The Complete Guide to Hollywood Studios Restaurants: Best Places to Eat in 2025
Disney’s Hollywood Studios has evolved significantly since its opening in 1989, and so has its dining scene. After recent closures of Mama Melrose’s and PizzeRizzo to make way for the new Monsters Inc. land, the park now offers a more streamlined but still diverse collection of dining experiences. From themed table service restaurants that transport you to different eras to quick service spots perfect for grabbing a bite between the best rides at Hollywood Studios, the park delivers memorable meals alongside its entertainment.
With 5 table service restaurants, 9 quick service locations, and numerous snack stands scattered throughout the park’s 135 acres, choosing where to dine can feel overwhelming. This comprehensive guide breaks down every dining option, highlighting the best choices for different needs, budgets, and experiences.
Complete Hollywood Studios Dining Overview
| Restaurant | Type | Price Range | Location | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50’s Prime Time Café | Table Service | $$$ ($35-60) | Echo Lake | Atmosphere & Comfort Food |
| Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater | Table Service | $$$ ($35-60) | Echo Lake | Unique Experience |
| The Hollywood Brown Derby | Table Service (Signature) | $$$$ ($60+) | Hollywood Blvd | Fine Dining |
| Hollywood & Vine | Table Service (Character) | $$$ ($35-60) | Echo Lake | Character Dining |
| Roundup Rodeo BBQ | Table Service | $$$ ($35-60) | Toy Story Land | Family Dining |
| Docking Bay 7 | Quick Service | $$ ($15-25) | Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge | Themed Experience |
| Woody’s Lunch Box | Quick Service | $$ ($15-25) | Toy Story Land | Instagram-worthy Food |
| ABC Commissary | Quick Service | $$ ($15-25) | Commissary Lane | Reliable Quality |
| Backlot Express | Quick Service | $$ ($15-25) | Echo Lake | Budget-Friendly |
| BaseLine Tap House | Lounge | $$ ($15-30) | Grand Avenue | Adults & Craft Beer |
| Catalina Eddie’s | Quick Service | $$ ($15-25) | Sunset Blvd | Pizza Lovers |
| Dockside Diner | Quick Service | $$ ($15-25) | Echo Lake | Quick Bites |
| Fairfax Fare | Quick Service | $ ($10-20) | Sunset Blvd | Value Dining |
| Rosie’s All-American Café | Quick Service | $$ ($15-25) | Sunset Blvd | Classic American |
The 10 Best Dining Categories at Hollywood Studios
1. Best Overall Restaurant
🏆 Winner: 50’s Prime Time Café
- Location: Echo Lake area
- Price Range: $35-60 per person
- Reservations: Required (book 60 days ahead)
- Best For: Comfort food lovers and nostalgic atmosphere
This isn’t just dinner; it’s entertainment. The 1950s home-style atmosphere comes complete with “family members” who’ll remind you to keep your elbows off the table and finish your vegetables. The food genuinely delivers, too – Grandma’s Chicken Pot Pie and the Traditional Meatloaf are standouts that taste like they came straight from a vintage cookbook. The detailed attention to theming and food quality makes this one of our top picks among all Disney World restaurants.
🥈 Runner-up: The Hollywood Brown Derby
While the Brown Derby offers superior fine dining, the 2-dining-plan-credit requirement and higher prices make it less accessible for most families. If budget isn’t a concern and you’re planning around the cost of food at Disney World, their Cobb Salad and Filet of Beef are exceptional.
2. Best Quick Service Restaurant
🏆 Winner: Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo
- Location: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
- Price Range: $15-25 per person
- Best For: Star Wars fans and adventurous eaters
- Specialty: Immersive themed dining with unique flavors
The immersion at Docking Bay 7 is unmatched among quick service options. The Fried Endorian Tip-Yip (it’s chicken, but sounds cooler) and the Braised Shaak Roast are surprisingly delicious, moving beyond typical theme park fare. The atmosphere makes you feel like you’re truly dining in a galaxy far, far away, offering an experience that rivals the best places to eat in Magic Kingdom.
🥈 Runner-up: ABC Commissary
Reliable, consistently good food with indoor air conditioning and multiple TV screens. Their Angus bacon cheeseburger and Mediterranean salad with chicken are solid choices when you want quality without gimmicks.
3. Best Value for Money
🏆 Winner: Fairfax Fare
- Location: Sunset Boulevard
- Price Range: $10-20 per person
- Best For: Budget-conscious families
- Specialty: Diverse menu with international options
You get the most bang for your buck here. The Empanadas Platter and Fajita Combo offer generous portions at reasonable prices. The variety is impressive for a value location – from vegan chili rice bowls to Latin-inspired pulled pork sandwiches. This place consistently provides great value, and we’ve found the food to be quite good.
