When visiting Disney World, you have to eat, but knowing where to find the best Magic Kingdom restaurants for a burger, burrito or even table service can be the equivalent of taking a shot in the dark. So, we’ve assembled a list of our Magic Kingdom restaurant favorites.
Best Restaurant for Breakfast in Magic Kingdom: Crystal Palace
Our breakfast pick for best Magic Kingdom restaurants is Crystal Palace. Crystal Palace is located to the left at the end of Main Street USA tucked into a small garden with views of Cinderella’s Castle.
This favorite Magic Kingdom restaurant is themed to a Victorian era garden party right inside a crystal greenhouse. Bright flowers and planters with foliage adorn the pillars outside and provide a nice relaxing place to wait for your table.
The breakfast menu is buffet style with all the classic fixings you would expect. Aside from the regular breakfast foods of pancakes, waffles, eggs and sausage, you can also expect to find pastries, grits, breakfast potatoes, granola, yogurt, and more.
The buffet also features a kid’s section. Here, you will find pancakes, waffles, eggs, and a large variety of cereals.
One of the most fun things about dining at Crystal Palace is the character experiences. There are not many places inside of Walt Disney World where you can do a meet and greet with the Winnie the Pooh gang.
Crystal Palace allows guests to meet and take photos with Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, and Rabbit. Once an hour or so, the characters lead a little dance around the restaurant for kids to join.
Crystal Palace also serves lunch and dinner.
Best Quick Service Restaurants at Magic Kingdom: Pecos Bill and Casey’s Corner
Quick service restaurants are vital to when it comes to dining at Disney. Quick service, or counter service dining options take a much smaller chunk out of your time and budget money.
Unfortunately, many Disney quick service restaurants are known for bland burgers and basic salads. Recently, a few restaurants have branched out to offer a larger variety of food options.
The best Magic Kingdom restaurants for counter service variety is Pecos Bill. Pecos Bill in Frontierland serves traditional burgers but adds a twist. You’ll find classic Mexican inspired food options such as tacos, fajitas, rice bowls, and nachos at this old west eatery. We know it doesn’t really line up to the decor, but it’s hard to argue with a varied menu like this.
Pecos Bill’s in on our list of best Magic Kingdom restaurants due to its affordable price, variety of food, and quick service.
Best Bang for Your Buck: Casey’s Corner
Casey’s corner is another solid counter service dining option in magic Kingdom. Here, you can get hot dogs, chili dogs, plant based hot dogs, and even corn dog nuggets. However, there is one more advantage we need to mention: cost.
Entrees at this restaurant start under $13. While this is a large price jump from, say, McDonalds, it is very affordable for a restaurant inside Disney World.
Casey’s Corner has a cult following of hot dog and chili dog fans.
Most Expensive Restaurant at the Magic Kingdom: Be Our Guest
Be Our Guest may be the best restaurant in Magic Kingdom, but with that reputation comes a hefty price tag. Be Our Guest rings in at $70 per adult for lunch and dinner.
This price does include an appetizer, entrée, dessert, and basic drink. Signature drinks and alcoholic drinks are an additional cost.
Kids meals, for children aged 3-9 are $41 per child.
Be Our Guest has delicious and delectable food. We have been there for breakfast (no longer offered) and lunch, and were blown away with the flavors each time.
At lunch and dinner, entrée options include: pork tenderloin, filet mignon, chicken, sea scallops, and a vegetarian dish. Included in the price is choice of appetizer, entree, drink and dessert.
Magic Kingdom’s Most Hated Restaurant: Tony’s Town Square Restaurant
Tony’s Town Square restaurant did not make the cut of the best Magic Kingdom restaurants. Instead, it made the top of the worst list.
Tony’s Town Square is quoted as being “where Lady and the Tramp had their first kiss.” This Italian restaurant is themed to a turn of the century eatery nestled into Main Street USA.
The menu features pasta and pizza options as well as other basic Italian selections.
I am a big pasta lover, so I want to love this restaurant, and yet I join a large bevvy of Disney fans who just can’t. In fact, the reviews of this dining establishment are pretty abysmal compared to other Disney dining options.
Recent reviews and opinions of the restaurant claim the food is “just fine,” “basic,” or go as extreme as one guest who said “it felt like we ate a glob of salt.”
Disney Tourist Blog has this to say about Tony’s Town Square Restaurant, “The food at Tony’s is not even remotely ambitious, but it’s comfortable and the style is approachable. Even if the execution leaves a lot to be desired, Tony’s popularity is understandable. With that said, this is a definite one and done for us.”
