Best Magic Kingdom Quick Service Restaurants 2024
Magic Kingdom is home to many types of food options. From beautiful character meals to quick bites, there's bound to be something that suits your palate and wallet. Oftentimes, people opt for a quick, yet still yummy, meal at one of the quick service restaurants. However, with so many options, it can be hard to decide where to eat! This is where we can help. Our best quick-service restaurants at Magic Kingdom guide is going to give you all you need to know about these food locations.
Magic Kingdom Park is large and after a lot of walking and potentially a lot of lines, you're going to be ready for a great meal. Our quick service guide at Magic Kingdom will rank the restaurants so that you won't have to worry about picking the wrong one! After reading this guide, you'll know exactly what to expect from these eateries. Plus, we're even going to throw in our best tips to make your culinary experience at Magic Kingdom great.
So, if you've got an appetite for some quick and easy eats, then keep reading our guide to the best quick-service restaurants at Magic Kingdom!
Best Quick-Service at Magic Kingdom: Overview of Quick-Service Restaurants
Although Magic Kingdom Park may not be known as the park with the best food, there are still tons of options to choose from that are going to offer just what you're looking for. With over 36 food locations throughout the park, you're bound to run into an option at every turn! So, for this guide, we're going to focus solely on what Disney categorizes as Quick Service. Just like the name suggests, quick-service meals at Magic Kingdom are no-frills meals that serve traditional classics in a jiffy.
Quick-service options are located throughout all of Magic Kingdom so you'll never have to travel far to find one. Sometimes, these restaurants are also known as ‘counter-service' options because there's no waiter that comes to your table. Instead, you walk up to a counter and order from a menu of basic a-la-carte options.
Since this best quick-service at Magic Kingdom guide is focusing on a subset of options, it's important to know what to expect. Quick service might be the best option if you're:
- looking for a quick meal that doesn't take a long time from start to finish
- trying to save money
- interested in using a Disney Dining Plan credit
- wanting to pick and choose from options instead of having one large meal
- looking for a snack
All that said, you don't have to sacrifice flavor when choosing a quick-service restaurant. Sure, some are better than others and that's why we've done our homework to rank them for you!
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Best Quick-Service at Magic Kingdom: What's the Food Like?
This question is super important and one we must cover before we get to the rankings. After all, you want to know what you're going to eat!
As I said earlier, Magic Kingdom is not necessarily known as a food haven. If you're looking for a total food day, then you'd need to visit EPCOT during its Food and Wine Festival! So, the types of options you can expect at Magic Kingdom quick-service locations are largely going to center around classic American theme park food. We're talking burgers, hot dogs, pizzas, chicken tenders, and salads. Now, occasionally you'll get some international variety, but quick service is not the way to go if you're looking for fancy options.
You might have thought this already, but one pro of doing quick service is that the kids will surely love the options. You won't have to worry about wasting a lot of money on fancier options that the kids won't enjoy! The adults, however, may want to leave room for a dessert, which we'll mention later!
Best Quick-Service at Magic Kingdom: List of Restaurants
Luckily, Magic Kingdom has a long list of quick-service restaurants to pick from! Again, the food will be similar, but you'll find unique differentiators at all of them, even if it's just a change in theming! At the time of writing this guide on the best quick-service restaurants at Magic Kingdom, you can visit the following locations:
- Aloha Isle
- Auntie Gravity's Galactic Goodies
- Casey's Corner
- Cheshire Café
- Columbia Harbour House
- Cool Ship
- Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café
- The Friar's Nook
- Gaston's Tavern
- Golden Oak Outpost
- Liberty Square Market
- The Launching Pad
- Main Street Bakery
- Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn Cafe
- Pinocchio Village Haus
- Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
- Prince Eric's Village Market
- Sleepy Hollow
- Storybook Treats
- Sunshine Tree Terrace
- Tortuga Tavern
- Westward Ho
Now, it's important to note that the above list does not mean that they all have dining rooms. Some of these options are simply stands or windows, but to not cause any confusion, we're listing the options that Disney defines as quick service. For reference, we're going to rank the top 10!
