Favorite restaurant in MK

[Aaryana]

We’ve always been satisfied with lunch at Columbia Harbor House. It’s indoors and nice and cool. The food isn’t fancy but it’s always cooked fine.

 

[glocon]

We too had lunch at CHH this last trip and enjoyed it.
My sister and I both had the lobster roll, and although there wasn’t lots of filling in the sandwiches, the roll was fresh and soft on the inside and the lobster filling was quite good.
I would definitely go back there again.

 

[BrianL]

Be Our Guest. Walking into the ballroom is like walking into the film. Some people complain about the prix fixe menu but I've had good luck ordering the filet.

I've always found the filet to be very good there and I do enjoy the atmosphere and the service. I mena, yeah, it's pricey and all and mabye not the finest dining on the planet, but I have still found it worth it. I haven't been in a while though.

I am with others in liking Skipper Canteen. That's about as dcent as MK table service gets. I generally do Columbia Harbor House for pretty good counter service.

 

[jemtx]

For QS we like Columbia harbor house, but it’s not as good as it was a couple of years ago.
Usually go to the Spring Roll cart in Adventureland for the cheeseburger spring rolls.
For TS we like Liberty Tree Tavern.

 

[Dug720]

Skipper Canteen! I love the Tastes Like Chicken because they can do it gluten-free - and no silliness like some other places (*cough*50's Prime Time*cough*) where you have to give advance notice if you want the fried chicken gluten-free. They just have it.

 

[gregskellington]

Thank you for that update. We did this last year and the Beast just did a quick turn around the room never getting close to our table. Think your post made up our mind about what character dinner to reserve. PS - love the french onion soup there.

The Beast is no longer meeting, back to the walkthrough.

 

[erinch]

Hopping the monorail to Epcot is the best MK restaurant

 

[beccasmom]

Columbia Harbour House is our go-to. However, we often will go to a nearby resort instead - Steakhouse 71 at the CR (with an ADR) or the Contempo Cafe or Geyser Point at the WL, which is relatively quiet mid-day.

 

[TheHulamuffins]

If it is within your budget, I think you should go to Cinderella's Royal Table at least once in your life. We have gone there about every 8-9 years by this time. The food is very good--not a Disney stand-out, but still very good. It is special to eat in the castle, especially for children who are old enough to appreciate it, but young enough for the magic. The princesses are wonderful at the castle!

There has often been a birthday celebration there, when we have been there. My brother is an excellent singer, and will sometimes join in if the table with the birthday party is close to ours.

 

[TheHulamuffins]

Another restaurant where you should go at least once in your life is Be Our Guest. I would rate the food when we have been there, maybe every 4 years or so, as a step above the food at Cinderella's Royal Table, and the decor is outstanding. The entryway is fun as well, at least for me! If you do not want to go for dinner, we have had excellent luck with the food quality at lunch, and you get to see the same room decor then.

 

[TheHulamuffins]

We go to the Crystal Palace on practically every trip. One member of our party is smitten with Piglet, so we practically have to go there. The buffet is excellent, in my view. I really appreciate the choice of vegetables and the salads. The roast beef is a little hit or miss if you like it rare, as we tend to do, but sometimes it is excellent. The desserts are clever and they are small, so you can try several. The character interactions are excellent; they have always been willing to take photos with various subsets of a group of 6 to 8. It is interesting, reflecting on it, but I would say that some of the most memorable wait staff we have encountered have been at Crystal Palace. Of course, since it is a buffet, their job is different from the jobs in other restaurants.

We have almost always had a significant wait at Crystal Palace. If you can "snag" spots on the benches on the porch, the view is pretty, and it is relaxing after a day in the park, if you are having dinner there. It can be a bit of a challenge if you have to stand up while you are waiting.

 

[TheHulamuffins]

We have found Skipper Canteen to be variable on our recent visits. When it first opened, it was definitely one of my favorite restaurants in the Magic Kingdom. The jokes told by the servers were fantastic. There are multiple rooms, so you can see different interior decor on different trips. The "Tastes Like Chicken" has been reliable in my experience. They have changed the menu a little recently, and eliminated one of my favorite appetizers. The Koongaloosh dessert (spelling?) is something that you should try. When we were there last, we experienced a lot of delay in being seated--more than seemed reasonable to us, given the rate at which other groups were being seated and despite a reservation. We may or may not go back the next time we are at Magic Kingdom, though this had previously been an "every time" restaurant for us.

