There are a ton of fun activities to do on the Disney BoardWalk such as shopping and the many entertainment options, but perhaps none is better than enjoying all the amazing places to eat and drink. So look no further than this guide to the Disney BoardWalk restaurants.
In this guide, we are going to cover all the best places to eat on the Disney BoardWalk, and let me tell you, there are a ton of them that are absolutely worth your time and money.
This is a huge reason why we love to stay at the EPCOT-area resorts and we’ve even had trips where every night we ate at the BoardWalk or nearby.
Other than Disney Springs, there are few places outside of the Disney Theme Parks that can match the excitement, entertainment, and dining of the Disney BoardWalk. You have table service restaurants, quick service, bars and lounges, and a bunch of snack stands all at your fingertips.
But how do you choose where to eat?
Throughout this article, we will talk about the different Disney BoardWalk Restaurants and help YOU decide the perfect option for your travel party. We’ll also show you what to order at each restaurant, the best spots for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and how to make reservations for these restaurants.
Lastly, we’ll show you how to get to the Disney BoardWalk and answer any of your FAQs you may have. Again, we highly recommend reading our Disney BoardWalk Guide where we cover all the other entertainment and activity options you have during your visit.
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Table of Contents
Disney BoardWalk Restaurants Overview
Inspired by the famous Coney Island district in New York City, the Disney BoardWalk is a quarter-mile-long stretch that is full of what you’d expect of a typical New York and New Jersey Boardwalk.
Lined with street performers, a few different boardwalk games, multiple bars, and of course table-service restaurant options for families to eat both inside and outside.
The Disney BoardWalk for those unfamiliar is located just outside of World Showcase in EPCOT, and a convenient walking distance away from Disney’s Hollywood Studios Park. It’s in a great location for guests staying at one of the EPCOT-area Resorts or for those visiting either one of the two nearby Disney Theme Parks (Hollywood Studios and EPCOT).
Eating on the Disney BoardWalk allows guests to get a little bit of a unique ambiance that you likely won’t get elsewhere in the Walt Disney World Resort. The nice thing about eating here is that you don’t have to worry about needing a park ticket! Admission is completely free for guests coming from elsewhere.
You’ll find various different options to eat at, allowing families with differing budgets to make the right choice for them. Let’s talk about the different options…
List of Disney BoardWalk Restaurants
Here is the full list of dining options on the Disney BoardWalk. These include family-friendly table-service options, signature dining experiences, snack stands, and other quick-service locations.
- AbracadaBar – Fun-themed magician lounge that is open for dinner and quick-service breakfast.
- Atlantic Dance Hall – The only official nightclub in Disney offering cocktails and drinks.
- Belle Vue Lounge – 1930s-themed lounge that offers unique cocktails and a few snacks.
- Big River Grille & Brewing Works – A family-friendly brew pub that is open for lunch and dinner.
- BoardWalk Deli – Quick-service bakery/deli that is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- BoardWalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas – A snack stand offering margaritas and some snacks.
- BoardWalk Ice Cream – Ice cream shop that offers a large menu and different vintage drinks.
- Carousel Coffee – Coffee spot inside the hotel offering various different snacks.
- Flying Fish – Open for dinner only, this is a signature restaurant.
- Jellyrolls Dueling Piano Bar – A dueling piano bar that offers drinks-only.
- Leaping Horse Libations – The pool bar at the BoardWalk Inn Hotel offers snacks and drinks.
- Pizza Window – Take-out window that offers pizzas-to-go.
- Trattoria al Forno – A family-friendly restaurant open for breakfast and dinner.
Best Restaurants on the Disney BoardWalk
Let’s take a more in-depth look at each of these options. We will break them down into three categories:
- Table Service Restaurants
- Quick Service Restaurants
- Bars & Lounges
While this is a post on Disney BoardWalk Restaurants, we’d feel remiss if we didn’t at least mention the different lounges and bars that are found on the Disney BoardWalk, even if they DON’T have food.
Taking a look at all these different options will help you decide which is best for your family and at what time and meal.
Table Service Restaurants
Our first choice of restaurant options on the Disney BoardWalk is the Table Service Restaurants. These include more traditional sit-down options allowing guests to relax and unwind while having a server wait on your table.
There are three different options for table service meals on the Disney BoardWalk.
Big River Grille & Brewing Works
- Location: Between the store Thimbles & Threads and Jellyrolls
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner
- Cost: $$ – $$$
- Type: Family-Friendly Restaurant
- Cuisine: Microbrewery and Brew Pub-style Grub
- Disney Dining Plan: Yes, 1 Table Service Credit
Big River Grille & Brewing Works is a popular pick for families due to its easy location, reasonable pricing, and both indoor and outdoor seating. Sitting outside gives guests the opportunity to enjoy the ONLY table service spot where you can people-watch and enjoy the ambiance of the Disney BoardWalk, especially in the evening hours.
The food here is fairly accessible even for pickier eaters and you’ll find typical pub-style food here such as nachos, burgers, ribs, tacos, etc…
While it isn’t great food in our opinion, it’s a solid family-friendly spot that will allow you to enjoy some of your favorite American comfort foods, without feeling guilty or breaking the bank. And sometimes that is all the family wants and needs!
