So many restaurants, so many questions! Which one should we eat at? What is the best sit down restaurant in the Magic Kingdom?
We are here to help! We have compared all the restaurants in Magic Kingdom at Disney World and will give you suggestions on which we feel are the best restaurants and why.
We also took a survey of 413 people to see what Disney fans think are the best table service restaurants in the Magic Kingdom. The results surprised us! The top two fan favorite table service restaurants are:
- Crystal Palace
- Liberty Tree Tavern
These outranked every singe other option (listed below) BY FAR. In fact, many people said Crystal Palace and Liberty Tree Tavern are not only their favorite restaurants in Magic Kingdom, but in all of Walt Disney World!!
Be Our Guest, Cinderella’s Royal Table, and Skipper Canteen all came in #3. The votes were so close that we consider them even. These are quite different dining options which is helpful to know when trying to make a decision
What is the Difference Between Quick Service and Table Service Restaurants?
Quick Service
A Walt Disney World quick service (also called counter service) restaurant is what you might expect…it is a place to get your food quickly, eat and get on the move. You do not make a reservation and though most have places to sit and enjoy your food, you can take it and go. You have the option of ordering when you arrive at the restaurant or doing a mobile order. A mobile order allows you to order and pay in advance so when you arrive at the restaurant you simply pick up your food.
Table Service
Table Service dining (also known as sit-down restaurants) at Walt Disney World is different from quick service in five ways.
- Reservations required. You will need a reservation. The chances of you walking into a table service restaurant and sitting down to eat without a reservation are slim to none.
- Sit down dining. Instead of walking up to a counter and taking the food, you sit down and have a wait person come to your table (the exception is if it’s a buffet but even then you have a person waiting on you with things you need for the meal).
- Time. Where quick service is for speed, table service is for enjoyment. Taking in the atmosphere and enjoying the dining experience.
- Cost. A table service meal will cost you much more money than quick service.
- Atmosphere. There are many other differences depending on the restaurant. Some are character dining, some have special entertainment etc…
Best Table Service Restaurants in Magic Kingdom
1. Crystal Palace
If you are a Winnie the Pooh fan, you will want to make this restaurant a “must eat at” because after an absence a couple of years ago, they brought back Pooh along with Piglet, Tigger and Eeyore. Â You can enjoy Buffet style serving with some unique fare that in our opinion is pretty good. Â Overall, buffets at Disney World can be a bit hit and miss and in comparison, we give this a hit!
Location: At the top of Main Street U.S.A. with some pretty great views of the Cinderella castle
Serves: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Cost: $$$ ($35 – $60)
Disney Dining Plan: Yes, 1 table service credit
Atmosphere and Decor: Inspired by the style of a late 1800 Victorian greenhouse with it’s glass ceilings, you dine surrounded by beautiful flowers, topiaries and an openness that feels like you are dining in elegance.
What We Like About It:Â We are usually suckers for a buffet especially if the food is pretty good (as Crystal Palace’s is). Â Add to that, the beautiful decor and finally, give us the adorable Winnie the Pooh and friends and you have a pretty great dining experience.
Best Thing: Great food options at the buffet but we really love the carved meat area and the Winnie the Pooh characters come around to the tables which is super fun.
Potential Con:Â We heard from someone who dined here during the parade down Main Street USA and they didn’t have a seat near the window. Â More a tip than a con, if you know the parade will be passing by while eating, see if they can seat you near the window.
2. Liberty Tree Tavern
Our poll confirms what most people say is the very best table service restaurant in the entire Magic Kingdom Theme Park….Liberty Tree Tavern. Â You must come hungry because the All-you-care-to-eat Disney slogan is on for this restaurant. Â We like the amount of food you get, the type of food that is served and the dining rooms carry with them a sentimental, nostalgic feel that gives us a wonderful patriotic pride for our country. Â We feel those visiting from other countries would enjoy this dining experience celebrating the USA as well.
