The Ultimate Guide to the Best Disney Springs Restaurants

Disney Springs is a shopping, dining, and entertainment district located within Walt Disney World property. Previously known as Downtown Disney, throughout the years Disney Springs has transformed into what some would consider an all-day attraction for all ages. The best part about Disney Springs? You don’t need a ticket to get in!

Disney Springs offers a large variety of dining options including everything from snacks, to quick service, to casual table service, to fine dining options. But, the best option is pretty subjective. So, we’re breaking down the best Disney Springs restaurants that are sure to fit almost anyone’s taste, budget, and style.

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Best Quick Service Restaurants at Disney Springs

When it comes to quick service dining at Disney Springs, there is no shortage of options. With over 15 quick service restaurants to choose from, here are some of our favorites.

Chicken Guy!: Best for Families

How can a family go wrong with chicken tenders and french fries? This quick service spot, opened by celebrity chef Guy Fieri, offers grilled or hand-breaded fried chicken tenders, chicken sandwiches, fries, and fun specialty milkshakes.

Even the pickiest young eaters can enjoy a meal here and make it fun! There are over 10 dipping sauces to choose from including flavors such as Nashville Hot Honey, Guy’s Special Sauce, Donkey Sauce, and more. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating is available, so you won’t have to worry about finding a table when it’s busy.

For $10.50, guests can get three chicken tenders and fries, making this quick service option one of the most affordable dining spots at Disney Springs. And, don’t forget the Apple Jacks Milkshake for dessert!

Polite Pig: Best Quality

Polite Pig is a quick service option that offers table service quality. And, there really is something for everyone on the menu, from chicken to pulled pork to salmon. This BBQ joint is famous for its Butcher Board, a platter that serves two people and will leave you BOTH feeling full. Like many BBQ restaurants, Polite Pig offers 12 sides to choose from and a variety of sandwiches in addition to their meat platters.

Indoor and outdoor seating is available here, as well as a full-service bar with some seating options. Guests can order beers, wines, and cocktails to pair with their BBQ. The Bourbon Bar offers over 50 different bourbons to choose from. The line to order at Polite Pig does get long, so we suggest going for a late lunch or early dinner for a shorter wait time.

Start off with the Hop Salt Pretzel with Beer Cheese Fondue, enjoy a Butcher Board with Whiskey Caramel Brussel Sprouts, and finish with a Bourbon Chocolate Chip Cookie!

Morimoto Asia Street Food: Best for Adventurous Eaters

Morimoto Asia Street Food is a great option for those looking to experience some of the Famous Iron Chef, Chef Morimoto’s food without the high price point or long wait times.

This quick service restaurant offers Pan-Asian Street fare and an open-air patio, leaving guests to enjoy the food and a view. Nothing on the menu is over $15, but the selection is small. You won’t find cheeseburgers or chicken nuggets here. Instead, guests can choose from a selection of ramen bowls and small plates such as Pork Egg Rolls. The famous Morimoto Baby Ribs are on this street food menu and are the exact same as the ones sold in the table service restaurant. They are a MUST!

Boba teas are offered, as well as a small selection of beers.

D’Luxe Burger: Best Burger

Sometimes the burger cravings hit, even on vacation. Luckily, D’Luxe Burger is a quick service option offering more than 5 varieties of GOOD burgers. Guests can choose a classic cheeseburger or take it up a notch with a Banh Mi Burger or a Barbeque Burger. Chicken options are also available. Plus, the specialty milkshakes are delicious and shareable!

D’Luxe Burger easily offers one of the best burgers in all of Disney World.

Best Table Service Restaurants at Disney Springs

While there are some fantastic table service restaurants within the Disney World theme parks and resorts, Disney Springs takes table service dining to the next level. There are over 20 table service restaurants at Disney Springs, with each one offering something different than the others. Here are our picks!

Splitsville: Best for Families

Splitsville is a highly underrated restaurant. When people think of kids or family dining at Disney Springs, many minds gravitate toward the fanfare of The Rainforest Cafe or T-Rex Restaurant. While there is nothing wrong with those restaurants per se…there are better options out there. That’s where this hidden gem comes into play!