Open for both lunch and dinner, you’ll likely be able to get a walk-up reservation at Big River Grille if you’re not visiting during peak weekend nights or have a particularly large family. We’ve often gotten a table with minimal wait. If you’d like a reservation, they are bookable on Open Table here.
What’s unique about Big River is that they are considered a microbrewery where they handcraft their own different ales and lagers on the premises. The beers rotate seasonally, but it’s worth trying some of their own specialty ones. You’ll even be able to watch them crafting them through the massive glass windows inside the restaurant.
What to Get:
Try the Beers – The beer is the best part of this restaurant. With 5 different specialty beers that have won different awards, we’d suggest trying them all! Our favorite is the Big River I.P.A.
Big River Grille & Brewing Works Menu
Flying Fish
- Location: At the halfway point of the BoardWalk right next to Seashore Sweets
- Meals: Dinner
- Cost: $$$$
- Type: Signature Restaurant
- Cuisine: Seafood Specialties inside a Contemporary American Restaurant
- Disney Dining Plan: Yes, 2 Table Service Credits
Flying Fish is the highest-end upscale restaurant on the Disney BoardWalk and it requires 2 table service credits if you’re on the Disney Dining Plan. The restaurant was formerly known as the Flying Fish Cafe before dropping the Cafe part of the name and completely redesigning the interior of the restaurant to give it more of a sophisticated and luxurious dining experience.
We love Flying Fish as we find the meals and the service are second to none on the Disney BoardWalk if you’re open to splurging $45-$60-ish per entree. The meals here are beautifully presented while giving guests mouthwatering dishes with only the freshest of ingredients.
You’ll get some of the highest quality seafood meals here throughout the Walt Disney World Resort.
There is so much we like about the Flying Fish from the open kitchen to the stunning decor throughout the restaurant, including a jaw-dropping crystal flying fish chandelier!
Keep in mind though that the restaurant DOES have a dress code and requires guests to wear “attire that respects the restaurant’s sophisticated and upscale aesthetic.” Remember this is Disney after all, and while you should dress up slightly more than a normal Disney meal, you’re not expected to wear tuxedos for men or full-length dresses for women.
What to Get:
Slow-roasted Pork Belly – The pork belly at Flying Fish MIGHT be our favorite pork belly in all of Disney World. It’s incredible and literally melts in your mouth. It’s our favorite appetizer by far!
Seafood Trofie Pasta – A terrific entree, the seafood trofie pasta has a combination of shrimp, lobster, scallops, clams, and mussels. It’s rich but OH SO GOOD!
Trattoria al Forno
- Location: Located in-between AbracadaBar and the Pizza Window
- Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
- Cost: $$
- Type: Family-Friendly Restaurant
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired Breakfast and Dinner
- Disney Dining Plan: Yes, 1 Table Service Credit
Trattoria al Forno is another family-friendly restaurant on the Disney BoardWalk that offers both breakfast and dinner. The food quality here is somewhere between Big River Grille and Flying Fish while being at a more reasonable price point. We think the price-to-quality ratio is significantly better than Big River Grille!
With a clear Italian inspiration, Trattoria al Forno offers unique dishes for both breakfast and dinner. We love the theming inside the restaurant with its classic Italian restaurant feel and open kitchen, enabling guests to watch the chefs prepare all of the dishes. There are some true stand-outs on the menu here at Trattoria al Forno, for both breakfast AND dinner.
Trattoria al Forno previously offered a character breakfast called The Bon Voyage Adventure which featured Ariel, Prince Eric, Rapunzel, and Flynn Rider, although sadly the characters have not returned. The good news though, is the breakfast here is still very good.
Getting reservations here is fairly standard and it’s one of the easier character breakfasts to snag an ADR for and usually pretty easy for dinner as well. We enjoy Trattoria al Forno and think it’s certainly an under-the-radar spot that is sneaky good for both breakfast and dinner.
What to Get:
For Breakfast: We love both the Al Forno Eggs and the Oak-grilled Steak and Eggs entrees as they are both exceptional!
For Dinner: We love the Insalata Caprese appetizer with its massive hunk of House-made Burrata Cheese. For entrees, we thoroughly enjoy the Truffle Gnocchi as well as the Veal Osso Buco.
Trattoria al Forno Breakfast Menu
Trattoria al Forno Dinner Menu
Quick Service Restaurants
Our next category on the Disney BoardWalk is Quick Service Restaurants. These options are quicker in nature, allowing guests to grab a quick bite or a drink while sitting inside or grabbing it to go.
Quick service options do NOT include a server and are generally cheaper than the table service offerings. But just because they are quicker does not imply that they are NOT good.
BoardWalk Deli
- Location: Located between BoardWalk Ice Cream and the Pizza Window
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Cost: $
- Type: Quick Service Grab and Go Options
- Cuisine: Inspired by the Delis of the American Northeast Boardwalks
- Disney Dining Plan: Yes for a Quick Service or Snack Credit
The former BoardWalk Bakery was rethemed to the BoardWalk Deli in 2022 with many of the same offerings of the former bakery.
Themed to the timeless charm of the Disney BoardWalk, the deli perfectly embodies the theming found throughout the BoardWalk. It’s also the ONLY spot on the Disney BoardWalk right now where you can grab breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
They are open generally from early in the morning until late into the evening, but be sure to check the hours because it is seasonal.
