eats like a lobster roll, a shrimp boil, grilled salmon, and chicken tenders.

There’s plenty of indoor seating here (hooray for air conditioning!), and the theming fits in very well with its location in Liberty Square. However, it’s not a super “Disney” atmosphere, so younger kids might not think it’s quite as fun as some other options in this park.

PROS:

• Not just your average theme park food (caters to both picky and adventurous eaters)
• Lots of indoor seating
• Surf and turf vibes appeal to multiple palates

CONS:

• Not a huge variety of options
• Not many plant-based options on the menu
• The atmosphere isn’t very fancy or “Disney” themed

OVERALL: 9/10

Check out our most recent review of Columbia Harbour House here.

Snacks/Dessert

3. Main Street Plaza Ice Cream Parlor

If you’re looking for a cold, sweet treat in Magic Kingdom, Plaza Ice Cream Parlor is the place to be. Although it has a pretty limited menu (just your basic ice cream and sundaes), the ice cream is high-quality. The location is also tough to beat — it’s right in front of Cinderella Castle, across from Casey’s Corner!

Unfortunately, this spot isn’t on Mobile Order, so you’ll have to wait in line to order your eats. Sundaes and floats go for $7 to $9, and a double-scoop ice cream cone is $7.29.

 

PROS: 

• Simple and delicious treats
• Great location (at the top of Main Street, U.S.A.)
• A cold snack is always welcome on a hot day in Disney World

CONS:

• Not a lot of seating
• Pretty basic menu (not a lot of exciting eats)
• No savory options on the menu

OVERALL: 7.5/10

See our review of Plaza Ice Cream Parlor here.

2. Spring Roll Wagon

Our 2nd favorite place to find a snack in Magic Kingdom is the Spring Roll Wagon, located just in front of the Adventureland entrance if you’re coming from Main Street, U.S.A. These aren’t your average spring rolls — you’ll find the DFB favorite cheeseburger spring roll here. We’ve also enjoyed pepperoni pizza spring rolls here.

Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of seating available in the area, and the price for just 2 rolls is a little bit high, at $9.50. Still, these are unique eats and, in our opinion, very tasty!

PROS:

• Unique snack — not something you usually see in a theme park
• Good location (right off Main Street, U.S.A.)
• Filling and delicious

CONS:

• No seating available
• A little pricey for what you get
• Not much variety on the menu — pretty much just the spring rolls

OVERALL: 8/10

Check out a recent review of the Spring Roll Wagon here.

1. Aloha Isle

And the winner for the BEST place to get a snack in Magic Kingdom is Aloha Isle in Adventureland! This is the home of the iconic Dole Whip, which you should not miss. There are also Dole whip floats and various flavors that you can swirl with the classic pineapple, like raspberry and coconut.

Our favorite thing on the menu here right now is the Tropical Serenade — a treat that features POG (passion fruit, orange, and guava) juice with coconut dole whip. This spot used to be on Mobile Order, but it isn’t anymore. Seating is limited, so you’ll likely have to take your treat to go.

PROS:

• DOLE Whips!
• Seasonal menu changes, so there might be some unique/interesting options
• Our favorite treat lives here: the Tropical Serenade!

CONS:

• Not on Mobile Order anymore
• Only sweet things on the menu — no savory
• Very limited seating

OVERALL: 9/10

Check out a new snack at Aloha Isle here.

Looking for more restaurants ratings?! Check them out below!

• We’ve Eaten at Every Disney Spring Restaurant. These Are the BEST.
• We’ve Eaten at Every Disneyland Restaurant. These Are the BEST.
• We’ve Eaten at Every Restaurant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. These Are the BEST.
• We’ve Eaten at Every Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. These Are the BEST.
• We’ve Eaten at Every EPCOT Restaurant. These Are the BEST.
• We’ve Eaten at Every Restaurant in Disney California Adventure. These Are the Best.
• We’ve Eaten at Every Disney World Restaurant. These Are the Best.

There you have it! All the best restaurants in Magic Kingdom, whether you’re looking for a sit-down meal, a quick bite, or just some dessert. With DOZENS of places to eat at Disney World, we know it can be tough to plan your meals. That’s why we wrote the DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World.

We have reviews, pictures, and details about every restaurant all in one digital download – along with ALL of our best tips and strategies from decades of Disney World trips. We’ve got a special discount code for DFB readers, too!

And keep following the DFB Blog for more updates on all the newest eats in Disney World.

Click here to find the BEST restaurants in Disney Springs.

What’s your favorite thing to eat in Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments.