Looking for the best Magic Kingdom restaurants to fill up your dining plans at Disney World? We’ve ranked our favorite places to eat when visiting Magic Kingdom so you know which restaurants to add to your list — and which to skip!

Dining is an integral part of the Walt Disney World experience. Forget all your preconceived notions of theme park food. This isn’t cardboard pizza and flavorless burgers. Nay, all of Disney World, and especially Magic Kingdom, is teeming with delicious restaurants, both Table-Service (sit-down) and Quick-Service (fast and easy), worthy of your dollars.

But what are the best Magic Kingdom restaurants, and which ones aren’t worth your time? While we haven’t had a truly bad experience at any of the restaurants at Magic Kingdom, we do have our favorites. We narrowed down the full list of Magic Kingdom restaurants (31 at the time of publication) to our top 10.

To determine the best restaurants at Magic Kingdom, we considered the quality of the food, the menu itself, the price (and accompanying portion sizes), immersion and theming, and any extras that make a Disney experience magical, like character dining or entertainment.

Best Magic Kingdom Restaurants at a Glance

Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd Skipper Canteen: Best Overall Restaurant at Magic Kingdom

Skipper Canteen in Adventureland is the best Magic Kingdom restaurant, hands down. Photo by Cliff Wang

• Best for: Adventurous eaters and immersive theming
• Location: Adventureland
• Service: Table service
• Reservations: Strongly recommended

Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd Skipper Canteen — or just Skipper Canteen for short — is the best restaurant at Magic Kingdom, irrefutably. This is a Table-Service meal, which means you’ll need an Advance Dining Reservation (ADR), but because it’s tucked away back in Adventureland and doesn’t have the same appeal to kids as other heavy hitters like Cinderella’s Royal Table and Be Our Guest Restaurant, it’s actually not too challenging to book a meal here.

The experience at Skipper Canteen is a continuation of what you’ll encounter on Jungle Cruise (did I mention that Jungle Cruise is the best ride at Magic Kingdom?). That means it’s got amazing theming, almost like a museum full of artifacts discovered by Dr. Albert Falls on his adventures. And much like the Skippers aboard Jungle Cruise, the waitstaff at Skipper Canteen are chock-full of good (bad) jokes throughout your meal.

Oh, and what a meal. The Skipper Canteen menu is inspired by the cuisine of Asia, Africa, and South America. Picky eaters might struggle to find something to their liking here, but for the adventurous, there are plenty of tasty bites (like that Brazilian Cheese Bread, a secret item not on the menu!). And Adventurers Club fans will be happy to know that you can order a beer here called Kungaloosh, brewed specially for Walt Disney World.

Be Our Guest Restaurant: Best Atmosphere

Be Our Guest Restaurant offers upscale dining inside Beast’s Castle at Magic Kingdom. Photo by Cliff Wang

• Best for: Beauty and the Beast fans
• Location: Fantasyland
• Service: Prix-fixe table service
• Reservations: Strongly recommended

Be Our Guest is one of the hardest ADRs to snag, and it’s also one of the most expensive meals at Magic Kingdom. The three-course prix fixe meal is $72 for adults (10 and up) and $43 per child, plus tax and tip. But oh, how it’s worth it. Be Our Guest is easily the most upscale dining experience at Magic Kingdom, with a French-inspired menu that includes trout, filet mignon, and macarons. Weary parents can enjoy a long list of champagnes, wines, and beers.

Fans of Beauty and the Beast will not be disappointed by any of the three dining areas: the Castle Gallery, West Wing, or Grand Ballroom. But of course, if you have a choice, the Grand Ballroom is the place to be, as it evokes memories of that stunning scene from the film.

The Plaza Restaurant: Best for Picky Eaters at Magic Kingdom

Photo by Tina Chiu

• Best for: Familiar food and a quieter break
• Location: Main Street, U.S.A.
• Service: Table service
• Reservations: Recommended

The Plaza Restaurant feels like classic Disney. You’ll find it along Main Street, U.S.A., giving it a turn-of-the-century vibe replete with Art Nouveau touches. It’s a Table-Service meal, so you’ll want advanced reservations, but unlike Skipper Canteen and Be Our Guest, which boast menus that are less approachable to those who fuel themselves on chicken nuggets and mac and cheese, The Plaza Restaurant has a menu that everyone, even picky eaters, will love.