And while it’s a wonderful quick service option, unfortunately, there is no interior seating for guests. You’ll have to grab your food and bring it to wherever you’re going or grab an outdoor table and chair if the weather is decent.
We like the revamped BoardWalk Deli, and there are a few options now that are real go-to’s for us when we visit. In addition to the previous bakery items that were excellent, there are some really good deli items that will truly make you feel as if you’re back in New York or New Jersey.
You won’t find a more versatile spot on the BoardWalk to get a large variety of different food items, whether you’re craving something savory or sweet. Kids and adults will all love the options here and it’s a great overall quick service spot for guests.
What to Get:
For Breakfast: We recommend trying the NJ Crumb Cake, as it’s a true authentic NJ experience. We also really like the Everything Bagel with Smoked Salmon.
For Lunch or Dinner: The Warm Pastrami Reuben is excellent and a massive portion for you to split with someone else.
BoardWalk Deli Lunch/Dinner Menu
BoardWalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas
- Location: Between the BoardWalk Bakery and the Pizza Window along the water
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner
- Cost: $
- Type: Quick Service Margarita stand
- Cuisine: Few Traditional Snacks
- Disney Dining Plan: Yes for a Quick Service or Snack Credit
We could technically put this in either the Quick Service category or the bars/lounges category but we chose to put it here due to the fact that it’s a grab and go spot that does NOT have any kind of seating for guests. It’s more of a quick service option.
BoardWalk Joe’s is essentially a margarita stand along the BoardWalk that opens at lunchtime each day and stays open until the late hours of the evening. Guests strolling out of EPCOT or who are going into EPCOT can grab a margarita along the way! We love the various different margaritas they have here from ‘on the rocks’ to frozen options.
BoardWalk Joe’s options for food are limited, with essentially pretzels or nachos being your only options. It’s not really the place to come to if you’re looking for food or a place to grab dinner. It’s essentially a place to grab a drink and a snack while you continue on your BoardWalk stroll.
BoardWalk Joe’s is fine, and we like it for margaritas but don’t come here if you’re looking to fill up on food.
What to Get:
Patron Disney Select Anejo Margarita – If you’re looking for the tastiest and highest quality margarita on the menu, get this one! Made with Anejo and quality ingredients, it’s quite tasty!
BoardWalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas Menu
BoardWalk Ice Cream
- Location: The End of the BoardWalk, closest to EPCOT Walkway
- Meals: Snack Only
- Cost: $
- Type: Quick Service Ice Cream Shop
- Cuisine: Ice Cream
- Disney Dining Plan: Snack credits for drinks ONLY
Replacing the former Ample Hills Creamery in 2021 that was found in the same location, the BoardWalk Ice Cream shop is a solid option for guests that are looking for a scoop of ice cream or even an ice cream sundae. They have a considerable amount of flavors, in addition to vintage beverages and milkshakes.
They serve the same Edy’s ice cream that they serve over at Beaches & Cream, which is found at the Beach Club Resort on the opposite side of the Disney BoardWalk. While we prefer Beaches & Cream due to the ambiance and the food offerings, the BoardWalk Ice Cream shop is a solid backup option for guests looking to grab a late-night sweet treat.
The prices here are considerably cheaper than other popular Disney Ice Cream shops such as Ghirardelli’s or even Beaches & Cream as you can find sundaes for $8 and under, which to me, is a giant win!
What to Get:
Bayside Brownie A la Mode – What’s better than a gooey Brownie mixed with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream? I don’t think anything!
Thunder Surf Peanut Butter and Chocolate Sundae – If you like peanut butter, you genuinely can’t go wrong with this amazing peanut butter and hot fudge sundae.
Carousel Coffee
- Location: Inside BoardWalk Inn Lobby
- Meals: Snack Only
- Cost: $
- Type: Quick Service Pastries and Coffee
- Cuisine: American Coffee Shop
- Disney Dining Plan: Yes for Quick Service and Snack Credits
The newest option on the Disney BoardWalk is Carousel Coffee which opened at the end of 2022. Located inside the BoardWalk Inn Resort, it’s a solid alternative to the BoardWalk Deli giving guests an option to grab a coffee and a treat. While some of the offerings are similar, there are a few unique items here that you can’t find elsewhere.
Unlike the BoardWalk Deli, Carousel Coffee has the same menu from the time it opens until the time it closes, around lunchtime. And when it comes to food here your options are several limited, as they only have snack offerings.
If you’re looking for a full breakfast or even a breakfast sandwich, you won’t get it here.
However, if you’re looking for a coffee and a quick pastry to start your day off, this can be a decent option for guests who don’t feel like heading down to the BoardWalk Deli. The food here is more limited than at the BoardWalk Deli, but the coffee here is significantly better with many more options.
What to Get:
Grab a Speciality Coffee – Get one of their different specialty coffees here and try the Crunchy Raspberry Danish. It’s really good!
Pizza Window
- Location: Between the BoardWalk Bakery and Trattoria al Forno
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner
- Cost: $
- Type: Quick Service Pizza Take-Out Window
- Cuisine: Pizza and Italian bites, including desserts and sangria
- Disney Dining Plan: Yes for Quick Service and Snack Credits
This walk-up pizza window opens at lunchtime and stays open until late hours of the evening. They offer both cheese and pepperoni pizza, side salads, cannolis, beer, and sangria. This place gets a ton of heat from Disney fans as let’s just say the pizza isn’t Disney’s finest…
With that being said, there’s a place for subpar pizza as a late-night snack or just to fill a void in the middle of the day. While we are disappointed they don’t have three different types of pizza as well as the fact that you can’t order by the pie anymore, it’s still fine for what it is.
