The Plaza Restaurant Review – Disney World

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If you are looking for a good meal at a surprisingly reasonable price, Disney’s The Plaza Restaurant just might be the choice for you. But what kind of food does it have? Are there characters?

Get all of that information and more in the Plaza Restaurant review.

Front view of The Plaza Restaurant at Disney's Magic Kingdom

The Plaza Restaurant General Information

The Plaza Restaurant is a table service restaurant located along Main Street in Magic Kingdom. It’s easily found by looking for all the tables outside with sunny yellow umbrellas.

Unfortunately, those tables aren’t actually for the restaurant. That would be awesome if they were. They are actually for The Plaza Ice Cream Parlour. Or just for sitting and taking a break.

Or while you’re waiting for your name to be called by the hostess at The Plaza Restaurant.

The Plaza is eligible for Disney’s advance dining reservations, and if you want to eat here, they are highly recommended. While you may be able to nab a walk up reservation, odds are not great.

The restaurant is actually quite small so there are only so many tables.

The Plaza is eligible for the 10% discount if you are an Annual Passholder or Disney Vacation Club member.

When the Disney dining plan is available it uses 1 table service credit (the Disney dining plan is currently not offered).

Theme and Atmosphere

Disney uses all sorts of buzz words when describing the theme and atmosphere. Words like Art-Nouveau touches, embellished light fixtures, and so on.

For some reason, the first phrase that comes to mind for me is: Fancy Victorian-Era Ice Cream Parlor chic. I think that pretty much sums it all up.

There are two separate dining areas inside the restaurant. One is a more traditional room, while the other is called the solarium.

The Plaza Restaurant Menu

As with many other restaurants at Disney right now, The Plaza Restaurant is operating with a smaller than normal menu. The menu here is the current reduced menu.

As of June 2021, The Plaza Restaurant revamped the menu. Honestly, if this is the “final” menu, I’m seriously disappointed. This might go from one of my favorite restaurants to yet another meh.

All of the originality is gone.

I highly recommend that you check the official menu listed on Disney’s website. That will give you an idea of the most up to date menu items.

The Plaza currently offers seating for both lunch and dinner. The menu and prices are the same for both meals. Prior to lockdown breakfast was also offered, but that hasn’t resumed since reopening.

Appetizers

  • Seared Crab Cakes: Served with an Apple Slaw
  • Plaza Loaded Fries: Crispy Fries, Melted Cheese, Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato
  • Chili: Pinto Bean Chili served with Cashew Cream and Lime Wedge (Plant-based)
  • BLT Salad: Iceberg Lettuce, Tomato, House-made Bacon, and Green Goddess Dressing
  • Seasonal Soup

Entrees

  • Roast Beef Au Jus: House-cooked Roast Beef, Caramelized Onions and Peppers, Horseradish Sauce on a Toasted Sub Roll, and served with Au Jus for Dipping
  • Homestyle Meatloaf: Hearty Slices of Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, and Seasonal Vegetables
  • The Main Street Burger: 7oz All-Beef Patty topped with Cheddar, House-made Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Sunny-side Up Egg, Beer-battered Onion Ring, and Roasted Poblano-Mayonnaise served on a Flour-dusted Kaiser Bun
  • Plaza Club: Smoked Ham, Turkey, Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, and Mayonnaise
  • Chili Impossible Burger: Impossible™ Burger topped with Chili, Grilled Mushroom, Lettuce, and Tomato served with French Fries (Plant-based)

Cakes and Shakes

  • Signature Chocolate Cake: Four-layer Chocolate Cake filled with Dark Chocolate Ganache. À la mode add 2
  • Milk Shake: Hand-dipped Milk Shake topped with Whipped Cream and a Cherry
  • Dark Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding with Soy Frozen Milk Dessert: Dark Chocolate-Banana Bread Pudding topped with Chocolate Sauce and Soy Milk Frozen Dessert (Plant-based)

