REVIEW: The Magic Kingdom Restaurant We Call “Old Reliable,” Because It Never Fails Us

It’s lunchtime in Magic Kingdom, and you are looking for an easy place to grab a yummy bite and relax for a bit. No reservations needed! But, you also don’t want to be out in the sun or eating off of a trash can. We think we might have just the place for you!

Here at AllEars, we know all the ins and outs of Disney restaurants — including where you should definitely eat, and where you should skip. We recently stopped by Columbia Harbour House in Magic Kingdom and are bringing you our FULL review!

Background

Columbia Harbour House is located in Liberty Square in Magic Kingdom. You will find the entrance right across from the Haunted Mansion. The restaurant’s building is inspired by Colonial America, and inside, you will find a nautical, seafaring setting.

We are usually pretty big fans of this quick-service option in Magic Kingdom. In the past, it has offered some tasty New England-inspired fare with lots of seating options indoors. Of course, we are always revisiting Disney World restaurants, so let’s see if this restaurant is still a winner!

Here’s what you need to know about dining at this restaurant.

Atmosphere

This restaurant fits right in with the theming of Liberty Square, and it is perfect for a quick bite during your Magic Kingdom day. You have two options for ordering: at the register or via Mobile Order. We highly recommend placing a Mobile Order, but you can opt for either! When you first enter the restaurant, you will see the ordering area and the pick-up counter.

There are lots of seating options downstairs.

But if it is crowded or you just want more, make sure to head upstairs! There is even more seating up there, and you can also find seats overlooking the walkways for some fantastic people watching while you eat.

You will pick up your food at the counter downstairs, but there are self-serve stations throughout the restaurant with utensils, napkins, and condiments.

While you are choosing your seat, make sure to look out for the fun nautical details throughout the restaurant!

But enough about that, what are we eating?!

Food & Drinks

First up, we grabbed one of our favorites: the Hushpuppies for $5.49. So last year, Columbia Harbour House removed these from the menu, but after a lot of public outcry, they returned. There’s a reason. These little nuggets of fried corn batter are delicious. You get six per serving, and they have a super crispy exterior, with a soft and fluffy interior.

Inside is a cornmeal batter that has pieces of whole corn mixed in, so you get some great textures. There’s also a hint of sweetness. This is one thing we will never NOT get when we’re here.

Up next, we grabbed the Beer-battered Fish Platter for $13.49, which is served with tartar sauce. Fries come on the side, and they’re those classic potatoey and fluffy Disney fries. You get three pieces of fish, and let us tell you — that batter is thick and oily. You can feel the oil when you pick each piece up and bite into it. But despite all that oil, they have a nice crunch and crispiness.

The fish inside is tender and juicy. It just melts in the mouth. You also get a touch of fish flavor, but it’s not overly fishy. Pro tip: get some tartar sauce to dunk these in.

We also got the Maple-Mustard Glazed Salmon for $15.79. It usually comes with green beans and rice, but you can also switch up the sides if you would like. This is a fantastic option if you want to eat a little healthier. The salmon is tender and moist, and the glaze is a great combination of mustard flavor with a bit of sweetness from the maple.

The green beans are easy to bite into and have a bit of snap, which we like. There’s nothing sadder than a mushy green bean. They needed some seasoning, but you can get salt and pepper from the condiment bar or just dip them in the glaze on the salmon. The rice is pretty plain, and it wasn’t cooked to our preference (it was kinda’ gummy), but it makes a nice bed for the salmon and green beans.

For dessert, we got the Boston Cream Pie for $5.99. It is vanilla cake layered with vanilla cream, chocolate popping candies, and crisp pearls, topped with fudge icing and a cherry. This dessert has LAYERS: two layers of cake with a thick layer of cream in the middle and chocolate ganache on top. The ratio of layers was perfect, although we might’ve preferred a bit more cake.

You get a lot of sweetness and vanilla from the bottom layers. The chocolate ganache is super fudgy and probably the most prominent flavor. There are also little crunchy beads in the cream that add a fun texture. This dessert might be small, but it is mighty because it’s so rich.

So, should you make your way over to Liberty Square to dine at Columbia Harbour House?

Magic or Tragic?

This Disney World restaurant is a must-visit if…

• • You’re on a budget. The beauty of this restaurant is that you can get a good quality meal without breaking the bank.
  • You need to sit down. One of the things we love about Columbia Harbour House is that there is plenty of seating, so you can take some time off your feet to enjoy your meal.
  • You want food fast. This is a quick-service restaurant, so you get your food quickly, especially if you choose to use Mobile Order.

You should skip this Disney World spot if…

• • You want a full table service meal. Although you can rest your feet in this restaurant, you don’t get a full table service meal experience like you might get at Liberty Tree Tavern or Be Our Guest.
  • You don’t like fish. The menu here is focused on seafood, although we can tell you that the Chicken Strips here are pretty good, too.
  • You don’t want fried food. Almost everything here has been bathed in a deep fryer. If you want more than a few healthy options, Columbia Harbour House probably isn’t for you.

Overall, we think Columbia Harbour House is one of the best quick-service options in  Magic Kingdom. There’s plenty of seating, so you can rest your feet while you eat, and all that seating is indoors in air conditioning, which we especially appreciate in the summer. On top of that, the food here is consistently good every time we visit.

In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for more restaurant updates from Disney World and beyond. Make sure you stay tuned to AllEars for the latest Disney news and more!

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Have you eaten at this Disney World restaurant before? Tell us in the comments.

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