Lunch at the Magic Kingdom
When spending the day at the Magic Kingdom it’s a good idea to have a plan before you arrive of where you may want to eat your lunch. For starters, not every restaurants offers the same items. So if you have specific wants and needs you should narrow down your choices ahead of time. Secondly, if you plan on dining at a table service restaurant you’ll need to make a reservation ahead of time. Lastly, having your options picked out ahead of time can save you time, energy and melt downs from kids and adults. You have three categories to choose from when you’re looking at lunch at the Magic Kingdom: table service/buffet, quick-service or a counter order. At a table service or buffet style restaurant you will be seated by a host and be served in some capacity by a server. At a quick-service restaurant you will order your meal at a counter and then wait for your food before grabbing a seat or grab a seat and then wait for a cast member to bring you your food. At a counter order spot, you’re looking at ordering a snack style lunch. These places don’t have specific seating and are not under a roof. You go up and order at a window and then you’ll have to eat on the go or find a nearby outside table to enjoy your food. Table service will be higher cost and requires a table service meal credit for those on the dining plan. A quick-service meal can be low cost and requires a quick-service meal credit for those on the dining plan. A counter service spot is pennies in comparison to table service, and only requires a snack credit for those on the dining plan. Be aware, not all of these spots have alcohol. So if that’s something you want to enjoy during your Magic Kingdom day then be sure to choose the choices that serve such items. Check out this previous post on where you can find alcohol at the Magic Kingdom.
Table Service
Come to this character dining experience inside Cinderella’s Castle. Meet a huge selection of Disney princess while dining an exquisite meal. Cinderella’s Royal Table is a signature dining experience and requires guests to not only reserve ahead of time but pay ahead as well. The meal includes an appetizer, entree, dessert and beverage for both adults and children. They do serve a huge variety of alcoholic beverages at this restaurant which is included in the cost (within reason). The entrees range from a beef tenderloin salad to the chef’s fish of the day. Braised Pork Shank and Chicken are also on the menu. They are all delectable and insta worthy.
A personal favourite, come eat at this buffet style restaurant while meeting your favourite characters from 100 Acre Wood. Located in the courtyard in front of Cinderella’s Castle, it’s the only buffet restaurant at the Magic Kingdom. The food is amazing, with a wide variety of salads, carved meats, sides and a multitude of dessert choices. It’s a perfect spot for the whole family. Be sure to book this restaurant in advanced. Lunch starts at 11:30 and runs until 2:45.
Enjoy some western food during your day at the Magic Kingdom. The Diamond Horseshoe is found on off the main pathway in Frontierland, just before Country Bears Jamboree. It’s an old dance hall that now features a self playing piano. Prepare for an all you care to enjoy fare, where the servers bring you the food to your table. It was a great meal choice for our kids because they love corn bread and corn. Or you can choose to order from the menu, which includes beef brisket sandwich, pulled pork sandwich, mac and cheese. Lunch is only available from 1pm until 2:55pm.
Jungle Navigation Skipper Canteen
In Adventureland you find this sit down restaurant that serves African and Asian inspired dishes. Out and away from the busyness of the park, this restaurant while make you think you are somewhere else entirely. The servers are straight from Jungle Cruise, full of sarcasm and quick wit. Lunch is from 11:30 until 2:55. We dined here last January and we all enjoyed our meals, what we liked most was the free dining plan meal credits we got out of it. For more on that read this previous post.
Liberty Tree Tavern
Come and enjoy some traditional New England food, fish and chips, and pot roast are on the menu along with the all you care to enjoy patriot’s platter. The platter is has turkey, pot roast, and oven roasted pork with vegetables, stuffing and house-made mac and cheese. But save room for the Boston Cream Pie or the Ooeey Gooey Toffee Cake, two dessert musts. Liberty Tree Tavern is found in Liberty Square and serves lunch beginning at 11am.
The restaurant with the best view of the castle is The Plaza Restaurant. This small restaurant is nothing fancy, nothing fancy on the menu but its charm comes from its long history. Choose from one of the all you can enjoy milkshakes for your drink, and then from one of the large list of entrees. Mostly large size sandwiches are on the menu but there’s also the meatloaf and the mac and cheese. The claim to fame for this restaurant is the view. Try to get a table by the window and you can eat your meal while taking in the view of the castle. Lunch starts at 11am.
This italian restaurant is found at the top of Main Street U.S.A.. Based on the same restaurant from Lady and the Tramp, guests will be dining next to pictures from the film or beside the Lady and the Tramp fountain. The pasta here is delicious as is the tiramisu. Grab a table on the patio and watch the Festival of Fantasy Parade pass by. Tony’s opens at 11:30am for lunch.
Quick-Service
Found in Fantasyland, this quick-service restaurant requires an advanced reservation. Dine inside the Beast’s castle, either in the West Wing, the Ballroom or the Castle Gallery. Lunch is served from 11am-2:30pm. You won’t find burger and fries at this quick-service restaurant. You can choose between Braised Pork, French Dip Sandwich, and Carved Turkey Sandwiches. Make sure to save room for dessert, there are as many dessert choices as entrees. Here you can enjoy a glass of wine or a bottle of beer with your meal. It’s really a must for any Beauty and the Beast fan. And the lunch serving is the cheapest time of day to go, perfect if you’re paying out of pocket.