We don’t go here often nor should we recommend you do the same unless you’re looking for a beer, sangria, or a disappointing slice of pizza.
What to Get:
Cannoli or Beer – The mini cannolis here are pretty tasty! We also like the four different options they have for draft beer. There’s something refreshing about grabbing a beer and sitting on one of the benches overlooking the water on a nice day.
Bars & Lounges
And finally we’ve reached the final options on the Disney BoardWalk and those are the bars and lounges along the BoardWalk. Some of these offer different small bites, while some of them are JUST bars.
AbracadaBar
- Location: Located between Trattoria al Forno and Flying Fish
- Meals: Bar Snacks and Cocktails Only
- Cost: $$
- Type: Sit-down Lounge
- Cuisine: American-style Cocktail Lounge
- Disney Dining Plan: No
This themed lounge is a terrific spot for adults to take in the story of a former secret haunt of Boardwalk Magicians and Entertainers. Everything inside this lounge is themed, allowing guests to be enchanted by the many different stories of these famous magicians.
The lounge opened up in 2016 and has been a great late-night spot for guests visiting the Disney BoardWalk or staying at one of the resorts. We LOVE this lounge for a number of reasons, but it’s absolutely worth visiting.
In fact, we ranked it inside our list of the Best Bars and Lounges at Disney World.
You’ll notice tiny artifacts and details all throughout the interior of this lounge, as you are engrossed in the story of these famous illusionists and magicians from past days. And while most guests come here for the delicious handcrafted cocktails, there are a few Bar Snacks that are offered between the hours of 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm each night.
While there is some outdoor seating, in the case of the AbracadaBar, we actually prefer sitting inside as the theming and the ambiance are unique to only THIS spot. Keep in mind this lounge doesn’t open until 4:00 generally.
What to Get:
Try One of the Cocktails – The presentation of these drinks is fantastic, our two favorites are the Coney Negroni and the Parlor Trick.
Abra Fries – If you like truffle fries, I cannot recommend these to you high enough! They are amazing!
Atlantic Dance Hall
- Location: At the very end of the BoardWalk near Jellyrolls
- Meals: None
- Cost: $$
- Type: Nightclub
- Cuisine: None
- Disney Dining Plan: No
Even though the Atlantic Dance Hall isn’t a restaurant nor does it offer food, but it’s worth mentioning on our list due to the fact that it’s here and they do offer a full-service bar.
The Atlantic Dance Hall is only open for guests 21 years of age and is only open from Thursdays – Sundays each week. This can be a fun spot to grab a cocktail and dance to your favorite tunes until the late hours of the evening.
What to Get:
Have a Cocktail – Grab a beer or a mixed beverage here as you enjoy some of your favorite songs to dance to.
Atlantic Dance Hall Disney Site
Belle Vue Lounge
- Location: Inside the BoardWalk Inn Hotel
- Meals: None
- Cost: $$
- Type: Vintage American-style Lounge
- Cuisine: None
- Disney Dining Plan: No
This highly-themed 1930s-era lounge is found inside the BoardWalk Inn lobby tucked away in the corner, and it’s also one of our favorite lounges in all of Walt Disney World. The theming inside is intricately themed to truly transport you to a different generation.
We LOVE it here, but sadly they do NOT have food. That’s the only flaw. There are times occasionally that the BoardWalk Inn Hotel utilizes the Belle Vue Lounge to offer some pastries and coffee, but this isn’t a daily event.
A true hidden gem on the Disney BoardWalk, this lounge offers you an oasis from the noise and commotion of the Disney BoardWalk, allowing you to enjoy a vintage and quiet good time!
We adore the Belle Vue Lounge but it isn’t the place to go if you’re looking for food!
What to Get:
Try One of Their Classic American Cocktails – We love both the Rye Manhattan and the Old Fashioned as both of these are terrific and classic!
Jellyrolls Dueling Piano Bar
- Location: Near the end of the BoardWalk next to Big River Grille
- Meals: None
- Cost: $$$
- Type: Piano Bar
- Cuisine: None
- Disney Dining Plan: No
Another fun adults-only spot on the Disney BoardWalk, Jellyrolls is the spot to go if you want to sing-along with the dueling piano players as they play classic hit after hit. Be prepared, there is a cover charge to enter Jellyrolls, generally $20 per person.
This lively nightspot is a great time for guests as they often come back for more or stay until the late hours, with the bar generally not closing until 2:00 am. Unlike the Atlantic Dance Hall, Jellyrolls is open every day of the week.
And like Atlantic Dance Hall, they also do NOT have any food items to order. But, they have free popcorn! And who doesn’t like free popcorn?
What to Get:
Grab a Drink and Free Popcorn: With popcorn being the only food offered here and a full-service bar, your only options are grabbing a drink at the bar and having some popcorn to tie you over. Did we mention there is some lousy pizza by the slice only a short walk away?