Where Is It Located: Liberty Square
Serves: Lunch and Dinner
Cost: $$$ ($35 – $60)
Disney Dining Plan: Yes, 1 table service credit
Atmosphere and Decor? Paying tribute to the founding fathers, Liberty Tree Tavern is in the style of a stately colonial-style inn with warm wood paneling, large brick fireplaces and period portraits hanging from the walls. There are six rooms to dine in which commemorate one of the pivotal historical figures in American history. The rooms are:
- Benjamin Franklin
- Thomas Jefferson
- John Paul Jones
- Paul Revere
- Betsy Ross
- George Washington
What We Like:Â Is there anything we don’t like about Thanksgiving dinner? Â Of course not. Â Well, Liberty Tree Tavern is Thanksgiving dinner everyday! Â Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy!!! – serving traditional New England-inspired fare.Â
Best Menu Item: It’s a dessert called the Ooooey Gooey Toffee Cake which is a delicious vanilla toffee cake with vanilla ice cream and covered with chocolate sauce.
Potential Cons: We are being serious when we say after eating all this rich good food, it makes it difficult to run around Magic Kingdom with a full stomach. Â We strongly suggest thinking twice about riding any motion sickness ride after this meal.
3. Cinderella’s Royal Table
What can be better than dining in a castle?  And not just any castle…Cinderella’s Castle!  Yes, this amazing restaurant is actually in the Cinderella castle as she and a bunch of her Princess pals circle around the dining room visiting with guests.  It really is a magical place and a one of a kind Fairytale dining experience.
We can say from personal experience that dining in the castle has not only provided our children with the anticipated excitement but has lasted as they have reflected about being in the castle and dining with the princesses.
Where Is It Located: Technically it is in Fantasyland (just look for the Castle, silly)
Serving: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Cost: $$$$ (over $60)
Disney Dining Plan: Yes, 2 table service credit
Atmosphere and Decor: Stunning.  It starts with a stone archway leading up to the dining area and it’s decorated with majestic medieval flags, stained glass windows and has the majestic presence that you would expect from Cinderella’s castle.
What We Like About It: Even though you are dining here for the castle and Princess experience, the food is pretty good too. The menu is Pre-Fixe dining and some of the best food is the stuffed French toast for breakfast and the Beef Tenderloin and short ribs for dinner.
Best Thing About Cinderellas Royal Table: The Princesses! It really is a great way for your children to see all the Princesses in one spot. Though not all are guaranteed, you are most likely to see Cinderella, Snow White, Aurora, Ariel and Jasmine.
Potential Cons: This is easy. The price! It is very very expensive. Breakfast has the best value but even that is a lot of money!
4. Jungle Navigation Co., LTD. Skipper Canteen
If the Jungle Cruise is one of your favorite attractions because you love the corny joke telling “Skippers” and if you want to carry on with the theming, humor and add some great food, then you will love the Jungle Navigation Co., LTD. Skipper Canteen!
Where Is It Located:Â Adventureland (Near the Jungle Cruise attraction)
Serves:Â Lunch and Dinner
Cost:Â $$ ($15 to $35)
Disney Dining Plan:Â Yes, 1 table service credit
Atmosphere and Decor:Â First, be aware that the servers are the same skippers who guided your boat down the river. Jokes (or what appear to be similar to jokes) will be heard throughout your meal. The decor carries over from Jungle Cruise with the restaurant being a canteen owned by Alberta Falls who is serving guests before or after they ride down the river. Rustic fun surroundings of artifacts discovered by Dr. Albert Falls on his adventures add to the enjoyment of the theming where you feel as if you are at an explorer post.
What We Like About It:Â Quirky is the word that best describes this fun great spot to dine at. Â From the food names to the ongoing gags about Dr. Falls and company, this is truly a good place for food and fun.
Best Thing: The overall theme of this restaurant has been put together in a wonderful way for families.
Potential Cons:Â If there are picky eaters among your explorers, you may want to take a peek at the menu before you make your reservation. Â Of course, for children there is the standard Mac and cheese and chicken that usually satisfies even the pickiest eaters.Â
5. Be Our Guest
Dining inside Beast’s castle sounds pretty fun, right? Â If so, you will want to check out Be Our Guest restaurant. Serving a prix fixe menu, you can order an appetizer, entre and dessert from a French inspired limited menu, but with enough items that you will find something that suits your taste. Like many of the other restaurants listed here, you come for the experience and enjoy some food along with it.
Location: Fantasyland, up beyond Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Ride and Enchanted Tales with Belle.
