Wanting to grab a bite to eat during your visit to Disney World’s Magic Kingdom but not sure where? If you are short on time and long on things to do and see, your best bet is one of the many quick-service restaurants at Magic Kingdom. In fact, when it comes to the best places to eat, Magic Kingdom quick-service eateries deliver both taste and convenience. For this Disney World dining guide, we will dig into all the delicious options available for quick service in Magic Kingdom and share a few of our favorites.
Walt Disney World Quick Service Restaurants
For those of you who have never visited a Disney theme park before, you might be wondering just what we mean by Disney “quick service” restaurants. Also called “fast casual” or “counter service,” eating at quick service restaurants at Disney World involves placing your order with a cast member, picking your order up from the counter or window, and finding a place to sit either inside the restaurant or perhaps somewhere nearby. That’s right, these are fast-food restaurants done Disney style.
Some Disney World quick service restaurants even offer mobile ordering through the Walt Disney World app, meaning that you can skip having to wait in line. This is also a great option for those who’d like to keep their face-to-face interactions to a minimum for health and safety reasons. But the My Disney Experience app doesn’t just streamline your dining experience. This is also where you’ll want to go if you find yourself wondering, “where is the closest fast-food restaurant near me?” as you’re wandering the park.
In general, Disney is very liberal with what they consider a quick-service restaurant. It could be anything from a popcorn cart to an expansive restaurant with a lengthy menu and plenty of both indoor and outdoor seating. That’s a huge difference. That is why we like to differentiate between quick-service restaurants and what we like to call snack and drink stands or kiosks.
For our intents and purposes, the key is in the menu. While some of Disney’s “quick service restaurants” only offer snacks, desserts, or drinks, we think that a restaurant must offer at least one entrée option in order to be considered an actual counter service restaurant. Furthermore, for a dining option to make our list of the best quick service restaurants at Disney World, it will ideally also have some amount of seating available.
Quick Service in Magic Kingdom
As we previously mentioned, Disney is pretty vague when it comes to defining what it means to be a quick service restaurant. In fact, according to the Walt Disney World app, there are no less than 25 Magic Kingdom quick service restaurants. That being said, once you weed out all the snack and drink stands – or those with menus serving only snacks, desserts, and drinks – we’re left with 14 options for quick service at Magic Kingdom, with several providing very little seating and/or a limited menu and a few being open during the busy season only. Overall, there are several tasty possibilities available for those visiting Magic Kingdom.
As for what kind of cuisine you can expect, although many counter-service outlets do offer burgers, chicken tenders and bowls just like your typical fast-food chain, Burger King or McDonald’s these are not. Instead, many of these quick-and-easy Magic Kingdom Orlando restaurants cook up slightly more elevated offerings, too, such as lobster rolls, fajitas, waffle sandwiches, loaded mac & cheese, and much more.
Which Quick Service Restaurants Serve Alcohol in Magic Kingdom?
Unfortunately, if you’re looking for a refreshing beer or a frosty frozen cocktail to wash your corn dog down with, you are out of luck at Magic Kingdom. Unlike at the other Disney theme parks, no alcohol is available from any Magic Kingdom quick service restaurant. That doesn’t mean you won’t be able to track down a cup of something boozy anywhere in Magic Kingdom, however – you’ll just need to go to a table service restaurant to get it.
Allergy-Friendly & Gluten-Free Dining at Magic Kingdom Counter Service Restaurants
Whether worrying about cross contamination or wondering whether a restaurant has a gluten-free fryer, traveling with a food allergy isn’t always easy. Fortunately, Disney tries to make mealtime just as fuss-free and delicious for guests with food allergies as it is for those who don’t have to worry about consuming rogue gluten particles.
On the whole, restaurants at Walt Disney World are extremely accommodating when it comes to dietary restrictions. Although, while guests visiting a table service restaurant will have access to special off-menu items made just for them by the chef or guided tours of everything they can eat on a buffet, gluten-free dining at a quick service is a little bit different. For starters, unlike at a table service restaurant, most allergy-friendly menu options at Disney quick service restaurants are done through omission or substitution. Many restaurants will also have a separate fryer designated specifically for those with gluten sensitivities.
