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Where to Eat at LEGOLAND Philadelphia: Family Food Guide
A trip to LEGOLAND Philadelphia is exciting enough without adding “Where are we going to eat?” to the list of things you need to figure out.
The good news is that LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia is inside Plymouth Meeting Mall, so you’ve got several food options nearby, plus the LEGOLAND Café inside the attraction itself. But there is one thing you definitely need to know before planning lunch.
You can’t normally leave LEGOLAND, grab some food and then come back in. So let’s work out the food plan before you’re standing there with hungry kids asking for lunch every three minutes.
Where Can You Eat at LEGOLAND Philadelphia?
Here’s the quick version if you just want to know your options.
| If you want… | Consider |
|---|---|
| Food without leaving LEGOLAND | LEGOLAND Philadelphia Café |
| A quick meal before or after your visit | Chick-fil-A |
| Pizza, pasta and family-friendly choices | California Pizza Kitchen |
| A sit-down family meal | Benihana |
| A special birthday or celebration meal | Benihana |
| A quick sweet treat | Mini Melts |
Our biggest tip?
Think about when you’re eating, not just where you’re eating. LEGOLAND Philadelphia says most families spend around 2 to 3 hours exploring the attraction. Standard admission also doesn’t include re-entry.
That means if you leave because somebody suddenly announces they’re starving, your LEGOLAND visit could effectively be over. So eating at LEGOLAND Cafe is possibly the best option. However, if that’s a no, no for your family, eating beforehand can sometimes be the easiest option.
Eating Inside LEGOLAND Philadelphia
LEGOLAND Philadelphia Café
If you’re already inside LEGOLAND when hunger strikes, the onsite café is obviously the easiest option. You’ll find food, snacks and drinks without having to end your LEGOLAND visit.
Best for: Keeping the day simple and eating without leaving the attraction.
If you’re visiting across lunchtime, we’d actually plan your café stop into the day rather than waiting until the kids are completely starving. Because we all know how quickly; “I’m getting a little hungry.” can turn into; “I NEED FOOD NOW.”
What About Allergies and Dietary Requirements?
This is something worth checking before you visit. LEGOLAND says its café has different food choices, including some healthy and gluten-free options, but it can’t cater for every dietary requirement.
Outside food generally isn’t allowed, although exceptions are made for infant care and children with food allergies. If your child has a significant allergy or dietary requirement, we’d contact LEGOLAND before visiting rather than leaving it until you arrive.
Restaurants Near LEGOLAND Philadelphia
If you’d rather have a proper meal, Plymouth Meeting Mall gives you several options. Just remember, these are better planned before or after LEGOLAND, rather than halfway through your visit.
Chick-fil-A
Sometimes you don’t need lunch to become another event. You just want everyone fed. Chick-fil-A is one of the more straightforward options if you’re looking for a quick meal before or after LEGOLAND.
Best for: A quick family meal when you don’t want to spend ages sitting in a restaurant.
We’d particularly consider this before an afternoon LEGOLAND session. Have lunch, get everyone sorted and then head inside.
One thing to remember: Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays.
California Pizza Kitchen
Travelling with one child who wants pizza, another who wants pasta and an adult desperately trying to find something that isn’t beige?
California Pizza Kitchen could be a good middle ground. There are pizzas, pasta, salads and other choices, making it useful when everyone wants something slightly different.
Best for: Families wanting a relaxed sit down meal with familiar choices.
We’d probably save this one for after LEGOLAND. That way you can sit down, take your time and talk about the day without watching the clock.
Benihana
If you’re celebrating a birthday or want to turn the meal into part of the day out, Benihana is probably the most interesting option on this list. Rather than simply sitting down and eating, you get the teppanyaki-style cooking experience at the table.
And there’s another bonus; Benihana is directly across from the LEGOLAND entrance. So you won’t need to drag tired children halfway around the area searching for dinner afterwards.
Best for: Birthdays, celebrations or families wanting a more memorable meal after LEGOLAND.
The only thing we’d consider is time. This isn’t really the option we’d choose if you have tickets starting shortly and need everyone fed quickly.
For us, this makes much more sense as: LEGOLAND → Benihana → home → Day done.
Mini Melts
Sometimes the kids don’t want another meal. They want a treat. Mini Melts can be one of those little extras to look out for around your Plymouth Meeting Mall visit.
Best for: A quick sweet treat rather than a full meal.
We wouldn’t build the entire food plan around it, though. Treat it as a bonus if it’s available during your visit.
Should You Eat Before or After LEGOLAND Philadelphia?