Serves: Lunch and Dinner
Cost: $$$$ (Over $60)
Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 2 table service credit
Atmosphere and Decor:Â If you have seen the movie Beauty and the Beast, then you can probably envision how they have designed this restaurant which is much like the movie. Â There are 3 main dining areas: The Grand Ballroom which is a beautiful open room with chandeliers, snow-laced Gothic arches and a high domed ceiling. Â The West Wing is a replica of the Beast’s West Wing Study. Â Finally, there is the Rose Gallery which features a beautiful larger than life music box (seven feet tall!) of Beast and Belle dancing. Â Overall, in our opinion, Be Our Guest is the most elegant dining atmosphere in any of the Magic Kingdom restaurants and possibly in all of Walt Disney World.
What We Like About It: Delicious food in one of the most beautiful places in all the Disney Parks. Really a great place to dine.
Best Thing:Â Upscale dining at its best at the Magic Kingdom. Â Beast is present at the restaurant however, it is not considered a “meet and greet” type of dining experience. You can take pictures OF the Beast but not WITH the Beast
Potential Con: By far, the price. It is very expensive and that is mostly why it comes in 5th on our list. Additionally, many people complain that the Beast moves too quickly through the restaurant during his brief appearance.
6. The Plaza Restaurant
The Plaza Restaurant is a charming turn of the century style restaurant that is a no nonsense dining experience. There are no characters and quite frankly, you wouldn’t even know you are in Disney World if you hadn’t stepped into the restaurant by way of Main Street. All that being said, this is a good place to eat with good food at reasonable prices.
Location: Off Main Street U.S.A. by the Main Street Ice Cream Parlor
Serves: Lunch and Dinner (Breakfast has been served in the past but presently it is unavailable)
Cost: $$ ($15 to $35)
Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 table service credit
Atmosphere and Decor:Â Charming is the word for The Plaza. Think Mary Poppins in the chalk drawings. Big windows which show the castle, chandeliers, victorian style carpeting and decor give the Plaza elegance without the high price tag.
What We Like About It: As we said in the open, if you are coming to get good food and can live without the Disney theming, this is a great option for you and your family. The food is good and the price fits the meal well.
Best Thing: Try the Plaza Loaded Fries for an amazing appetizer treat! Bacon and onions with melted cheddar and sour cream over your crispy French fries is out of this world!
Potential Con: There is no Disney theming so if that is important to your family, you may want to look at other options on this list of restaurants.
7. Tony’s Town Square
Our family’s favorite cuisine is Italian food and Tony’s Town Square restaurant really does a great job of scratching where we itch! It has a price point that is very reasonable, beautiful decor and the food is really good.
We will admit that Tony’s is a bit on the simple, not “out there” when it comes to the menu but we find that a bit refreshing. We will also admit that in the past, it had a not so good reputation, however, we feel it has improved to a great extent. The staple Italian dishes are good and after all, the restaurant is set when Lady and the Tramp had their first kiss while eating spaghetti and meatballs.
Location: Main Street U.S.A. (right when you come into Magic Kingdom, it is on the right by the Town Square Theatre)
Serves: Lunch and Dinner
Cost: $$ ($15 to $35)
Disney Dining Plan: Yes, 1 table service credit
Atmosphere and Decor:Â It is a charming restaurant that pays great respect to the animated movie, Lady and the Tramp by putting references to the movie around the dining area which is a real treat for the children in your group. You can dine indoors as well as on the porch which is a great place to watch the parade.
What We Like About It: Good food and the price is right, especially if you enjoy Italian.
Best Thing: Great place to eat with little ones because of cost and menu items
Potential Cons: Even though we feel it has gotten better than it’s reputation, it is still not “amazing” dining.
It’s challenging to give up time in your day to have a sit down dining experience. That being said, you really cannot go wrong with Crystal Palace or Liberty Town Square.
Personally, our family likes to give each of the grandkids the experience of dining in the castle with the princesses at least once. We choose to do that experience in the morning for two reasons – breakfast prices are cheaper and an early reservation means an early park entrance. This gives you a quiet Main Street and an empty castle!
If you like table service dining, be sure to check out the top ranked options in EPCOT!