Best Quick-Service at Magic Kingdom: Special Diets and Allergies
Since I mentioned that the options are basic at quick-service restaurants, you might be wondering about any allergies and special diets. Fret not! Disney does a wonderful job of accommodating these circumstances, even at their quick-service locations! Remember, if you navigate to a particular restaurant on the WDW App, you can also check out all of the menus.
According to Disney, when it comes to any special allergies, they are happy to accommodate the following common allergy requests:
- Eggs
- Fish
- Milk
- Peanuts
- Sesame
- Shellfish
- Soy
- Tree Nuts
- Wheat
And for any special dietary requests, Disney can accommodate things such as:
- smaller portions
- low-carb
- low-fat
- low-sodium
- no-sugar
- plant-based (the MANY plant-based options will be noted with a green leaf!)
But wait, it gets even better! If you find yourself having more questions or in a situation where you have 4 or more requests, Disney will work with you directly to come up with a food plan that best suits your needs! That's right, individual communication with a cast member who can answer all of your questions! This sounds like VIP if you ask me.
So, no matter what your eating situation is, you can rest assured that Disney has you covered. And if you're ever in doubt, don't hesitate to talk to a cast member. In our experience, they are super easy to work with and truly go above and beyond to make sure you find an appropriate solution.
Best Quick-Service at Magic Kingdom: Can I Still Eat Healthy?
If you don't want to gain any vacation pounds or simply enjoy sticking to a healthy diet, then you're covered here as well! For some time now, Disney has made a conscious effort of including healthier options in all of their quick-service locations.
Whether you're looking for fruits, salads, or low-fat options, mostly all of the restaurants in our guide are going to leave you perfectly satisfied. Also, like many fast-food restaurants back home, you can substitute your side of fries for fruit or other healthier options.
Best Quick-Service at Magic Kingdom: How We Rank
Is that your stomach grumbling?! No worries, we're almost to the rankings! The last thing to cover before giving you our best quick-service restaurants at Magic Kingdom is to quickly break down how we ranked our restaurants.
Several factors always go into all of our rankings, but if we're to mention some of the highlights, we paid special attention to:
- food quality
- food options
- restaurant vibe
- overall satisfaction
I know, the last one can be hard to really quantify, but we're talking about that feeling you get when you walk out of the restaurant. Are you feeling great? Feeling grossed out? Hungry? Or maybe all of the above!
Alright, grab your fork and knife, and let's dig into these rankings!
Best Quick-Service at Magic Kingdom: Our Rankings
1. Casey's Corner
If Main Street USA is supposed to represent quintessential America, then why not continue in that theme with our best quick-service pick: Casey's Corner. Inspired by an all-American theme of baseball, Casey's Corner is our best pick for a great meal, perfect theming, and overall great ambiance. I mean, what's more American than baseball?!
Located at the end of Main Street USA, this American dream has a beautiful interior filled with classic American colors and motifs. Plus, you'll even get to enjoy outdoor seating! It's true that not all may enjoy this part of the experience, but given its location, the views are not bad from Casey's Corner! Across the way, you'll see the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor and then in the distance is the castle. Not too bad of a view!
Alright, now for the food. Casey's Corner is famous for its hot dogs. We're not talking about your childhood meal, however! Casey's Corner serves gourmet hot dog creations with a lot of creativity!
- Our Pick: When at Casey's Corner, we always go for the Chipotle Barbecue All-Beef Hot Dog. It's a loaded bad boy, but oh-so-tasty! And if you're really hungry, why not go all the way and add a side of chili-cheese fries!
2. Columbia Harbour House
Our number two spot goes to Columbia Harbour House. Located in Liberty Square just steps away from the Haunted Mansion, this restaurant serves up some great New England-style food without the big price tag.
New England means seafood and this restaurant doesn't disappoint! Again, without paying a lot, you can enjoy classics such as lobster rolls, fried shrimp, fish sandwiches, and even a plant-based crab cake sandwich! The other thing we love about this restaurant is the hearty portions. Trust me when I say that you won't leave this place hungry!