Ice Cream and Sundaes

  • Original Banana Split: A ripe Banana and three scoops of Ice Cream (Vanilla, Chocolate, and Strawberry) topped with Hot Fudge, Strawberry Sauce, Crushed Pineapple, Chopped Nuts, Whipped Cream, and a Cherry
  • The Plaza Restaurant Sundae: Ice Cream of your choice topped with choice of Hot Fudge, Strawberry Sauce, Crushed Pineapple, Chopped Nuts, Whipped Cream, and a Cherry
  • Brownie Sundae: Fudge Brownie served with Vanilla Ice Cream and topped with Chocolate Sauce and Chocolate Shavings

Kids’ Menu

Kids’ Appetizers (a la carte)

  • Seasonal Fruit
  • Sliced Apples
  • Grapes
  • Garden Salad

Kids’ Create Your Own Entree (choose 1)

All of the Kids’ Entrees come with 2 selections (see below) and a choice of small lowfat milk, small Dasani water, or small Minute Maid apple juice.

However, always ask for the beverage choices as I find there are more choices than that.

  • Turkey Sandwich
  • Grilled Chicken Strips
  • Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
  • Cheeseburger

Kids’ Create Your Own Selections (choose 2)

  • Seasonal Vegetables
  • Apple Slices
  • Mickeylodeon
  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Seasonal Fruit
  • Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies and Milk

The Plaza Restaurant Review

Unfortunately, most of the things we’ve eaten are not on the current reduced menu. However, I’m truly hoping this is only a temporary issue and some of these favorites will show up on the menu again soon.

And like I said, it doesn’t hurt to ask if it’s possible to make one of the old standards (I’m looking at you, fried green tomato sandwich…).

So, unfortunately, I’m going to have to talk about the food in general terms. I’ll still highlight some of the specifics we had in case they show up again, but this is less than ideal for a review!

But seriously, if you just go for the Plaza Loaded Fries, your trip will be worth it…

Check-in

I have found that even with a reservation, you might need to wait a little while for a table. I know it’s hard to tell in the sub-par pictures I took of the inside, but the seating area is quite small.

The pictures make the seating area look small and it’s not an optical illusion.

It’s for this reason that there is sometimes a wait after you check-in for your reservation.

So, take a seat at one of the tables outside and enjoy the views of Cinderella’s Castle. And the ducks. This area is teeming with feathered friends.

The cuties in the picture below kept my sister and I company while we waited for our table.

Ducklings outside The Plaza at Magic Kingdom

Atmosphere and Theme

Listen, the atmosphere isn’t exactly anything to write home about. It’s fine. That’s about all there is to say about it, really.

Could they potentially add some pizzazz to the dining room? Definitely. Is the general boringness (is that a word?) a little disappointing? Yes. But none of this is a deal breaker.

Just don’t go into this restaurant with high expectations for a highly thematic experience, because you won’t have one.

Of the two rooms, I think I prefer the solarium, solely for the open and airy feeling. Allows for more people watching.

Solarium in The Plaza Restaurant Disney

But again, as you can see from this picture taken inside the solarium, it’s a bit bland.

To highlight just how small the space is, there isn’t a restroom located inside of the restaurant. There just isn’t space for one. However, you just have to head outside and there’s one right there. You can even see it through the windows of the picture above.

Food

I will say, regardless of what is actually on the menu, The Plaza Restaurant provides one of the few sit-down dining experiences that is very reasonably priced.

The food certainly isn’t at the level of Skipper Canteen (which is delicious, by the way) but the price tag fits what you are getting.

Really, the menu here is basic Americana comfort food. Sandwiches and burgers are the prevailing menu, and that’s nothing to sneeze at.

The one exception to all of this is the Plaza Loaded Fries. Everyone should get these, they are just that good.

Plaza Loaded Fries appetizers at Plaza Restaurant

Honestly, for a nice inexpensive meal option, you can order these as an entree. The serving size is generous and definitely filling. Pair this with a milk shake, and for $16 you have yourself a delicious (and slightly naughty) meal. You can’t beat that price.

