Quick service dining at Disney World is a fast and simple way to refuel while you’re on vacation, and with so many options to choose from, guests are often seeking advice on the best Disney World quick service dining options. So, we’ve set out to compile a list of the best quick service at Disney World, including Disney parks and Disney resorts. We’ve reviewed other best of lists, online reviews and some of our own personal experience and bias to come up with this list of 9 favorites.
What Is Quick Service Dining?
When it comes to dining at Walt Disney World, there are two options, table service or quick service. Table service is a sit down experience. Waiters and waitresses will take your order and serve your food and drinks. With this level of service your dining experience will naturally take a bit more time.
Disney also offers quick service options as well. Think of these as higher end fast food. At Disney World, quick service food is ordered at a counter or through mobile ordering, and then food is picked up at the same counter in a matter of minutes.
For a complete overview of quick service dining at Disney, and how to order: Click here.
For a list of the best Disney World quick service restaurants, keep reading.
Pros and Cons of Disney World Quick Service Dining
The best Disney World quick service restaurants have quite a few pros and cons, lets go over those before we get to our favorites.
Pros
The top benefits of quick service dining are cost and time. By eating at quick service restaurants, you can majorly reduce the budget for food costs during your trip.
Quick service dining costs an average of $15 per person (for adults), while table service dining options range wildly in price. You can expect to spend about about $27 per person (for adults), and buffets typically cost $40 and up per adults.
By dining at quick service restaurants, you can save an average of $12 per adult over table service, or over $25 per adult when compared to buffets.
Besides price, the best quick service at Disney World will also save you time. Table service dining can take an hour or more. There is often a small wait to be seated, then a wait for your waitstaff, drinks, and then food. Character dining can take even longer.
Quick service dining can be done as quickly as you can eat, or as quickly as you care to eat. Food is often ready in 5 minutes, maybe 10 if you need allergy options. This means, you can get back to the parks, rides, or even your resort faster.
Cons
When it comes to the best Disney World quick service options, there are some cons, such as food quality and crowds.
Quick service options, being more comparable to fast food, in no way compare to the phenomenal table service options Disney has to offer. Quick service dining is often higher quality than the fast food giants in our country, but it is still lacking compared to the quality and variety offered at most Disney World sit down dining restaurants.
Additionally, the menu options can be a bit bland at quick service, with the exception of the World showcase inside EPCOT. Disney has been trying to branch out from burgers and fries though, meaning more and more diverse food options are available for quick service every year.
The worst thing we have encountered in quick service dining are the crowds. With no reservations, and food delivered on a first-ordered, first-served basis, lines can be long during peak dining times. This can be partially combated by mobile ordering, but food waits will be longer either way when things are busy.
Also, during popular dining times, such as lunch and dinner, it can be difficult to find open tables for your party, particularly if you have a large group. We find it best to dine a little before or after regular times, for faster service and better chance of finding a seat.
Best Quick Service at Disney World Parks
Now that we know all about quick service dining, it is finally time to list the best Disney World quick service restaurants. We’ll start with the best options inside each park, then move to the resorts.
1. Satu’li Canteen
Satu’li Canteen makes the list as one of the best Disney World quick service restaurants inside Animal Kingdom. Satu’li Canteen serves hearty dishes made up of your choice of base (rice, noodles, sweet potatoes,) paired with freshly roasted meats, and your choice of sauce. They also have plentiful allergy options.
Satu’li Canteen is often praised by guests for having amazing food, good sized portions and a fun ambiance. One food item that repeatedly makes the list of favorites is the cheeseburger pod. We haven’t tried them ourselves, but a number of guest reviewers rave about this particular food item. Other guests herald them as also very appealing to kids.
After checking two review sites with hundreds of Satu’li Canteen reviews, it’s easy to understand why this restaurant makes the best Disney World quick service list. The average rate was a 9 out of 10, with 94% or reviewers saying they would recommend this restaurant.
Why we rank this as a best Disney World quick service restaurant: large portions, packed flavors, and great atmosphere.
2. Columbia Harbour House, Magic Kingdom’s Best Disney World Quick Service
Columbia Harbour House is located inside Liberty Square inside the Magic Kingdom. Here, you can get unique seafood quick service options such as lobster rolls, shrimp skewers, salmon, and more. For non seafood lovers, the menu also features a fresh salad with chicken, and chicken strips.
Google reviews rank this eatery at 4.2 stars out of 5, and TripAdvisor reviews rank it a 4 out of 5.
One Disney guest, Gene, had this to say on Google reviews: “This is a great place to grab a quick meal, especially if you’re looking for something other than the typical theme park fare. The theme and food are New England style – fish n chips, fried seafood platter, lobster roll, etc …”
Why we rank this as a best Disney World quick service restaurant: great variety, fresh food, healthy options.
3. World Showcase and Regal Eagle
First, let’s mention that some of the best quick service at Disney World is inside the World Showcase inside EPCOT. Every country has at least one counter service restaurant, or kiosk full of food from the designated country.
While each country has delicious options, a beloved and new quick service restaurant in the World Showcase is the Regal Eagle inside the America Pavilion.
The Regal Eagle serves freshly smoked BBQ with 4 different specialty sauces. Options include smoked chicken, ribs, a brisket sandwich, and a variety of sides and craft beers.
Reviews rank this smokehouse as 4.3 out of 5, and many reviewers remark about excellent kids meals, great BBQ, and a fun picnic atmosphere. One review even said: “the onion rings are some of the best I’ve ever had.”
Why we rank this as a best Disney World quick service restaurant: hearty meals, scrumptious food, and large portions for the price.
As a Connecticut-based travel agent with Mickey World Travel, Kathleen Hesketh can help you plan and book your Disney World vacation no matter where you live within the U.S.