You'll also love the decor inside of the main building. With dark wood everywhere, you'll feel the nautical vibes right away and imagine yourself dining in a sleepy fisherman's town in New England. Split into two levels, there will be plenty of seating to choose from so no need to awkwardly stalk people for their table as they finish up their meal! Plus, the kids will get a kick out of all of the nautical touches such as a captain's wheel inside the restaurant!
- Our Pick: We always get the lobster roll when visiting Columbia Harbour House. For under $20, you can get a delicious New England classic paired perfectly with a side of fries. The lobster is chilled so it always hits the spot nicely on those hot summer days. We also have to give a shoutout to the clam chowder. Though it's sold as a side, we would get it (or two) alone!
3. Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
Moving over to Frontierland, we land at our third spot: Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe. This restaurant is the first on our list to deviate from classic American fare and into Tex-Mex-inspired dishes. The location is fairly large with lots of seating so you'll once again not have to worry about finding a place to sit!
We'd be remiss to not talk about how beautiful the inside of Pecos Bill is. Inspired by the old Southwest, you could be dining inside an old Hacienda on beautiful artisan-inspired tables. While you won't see specific references to Coco, for example, it still will give you all the Coco vibes you can imagine.
The menu at Pecos is another reason we gave it the number three spot. It is huge! Compared to other quick-service options, it offers lots to choose from for guests of all ages. Plus, the dishes here are similar to options you'd find at other high-end restaurants. We're talking about things like fajita platters, carnitas, and taco trios. It's the perfect place to go to if you're not in the mood for chicken strips and fries.
We also have to talk about the MANY allergy and diet-friendly options that are served here. If you check out the menu, they offer a long list of options that are sure to satisfy many guest needs. This is the place to go if you're worried about any food restrictions!
Pecos also has a robust kid's menu so your little ones are bound to find something that makes them happy, too!
- Our Pick: Weeasily have to get the fajitas platter here. Where else can you enjoy carnitas with all of the fixings for under $20?! They will rival the fajitas you enjoy outside of the parks and will leave you stuffed.
4. The Friar's Nook
Paying homage to Disney's Robin Hood, this quick-service eatery takes the number four spot, and with great reason! Even though we're switching back to classic American cuisine, you won't leave unhappy.
We'll be upfront about some things you might notice upon arrival: lack of seating and lack of menu variety. Yes, this is true even at the number four spot! Why? Because the loaded tots and macaroni and cheese are heavenly! Sure, not everyone is looking to indulge in loaded tots, but if you are then you won't be disappointed. That's why we're proud to give it the number 4 spot. After all, it is quick service that we're talking about here!
The lack of seating, in our opinion, just means that you can take your meal anywhere you like! Since you're in Fantasyland, you can easily grab a bench nearby and gaze up at the beautiful castle. Or, if you do want to wait for one of the few tables they offer, you'll just have to be quick on your feet!
- Our Pick: To no surprise, we're going to recommend the creamy bacon macaroni & cheese tots. They are SO good! Plus, if you're also a fan of macaroni & cheese, you'll get to enjoy the best of both worlds!
5. Sleepy Hollow
We're going to continue similarly and place Sleepy Hollow at the number five spot. The reason why I say similar is because Sleepy Hollow is another quick service with a very limited menu. That said, we think that the few things they offer make it well worth the fifth place.
Located in Liberty Square, Sleepy Hollow is the place to go if you are a fan of waffles! That's right. You heard me: waffles! Depending on the time of day when you visit, you'll find some creative options that all come in waffle sandwich form. This spot doesn't boast a beautiful dining room or anything, but when you see the crowds gathering outside, you know you've found something great!
For breakfast, you can expect to see classic Mickey Waffles as well as a fruit waffle sandwich. It might sound odd, but it's so worth trying!
- Our Pick: We put Sleepy Hollow in the fifth spot because we always love the Sweet-and-Spicy Chicken-Waffle Sandwich. It's a bit of a tongue twister, but worth every bite! Again, you won't see much outside of this, but it is worth noting that this is a place where you can get the famous (and huge) Disney Turkey Legs!
