Guide to the Best Places to Eat at Magic Kingdom with Kids
Planning a family vacation to Walt Disney World Florida? Luckily, almost all Disney Parks restaurants are kid-friendly. However, the seemingly endless number of options can be overwhelming when trying to narrow down the best fit for your family.
In this article, we’re going to review some of the best places to eat in Disney World with kids, focusing specifically on locations inside the Magic Kingdom. I will provide insights into menus at each restaurant and detail why I believe each selection works well for a family.
Buffet Or Fixed-Price Options
These restaurants are either Buffet Style, Fixed Price, or All-You-Care-To-Enjoy “Family” style.
- The Crystal Palace
Location: Main Street Area
Type: Buffet Style Character Meals
Price: $$$
Best For: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Dine alongside your favorite Winnie The Pooh characters at this beautiful restaurant modeled after Victorian style greenhouses from the 1800s. Adults and children alike will be delighted as their favorite residents of the Hundred Acre Woods stop by for photos and fun. This is a great spot to escape the heat and crowds for a few hours without actually leaving Magic Kingdom.
The Crystal Palace features delicious American food buffet-style for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. This is one of the best restaurants in Disney World for families with children who are picky eaters. There is a special buffet for children called “Pooh’s Corner” during each meal, featuring classic kid-approved foods like chicken nuggets and macaroni & cheese. For breakfast, everyone’s favorite Mickey Waffles are always available. For adults, the food is American style with a modern twist.
Enjoy a customized omelet alongside warm pastries, savory potatoes, a fresh fruit bar, and warm coffee. If you spot a dish called “Pooh’s Lasagna” during breakfast here, try it out, you won’t regret it (calories don’t count at Disney, right?).
Adult lunch and dinner choices include delicious spit-fire roasted meats, unique pasta dishes, fresh seafood, and a delicious fresh fruit and salad bar. Unlimited soft serve, delicious fresh baked cookies, and seasonal homemade options are always available for desert.
The magical atmosphere accompanied by number of options for both kids and parents make The Crystal Palace a perfect option for family dining in Magic Kingdom.
Tips: Guests who book pre-park opening Breakfast reservations will gain early entry to Magic Kingdom. This is an excellent opportunity to take beautiful family photos before the crowds enter the park.
Guests who make a dinner reservation during Wishes should try to grab a table near the windows, the view of the show is amazing!
- Cinderella’s Royal Table
Location: Fantasyland
Type: Price Fixed Character Meals
Price: $$$$
Best For: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
It does not get more magical than this. Enjoying a meal inside of Cinderella’s castle is by far one of the most amazing experiences offered at Walt Disney World. Guests are enchanted as they walk up the spiral staircase adorned with beautiful stained glass windows into the gorgeous medieval castle style dining room with sky high ceilings that overlooks Fantasyland.
The epitome of Disney World character dining, a group of Disney Princesses meet and greet with families during each meal. Children will be amazed as their favorite characters talk to and take pictures with them. The Princesses who visit each meal rotate from time to time, but Cinderella will always be present.
It is important to note that this experience comes at an extremely high price. Guests must pay in full for their reservation when it is made. The Price Fixed menu begins at $62.95 per adult and $35.86 per child for Breakfast, with prices increasing for Lunch and Dinner. On the dining plan, a meal here will cost 2 table service credits. Included in this price is a special photo opportunity with Cinderella and a souvenir magic wand.
The dishes served at Cinderella’s Royal Table have a French flair. For breakfast, guests start off with a plate of fresh baked pastries for the table, followed by a choice of entree. My favorite is the Caramel Apple stuffed French Toast. If your family has extremely picky eaters and you would like to dine here, I recommend trying out breakfast.
The Kid’s Breakfast features classic waffles, scrambled eggs, and bacon. The Kid’s Menu dinner options are a bit more adventurous and a picky eater may have trouble finding something he or she would enjoy. For lunch and dinner, guests choose an appetizer, entree, and dessert.
