Best Disney BoardWalk Restaurants. We Are Frequent Diners Here.

Of all the resort hotels at Walt Disney World, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas holds a very special place in my heart. Much like Magic Kingdom, the BoardWalk’s theming brings feelings of nostalgia for a time long before I was even born. And if I come to the BoardWalk for the nostalgia, I certainly stay for the food and drink. The Disney BoardWalk offers some wonderful restaurant and bar options.

From deli-style sandwiches to coffee and pastries, a brewery with pub-style food to a signature seafood restaurant, or delicious ice cream to a dueling piano bar, the restaurant options seem endless. To many guests, this may even seem like a mini-Disney Springs!

With everything available along the BoardWalk and its surrounding resort hotels, guests could find an entire day’s worth of activities to do – and food to eat – and not step foot into nearby EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Let’s explore what Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas is all about and break down all of its restaurant and bar options so that you can have a magical experience here!

You can also see our overall ranking of the best Disney World restaurants for more of our top dining recommendations as you are planning your Disney World visit. This article has been reviewed for 2025 to verify accuracy and details.

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas

Truly appreciating the BoardWalk requires a little bit of knowledge surrounding it. Open since 1996, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas was the 2nd Disney Vacation Club Resort at Walt Disney World and the 1st mixed-use resort. This means that there are specific rooms configured for Disney Vacation Club members but there are also rooms for non-Disney Vacation Club members. You can see our guide to Disney's BoardWalk map for more details on the area's offerings and where they are located. 

Taking after turn-of-the-century Coney Island and Atlantic City, the BoardWalk recalls a romantic time of carnival-style stunts and shows, big band music, and the original Miss America pageant. Just like the popular boardwalks of the 20s and 30s, the Disney’s BoardWalk gives guests a chance to walk the promenade, window shop, explore different restaurants, and play carnival-style games.

Robert A.M. Stern was the architect for Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas as well as the nearby Yacht & Beach Club Resorts. His design of the BoardWalk was an amalgam of different styles that made up the Atlantic Shore boardwalks during the turn-of-the-century. Stern even described his design as “the rambling Colonial Revival that proliferated in New England to the Victorian, the classicist, vernacular and even Bungalow style – all taken together to form a collage.”

From its architecture made to evoke a seaside village to the Luna Park Pool, aptly named after the amusement park in Coney Island, to the beautiful “Hippocampus Electrolier” chandelier in the lobby, Stern and Disney’s Imagineers left no detail untouched.

Let’s go over all of the BoardWalk’s restaurant and bar offerings, including some of the details that make them stand out. You should also read our guide to things to do at Disney's Boardwalk.

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AbracadaBar

One of the most unique bars in all of Walt Disney World, AbracadaBar is a magician-themed lounge that gives guests a peak at an era long since passed. So the story goes, this was the former stomping grounds for famous magicians and illusionists to gather in attempt to outdo each other with their extraordinary tricks. Mysteriously, the secret lounge vanished, “never to be seen again… until today!”

Make sure to take a sip of the magic-themed cocktails, including the Magic Mirror (Bacardi rum, soda water, mango syrup, sprite, lime juice). AbracadaBar also serves food, including the Abra Fries (parmesan cheese, gremolata, truffle cheese sauce). The truffle flavoring makes these fries very tasty.

And while you’re sipping on your cocktail, make sure to look around at the different show posters, mystifying mirrors, and vintage props that reflect a time full of magicians and their illusionist acts!

Guests can enjoy cocktails here from 4:00pm to 12:00am everyday. AbracadaBar does not accept Disney dining plans.

Flying Fish

Located right next to AbracadaBar, Flying Fish is the Disney BoardWalk’s signature table-service restaurant. Here, guests can enjoy premium sustainable seafood and oak-grilled steaks and enjoy the whimsical theming calling back to the Flying Turns roller coaster in Coney Island. In fact, “Flying Fish” was the name of one of the ride vehicles on this fun coaster.

As guests enter the restaurant, they’re greeted with roller coaster-like booths with their wavy design and a marvelous crystal chandelier resembling a school of fish. While Flying Fish is a signature table-service restaurant that requires a dress code, the fun theming makes for a good mix of sophistication and fun. With its open kitchen, guests can also peer into what it takes to make each delicious dish.

Flying Fish arguably has some of the best seafood on Walt Disney World property served at a premium price. The Seafood Trofie Pasta (shrimp, lobster, scallops, clams, mussels) is sure to satisfy your seafood cravings. We loved the octopus. (seen below). However, just because this restaurant is known for its seafood doesn’t mean you shouldn’t order the steak. The filet mignon is one of my favorite steaks on Walt Disney World property.

