14 Best (And Worst!) Hollywood Studios Restaurants You Must Try

Are you on the hunt for the best Hollywood Studios restaurants? You’ve come to the right place!

There are so many good eateries, but sometimes it can be difficult to figure out which are the best Hollywood Studios restaurants.

This list is here to help guide you in the right direction when choosing restaurants in Hollywood Studios for you and your party!

From dining in a car while watching old movie clips at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, to getting “corrected” by your aunt at the dinner table at 50’s Prime Time Cafe, there are restaurants in Hollywood Studios for everyone!

14 Best (And Worst!) Hollywood Studios Restaurants You Must Try! 

Best Hollywood Studios Table Service Restaurants

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant 

If you’re looking for one of the more unique restaurants in Hollywood Studios, the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant is a fantastic option! This is truly one of our favorite things to do in Hollywood Studios!

Heavily inspired by the famous drive-in movies of the 1940s and 1950s, the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant on Hollywood Studios’ Commissary Lane allows its guests to sit in vintage-style car replicas, watch old-movie clips, and enjoy a great meal.

Due to the limited number of cars available, you’ll want to ask the hostess ahead of time to place you and your party in the cars in order to get the full experience!

The menu here underwent significant changes after the 2020 closures, and the big focus here is on the burgers.

The most popular burger is the Drive-In BBQ Burger, complete with 9-hour smoked pork, bourbon-bacon jam, cheddar, lettuce, and barbecue sauce.

Gluten-free buns are available for all of their burgers upon request!

The highlight of this restaurant in Hollywood Studios is by far its cocktails and drink menu.

Some of the featured cocktails are the Spicy Martian Margarita (habanero and lime), Orbiting Oreos (similar to mudslides), and the Magical Star cocktail (less creamy pina colada) can all add a little bit of extra flair to your experience.

Not a fan of indoor dining at Hollywood Studios? Then check out the best places for outdoor dining at Disney!

Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano

If you are craving Italian food, Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano is the best restaurant in Hollywood Studios to get your fix.

Similar to other restaurants in Hollywood Studios, Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano has a historic, California-based backstory.

The story goes that many years ago, a girl from a small village in Sicily moved to Hollywood to become a star before finding out that her true passion was cooking.

Instead of becoming a movie star herself, this girl began serving her Italian family recipes to insiders of the film industry, who nicknamed her Mama Melrose.

Tucked away behind Muppet Vision 3D, now you too can dine on these Italian dishes created by Mama Melrose.

From Shrimp Campanelle to Oven-baked Chicken Alla Parmigiana, you really can’t go wrong at this Hollywood Studios restaurant.

Of course, any Italian meal isn’t quite complete without dessert!

Mama Melrose offers the classic Tiramisu and Gelato, but also has a Colors of Italy cheesecake that is made with olive oil and a whipped raspberry panna cotta that makes it taste divine!

Mama Melrose is one of the best restaurants in Hollywood Studios.

Want to try other delicious desserts? Then check out some of the decadent Disney desserts to eat at the parks!

The Hollywood Brown Derby

As one of the best restaurants in Hollywood Studios, The Hollywood Brown Derby is the only remaining Brown Derby in existence!

The original Brown Derby restaurant in Los Angeles was shaped like a man’s derby hat, which became an icon of the Golden Age of Hollywood, and why the restaurant found its way into Hollywood Studios.

The walls are decorated with caricatures of celebrities, and the music will have you feeling like you have gone back in time to 1920s Hollywood.

For some of the best food at Hollywood Studios, this restaurant takes the cake.

We highly recommend that you make reservations in advance as the waitlist can get long quickly.

For a truly delightful meal, try their signature Cobb salad (rumored to have been created by the original owner of the restaurant chain Bob Cobb), or splurge on a Wagyu beef burger that melts in your mouth on the first bite.

However, this location also has the best vegan food at Hollywood Studios. Many of the vegan options are off-menu items that the chef can make upon request, and trust us from experience, many of the chefs love being creative in the kitchen.

If you are a fan of dessert, check out the famous grapefruit cake, a staple from the original Brown Derby that this location is keeping alive and well!

While we at Disney Trippers agree that this restaurant is the best dinner at Hollywood Studios, we do warn readers that The Hollywood Brown Derby is one of the priciest restaurants in Hollywood Studios.

