The Complete Guide to Food on Castaway Cay – Everything You Need to Know

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If there’s one thing I always tell people planning their first Castaway Cay day, it’s this: knowing where to go and when for lunch can make your day even better.

It’s included, it’s easy, and it’s part of the fun experience of Castaway Cay.

I’ve eaten many times at every BBQ spot on the island over the years, and there’s actually been an exciting change recently at the adult beach that’s worth knowing about before you go.

Here is a guide to all the food on Disney’s Castaway Cay

Related: Should You Choose Disney Castaway Cay or Lighthouse Point?

Is Food Included on Castaway Cay?

Yes!

Your cruise fare covers lunch on Castaway Cay, so you really don’t need to spend anything extra on food for the day.

This is one of those wonderful Disney touches that makes island days so stress-free — you simply scan your Key to the World card or Magic Band for any alcoholic drinks, but the food itself doesn’t cost a thing.

As always with DCL soda, coffee and tea are included and available on the island.

Lunch is served during a specific window, so it’s worth keeping an eye on the time so you don’t miss it — but with a little planning it’s easy to time perfectly around your beach day.

All the lunch places are usually open 11.30 to 2 pm.

As with everything DCL, this is subject to change, so always check your Navigator App to double check specific times.

You can of course go back on the ship to eat, but it takes time to get back onboard, so I wouldn’t really recommend it.

If you aren’t going to spend the day at Castaway Cay though it is good that the buffet on the ship will also be open (and is wonderfully quiet).

The pool deck eateries will also be open, but there won’t be a restaurant lunch on Castaway Cay day.

Related: Disney Castaway Cay: 40 Essential Tips for a Magical Day

Where to Eat: The BBQ Locations (Including a Recent Change!)

There are three main BBQ areas on Castaway Cay, and where you set up your beach spot often determines which one makes the most sense for you.

Here is a map so that you can see the locations of each of the dining areas.

Cookie’s BBQ

This is right by the main family beach, so if that’s where you’ve parked your towels and cooler, this is your closest option.

It’s the most popular of the three. It does have plenty of seating, mostly with shade, but it can get crowded at busy times.

Cookie’s Too

Further along the family beach area, closer to Pelican Plunge and the bike rental kiosk.

If I am traveling with children this is usually the one I prefer — it has a nice, relaxed feel, especially earlier in the lunch window.

Hangar 98 (Formerly Serenity Bay BBQ)

Here’s the update if you haven’t sailed recently: Serenity Bay BBQ has had a refresh and is now the aviation-themed Hangar 98.

Why Hangar 98? The number 98 references the year of the launch of the first Disney Cruise ship, Disney Magic in 1998.

The reason for this revamp was the opening of the Disney Mickey and Minnie Cove Cabanas near Serenity Bay, and Hangar 98 now serves both the adult-only crowd and cabana-renting families.

This is split into two separate sections that share one kitchen.

One side offers the classic Serenity Bay experience — umbrella-covered picnic tables right in the sand — while cabana guests enjoy their own seating up on a deck.

If you’re wondering whether Hangar 98 still feels like an adults-only escape — it really does on the Serenity Bay side.

The two areas are only divided by a small rope fence, but each group has their own dedicated space, lines, and seating, so it doesn’t feel crowded or mixed at all.

As someone who regularly now travels without children I always go to Serenity Bay. I am glad that they decided to keep the separate eating area for over 18s only.

What’s on the Castaway Cay Menu

The menus are the same at each location – with one exception that I will talk about later.

Mains include:

• Cajun Spiced Rotisserie Chicken
• St Louis Style BBQ Pork Spare Ribs, finished on the char-grill
• Honey and Bourbon Glazed Seared Salmon Filet on BBQ Collard Greens
• Chargrilled Hot Dogs with Caraway and Riesling Wine Sauerkraut
• Flame Grilled Cheeseburgers and Hamburgers
• A “Plant Based” BBQ Chicken Sandwich
• Slow Cooked Vegetarian Bean Chili

Sides:

• Coleslaw tossed in pineapple syrup
• Red Skin Potato Salad with Dijon mustard and hard chopped egg
• Grilled Sweetcorn Salad with avocado and lime cilantro dressing
• Steamed Corn on the Cob
• Steamed Jasmine Rice
• Vegetable Chips

Desserts:

• Rice Dream Ice Cream
• All Spiced Carrot Cake
• Gluten Free Cookies

As I don’t eat meat it is so good to see the Plant Based Chicken Sandwich on the islands and also available for Room Service on the ship.

My husband, on the other hand, will go straight for the ribs every single time without fail.

The Hangar 98 Perk Worth Knowing About

This is my favorite detail about the new setup: Hangar 98 offers made-to-order steaks, along with Impossible burgers and tuna steaks, in addition to the standard buffet spread.

This is a wonderful extra for meat lovers — ordering a grilled ribeye is currently exclusive to Hangar 98 on Castaway Cay (and its equivalent, Serenity Bay BBQ, at Lookout Cay), so it really does feel like a special touch for the adult beach.

There are two lines inside — one for the general buffet, and one for these made-to-order items — so just make sure you’re in the right queue if you’re after that steak.

The set up is much improved from how it was before. The inside location for the food is so much better. The line flows better, and it is all completely in the shade.

Ice Cream, Drinks, and Snacking

Soft drinks, water, and basic fountain beverages are included as part of your cruise fare too, so keep refilling that water bottle — it’s essential in that Bahamian heat.

Alcoholic drinks and specialty cocktails are the only things that get charged to your onboard account.

Related: How to Save on Drinks on a Disney Cruise

A Note on Allergies

If you or someone in your group has dietary restrictions, definitely mention this to your server onboard the night before.

There are allergy friendly options available, but be sure to request them ahead of time so that they are available for you.

My Best Tips for Timing Your Lunch

Lunch typically runs from 11:30am to 2:00pm across the island.

If you want the most relaxed experience with easy seating, I’d suggest aiming for right at opening or a little after 1pm rather than the classic noon rush — it just makes for an even more laid-back lunch.

If you’ve got early risers in your group, it’s absolutely fine to bring some pre-packaged snacks from the ship to tide everyone over until the BBQ opens.

One thing worth remembering: island food really is meant to stay on the island. If you’re craving something from the ship’s menu, you’ll need to head back onboard for that.

Is the Castaway Cay Lunch Worth It?

Absolutely, yes. This isn’t meant to be a fine dining experience — it’s about keeping you near the water and off the ship, which is exactly what makes island day so special.

It’s simple, it’s included, and it lets you get right back to the best part of the day: the beach.