Before you go, we suggest you look over the menus at different restaurants first to get an idea first of what’s available ahead of time. Just fire up the Walt Disney World app, open up the various Magic Kingdom quick service menus, and scroll to the bottom for all the allergy-friendly options.
Our Picks for the Best Quick Service Magic Kingdom Restaurants
Overall, there are 14 various restaurants available for dining quick service in Magic Kingdom. Of those, 9 different options stand out thanks to a wide-ranging menu, especially tasty meal options, abundant (and, hopefully, air-conditioned) seating, or some combination thereof. Each of these dining outlets also specializes in different kinds of cuisine. So, if you and your crew have a hankering for anything in particular, feel free to make a beeline for whatever makes your tastebuds happy. In general, you can count on these top Magic Kingdom quick service restaurants to offer the following:
- Casey’s Corner – hot dogs
- Columbia Harbour House – seafood
- Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café – burgers, chicken strips, and other American classics
- The Friar’s Nook – fully-loaded comfort food
- Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café – Tex-Mex
- Pinocchio Village Haus – Italian
- Sleepy Hollow – breakfast and dessert masquerading as a meal
- Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant – seafood (currently)
- Tortuga Tavern – island-inspired items and theme park favorites
For those of you wondering why Be Our Guest didn’t make the cut, that’s because it is no longer a quick service option. Although lunch here was previously considered quick service, we are sad to report that it has since evolved into solely a table service restaurant. Whether this will change in the future remains to be seen.
Now, without any further ado, if you find yourself roaming the streets of Fantasyland or Frontierland in search of the best fast food near me, these are our top bets for guests looking for a quick place to eat while exploring Magic Kingdom.
Casey’s Corner | Main Street U.S.A.
Aside from apple pie, there’s nothing more American than baseball and hot dogs. And, if there’s any possible way to make a hot dog even more American, it’s to pile it high with flavorful toppings that could be a meal in and of itself, like creamy mac & cheese crowned with bacon or classic chili drenched with cheese. Fortunately, Casey’s Corner at the top of Main Street USA has all of it (minus the apple pie). Casey’s Corner menu is packed with loaded hot dogs. Even all the vegetarians out there can get in on the all-American fun with a plant-based Loaded Slaw Dog. If you’re in the mood for something slightly less messy, the Corn Dog Nuggets with cheese sauce are another excellent choice. While there is some air-conditioned seating available inside, this is one restaurant where we actually prefer sitting outdoors. Why, you might ask? Well, as much as we like perusing the old baseball memorabilia and photos while we munch on our French fries, we like listening to Jim the piano man playing catchy tunes outside even more.
Columbia Harbour House | Liberty Square
Take a trip to merry, old (New) England at Columbia Harbour House, a quick service location on Liberty Square’s border with Fantasyland. Although chicken is the first kind of food listed on Columbia Harbour House’s sign, this Magic Kingdom restaurant is all about the seafood. For a decadent lunch option, try the Lobster Roll. Or, load up on Hushpuppies and three different (fried) proteins – shrimp, chicken nuggets, and battered shrimp – with the Trio Platter. Those looking for a plant-based option, meanwhile, will enjoy the hummus, tomato, and broccoli slaw-filled goodness of the Lighthouse Sandwich. This is also a great spot for those with allergies. Although it doesn’t look like much outside, there is a ton of space available here. You know the building you cross under to get between the Haunted Mansion and “it’s a small world”? That’s where some of the seating is, making this one of the quick service restaurants with the best views.
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café | Tomorrowland
Have you ever wondered what an intergalactic space diner might be like? Well, Disney would have you believe that it could look a lot like Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café – albeit with classic American eats on the menu instead of astronaut ice cream and other futuristic treats. If you’ve got a craving for family-friendly bites that are sure to please both young and old alike, this is the quick service restaurant for you. Stop here for filling favorites like hot dogs, cheeseburgers, a Spicy Chicken Sandwich sprinkled with bacon and sriracha aioli, chicken strips, and salad. Or, simply combine the last 2 and get a Greek Salad with Chicken Strips. For vegetarians, there’s an Impossible Burger, along with several options for those with allergies and gluten sensitivities. Cosmic Ray’s is also home to an out-of-this-world toppings bar which is perfect for customizing your meal to gluttonous perfection. Trust us, we won’t judge. Tons of indoor and outdoor seating is available here, but this place can still get packed, nonetheless. To take the theming to the next level, and to enjoy an impromptu dinner and a show, find a spot so you can enjoy the musical stylings of the singing alien Sonny Eclipse.
