Disney’s Boardwalk Restaurants (The Full Guide)

This article covers the restaurants at Disney’s Boardwalk. We’ll look at the counter service restaurants, table service restaurants, lounges, and the pool bar.

Disney’s Boardwalk has a plethora of restaurants. In fact, this location has over ten different dining options available.

However, in 2023, there are several notable changes. Below we’ll discuss each of those updates and your best options for grabbing a meal on the Boardwalk.

Now, let’s see where you might like to have a meal!

This article was updated on January 9, 2023.

Disney’s Boardwalk Restaurants

Here are the restaurants available on Disney’s Boardwalk:

Boardwalk Deli (replaced the former Boardwalk Bakery)
Carousel Coffee
Pizza Window
The To-Go Cart
Funnel Cake Cart
Boardwalk Ice Cream
Boardwalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas
Belle Vue Lounge
Abracadabar
Leaping Horse Libations
Big River Grille and Brewing Works
Trattoria al Forno
Flying Fish
The Cake Bake Shop (Coming in 2023)

*Unfortunately, sports fans will be disappointed that ESPN Club is now permanently closed.

We’ll start with the counter service dining options. After that, we’ll preview the lounges before moving on to the table service restaurants and signature dining.

Boardwalk Deli

Boardwalk Deli is our first stop for dining on the Boardwalk. This is the dedicated counter service dining location for Disney’s Boardwalk Resort. It was formerly Boardwalk Bakery.

Unfortunately, there’s no interior seating at this quick-service restaurant. However, there is some outdoor seating available on the Boardwalk.

Boardwalk Deli serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner items. They are usually open from 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.

In the past, I wasn’t a fan of the Boardwalk Bakery because most of its offerings were premade sandwiches. Unfortunately, this scenario has become a common trend in Epcot Resorts Area over the past few years.

Nearly all the counter services in the area have a menu primarily made up of premade sandwiches delivered from another location. Imagine paying $500 a night for a hotel whose quick-service food selection is comparable to what you’d pick up at the Seven-Eleven.

However, since the Boardwalk Bakery transitioned to the Boardwalk Deli, most of its items are freshly prepared. We’ve eaten there several times.

Some of my suggestions include the grilled cheese, which was the only not pre-made sandwich offered before. It comes with a side of tomato basil soup, but you can substitute chips.

We’ve also enjoyed several sweet treats at the new deli, like this key lime tart.

This mixed berry salad is one of their healthier options. I purchased one to take back to my room for dinner one evening and was happy with my choice.

Related: Boardwalk Deli Review

However, the favorite thing I’ve tried at the new Boardwalk Deli is the warm Pastrami Reuben. It is a delicious, yet a little messy, sandwich.

Here are a few other items in the case.

In addition, to lunch and dinner, the Boardwalk Deli has several breakfast items. You can preview the menu here on Disney’s site.

Carousel Coffee

Carousel Coffee opened at Disney’s Boardwalk in early 2023. This coffee shop is located in the home of the former Dundy’s Sundries, off the lobby.

Carousel Coffee is open daily from 7:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. Inside, you can find a selection of pastries and a specialty coffee menu.

One of their specialties is said to be this New Jersey Crumb Cake.

Related: Carousel Coffee Review

Pizza Window

The Pizza Window is another dining option on the Boardwalk. Usually, this location offers three different types of pizza.

Pizza can be ordered by the slice, or you can get a whole pie. In addition, standard beverage items are available.

Unfortunately, it has been my experience that the pizza here is not that great. I would compare it to something like a cheap buffet pizza or similar.

If you’re staying in one of the larger villas at Disney’s Boardwalk, you might consider adding a frozen pizza or two to your grocery order. I hate to say it, but the frozen pizza will likely be better than the poor Pizza Window.

Related: Disney’s Boardwalk Villas

Food Carts on the Boardwalk

Since Disney’s Boardwalk is designed to mimic an actual boardwalk, several stands and carts serve food during regular business hours.

The To-Go stand is a fairly decent option. Their menu offers burgers, hot dogs, and chicken fingers. This location is usually open from 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.

Funnel Cake Cart is another kiosk on Disney’s Boardwalk. As you can probably imagine, they sell funnel cakes.

