Hollywood Studios Lunch: 10 Best Places to Eat You Will Love
Hollywood Studios has always been one of my favorite parks, but when noon rolls around, I’m always searching for the best Hollywood Studios lunch spot I can find. I’ve tried pretty much every quick service and sit-down restaurant at this park, so in this article, I’m going to share my top 10 places to eat at Hollywood Studios for lunch!
Hollywood Studios Lunch – Best Places to Eat
Let’s begin with the Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo.
#1: Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo
Type: Quick Service
Cost: $10 – $20
Cuisine: American
Located: Galaxy’s Edge
Like many guests, your first destination of the day will be heading to Galaxy’s Edge (perhaps because you want to build a lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop). It’s understandable, it’s packed with some of Disney’s most popular attractions! Before you know it, lunch time will roll around and Docking Bay 7 is the perfect place to grab a quick bite to eat before you move on with your day. Located inside of the hangar bay, there is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating so that you can enjoy (or escape) the weather
In regards to menu items, what I love about this spot is that you won’t find any common household names on this menu. The dishes are appropriately “out of this world”, so be prepared to enjoy a variety of Endorian specialties. The smoked Kaadu pork ribs are delicious and filling, and the Endorian chicken salad is an excellent option for those who are a little more health conscious or prefer a lighter lunch. Moof juice is a hit with the kids, I highly reccomend giving it a try if you’re dining with little ones!
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#2: Backlot Express
Type: Quick Service
Cost: $15 and Under
Cuisine: American
Located: Backlot
This has been a go to of mine since I was young. It’s conveniently located in the Hollywood Studios backlot, situated between the Indiana Jones Stunt Show Spectacular and the Jedi Training. The menu is simple and inexpensive, and has a decent variety, even for picky eaters. I’ll be honest, there isn’t much on the menu that stands out as a culinary must have, but it’s an excellent quick service option with options for your whole party.
You can’t go wrong with the pulled pork burger or the Cuban sandwich, and there are a few salads and a vegetarian option as well. This spot has your kids covered with chicken strips and mac & cheese. Be sure to check out their cookies, they change on occasion but can be fun options to grab and go for the kids.
#3: BaseLine Taphouse
Type: Quick Service
Cost: $15 and Under
Cuisine: American
Located: Backlot
BaseLine Taphouse is an awesome find for the adults, and one of my personal favorites not only for lunch, but for a mid-afternoon/pre-dinner snack and drink to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the park. If you frequent taphouses regularly, this will be a fun find for you. The food menu is small and the beverage menu is fairly extensive, but if you’re looking for a lighter lunch, this is the perfect option.
First of all, this isn’t ideal for kids, so if you’re traveling with a lot of kids, I recommend skipping this one. If you’re going to Disney World without kids, this is a must try. I like to hit it late afternoon to early evening when the park quiets down a bit and they turn on the ambient lighting outside. The small bites are tasty, especially the Bavarian pretzel, and the cheese plate is impressive for theme park fare. From a craft beer connoisseur, the beer selection is top notch with a variety of locally brewed California beers.
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#4: ABC Commissary
Type: Quick Service
Cost: $15 and Under
Cuisine: American
Located: Commissary Lane
This is a fun, quick service spot to grab a quick bite off of a diverse menu, while being surrounded by a collection of your favorite ABC shows. The menu consists of a mix mash of a variety of different dishes, from shrimp tacos to buffalo chicken grilled cheese (my favorite) to a mediterranean salad. If you spot the arugula farro salad, grab it. It’s one of my favorite little finds, perfect for a quick snack or addition to your meal.
#5: Catalina Eddie’s
Type: Quick Service
Cost: $15 and Under
Cuisine: Pizza
Located: Sunset Blvd.
This one is for the kids. There isn’t much to Catalina Eddie’s, but the pizza is quick and delicious and perfect for a quick bite. The menu is simple, with cheese pizza, pepperoni pizza, and a hearty caesar salad. I love it though because it’s a great place to grab a slice, before you pop over to Hollywood Scoops and grab an ice cream cone before jumping in the queue for Rock n’ Roller Coaster!
To sum it up – I love the convenience of being able to grab a quick bite to eat and get back to my day, and my nephews never complain about a slice of pizza and a scoop of ice cream.