Leaping Horse Libations
- Location: BoardWalk Inn’s Luna Park Pool
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner
- Cost: $
- Type: Quick Service Bar
- Cuisine: Boardwalk-style American Food
- Disney Dining Plan: Yes for Quick Service and Snack Credits
Leaping Horse Libations is the pool bar and quick service location at the main pool at the BoardWalk Inn Resort. At this whimsical carousel-themed bar you’ll have the option to grab your favorite libation with some differing food options for both lunch and dinner.
Leaping Horse Libations serves guests from 11:00 am until 10:00 pm each day. The food here is fairly “cheap” for Disney standards and can be a decent option for both lunch or dinner if you just want something quick and budget-friendly.
The drinks here are standard pool-area drinks in addition to offering some rotating seasonal cocktails as well. Get your favorite frozen drink or ‘on the rocks’ cocktail as you enjoy sitting by the pool snacking on your food while sipping on your cocktail.
We wouldn’t recommend you go out of your way to eat here, but if you’re by the pool and just looking for something, it will more than suffice.
What to Get:
Pretzel Dog – Who doesn’t like a hot dog on a pretzel bun? This is our favorite food item on the menu.
Disney BoardWalk Restaurants Ranked
While the different BoardWalk Restaurants are all completely different, with each of them coming at various price points, we will do our best to rank them in order. We will base this on the best overall experiences.
Here are our rankings of the different BoardWalk Restaurants:
- Flying Fish – The best all-around restaurant with the highest quality presentation, food offerings, and service. It’s hard to top the seafood found at Flying Fish, but don’t discount some of the meat offerings as well. And while it’s a pretty penny to eat here, it’s absolutely worth the splurge!
- BoardWalk Deli – The only option for breakfast, lunch, and dinner is the BoardWalk Deli. We love some of the offerings here as it’s the perfect place to grab a quick bite to eat. Whether you want a quick treat or something more filling, they have it all here.
- AbracadaBar – One of our favorite themed lounges in Walt Disney World, we love the AbracadaBar! In addition to the terrific concoctions they have in the way of cocktails, don’t sleep on their truffle fries and their margarita pizza.
- Jellyrolls Dueling Piano Bar – One of the most fun places to visit in all of Walt Disney World, Jellyrolls is such a fun night if you’re having a Disney Adult night! While you won’t find food here, it’s a great time to sing along to all of your favorites.
- Trattoria al Forno – A solid all-around restaurant with both good breakfasts and underrated dinners. Many people have it among their favorite Italian restaurants in Disney. It’s not a bad choice and the prices are very reasonable considering the decent quality.
- Belle Vue Lounge – A quick and tucked away lounge in the BoardWalk Inn, we love the Belle Vue Lounge. They have a massive cocktail menu, with all of your favorite American cocktails. While we are disappointed they don’t have food, this is a great spot to get away from the noise.
- Big River Grille & Brewing Works – The food here is just OK, but the beers and the good times roll at this restaurant. We like the opportunity to be able to sit outside on the BoardWalk and enjoy the ambiance.
- Leaping Horse Libations – A decent pool bar that lacks a great plethora of options for guests, but the few things they DO have are pretty good. You’ll also love the fun Boardwalk-themed ambiance of the pool area here.
- BoardWalk Ice Cream – This fairly standard ice cream shop doesn’t quite live up to Ample Hills in terms of freshness or quality, but the BoardWalk Ice Cream shop is fine. And you’ll get some good sundaes for reasonable prices.
- Carousel Coffee – This interior BoardWalk Inn coffee shop meets the needs of coffee drinkers while being a bit underwhelming in the food department. It’s a BoardWalk Deli Lite of sorts.
- Atlantic Dance Hall – The Atlantic Dance Hall CAN be a fun night on busier evenings on the Disney BoardWalk, but far too often we find it quiet and underwhelming. Factoring that with the idea that there isn’t any food offered here, and it disappoints more times than it excites.
- BoardWalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas – There’s a place in the world for pretzels and margaritas, and this margarita stand more than meets the needs of most guests. While it’s certainly limited, it serves its purpose!
- Pizza Window – And coming in at last on our list is the pizza window! Possibly the worst pizza in all of Disney World, the pizza window takes the cake for the worst BoardWalk spot to grab food. With that being said, I’m kinda hungry right now, I could go for some cardboard pizza!
Other Restaurants Near the Disney BoardWalk
In addition to those restaurants that are directly on the Disney BoardWalk, there are also a considerable number of additional options for food that are found at the 5 resorts along Crescent Lake, just a short walk away from the Disney BoardWalk.
While they are not technically “on the BoardWalk,” they are still considered “in the BoardWalk area.”
These include Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Walt Disney World Swan, Walt Disney World Dolphin, and the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve Hotels.
We will touch on the options at each of these different hotels and resorts for food. Let’s start with Disney’s Beach Club Resort.
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Cape May Cafe – This delightful table-service restaurant serves an all-you-can-eat character breakfast in addition to a signature seafood dinner, that is NOT a character meal.
- Beaches & Cream Soda Shop – A family-friendly and budget-conscious table-service restaurant that is themed as an old-fashioned diner that serves ice cream and an assortment of different sandwiches. They are open for lunch and dinner.
- Beach Club Marketplace – This quick-service marketplace offers quick grab-and-go breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. They have a large and diversified menu for guests looking to grab something quick at all times of the day.