My personal recommendation? While you’re waiting to be seated, head next door to AbracadaBar (with its own connected entrance) for a pre-dinner cocktail and explore the mysterious details of this magician-themed lounge. Then, if you’re dining with your significant other, have one of you order the Seafood Trofie Pasta while the other orders the filet mignon. Talk about an elegant surf-and-turf meal!

Be sure to check the Walt Disney World website for advance dining reservations. Flying Fish does accept the Disney Dining Plan and offers discounts to Annual Passholders and Disney Visa Cardmembers.

Belle Vue Lounge

Another fun café that serves cocktails in the evening, Belle Vue Lounge models sitting rooms from the 1930s – a place where guests enjoying the boardwalk could take a break from outside activities and come inside to relax. Make sure to listen to the radios around the lounge. Authentic to their time, they play radio shows from the 1920s and 1930s. They even play holiday-themed shows during the Christmas season!

In the early afternoon, guests can come in and relax. This is one of my personal favorites for doing work or escaping the mid-day heat. Because Belle Vue Lounge doesn’t sell food or drink in the morning or early afternoon, you’re more than likely to find that the area is mostly empty. This makes it great for escaping the theme park crowds.

It is only after 4:00pm when you can come and get a cocktail, which by the way are unique and delicious. The Orange Blossom Manhattan (Knob Creek Disney Single Barrel Bourbon, Cointreau Noir liquor, orange blossom honey, orange bitters) is a great twist on a Manhattan cocktail. Guests can also choose from a selection of non-alcoholic drinks. Grab a drink and try your hand at some fun board games!

Guests can purchase drinks here from 4:00pm to 12:00am everyday. Belle Vue Lounge does not accept Disney dining plans.

Big River Grille & Brewing Works

Believe it or not, this family-friendly microbrewery and restaurant is the only working brewpub at the Disney BoardWalk – and Walt Disney World. Not only do they offer award-winning beers. Here, guests can marvel at the floor-to-ceiling glass walls that showcase the beer brewing process. While outdoor seating is available, we definitely suggest dining indoors for the ambiance.

This table-service restaurant serves pretty standard brewpub food, but after a long day at the Walt Disney World theme parks, it will surely satisfy your hunger. However, the beer makes this restaurant stand out. The beer list rotates, so make sure to swing by and see what’s available!

Guests can dine here from 11:00am to 10:00pm everyday. Reservations are recommended (call the restaurant directly at 407-751-1544), but walk-up reservations may be available. Make sure to check with the restaurant for availability.

BoardWalk Deli

With the charm of a boardwalk-style bakery and deli, BoardWalk Deli is a counter-service restaurant that offers classic hot and cold sandwiches for breakfast and lunch, bagels and bagel sandwiches, and sweet treats. Inspired by the delicatessens of the Northeast, Disney takes guests on a road trip of classic sweet and savory flavors from New York to the Jersey Shore.

The Everything Bagel Sandwich (Cage-free egg, sausage patty, cheddar on an everything bagel) is a great choice for breakfast. For a more healthy option, the chicken salad wrap (Rotisserie chicken, grapes, walnuts, mayonnaise in a spinach wrap) actually packs a lot of good flavor without being too heavy on the tortilla taste. But my (and so many others) personal go-to is the Warm Pastrami Reuben (Sauerkraut, Swiss, Thousand Island dressing on marble rye). It’s so tasty that I’d come here again just for the reuben. Finally, the sweets offered here are solid choices, especially for breakfast on the go.

For the record, this is also a spot where guests can purchase and refill their Disney refillable mugs! This makes BoardWalk Deli a great spot for filling up on coffee and grabbing some breakfast in the morning on the way to EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

BoardWalk Deli serves breakfast from 7:00am to 11:00am and lunch and dinner from 11:00am to 10:00pm everyday and accepts some Disney dining plans. Make sure to check with a Cast Member to see which plans work here.

BoardWalk Ice Cream

Inspired by the Beaches & Cream Soda Shop across Crescent Lake, BoardWalk Ice Cream is full of whimsical décor reminiscent of turn-of-the-century ice cream parlors. Here, guests can snack on simple sundaes and ice cream scoops made with Edy’s Ice Cream.

Because of its Beaches & Cream influence, you’ll surely have your ice cream cravings satisfied. And because reservations for Beaches & Cream often fills up, BoardWalk Ice Cream offers a great alternative for guests visiting the BoardWalk.

