There are a ton of Magic Kingdom Table Service restaurants to choose from. With that in mind, which of the restaurants are worth the splurge, and which should you skip instead? We’re breaking it all down!

A visit to Walt Disney World is a dream vacation for many families. Once you pull the trigger and book that trip though, the excitement and anticipation really kick in…and many decisions have to be made!  Choosing which Walt Disney World Resort restaurants to dine at for meals can be tough, with over 200 spots to choose from. With pricing, character dining, all-you-care-to-enjoy offerings, and themed dining locations all at play, we are breaking down all of the Magic Kingdom table service restaurant offerings and deeming some worthy of splurging for…and some better off skipping!

Magic Kingdom Table Service Restaurants: Skip or Splurge

Liberty Tree Tavern

Photo by Maria Salerno

• Price: $39/ adult, $21/ child
• All you care to enjoy
• Family-style, fixed menu

Liberty Tree Tavern is located in the heart of Liberty Square, an all-you-care-to-enjoy, colonial-themed dining location. The interior design harkens back to the late 1700s-1800s, matching the surrounding Liberty Square. Inside, you will find quaint, colonial-themed dining rooms named after some of the most influential revolution-era Americans. 

The all-you-care-to-enjoy, family-style offerings remind me of a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Think salad, turkey and gravy, slow-roasted meats, and mac and cheese! The meats here have always been fresh and tasty, and the famous ooey gooey toffee cake dessert truly stands on its own! 

I love the intimate feeling of this restaurant. The wooden interior is sectioned to make the restaurant feel like a colonial-era home, and the separate dining rooms make the restaurant a quiet environment to relax..and give a true sense of privacy between parties!

VERDICT: SPLURGE

The Diamond Horseshoe

Photo by Maria Salerno

• Price: $39/ adult, $21/ child
• All you care to enjoy
• Family-style, fixed menu

The Frontierland food equivalent of Liberty Tree Tavern (no, really, the menu and food are exactly the same!) is The Diamond Horseshoe. Another long-standing all-you-care-to-enjoy offering at Magic Kingdom, The Diamond Horseshoe varies greatly from Liberty Tree Tavern in its theming!

The theming here refers to the days of the westward expansion when cowpokes and pioneers set their sights on a new frontier. The restaurant interior looks similar to a smaller version of Hoop Dee Doo Revue at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, with all of the tables congregated together in one big dinner theater-style space. The Diamond Horseshoe restaurant is complete with a small stage where a live pianist can be enjoyed during your meal.  

Since the food and pricing are exactly the same as Liberty Tree Tavern, it really depends on which theme you prefer, and if you’d rather chat with your dining party or enjoy live piano music. We like to escape the hustle and bustle of the park during our meals, so we prefer the quieter, more intimate-feeling Liberty Tree Tavern for a Magic Kingdom table service restaurant.

VERDICT: SKIP

Cinderella’s Royal Table

Photo by Laurie Sapp

• Price: $79/ adult, $47/ child (for lunch/dinner), $65/adult, $39/child (for breakfast)
• Prix Fixe, 3-Course Menu  
• Character Dining

If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping inside Cinderella’s Castle, the only way to make that dream come true is by booking a reservation at Cinderella’s Royal Table! Upon entry to the restaurant, guests will be met with a unique photo opportunity, as you are welcomed to the location by Cinderella herself.

As you make your way upstairs (or in the circular elevator shaped specially to accommodate Cinderella’s dress!), the grand dining room opens invitingly in front of you. Guests sit beneath a regal, domed ceiling and peer through stained glass windows that grant breathtaking, birds’-eye views of Fantasyland both by day and night. 

A prix fixe menu will be presented upon your arrival, and you are invited to choose one appetizer, entree, and dessert as visiting Princesses make their way to your table. I met Ariel, Jasmine, Aurora, and Snow White when I visited! Since the restaurant’s dining room is quaint and on the smaller side, I got to meet with each Princess and never felt rushed or overlooked. The atmosphere, the location, and the fact that you can meet several Princesses without waiting in line earn this restaurant a recommendation from us!

VERDICT: SPLURGE

Be Our Guest Restaurant

Photo by Maria Salerno

• Price: $67/ adult, $39/ child
• Prix Fixe, 3-Course Menu

Nestled in the foothills of a far-off French mountain range, Be Our Guest Restaurant looms menacingly inside the Beast’s castle. To gain access, you must pass by enchanted gargoyles and cross a stone bridge before passing through two massive wooden doors. Inside…you are instantly transported to the world of the animated Disney classic Beauty and the Beast. The restaurant’s three distinct dining rooms beg you to explore deeper into the space. The Grand Ballroom, West Wing, and Rose Room all have their own unique atmospheres that make you feel like you’ve stepped directly into the film. 