6. Cosmic Rays Starlight Cafe
As we head toward the end of our rankings, it's only natural that the stars of the show will begin to fade a bit and that takes us to our number six spot with Cosmic Rays Starlight Cafe. Located in Tomorrowland, Cosmic Rays is not going to blow you out of the water with anything special. Here, you can expect to see traditional theme park fare such as burgers and salads.
However, there are a few notable things to mention about Cosmic Rays. The first is that this location has a sprawling indoor seating area where you'll always find a table. Plus, the air-conditioned dining room is perfect for when you want to escape the summer heat.
Second, this eatery also has an extensive allergy-friendly menu. Take a peek at their menu and you'll find plenty of options for both kids and adults. While this doesn't necessarily apply to everyone, it's very important for others so it's certainly worth mentioning.
Lastly, we hold on to Cosmic Rays because it's home to a Disney classic: Sonny Eclipse. Sonny Eclipse is the alien DJ animatronic that is classic Disney. He's been there for a long time and it's always a great time with the younger kids. Cosmic Rays has changed a lot over the years, but we're glad to see that Sonny is still going strong!
- Our Pick: The Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich can sometimes surprise us and be very tasty. It's a basic sandwich, but if you do find yourself here, it's worth a shot, especially if you're not feeling like having a burger.
7. Tortuga Tavern
Photo Credit: Mickey Visit.
Located in Adventureland, Tortuga Tavern takes the number seven spot. This restaurant can get very mixed reviews and some may say that we've ranked it too high. However, given that we're nearing the end, all of the remaining options are going to have their flaws. It just depends on what is important to you!
Tortuga Tavern is the perfect place to feel like a true pirate! The theming is fantastic and it also offers room to dine inside if you're wanting to enjoy some air conditioning.
The biggest problem we find with Tortuga is that the menu can be pretty inconsistent. Sure, you're not going to find any major hitters here, but that's precisely why we wish it could be more consistent when it comes to quality. That said, given the limited menu, you at least won't have to worry about choosing the diamond in the rough!
- Our Pick: Luckily, Tortuga still offers the Peanut Butter, Chocolate-Hazelnut Spread, and Banana Sandwich because it's very tasty! While it's a simple meal, it definitely takes you back to childhood days when simple pleasures were the go-to! It will remind you a lot of a Nutella sandwich. Nutella is a hazelnut spread very popular around the world and if you've never tried it then no better place to start!
8. Pinocchio Village Haus
This sprawling restaurant often makes the bottom of the list for many people, but we're giving it the number eight spot because it still is a full-service quick spot with options and ample seating. The food here is also nothing to write home about, but it does have other things to offer which ultimately gave it the spot it has. Plus, it seems to be on a bit of a revival right now so let's hope the trend continues!
Located in the heart of Fantasyland, Pinocchio's is a large quick-service spot with plenty of seating. Our favorite place to sit is always high above overlooking the It's a Small World loading zone. Talk about a neat view! We love watching the boats go by and waving to all of the passengers before they go on their voyage around the world! If that's not your cup of tea, no worries. There are still lots of places to sit all throughout the restaurant.
The theming is actually nice and the younger ones will enjoy the paintings referring to the film Pinocchio. Anytime we can give a shoutout to some of the classic Disney tales, we'll take that opportunity! Pinocchio's serves a variety of flatbreads that are adequately satisfying.
We also love that this restaurant also has tons of allergy-friendly options. So, once again, this might be a place to visit if you're looking out for that. Otherwise, it's not the best place to go unless you're looking for the things we've mentioned above.
- Our Pick: Here, we're going to go for the Key Lime Pie Tart. It's decadent but light and airy. It's the perfect dessert to enjoy as a quick bite!
9. Gaston's Tavern
Gaston's is next on our list and you'll notice it's for good reason. Although it does have the amazing cinnamon rolls, there simply aren't many options to choose from here. Still, we're not giving it the last place because we love its standout dessert option!
The inside of Gaston's is a replica of the tavern we all know from Beauty and the Beast. If you're lucky, Gaston himself is known to hang out around these parts of town so be sure you have your camera ready when in the neighborhood!