Casey’s Corner
Home to every single hot dog imaginable. You can choose from a foot-long hot dog, a plant based hot dog or regular hot dog. They all come as meals but you can also have them loaded up with chilli-cheese, loaded mashed potatoes, or macaroni & cheese. Casey’s Corner is found at the end of Main Street U.S.A. on the eastern side of the street. It’s opens at 10am, for a very early lunch. You can either dine in or dine out, with plenty of seating inside or out. Note: there is no alcohol served here.
Columbia Harbour House
Found at Liberty Square as you are exiting Fantasyland. It’s located directly across from the exit of Haunted Mansion. Columbia Harbour House opens at 11am for lunch. The perfect place for seafood lovers. Lobster rolls, tuna sandwich and clam chowder are all on the menu. There’s also a couple different salads to choose from, chicken nuggets and chicken pot pie. It’s a hearty meal that will give you the rest and nutrition you’ll need for your park afternoon. Note: there is no alcohol served here.
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
A fantastic place to grab lunch in Tomorrowland, Cosmic Ray’s has ample room for large groups and large crowds. Order at the window, wait for your food and then find yourself a table in this massive restaurant. Serving burger and fries, chicken nuggets, greek salad, chicken club, you’ll find your standard fast food meal here. Which could be just what your looking for. It’s great for a quick meal when you don’t want to spend too much down time at the Magic Kingdom. Conveniently located across from Tomorrowland Speedway, Cosmic Ray’s opens at 10am. Note: this is a restaurant that does not carry alcohol.
The Lunching Pad
Grab a quick bite underneath the Astro Orbiter in Tomorrowland. Serving a variety of snacks, the Lunching Pad also serves a pulled pork sandwich and an all beef hot dog. The Lunching Pad opens at 10am.
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
The place to eat for lunch at the Magic Kingdom if you love Tacos, Nachos and Burritos. Order what you want off the menu and then dress it up to your liking and their self serve toppings bar. With plenty of seating inside and out, it’s a great place to stop to eat. With their Tacos 3 Ways and Fajita Platter you don’t even need to make a decision about what kind of meat you’d prefer. It’s fantastic! They open at 10:45am.
Pinocchio Village Haus
An extremely popular spot to grab lunch because it’s found in the mayhem of Fantasyland. Pinocchio Village Haus serves a wide variety of pizzas or flatbreads, as well as a couple of pasta options and chicken nuggets. Making it a great place for families who’s go to’s are pizza. Note: This restaurant does not have alcohol. Pinocchio Village Haus opens at 11am.
Tortuga Tavern
This is where you can find your Turkey Leg my friends. It’s small sitting area is what places this counter service restaurant in this category. It only serves a handful of options but great options they are. Chipotle Barbecue Short Rib with Coleslaw, Short-Rib Topped Hot Dog with of course coleslaw, and they have seasonal offerings as well. They open at 11am and you can find them across from Pirates of the Caribbean in Adventureland.
Counter Service
Cool Ship
A very small spot that serves lots of drinks and hot dogs. Cool Ship is found in the shadow of Astro Orbiter. Opens at 12pm, the perfect spot to grab a hot dog while your going from attraction to attraction on your Magic Kingdom day.
The Friar’s Nook
Found in Fantasyland between Princess Fairytale Hall and Winnie-The-Pooh attraction and store, Friar’s Nook has a very unique menu. Serving hot dogs, tots, fiesta tots and loaded buffalo tots, here is where you’ll have a perfect lunch to grab while you’re walking the park, or waiting in line. Open at 11am.
Gaston’s Tavern
Dine in the tavern from Beauty and the Beast, choose from a couple of sandwich or just go for the mountainous cinnamon. Whatever suits your fancy. You can grab your food to go or eat at one of the few tables found inside. Gaston’s Tavern opens at park open.
Golden Oak Outpost
On the outskirts of Frontierland before you enter into Adventureland you’ll find this little kiosk that sells chicken nuggets with waffle fries and chilli fries. They also have some great snacks that may suffice as a lunch for you, cauliflower with creamy ranch sauce, jalapeño hoppers and waffle fries. They don’t open until 12pm and are only open until 5.
Liberty Square Market
This outdoor market is one of the best places to find fruit and healthy snacks on property but they also conveniently sell hot dogs after 10am. Located beside the Hall of Presidents, Liberty Square Market is your go to place for a quick lunch that doesn’t require any thought.
Main Street Bakery
Your Starbucks location at the Magic Kingdom, Main Street Bakery has all your favourite Starbucks sandwiches plus bagels and muffins. The question is whether the long line up is worth it when you can grab a tastier dish elsewhere in the park. Main Street Bakery is found on Main Street U.S.A. and opens at park open.
Sleepy Hollow
Most people come here for the incredible dessert waffles but don’t overlook the Sweet and Spicy Chicken Waffle Sandwich served with Housemade chips. Sleepy Hollow is found as guests enter Liberty Square from the courtyard in front of Cinderella’s Castle. They open at 9am so you don’t even have to wait until lunch to enjoy this one of a kind waffle.
Westward Ho
This little kiosk mostly serves beverages but it also serve corn dogs. Giving a nice easy choice if you’re making your way to Splash Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Westward Ho is open at park open and is found in Frontierland.
