A detailed guide to the best quick service restaurants at Magic Kingdom from someone who has eaten at them all way too many times!
A common question for first time and returning visitors to Disney World is: Where should I eat at Magic Kingdom??
I personally love to eat at quick service restaurants at Magic Kingdom to save money. The average quick service entree costs around $15, while a table service entree will set you back at least $35 on average.
I also love the flexibility of not being tied to a dining reservation, which is very important when visiting with little ones.
That said, there are definitely some highlights (and lowlights) at the quick service restaurants at Magic Kingdom.
This post will help you know what to expect at each Magic Kingdom quick service dining location so you can choose the best options for your travel party.
Magic Kingdom Quick Service Overview
First, here is a master list of the dining locations classified as “quick service” in Magic Kingdom. I’ve also noted the land (part of the park) in which each is located.
Gaston’s Tavern (Fantasyland)
Pinocchio Village Haus (Fantasyland)
Friar’s Nook (Fantasyland)
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe (Frontierland)
Columbia Harbour House (Liberty Square)
Liberty Square Market (Liberty Square)
Sleepy Hollow (Liberty Square)
Casey’s Corner (Main Street USA)
Main Street Bakery (Main Street USA)
Plaza Ice Cream Parlor (Main Street USA)
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe (Tomorrowland)
Lunching Pad (Tomorrowland)
Here are my picks for the best quick service restauants at Magic Kingdom.
Best Bets at Magc Kingdom
With fourteen different quick service restaurants to pick from in Magic Kingdom, it can be hard to know where to start.
First I am sharing my two favorite places to eat in Magic Kingdom that are considered quick service. I tend to dine at these locations a LOT on my many trips to Disney World because they offer a consistently good experience!
I’ve picked these spots based on their
- Food quality
- Menu variety (everyone can find something they like)
- Value
- Atmosphere
Here are my top picks for the best Magic Kingdom Quick Service Dining:
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe is located in Frontierland close to Splash Mountain. The menu is Southwest (think nachos, tamales, and rice bowls) with a burger thrown in for good measure.
There is plenty of indoor seating in the glorious air conditioning and some outdoor seating as well.
Nachos topped with ground beef, pork carnitas, or chicken is one of my favorite meals. The quality is generous and the value is solid.
A kid’s meal portion of beef nachos is a deal and might be enough for light eaters (anyone can order a kid’s meal without being questioned at Disney World).
The Veggie Rice bowl is another favorite. You can get a chicken or pork version of the rice bowl for a few dollars more.
Pecos Bill’s is one of my go-to spots for a delicious and affordable quick service meal. Click here for my review of Pecos Bill’s with the full menu and tips for using Mobile Order.
Columbia Harbor House
The Columbia Harbour House is located in Liberty Square, close to the Haunted Mansion and the walkway to Fantasyland.
It has been one of my favorite quick service Magic Kingdom restaurants for years thanks to it’s quality and value.
It is open for lunch and dinner and has a seafood-based menu, though you can also get chicken and salads.
The theming isn’t anything compared to Be Our Guest and Pecos Bill’s, but I think this place makes up for it with delicious and healthy food.
And all of the seating is inside in the AC, a big plus for hot days at Magic Kingdom. There is plenty of additional seating upstairs where you can look down onto Liberty Square and enjoy some people watching.
This Salmon with Couscous and Broccoli was likely the best piece of fish I ate on my entire vacation. I’ve also really enjoyed the Harbor Salad and Lighthouse Sandwich.
I love the variety of healthy options on the menu, plus fried fish and chicken to please those looking for standard quick service fare.
You can get more details in my review of Columbia Harbor House here.
If you are overwhelmed by planning where to eat on your vcation, then you need my printable Disney World Dining Cheat Sheets.
They will make planning your dining SO MUCH easier and save you hours of Googling and scouring the Internet to know where to eat!
Magic Kingdom Quick Service Mobile Order
Mobile Order is available at many Magic Kingdom quick service restaurants and I highly recommend taking advantage of it.
You can save a bunch of time by ordering your food on your mobile device and picking it up from the designated window. I now use Mobile Order practically every time I eat quick service. Get all of the details on using Mobile Order at Disney World here.
Here are the dining locations in Magic Kingdom where you can currently use Mobile Order:
- Aloha Isle (snacks only)
- Casey’s Corner
- Columbia Harbor House
- Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
- Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe
- Pinocchio Village Haus
- The Lunching Pad
Other Recommended Quick Service Magic Kingdom Dining
If you’ve already eaten at my top picks or can’t make it there due to your touring schedule, here are some other solid choices for quick service food in Magic Kingdom.
Sleepy Hollow Refreshments
Sleepy Hollow is a small quick service window in Liberty Square (close to Cinderella’s Castle) that has outdoor searing only. Delicious waffle sandwiches are the draw here.
The Mickey Waffle topped with fruit and whipped cream is a fantastic treat or breakfast. The Sweet & Spicy Chicken Waffle Sandwich is also very popular.
Because this location has only one window the lines get long so I would avoid it during peak dining times.
Friar’s Nook
Friar’s Nook in Fantasyland right across from Seven Dwarves Mine Train is my go-to place to grab breakfast.
My daughter and I shared this huge breakfast sandwich with tater tots and had a cheap breakfast for under $5 each.
Friar’s Nook is usually much less crowded than Sleepy Hollow for breakfast as well.
Also I got one of my favorite treats ever at Friar’s Nook during a Halloween party one year. How great is this Maleficent themed cone?