The menu only has three things, but at least they will be unique quick bites. This is certainly not the place to go to if you're looking for a sit-down meal.
- Our Pick: Since we're giving love to the cinnamon rolls later, we have to also mention the Grey Stuff cupcake. Yes, THEE Grey Stuff that's delicious! It's a yummy treat to enjoy and it beats having to go to the Be Our Guest restaurant and paying that premium price tag!
10. The Launching Pad
The last on our list goes to The Launching Pad. Located in the heart of Tomorrowland, this restaurant is given the 10th spot simply because the menu options here are as basic as you can get. With really only hot dogs and pretzels, you have to want a particular thing to make this worth the visit.
The Launching Pad does have seating outside, but this is admittedly a very busy spot and usually in direct sunlight. This is why we never go here unless we're stopping for something specific. Usually, you can catch some of the performances on the main stage near here, but otherwise, it's your run-of-the-mill quick service spot. If you're craving a hot dog, we suggest Casey's Corner without a doubt.
- Our Pick: If we're here, we're going to get the Cream Cheese Warm Stuffed Pretzel. Again, it's not a meal, but it can do enough to hold you over until your full-on meal!
Best Quick-Service at Magic Kingdom: What's for Dessert?!
While you can find tasty desserts at any of the places we just mentioned, sometimes it's fun to pop over to another location and try something unique! This is why we decided to give you some great dessert options in a separate category!
While dessert can sometimes also mean a snack in the middle of the day, we thought it was important to mention some highlights that we've enjoyed on our countless visits.
1. Dole Whip – Aloha Isle
If you thought anything else would be ranked as our top Disney dessert, you're very wrong! This Disney classic is the best for so many reasons. Even if you're not a fan of pineapple, its sweet and soft creamy texture is simply irresistible! At its core, it's soft-serve ice cream, but it's much more than that. There's truly nothing better than digging into this delight on a hot day!
Plus, you can even find some pretty cool Dole Whip creations like a delicious upside-down cake!
2. Warm Cinnamon Roll – Gaston's Tavern
Yes, you can get a cinnamon roll back home, but while you're in the Magic Kingdom, you've got to try this ooey-gooey deliciousness! It's one of our favorite quick bites to enjoy when we're itching for something sweet. This thing is huge so you'll definitely want to share it with someone!
3. Cheshire Cat Tail – Cheshire Café
Friends, this is another must-do if you're looking for a sweet something! This pastry, made to look like the Cheshire Cat's tail, will blow your socks off! The inside is stuffed with chocolate and it blends so well with the frosting that covers the “tail” from top to bottom!
4. Churros – Various Locations
Like the Warm Cinnamon Roll, a churro is not unique to Disney, but it is a Disney classic. These easy-to-walk-with delights are the perfect dessert or snack to grab when you're in a hurry for that next lightning lane! We love them because they're also one of the more affordable snack options and are easy to share. Plus, you'll find them all throughout the park so you'll never have to travel far to find one!
Be warned, if you a Disneyland regular these Walt Disney World churros are nowhere near as good as the churros in Disneyland.
Best Quick-Service at Magic Kingdom: What About Alcohol?
When Walt originally created Disneyland and all of his subsequent ideas, he never considered alcohol to be in that vision. Therefore, historically alcohol has not been something you can easily find in the Disney theme parks (EPCOT is a different story…!). So, when it comes to the Magic Kingdom, alcohol was not sold there until Be Our Guest opened in 2012. That's right, it took over 40 years for this park to serve alcohol!
Today, alcohol is unfortunately not served at quick-service locations. If you think you're going to want to enjoy a cold one or a nice glass of merlot, you'll need to book one of the table-service options or purchase one of the dessert party options that will typically serve some type of alcohol option.
Best Quick-Service at Magic Kingdom: Final Thoughts
There you have it! We just gave you the ranking for the best quick-service restaurants at Magic Kingdom. As you can see, there are tons of options to choose from and with our guide, you're ready to explore each one and know exactly what to get! Now all that's left to do is decide what your stomach is asking for-bon appetit!
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