And really, with the current limited menu, this is likely exactly what I would do.

If/When the Fried Green Tomato Sandwich returns to the menu, that’s the next item I would highly suggest. It’s such a unique offering that you don’t find many other places.

Aside from it being unique, it’s flat out delicious. And I had the gluten free version! I can only image the normal version of the sandwich is even better.

Gluten free fried green tomato sandwich at The Plaza Restaurant Disney

And look at those homemade chips. They were crispy and delicious, a perfect complement to the sandwich.

Other menu items we’ve tried at The Plaza Restaurant are a Rueben Sandwich and BBQ Pork Macaroni and Cheese.

Rueben Sandwich at The Plaza Restaurant

All in all, it’s a delicious place to eat as long as you aren’t expecting fancy food. While there’s nothing wrong with fancy food, there’s also nothing wrong with some good old fashioned sandwiches and loaded french fries.

A Note for People With Food Allergies…

If you are someone with a food allergy, then put The Plaza Restaurant very high on your list of desired restaurants. While I’ve enjoyed my experiences at most of the Disney restaurants, dining at The Plaza Restaurant is hands down my favorite dining experience so far.

This amazing experience all rests on the shoulders of Chef Ken. While all the chefs do their best to accommodate special dietary needs, Chef Ken takes it a step further.

The first time we ate at the Plaza was with the family of my best friend. Her son has multiple serious food allergies and I have my gluten sensitivity. So we’re fun to serve…

Chef Ken came to our table to talk through the menu. He told me to simply pick whatever item I wanted and he would make it gluten free. Any item I wanted.

He even personally brought us out brand new, unopened bottles of condiments to reduce the chances of cross-contamination. The waiter didn’t bring these out, Chef Ken did it himself!

This is a level of service I have never seen the like of, anywhere.

That milkshake you see there is an allergy friendly shake that Chef Ken went out of his way to make for my friend’s son. I think we all know just how much that means to a kid with food allergies.

Chef Ken also taught me the steps he uses to turn regular old gluten free rolls into delicious bread for sandwiches and burgers. I still use his tips regularly.

On the whole, Chef Ken went above and beyond to make sure that we not only had a safe experience but a truly delicious meal.

Just so you know, Chef Ken typically works Tuesday through Saturday, usually during the lunch seatings.

I have gone there when Chef Ken unfortunately wasn’t working. The food was still delicious, it just didn’t have quite the same flare!

Sample Plaza Restaurant Allergy Menu

I took this image of the allergy friend menu when I was there before the closing and reopening. While these items aren’t currently available, it gives you an idea of what you can expect during more normal times. Hopefully.

Gluten free menu at The Plaza Restaurant Disney World

Final Verdict on Plaza Restaurant

If you couldn’t tell already, I really love The Plaza Restaurant. In terms of affordable table service restaurants in Disney World, it simply can’t be beat.

The most similar restaurant I can think of at Magic Kingdom is Tony’s Town Square Restaurant. And while I think Tony’s Town Square is the winner in terms of theme and atmosphere, The Plaza Restaurant’s combination of delicious food and affordable prices make it the clear winner.

Check out my full thoughts on Tony’s Town Square restaurant to get all the details on why it’s not such a winner.

But seriously, The Plaza Restaurant is a solid choice for a meal on your Magic Kingdom day. And if you are someone with special dietary needs, Plaza is an absolute must.

Hopefully, you’ll be lucky enough to go when Chef Ken is working!

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The Plaza Restaurant pin image

Your Thoughts

Have you eaten at The Plaza Restaurant? Do you love it as much as I do or are you not a fan? Let me know in the comments below.

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1 thought on “The Plaza Restaurant Review – Disney World”

  1. Magical dining experience! I loved reading your review of the Plaza Restaurant at Disney. The charming atmosphere, friendly staff, and scrumptious food make it a must-visit for any Disney fan. Your detailed insights and mouthwatering descriptions have me craving a visit to this enchanting dining spot. Thanks for sharing your Disney journey!

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