Get details on the Magic Kingdom Halloween party here.
Gaston’s Tavern
Gaston’s Tavern is a small but fun quick service location in Fantasyland. It is a good place to grab a sandwich, fruit and cheese plate, or a shockingly large cinnamon roll.
The sandwiches are a solid choice for a cheap lunch and you can save a few bucks and get just the sandwich without chips if you ask.
The Creme Brulee Croissant has become one of my favorite treats in Disney World. I can’t believe it took this long for someone to think of making a croissant inspired by this French dessert! Brilliant and so good.
Here is my daughter at age 1 contemplating the cinnamon roll as large as her head. I think you could share this among 2-3 people for a snack and it is really delicious.
There are a few tables inside and some seating outside. If you carry your cinnamon roll someplace else in the park to eat it, you are almost guaranteed to get asked “Where did you get that?!?”
Casey’s Corner
Casey’s Corner is located on the corner of Main Street USA close to the “Hub” – the area in front of Cinderella’s Castle.
It is a fan favorite for hot dogs and while there is something nostalgic about eating a hot dog in Magic Kingdom, the quality can be hit or miss (pun intended).
On my recent visit the Macaroni & Cheese With Bacon Hot Dog with Fries left much to be desired. There wasn’t much macaroni but lots of cheese sauce that soaked the bun, making it soggy and impossible to eat.
I’d suggest sticking with a Classic Hot Dog Meal or even better, try the Corn Dog Nugget Meal. I’ve heard they are the best thing there and if they are anything like the amazing Disneyland corn dog (which I have had) then I’m sure it is true!
There is some seating inside and out at Casey’s Corner but it can be hard to come by during peak times.
Worst Quick Service Magic Kingdom Dining Locations
And last, here is my list of quick service dining locations to avoid at Magic Kingdom if at all possible. They are on this list because of a limited menu with nothing notable, poor food quality, or a lackluster setting.
I prefer any of the options above to these restaurants.
Pinocchio Village Haus
Pinocchio Village Haus has a prime location in Fantasyland and some fun theming inside, but the Italian inspired food is disappointing.
This Gourmet Cheese Flatbread was overpriced and lacking flavor. You can do so much better at any of the restaurants mentioned above.
Your choices are limited to flatbread, salad, or Chicken Parmesan on pasta or a sandwich.
The one thing I really like at Pinocchio Village Haus is the area where you can look into It’s A Small World and watch the boats go by.
Maybe I’ll bring my cinnamon roll from Gaston’s Tavern down here and take a seat to eat it (which you can totally do at Disney World).
Main Street Bakery
The Main Street Bakery is actually the Starbucks location in Magic Kingdom. This means you’ll find standard Starbucks fare with some Disney touches like Mickey cupcakes.
I’m including it on this list because you can technically get sandwiches there, such as a Roasted Ham & Swiss Croissant Sandwich. But of course it will be a bummer compared to the excellent food you can find elsewhere in Magic Kingdom.
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
Cosmic Ray’s is a HUGE quick service restaurant located in Tomorrowland close to Fantasyland. Standard American fare is on the menu – think burgers, hot dogs, and chicken nuggets.
I think the burgers are average and a bit overpriced. This 1/3 lb Angus Bacon Cheeseburger with Fries is a standard Disney World burger. You can buy the same burger in each of the theme parks.
But the “Toppings Bar” can turn that average cheeseburger into a work of art. You can add on grilled mushrooms, fried onion straws, jalapenos, lettuce, tomato, and onions.
Similar to the other large quick service restaurants, you order at at kiosk then walk forward to pick up your food from the counter. There are three areas like this at Cosmic Ray’s and you can get the same food at any “Bay”
There is plenty of indoor seating at Cosmic Ray’s, including some in a room with a singing alien named Sonny Eclipse. I remember him from my youth and I’m amazed he’s still around. Enjoy this piece of classic Disney World while it lasts.
Here are some highlights from the Cosmic Ray’s menu beyond the burger:
Chili-Cheese All Beef Foot-long Hot Dog with Fries
Plant Based Sloppy Joe with Fries
Greek Salad with Chicken
Grilled Chicken Club with Fries
8 Piece Chicken Breast Nuggets with Fries
Liberty Square Market
Liberty Square Market serves mostly snacks, but does offer a hot dog and Turkey Leg. I often see long lines here during lunch hours.
Just grab your phone, place a mobile order at Pecos Bill’s, and you’ll be enjoying your nachos before most people in the long line at Liberty Market even order. There are much better options just down the way about 200 yards.
The Lunching Pad
The Lunching Pad is a walk-up window located below the People Mover and Astro Orbiter attractions in Tomorrowland.
It has a limited menu of a hot dog or BBQ Pork Sandwich for entrees. Don’t expect anything gourmet – this is a definite lowlight of Magic Kingdom quick service dining. With a little but of planning you can visit one of the excellent restaurants mentioned above.
Quick Service Magic Kingdom Summary
I hope this post helps you know what to expect at these Magic Kingdom dining locations. There are MANY options at this theme park and some are definitely better than others!
If you want my suggestions in the other parks of Disney World check out these related posts:
- Best Epcot Quick Service Dining (And The Worst)
- Best Animal Kingdom Quick Service Dining (And The Worst)
- Best Hollywood Studios Quick Service Dining (And The Worst)
Any questions or comments about quick service dining at Magic Kingdom or Disney World in general? Please leave a comment below or join the discussion in The Budget Mouse Facebook group!