As you are planning your Walt Disney World vacation you are probably wondering, “Where should I eat when I’m in the Magic Kingdom?”
With so many different places to eat and so little time, you want to be sure to eat at some of the best places! Magic kingdom is one of our favorite theme parks for so many reason and the food (as well as Cinderella’s castle) is one of them.
Disney World’s Quick Service Restaurants
Today we’re going to share about Disney World’s Quick Service Restaurants. We love Disney World’s Quick Service Restaurants for two huge reasons!
First, they are much less expensive when compared to table service dining. Quick service meals cost about $12 on average.
Second, quick service restaurants are much quicker. No reservations are required and you get your food fast – no long line to wait in. This is especially important if you have small children in your family.
There are some factors that need to be considered before you figure out your quick service dining.
- What type of food will satisfy your crew the most? Seafood, Mexican, salads?
- Where will you be when you want to eat? For example, you don’t want to be getting out of Pirates of the Caribbean and want to eat at Cosmic Rays Starlight Cafe. Our vacaiton planning guide can help you with this.
- Where can I find the best food?
We are so glad you asked the last question! After all, not all Quick Service Restaurants are created equal. Some are better than others.
We want to give you our take on which ones we would dine at and which ones we would try to avoid when it comes to eating at Magic Kingdom.
First, let’s refresh ourselves with exactly what a Quick Service Restaurant is. “Quick Service” (sometimes referred to as “counter service,”) refers to going through a line and ordering from a cashier, receiving your food moments later, and then finding your own seat or taking it with you on the go.
Some restaurants even offer mobile ordering through the Disney App which allows you to order, pay, and pick up your food up from a designated window when you arrive at the restaurant. This is a fantastic way to save some time in the Disney parks.
If you are on the Disney Dining Plan, quick service meals are part of your plan and are quicker than the table service meals which usually require a reservation. The Disney Dining Plan is currently not available, but Disney has said it will be returning at a future, undisclosed date.
One thing we need to point out is Disney uses “Quick Service” to refer to meals as well as snacks so for the sake of this post we will be only reviewing Quick Service Restaurants that serve meals.
What are the Quick Service Restaurants in Magic Kingdom?
There are eleven quick service restaurants located throughout the Magic Kingdom. Here is a list of every quick service restaurant in Disney’s Magic Kingdom. We have grouped them by location.
Main Street USA
1. Casey’s Corner
- Located near the end of Main Street U.S.A.
- Food specializes in Hotdogs, corn dog nuggets, french fries etc…
- Mobile Order? Yes
2. Main Street Bakery
- Located near the end of Main Street
- Food specializes in breakfast sandwiches and coffee (Starbucks is here!).
- Note: Not a lunch service other than treats.
- Mobile Order? No
Liberty Square
3. Sleepy Hollow
- Located near Cinderella’s Castle
- Food specializes in waffles and funnel cakes – think fair food.
- Note: Most things fall in the treat/snack category, however, there is a waffle chicken sandwich and waffle egg and cheese option that might interest your palette for a quick bite.
- Mobile Order? Yes
4. Liberty Square Market
- Located near The Hall of Presidents
- Food specializes in one thing…a Turkey Leg…that’s it…if you don’t like a Turkey Leg, Liberty Square Market isn’t for you. The limited menu of Turkey Legs is available after 11:00.
- Mobile Order? No
photo credit Alexis Lariscy
5. Columbia Harbour
- House Located near the Haunted Mansion
- Food specializes in Americana fare and seafood with chicken, fish, sandwiches and salads. This restaurant has great quality food and great value
- Mobile Order? Yes
Tomorrowland
6. The Lunching Pad
- Located near the PeopleMover and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Food specializes in hotdog and breakfast sandwiches.
- Mobile Order? Yes
7. Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café
- Located near the Tomorrowland Speedway
- Food specializes in American fast food, burgers, hotdogs, chicken sandwiches, and fries.
- Mobile Order? Yes
Fantasyland
8.Gaston’s Tavern
- Located by Be My Guest Restaurant, just up from the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Food specializes in sandwiches, fruit and cheese plates, and lighter side fare.
- Mobile Order? No
photo credit Alexis Lariscy
9. The Friar’s Nook
- Located across from Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Food specializes in Hotdogs, bratwurst and caters to kids with Mickey Souvenir Hat Bowls.
- Mobile Order? Yes
10. Pinocchio Village Haus
- Located near Splash Mountain (soon to be Tiana’s Bayou Adventure)
- Food specializes in Italian; also has pizza, chicken nuggets and fries.
- Mobile Order? Yes
Be Our Guest – PLEASE NOTE: Be our Guest used to have a Quick Service option for breakfast and lunch but that is no longer available. Be Our Guest is now a Table Service only restaurant.