Our favorite adult menu option is the pan seared chicken served with goat cheese polenta, it is delicious! As I mentioned, the four Lunch and Dinner Kid’s Menu choices may not appeal to all children. More adventurous eaters will love the Beef Tenderloin served with mashed potatoes, and the most standard option is Chicken Nuggets served with mashed potatoes. Wine and Beer are served with Lunch and Dinner here for adults to enjoy, not included in the Price Fixed cost (I wish!).
Despite the major con of the enormous price tag that comes with eating at Cinderella’s Royal Table, the experience will create memories that last a lifetime for your family.
Tips: Reserve ASAP, this restaurant books up FAST. Reserve at the 180 day mark if possible.
Guests who book pre-park opening Breakfast reservations will gain early entry to Magic Kingdom. This is an excellent opportunity to take beautiful family photos before the crowds enter the park.
Guests who make a dinner reservation during Wishes should try to grab a table near the windows for an interesting view of the fireworks.
- ‘Ohana
Location: Disney’s Polynesian Resort
Type: Price Fixed All-You-Can-Eat Character Meals
Price: $$$
Best For: Breakfast
Just a monorail ride away from Magic Kingdom inside Disney’s Polynesian Resort is ‘Ohana.
‘Ohana is a magnificent restaurant, decorated with a Hawaiian flair. Lilo, Stitch, Pluto, and Mickey meet with guests during Breakfast. These characters are a lot of fun, playing games with children and encouraging everyone to participate in the fun and goofy Family Parade.
As far as all you care to enjoy character meals go, breakfast at ‘Ohana is the best value for your money. Breakfast here includes fresh fruit and pastries, Mickey Waffles, Scrambled Eggs, Breakfast Sausage, Bacon, and Hawaiian Breakfast Potatoes (my favorite!). Even the pickiest of eaters should be able to enjoy a hearty breakfast with this wide range of choices.
If your children are more adventurous eaters, try out dinner here as well! I only recommend Breakfast as a best option for families with children due to the Asian inspired dinner fare being a little bit too exotic for pickier palates.
Tips: This is one of the most popular Character Breakfasts in Disney World, be sure to reserve early!
‘Ohana has a reputation for slow service, make sure to leave enough time between your meal and other activities planned for the day.
Table Service Options
These Magic Kingdom Area restaurants are typical style where guests order their meals with a server who will bring the food to the table.
- Tony’s Town Square Restaurant
Location: Main Street Area
Price: $$
Best For: Lunch, Dinner
Step into the place where everyone’s favorite canine couple, Lady & The Tramp, shared their first kiss over Spaghetti and Meatballs. Tony’s Town Square Restaurant provides a relaxing reprieve from a busy day touring Magic Kingdom. Situated on Main Street near the entrance to the park, Tony’s charms guests with its romantic, French style decor.
Serving up Italian classics, the menu here is excellent for families. Children will love the personal pizza and spaghetti and meatballs on the Kid’s Menu. Adults will enjoy unique pasta dishes, classic pizza options, and delicious, savory meat and poultry. My favorite is the Pasta Primavera tossed in a Balsamic Glaze. New this year, Tony’s also serves Italian Wine and Beer selections with Dinner.
Tip: Reserve a meal at Tony’s during a parade time and try to get a seat by the window. Enjoy your meal while watching the show go by!
- Grand Floridian Cafe
Location: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
Price: $$-$$$
Best For: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Take the monorail over to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort for a delicious meal at the Grand Floridian Cafe. This charming restaurant featuring Victorian style rose garden decor is truly a hidden gem. The food includes some of the best moderately priced meals in all of Disney World. It is not hard to find a last minute reservation here, even on the busiest of days.
The Kid’s Menu here is one of the largest on property. Featuring classic options like Mickey Waffles, Chicken Nuggets, and Macaroni alongside more unique dishes like Fresh Vegetable Omelets and a Filet of Salmon, the Grand Floridian Cafe is full of options that are sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.