- Martha’s Vineyard – A relaxed lounge found at the back section of the Beach Club near the pool area. Martha’s Vineyard is a quiet place to get away and enjoy a number of featured cocktails and appetizers.
- Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill – A walk-up bar that features refreshing cocktails and some different snacks. Hurricane Hanna’s is open for both lunch and dinner. It’s one of our favorite pool bars.
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- Ale & Compass – This table-service restaurant is found inside the Yacht Club lobby and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This is a solid option for guests who are looking for a quality meal without breaking the bank.
- Ale & Compass Lounge – This cozy lounge is located just outside Ale & Compass, presenting snacks and drinks.
- The Market at Ale & Compass – The quick-service location inside the lobby area of the Yacht Club that offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They have some tasty grab-and-go options for all meals.
- Yachtsman Steakhouse – A signature dining experience requiring 2 dining credits for those on the Disney Dining Plan. The Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club is only open for dinner. They have a dress code and it’s one of the best restaurants in WDW. We HIGHLY recommend visiting here if you enjoy steak. It’s located at the back of the resort near the pool area.
- Crew’s Cup Lounge – The lounge just outside of Yachtsman Steakhouse. They share a kitchen and have a solid drink menu in addition to some tasty eats.
Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort
- Shula’s Steak House – A high-end signature dining experience at the Dolphin with terrific cuts of beef. You’ll find some real standouts here at Shula’s as it’s an upscale experience on traditional white tablecloths. You’ll definitely want to dress up for this one!
- Todd English’s Bluezoo – A popular seafood restaurant of famed chef Todd English, you’ll find some fantastic seafood dishes here. This is an underrated spot that is often easy to get in, even if you don’t have reservations.
- Rosa Mexicano – A newly opened Mexican restaurant found in the lobby area, offering a number of specialty authentic Mexican dishes.
- Cabana Bar & Beach Club – The bar and lounge area by the main pool that is shared by guests staying at both the Swan and Dolphin Resorts. They have some tasty lounge food including terrific burgers in addition to cocktails.
- Fountain – A 50s-themed diner that offers all of your standard diner fare, including some wonderful ice cream sundae offerings for dessert!
- Phins Lounge – A modern and chic lounge that is centrally located inside the newly re-themed Dolphin lobby.
- Picabu – A quick-service dining option that is found on the ground floor of the resort and offers a number of grab-and-go items.
- Fuel – Another quick-service option at the Dolphin enabling guests an opportunity to grab a coffee or grab a premade snack or sandwich.
Walt Disney World Swan Resort
- Il Mulino – One of our favorite Italian Restaurants in all of Walt Disney World. Ill Mulino is found on the left side of the hotel as soon as you walk in and includes some really wonderful pasta dishes on the menu.
- Kimonos – If you like sushi, this is the place to be! Kimonos also doubles down as a karaoke bar. This is a fun place to grab some sushi or sing your favorite tune!
- Garden Grove – An underrated table-service breakfast offering that allows guests to grab reasonably priced breakfasts. Garden Grove USED to have character dining, but they do NOT at this time. It is ONLY open for breakfast.
- Splash Pool Bar & Grill – A more casual pool bar and grill that offers cocktails and lounge food at the smaller pool area at the Swan.
- Chill – A counter-service bar inside the Swan that offers different chilled and frozen drinks.
- Java – A quick-service breakfast cafe inside the Swan that delivers a number of specialty coffee drinks and some quick grab-and-go food items.
Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
- Amare – A table-service Mediterranean-inspired restaurant that offers excellent options for guests. Amare is open for both breakfast and dinner. We’ve enjoyed our meals here and think it’s a great hidden gem.
- Grounds – The grab-and-go quick-service option at Swan Reserve is perfect for guests who want to grab a coffee, a pastry, or a premade sandwich.
- Tangerine – A poolside bar and grill that has a number of different tasty drinks while also having casual lunch-style food items.
- Stir – An Italian-inspired lounge that offers Chef’s selection of different appetizers. Stir is found in the lobby area of the hotel.
Best Breakfast at Disney BoardWalk Area
As we talked about in our top breakfasts in Disney World, our favorite breakfast in the Disney BoardWalk Area would have to be Cape May Cafe, inside Disney’s Beach Club Resort. It’s reasonably priced, has tasty offerings, and even includes a fun character meal!
Best Lunch at Disney BoardWalk Area
If we’re looking for a fabulous lunch at or near the BoardWalk, we’d more times than not choose the BoardWalk Deli. They have some tasty sandwiches and great snack offerings.
Plus it’s reasonably priced and you can even sit outside while you’re enjoying your lunch while looking out at beautiful views across Crescent Lake.
Best Dinner at Disney BoardWalk Area
This is VERY hard for us to decide, and can alter greatly depending on our mood. I’d give the slight edge to the Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club Resort. It’s quite possibly our favorite steak on Disney Property. Although Flying Fish is a VERY close second option.
Best Bar/Lounge in the Disney BoardWalk Area
Our favorite bar or lounge in the BoardWalk area has to be the AbracadaBar! This highly-themed and experiential lounge is a terrific time for guests looking to be entertained, immersed in a story, and get good food and drinks!
READ: Best Bars & Lounges at Disney World
New Restaurants Coming to the Disney BoardWalk
Disney recently announced that the popular Blue Ribbon Corn Dog spot in Disneyland will now have a spot on the Disney BoardWalk! They haven’t given an exact date, but we assume it will be inside the location that was the former To-Go Cart.