These days, Be Our Guest only offers a prix fixe menu at their seatings. While the food is good, the atmosphere and superb theming set this restaurant apart. Sitting in the Grand Ballroom and watching the snow drift by outside or watching yet another pedal fall from the Enchanted Rose in the West Wing is the stuff of childhood dreams…and all of that can be made a reality when you dine at  Be Our Guest Restaurant! 

VERDICT: SPLURGE

Tony’s Town Square

Photo Courtesy of Disney

• Price Average: $30/ adult, $12/ child 
• A la carte menu

Tony’s Town Square is Magic Kingdom’s Italian eatery located in the center of Town Square. Themed to match the restaurant where Lady and the Tramp famously share a bowl of spaghetti, Tony’s no-frills menu makes it a very approachable restaurant for all ages and taste preferences.  

Tony’s is the first restaurant on our list that features an a la carte menu, meaning you are not locked into limited prix fixe options and can order anything you like! Tony’s is the only restaurant that has outdoor seating that allows you glimpses of the Festival of Fantasy Parade and the Magic Kingdom cavalcades. Plus, it’s located right near the Magic Kingdom gates, making for an easy entry and exit experience.

In our opinion, the food at Tony’s is approachable if you have a very picky eater, but it is basic when it comes to flavor and presentation. In my two experiences at Tony’s (4.5 years apart), the food quality and options are still very much unchanged from the restaurant’s inception. With so many highly-themed restaurants and character meals available here, Tony’s is not a huge stand-out.

VERDICT: SKIP

Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen

Photo by Cliff Wang

• Price Average: $34/ adult, $15/child 
• A la carte menu

Skipper Canteen is THE place to dine for guests wanting to stay immersed in that zany Jungle Cruise culture as long as possible. You do unfortunately have to exit your boat to dine here, but Skipper Canteen is just steps away from the Jungle Cruise and features immersive theming from the moment you step in the door until your final bite!

The restaurant’s menu grants ‘punny,’ unique names to otherwise approachable dishes. The wait staff here also gets in on the jokes! On my last visit, our waitress had a pun-filled presentation for every food and drink item placed at the table, providing a bit of complimentary entertainment for our meal! 

Several uniquely-themed rooms give this restaurant a feeling of expanse, time, and place. The last time I visited, I was lucky enough to be seated at the horseshoe-shaped table that is lined with framed artifacts from Lilian Disney’s butterfly collection! The menu certainly features the most unique options of any at the Magic Kingdom. Flavors from Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas combine to create unique offerings…that are, in my opinion, somewhat underwhelming for the price point. 

The two times I’ve dined here have left me feeling unsatisfied. Not because I wasn’t served enough food but because I was expecting more from what, at a glance, appears to be a very flavor-focused menu. The second time I dined here was with a large party, and no one plans to rush back. If you have even a slightly picky eater in your party or want to experience a more classic side of Magic Kingdom dining, consider other options. 

VERDICT: SKIP

The Crystal Palace

Photo by Maria Salerno

• Price: $59/ adult, $38/ child (for lunch/dinner), $45/adult, $29/child (for breakfast)
• Buffet
• Character Dining

Families wanting to combine meeting characters with a filling, no-frills meal always gravitate towards The Crystal Palace. The buffet-style service allows everyone in the party a chance to load up on what they like most and skip the things they don’t, all while meeting and greeting the adorable characters of Winnie the Pooh. 

The buffet’s offerings are very expansive but approachable in both what is offered and their preparations. For example, the carved meats, mac and cheese, and mashed potatoes were fresh and hot when I last dined here, but it was all very under-seasoned and relatively bland.

This restaurant is also big. Actually, it’s massive! That makes it great for scoring a reservation but not so great when wanting to meet characters. It takes a long time for the characters to make their way around to each table, and if you have little ones whose attentiveness relies on seeing characters frequently, you may want to consider other options. 

VERDICT: SKIP

The Plaza Restaurant

Photo by Maria Salerno

• Price: Average $22.50/ adult, $11.50/ child
• A la carte menu

If you’re looking for good old-fashioned comfort food, look no further than The Plaza Restaurant! Located near to the iconic Cinderella Castle Hub, The Plaza not only features some of the most approachable food in the Magic Kingdom but also grants some of the best views if you know where to sit! 

I always request a table near the front windows! From here, you will have vistas of the Castle Hub, Cinderella Castle, and any fireworks or parades that may be happening while you dine. The a la carte menu here is limited regarding options, but they know how to prepare what they offer quite well. 

The Plaza’s menu is inspired by some of Walt Disney’s favorite foods and are truly reflective of the time period Walt would have been dining. Chili, loaded fries, meatloaf, burgers, and steaks are the staples here and are true reflections of Walt’s go-to dinner choices! The prices here are some of the lowest you’ll find on a Magic Kingdom table service menu. While we would not recommend this spot for adventurous eaters or plant-based diners, it is a staple worth checking out if you’re on a budget and want a truly classic Disney meal. 

VERDICT: SPLURGE

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