We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again — choosing where to eat on your Disney World vacation is quite possibly the most difficult decision you’ll make on your trip.
There are so many different options and if you’re trying to figure out what’s right for you and your travel group, things can get overwhelming quickly. Luckily, we’re here to help. We’ve eaten at every restaurant in Magic Kingdom, and if you ask us, this is the only dining reservation you need.
When it comes to dining in Magic Kingdom, you’ve got plenty of options for snacks, quick meals, and of course — table service meals. But, not all table service spots are created equally, and when you’ve got precious time to spend in the parks you want to be sure you’ve made the right decision. Since these restaurants require you to make reservations (unless there’s a walkup waitlist available — you can read more on that here), you might be wondering where to book.
Magic Kingdom has a reputation for having…less than stellar dining options compared to other parks, so we’ve gathered a list of our favorite table service spots and laid out why it might just be the only reservation you need.
Be Our Guest Restaurant
Be Our Guest Restaurant is an amazing experience in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom where diners can eat in Belle and Beast’s famous castle. You’ll find French-inspired cuisine celebrating the beloved animated film Beauty and the Beast.
Its completely immersive setting is unlike any other, and it’s the reason why it is almost always a challenge for folks to snag a reservation for this experience!
In addition to the immersive setting and French cuisine, diners will also be joined by Belle and the Beast himself. Be Our Guest is a bucket-list dining experience for many, and it’s got a lot to do with the theming. The food hasn’t always been our favorite, and this place is PRICY — but the experience is unmatched.
See Our Review of Be Our Guest Here
Cinderella’s Royal Table
If you have a Disney Princess fan in your group, there’s really only one answer when it comes to choosing which table service restaurant you want to eat at in Magic Kingdom — Cinderella’s Royal Table. Plus, dining in Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle is truly an experience every Disney fan should have.
Once you enter into the castle’s waiting chamber, you get to meet the beautiful Cinderella to start this Fairytale Dining Character Meal.
Food tends to be simply adequate, but that’s not really what you’re paying for anyway. You’re paying to eat INSIDE the castle (complete with vaulted stone ceilings, banner flags from the kingdom, and all!), and meet some Disney Princesses while you’re at it. Though characters may vary, Princesses spotted at this restaurant have included Ariel, Aurora, Jasmine, and Snow White.
Check Out Our Latest Review of Cinderella’s Royal Table
The Crystal Palace
The Crystal Palace features a stunning location: a building in the middle of the Magic Kingdom resembling England’s Crystal Palace (hence the name). This spot is one of our favorite places to see all of our Hundred Acre Wood friends at “A Buffet with Character” — Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet, and Tigger!
Pooh and pals visit guests at their tables during this Character Meal as they dine on their selections from a full buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The food is pretty solid, with dishes like shrimp cocktail, carved prime rib, and Mickey waffles at breakfast! And, if you’ve got a hankering for both breakfast and lunch, you can time your reservation so that you can take advantage of BOTH buffets during the changeover!
Read How YOU Can Do the Crystal Palace Hack Here
Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen
While we’ve mentioned that most Magic Kingdom restaurants aren’t great — Skipper Canteen is the exception. Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen is located in Adventureland and is based on a classic Disney attraction: the Jungle Cruise!
The restaurant features three dining rooms including the Falls Family Parlor, the Crew Mess Hall, and a once-secret meeting room of the Society of Adventurers and Explorers. The theming here is unmatched and really makes you feel like you’re part of the Jungle Cruise ride.
In these rooms, you can dine on “World Famous Jungle Cuisine” with Asian, South American, and African-influenced dishes. Best of all, the famous, wacky Jungle Cruise Skippers serve up some fun (and, of course, PUNS!) along with globally-inspired cuisine! This is some of our favorite food in Magic Kingdom, but it can be on the adventurous side, so picky eaters might want to skip it.
See Some NEW Menu Items at Skipper Canteen
Liberty Tree Tavern
Have you ever been wandering through Magic Kingdom and thought to yourself, “Man, I really wish I could eat an entire Thanksgiving dinner right now?” If you answered yes to this question, we have some incredible news for you — you CAN! Liberty Tree Tavern is themed after a late 18th-century home, and it’s been a DFB favorite for a long time.
The restaurant is divided into different rooms decorated to reflect famous names from the United States Revolutionary period, including Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson. It’s very cozy!
The meal is served family-style and is both hearty and plentiful. Many folks like to refer to it as “Thanksgiving all year” thanks to the Patriot’s Platter, which serves up all-you-care-to-enjoy roasted turkey, pot roast, and oven-roasted pork served with mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, seasonal veggies, and herb stuffing.
Click Here If You Love Thanksgiving Foods
The Plaza Restaurant
Magic Kingdom’s Plaza Restaurant invites guests to dine and linger in the turn-of-the-century charm of Main Street, U.S.A.! Boasting pretty incredible views of Magic Kingdom, The Plaza is well-known as a reasonably-priced table service option in the park and offers a great dining experience for not a lot of dough.
This bright and airy dining parlor serves classic meals such as the Plaza Club sandwich, meatloaf, and more, including ice cream sundaes, so don’t miss your chance to indulge in a good old-fashioned Banana Split!
What we especially love about the Plaza is that the food here is consistent and the menu items are pretty standard — chances are even picky eaters can find something to eat on the menu. Make sure you get those delicious Plaza Loaded Fries when you visit! And, it’s not too expensive compared to other table service restaurants, which is why it’s still a DFB favorite.
Check Out Our Review of The Plaza Restaurant
No matter where you decide to eat when you’re in Magic Kingdom next, hopefully, these tips will give you a better idea of what to expect! Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney World restaurant news and more.
With DOZENS of places to eat at Disney World, we know it can be tough to plan your meals. That’s why we wrote the DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World. We have reviews, pictures, and details about every restaurant all in one digital download – along with ALL of our best tips and strategies from decades of Disney World trips. We’ve got a special discount code for DFB readers, too! Use WDW2023 at checkout for 25% off!
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What’s your favorite Magic Kingdom restaurant? Tell us in the comments.
Karen says
hi, great review so pleased to see that The Crystal Place made it onto your list!
but the reason for me replying to this report was regarding the Plaza restaurant. I would love to get just an ice cream sundae in there. Does anyone know if your allowed to just get desert in a table service restaurant?
Steven LaSelva says
Hey Samantha!
Great article! Thanks for sharing all the great places to eat. We just booked Cinderella’s Castle for the breakfast option. Totally excited to see my girl’s reaction to eating in the castle. Thanks again for sharing, I’ll keep an eye out for some more helpful tips.
DFB Gigi says
Hi Karen! You can actually the ice cream at Plaza Ice Cream Parlor without a reservation.
Dottyanna says
Nothing better than sitting outside at Tony’s Town Square and watching the parade or cavalcade go by while you are eating! Especially if you have little ones with you!