Eight Spoon Café Review: Home of Animal Kingdom’s Best Mac & Cheese?
Thinking about stopping at Eight Spoon Café? Read my honest review of the famous pulled pork mac and cheese, family churros, and whether it’s worth a stop.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
When people think about eating at Animal Kingdom, they usually talk about Flame Tree Barbecue or Satu’li Canteen.
And honestly…
I get it.
Those are my top two quick service restaurants in the park.
But if you walk right past Eight Spoon Café, you’re missing out.
This little snack stand has one of my favorite comfort foods in all of Animal Kingdom, and it’s perfect for those times when you don’t really want a huge meal but you also don’t want to survive on popcorn until dinner.
The menu is tiny.
Like… really tiny.
But that’s okay because you’re basically here for one thing anyway.
Get the Pulled Pork Mac & Cheese
Seriously.
Don’t overthink it.
Order the Baked Macaroni & Cheese with Pulled Pork.
It’s creamy.
It’s cheesy.
The pulled pork is smoky and tender.
And it’s just plain good.
In fact, if it tastes familiar, that’s because it’s the exact same pulled pork mac and cheese you’ll find over at Flame Tree Barbecue.
The only difference?
You don’t have to order an entire barbecue platter to get it.
Sometimes I’m in the mood for the half chicken dinner at Flame Tree.
Other times, I just want a bowl of cheesy goodness with pulled pork on top.
That’s where Eight Spoon Café shines.
It’s filling enough that I could absolutely call it lunch, but it’s also small enough that I don’t feel completely stuffed afterward.
Basically…
It’s the perfect in-between meal.
If you’re trying to decide where to eat during your day at the park, be sure to check out my guide to the best quick service restaurants at Animal Kingdom, where I rank every location from my favorite to least favorite.
What About the Family Churros?
Eight Spoon Café also serves Family Churros.
It’s kind of a fun idea.
Instead of one giant churro, you get a basket of mini churros with dipping sauces and colorful sprinkles.
Kids are probably going to think they’re awesome.
Me?
They’re fine.
They’re not bad by any means, but if I’m standing in line at Eight Spoon Café, there’s about a 100% chance I’m ordering the pulled pork mac and cheese instead.
No contest.
Looking for even more delicious bites? Don’t miss my roundup of the best snacks at Animal Kingdom, where I share all of my favorite sweet treats and savory snacks throughout the park.
Where Is Eight Spoon Café?
One of the things I like about Eight Spoon Café is how easy it is to work into your day.
You’ll find it on Discovery Island, not too far from Flame Tree Barbecue. In fact, if you’re walking between Discovery Island and Asia, there’s a good chance you’ll pass right by it.
Because it’s just a small walk-up stand, it’s also a great option if you don’t want to spend an hour sitting down for lunch.
Maybe you already had a big breakfast.
Maybe you’ve got a dinner reservation later.
Or maybe you’re trying to squeeze in “just one more ride” before your Lightning Lane.
This is one of those places that’s easy to fit into your day.
Is Eight Spoon Café Worth It?
Absolutely… as long as you know what you’re coming for.
I wouldn’t go out of my way just to get the churros.
But I would absolutely make a stop for the pulled pork mac and cheese.
It’s one of my favorite comfort foods in Animal Kingdom, and I love that Disney gives you a way to order it without committing to a huge meal at Flame Tree Barbecue.
In fact, if you’re traveling with someone who wants barbecue but you’re only in the mood for a snack, this is kind of the perfect compromise.
Final Thoughts
Eight Spoon Café isn’t trying to be one of Animal Kingdom’s signature dining locations.
It’s not Satu’li Canteen.
It’s not Flame Tree Barbecue.
And that’s perfectly okay.
Sometimes all you want is a really good bowl of mac and cheese.
If that’s what you’re craving, you’ve found the right place.
I stop here almost exclusively for the pulled pork mac and cheese, and I’d order it again in a heartbeat.
The Family Churros are a fun option if you’re traveling with kids or want something sweet to share, but for me, there’s really only one reason to visit Eight Spoon Café.
The mac and cheese.
It’s rich, it’s cheesy, it’s topped with delicious pulled pork, and it’s one of my favorite savory snacks in all of Animal Kingdom.
If you find yourself walking by around lunchtime… do yourself a favor and grab a bowl.
I don’t think you’ll regret it.