🥈 Runner-up: Backlot Express
Most entrees hover around $15, and the nostalgic Hollywood memorabilia provides a great atmosphere. The Dark Side Chicken and Waffles (Darth Vader-shaped!) offer fun theming with decent quality.
4. Best Atmosphere and Theming
🏆 Winner: Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant
- Location: Echo Lake area
- Price Range: $35-60 per person
- Best For: Families wanting a unique experience
- Specialty: 1950s drive-in movie experience
Dining in vintage car booths while watching classic sci-fi movie clips on a big screen creates an unforgettable experience. While the food is standard American fare (burgers, ribs, shakes), the atmosphere more than compensates. It’s Instagram gold and genuinely entertaining – perfect for couples visiting Disney World who are seeking unique date experiences.
🥈 Runner-up: 50’s Prime Time Café
The interactive family dining experience with cast members playing relatives creates lasting memories, but Sci-Fi edges out for pure visual spectacle.
5. Best for Character Dining
🏆 Winner: Hollywood & Vine
- Location: Echo Lake area
- Price Range: $35-60 per person
- Best For: Families with young children
- Specialty: Seasonal character themes
This is Hollywood Studios’ only character dining option, and it changes themes seasonally – Star Wars weekends, Halloween parties with Disney Villains, or Christmas celebrations. The buffet style means kids can find something they’ll eat, and the character interactions are well-executed. If you’re considering the Disney Dining Plan, this restaurant is typically included and offers good value for character meal experiences.
Note: This is your only character dining option at Hollywood Studios, so there’s really no competition. If character meals aren’t important to you, skip it – the food is decent but not exceptional.
6. Best Adult Hangout Spot
🏆 Winner: BaseLine Tap House
- Location: Grand Avenue
- Price Range: $15-30 per person
- Best For: Adults seeking craft beer and small plates
- Specialty: California craft beers and wine
Finally, a grown-up space! The California-inspired small plates pair perfectly with their extensive craft beer selection. The atmosphere is more sophisticated than typical Disney fare, making it perfect for parents needing a breather or couples looking for a more refined experience. Check our Disney World Crowd Calendar to time your visit during less busy periods for the best seating availability.
🥈 Runner-up: The Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge
Upscale cocktails and appetizers in a refined setting, though limited seating and higher prices make BaseLine more accessible.
7. Best Instagram-Worthy Food
🏆 Winner: Woody’s Lunch Box
- Location: Toy Story Land
- Price Range: $15-25 per person
- Best For: Social media enthusiasts
- Specialty: Creative, photo-worthy presentations
The Lunch Box Tart (essentially a grown-up Pop-Tart) and S’mores French Toast are pure Instagram bait. Everything is designed to look playful and photo-ready, fitting perfectly with Toy Story Land’s aesthetic. The BBQ Brisket Melt is surprisingly good, too, making this spot worthy of comparison with themed dining at the best places to eat in Animal Kingdom.
🥈 Runner-up: Docking Bay 7
The Blue and Green Milk, along with the exotic-looking entrees, photograph beautifully, especially with the Star Wars theming as a backdrop.
8. Best for Families with Picky Eaters
🏆 Winner: ABC Commissary
- Location: Commissary Lane
- Price Range: $15-25 per person
- Best For: Families needing safe, familiar options
- Specialty: Diverse menu with something for everyone
With options ranging from basic burgers to Mediterranean salads to seafood, even the pickiest eaters will find something acceptable. The indoor seating with air conditioning and TVs also helps keep restless kids entertained. When you’re following our How to Plan a Disney Vacation guide, this restaurant consistently delivers stress-free family dining.
🥈 Runner-up: Hollywood & Vine
The buffet format means picky eaters can see exactly what they’re getting and stick to familiar favorites.
9. Best Late-Night Option
🏆 Winner: Dockside Diner
- Location: Echo Lake area
- Price Range: $15-25 per person
- Best For: Quick bites during extended park hours
- Specialty: Limited but satisfying options
When other quick service spots close, Dockside often remains open longer. The Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese and specialty hot dogs provide satisfying late-night fuel. It’s more of a food truck experience than a destination, but it fills the gap when you need it during extended park hours.
🥈 Runner-up: Various snack carts and stands
Multiple locations throughout the park offer basics like popcorn, ice cream, and drinks during extended hours.
10. Best Healthy Options
🏆 Winner: ABC Commissary
- Location: Commissary Lane
- Price Range: $15-25 per person
- Best For: Health-conscious diners
- Specialty: Salads, grilled options, vegan choices
The Mediterranean salad with grilled chicken, vegan burger options, and grilled salmon provide lighter alternatives to typical theme park fare. They’re also good about accommodating dietary restrictions and allergies. The healthy options here rival those found at the best places to eat in Epcot, where international cuisine often provides more nutritious choices.