Plan your vacation your way and receive as much or as little help as you want.
- Booking dining reservations, saving you the 6:00 am wake up call
- Custom itinerary suggestions
- Convenient payment plans
- Help with Genie+
- and more
Fill out the form to the right (below on mobile) for a no-obligation quote.
4. Docking Bay 7
Docking Bay 7 inside of Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios is easily the best Disney World quick service restaurant in the park. The restaurant is highly themed, and the food options are distinct and delicious.
Docking Bay 7 serves food with a slight asian flair. Tuna poke, beef stir fry, Kaadu smoked ribs, and two signature cocktails are just a small part of the menu here.
After reading many reviews from diners, who ranked this restaurant an average of 4.1 out of 5, we found that guests are just as excited about the restaurant as they are the food. Several guests mentioned an appreciation for the tiny details in the décor, the feel of a fancy restaurant without the price tag or wait, and the high-end taste of the food.
Why we rank this as a best Disney World quick service restaurant: the best atmosphere with amazing detail, diverse food with asian flair, and light portions that do not make you feel heavy.
Best Quick Service at Disney World Resorts
While there are over 25 Disney resorts in Florida, all of them with quick service options, we have decided just to outline a few of our favorites and honorable mentions.
5. Cap’t Cooks
Cap’t Cooks is one of the best Disney World quick service restaurants and is located inside the Polynesian. For lunch and dinner, they serve sandwiches and nachos with Polynesian flair. For breakfast, consider trying their famous Tonga Toast, which is banana stuffed French toast.
After 285 google reviews, Cap’t Cooks ranks 4.3 out of 5 stars. Reviewers particularly love the pork nachos, Tonga Toast, and the friendly staff.
Why we rank this as a best Disney World quick service restaurant: Fan favorites like Tonga Toast, lots of seating, affordable food, and very quick service.
6. Artist’s Palette
The Artist’s Palette inside Disney’s Saratoga Springs has a wide array of food options with a whimsical dining room.
Guests can dine on various pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and other entrees like braised chicken, meatballs, and chicken strips. The Artist’s Palette also serves about any drink you can imagine, from cans and bottles, fountain drinks, and even alcoholic libations.
With a staggering 870 Google reviews which rank this restaurant at 4.4 stars, and 377 TripAdvisor reviewers ranking it at 4 stars, the Artist’s Palette is clearly one of the best Disney quick service restaurants at a Disney resort.
Suze44857 on TripAdvisor had this to say: “I really like Gasparillas at the Grand Floridian. This trip I ate at Artist Palette twice and both times the food was very good and would compare to Gasparillas. Trip one I had a sandwich that was filling and well made with fantastic homemade chips. Trip two I got a salad from the cooler area. It was fresh and crisp and enough for two meals. For Disney, the prices were fine. Employees were great, service was quick, and eating areas were very clean.”
Why we rank this as a best Disney World quick service restaurant: Quiet Atmosphere, large portions, and diverse options.
7. Riverside Mill Food Court
Another best quick service option at Disney World is the Riverside Mill Food Court inside Port Orleans Riverside. This eatery serves up a diverse and large breakfast menu and features different stations for lunch and dinner.
These stations include: pasta, pizza, burgers, sandwiches, salads, and traditional New Orleans foods like shrimp and grits, gumbo and buttermilk chicken.
The Riverside Mill Food Court has received a 4.1 star average rating from 310 reviews on Google, with guests leaving reviews such as “best food court ever!” and “Food was phenomenal! Very traditional Orleans flavors.”
Why we rank this as a best Disney World quick service restaurant: 7 food stations, New Orleans flavors, and fun waterwheel backdrop and views.
8. Boardwalk Deli
The Boardwalk Deli recently made its debut on the boardwalk surrounding Crescent Lake, and guest’s reviews are great. Here, you can enjoy oversized sandwiches on warm homemade bread. For breakfast, expect yummy breakfast sandwiches and bagels.
Additionally, be sure to check out the wide array of baked goods at the Boardwalk Deli, one of the best Disney World quick service restaurants.
The Boardwalk Deli scores 4.3 stars out of 5 on Google, and 4 stars out of 5 on TripAdvisor.
Many guests love the baked goods and the lakeside view while eating. In fact, many guests leaving reviews mentioned visiting more than once during their trip.
Why we rank this as a best Disney World quick service restaurant: yummy desserts, large sandwiches, great views.
9. El Mercado de Coronado
The El Mercado de Coronado inside Coronado Springs is another great quick service option for guests staying there. It offers many food stations for guests to choose from.
What makes El Mercado stand out, is its rotating menu. The menu rotates depending on what the chef chooses to place in their “Chef’s Spotlight.”
All dishes tend to have a Mexican flair, and you will never find yourself bored dining here.
The reviews for El Mercado mention the large seating area, ease of checkout, and vast food options.
Disney guest James had this to say on google: “Great place to grab a quick bite before heading to a Disney park. We ate breakfast here twice and dinner twice. Really if you need a quick bite it is setup cafeteria style. Go in and grab your food and drinks and walk up and pay. No need to wait for a hostess and order and wait for the food. Also, at the end of the day, you just want some food before you go back to you room to crash and rest. The food tasted good to us but the best was the Mickey waffles. Our son really liked those….and me too.”
Why we rank this as a best Disney World quick service restaurant: fresh, rotating, large menu, quick service, friendly staff.
The Best Quick Service at Disney
After our research, and personal experience, we think that Satu’li Canteen is the overall best quick service at Disney World.
We know these rankings can be a bit subjective, so we suggest you save some time and money, and try Disney quick service restaurants for yourself!