 

[TheHulamuffins]

I was not initially drawn to Liberty Tree Tavern, but we have had excellent experiences there the last few times we have been there. This is a great restaurant for a group that includes hungry men! It is served family style, and I would characterize the food as "family style" as well. You can check the menu online. The areas where we have been seated have been relatively quiet, and the pace is not hectic, so it is a great break from touring.

 

[TheHulamuffins]

Tony's (Town Square?) is a perennial favorite of part of our group for New Year's Eve. When we first went, it was a very good Italian restaurant. In my opinion, the food became more bland and less interesting about a decade ago. But more recently, the quality and interest of the food has increased in my opinion, with the appetizers especially improving.

 

[TheHulamuffins]

We have not eaten at the Plaza yet, but it seems to be popular. For counter service lunches, I would recommend Columbia Harbor House--and take the food upstairs. It is quieter and more relaxing. Also, I feel as though the lines for counter service are not as bad as elsewhere. We have had quite good food at Cosmic Ray's. My husband is fond of Pecos Bill's.

For a quick breakfast, we really like the Cheshire Cat Cafe!

 

[TheHulamuffins]

The suggestion about leaving Magic Kingdom for Epcot to have dinner is actually very reasonable if you have the time and you are looking for upscale restaurants with more appeal to adults. Another couple of possibilities along those lines: Take a boat over to Wilderness Lodge, and go to the Into the Woods or Enchanted Forest (or some similar name) dinner at Artist Point. The food has been outstanding when we have been there. Great appetizers, cleverly served; excellent prime rib; very nice desserts including the "poisoned apple." The character interactions are excellent: Grumpy, Dopey, Snow White, and especially the Queen, who is a master of comedy. The lighting is also very special, and it changes depending on the character action that is going on.

Another alternative is to walk or take the monorail to a restaurant at the Contemporary. Chef Mickey's is there, and we have always found it enjoyable. For our last night at WDW, we have often gone to the California Grill. It now has a prix fixe menu, which we like a bit less than the a la carte menu of the past, but we have enjoyed it quite a lot. You have a spectacular view of the Magic Kingdom, and if your dinner time overlaps with the fireworks, you can go out on a balcony to watch the fireworks, with the music playing.

 

[TheHulamuffins]

For a rowdier time that is a lot of fun, you can take a boat to Wilderness Lodge and go to Whispering Canyon, which is anything but "whispering." The servers are great comedians! Do not ask for catsup! The great, truly legendary M. T. Wallet has retired from working there, but she is one of my very most memorable Disney "characters." Family style options for food are available, and the restaurant is very child-friendly, especially if your children may become restless at a meal.

 

[TheHulamuffins]

Well, as you can certainly tell by this point, our family has been to WDW many, many times and we have eaten in most, but not all of the restaurants. I forgot to mention Aloha Terrace (or something like that) where you can get Dole Whips! Other counter service places look interesting as well. We have not tried the spring rolls at the cart just outside Adventure Land, but I have heard that they are very good. The main street bakery provides coffee for those for whom it is essential, though the lines have usually been long when we have been there.

Obviously, all of this is just my opinion, borrowing a bit on the opinions of our family group, but I hope the posts have been helpful.

 

[erinch]

I've seen some recent reviews praising the gumbo-thing at Golden Oak and the new flatbread at Gastons. So fo not overlook the outliers for hearty snacks.

 

[pens4821]

We make a point to go to cosmic Rays once while there. We like going at an off time and sit and listen to Sonny. It’s silly but fun to us. Also usually always do CHH as the sampler is a a nice portion.

Have also tried Pecos, Casey’s, and Lunching Pad. Lunching pad had these amazing jerk chicken tenders a few years ago that we loved and got twice that week. Wish they kept them.

Never done table service there. I do want to try LTT, but I’m too picky. I don’t like turkey at all, and I’m very picky about pork and roast. Also wouldn’t mind trying Pinocchio sometime if there is seating to overlook small world.