The entrees alone cost anywhere from $20 to $50 per plate. All of the appetizers and desserts are within the $13 to $21 range.

If you are looking for something a little different, then check out our recommendations for the best Disney World restaurants.

Hollywood & Vine

As one of the best restaurants in Hollywood Studios, Hollywood & Vine tends to be more popular for families with small children as it includes the best character dining in Hollywood Studios.

The restaurant features popular Disney Jr. characters, including Sofia the First, Vampirina, and Doc McStuffins, during breakfast time.

You can get classics like Mickey Waffles or Hazelnut Spread-stuffed French Toast!

But if you go to the restaurant during lunch or dinner, you will meet members of the fab five: Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Pluto.

Some of their popular dishes here include the Asparagus and Summer Truffle Risotto (which is plant-based), and Spice-rubbed Pork Loin made with a creamy soft cheese polenta, spicy mustard-barbecue sauce, and bacon-peach chutney.

The prices here are on par with most of the character dining experiences on Disney property.

Depending on which meal you choose to eat at Hollywood & Vine, your visit will cost anywhere between $40 and $60 per person.

Looking for other character dining options? Then check out the best restaurants for character dining at Disney World!

Worst Hollywood Studios Table Service Restaurants

50’s Prime Time Café

Adjacent to Hollywood & Vine is the infamous 50’s Prime Time Café, one of the themed sit-down restaurants in Hollywood Studios.

The 50’s Prime Time Café serves up what many call “classic American comfort food.”

Items you can find on this menu include Aunt Liz’s Golden Fried Chicken (which is deep-fried chicken, mashed potatoes smothered in chicken gravy), and Cousin Megan’s Traditional Meatloaf (served with garlic mashed potatoes and green beans).

But let’s be honest: who wants to eat meatloaf while they are at Disney World? Especially when that meatloaf is $23 for two small pieces!

The vegan and vegetarian options at the 50’s Prime Time Café, as well as allergy-friendly alternatives, are very limited and not impressive at all.

You also need to be tolerant of the atmosphere. The cast members treat you like family, and will openly tease and reprimand you as you try to enjoy your meal as many family members do at meal time.

While they are never cruel, some of the scripts that the cast members have can lead to uncomfortable situations for members of your party. If you are not open to this kind of environment, be sure to alert your hostess before you sit and they may be able to make some adjustments for you.

If you are looking for somewhere more friendly to your dietary needs, then check out the best places to eat gluten-free at Disney World for some alternative dining options.

Best Hollywood Studios Counter Service Restaurants

ABC Commissary

If you are looking for the best quick service at Hollywood Studios, then ABC Commissary is where you will want to go.

Directly next to the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, this location is open for both lunch and dinner.

ABC Commissary offers a limited menu of sandwiches and salads, but they do offer gluten-free bun alternatives and a plant-based option if you are in the mood for a burger.

The ABC Commissary is one of the most reasonably-priced quick-service at Hollywood Studios options with no singular item costing more than $20, which is why it is on our list of best restaurants in Hollywood Studios.

Want to know more about the quick service options? Then check out our list of the best Hollywood Studios quick service restaurants.

Catalina Eddie’s

Not sure where to eat at Hollywood Studios? If you have picky eaters, consider giving Catalina Eddie’s a try.

Serving up quick Italian-style fare, Catalina Eddie’s is a great Hollywood Studios food option if you just want to grab a quick bite and get back to the park’s fantastic rides and shows.

With no singular item priced over $15, this Hollywood quick service restaurant is perfect for Disney lovers on a budget.

The personal pizzas, Caesar salad with chicken, and the Enchanted Rose (a dark chocolate and cherry mousse) from Catalina Eddie’s are all delicious quick bites to grab before you pop in to watch the Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage show just across the street.

There are allergy-friendly alternatives to many of these dishes including a gluten-free crust, an egg-free crust, and a nut-free Caesar salad- just make sure you ask for the alternatives when you order.

If you’d like to speed up your eating at Hollywood Studios experience, you can order your meal ahead of time for Catalina Eddie’s using your phone through the My Disney Experience app.

Want to know more about the My Disney Experience app? Then check out our ultimate guide to My Disney Experience app where we share some tips and tricks for how to get the most out of the free app.

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo

If you are looking for a more adventurous meal, then Docking Bay 7 is one of the best Hollywood Studios restaurants you have to try!

