13 Best Disney Springs Restaurants | Where to Eat in Disney Springs FL

Written By: Gail Clifford | Published By: Foodie Flash Packer | Nov. 1, 2021

https://www.foodieflashpacker.com/best-disney-springs-restaurants/

Legend has it that Disney Springs was settled in the mid-1800s by a cattle rancher who discovered the town’s namesake springs and the town subsequently expanded from the springs outwards. It is a legend, though, created by Walt Disney Imagineering, and planted in this area that resembles other coastal towns throughout Florida.  

Disney Springs’ 120 acres include four district areas: West Side, Town Center, The Landing, and Marketplace. I was glad to find free parking on the surface and any of the color-coded garages (Orange, Lime, and Grapefruit) to visit new places and old favorites alike.

You see, last time I was in Orlando, this was all part of Downtown Disney, which had evolved from the Disney Village Marketplace and Pleasure Island. The Springs, Town Center and The Landing were all parking lots back then, and so much more fun to explore now.  

While in Walt Disney World, and the surrounding area, you can find plenty of Disney Springs restaurants, and chains like Planet Hollywood, the Rainforest Café, STK, City Works (their Peanut Butter Snickers Cup is still awesome), Starbucks, and even the House of Blues. But you’ll also find that Disney Springs food improved the selection and nutrition value over the past 50 years.

When I checked Disney Springs with a fresh eye (my first time here as a travel writer), I was impressed to find a couple of Disney Spring restaurants that even pre-dated Disney. Or so they say. 

We were a Disney family before Walt Disney World opened on October 1, 1971, with my parents honeymooning in the area before WDW opened. They took us to Disney in the mid- ‘70s, when WDW still used the ticket system rather than a daily fee, and my mother was dubbed Snow White, my father, Prince Charming, with the seven of us trailing them like little ducks, it was someone there at the parks that dubbed us the Seven Dwarfs.

I was always Doc, the other doctorate holder in the family Happy, and my oldest sister still proudly recalling herself as Dopey. Any time we saw our matching character was a good time for those memories. It was even a family-made Jeopardy question for my dad’s birthday one year.   

When my daughter was little, I lost about 10 pounds taking her to the Disney parks for 3 days and the cruise on the Wonder for 4. I just couldn’t eat any more burgers, fries, chicken fingers, or hot dogs. Somehow, I don’t think that’s going to happen anymore. The options have improved too much. 

13 Best Disney Springs Restaurants

Cookes of Dublin And Raglan Road Irish Pub

1640 Buena Vista Dr // +14079380300

With our home in Dublin, it’s hard for us to pass up this Disney Springs Irish Pub. And this one has two different areas. The true pub side is Raglan Road with outside seating not far from a forged statue of Irish poet Patrick Kavanaugh, seated on a bench with room for a photo opportunity. The hostess told me the two restaurants share the same space.  

They have Irish music and dancing in the evenings and some fun merchandise in the store, from Irish sayings to Trinity College Dublin merchandise.  

The names on the brunch menu make me smile. “Nom Nom Wings” or “Rack of Heaven” … though the latter is a Guinness glazed full rack of baby back ribs, so that seems pretty appropriate. 

The “Kiss Before Shrimp” name helps remind you to kiss your loved one (unless they’re eating it, too) before you try it. It’s powerful garlic and chili lemon butter sauce that you may be secreted from your pores for days to come.  

If you are checking Disney Springs restaurants for a great Irish breakfast, this is your spot. Purchase the “Full Irish” with Cheshire heritage pork Irish banger, black & white pudding, bacon, roasted tomato, mushrooms, and fried eggs with roasted potatoes.  

For a truly safe bet, try the “OMG Burger.” It’s a short rib and brisket beef burger, and the Irish bacon is good, Dubliner Irish cheddar sharp, and the crispy potato straws are yummy, but it’s the Jameson Irish whiskey BBQ sauce that tends to garner the OMG response. 

At dinner time, head back for Cookes, said to have been established in 1934. I couldn’t find any match in Ireland, but don’t let that dissuade you, the food is fresh and delicious. Choose from their famous fish ‘n chips, pie of the day, hog in a box (pork shoulder), chicken sandwich, Cookes Classic Battered Burger, BBQ Dream Burger, or Buffalo Chicken Sandwich.  

While I hold the Dubliner Cheese, the Dubliner Burger gets my vote. The sirloin burger is perfectly cooked to the well done I prefer, and the garlic mayonnaise is a nice combination with their ketchup. I still can’t do the crushed peas, but it’s a common thing to see here or back in Dublin. 

Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar

Pleasure Island Boat Dock // +14079395277

Established in 1955, the Hangar Bar is a Disney Springs restaurant that may pre-date Walt Disney World. The information I found confirmed that it was modeled after the Indiana Jones’ movies, which was no surprise after I heard a cast member say, “We don’t accept artifacts in payment.” No one could tell me that the restaurant existed before Disney Springs. One of those Imagineering marvels, I suspect.  

Now serving tapas-style dining with shareable plates, it’s easy to enjoy a Happy Hour here. Especially since it starts at noon. They said it’s always been that way, not specific to the pandemic, but perhaps due to the aging population in Central Florida. 

The Air Pirates Cargo Loaded Pretzel was delicious and one I’d have again and again. The snakebite sliders worried me a little too much to try – let me know if you’re more adventurous. The flatbreads were popular at many surrounding tables, as were the chicken wings and Doctor Astorga’s Queso Dip.