🥈 Runner-up: Fairfax Fare
The vegan chili rice bowl and various salad options offer healthy choices at budget-friendly prices.
Places to Avoid (Or Approach with Caution)
⚠️ Catalina Eddie’s
Why be cautious: Outdoor seating only means you’re at the mercy of Florida weather. The pizza is decent but overpriced for what you get ($18+ for personal pizzas), and limited menu options mean if you don’t love pizza, you’re out of luck. The location on Sunset Boulevard can also get extremely crowded during peak times.
⚠️ Rosie’s All-American Café
Why to be cautious: This spot consistently receives mixed reviews for food quality relative to price. The Fried Green Tomato sandwich sounds unique but often disappoints, and the burgers are pricey for standard theme park quality. Limited seating makes it crowded during peak times.
Insider Tips for Hollywood Studios Dining
Reservation Strategy: Book table service restaurants exactly 60 days in advance for the best selection. Popular spots like 50’s Prime Time Café and Sci-Fi Dine-In fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. Use our Disney World planning timeline to ensure you don’t miss your booking window.
Timing is Everything: Quick service locations get slammed between 12:00-1:30 PM and again around 6:00 PM. Eat early (before 11:30 AM) or late (after 2:00 PM) for shorter lines and better seating availability.
Mobile Order: Use Disney’s mobile ordering for quick service restaurants to skip the ordering lines. You can place orders up to an hour in advance and simply pick up when ready.
Dietary Restrictions: Disney excels at accommodating allergies and dietary restrictions. Always ask cast members about ingredients and special preparation options – they’re typically very knowledgeable and helpful.
Budget Planning: Consider using our Disney World cost calculator to estimate your dining expenses before your trip. This helps you decide whether the Dining Plan makes financial sense for your family’s eating habits.
Hidden Gems: Don’t overlook snack stands and carts. The Carrot Cake Cookie from various locations and specialty popcorn flavors often provide better value and satisfaction than full meals.
Comparing Hollywood Studios to Other Parks
Hollywood Studios dining tends to be more themed and entertainment-focused compared to other Disney World parks. While it may not have the international variety found in the countries of Epcot’s World Showcase or the whimsical charm detailed in Magic Kingdom, it excels at creating immersive dining experiences that complement the park’s entertainment focus.
If you’re planning a multi-park vacation, consider consulting our Disney World Resort Comparison guide to understand how dining options vary across different resort hotels, which can provide additional meal variety during your stay.
Planning Your Hollywood Studios Dining Experience
For families seeking expert guidance through Disney’s dining complexities, consider partnering with a top Disney Travel agency. They can assist with dining reservations, budget planning, and personalized restaurant recommendations tailored to your family’s preferences.
Whether you’re visiting every park or just focusing on Hollywood Studios, remember that dining reservations are just as important as ride planning. Disney World’s best restaurants fill up quickly, especially during busy seasons.
Final Thoughts
Hollywood Studios’ dining scene has matured significantly, offering experiences that go well beyond typical theme park food. While you’ll pay premium prices, the best restaurants here deliver both quality food and memorable experiences that enhance your Disney visit.
The key is matching your dining choices to your priorities – whether that’s budget consciousness, unique theming, food quality, or Instagram potential. With recent closures making room for new development, we expect exciting additions in the coming years as the Monsters Inc. land takes shape.
Remember that dining at Disney is about more than just the food – it’s part of the overall experience. Choose restaurants that align with your group’s interests, book ahead when possible, and don’t be afraid to try something new. Some of Disney’s most memorable moments happen around the dinner table, whether you’re laughing at the antics in 50’s Prime Time Café or marveling at the atmosphere in Galaxy’s Edge.
What Happened to Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano?
Mama Melrose’s has closed its doors permanently, serving its last diners on May 10, 2025. The restaurant is now expected to be “gobbled up” by the new Monsters Inc. land, a major new construction project at Disney World.
Fun Fact: When it was first constructed, the restaurant was supposed to become a Muppets-themed eatery. That idea never came to fruition because Jim Henson passed away, and Disney was unable to acquire rights to the Muppets as originally planned at that time. Instead, Disney chose to create Mama Melrose, named after a girl from Sicily who came to Hollywood to become an actress but used her family recipes to open an Italian restaurant instead. Years later, a Muppets-themed eatery (“PizzeRizzo”), opened nearby. But as you’ll see below… that, too, is gone.
What Happened to PizzeRizzo?
PizzeRizzo was named in honor of the classic Muppet character “Rizzo the Rat.” The menu offered an affordable selection of Italian staples like meatball subs, pizza, and antipasto salad. Like Mama Melrose’s, it’s now closed to make way for a new Monsters, Inc. land.
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