The Best Places to Eat at Magic Kingdom Right Now
Let’s be blunt. Some of our favorite Walt Disney World restaurants have yet to reopen.
At Magic Kingdom, perennial favorites like Casey’s Corner and Columbia Harbour House aren’t in operation.
This quirk leaves Magic Kingdom guests a bit confused on how to proceed. Many Disney vacationers are creatures of habit.
So, when something disrupts our plans, we don’t know what to do.
I’m choosing to see the positives here, as now is the best time ever to try some new places. Let’s decide where you should eat at Magic Kingdom right now.
Adventureland
Adventureland’s another place where you’re more likely to snack than eat a full meal. At Aloha Isle, you can and will eat some kind of Dole Whip.
For a full meal, your only option is the Table Service restaurant Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen. Jungle Cruise fans like me adore this place for its “skipper spiel.”
Unfortunately, the menu remains a work in progress. Management has retooled it several times over the past five years.
Skipper Canteen is the most EPCOT-like of all Magic Kingdom restaurants.The exotic cuisine isn’t for everyone, though.
In recent years, I’ve primarily recommended Skipper Canteen to foodies and people who love Jungle Cruise’s script.
Fantasyland
Magic Kingdom may host six different themed lands, but the odds are best that you’ll dine at Fantasyland.
The restaurant options here represent the best of the park.
Those of you who want an unforgettable dining experience have two options at Magic Kingdom, both of which are technically in Fantasyland.
As the name suggests, Cinderella’s Royal Table is located inside Cinderella Castle, while Be Our Guest is at the back of the park.
As royalty, Beast gets his own castle. Disney operates it as a prix fixe meal at dinner, which speaks to the quality (and price) of the cuisine.
Make no mistake that these are the two most expensive meals at Magic Kingdom. You get what you pay for, though.
Still, I should mention that the princesses don’t appear at Cinderella’s Royal Table at this time, which reduces the value of the experience for some.
The other meal option is significantly cheaper and a favorite of mine. This meal will likely involve pizza or chicken nuggets for most, which means it’s not haute cuisine.
Still, Pinocchio Village Haus is a satisfying offering that’s even better if you can get a seat by It’s a Small World.
Frontierland
Frontierland features only one full-fledged restaurant. Golden Oak Outpost is temporarily unavailable, while Westward Ho sells but one entree, Corn Dog Nuggets.
However, Disney fans know that Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe delivers a high quality, southwestern meal.
Mainstays here include Pork Carnitas Nachos, the Fajita Platter, and the Veggie Rice Bowl.
Due to its location, Pecos Bill rarely comes with the crowds you’ll face at other Magic Kingdom restaurants.
Liberty Square
First of all, please be aware that Liberty Square Market is undergoing refurbishment into February. As such, you can’t get a Turkey Leg here.
Therefore, if you’re going to eat at Liberty Square, your only choice is Liberty Tree Tavern. Let me be clear that this is the MickeyTravels team’s family meal of choice.
I’ve heard marvelous things about the Impossible Meatloaf but haven’t had a chance to try it yet.
I’m not a fan of meat in loaf form… or plant form. My vegan wife has this at the top of her to-do list, though.
For everyone else, a meal here means Thanksgiving Dinner, as that’s the restaurant’s conceit. They serve the equivalent of a holiday dinner all day.
The Patriot’s Platter includes Roasted Turkey Breast, Pot Roast, and Oven-Roasted Pork, so this is the place to go when you want a huge meal at Magic Kingdom.
I realize that some park fans prefer to eat light, so please keep that in mind.
Main Street, U.S.A.
When you enter Magic Kingdom, your nose knows that you’re about to eat well.
The wafting aroma of Main Street Bakery will overwhelm your senses, evoking a pavlovian response as your mouth waters.
However, the dining options on Main Street aren’t that good currently. Casey’s Corner remains temporarily unavailable. The ice cream parlor at The Plaza hasn’t reopened, either.
So, your dining choice here comes down to whether you want to eat at The Plaza, The Crystal Palace, or Tony’s Town Square Restaurant. Foodies don’t view any of them as top-notch fare.
Without parades, Tony’s Town Square isn’t offering a Festival of Fantasy package.
Thus, we’re talking adequate but unenthusiastic Italian or a generic table service restaurant with a terrific view of Cinderella Castle.
The Crystal Palace doesn’t offer its beloved character meal right now. Instead, it’s a family-style meal with a distinctive southern vibe.
Biscuits, fried chicken, and dessert platters comprise the meal, although vegans can try the fried cauliflower.
The early buzz regarding the modified menu isn’t positive enough to justify the price.
Your best bet on Main Street is to grab a sweet treat at Main Street Bakery and make other plans for lunch/dinner.
Tomorrowland
When you dine at Tomorrowland, you’ll grab and go with something. The two choices here represent opposite ends of the flavor spectrum.
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe stands out as a timeless classic.
You likely have fond memories of this place from your childhood, as you loved watching Sonny Eclipse play all his intergalactic classics.
Then, you became an adult and realized the food here isn’t very good. Growing up sucks, doesn’t it?
Those of you with children should still consider a meal at Cosmic Ray’s, as you’ll pass along your joyous experience to the next generation.
Those of you who want a good meal should consider Tomorrowland Terrace instead.
Some of you may look at this statement in confusion, as you don’t remember Tomorrowland Terrace offering any novel cuisines.
Well, there’s a secret during the pandemic. Disney uses the space at Columbia Harbour House for behind-the-scenes activities.
However, the company has a lot of seafood they want to sell you.
So, several menu favorites from the Liberty Square restaurant are currently on sale at Tomorrowland Terrace.
For example, everyone’s favorite, the Lobster Roll, is available at Tomorrowland for some reason. What, you think there aren’t oceans in the future?
Similarly, you can grab a Fried Fish Platter or the Harbour Salad if you prefer a plant-based meal.
I know it sounds strange, but the best fish meal at Magic Kingdom is served at Tomorrowland Terrace, the burger joint of our childhood.
Final Thoughts
Look, you’ll never go hungry at Magic Kingdom. Disney has positioned restaurants everywhere, so even during the pandemic, you can always find something worth your time.
However, if you’re looking for a grab and go meal, I think that two tower above the rest. I’m referencing Pecos Bill and Tomorrowland Terrace.
The latter restaurant features an excellent location in sight of Cinderella Castle, but the menu comes from Columbia Harbour House. It’s a dream pairing.
For Table Service restaurants, the ambitious should try Skipper Canteen, as long as you don’t mind potentially corny dialogue.
If you are celebrating a special occasion, I’d suggest Be Our Guest followed by Cinderella’s Royal Table, in that order.