However, if Funnel Cake Cart isn’t available, you can always pick one up at the American Pavilion when you visit Epcot. However, you’ll need a theme park ticket.

Boardwalk Ice Cream

Moving on, Boardwalk Ice Cream offers a variety of different treats. You can get anything here, from a scoop of your favorite flavor of ice cream to a Mickey Mouse sundae.

Some special treats on the menu include a brownie a la mode and strawberry shortcake. However, if you want a diner-style meal with ice cream for dessert, try to get a reservation at Beaches and Cream Soda Shop. It’s located next door at Disney’s Beach Club Resort.

Boardwalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas

For those of you who enjoy a little sweet and sour cocktail, Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas sits along the Boardwalk. Joe’s has several margaritas, including the popular Marvelous Watermelon Margarita and the Patron Disney Select Anejo Margarita.

Make sure to pick up a jalapeno-stuffed pretzel to pair with it! It sounds like the perfect Boardwalk snack, right?

Belle Vue Lounge

We’ll move back inside Disney’s Boardwalk Inn to preview options at Belle Vue Lounge. This location is usually open from 4:00 p.m. until midnight.

Belle Vue serves as the resort’s formal lounge and is a wonderfully comfortable space to enjoy a few beers or a cocktail.

Belle Vue lounge is located on the main level (second floor) of the Boardwalk Inn. This location formerly served breakfast. However, they no longer provide this offering since Boardwalk Deli and Carousel Coffee are now available.

In the evenings, the lounge offers a full cocktail menu. You can preview the offerings here. Unfortunately, appetizers are not available.

Abracadabar

If you enjoy magicians and similar entertainment, you’ll love Abracadabar. Yes, that’s like Abracadabra, except with a bar on the end of it.

This magician-themed bar is open daily from 4:00 p.m. until 12:00 a.m. Abracadabar has a few appetizer items on the menu, including charcuterie, truffles fries, and a flatbread pizza option.

However, most of the menu items are elaborate cocktails. Elixirs, magic tricks, and illusions are the name of the game at Abracadabar. You can preview the menu here.

Leaping Horse Libations

Leaping Horse Libations is the pool bar at Boardwalk’s Luna Park Pool. This fun pool bar is themed to resemble a carousel. You can preview the current menu here on Disney’s site.

While Leaping Horse Libations has a fun cocktail and beverage menu, there isn’t much in the way of food offerings. At the time of this last update, this location offers a choice of premade salads, one plant-based protein bowl, and a pretzel dog on the menu.

Most resorts have a relatively decent quick service at the pool. For instance, Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club have an exceptional pool counter service at Hurricane Hanna’s.

Wrapping things up on a few positive notes, we’ll look at the table service restaurants at Disney’s Boardwalk.

Big River Grille and Brewing Works

Our next stop for dining at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn is Big River Grille and Brewing Works. This location is one I consider a bit of a hidden gem on the Boardwalk.

Big River Grill and Brewing Works doubles as a table service restaurant and a microbrewery. It’s one of our favorites of the Disney Boardwalk restaurants.

When the weather is pleasant, we enjoy finding dining outside at this location. It’s fun to do a little people-watching while you enjoy a meal.

Big River Grille offers classic American menu items like nachos, burgers, sandwiches, and salads. In the past, I’ve enjoyed several items here, like their club sandwich and Caesar salad.

From my experience, the food is always good, the service is friendly, and the price is reasonable. You can preview the menu for this location here.

Another bonus is that you don’t have to have a reservation to dine here. Big River takes walk-ups. But if you prefer a reservation, snag one on OpenTable.

Trattoria al Forno

Next on our list of Boardwalk restaurants is Trattoria al Forno. Trattoria is an Italian restaurant that’s open for breakfast and dinner.

You can expect elevated dishes like oak-grilled steak and eggs or tiramisu French toast during breakfast. You can preview the entire menu here on Disney’s site.

Trattoria al Forno formerly offered a character breakfast called The Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast. Unfortunately, as of this last update, that experience has not returned.

Previously, this character breakfast offered the opportunity to meet Ariel and Prince Eric with Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. Hopefully, we’ll see characters return in the future.

During dinner, you can anticipate a variety of Italian entrees, pizzas, kids’ meals, and more. Preview the dinner menu here on Disney’s site.