Choose from 6 different sundaes, 6 different milkshakes (2 of which are plant-based), and a good variety of ice cream flavors. The Bayside Brownie a la Mode (brownie, hot fudge, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles, a cherry) is a great choice for brownie lovers that want a simple treat.

Guests can also feast on the Mickey Kitchen Sink Sundae, made famous by its sheer size! Ice cream is served here from 12:00 noon to 11:00pm everyday. Disney Dining plans are not accepted here.

BoardWalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas

Disney made it just a little obvious what you can buy here as you stroll the BoardWalk promenade! Located on the Crescent Lake-side across from BoardWalk Deli, BoardWalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas serves up margaritas, frozen margaritas, and a small assortment of snacks.

The Marvelous Watermelon Margarita (Patrón Silver Tequila, watermelon, lime juice, sweet-and-sour) is a unique and tasty choice. However, don’t be thrown off by the name of this drink kiosk. Guests can also choose from an assortment of wine, beer, a piña colada, and Captain’s Seaside Sensation – a DOLE Whip pineapple smoothie with Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum.

When visiting Walt Disney World, I’d recommend the Captain’s Seaside Sensation and balance the sweetness out with a Mickey Pretzel. And since this kiosk is right along the waters of Crescent Lake, why not take a seat and watch the FriendShip Boats? With the beautiful backdrop of Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club resorts just across the water, you simply cannot go wrong.

Guests can purchase their drink of choice from 12:00noon to 11:00pm everyday. Disney Dining plans are not accepted here.

Carousel Coffee

The newest quick-service restaurant at Disney’s BoardWalk, guests can find Carousel Coffee just past the resort lobby, making it convenient if you want to pick up a coffee and pastry just before going to the theme parks.

Here, guests can enjoy the ever-popular Joffrey’s Coffee (a Walt Disney World staple), a big selection of grab-and-go pastries including a vintage Mickey & Minnie sugar cookie, Mickey Brownie with sprinkles, a NJ crumb cake, an assortment of muffins, and croissants. For healthier options, guests can choose from whole fresh fruit, a fresh fruit cup, and a Greek yogurt parfait.

When visiting the BoardWalk, make sure to grab a coffee and pastry and then relax on the terrace overlooking the courtyard and Crescent Lake. It’s easily one of the best ways to slow down and soak in all the Disney magic.

Another great option is to grab a coffee and explore the details of the BoardWalk lobby. You can view the previously mentioned “Hippocampus Electrolier” chandelier, look above the check-in desk at the pastoral representations of the Disney theme park castles around the world, or try out the vintage clamshell mutoscope. There’s so many details to explore!

Carousel Coffee is open from 6:30am to 3:30pm everyday and accepts some Disney dining plans. Make sure to check with a Cast Member to see which plans work here.

Jellyrolls Dueling Piano Bar

Unfortunately, the days of this famed dueling piano bar are numbered. No exact closing date for Jellyrolls has been announced yet, but the restaurant shared that the bar will be open “into the spring season.” 

Named after the famed Jelly Roll Morton, the self-proclaimed inventor of jazz, Jellyrolls Dueling Piano Bar is a great late-night hangout spot for drinks at the BoardWalk. However, as the name suggests, Walt Disney World guests usually don’t come here just for a drink. What makes Jellyrolls so special is the fun that the pianists bring to the stage as they battle it out every night playing everything from the most obscure tunes to Disney classics to today’s hits!

The best part? The pianists at Jellyrolls don’t just play tunes they plan in advance. Every single song they play on stage are requests from guests. If you want to send in a request, all you need to do is write your song request on a bar napkin and drop it on top of the piano on stage (along with a tip). Drop your requests in early because they fill up quickly!

While jamming along to the music, choose from a wide variety of beer, cocktails, and mocktails. Jellyrolls also offers a good selection of seasonal drinks, so don’t forget to ask your server what they recommend! Jellyrolls does require a cover charge of $18 and they’re open from 7:00pm to 1:45am. If you want a seat near the front of the action, be sure to show up early!

One final tip: Since Sunday evenings are Cast Member nights, don’t be surprised to be completely surrounded by Disney Cast Members if you visit on a Sunday.

Leaping Horse Libations

The poolside bar next to Luna Park Pool is a great place to grab a snack or cocktail while relaxing by the pool. Themed like a carousel, Leaping Horse Libations is a call back to horse divers of the 1920s. Believe it or not, horse diving was a popular show in which performers would mount horses and plunge from a 40-foot tower into a pool of water. How fitting for a pool bar!