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#7: Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant
Type: Table Service
Cost: $10 – $30
Cuisine: American
Located: Commissary Lane
This is hands down one of my favorite restaurants in the Disney parks. You’ll hop into your own car shaped booth, and enjoy watching classic sci-fi scenes on the big screen! This throwback, 50’s style experience is a crowd favorite, and books up quickly. I highly recommend grabbing reservations, even for lunch, especially if it’s on your list of must-try restaurants in Hollywood Studios (if it’s not – it should be).
This is a great experience for the whole family, including little ones. If you have kids who are extremely sensitive to loud noises or you feel may be frightened by the scenes, it might be best to think twice about booking here. However even with young nephews, I’ve never had an issue and they’ve always had a great time.
The menu is packed with classic American burgers, similar to what you’d expect to find at the drive in movies. The BBQ burger and pork on pork burgers are standouts, especially for the meat eaters in your party. There are several solid pasta dishes on the menu if you’ll be enjoying a late lunch and looking for a heartier option. The Red Planet is a fun cheesecake dessert, complete with blueberry compote and candied almonds. This just might be one of the best places to eat at Hollywood Studios.
#8: 50’s Prime Time Cafe
Type: Table Service
Cost: $10 – $30
Cuisine: American
Located: Echo Lake
Stepping into this restaurant will have you feel like you’re stepping into a kitschy, retro 50’s style kitchen. The decor is fantastic, and the menu is chalked full of comfort food favorites. To set the mood, the cast members will be sure to make you feel right at home, and yes that includes making sure you’ve brought your manners to the table.
You’ll want to plan ahead and be prepared to bring your appetite when dining here. The portions are generous and filling. Aunt Liz’s Golden Fried Chicken is a staple on the menu, served with mashed potatoes and gravy, and Mom’s old-fashioned pot roast is a must try. This is one of my favorite places to grab a crisp, iceberg wedge salad, and be sure to top it off with a bowl of tomato soup.
This is one of the more popular restaurants in the Disney parks, and guests make reservations well in advance, so be sure to plan ahead. Insider tip – if you don’t have a reservation and you have a small party, check out the Tune In Lounge next door. It’s a great place to enjoy cocktails and enjoy menu items without having to sit down for a full lunch. I definitely believe that the 50s Prime Time Cafe offers the best table service in Hollywood Studios—at least from a Cast Member and overall experience point of view!
#9: Hollywood Brown Derby
Type: Table Service
Cost: $15 – $50
Cuisine: American
Located: Hollywood Blvd.
One of my earliest memories of Disney World was eating at the Hollywood Brown Derby. As a lover of all things vintage Hollywood, this restaurant is a genuine replica of the original Brown Derby, a glamorous icon of Hollywood in its heyday. Reservations are highly recommended at this sit down classic
My favorite part about this restaurant is the menu, where you can find classics reminiscent or the original Brown Derby menu, including the famous Cobb Salad and grapefruit cake. Classics aside, you’ll find decadent menu options perfect for any special occasion, including the free range chicken Coq au Vin and seafood cioppino – both of which are excellent.
Keep in mind that this experience will set you back a pretty penny, and isn’t nearly as impressive for younger kids (unless your like me, and grew up fascinated by Hollywood history).
#10: Hollywood & Vine
Type: Buffet
Cost: $40 – $60
Cuisine: American
Located: Echo Lake
Join Minnie and friends for a fun, character dining experience. Hollywood & Vine is a buffet style restaurant, serving up a variety of salads, seafood and proteins. I highly recommend the crispy pork belly and herb crusted tenderloin. Recommendations are highly recommended, and be sure to keep an eye out for special character offerings during the holidays!
Getting Hungry?
In my opinion, while Hollywood Studios doesn’t have any stellar standouts in regards to menu items or cuisine, it hands down offers the best restaurant theming of any of the parks. Every experience is immersive and decor is on point, and every menu plays into the story the restaurant is trying to tell.
When it comes to choosing the perfect place for your Hollywood Studios lunch, you’re in for a treat, as every restaurant is just as exciting as the attractions. Not only are there a variety of quick service options for the kids, there are plenty of adult friendly places to relax and grab a drink, and let yourself get lost in the ambiance.
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