The Cake Bake Shop Restaurant by Gwendolyn Rogers is NOW OPEN at Disney’s Boardwalk.
We recently had breakfast here, and I was initially hesitant about the steep prices. However, with the much-anticipated opening just taking place, I was curious to see if it lived up to the hype—and the price tag. Here’s an honest review of our experience, covering the food, atmosphere, and service.
The Ambiance
The décor is quite elegant and definitely leans towards a more feminine vibe. Swarovski crystal chandeliers hang overhead (fun fact: Our server told us the owner personally hung each crystal!), and intricate moldings add to the luxurious feel. Everywhere you look, there’s a shimmer, with soft hints of light pink throughout.
I’ll admit, I was a bit nervous bringing my husband here. Let’s be real, it’s not exactly the most “masculine” setting. To my surprise, he loved it! He appreciated the ambiance and didn’t find it overly feminine, which I hadn’t expected.
The Background
In 2014, Gwendolyn Rogers opened the original Cake Bake Shop in Broad Ripple, Indiana. By 2019, she expanded with a larger, more elegant location in Carmel,
Indiana, famous for its opulent, sparkling ambiance. The shop is renowned for its signature towering layer cakes in a variety of flavors, including gluten-free options, as well as pies, macarons, and an array of other delightful desserts.
This restaurant features two distinct sections: a table-service dining area and a bakery. The dining area offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with reservations strongly encouraged. A special kids’ menu is also available for younger diners. While dishes like quiche, crab cakes, and sandwiches are popular choices, the real star of the show is CAKE! The bakery, which operates on a walk-up basis, is perfect for picking up freshly baked treats, including cake slices to-go.
The Food
As we entered the restaurant, the elegant details immediately caught our attention while we were escorted to our table. We were each handed a breakfast menu along with a cake menu, which also featured a selection of teas and specialty coffees. The restaurant also serves alcoholic beverages, and Mike treated himself to a Mimosa, which tasted like it was prepared with freshly squeezed orange juice.
Our server was wonderful and offered great menu recommendations. Additionally, we were warmly welcomed with a pixie dusted birthday message, as we were celebrating Mike’s special day.
I ordered the Ham, Rosemary & Goat Cheese Quiche, a popular choice at this spot. This creamy quiche features thinly sliced French ham, rosemary, and goat cheese, all in a rich, buttery European pastry crust. It was served with an arugula salad on the side. The quiche was light and flavorful, with the goat cheese offering a subtle, complementary taste that didn’t overpower the other ingredients. Pricing was $24.99.
Mike chose the Crab Cake Eggs Benedict, which featured a homemade blue and jumbo lump crab cake blended with panko breadcrumbs. The crab cake was served on a toasted croissant and topped with poached eggs, hollandaise, and minced chives. The dish was accompanied by an arugula salad. The croissant was light and buttery, the poached egg cooked to perfection, and the hollandaise had a little kick of spicy mustard. The crab cake had the ideal balance of crab and breadcrumbs. Pricing was $26.99.
The Cake
Last, but definitely not least, we chose a slice of Gwendolyn’s Famous Earl’s Court Chocolate Cake to share. I also ordered coffee to enjoy alongside the dessert. If you’re a fan of chocolate, this cake is a must-try. I’m usually a big fan of chocolate cake, but I often find it dry—this one was anything but. It was dense, moist, and absolutely delicious. The cake features three layers of rich Valrhona French chocolate, filled with a Callebaut Belgian chocolate ganache and malted chocolate cream. Honestly, it’s the best chocolate cake we’ve ever had. Between the two of us, we only managed to eat half of the slice. They say one slice serves 2-4 people, and I totally agree! Even my husband, who’s not usually into sweets, really enjoyed it too!
The presentation was just as enchanting, with a light sprinkle of edible glitter. We decided to take the other half of the cake back to our hotel for a late-night indulgence. The to-go box was sturdy and branded, and it even came with a beautiful Cake Bake Shop reusable bag. Pricing was $24.99.
Everything that came out of the kitchen looked irresistible, and I couldn’t help but wish I had more room to try it all. My husband and I loved everything about the restaurant! We both agreed that the meal was absolutely worth the price and lived up to the hype, thanks to the exceptional quality of the food. We’ll definitely return!
What are your thoughts on this new addition to Disney’s Boardwalk dining options? Is it something you’d consider adding to your must-try list for your next Disney World trip?
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