Columbia Harbour House is a long-standing quick-service restaurant inside Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom. Harbour House is a fan-favorite for its unique seafood menu and cozy seating areas. Even though the restaurant has been open since 1972, the menu continues to change. The most recent update includes beer-battered fish, hand-breaded fried shrimp, and a new Boston cream pie.
Harbor House also features lighter options like maple-mustard glazed salmon, grilled shrimp, shrimp salad, and the option of green beans as a side. True to its Boston influence, you can also get clam chowder and a lobster roll. For non-seafood fans, there are chicken strips with the option to add a maple-mustard sauce.
Mixed Platter – beer-battered fish, hand-breaded shrimp, chicken, and hushpuppies – $15.79
The mixed platter is the best deal and a way to get a little bit of everything! The platter comes with one chicken strip, one fish filet, three fried shrimp, three hush puppies, and steak fries. If you opt for just fish, you get two filets or just shrimp, you get six fried shrimp.
The beer-battered fish is such an upgrade from the previous “frozen fish stick” version. The beer batter gives it a nice sweetness and crunch and the filets are much larger. While not as good as the fish and chips in EPCOT, this version is more similar.
The fried shrimp taste fresh with crispy breading and decently cooked shrimp. While not jumbo shrimp, the shrimp are a fair size and are served with cocktail sauce.
To top it off, the steak fries are also a welcome change. They’re the right consistency and make Harbour House a unique option at the Magic Kingdom.
Plant-Based “Crab Cake” Sandwich – dressed with lettuce, tomato, and New England tartar sauce – $13.99
The crab cake sandwich replaced the plant-based lobster roll and in theory, has potential. The patty is almost sweet; tasting like a stuffing or squash casserole. The pairing with the tartar sauce does slightly make it taste like a real crab cake. However, the patty was too mushy and the sandwich was swimming in tartar sauce. With less sauce and a firmer “crab cake”, the sandwich would be an incredible plant-based option.
Boston Cream Pie – $5.99
The Boston cream pie now resembles a whoopee pie with fluffy cake and the right amount of cream filling. The ratio of cake to frosting is also spot on and the serving size is surprisingly substantial. While I wouldn’t go out of my way for this dessert, the entire table agreed it’s a great quick-service dessert.
Chicken Strips – with upgraded truffle fries ($2 extra) – $11.99
While not new to Harbour House, the chicken strip platter seems more substantial with four large chicken strips and steak fries. Normally chicken strips at Disney wouldn’t be anything exciting but these are some of the best we’ve had. You can still upgrade your fries to include truffle sauce and parmesan for an extra $2.
After trying the new items, I really think Columbia Harbour House is better than ever! The quality has greatly improved while still offering a unique menu. My only critique is I wish the tuna salad sandwich would return – then Harbour House really would be perfect!
I did notice one other small change, there is no longer ranch dressing available at the condiment stands. As a self-proclaimed ranch connoisseur, this was pretty disappointing. However, you can still get malt vinegar and tartar sauce for your fish and chips plus honey mustard, barbecue, and ketchup for everything else!
Harbour House has some of the best quick-service restaurant theming and feels reminiscent of Magic Kingdom’s 1971 opening. There are two levels of seating with cozy corners and dim lighting.
My personal favorite spot at Harbour House is the section above the walkway between Liberty Square and Fantasyland. It feels tucked away while also being a great place to feel immersed in the Magic Kingdom. Because of the Piston Peak construction, the windows looking into Liberty Square are now frosted over. Not quite the same but Columbia Harbour House remains one of my favorite quick-service dining locations in all of Disney World!