For adults, gourmet options at a moderate price point are the name of the game. Try the Lobster Eggs Benedict for breakfast, or the Char-Crusted New York Strip Steak for dinner. You won’t regret it!
- The Plaza Restaurant
Location: Main Street Area
Price: $$
Best For: Lunch, Dinner
Step off of busy Main Street USA and into the charming, laid back dining room at The Plaza Restaurant in Magic Kingdom. A great place to take a quiet break from a busy day of park touring, it is often easy to find a last minute dining reservation here if more popular restaurants have booked up. The Plaza Restaurant is truly a hidden gem for families.
The American menu here includes choices of fresh sandwiches, tasty appetizers, and classic American meals. Children have a choice of a Turkey Sandwich, Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich, Cheeseburger, Grilled Cheese, or Grilled Chicken Strips, making this an excellent option for families. My favorite meal here is the delicious grilled Reuben alongside a fresh salad or the famous Loaded Plaza Fries.
This is a truly great option for a table service meal with a relaxed, casual atmosphere where families can refuel and refresh before heading back out into Magic Kingdom.
- Narcoossee’s
Location: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
Price: $$$$
Best For: Dinner
For families with children who are looking to enjoy an upscale, gourmet dinner at a Signature Restaurant after touring Magic Kingdom, Narcoossee’s is a great option. Take the monorail over to the Grand Floridian Resort for a serene waterside dining experience with coastal style cuisine.
Narcoossee’s features one of the largest Kid’s Menus of all Walt Disney World’s Signature Restaurants, allowing parents to enjoy gourmet dinner options while still satisfying their children. The prices here are exorbitant, but rest assured the quality of the meals are worth the price. Kids can choose between more classic options like Macaroni and Cheese or more unique choices such as Grilled Flat Iron Steak or Oven Roasted Wild Shrimp.
For the adults, the seafood here is fresh and always cooked to perfection. Meat lovers will adore this menu, there is an extensive selection of beef and poultry dishes available. The Braised Grass-Fed Short Ribs served with Mushroom Farro is one of my favorite dishes in all of Walt Disney World. Save room for dessert! The choices are outstanding, and there is even a large dessert menu made specially for children.
- Whispering Canyon Cafe
Location: Disney’s Wilderness Resort
Price: $$$
Best For: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Take the ferry boat over to the Wilderness Lodge for a delicious meal in a fun atmosphere with an Old Western ambiance. The decor is modeled after a log cabin, with stunning rustic chandeliers and western style tables and chairs. The view looks out into the Wilderness Lodge grounds, it is beautiful.
The servers here love to have fun with kids and adults alike. They are notoriously sassy, always ready with a witty remark or joke. Try asking them for ketchup, we’ll leave it up to you to find out what happens. For children, there are a variety of games and activities to take part in. Servers will lead regular sing a-longs that the whole family is encouraged to take part in.
Meals are served either regular table service or family style. The extensive menu is American with a modern twist. Also found here is one of the largest Kid’s Menus in Disney World. For breakfast, choose from unique egg, pancake, and french toast dishes. The Pecan Sticky Bun Skillet appetizer is always a fan favorite.
On the Kid’s menu guests will find a variety of classic dishes and everyone’s favorite, Mickey Waffles!
For lunch & dinner, Adults will love the choices of all you can eat BBQ, fresh sandwiches, and classic American dishes like Meatloaf, Braised Pork Shank, and Char Crusted NY Strip.
For vegetarians, the Skillet-Fired Red Quinoa Cakes are delicious! Make sure to check out the dessert menu as well, the Wagon Wheel Chocolate S’mores are not to be missed!
Quick Service Options
The following Magic Kingdom restaurants feature counters where guests order food to take to their chosen tables themselves. There are no servers at these restaurants.