The difference? Unlike other theme park restaurants serving up classic American fare like burgers, chili, meatloaf, and chicken sandwiches, The Plaza Restaurant’s food quality scores high marks. And while dining inside gives you a welcome, air-conditioned reprieve from that Florida heat, you can also elect for an outdoor table, giving you stunning views of Cinderella Castle while you eat.

The Crystal Palace: Best Character Buffet at Magic Kingdom

The Crystal Palace is made for fans of Winnie the Pooh. Photo by Jeff Chiu

• Best for: Families with young children and Winnie the Pooh fans
• Location: Main Street, U.S.A.
• Service: Buffet character dining
• Reservations: Strongly recommended

One of the biggest appeals of The Crystal Palace is the character dining. Being able to knock out a hearty sit-down meal and meet Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and co. all in one go is a serious time-saver.

If you’re looking for an all-you-can-eat buffet to get the most out of your budget, The Crystal Palace has you covered. You’ll find carving stations (get the prime rib), salads, fresh vegetables, and mashed potatoes. Plus all the desserts you can stomach.

Cinderella’s Royal Table: Best Princess Dining

A look inside Cinderella’s Royal Table. Photo courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

• Best for: Special occasions and Disney Princess fans
• Location: Inside Cinderella Castle
• Service: Prix-fixe character dining
• Reservations: Essential

One of Magic Kingdom’s most expensive restaurants is also one of Magic Kingdom’s best restaurants. Like The Crystal Palace, Cinderella’s Royal Table is known for its character dining. This is the best way to see your favorite Disney Princesses, including Cinderella, Aurora, Snow White, and Ariel. If you’re lucky, you may get to dine with Belle or Jasmine. Reservations for Cinderella’s Royal Table are a must (and really hard to get). You’re dining inside Cinderella Castle after all.

The major downside of Cinderella’s Royal Table is the price. With four people over the age of 10, you’re looking at a lunch or dinner bill of roughly $352 — and that’s without tax or tip. The menu is prix fixe, and the food is decent, but if forced to choose, we’d go with Be Our Guest’s French-inspired menu when throwing down the big bucks. You’re not so much paying for the food as you are for the experience. And don’t worry: Even though mussels and chickpeas crowd the menu for adults, kids can order familiar favorites like chicken nuggets.

Cheshire Café: Best Snacks at Magic Kingdom

Photo by Laurie Sapp

• Best for: A quick Fantasyland treat
• Location: Fantasyland
• Service: Snack stand

You’ve got lots of options for snacks at Walt Disney World, from Mickey Bars to Dole Whip. And while Sleepy Hollow (and that holy of holy Spring Roll Cart) offers great options and Storybook Treats has the scrumptious Peter Pan Float, our must-go place for sweets at Magic Kingdom is Cheshire Café.

Why? Three words: Cheshire Cat Tail. This is the dessert of desserts at Magic Kingdom. It may not enjoy the same fame as Dole Whip or churros, but it’s colorful, quirky, and delicious. Plus, you can wash it down with a Mixed Berry Tea Slushy. How refreshing!

Casey’s Corner: Best for Nostalgia at Magic Kingdom

Casey’s Corner caters to baseball fans. Photo by Judd Helms

• Best for: Hot dogs and classic Main Street atmosphere
• Location: Main Street, U.S.A.
• Service: Quick service
• Mobile Order: Available

Casey’s Corner seemingly has limited appeal, specializing in hot dogs, hot dogs, and, well, more hot dogs. But here you can get a variety of (really good) hot dog options, even plant-based options. Walt’s Chili-Cheese All-Beef Foot-long Hot Dog pays homage to Walt Disney himself and includes Walt’s Favorite Chili Recipe. Plus, a staple of any Disney World vacation is listening to the Casey’s Corner pianist tickling the ivories. This is a can’t-miss experience.

Fans of Disney deep cuts might even make the connection that the restaurant is inspired by the “Casey at Bat” vignette from one of the earlier Disney animated classics, Make Mine Music. Get to Casey’s Corner early enough in the day, and you might even get to take part in the “first pitch” when the restaurant opens.

Columbia Harbour House: Best Quick-Service Restaurant

• Best for: A substantial meal without a reservation
• Location: Liberty Square
• Service: Quick service
• Mobile Order: Available

Columbia Harbour House is our favorite place for a quick-service lunch or dinner at Magic Kingdom. Its seafood-focused menu gives guests an alternative to the standard theme park burger, while familiar choices keep it workable for families.