Blue Ribbon Corn Dog is famous for their unique flavors of corn dogs, including the fan-favorite pickle and peanut butter corn dogs!
Also opening sometime soon, hopefully in early 2024, is The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers.
This chain restaurant that comes from Indiana will offer guests another table-service option on the Disney BoardWalk. They will also have an adjoining shop next to the restaurant which will enable guests to enjoy some bakery treats.
How to Get to the Disney BoardWalk
Getting to the Disney BoardWalk is fairly simple, considering it’s right next to the back entrance via the International Gateway from EPCOT. It’s within walking distance of Hollywood Studios as well.
There are AT LEAST 6 different ways to get to the Disney BoardWalk. They are:
Taking the Skyliner
If you are on or near the Disney Skyliner you can take it to EPCOT, and it will drop you within a 2-minute walk of the Disney BoardWalk. Upon departing the Skyliner walk over the bridge to your left and you’ll be on the BoardWalk.
This makes it easy to get to from any of the Skyliner Resorts including the Caribbean Beach, Riviera, Pop Century, and Art of Animation resorts.
Taking the Boat
The Friendship Boats around Crescent Lake stop at multiple stops along the different Disney World Resorts around EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Regardless of which park you’re coming from, simply take the boat stop that takes you directly to the BoardWalk Inn Hotel. You’ll be right there!
Taking a Disney Bus
While this isn’t a direct way to the Disney BoardWalk via the Disney Buses, if you take a Disney Bus to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios, you can easily get to the BoardWalk from either of these two parks. You can either take a Disney Boat OR walk there.
Keep in mind though that at EPCOT, you’ll have to enter the park and walk to the back exit of the park via the International Gateway. At Hollywood Studios, you DON’T need to enter the park and instead find the simple walking pathway near the bus stops.
Walking
Walking is incredibly simple if you’re staying at one of the other BoardWalk-area Resorts OR if you’re visiting Hollywood Studios or EPCOT. It’s fairly self-explanatory. If you’re exiting EPCOT via the International Gateway it’s extremely easy.
Driving
If you’re staying off-site and you have access to a vehicle OR if you’re staying on-site and if you have your own vehicle driving is extremely easy. You’ll find a large parking area for guests visiting the Disney BoardWalk.
Taking the Monorail
While this isn’t the easiest route to get here, it can be done. This could be an option for guests leaving Magic Kingdom or who want to get to the Disney BoardWalk via the different Monorail Resorts. So how can it be done?
- First, you’d take the monorail over to EPCOT (Have to transfer at the TTC)
- Once you get to EPCOT, you will need to enter the park and then walk through the entire length of the park until you get to the back entrance/exit through World Showcase (In the France Pavilion)
- Exit the park there, and you can then either take one of the Friendship Boats or walk another couple minutes to the Disney BoardWalk
It can be done but it requires walking and TIME. I’d plan for at least an hour if you’re going this route.
Disney BoardWalk Restaurants that Have Closed Permanently
For guests who haven’t visited Walt Disney World in the last few years, you’ll be surprised to know that some restaurants and kiosks have unfortunately closed. Which ones?
- ESPN Club – The one that makes us saddest is the ESPN Club. We’ve had MANY good moments here over the years watching the big sporting events (like the Super Bowl) and enjoying the big screen televisions while enjoying a number of appetizers. Sadly it closed in early 2022 and will be replaced by the new Cake Bake Shop.
- Kouzzina – Unfortunately, this Mediterranean-inspired restaurant was closed in 2014 and was replaced by Trattoria al Forno. We liked Kouzzina and thought it offered unique food you couldn’t find elsewhere.
- Funnel Cake Cart – Another quick-service cart along the BoardWalk that sadly has not reopened. We will miss grabbing our late-night funnel cakes!
- Ample Hills Creamery – Another favorite of ours, we loved this authentic ice cream shop that had unique flavors and really good ice cream. Too bad it was closed and replaced with the more generic BoardWalk Ice Cream.
- The BoardWalk To Go Cart – Unfortunately, this little kiosk along the BoardWalk has closed. It was formerly a great spot to stop at if you were looking for something quick such as a hot dog, french fries, mozzarella sticks, and even burgers!
Disney Springs vs Disney BoardWalk Restaurants
While we LOVE some of the options along the Disney BoardWalk, especially when you include the BoardWalk-area restaurants such as Yachtsman Steakhouse, Cape May Cafe, Beaches & Cream, etc…. The truth of the matter is NOWHERE can come close to the options at Disney Springs.
While there are comparable restaurants when it comes to the ‘Best Of’ selections at both venues, Disney Springs just has MORE options that are both incredible and vastly different.
They have more signature dining experiences, better quick service options, and innumerable places to grab snacks and desserts.
It’s practically impossible to top Disney Springs, and it IS impossible in Walt Disney World to beat it when it comes to food.
READ: Best Restaurants at Disney Springs
FAQs
What Type of Cuisine Do the Disney BoardWalk Restaurants Serve?
The cuisine you’ll find at the Disney BoardWalk Restaurants is reminiscent of what you’d find at a typical New York or New Jersey Boardwalk. While there is certainly some Italian influence there are also plenty of seafood dishes.