This is probably more important than choosing the actual restaurant. Here’s how we’d plan it.
| When You’re Visiting | Food Plan We’d Consider |
|---|---|
| Morning visit | Breakfast → LEGOLAND → Lunch afterwards |
| Around lunchtime | Early lunch → LEGOLAND |
| Afternoon visit | Lunch → LEGOLAND → Treat afterwards |
| Late afternoon | LEGOLAND → Dinner afterwards |
| Birthday visit | LEGOLAND → Celebration meal at Benihana |
| Trying to keep costs down | Eat a proper meal before entering → Budget for snacks or drinks if needed |
There isn’t one perfect option for every family. If your kids can happily go a few hours without asking for food, brilliant. If yours start asking what’s for lunch approximately 12 minutes after breakfast, plan accordingly.
Can You Take Food Into LEGOLAND Philadelphia?
Generally, outside food and drinks aren’t allowed inside LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia. There are exceptions for infant care and children with food allergies. So we wouldn’t pack a full picnic assuming you’ll be able to eat it inside. This is another reason we’d decide on your food plan before arriving.
Planning Your LEGOLAND Philadelphia Budget?
Food is only one part of the cost of a family day out. Tickets, travel, parking, meals and those little extras can quickly add up. Use our Theme Park Day Budget Sheet to plan what you want to spend before you go.
A Simple LEGOLAND Philadelphia Food Plan
If you don’t want to overthink this, here’s what we’d do.
- Morning Visit
Eat breakfast → LEGOLAND → lunch at Plymouth Meeting Mall
This is probably the easiest setup because nobody is worrying about leaving LEGOLAND to find lunch.
- Lunchtime Visit
Early lunch → LEGOLAND → snack/treat afterwards
Get everyone properly fed before going inside.
- Afternoon Visit
Lunch → LEGOLAND → dinner afterwards
This is a particularly good option if you want to turn the trip into a fuller family day out.
- Visiting for a Birthday?
LEGOLAND → Benihana
LEGOLAND is the main activity and dinner becomes part of the celebration afterwards.
Before You Go
A tiny bit of food planning can make your LEGOLAND Philadelphia visit much easier. Check restaurant opening hours before travelling, particularly if you’re visiting later in the day or on a Sunday. And most importantly, remember the no re-entry rule.
Don’t plan: LEGOLAND → lunch in the mall → back into LEGOLAND.
Instead, plan your main meal before or after the attraction, or use the café if you need food while you’re inside. Nobody wants their LEGO-building session cut short because lunch wasn’t part of the plan.
Planning Your LEGOLAND Philadelphia Visit?
Food sorted. Now you can tackle the rest of the trip.
Buying Tickets?
Read our LEGOLAND Philadelphia Ticket Price Guide to compare your options before booking.
Working Out How to Get There?
Our How to Get to LEGOLAND Philadelphia Guide covers driving, public transport, rideshare and parking.
FAQ's
- Where are the best places to eat near Legoland Philadelphia?
Some of the best places to eat near LEGOLAND Philadelphia include California Pizza Kitchen for pizza and pasta, Chick-fil-A for a quick family meal, and Benihana for a sit-down meal or special occasion. LEGOLAND is located at Plymouth Meeting Mall, so there are several convenient food options nearby.
- What are the food options inside the brick-themed discovery center LEGOLAND Philadelphia?
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia has an onsite café offering meals, snacks, hot and cold drinks. Some dietary options are available, but families with specific allergies or dietary requirements should check with LEGOLAND before visiting.
- Where can I find kid friendly restaurants close to Legoland Philadelphia?
You can find several kid-friendly restaurants close to LEGOLAND Philadelphia at Plymouth Meeting Mall. Family-friendly options include California Pizza Kitchen for pizza and pasta, Chick-fil-A for a quick meal, and Benihana if you want a more entertaining sit-down meal after your visit.
- Do they offer vegetarian choices at the indoor play LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Philadelphia play area?
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia’s café may have vegetarian friendly choices, but the selection can vary. If vegetarian food is important for your family, check the current café options before visiting or ask a team member when you arrive. For more choice, Plymouth Meeting Mall also has restaurants nearby.
- Which restaurants with healthy menu choices are Legoland Philadelphia?
Families looking for healthier food choices near LEGOLAND Philadelphia can consider California Pizza Kitchen, which offers salads and lighter dishes, while the LEGOLAND Café may have some healthier options inside the attraction. Menus can change, so check current choices before visiting if you have specific dietary needs.