The Friar’s Nook | Fantasyland
So, we’ll be the first to admit that this next dining option pushes the limits of what we’d call a quick service restaurant. With one of the smaller menus on our list of the best counter service Magic Kingdom restaurants and very little seating to speak of, The Friar’s Nook tiptoes very close to what we’d consider snack stand territory. It’s the hearty entrée items that do grace the menu, however, that makes this one of the better quick service options at Magic Kingdom. Head on over to The Friar’s Nook in Fantasyland. Neighboring Princess Fairytale Hall, this walk-up food stand dishes up such filling entrées as Creamy Bacon Macaroni & Cheese or the super tasty Loaded Buffalo Chicken Tots. Vegetarians and vegans can even nosh on a Plant-based Bratwurst.
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café | Frontierland
With a prime (AKA busy) spot overlooking Splash Mountain and Magic Kingdom’s parade route and just a short walk away from Pirates of the Caribbean and Big Thunder Mountain, you’d be hard pressed to find a quick service with a better location than Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café. This sprawling quick service restaurant serves an array of Tex-Mex favorites including a Fajita Platter, Southwest Salad, rice bowls with all the fixings, and different kinds of nachos.
There’s even a toppings bar available so you mound your meal to your heart’s content with bottomless lettuce, tomato, cheese, sour cream, and salsa – which, trust us, you definitely want to do. You can also find plenty of allergy and gluten-free options here. Aside from the toppings bar, one of our favorite things about Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café is the atmosphere. The whole place feels very wild west: There’s even a room that’s made to feel a bit like a quaint Mexican plaza at nighttime.
Add everything together with a general helping of air conditioning and this is a very popular spot. Visit during the evening to make finding a seat less of a challenge and so you can really enjoy this restaurant’s charm.
Pinocchio Village Haus | Fantasyland
Considering the ubiquitousness of flatbreads throughout Disney World, it might come as a bit of a shock that this is really the only Magic Kingdom quick service restaurant you can get them at. In addition to flatbreads – including plant-based and gluten-free options – Pinocchio Village Haus features an array of Italian-adjacent dishes like Breadsticks, Tomato Basil Soup, Caesar Salad, and Chocolate Gelato, along with very-American Chicken Strips. Inspired by Geppetto’s cottage, part of this cozy restaurant looks out over It’s a Small World and is definitely our favorite place to snag a seat. If you’re lucky, you might even see Jiminy Cricket or the real boy himself (that’s Pinocchio, in case it wasn’t obvious) hanging out on the balcony on occasion as they stop by to say hello.
Sleepy Hollow | Liberty Square
Ok, this next quick service restaurant in Magic Kingdom squeaked its way onto our list on a mere technicality: There are “entrées” like Fresh Fruit Waffle Sandwiches smeared with Nutella and Mickey Waffles with Strawberries and Powdered Sugar on the menu! Are these main courses really more like dessert in disguise? Absolutely, 100%. Do we care? Not in the slightest. And although it comes and goes, be sure to try the delicious Sweet-and-Spicy Chicken Waffle Sandwich if you have a chance. Overlooking Cinderella Castle, Sleepy Hollow offers up other sweet treats like Funnel Cake and iced coffee drinks in a generally quiet setting. That is, until the parade rolls by, however. Seating is available nearby, although there isn’t very much of it, meaning that it gets filled with powdered sugar and people pretty fast.
Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant | Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant is a bit of an enigma. Tucked away in the corner of Tomorrowland with panoramic views of Cinderella Castle, this quick service at Magic Kingdom is only open during the busy season and also plays host to the Fireworks Dessert Party. Its menu has changed quite a bit throughout the years, but currently you’ll find an abbreviated version of the Columbia Harbour House menu. Currently, you’ll catch a whole host of beachy entrées like a Lobster Roll and several seafood platters. With its plentiful covered seating, out-of-the-way location, and beautiful views of this park, this is a great, though fleeting, place to grab a quick bite to eat in Magic Kingdom.