If you are looking for a meal with characters at this time, you might look into having breakfast at Topolino’s Terrace. Those staying at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn can take the Disney Skyliner (outside Epcot’s International Gateway) to Disney’s Riviera for that meal.

Flying Fish

Our last stop for dining in this area is Flying Fish, not to be confused with the Flying Fish Cafe. Flying Fish is one of Disney’s signature dining locations.

Flying Fish consistently receives five-star reviews. From the open kitchen to the chefs who prepare the meals, this is one of the most coveted dining reservations at Walt Disney World.

You can preview the menu here on Disney’s site. Unfortunately, this is one of the few signature dining locations I haven’t tried. However, I have never heard a single complaint about the restaurant.

You’ll want to get reservations well in advance for this location.

For other fine dining experiences at Disney World, try these:

*Brown Derby is within walking distance of the Boardwalk. However, since it’s located inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you’ll need a valid theme park entry and a reservation to dine there.

Additionally, Yachtsman, an excellent choice for steak or seafood, is only a few steps away from the Boardwalk at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.

The Cake Bake Shop (Coming in 2023)

While we don’t know an exact date or many specifics, Disney announced a new table-service restaurant would debut on the Boardwalk in 2023. The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers is a chain restaurant from Indiana.

We’ll cover this restaurant in detail when more information is available. We anticipate this location offering afternoon tea service when it opens.

The Cake Bake Shop is being built at the location of the former ESPN Club.

Restaurants Near Disney’s Boardwalk

There are plenty of other restaurants near the Boardwalk. For example, guests can walk to Disney’s Beach Club Resort and enjoy a counter-service meal at Beach Club Marketplace or seafood at Cape May Cafe.

Martha’s Vineyard, Beach Club’s lounge, has an excellent early evening menu that includes appetizers and entrees. We love their seafood chowder.

Related: Disney’s Beach Club Review

Disney’s Yacht Club sits next door and has another of our favorite off-the-radar restaurants, Ale and Compass. We have a review of several breakfasts at Ale and Compass.

Don’t miss the chocolate waffles! They are a long-time favorite item.

In addition, the Yacht Club has two lounges, Ale and Compass Lounge and Crew’s Cup. Both are excellent locations to enjoy dinner with no reservations.

Related: Disney’s Yacht Club Review

Disney’s Swan and Dolphin, within walking distance of the Boardwalk, has several dining options. For table service, you might consider having a meal at The Fountains. However, if you’re looking for fine dining, you don’t want to miss Shula’s Steakhouse.

While it’s not so close, another breakfast spot worth mentioning is Grand Floridian Cafe at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. This location is ideal for a leisurely morning when you plan to visit Magic Kingdom afterward.

In order to get there from Disney’s Boardwalk, you might take a bus to Magic Kingdom. Then take the monorail to Grand Floridian.

Final Thoughts on the Restaurants at Disney’s Boardwalk

Disney’s Boardwalk and the surrounding area have you covered when it comes to restaurants. Unfortunately, the Boardwalk doesn’t have a great selection of counter-service options. However, we have seen some recent improvements.

Those planning a stay at the Boardwalk Inn might consider park-hopper tickets for access to dining at the nearby theme parks. For instance, we enjoy pizza at Epcot’s Via Napoli when we stay in the area.

It’s great to spend the day at one park and then return for a break at the resort early in the evening. For example, you might walk to Epcot for a late dinner and fireworks. And don’t forget to take advantage of any extended hours offered to deluxe resort guests during your stay.

At this time, the Disney Dining Plan has not returned. However, Disney has announced its plans to offer the dining plan again in the future.

If you like, we have a complete list of our Disney Restaurant Reviews. That list might help you decipher what other dining options are available. We also have a complete list of hotel restaurants at Disney.

As for after-dinner nightlife on the Boardwalk, you might consider visiting Jellyrolls for dueling pianos. For family-friendly fun, there are Surrey bike rentals, arcades, and various games with prizes on the Boardwalk.

Are you planning a stay at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn? All of our articles related to the resort are available in our guide:

Disney’s Boardwalk Inn

Or you might enjoy these individual articles:

In the comments:

What are your thoughts on the restaurants at Disney’s Boardwalk? Do you wish the resort had one large counter service dining location like the other resorts? Or do you like the setup here better?

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