- Columbia Harbor House
Location: Liberty Square
Price: $
Best For: Lunch, Dinner
Tucked away next to the Haunted Mansion, Columbia Harbor House is a hidden gem for a relaxing meal in Magic Kingdom at a great price point. Modeled after the interior of a large wooden ship, the nautical aesthetic will delight children and impress adults. Columbia Harbour House has the largest Kid’s Menu of all Magic Kingdom Quick Service restaurants.
Children can choose from fresh sandwiches, macaroni & cheese, chicken nuggets, among other delicious meal options. For adults, fresh fried seafood and chicken baskets, delicious sandwiches, and crisp salads are available for lunch and dinner. Finish off your meal with one of their mouth-watering rotating seasonal cobblers, they are delicious!
- Pinocchio Village Haus
Location: Fantasyland
Price: $
Best For: Lunch, Dinner
Step into a charming cottage showcasing magnificent paintings of scenes from Pinocchio. Pinocchio Village Haus overlooks the beginning of the “It’s A Small World” attraction. Children will be entertained for hours watching the boats go by, waving to their passengers and holding up the provided signs for them to read.
Pinocchio Village Haus serves delicious Italian dishes, including chicken parmesan and unique flatbread pizzas. Kids will love the pasta, personal pizzas, chicken nuggets, and fresh sandwiches. Save room for dessert here, the tiramisu gelato will quickly become a favorite for your entire family.
- Be Our Guest
Location: Fantasyland
Price: $$-$$$
Best For: Breakfast, Lunch
I would like to preface this option with a word of caution. Families with picky eaters may find it very hard to find a meal that their children will find appealing, especially at lunch time. However, other aspects of the restaurant make it so appealing that I could not leave it off of this list.
At Be Our Guest restaurant, guests are transported into Beast’s Castle from the classic film Beauty and The Beast. The exquisite design of this restaurant is truly a sight to behold. It makes for an unforgettable dining experience.
The three dining rooms at Be Our Guest are decorated with meticulous attention to detail. In The Grand Ballroom you will find grand chandeliers, large wooden tables, and floor to ceiling windows outside of which the weather is always snowy. In the Castle Gallery, you will be in awe of the gorgeous life size figures of Belle and Beast dancing. If you dare to enter the dark and mysterious West Wing, you may spot the famous enchanted rose.
The food at Be Our Guest has a French flair. I am only recommending Breakfast and Lunch for families. While some families may enjoy the price fixed dinner option, I feel there are multiple similar options much better suited for families with children. For Breakfast, families pay one price per person, and choose upon arrival from a large menu, which includes a Croissant Doughnut and a Croque Madame. The Kid’s Breakfast Menu includes cereal, french toast, eggs, and oatmeal. For lunch, picky eaters will be challenged, while more adventurous children will enjoy the refreshing change from standard Kid’s Menu options.
Unique dishes such as Slow Cooked Pork and Grilled Cheese with Turkey Noodle Soup are served for children. Adults will love the French style salads, sandwiches, and classic dishes on the lunch menu. Fan favorites include the Braised Pork Coq Au Vin and my personal favorite, the Vegetable Quiche. The French Onion Soup is a great option for an appetizer here. To finish off your meal, Be Our Guest is home to the world famous “Grey Stuff”, which is served on top of a moist chocolate cupcake.
Tips: Reservations here are booked up incredibly quickly. I recommend booking at your 180 day mark to ensure you will get a spot if you would like to eat here.
Guests who book pre-park opening Breakfast reservations will gain early entry to Magic Kingdom. This is an excellent opportunity to take beautiful family photos before the crowds enter the park.
Walt Disney World restaurants are so well suited to families with children that no matter where a family chooses to eat, they can rest assured they will have a meal everyone will enjoy. The options mentioned above are some of the best restaurants in Disney World for variety, quality of food, and atmosphere in the Magic Kingdom area. No matter where your family chooses to dine on your Walt Disney World Vacation, the experience will be truly magical.
- If you enjoyed this article, please “like” our brand new Countdown to Magic Facebook page!
You Also Might Like:
