Four Restaurants Not To Miss at Disney Springs
October 15, 2024 by Laura Pitcher

Disney Springs has received the glow-up of the decade over the past ten years, as it evolved from its previous state, Downtown Disney, to a shopping and dining mecca, that should not be missed on your Walt Disney World vacation. Do you remember how every teen movie in the early 2000s had a makeover montage, and someone emerged from the shadows of unpopularity, to become Prom Queen? The same thing has essentially happened to Disney Springs, which is now one of my favorite parts of Disney property. One of my favorite traditions for my trips to Disney is how our family spends our arrival night eating dinner at one of Disney Springs's many great restaurants.
Today, I’m sharing four of my favorite, that you should consider for your next trip. As always, Be Our Guest Vacations can help you secure those hard-to-get dining reservations, as well as help you narrow down your choices for your trip. As always, our services are completely free to you!
The BOATHOUSE
My toddler is currently in a phase where she’s obsessed with boats, so it comes as no surprise that her favorite place currently is The BOATHOUSE. I am happy to take her as often as we can to this restaurant that celebrates all things boats throughout the restaurant - she can marvel at the nautical decor and boat booths. At the same time, I enjoy a Duck Duck Razz, a cocktail that comes complete with a souvenir rubber duck floating on top. I also love their dockside seating, which has great views of the water and all of Disney Springs. If you’re looking for one of the best dining deals at Disney Springs, try ordering the Filet Mignon Slider Trio, which has three miniature burgers with filet mignon, for only $22. That might be the best steak deal at Disney. For one of the most unique experiences that Disney has to offer, consider going on a ride at one of the BOATHOUSE’s amphicars after dinner. These cars transform from landcruisers to boats, where you can enjoy a ride with the whole family.

The Edison
If I was going to have a kids-free date night at Disney Springs, The Edison would be my top pick. This restaurant and entertainment center is inspired by the 1920s - the gothic decor and ambiance make you feel like you’ve dropped back into a club during the time of Gatsby. After 10 pm, this spot turns into a club, complete with a swinging big band, dancers, and a dance floor. When we were there, we enjoyed 1920s-style covers of modern music and hours of dancing. For dinner, don’t miss some of the more fun menu items, including the Clothesline Bacon (yes, it actually comes on a clothesline!) or the Electri-Fries, which is the loaded cheese fries of my dreams. They also have an incredible cocktail menu, so you can enjoy some adult beverages on your night out. The champagne-based cocktail, ‘He Went To Paris’ is one of my favorites.

Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar
As a fan of Indiana Jones, my husbands’ pick is Jock Lindsey’s Hanger Bar, which celebrates the pilot from Raiders of the Lost Ark. According to Disney, this is the backstory for this watering hole. ‘Two globetrotters stumbled on Disney Springs in 1938 while chasing down a mythology-based tip in central Florida. Attracted to the town’s natural springs and lush terrain, Jock bought some waterfront property and eventually settled down, piloting seaplane tours across the fast-growing Sunshine State.
Jock eventually built an airplane hangar, air tower, and runway, and invited fellow members of The Society of Explorers and Adventurers to pay him a visit. His home base soon became a popular stopover and watering hole for world travelers and locals alike.’ As an added bonus, if you’re visiting during the holiday season, this spot usually gets a Christmas makeover, with fun decor, and plenty of seasonal food and beverage. This place mainly has small bites and appetizers to go with their extensive cocktail offerings - my favorite of which is the Orange Pilsner Goat Cheese dip!

Chef Art Smith's Homecomin'
As a member of the Southern States, I have a completely biased opinion that Southern food is some of the best in the world. Shrimp and grits? SIGN ME UP! Biscuits? The base of any solid food pyramid. Chef Art Smith does Southern food better than almost anyone else, and the hard-to-get reservation at his restaurant in Disney Springs is the proof. As an added bonus, this restaurant has moonshine cocktails, for a true Southern experience. If you’re going for brunch, you don’t want to miss the Fried Chicken and Donuts, which is close to feeling like a religious experience. At dinner, make sure to order the Church Lady Deviled Eggs for an appetizer, followed by a Fried Chicken Plate. Save room for dessert and enjoy the Hummingbird Cake. This is Chef Art’s signature dessert and is a pineapple-banana cake with cream cheese frosting, served with ice cream. You can send me a thank you note later!

You really can’t go wrong with any of the dining options at Disney Springs, but we hope this helps you narrow down your options more. Don’t forget - these kinds of recommendations are just the tip of the iceberg for all the ways that Be Our Guest Vacations can help plan your dream vacation to Walt Disney World. Reach out today!