Where Is the Best Food at Magic Kingdom?
When you visit Magic Kingdom, you’ll burn plenty of calories. At some point, you’ll need food or a snack or whatever.
That’s when analysis paralysis might set in as you feel overwhelmed with choice. And I’m here to help with that!
Here is where you’ll find the best foods at Magic Kingdom!
Best Bread – Tony’s Town Square
Let me level with you at the start. Tony’s Town Square will be the call for two categories here, which is telling about Magic Kingdom.
The cuisine here isn’t as good as what you’ll find at EPCOT or Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Even the Magic Kingdom area resorts serve better food.
Many frequent park visitors believe that Tony’s Town Square serves overpriced, mediocre cuisine…and they probably have a point.
However, I will die on the hill that this restaurant serves delicious bread. It’s free with the meal and comes with a seasoned olive oil that’s exquisite.
So, here’s a pro tip. Order the cheapest entrée on the menu and plan to fill up on bread!
Best Breakfast – Be Our Guest
Again, some nearby resorts serve terrific breakfasts, and you can reach them via monorail.
Sometimes, you want to start in the park, though. In those instances, two places rise above the rest.
You’ll find Crystal Palace near the front of the park and Be Our Guest at the back of New Fantasyland.
When you’re in a hurry and don’t want to walk, Crystal Palace is perfectly adequate.
However, when you have the time, Be Our Guest serves an affordable but high-quality breakfast.
Photo: Disney
Plus, you’re dining at one of the best themed restaurants on Disney property!
Best Buffet – Crystal Palace
Speaking of Crystal Palace, it recently switched back from family-style to buffet, its pre-pandemic offering.
Presuming that you’re comfortable eating at a buffet – I don’t want to trigger anyone – the breakfast offerings here are plentiful and tasty enough.
I favor the starters and desserts over the entrees, but that’s a nitpick. You’ll eat enough to fuel you for several hours!
Best Burger – Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café
Homer Simpson would describe this victory with his favorite two words, “Dee Fault!”
Yeah, I’m picking Cosmic Ray’s because the burgers at Magic Kingdom all fall under the heading of generic.
You might as well grab a quick, inexpensive one instead of paying more at The Plaza Restaurant.
Plus, you get to watch Sonny Eclipse in concert this way!
Seriously, though. I’ve eaten more burgers at Magic Kingdom than anyone ever should. The next memorable one will be the first.
You should probably pick a different entrée at this park.
Best Character Meal – Cinderella’s Royal Table
You meet five Disney Princesses here, including your royal hostess, Cinderella!
While I love the residents of Hundred Acre Wood who hang out at Crystal Palace, they just can’t compete.
Credit: Disney
Similarly, Beast on his own at Be Our Guest cannot match the deep roster of Princesses at Cinderella’s Royal Table!
Best Dessert – Be Our Guest or Gaston’s Tavern
Before you express your outrage, I’ve separated ice cream into a different category.
So, you’re searching for the best overall dessert at the park that’s not ice cream.
Well, there’s no debate here. The Grey Stuff at Gaston’s Tavern and Be Our Guest aren’t quite the same, but they’re close enough that either one will thrill you.
Best Dinner – Be Our Guest
That’s two in a row for Be Our Guest!
For dinner, you must order a Prix Fixe meal that costs $62 per person.
For that money, you receive a three-course dining experience that ends with the current version of The Grey Stuff.
That’s a white chocolate truffle served in an edible Chip cup. It’s decadent!
We’ve had dinner everywhere in the park, and I can honestly say that nothing compares to Be Our Guest.
Best Hot Dog – Casey’s Corner
Duh!
Seriously, Casey’s Corner has remained a Main Street, U.S.A. institution for decades now.
When this place stayed closed during the pandemic, a walk toward Cinderella Castle felt strange.
That’s how much I associate Casey’s Corner with the main strip of Magic Kingdom.
Thankfully, the massive hot dogs here have returned, as have the Corn Dog Nuggets!
Best Ice Cream – Aloha Isle
Look, you’re gonna grab a Dole Whip while you’re at Magic Kingdom. It’s almost automatic.
The only place you can buy one in the park is Aloha Isle. So, this one’s a no-brainer as well.
Still, I want to give partial credit to The Plaza for its ice cream menu. You should try this when you want something more filling!
Best Lunch – Columbia Harbor House
Everyone probably has a different answer here. The reality is that park guests don’t always eat breakfast or dinner at Magic Kingdom.
However, most of us pick somewhere in the park as our lunch spot.
So, we all have favorites, and none of them is wrong. But, if you prefer Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café, Tortuga Tavern, or The Friar’s Nook, I get it.
Similarly, my family often picks Pinocchio Village Haus due to its convenient location in the middle of the park.
Still, the BEST lunch at Magic Kingdom, at least by majority opinion, is Columbia Harbor House.
I’ll give it a second category win as well. Its seafood towers above anything else you’ll find at the park, especially in terms of bang for the buck.
The lobster rolls here are so good that you might fall in love with lobster rolls and find yourself craving them long after your vacation ends.
Best Overall Menu – Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen
This choice may surprise you, but I weighed all the options.
Sure, Be Our Guest and Cinderella’s Table receive the lion’s share of the attention. Even Crystal Palace holds a place in the spotlight for its offerings.
Even so, the place with the best flavors is Skipper Canteen. In fact, its eclectic menu targets foodies so much that it causes Disney problems.
Regular park guests aren’t always in the mood for something daring. So, they skip a meal here in favor of something more recognizable.
They’re missing out because 1) you can get a delicious chicken dish here, and 2) adventurous diners will discover an explosion of flavors.
Skipper Canteen earns the title of the hidden gem of all Magic Kingdom restaurants.
Best Pasta – Tony’s Town Square
Like Best Burger, this vote is by default.
Sure, as we’re about to mention, other places serve flatbreads, but nothing matches Tony’s Town Square for best Italian food.
That’s kind of like saying Mario is the best Italian plumber because I’m unclear on whether Luigi actually works that job or is just a good brother.
When there’s only one, it wins, but…
Seriously, order something cheap like Spaghetti and fill up on bread! Then, you can still do the Lady and the Tramp bit with your family.
Best Pizza – Pinocchio Village House
Something I’ve noticed over the years is that the people who visit Magic Kingdom the most gravitate here regularly.
Park experts know that you get a whole pizza for $11.99 here, and it’s large enough to fill you up for the day.
This place offers outstanding value for its pizzas. Obviously, you can do better at the Italy pavilion at EPCOT or somewhere at Disney Springs.
Credit: Disney
In a pinch, Pinocchio Village House is the go-to place for a slice, though.
Best Vegan – Liberty Tree Tavern
I’m assured that the vegan meatloaf here is both mind-blowing and life-affirming.
In fact, you can watch this video to appreciate its splendor:
The impressive part about a Magic Kingdom visit today versus a few years ago is that most places serve at least one vegan dish.
So, if you’re not in the mood for meatloaf, you have plenty of other options. Still, Liberty Tree Tavern should be your go-to vegan meal.
