Are you planning some time away from the parks on your Walt Disney World vacation? Don’t skip out on Disney Springs!
Some of the best dining on Disney property is available here to try and I’m here to tell you all of my favorites!
The Polite Pig – Best Quick-Service Meal
A few months ago, just my husband and I were in Orlando and we were starving. We didn’t have any dining reservations, so we tried The Polite Pig. This place is INCREDIBLE! If you like BBQ, you’ll love this upscale joint.
My husband had the Slider Trio, 3 well-sized sliders with pulled pork, brisket, and fried chicken, and I had the Low and Slow Brisket Sandwich, topped with pimento cheese, porter bbq sauce, pickled jalapenos, and onion straws. We also shared a side of Mac & Cheese and Burnt Ends Chili. Let me tell you, we were stuffed! My husband’s favorites were the Burnt Ends Chili and the Fried Chicken slider! While I had to take out some of the jalapenos from my sandwich (because I couldn’t handle the heat ::blush::), the pimento cheese on top of the perfectly tender brisket was to die for!
T-Rex – Best Themed Restaurant for Kids
T-Rex is all about the atmosphere, similar to its sister restaurant Rainforest Cafe (another great choice)! Your kids will love the realistic animatronic dinos there to greet you and the sounds and lights of a meteor shower every 20-minutes. My daughter had just turned 3 at the time of our visit and she didn’t find it scary, but I’d be wary of bringing a child under 3.*
*Side story: When my son was 2, he had his first visit to Rainforest Cafe, and he did not like it at all. There are a lot of lights and sounds and it was very over-stimulating for him.
I found the food to be pretty tasty but I’d say it’s not the main draw here. I had the Triassic Trio: shrimp, scallops, and sirloin steak with rice. The steak was cooked exactly as I had ordered and the portions were massive. My husband enjoyed his Mes-O-Bones pork spareribs, and my kids had Cosmo’s Cheesy Macaroni and the Paleo Pizza. While the adult meals were great, I thought the kids meals tasted like school lunch. Picky eaters may like that!
Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ – Best for Brunch
Blueberry Mimosas, anyone?
If you like southern-style comfort food, then THIS is the place! Lunch and dinner here at Homecomin’ are fantastic meals, but the best meal you can eat here is a weekend-only brunch available on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 1pm.
My favorite dish is the Hallelujah Biscuit: a warm open-faced biscuit topped with their famous fried chicken, two over-easy eggs, pimento cheese, and pecan-smoked bacon, all smothered in gravy! My husband had the Fried Chicken & Doughnuts: Two pieces of fried chicken served with fluffy warm house-made sugar doughnuts. Both of these meals come with your choice of side, and I highly recommend Bradley’s Grits. They are so buttery and delicious!
Raglan Road – Best for Live Entertainment
If you’re looking for dinner and a family-friendly, high-spirited show – I recommend Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant. Now, I may be a little biased because I truly LOVE Irish food. I’m definitely a meat and potatoes kind of girl! So the Shephard’s to Die For Pie was right up my alley. But there is something for everyone at this restaurant open for brunch, lunch, and dinner.
This is the kind of restaurant where you can come for the food and stay for the entertainment! Visit on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 3pm for The Rollicking Raglan Brunch with the ever-popular Rhythms of Raglan Dance Show on the main stage. Or head here for a lively dinner show with live music and dance shows daily on both the main and patio stages from 5pm to 10pm.
Wine Bar George – Best for Date Night
The first place I want to go for my next date night at Disney World is Wine Bar George! This one comes highly recommended as the perfect restaurant for drinks and a delicious meal with a weekend brunch menu from 10:30 am to 2pm and a shareable and family-friendly dinner menu!
The real star of this show is the wine menu of 140 wines served by the glass, bottle, or ounce! Master Sommelier George Miliotes brings his expertise to curating the perfect wine and food pairings.
And if you don’t have time for a sit-down meal, you can enjoy a yummy Dole Whip Frozcato and charcuterie board to-go from The Basket at Wine Bar George – a great treat to bring back to your room!
Next time you’re in Orlando, don’t skip out on a meal and some downtime from the parks at Disney Springs!
If you’re currently working with a Smart Moms Travel Agent, then you are in good hands! And if not, I am here to help you make Disney happen for your family at no extra cost. Fill out my questionnaire here to get started!