This is in addition to your typical American comfort foods which you’ll find at all of the BoardWalk Restaurants.
Can You Walk Around the Disney BoardWalk for Free?
Yes! The Disney BoardWalk is completely free to walk around. The only time you’d have to pay is if you’re entering the front entrance of EPCOT to get there, which is closer to the back entrance of EPCOT.
But that wouldn’t make sense so just take transportation from somewhere else.
Is it Worth Visiting Disney BoardWalk?
Absolutely! We love visiting the Disney BoardWalk, and it’s one of our favorite free things to do in Walt Disney World.
Do You Need a Reservation to Get Into Disney BoardWalk?
Nope. While it is certainly helpful to have a reservation at the restaurants on the Disney BoardWalk, you don’t need an actual reservation to walk around the Disney BoardWalk.
Can I Use the Disney Dining Plan at the BoardWalk Restaurants?
Yes! All of the restaurants on the BoardWalk accept the Disney Dining Plan in some form. Some of them are 1 dining credit and some of them are 2 dining credits.
Or you can utilize the snack or quick service snacks if you’re grabbing quicker bites.
The restaurants at the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve DO NOT accept the Disney Dining Plan, so no Shula’s or Il Mulino.
Are there Vegetarian/Vegan Options at the Disney BoardWalk?
Yes, all of the restaurants on the BoardWalk will have vegetarian and vegan options. I’d suggest asking your waiter for suggestions on the menu.
What is the Dress Code for Disney BoardWalk Restaurants?
Like most of Disney, most of the Boardwalk restaurants have a more relaxed vacation dress code. This essentially means there is NO dress code. The one exception on the Disney BoardWalk is Flying Fish, which has more of a business casual dress code.
When Will the Bon Voyage Breakfast Return to Trattoria al Forno?
We don’t know, but we hope it does come back! We loved the Bon Voyage Breakfast, which allowed guests to have another character breakfast option on the Disney BoardWalk.
What Replaced the ESPN Club at Disney World?
The Cake Bake Shop will be officially replacing the ESPN Club when it officially opens sometime in 2024. This restaurant was created by actress Gwendolyn Rogers and will feature both a table-service restaurant and a bakery.
Making Dining Reservations
If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World, it’s almost imperative that you make dining reservations or ADRs (Advanced Dining Reservations) as they’re often referred to.
Disney now allows guests who are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort to make their reservations 60 days prior to the start of their trip. This makes planning a Disney Vacation incredibly important.
For some families, this can be a lot of fun, for other families it can be a giant hassle and a stress to have to worry about! While we absolutely recommend you plan your meals and have an idea of places you’d like to go, it’s not imperative that you make your own dining reservations. Why?
Utilizing a Disney Vacation Planner has gotten more and more popular due to the amount of hassle, work, stress, and time it takes to plan your vacation. Even the most knowledgeable Disney Fans and frequent vacationers, like us, LOVE utilizing a Disney Vacation Planner to help plan our trip.
They can do practically everything for you, from making your ADRs to helping you plan every moment of your vacation… if you want. That’s why we absolutely recommend beginner or intermediate-level Disney travelers to utilize one! The one we love more than the rest is Show You the World Travel.
Their team is incredible and they’ve treated my family and all our readers tremendously who have utilized them. We’ve been recommending them for years. Don’t worry they won’t cost you a penny! Reach out to them and see how they can help you plan your Disney World Vacation!
Where Can You Eat at the BoardWalk Without Reservations?
While it’s not vital that you make reservations, especially if you have a smaller party, it certainly helps. But if you don’t get reservations it’s still possible to get into most of the BoardWalk restaurants WITHOUT a reservation.
If you’re going as a walk-in, I suggest getting there either as soon as they open and asking if they can squeeze you in. Be flexible and willing to eat either very early or later in the evening.
You’ll likely have no problem getting into places like Big River Grille and Trattoria al Forno, especially if you’re not visiting Walt Disney World during the peak vacation weeks.
More popular places like Flying Fish, Beaches & Cream, and the Cape May Cafe will likely be far higher without a reservation.
Ready to Start Planning Your Disney Vacation?
If you feel overwhelmed planning a Disney vacation, use an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner such as Show You the World Travel. They are experts on every Disney location and can tell you where to stay, what to do, how to save money, and give you personalized service for your most magical vacation ever!
That wraps up our look at the Disney BoardWalk Restaurants. We hope that if you haven’t had a chance to visit yet, it will give you some great ideas of places to eat and drink on your next trip, there certainly isn’t a shortage of them!
If you are thinking about going to Walt Disney World in the coming future, here are some other popular articles where you will find all the info and tips you need to plan your trip.
- Disney World Vacation Planning Guide
- Disney World Crowd Calendar
- When are the Best Times to Visit Disney World?
Your Thoughts
I want to know what you think about our guide to the Restaurants at Disney’s BoardWalk…
- Where is your favorite place to eat on The BoardWalk?
- Which Disney Resort area has the best restaurants?
Let us know in the comments section below!
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My name is Ziggy and I love Disney, everything Disney! I grew up on Disney and it has and continues to be a huge part of my life. I started young when my parents took me to Disney World when I was 18 months old. Little did they know that would be the first of an uncountable number of trips we would take. I have so many amazing memories going to Disney with my family and friends and it has been interwoven into my DNA.