Tortuga Tavern | Adventureland
Hoist the sails and whet your appetite for adventure – and theme park favorites with an island twist – at Tortuga Tavern in Adventureland. Another seasonal quick service restaurant at Magic Kingdom, Tortuga Tavern serves up Caribbean-inspired dishes like Hot Dogs Topped with Jerk-smoked Brisket or Ropa Vieja and Rum Cake, as well as the classic Turkey Leg. Aside from the name, the theming here is a bit lacking, unfortunately. However, we still like coming here when it’s open for flavors that are a welcome departure from standard theme park fare.
Other Magic Kingdom Quick Service Restaurants
If we’re being honest, calling this next handful of dining options Magic Kingdom quick service restaurants is a struggle. Whether lacking in seating, options, or a bit of both, these dining outlets are good choices if you’re searching for something in particular, like the Mermaid Donut from Prince Eric’s Village Market, or, conversely, something completely generic, like a Mickey Pretzel or a Turkey Leg.
Golden Oak Outpost | Frontierland
Just across the walkway from Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café on the way to Adventureland, Golden Oak Outpost is a seasonal food window dishing with a small amount of unshaded seating. The options here tend to change relatively frequently, though the overall theme seems to be fried food that may or may not be “loaded” with some sort of toppings. Currently, the menu touts Loaded Onion Rings or Waffle Fries and Chili-Cheese Onion Rings or Waffle Fries, along with some basic Chicken Breast Nuggets (with waffle fries!).
Liberty Square Market | Liberty Square
In our opinion, Liberty Square Market hardly counts as a quick service restaurant. With only one “entrée” on the menu, the quintessential Turkey Leg, we think it falls squarely in the snack stand category. But, we made the entrée and we’re stickin’ to it, so a Magic Kingdom quick service location it is. That being said, with it’s convenient location and between Haunted Mansion and Liberty Tree Tavern and a bit of open-air seating, this is a decent place to swing by for grab-and-go snacks like Mickey Pretzels, Trail Mix, Babybel Cheese, and a whole slew of other typical lunchbox snacks.
The Lunching Pad | Tomorrowland
Nestled beneath Tomorrowland Transit Authority and the Astro Orbiter, The Lunching Pad is a small quick service location with an outdoor food window and some seating in the heart of Tomorrowland. While there aren’t too many options to speak of, this is a good spot to visit if you’ve got a craving for a Pulled Pork Sandwich, Cream Cheese Stuffed Pretzel, or Slushy. If you visit in the morning, you can even grab a Bacon Egg and Cheese Sandwich or Cheshire Café Cat Tail, a dessert imported from neighboring Fantasyland.
Prince Eric’s Village Market | Fantasyland
Just across the path from Ariel’s Grotto, Prince Eric’s Village Market is a snack stand pretending to be a quick service restaurant. And that’s not a complaint – it’s a cute open-air food stand that serves up simple, portable snacks such as jumbo pretzels, grapes, pickles, and, of course, the famous Turkey Leg. We come here, however, for the Mermaid Donut, a yeast donut drizzled with purple icing and a sprinkling of white-chocolate treasures collected from Ariel’s Grotto.
Westward Ho | Frontierland
This last wannabe quick service location is yet another glorified snack stand saved by a single entrée. There really isn’t any official seating available here, though you could certainly lean against a nearby railing as you nibble on some golden-fried Corn Dog Nuggets or a Churro dipped in chocolate sauce. Wash it all down with a refreshing Joffrey’s Cold Brew or a Coca-Cola Slushy.
Well, that concludes our guide to dining quick service at Magic Kingdom. We hope we shed some light on the tastiest, fastest eats available, and helped you to narrow down your list of the best quick service Magic Kingdom restaurants for your next Disney vacation. For an overview of Magic Kingdom restaurants in general, be sure to check out our 2021 Magic Kingdom Dining Guide. Wanting to know how to make the most of your day? Read our 1-day Magic Kingdom plan! Finally, are you a Magic Kingdom quick service dining pro? Let us know all about it!