It seems the consensus of those who have dined here is that the food is mediocre and expensive, but better than it has been in the past.
Best Places for Snacking: Churros and Dole Whip
While not technically on the list of best Magic Kingdom restaurants, snacks are a huge part of the Magic Kingdom experience. Disney cult favorites are the churros, and the Dole Whip.
Dole Whip can be found in two places inside Magic Kingdom. Sunshine Tree Terrace and Aloha Isle in Adventureland both serve up different Dole Whip Flavors.
The former offers strawberry and orange Dole Whip, although the flavors do occasionally change here.
Aloha Isle has the classic pineapple Dole Whip float and pineapple soft serve. A raspberry Dole Whip float can also be purchased here.
The other must have snack inside Magic Kingdom is the churro. Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies in Tomorrowland and Pecos Bill’s serve churros up to addoring fans. A churro cart in front of Dumbo at Story Book Circus serves regular churros as well as specialty churros based on the season.
Best Special Occasion Restaurant at Magic Kingdom
Sometimes you just want to splurge while you’re on vacation. If delectable eats in romantic castles are your idea of an exciting night on the town, then the Magic Kingdom delivers, with not one, but two dining experiences and the chance to dine with royalty. Be our Guest and Cinderella’s Royal Table.
Both these dining establishments make it onto the list of best Magic Kingdom restaurants. Both restaurants allow the unique experience of castle dining with royalty.
At Cinderella’s Royal Table, expect the royal treatment as you dine in the second story of Cinderella’s home with her and her friends. As you enjoy your American fine dining, various Princesses will visit you and your family to chat and take photos.
At Be Our Guest, choose between dining in the Grand Ballroom, The West Wing, or Castle Gallery. While enjoying your top-rated meal, you can expect the Beast himself to make an appearance, or two.
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Where Can I get a Beer or a Glass of Wine at Magic Kingdom?
It was not too long ago that there was no alcohol allowed inside the Disney Parks. Nowadays, things are a bit different. In fact, many of the sit down restaurants in Magic Kingdom, and the other parks serve wine or beer paired with lunch and dinner.
Many of the restaurants that serve alcohol we have already discussed on our best Magic Kingdom restaurants list. But for a complete list, here are all the current restaurants in Magic Kingdom with a wine or beer selection:
- Be Our Guest
- Cinderella’s Royal Table
- The Crystal Palace
- Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen
- Liberty Tree Tavern
- Tony’s Town Square Restaurant
- The Plaza Restaurant
- The Diamond Horseshoe
There is no alcohol available at counter service or kiosks in the Magic Kingdom, although there are in the other parks.
Where Can I Get Water at Magic Kingdom?
Water inside the Disney parks can be a bit of a commodity. Water bottles can be bought almost anywhere. Pretty much any kiosk you see throughout the park will have water for sale. At over $4.00 a bottle, the price is a bit excessive.
For a loophole, simply ask for a glass of water at any counter service location. They will give you a small cup of ice water free of charge. And since it usually comes from the soda fountain, it might have the added benefit of being filtered for better taste.
Another option is to refill a reusable water bottle at one of the water fountains. Most restrooms have a water fountain located outside of them. The water fountains do have tap water though, and Disney is not known for its good tasting tap water.
The last option is to purchase water bottles at a grocery store or retail outlet upon your arrival in Orlando. If you aren’t driving, you can easily take an Uber or Lyft to the store. Purchasing water bottles this way is more cost efficient and tasty.
Does Disney World Have any Must-Eat favorites
Disney World and Magic Kingdom specifically have many many must eats during your vacation. As mentioned above, churros and Dole Whips are on that list for many guests.
In addition, we always make room for the caramel apples at Big Top Treats inside the Circus Tent in Storybook Circus land. These caramel apples are decorated to the nines, and all of them feature Mickey, or Minnie ears made from marshmallow.
Gaston’s Tavern is another personal favorite of ours. LeFou’s Brew is a non-alcoholic specialty drink of apple slush with a hint of marshmallow and passion fruit/ mango foam. Gaston’s also has delectable cinnamon rolls that are large enough to share.
Best Magic Kingdom Restaurants Summary
Overall, Magic Kingdom has a plethora of phenomenal restaurants, so its hard to go wrong. Whether you want fine dining, a quick bite to eat or a beloved snack, Magic Kingdom will provide them all.