The nautical setting stretches across two floors, and upstairs seating can feel surprisingly calm compared with the crowds outside. Use Mobile Order before you get hungry, then look upstairs for a table.

Liberty Tree Tavern: Best Family-Style Meal

Photo by Maria Salerno

• Best for: Hungry families and comfort food
• Location: Liberty Square
• Service: Table service
• Reservations: Strongly recommended

Come hungry to Liberty Tree Tavern. Its family-style meal feels like Thanksgiving dinner, with hearty meats, classic sides and dessert served in an all-you-care-to-enjoy format.

The Colonial-inspired restaurant is divided into rooms honoring figures from American history, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. The setting is charming, but the generous meal is the real reason to visit.

Liberty Tree Tavern is a smart choice for families who want one substantial meal during their park day. Just avoid booking it immediately before riding TRON Lightcycle / Run or Space Mountain.

Sleepy Hollow: Best Portable Meal

• Best for: Sweet and savory waffles
• Location: Liberty Square
• Service: Quick service
• Seating: Limited and outdoors

Sleepy Hollow is easy to overlook, but it serves some of Magic Kingdom’s most distinctive handheld food. Its waffle offerings can work as breakfast, lunch, or a shareable snack, and the location near Cinderella Castle makes it a convenient stop.

This is not the best choice when you need air conditioning or a long rest. Still, it is ideal for guests who want something more interesting than a burger without committing to table service.

Honorable Mentions

While these restaurants didn’t make our list of the 10 best Magic Kingdom restaurants, we thought they deserved recognition for something special they bring to the Disney World experience:

• Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe: A spacious Frontierland quick-service restaurant with hearty entrées and Mobile Order.
• The Friar’s Nook: A convenient Fantasyland stop known for loaded tots and easy-to-carry meals.
• The Diamond Horseshoe: A filling family-style meal in an Old West music-hall setting.
• Aloha Isle: The classic destination for DOLE Whip in Adventureland.
• Sunshine Tree Terrace: Home to citrus-flavored treats and Orange Bird favorites.
• Gaston’s Tavern: Worth visiting for its themed interior, cinnamon roll and LeFou’s Brew.
• Main Street Bakery: Magic Kingdom’s Starbucks location and a convenient—but often crowded—coffee stop.
• Tony’s Town Square Restaurant: An Italian table-service option near the entrance with a Lady and the Tramp theme.

Do You Need Reservations for Magic Kingdom Restaurants?

Advance dining reservations are strongly recommended for Magic Kingdom table-service restaurants, especially Cinderella’s Royal Table, The Crystal Palace, Be Our Guest Restaurant and Skipper Canteen. Disney typically opens dining reservations 60 days in advance, with an added booking benefit for eligible Disney Resort hotel guests.

If you cannot find a reservation, keep checking. Availability changes as other guests adjust their plans, and the My Disney Experience app may offer a walk-up list on the day of your visit.

Quick-service restaurants do not accept reservations. Many offer Mobile Order through the app, which can save time during busy lunch and dinner periods.

Full List of Magic Kingdom Restaurants

So we’ve rattled off our favorite restaurants at Magic Kingdom and even included some runners-up. But everyone’s tastebuds and preferences are different.

If you want to journey off our list, be our guest! (See what we did there?) Here’s the full list of Magic Kingdom restaurants that you have to choose from:

• Aloha Isle
• Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies
• Be Our Guest Restaurant
• Casey’s Corner
• Cheshire Café
• Cinderella’s Royal Table
• Columbia Harbour House
• Cool Ship
• Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
• Energy Bytes
• Gaston’s Tavern
• Golden Oak Outpost
• Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen
• Liberty Square Market
• Liberty Tree Tavern
• Main Street Bakery
• Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
• Pinocchio Village Haus
• Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
• Prince Eric’s Village Market
• Sleepy Hollow
• Storybook Treats
• Sunshine Tree Terrace
• The Crystal Palace
• The Diamond Horseshoe
• The Friar’s Nook
• The Lunching Pad
• The Plaza Restaurant
• Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant
• Tony’s Town Square Restaurant
• Tortuga Tavern
• Westward Ho