Within Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo is themed to be in a working hangar bay.

The atmosphere and food options are truly out of this world!

The Smoked Kaadu Pork Ribs, Fried Endorian Chicken Tip Yip, and the Outpost Puff dessert have all proven to be crowd favorites!

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo also offers plant-based options such as the Felucian Kefta and Hummus Garden Spread, which is why it is one of the places to grab the best lunch at Hollywood Studios.

Looking for other vegan meal alternatives? Then check out the best places to eat vegan at Disney World!

Woody’s Lunch Box 

Woody’s Lunch Box is one of the best Hollywood Studios restaurants bar none.

By far, this location in Toy Story Land has the best breakfast in Hollywood Studios that you will want to eat at, even in the evening hours.

Just steps away from popular attractions, such as Toy Story Mania and Slinky Dog Dash, this quick service restaurant is popular and gets crowded fast!

Woody’s Lunch Box has two popular dishes that people spend hours waiting for: the seasonal Lunch Box Tarts, and the delicious tater tot-nacho combination called “Totchos”!

The Lunch Box Tarts are always on the menu, but the flavors and decorations change to match the current season. For example, the summer season usually brings around the lemon-blueberry flavor, and winter brings the cinnamon-apple flavor.

The one downside of Woody’s Lunch Box is the lack of shade, but rumor has it that Disney is going to fix that problem soon!

Looking for other great options for eating at Hollywood Studios for breakfast? Then check out the best places for breakfast in Hollywood Studios!

PizzeRizzo

Replacing Pizza Planet and just steps away from Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano, PizzeRizzo is one of the best quick service at Hollywood Studios options.

As the name implies, PizzeRizzo’s menu is filled with several pizza options, including meat lover’s pizza, vegetable pizza, and the classic pepperoni pizza.

There are also several options for guests with gluten, egg, shellfish, milk, nut, or soy allergies! Be sure to ask your server about these options before ordering!

If you are looking to eat on a budget in Disney, then check out our how to eat cheap at Disney guide that will give you some tips and tricks for navigating your meals in the park.

Worst Hollywood Studios Counter Service Restaurants

Dockside Diner

On the shores of Echo Lake, Dockside Diner is not on our list of best Hollywood Studios restaurants.

Sadly, this quick service in Hollywood Studios lacks both a variety of dishes, as well as any vegan options beyond a bag of fried potato chips.

The highlight of the restaurant is the shrimp salad roll, and most guests rate this dish as one of the worst ones they have ever had on Disney property!

As you can likely tell from some of the other options on this list, there are clearly other offerings with more adaptability and better food.

We cannot say that is location is the best quick service at Hollywood Studios as there are other restaurants that are more worthy of your time and money.

Speaking of saving time and money, if you are considering Genie+ for your next trip then check out our Disney Genie+ secrets to hack your wait time and decide if this is the right choice for you and your party.

The Trolley Car Café

The Trolley Car Café, while popular, is not the best restaurant in Hollywood Studios.

Simply put, it is just a slightly more well-themed Starbucks, and there is little appeal to trying something here when you can get it at any time at home.

When you visit Disney World, you’re looking for amazing unique experiences, not a quick $7 coffee drink from the same coffee shop you stop at every day going to work.

That said, many people find comfort in ordering the same in the parks that they do at home which is a big reason why this spot is so popular.

Curious as to how many Starbucks locations are actually on property? Then check out every Disney Starbucks location in the parks if you are craving that coffee fix that reminds you of home.

Hollywood Scoops

Hollywood Scoops is not one of the best Hollywood Studios restaurants if you are looking for variety or something that can be tailored to dietary needs.

The menu was drastically shortened after the 2020 closure and does not look to be expanding back up any time soon.

This is a limited selection of ice cream with no alternatives to many food allergies such as gluten, nuts, and, of course, dairy.

The seating here is also rather limited, as it is shared with Fairfax Fare, the quick service not too far away, which makes it a challenge to find a spot in the shade during peak times.

If ice cream is not your thing, then check out some of these Disney desserts that you have to try on your next visit!

I hope you enjoyed reading about some of the best Hollywood Studios restaurants (and learning about the ones you should avoid too). What do you think? Do you agree or disagree? Let me know in the comments what you think the best Hollywood Studios food is! As always, if you have any questions, I am more than happy to answer them for you! Thank you for reading!