Top 13 Themed Quick Service Restaurants at Disney World

Just for a minute, let’s forget our usual fast food and drive-thrus that we find ourselves heading to every week. Forget the ball-pit arguments and the repetitive yellow arches-inspired food. Instead, let’s chat about quick food… done with Disney style!

That’s right! There are well over 150 Quick Service Restaurants spread throughout the Walt Disney World property. It can be just as difficult picking a Quick Service spot to dine as it is choosing a Table Service Restaurant. What’s the difference, you ask? Quick Service simply means you order your food and take a seat on your own. At Table Service Restaurants, you make reservations and have a server take your order and bring your food to the table. While we love Disney’s Table Service Restaurants, we take advantage of Quick Service dining at least once a day, if not more, while on our Disney vacations.

Disney’s Quick Service spots are themed to match their surroundings, but we have been challenged to make a top thirteen list of the BEST themed Quick Service Restaurants at Disney World. Hopefully, this list will help you navigate through all the Quick Service options to get the best bang for your buck!

13 – Harambe Market @ Animal Kingdom

Forget you are visiting Orlando, Florida, and be swept away to the streets of Harambe in Africa. The streets of Harambe are bustling with people trying one or more of the four distinctive food stations located within the Market. The theming here is created as an old train depot, which makes Harambe Market an easy place to pick up the daily delivered goods! We give Harambe Market high marks, as it truly feels as if an African marketplace has arrived right in Animal Kingdom.

12 – Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café @ Magic Kingdom

So, we always say, let’s try something new – but inevitably end up at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland! The menu is simple, with good variety here, making it easy to please the whole gang. Futurist-themed tables and chairs await the flood of people that gather at this classic Quick Service spot. Our favorite part, however, is, of course, Sonny Eclipse! Sonny is a robotic alien entertainer that uses his astro-organ so we can enjoy fun songs and cheesy jokes while dining.

11 – Contempo Café @ Contemporary Resort

Super-sleek and convenient, Contempo Café, located at the Contemporary Resort, makes our list for its unique atmosphere. Contempo is nestled up next to Chef Mickey’s and offers wonderful views of the architecture of the Contemporary Resort. Our favorites are watching the Monorail breeze through the airy space and getting up close to the “it’s a small world” inspired 90-foot mural. Just stunning!

10 – Backlot Express @ Hollywood Studios

Even though we’ve been to Hollywood Studios numerous times, it took us a while to really notice Backlot Express and its detailed theming. Be sure to explore Backlot’s details, however, when selecting a seat. Different areas of the restaurant offer different themes, truly making the space feel like a backlot full of stage odds and ends. Did you spot the yellow submarine, the stoplight, and maybe even the sink full of water?

9 – Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory @ Port Orleans – French Quarter

Fat Tuesday is an endless celebration at Sassagoula in Port Orleans – French Quarter! Find Mardi Gras-inspired food and even treat yourself to some yummy King Cake! Be prepared to allow yourself some time to look up and around at the crazy and colorful decorations providing the perfect Mardi Gras theme. We like to enjoy our meal with a game of I-Spy at this festive Quick Service spot.

8 – Satu’li Canteen @ Animal Kingdom

Satu’li Canteen is not to be missed! Located in Animal Kingdom’s popular Pandora – The World of Avatar, we are huge fans of the food here as well as the theming. We were thinking Satu’li would be more extravagant but are satisfied with the interesting story of a mess hall turned into a beautiful Quick Service spot in a Quonset-hut structure. We especially like the added peaceful touches of Na’vi art and cultural items.

7 – Columbia Harbour House @ Magic Kingdom

We might not be huge seafood fans, but we still love a good meal from Columbia Harbour House located in Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square. The nautical theming here is spot on! From heavy woodwork and trim to a Captain’s wheel and everything in between, we love feeling like we are near the coast at this New England-inspired restaurant. Don’t forget to look for extra seating and more nautical details upstairs!

6 – Gaston’s Tavern @ Magic Kingdom

While you’re stopping off and visiting the not-so-humble Gaston in Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland, you’ll want to check out his fantastic tavern. This Quick Service spot doesn’t offer big meals but rather snacks Gaston-style. That’s right… the cinnamon rolls are as huge as his biceps! Even better, however, is how perfectly Gaston’s Tavern matches that of the original Beauty and the Beast film. Handsome woodwork and antlers in all of his decorating – it’s hilarious how spot-on Disney got it. Plus, check out the details on the fountain out front!

5 – Flame Tree Barbecue @ Animal Kingdom

Chances are you won’t be able to pass by Flame Tree Barbecue at Animal Kingdom without spotting it! This is not necessarily because of any extravagant entrance but rather because of the fantastic barbecue smell that exudes from this excellent Quick Service spot! Enjoy your mouthwatering goodness while sitting under one of the wood-carved pavilions that are tucked away behind the restaurant. When dining at this peaceful oasis, you can’t miss nature here with the lush greenery, water views, and curious birds.

4 – Restaurantosaurus @ Animal Kingdom

Editor’s Note: Disney has announced that DinoLand, USA, will be closing and transforming into a Tropical Americas-themed land. No closing dates have been announced, but be aware that Restaurantosaurus will be closing in the future.

Who knew the Jurassic period could be so hilarious?! Head over to DinoLand U.S.A. at Animal Kingdom for excellent American cuisine while exploring a paleontology student’s humor. As if you’re dining in a dino-themed dorm, be on the lookout for humor-filled fossils, lab equipment, paleontology tools, and detailed student handiwork. The jokes and puns here are DINO-mite (see what we did there!).

3 – Casey’s Corner @ Magic Kingdom

Take me out to the ballgame… are at least to Casey’s Corner! This timeless Quick Service location on Main Street U.S.A. is a must-do, in our opinion. They may be serving up simple American baseball favorites, but we can’t get enough of the hot dogs! From the lighting to the floors and everything in between, we love that Casey’s is a fun corner restaurant to grab a bite. Enjoy the outdoor seating, stroll while eating, or stop and listen to Jim tickling the ivories to ragtime tunes!

2 – Pinocchio Village Haus @ Magic Kingdom

Quaint and cute – the best words we can think of to describe Pinocchio Village Haus in Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland! Italian foods are the menu’s focus, with a beloved Pinocchio-themed exterior and interior. The cottage is wonderfully situated next to “it’s a small world” attraction, which can even be seen once inside Pinocchio’s! We love the Pinocchio artwork on the walls spread throughout this restaurant and the special attention to keeping the theme true through the stained-glass windows, columns, and archways. See if you can snag one of the few seats upstairs!

1 – Woody’s Lunch Box @ Hollywood Studios