Splitsville offers a vast menu, from pizzas and sandwiches to simple bar food options like burger sliders, chicken tenders, and nachos, to what some would say is one of the best sushi options on Disney World property. That’s correct, you read it right. Sushi in a bowling alley? Just trust us on this one. It’s worth it! There is something for everyone in the family here to enjoy.

Best Disney Springs Restaurants

Now, Splitsville is not a quiet atmosphere. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. The two-story restaurant is loud and slightly chaotic, making this a great spot for kids who may not be particularly quiet. However, it’s probably not the best option for an intimate date night.

Plus, this spot is not only a restaurant…it’s also a bowling alley! This makes it fun for the whole family. Guests can reserve lanes online or put a name on the walk-up list if they want to bowl.

The Boathouse: Best Seafood

The iconic Boathouse is one of the most popular restaurants at Disney Springs. And for a good reason! Offering both a raw bar including oysters and yellowtail, to fully prepared fish dishes and their famous lobster roll, The Boathouse is a seafood lover’s paradise.

Fear not, though, there is something for everyone on this menu. Offerings consist of mac and cheese, burgers, salads, and our personal favorite, the Filet Mignon Sliders. Gibson Heritage Steaks is the steak supplier for The Boathouse, providing high-quality Filet Mignon, T-Bones, Ribeye’s, and New York Strips that some may consider the best steaks on property.

The food is delicious and the waterfront views are one of a kind. But, the prices can be a setback for some. With a lobster roll priced at $36 and a filet mignon at $69, The Boathouse is not for guests on a budget.

Best Disney Springs Restaurants

The Boathouse is one of the hardest reservations to get at Disney Springs and rarely accepts walk-up parties, so be sure to make a reservation through the My Disney Experience app as soon as your window opens.

And, after dinner, be sure to check out the amphicar cruise, a 20-minute vintage boat “car” tour of the lake! The floating Dock Bar on the backside of The Boathouse is also a great spot to grab a drink and watch the sunset.

Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant: Best Entertainment

Step out of Florida and into the culture of Ireland at this lively Irish pub. With a bar full of Irish whiskeys, Irish beers, and everyday libations, a menu full of Irish classics, and live entertainment, there is no way anyone could be bored here!

Raglan Road holds daily Irish music and dance performances on both the inside and outside stage. These authentic performances keep guests of all ages engaged and might even include you in the show!

Irish Eggs, Bangers and Mash, Fish and Chips, and Shepards Pie round out the Irish classics on the menu. While other not-so-familiar Irish meals such as the Risotto or Seafood Chowder are available for the more adventurous types. A must-do during every trip to Raglan Road is the Bread-and-Butter Pudding for dessert. Trust us on this one, you don’t want to miss it!

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Brunch is offered on Saturdays and Sundays till 3PM, with special midday live performances on these days as well. Brunch offerings include the full daily menu with extras such as a full Irish breakfast, french toast, and eggs benedicts.

Keep in mind that Raglan Road can get pretty loud. So, we don’t recommend choosing this pub for an intimate date night. But, the fun never stops here and the kids are sure to stay busy!

Wine Bar George: Best for Adults

When George Miliotes opened Wine Bar George at Disney Springs, it was sure to be a hit. Miliotes was actually a part of the opening team at the Contemporary Resort’s California Grill, managing the restaurant for 7 years. In 2007, he became a Master Sommelier and one of the most regarded wine experts in the restaurant industry.

With over 120 wines to choose from, available for purchase by the ounce, glass, or bottle, Wine Bar George is the perfect spot for any wine lover. Beers and cocktails are also available, but we highly suggest trying some of the wines available. Many of the wines offered at Wine Bar George are hard to find anywhere else!

Best Disney Springs Restaurants

Small plates are the main form of food offerings here, including the highly talked about Mac and Cheese Bites, and the Instagram-worthy Saganaki on Fire. And, of course, what would a wine pairing be without a charcuterie board? With multiple meats and cheese to choose from, Wine Bar George’s charcuterie boards are a must. A small selection of entrees are available for sharing as well.

Wine Bar George does offer a kid’s menu, but the restaurant is catered to adults. The slow-paced environment and quiet, intimate atmosphere is more suitable for a date night rather than a family meal.

