Walt Disney World Resort, with its four theme parks, two water parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports, resort hotels, and Disney Springs, offers dozens of family-friendly restaurants. Regardless of what kind of food you are looking for, you are likely to find the perfect dining experience at Disney World.
Disney Springs especially offers many dining choices, from table service restaurants to food trucks, including some of the best Disney restaurants. If you are visiting the resort for an extended visit, I’d recommend visiting Disney Springs – especially because you can walk around without a park ticket. Disney Springs also offers some of the best restaurants at Walt Disney World.
Here are the best Disney Springs restaurants for your next trip.
Disclosure: I’ve received some complimentary meals at Disney Springs over the years, and have also paid for my own meals. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links, and a click-through/purchase through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us.
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The Best Restaurants in Disney Springs
What is Disney Springs?
If you aren’t familiar with it, Disney Springs (formerly known as Downtown Disney) is an entertainment complex located at the Walt Disney World resort property. It offers free admission and free parking, and you pay for individual activities like movies and bowling.
In addition to the Disney Springs restaurants, you’ll also find entertainment such as AMC theaters and Splitsville Lanes. There are also lots of shops including chain shops and Disney-themed stores.
In recent years, Disney Springs has expanded to include many more restaurants, including many from celebrity chefs. Within Disney Springs, there are four different districts/neighborhoods – the Marketplace, the West Side, the Landing, and the Town Center.
Many of the restaurants in Disney Springs can be booked through the standard Disney Dining process. In general, you should try to get a reservation for any of the table service restaurants, because it can be tough to get a walk-in spot during busy times.
There are, however, plenty of quick-service restaurants with walk-up windows and counter service where you’ll be able to eat without reservations. These can be a better option if you aren’t sure of your plans or don’t want to commit to a dining time/location in advance.
I have also found that quick service restaurants can be best if you have very picky kids or teens who won’t want anything on the menu at the table service restaurants.
Raglan Road
Located in the Landing, Raglan Road is a popular Irish pub. It offers food as well as live Irish entertainment and is open seven days a week. It’s a good choice for a unique experience.
Raglan Road offers an all-day and brunch menu, including options such as risotto, fish and chips, and a lobster club. As you’d expect, there’s also an extensive beer and cocktail menu.
Reservations for Raglan Road Irish Pub are recommended, and they can be made on OpenTable. You can also see the live music schedule on the Raglan Road website.
Enzo’s Hideaway Tunnel Bar
Enzo’s Hideaway Tunnel Bar is a speakeasy-style tunnel bar located in the Landing. While it’s known for its extensive scotch and rum menu, Enzo’s is kid-friendly. It also offers delicious food in addition to drinks.
Enzo’s Hideaway is a table service restaurant typically included in the Disney Dining Plan, and reservations can be made directly through the Disney reservation system. Reservations are recommended.
Menu items include traditional Italian specialties, including spaghetti and meatballs, linguine with clams, and roast chicken. They also have fantastic desserts.
Enzo’s is affiliated with Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante, located upstairs. Maria and Enzo’s has beautiful Lake Buena Vista views and a more upscale feel. Some of the most popular menu items include salmon, ravioli, and steak.
Reservations for Maria & Enzo’s can also be made through the Disney reservation system, and it’s usually part of the Disney Dining program. While some people don’t love how dark this restaurant is, it’s one of my favorites with delicious Italian food.
Morimoto Asia
Fans of Iron Chef America are probably familiar with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. His Disney Springs restaurant, Morimoto Asia, is open for lunch and dinner. It offers Pan-Asian specialties, including a sushi bar.
It’s typically part of the Disney Dining Plan, and reservations can be made through the Disney reservations system. Morimoto Asia is a gorgeous two-story restaurant with lounges, a sushi bar, and private dining options.
While Morimoto Asia is most known for its dim sum and Peking duck, you’ll also find kid-friendly options like orange chicken, ramen, and lo mein on the menu. It’s an excellent option for more upscale meals.
Paddlefish
One of our newer favorite Disney Springs restaurants is Paddlefish, in the Landing. It’s located in a docked steamboat replica that has been home to several different Disney restaurants.
Because of the fun location, this is one of the more unique spots for Disney dining. If you love seafood, this can be one of the better places to dine for a great meal.
This restaurant offers outdoor, rooftop dining, weekend night entertainment (on the rooftop deck), and private dining rooms for special events. It is normally part of the Disney Dining program and advance dining reservations can be made directly through Disney.
Most of the menu is seafood-based and is absolutely delicious. Some of my favorite items include crab fries, ahi poke, crab guacamole, and salmon. If you don’t enjoy seafood, there are some other options like steak, chicken, and burgers.
Paddlefish also offers a kids’ menu with seafood as well as more traditional kids’ options like hot dogs and pasta.
Art Smith’s Homecomin’
Are you looking for some traditional comfort food on your Walt Disney World vacation? Art Smith’s Homecomin’, from celebrity chef Art Smith, offers traditional Florida, farm-to-fork cuisine.
Art Smith’s is part of the Disney Dining program (in normal circumstances) and dining reservations should be made through the traditional Disney reservation system. A Southern brunch is offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30 am-1 pm.
The food at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ is delicious. The most popular option is fried chicken, and it can be ordered in several ways. These include chicken and biscuits, a fried chicken salad, a fried chicken sandwich, and a traditional fried chicken dinner. For a special treat, try the fried chicken and donuts entree which includes house-made sugar donuts.
The Boathouse
Another one of my favorite Disney Springs restaurants is the Boathouse. This beautiful seafood restaurant is located along the waterfront in the Landing section.
Seating is available both outside and inside, although I’d recommend sitting on the outdoor patio if the weather is cooperating. There are three bars outside as well.