Frontierland
11. Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
- Located near Splash Mountain (soon to be Tiana’s Bayou Adventure)
- Food specializes in Southwest cuisine, fajitas, tacos and burgers.
- Mobile Order? Yes.
photo credit Alexis Lariscy
The 3 Best Quick Service Restaurants In The Magic Kingdom
Out of the 11 quick service restaurants in the Magic Kingdom, we’ve narrowed it down to our top 3 best restaurants.
1. Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
Coming in first for best Magic Kingdom Restaurants is this fun restaurant serving great food. What makes this our top pick? Picture walking into an old west saloon that serves up great Tex-Mex style food with a bar full of great toppings for your nachos! That’s what the dining room is like!
We feel the great themed venue, good tasting and plentiful food with a great variety, and a fun atmosphere makes Pecos Bill a great spot to dine at! The indoor seating area is plentiful and air conditioned, and there is some outdoor seating available as well.
If we are going to spend one day at Magic Kingdom and we are eating at one Quick Service Restaurant, this is the one we want to be at. Give it great consideration in your trip planning as this will be your best bet.
2. Columbia Harbour House
photo credit Alexis Lariscy
Columbia Harbour House comes in second. We love Columbia Harbor House but we must make a disclaimer right from the start…It is heavy in seafood so if your crew doesn’t like fish, this may not be for you. On the flip side, if you love seafood, this is a great place for you!
Menu items include a lobster roll, grilled shrimp skewers and our favorite, grilled salmon, but there are other options that don’t include seafood like chicken pot pie and chicken breast nuggets.
This restaurant has ample seating and a beautiful location. Because of the great food quality in addition to everything else we mentioned, we would recommend Columbia Harbour House with great confidence.
3. Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
In third place is Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe. We admit that it is not on par with the first two but for a plentiful, good food option, Cosmic Ray’s does the trick.
photo credit Alexis Lariscy
There is usually plenty of indoor seating around a robot performer, Sonny Eclipse, who we usually find a little on the obnoxious side, but it’s air-conditioned, you are off your feet and nourishing your body for the next adventure. For that, it works well.
One last thing about Cosmic Ray’s. For people that have been coming to Disney World for a long time like Dave, this restaurant holds great memories because it is a restaurant that has been there since the beginning.
Past performers such as the band Starbuck (Moonlight Feels Right) and the one and only Michael Iceberg performed there while folks were enjoying their hamburger. If this is your first visit to Walt Disney World it is worth stopping at this restaurant knowing it is part of Disney history.
Our Top Quick Service Three Menu Items
1. Casey’s Corner Loaded Hot Dogs
If you are in the mood for a hot dog, you will probably want to head over to Casey’s Corner to get it. Fun, old time atmosphere on Main Street that can do a dog right!
These hot dogs have been around since the beginning when Disney World opened in 1971 except the restaurant wasn’t called Casey’s Corner, rather it was called Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner!
You can pick your toppings for your loaded hot dog. Casey’s Corner also offers a hot dog of the month!
2. Sleepy Hollow’s Sweet-and-Spicy Chicken Waffle Sandwich
Sleepy Hollow’s delicious Sweet-and-Spicy Chicken Waffle Sandwiches are highly rated by not only us but Disney goers from all around. This is a deep fried chicken breast (think of a really big chicken nugget), covered in sweet and spicy sauce, topped with slaw, and put inside a waffle – served like a taco!
photo credit Alexis Lariscy
It’s served with house made potato chips (yum!). If you love a little bit of sweet and a little bit of spicy you’re going to want to check this out.
3. Friar’s Nooks Mac n Cheese Tots
Friar’s Nooks Mac n Cheese tots are really good! I mean, who can resist a classic kid favorite, tater tots?
These tater tots placed on top of a bed of creamy macaroni and cheese and then topped with bacon, sour cream, and green onions. These are an extremely popular item! Even though this is considered an entree, we have placed it on our “best snacks in the Magic Kingdom list” as you can easily share this with someone in your family.
Dave Says:
In fact, if you are like us and are on a pretty strict budget you may want to consider bringing in a bag lunch and eating at a Quick Service Restaurant for supper. This is a great way to be able to enjoy some fun Disney food without breaking the bank (and satisfy picky eaters!).
Additionally, some of the snack options in the Magic Kingdom are large and shareable! Snack options at Disney are a great way to hold you over between meals, especially if you are staying off site and planning on eating back at your hotel later in the evening Be sure to check them out!
If you’re planning a Disney World vacation to other Disney parks be sure to check out the 11 best table service restaurants at Epcot or find out the best snacks that you NEED to try!
Or if you’re on the hunt for a Dole Whip, here’s where you can find them at every Disney Park!