Jaleo: Best for Small Plates

Jaleo is one of our all-time favorites. The Spanish restaurant is built off small plates, bringing the community (aka your family) together. There are over 35 small plate offerings to choose from, and they are meant to be shared. The pan con tomate, Gambas al ajillo, and croquetas de pollo are some of the common favorites, with more adventurous options such as octopus and caviar available for those who want to live on the edge.

A small selection of large plates is also offered, including Chef Jose Andres’s famous paella. Five varieties of paellas are offered and made to order. Just keep in mind that paellas can take up to 45 minutes to be served, so prepare accordingly.

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Jaleo is a great spot for a group date night, as it is a high-end experience but not as intimate as a Wine Bar George. A kid’s menu is offered, and the restaurant is more suited for kids than some of the other high-end options are Disney Springs.

Jaleo is on the pricier side, with some of the sharable paellas hitting the $100 mark. But, for anyone not on a tight budget looking to try something new, Jaleo is a must-do!

Summer House on the Lake: Best Brunch

The newest table service spot at Disney Springs, Summer House on the Lake, is a California-inspired fresh kitchen. Offering a breezy beach theme with lakefront dining, this open-air restaurant is receiving high praise for a good reason.

Brunch is offered on the weekends from 9AM to 2PM, offering fresh Florida ingredients and light fare options in an otherwise theme park food-heavy setting. Classic egg breakfasts, tex-mex options, waffles, and pancakes just a few of the brunch staples, with some of their standard menu items including salads and some handheld sandwiches available as well.

Best Disney Springs Restaurants

A full coffee bar on top of a full cocktail bar is also inside the restaurant, with the Aperol spritz and the espresso martini being at the top of the “best on Disney property” list.

Reservations can be made directly through the Summer House on the Lake website.

Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’: Best Overall

Homecomin’ is one of the hardest reservations to get at Disney Springs. And, understandably so! This Florida-inspired, locally sourced restaurant by award-winning Chef Art Smith is sure to be a hit with your family.

Southern favorites such as deviled eggs, fried green tomatoes, and Chef Art’s famous fried chicken thigh biscuits are offered to start off your meal. And, you don’t want to miss out on the fried chicken platters, shrimp and grits, barbecue, and St. Augustine Mahi-Mahi for the mains. The Cheddar Cheese Drop Biscuits are also a must-try!

Front of restaurant building.

Homecomin’ is a hot spot for brunch. And, unlike some other brunch options at Disney Springs, this restaurant offers a separate brunch menu that is different from what’s offered for lunch and dinner.

When it comes to drinks, the signature moonshine cocktails from the bar are the main showcase. Guests can even purchase a refillable cup to get discounts on future moonshine cocktail purchases.

Honorable Mentions

Gideons Bakehouse: Best Dessert

A local Orlando establishment, Gideon’s opened its second location at Disney Springs in 2021. Famous for its half-pound cookies, they offer multiple cookie varieties, as well as GIANT-sized cake slices. Their famous cold brews have been a hit among coffee lovers, offering popular flavors such as peanut butter and cookies and cream. Monthly seasonal offerings are available in addition to the traditional menu.

The line can get long for Gideon’s Bakehouse, but they typically offer a virtual queue on busy nights. Just head to the shop first to put your name in. They will text you when it’s your turn to enter so you can shop and dine while you wait! It’s not uncommon for the wait to be over 2 hours, so don’t be discouraged.

Swirls on the Water: Best Ice Cream

For those who don’t have a ticket to Magic Kingdom but want to try the iconic Dole Whip, this is your spot! Swirls on the Water serves up the classic pineapple Dole Whip along with a few other flavors.

One of the most popular items on the menu here is the famous Dole Whip flights. These give guests a sample of everything there is to offer. Seasonal menu items pop up frequently, as well as themed menu offerings tailored to the likes of a new movie, holiday, and other Disney-related milestones.

This is an outdoor kiosk with no indoor seating options. Be sure to eat it quickly on a hot summer day!

Comments

What do you think are the best Disney Springs restaurants? Did your favorite make the list? Let us know in the comments!

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