Reservations, which can be made through the Disney reservation system, are recommended. It gets very busy at the Boathouse. Most of the items on the menu are seafood (including a raw bar), but there are also steaks and other non-seafood items.
Right outside of the Boathouse is the launch point for the Dreamboat Amphicars, where you can get a 20-minute tour of the waterfront. You’ll have to book your tour (which can accommodate 3-4 people) at the kiosk outside the Boathouse.
My friends and I love the Boathouse and often book reservations here when visiting Disney Springs.
Frontera Cocina
Frontera Cocina, from Celebrity Chef Rick Bayless, offers delicious Mexican cuisine. Like most of the Disney Springs restaurants, you can make reservations through the standard reservation system.
The menu includes Mexican specialties like enchiladas, tacos, and more. There’s also a substantial tequila, mezcal, and margarita menu.
Wine Bar George
Wine Bar George, by Master Sommelier George Miliotes, offers 140 different wines by the glass/bottle/ounce. The wines are the highlight here, but Wine Bar George also offers small plates and family-style food. These include meatballs, octopus salad, and mac and cheese bites.
Reservations are recommended and can be made through the Disney dining reservation system. This is one of my favorite restaurants when visiting Disney Springs. There’s also a small outdoor seating area, and it can be nice to enjoy your meal while looking out over Disney Springs.
Planet Hollywood
Celebrate Hollywood in this chain restaurant filled with movie memorabilia. Planet Hollywood Observatory in Disney Springs offers a menu including sandwiches by Chef Guy Fieri and Big Bite Burgers. It’s a casual restaurant and can be lots of fun for anyone interested in Hollywood.
The Rainforest Cafe
The Rainforest Cafe in Disney Springs is one of two Rainforest Cafes on Disney World property (the second is at Disney’s Animal Kingdom). This animal-themed restaurant is so fun for kids and offers an extensive menu that is great for families.
It’s one of the most popular restaurants at Disney Springs, despite the multiple locations at Walt Disney World. Therefore, you’ll want to make sure you make advance dining reservations. Keep in mind that it can be a bit dark in there, and can be frightening for very young kids.
House of Blues Restaurant
Do you want to see live entertainment on your Disney vacation? The Disney Springs location of the iconic House of Blues offers live music throughout the week, including during their weekend brunch. There’s also a happy hour that runs until 6 pm each day.
Other Food Options at Disney Springs
If you don’t want to make a dining reservation or are planning a more spontaneous trip, there are plenty of other Disney Springs quick-service restaurants and kiosks to try. These are also delicious but are more casual. Some may accept the Disney Dining Program when it’s offered.
Gideon’s Bakehouse
This popular bakery always has a huge line of guests, queueing up to get the chance to purchase one of their famous, huge cookies. Weighing about half a pound each, these cookies come in a bunch of varieties, like Cookies & Cream and Peanut Butter Crunch. Flavors do vary by day and season.
Earl of Sandwich
This chain quick-service restaurant is one of my favorites and is a popular restaurant. It offers delicious hot sandwiches, including my personal favorite, the Holiday Turkey. The menu includes other options as well, like breakfast sandwiches, pizza, wings, and soup.
There is seating both inside and outside the restaurant, and everything is first-come, first-served. Arrive early for the shortest lines and more seating availability.
Food Trucks
Several food trucks are parked at Exposition Park in Disney Springs. These can be a great choice for a family with different opinions on where to eat. Options include Cilantro Urban Eatery Food Truck and the 4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck (offering Mexican food).
There is some seating in the area, but it’s generally pretty casual. Therefore, these food trucks are best for when you are on the go or won’t sit for long.
The Daily Poutine
Surprisingly, the Daily Poutine kiosk isn’t located in the Canada pavilion at Epcot. Instead, it can be found in the Town Center of Disney Springs, outside of the World of Disney shop. It offers different varieties of poutine, as well as Canadian-inspired alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.
Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza
Pizza lovers will enjoy a visit to this popular chain pizza restaurant. Choose your toppings as you go through the line, and then your pizza will be finished in about three minutes. Blaze Pizza offers personal-sized pizzas, so each family member can choose their toppings.
Chicken Guy!
Chicken Guy!, from Celebrity Chef Guy Fieri, is a quick-service restaurant located in the Town Center. Here, you’ll find all sorts of chicken entrees with over 20 different styles of house-made sauces.
AMC Dine-In
Planning to see a movie at Disney Springs? The AMC Theater offers dine-in, where you can have food and beverages delivered directly to your theater seat while you watch the latest blockbuster.
Splitsville Luxury Lanes
Splitsville Luxury Lanes isn’t just a bowling alley at Disney Springs. There’s also the Splitsville Dining Room, which offers sushi, sandwiches, salads, pizza, appetizers, and more. You’ll need to reserve dining and bowling separately, so plan in advance.
The Polite Pig
Located in the Town Center, the Polite Pig is a Florida-inspired BBQ restaurant. The menu includes sliders, salads, sandwiches, kids’ options, specialty cocktails, beer, and wine.
Hotels Near Disney Springs
While you can get to Disney Springs from any of the Disney Resort hotels with Disney transportation, there are some hotels (including non-Disney hotels) that are the most convenient.
- Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs
- DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando
- Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace
- B Resort & Spa
- DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando
- Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista
- Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
- Holiday Inn Orlando
Getting To Disney Springs
If you are staying on property at the Walt Disney World resort, you’ll be able to take bus transportation to Disney Springs. Water transportation is currently suspended but is typically offered between Disney Springs and several resorts (including Port Orleans and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort). Free parking for all guests is available in several Disney Springs parking lots.