Guests can choose from a selection of sandwiches, salads, and and a small variety of snacks to go with their cocktails. The cocktails here are standard Disney drinks, but they do have seasonal offerings.

The bar is open from 11:00am to 10:00pm everyday and does accept some Disney dining plans. Make sure to check with a Cast Member to see which plans work here.

Pizza Window

Literally a window kiosk for pizza on the go, Pizza Window is a counter-service restaurant serving tasty slices of pepperoni or cheese pizza. If you need more, they also offer the whole pie to purchase. This spot is perfect if you’re looking for a quick slice of pizza while exploring the BoardWalk or if you’re craving a late night meal after a long day at EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Pizza Window also serves a side salad and a box of mini cannolis!

One of the biggest perks to this spot is the outdoor seating overlooking the BoardWalk and Crescent Lake. And since the nighttime entertainment is back, you can grab a slice (which is pretty hefty) and marvel at the performers along the BoardWalk.

Pizza Window is open from 12:00noon to 12:00am and does accept some Disney dining plans. Make sure to check with a Cast Member to see which plans work here.

Trattoria al Forno

Easily one of the best Italian restaurants in Walt Disney World property, Trattoria al Forno serves up regional Italian specialties. Inside, guests will find that this table-service restaurant’s theming resembles a classic Italian restaurant, complete with an open kitchen where guests can watch chefs make their favorite Itlian dishes. Oh, and many of the ingredients here are made in-house. How’s that for a restaurant at Disney’s BoardWalk?

Trattoria al Forno serves up breakfast meals with Italian flare, including a Sunrise Breakfast Pizza (scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, bell peppers, cheese) and a Tiramisu Bread Pudding (cinnamon brioche, mascarpone cream, espresso drizzle served with either bacon or sausage). Don’t sleep in on these tasty options!

For dinner, the food options expand both in number and in flavor. Their Insalata Caprese has house-made burrata, ripe tomatoes, and extra virgin olive oil – a must try for cheese lovers. The Truffle Gnocchi (parmesan, fontina, truffle cream) is also a must-try.

Trattoria al Forno serves breakfast from 7:30am to 11:30am and dinner from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. Since this is a table-service restaurant, Disney recommends advanced dining reservations, but walk-ups may be accepted depending on how busy the restaurant is. No luck with a reservation? Trattoria al Forno also offers a mobile-order option on the My Disney Experience app for its dinner menu!

Finally, Trattoria al Forno accepts the Disney Dining Plan and offers a discount to Annual Passholders.

The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers

The Cake Bake Shop Bakery and Restaurant by Gwendolyn Rogers is the newest addition to Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas. This table-service restaurant serves brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, desserts, and cocktails in a “whimsical atmosphere that complements the magic of the idyllic charm of Disney’s BoardWalk.” Guests can pop in for a quick treat from the bakery case which includes cakes, pies, French pastries, and more!

There are now 4 spots to choose from for guests with a sweet tooth wanting to quench their sugar craving. The options will be endless!

Final Thoughts

With all of the restaurant options offered at Disney’s BoardWalk, guests of all ages and with all types of palettes will have something for them. Tack on all the different activities offered on the BoardWalk, and you could fill up a day’s worth of activities without even visiting EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

With its proximity to the two Walt Disney World theme parks, Disney’s BoardWalk is also a wonderful spot to take a mid-day theme park break. With the Disney Skyliner within walking distance, guests can easily visit Disney’s BoardWalk from other Disney resorts!

If you ask me what my favorite restaurant is, I honestly wouldn’t be able to give you a straight answer. That’s not a bad thing, though. My favorite restaurant will depend on what I’m in the mood for when you ask. That’s the beauty of having such a variety of restaurants at Disney’s BoardWalk. Not only do they offer something different to fit anyone’s cravings, they also offer different options for when you’re craving something different on your next trip!

Remember though, these are the options offered at just Disney’s BoardWalk. Because of its location along Crescent Lake, when visiting the BoardWalk, you’re just a stone's throw away from Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts as well as Disney’s Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve hotels! Need more ice cream? Head over to Beaches and Cream at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. Craving more Mediterranean cuisine? Check out Amare at Disney’s Swan Reserve hotel. Looking for character dining? Your kids will love Cape May Café at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. Each one of these resorts and hotels have restaurants, activities, and theming that guests can enjoy.

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