The Pros and Cons of Disney’s Boardwalk and Epcot Resort Area Restaurants

The entire Epcot resort-area is full of great places to eat. You can always dip into Epcot to grab a bite, but if you are looking to dine somewhere outside the park, you’ll have plenty of places within walking distance to choose from – including the entire Boardwalk area.

Here’s a rundown of the pros and cons of Disney’s Boardwalk and Epcot Resort Area restaurants……

Disney World dining basics

While dining at Disney World isn’t all that different than eating in the “real world,” there are few things to know about in order to make your experience easier.

Disney groups their restaurants into two main categories: Quick Service (which is like fast food) and Table Service (which are places that are a little bit nicer, where the food is brought to you).

Here is what you should know about each:

Quick Service

• Sometimes referred to as “Counter Service”
• Many locations offer Mobile Order which allows you to skip the line
• Advanced Dining Reservations are not required or offered

Table Service

• Most locations offer Advanced Dining Reservations that can be made up to 60 days in advance
• Some locations also offer a waitlist that can be joined from the My Disney Experience app
• Character Meals fall into this category

If you would rather stay at Epcot to dine, check out the pros and cons of all of the Epcot restaurants.

Disney’s Boardwalk

Disney’s Boardwalk area is a charming, bustling entertainment district located within walking distance of both Epcot and Hollywood Studios and although it isn’t a “must-do” – if you are looking for a chill way to spend an evening outside the parks, this might be a good option.

Designed to capture the nostalgic charm of turn-of-the-century Atlantic City, this lively waterfront promenade is lined with a delightful array of restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues including Jellyrolls and The Atlantic City Dance Hall – two of our favorite spots for an adults-only evening!

There are also several places to eat or grab a drink, and in the evenings, there are often carnival games and street performers to watch.

We love to head over here for grilled cheese and tomato soup or a drink at one of the several lounge options.

Located behind Disney’s Boardwalk are 2 resorts: Disney’s Boardwalk Resort and Disney’s Boardwalk Villas. But – you do not have to be staying at either of those resorts to enjoy all that the Boardwalk area has to offer!

Quick Service

The BoardWalk area has several Quick Service locations. You don’t need reservations to eat here, but Mobile Order is available, which is definitely handy during peak dining times.

BoardWalk Ice Cream (formerly Ample Hills)

BoardWalk Ice Cream serves a range of ice cream, including sundaes and milkshakes.

Table Service

BoardWalk has a variety of Table Service restaurants. Reservations are recommended for the following. You can book up to 60 days in advance online or in the My Disney Experience app. Some may even have a walk-up list that you can join.

Flying Fish

Flying Fish is a more upscale restaurant (Disney calls it “Signature Dining”) that serves seafood and steaks, along with appetizers and desserts. The menu also has plant-based items.

Trattoria Al Forno

Trattoria al Forno is an Italian restaurant attached to Abracadabar. The servings here are large and the food is good.

In the past, breakfast was character dining known as the “Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast”; however, that is currently unavailable and Disney has not mentioned when – or if – it will return.

When it was operating as a character meal, this spot was extremely popular because it was the only character dining where you could meet couples together (Ariel & Prince Eric and Rapunzel & Flynn Rider).

The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers (former ESPN Club; opening in 2024)

The Cake Bake Shop is both a Table Service restaurant and a bakery. The menu will feature savory and dessert menus, plus tea service.

Big River Grille & Brewing Works (PERMANENTLY CLOSED)

Big River Grille & Brewing Works was a family-friendly microbrewery and restaurant that served award beers and pub food.

It closed on January 21, 2024.

Everything Else

If you want to grab a beverage to drink by the pool, while you’re hanging at the resort, or need something quicker to eat, you may want to try one of the following dining options.

Abracadabar

Abracadabar is a lounge attached to Trattoria al Forno with a fun atmosphere serving a range of drinks and lounge-style food. You can also grab quick bites here for breakfast.

Leaping Horse Libations

Leaping Horse Libations is the carousel-themed bar by the Luna Park Pool. Enjoy frozen cocktails, beer, wine, sangria, snacks, and more.

BoardWalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas

Find small snacks and frozen beverages, including margaritas, piña coladas, and the Captain’s Seaside Sensation — a pineapple smoothie with a shot of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum.

Blue Ribbon Corn Dog (formerly The To-Go Cart)

Opening sometime in 2024, the beloved Blue Ribbon Corn Dog will be housed in the former Boardwalk To Go space and will serve delicious hand-dipped corn dogs.

Belle Vue Lounge

Belle Vue Lounge is located inside the main building near the lobby. You can get a quick breakfast (like pastries), coffee, a light lunch, and order from the bar, as well, including alcoholic beverages.

Beach Club Resort and Beach Club Villas

Disney’s Beach Club and Beach Club Villas are the closet resort to Epcot. Located just a short walk from Epcot’s International Gateway entrance, you’ll find a mix of Quick and Table Service options.

Quick Service

Although you don’t need reservations to dine at the Quick Service locations at Beach Club, you may want to consider using Mobile Order where available.

Beach Club Marketplace

This is a grab-and-go spot for those who want a quick breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can find a range of items, like eggs, breakfast sandwiches, Mickey-shaped waffles, salads, sandwiches, and baked pastas.

Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grill

A pool bar at Stormalong Bay, where you can order signature cocktails, draft beers, and frozen drinks. Plus, there is both a pool bar menu and a lunch menu available. The former menu has select items that are offered until 10 p.m.

Table Service

Table Service locations typically require Advanced Dining Reservations. You can make those online or inside of the Disney Experience app.

Beaches & Cream Soda Shop

One of the more popular resort Table Service locations. Beaches & Cream is a retro-style soda fountain where you can order burgers, milkshakes, sundaes, and plant-based items. There’s even an ice cream to-go window.

Cape May Cafe

Cape May Cafe is a New England-style restaurant that serves both breakfast and dinner buffets. You can only meet Minnie, Daisy, Donald, and Goofy in beach attire during breakfast. While the dinner buffet doesn’t feature characters, you can enjoy a variety of seafood dishes for supper.

Everything Else

Looking to grab some appetizers or a cocktail? Here’s where you can do that.

Martha’s Vineyard

This is a New England beach house-inspired lounge, where you can order cocktails, beer, and appetizers, with the latter served until 10 p.m.

Yacht Club Resort

Attached to Disney’s Beach Club, Disney’s Yacht Club has a couple additional dining options that may interest you.

Quick Service

Yacht Club only has 1 Quick Service option:

The Market at Ale & Compass

This is a grab-and-go spot for those who want a quick breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can find a range of items that aren’t too out-of-the-box, like eggs, breakfast sandwiches, Mickey-shaped waffles, salads, and hot and cold sandwiches.

Table Service

Here’s what you’ll find for Table Service at Yacht Club:

Ale & Compass Restaurant

Crew’s Cup Lounge

In addition to beverages, you can also order dinner here between 5 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., including a wedge salad, a prime rib, lobster bisque, and more.

Yachtsman Steakhouse

Everything Else

Just want a drink or a place to relax with a snack? Here’s where you can do that at Disney’s Yacht Club:

Ale & Compass Lounge

This lounge serves both cocktails and appetizers beginning at 4 p.m. daily. Food is only available until 10 p.m.

Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve

In addition to the Disney resorts, there are 23 additional restaurants located at the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve resorts.

They range from quick service locations to fine dining.